Having a break until October

LIFE…

….. is busy right now as we are heading to Asia soon and there is a bit to do before we go. The posts will continue in October. I hope to do some fun photography as it will be an entirely different culture to immerse ourselves in.

I’ll be posting phone photos on instagram so if you wish to follow along you can do so at Travellin_penguin.

READING…

I am at the end of the book The Deed that I mentioned last week. If you remember the four siblings have to come together and build a coffin for their recently deceased father in order to collect their inheritance which will be substantial. I don’t particularly like the characters as they are very self absorbed and the chaos of their activities makes me anxious. I just want them to get on with it. It is not high on my reading enjoyment list.

I did read the short story called The Cut Finger by little known British author Frances Bellerby, from the book A Different Sound: Stories by Mid-Century women writers edited by Lucy Scholes.

From ChatGPT (which I love)

Frances Bellerby (1899–1975) was an English poet, short story writer, and novelist known for her delicate and introspective explorations of themes such as nature, spirituality, illness, and the human condition. Her work often reflects her own experiences with physical illness and personal loss, which she endured throughout her life.

Early Life and Education

Born as Mary Eirene Frances Bellerby in Bristol, England, Bellerby was the daughter of a doctor and grew up in a cultured and intellectual environment. She attended school in Bristol and later worked as a teacher. Bellerby’s early life was marked by personal tragedies, including the death of her father in World War I and her own chronic health issues, which would later influence her writing.

Summary of “The Cut Finger”

The story revolves around a young girl who accidentally cuts her finger while preparing food. This seemingly minor incident triggers a series of memories and emotions, particularly concerning her relationship with her mother. The cut becomes a focal point for the girl’s reflections on her childhood, her feelings of guilt, and her sense of inadequacy.

As the story progresses, the cut on the finger takes on a symbolic significance, representing the emotional wounds the girl carries with her. The physical pain of the cut mirrors the psychological pain she experiences as she recalls moments of tension and misunderstanding with her mother. The girl’s memories reveal a deep-seated fear of disappointing her mother, and the cut serves as a reminder of the ways in which she feels she has failed.

Themes

1. Guilt and Responsibility: The story delves into the complex emotions of guilt and responsibility, particularly as they are experienced by children. The girl’s guilt over the cut reflects a broader sense of responsibility for things beyond her control, highlighting how children often internalize blame for events they don’t fully understand.

2. Memory and Trauma: Bellerby explores how past experiences, particularly traumatic ones, can continue to affect individuals long after the events have passed. The cut on the finger serves as a trigger for the girl’s painful memories, showing how seemingly small incidents can bring deeply buried emotions to the surface.

3. Mother-Daughter Relationship: The story also touches on the complexities of the mother-daughter relationship, particularly the expectations and pressures that can strain such bonds. The girl’s reflections on her relationship with her mother reveal her struggle to reconcile her love for her mother with her fear of failing to meet her expectations.

4. Symbolism of the Cut: The cut on the finger symbolizes the deeper emotional wounds that the girl carries. It represents both the physical manifestation of her pain and the psychological scars that result from her feelings of guilt and inadequacy.

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I find it incredible how a few pages of writing can squeeze so much into a story. When the young girl goes to show her mother her cut finger, her mother is in her room crying so she doesn’t enter the room. From then on this memory is imprinted and stays with her for life. She associates it with other events throughout her life. I’m sure most adults must have associative memories to events in their own childhood.

EVENTS OF THE WEEK

I attended two book launches at Fullers. One by a 90 yr old professor and medical doctor Norelle Lickiss that has compiled a very thick book of her experiences of practice that were far ranging since the 1970’s.

When she signed my book I told her I was a retired speech pathologist and she put her pen down, looked at me and said how important speech pathologists were in her career. I think you get that more working in health than you do in Education as I always felt more respected in health and disability work than I ever did in schools which was sad.

The other event was Sky Country published by Magabala Book, Western Australia by first nations author Aunty Patsy Cameron who grew up on Flinders Island. Lisa Kennedy’s illustrations are beautiful. It took her 3 yrs to finish the illustrations.

This book was launched by Tasmania’s governor, the Honourable Barbara Baker. Both events were sold out.

Finishing off with PET OF THE WEEK