Not Dead Yet - Forum

in my library i found............. this book:

" Murder down the Medway ".... By Alex Mabon.

 strange, its about the place i used to work.

 by a scottish writer..

Aye,but was it any good ! :P

 nostalgia Mac.................. you cant beat it.
 the book so far is.........................great.

I find that about Maisey Mosgow
she writes about old Salford which is where I was born !
I really like the books about years ago they are so much more interesting !

Books ?? Just cannot beat them for variety and selection.
Looking at my library, most will be about,war(fact)--mystery and murder and not forgetting a few of Bill Bryson and his walks. I love a book for every possible mood and occassion, so relaxing, that my tea or coffee can get cold when so engrossed.

Smiler, Happy Reading. Nostalgia ?? Good for one's mind!!

my daughter has the readers digest sent to me
every month now. i alway go to the `laughter`
page,first. a laugh a day..... makes the day.

Great Book!! Used to have it in the 1960s when out and about (Travel)-- Would fit into one's briefcase, or even one's pocket, there'by having a good laugh --First for the day!! -- What a pick-me-up !! and a Great Relaxer!!

I too used to get the Readers Digest
and the first thing i did was look at the picture on the back page to see if it was good to paint !
I have copied many a one from there.

Hey Mac, i started my painting after buying
the `reveille`, i used to paint the picture
of the front page,usually a spanish dancing                girl. that was in the 1970`s.
May pick up a paint brush again soon...if i
get a bigger flat........will know tomorrow
will have space then....for a lot of things

Books?? Bought six today from 'Age Concern' including four hardback Readers Digest, with four stories in each book.

I too remember The 'Reveille' and also The 'Picture Post' and the 'Illustrated' magazines, when our last King, was layed out in 'state'-- not forgetting The Punch, as well.
 Ah!! Those Memories keep coming back:

Hey Phoenix, if you have a charity shop called `Sense`
in your area.....they have a very good book and video section... as well as good furniture...some brand new     at reasonable cost...video`s cost 50p...i bought some
old B/W 1930`s for 50p.+`upstairs & downstairs`@ 50p.

Hi Smiler, Not sure where our nearest 'Sence' is. But normally, we are well covered by Age Concern and the Library, so guess we are quite lucky. Have got rid of our Video recorder, since updating to DVD. recorder/player.
 Sometimes, regrettable ??

Anybody read any, Tom Sharpe or Bill Bryson for light hearted reading. Could be a long dark Winter and a good Book is a welcome companion!!

I love Bill Bryson
I am reading Peter Kay now its called "the sound of laughter" but my favourite book is Papillon !

Hi Mac, Hope you are getting a lot of 'Laughter Sounds' from your reading. -- How do you find reading the Book, compares to watching the Film ??

Hi Mac

I read Peter Kays Sound Of Laughter not long ago and really enjoyed it. Not often I laugh out loud when reading a book but you can't help it when reading Peter Kay's book. Lol he had some jobs before finding stardom ..from working in a Cinema to a Cash and Carry .. I can really recommend it ...You should give it a read Pheonix it my cheer you up lol

And if it doesnt ...watch Paddy and Max  ;D ;D ;D ;D
best comedy on the box !

Is no one been reading any Good Books lately ???
What have you all been doing. Not many good programmes on TV --- Only leaves one --- The Computer ??
 Come on in and tell us what You Do, to pass the time away ??

What about "the Swarm" from Frank Schätzing - a German book lately translated into English? It's sort of a "science fiction" book describing how animals are revolting against the destruction of nature.

Hello Teri, Welcome to the Forum!! I have made a note of your Book. Could certainly make good reading and will see if I can obtain it from our local library. As an avid reader, I enjoy a veried selection of Books. Depending on 'mood' I sometimes have 2/3 - on the Go!!---- Perhaps, the Animals know something ??  and need to put us right ??

I just finished a book, The Flying Squad, from its inception up to recent years, quite an eye opener to read of the inside workings of the CID.
One think stands out in my mind, on the abolition of the death penalty, how the increase in the use of guns took the place of pick handles and iron bars. As the criminals said, at least we wont hang, the wost we will get is 20yrs.
I think that says it all.

Hi William, Hum! 7 years more like. Minus, Time Off For Good Behaviour!!-- But now crims: are being let out Very Early?? -- "No Room At The INN"  ?????????

BOOKS??  Anyone received a Book for christmas ?? or Reading a good one at present?? have recently finished 2 fiction, but nothing special to recommend.

Teri, Am halfway into "THE SWARM" and really enjoying.-- It really Can Happen??   Eve read out to me an article,  About all The Jellyfish giving problems around Australia coastlines that kill more people than Sharks and Wales??
--Maybe?? The Jellyfish, are  ---- Complaining????

maybe and do you know that Mr. Bormann really exists and millions of years ago the coast drifted away in Norway, as written in the book. We had a dinosaur exhibition last year and lots of lectures on the subject.
Where I live there is a dinosaur cemetery - the discovered it when they started to build a new street.

Teri,   Oh! dear!  The Jellyfish really are Swarming!!
We have just watched a Programme on TV!!  -- Millions of Jellyfish are swarming around the Pacific Ocean, swimming Towards The Shores of Japan, The Phillapines and the west Coast of America -- The Scientists, have found that some jellyfish, have Eye's and a Brain -- and can actually See Colours!! This means they have 'Inteligence' ?????
 Was a very Interesting programme, more so because i am halfway into ---- THE SWARM ????????

i AM AFRAID I DONT READ  MANY BOOKS  BUT I HAVE WRITTEN ONE AND PUBLISHED IT MYSELF ,  THE TITLE IS " PLEASE DONT LET MY BABY DIE"  IT IS A FICTION BOOK     AND I HOPE TO START MY SECOND ONE SHORTLY

well done Peter, I hope it sells well, I can only read large print books,and non fiction books. Do keep us informed of your progress, once again, best of luck.

Hi Peter do you write in the name Peter Weston ?

Absolutely Delighted, to know you have written and Published your Book!! - We are Both, avid readers and perhaps may be able to get The book from our Library??
Well Done!!

Almost finished a Book called "Whicker's War" by Alan Whicker. Very intersting to see the picture through a Reporter's eye's!!
Anybody Read any Good books lately ?????

 Hi. Phoenix. the book i have started reading again, is
 "the making of a Sky Scraper". all about the levelling
 of `Madison Square Garden`,to put up this `scraper.
  A fasinating book, from contract signing,to the finished  `topping out`ceremony ..............it`s out of print now.
  Channel 4 made 4 video`s of it in the 1980`s.

 still using library `comp`.will be back `on line`
 s-------o------o=======n

Hello Smiler,  Seem to recall you mentioning that before.
I bet it is fasinating!! -- we don't think about just How?
those 'sky scrapers' are built??  We do see the very high Cranes after many 'stories' high, but not one 'inkling of just How??

Smiler, Hope we do have you back online soon!!
Trust your keeping your 'cool' ?? (with the servers)
Must be quite frustrating -- I would be going mad by now, so hope you have plenty to keep you occupied. Above All ??
Keep Happy, in the Face of ever increasing opposition!!
 Will look forward to seeing You back !!

yes Phoenix, i have signed up with B.T.now, they said next Thursday, a parcel will be delivered,so i have to wait in
all day from 7am to 7pm. then my daughter wil l put all the
pieces together later............................. see you.

Hello Smiler, Don't want to congratulate you too soon. Prefer to wait untill everything is connected and running??
Companies are so 'Full' of promices, But!! Hope all goes well by friday!!-- Shall do my very best, not to think of You, Waiting 12 hours??/ Hope it happens well Before then??
Oh!! Happy Days?? -- Will be when WE see YOU, Back Online!!

yes Phoenix, back on line BUT, this Norton that comes
with it, the setting are too low. daughter will sort
it out soon. i think of you looking like Brian Wilde,
of Porridge and Last of the Summer Wine.....near ?
 lets see what other people think others look like !
should be FUN.......................................

Good one Smiler  ;D
I already know what William looks like and he me,but for Phoenix I think he would be a little grey,a little over weight,but in the main happy in his world !
Now you Smiler
errr a grey haired slim man who is quite active ?
Teri I imagine as quite slim and fairish...and very clever !
always on the go !
Michael I imagine as a frustrated would be MP
Maurice is invisible  ;D
who else is there ?

Mac, I like you analysis of us  ;D ;D  ------ ME???
Happy in MY World --- Definately Yes!! A little Gray --- what there is ---Yes!!  Overweight ?? Hum!! Just a little for my size ---- Yes!! ----- Mac!! You are very Good!!
 Three out of Three!!  Well Done  ;D ;D ;D

Just started reading "Spycatcher" about the day's of MI5/6 and the Spies, Maclean, Burgess, Philby and Blunt!! -- Reads very good!!

Anybody read any Good books lately  ::) ::) ::)

Guess my age is showing ?? have read 4 books just lately. Almost forgot how good it is ????

Just heard on the Richard and Judy show of a good book,its a thriller,called No Time To Say Goodbye,they were raving about it.

Never liked Them!! -- The Book could be Good??  Do You Know The Title Please ???

Here is more info about it Phoenix
About the Book
A page turning thriller, in which, a teenaged girl wakes up one morning to discover her family have vanished without a trace. 25 years later, after a TV appeal, she begins to learn the truth behind their sudden disappearance.

No Time for Goodbye
Linwood Barclay Book Code: 4NOT Availability :In Stock Price: £3.99 RRP £7.99


It looks like it is a winner they've sold out on this site but I'm sure you could get it elsewhere, I think I might look out for it, it sounds terrific.

I have managed to get one to take into hospital with me hoping it will keep me gripped lol

Shown Eve the Info: Must Have!!  Who is The Author ???

Mac, Glad you have a copy!!  Book sounds GREAT!!
Hope it keeps you -----Gripped!!

Its by Linwood Barclay if you click on this link you can order it online.

http://tinyurl.com/6quqhp


or at least see what its like.

I have just ordered it so we can swop notes. Hey Mac I hope your stay in hospital isn't long or serious. We don't want you missing from here too long.(http://www.postsmile.com/img/sports/37.gif) (http://www.postsmile.com/)

Thanks Val,  Did not realise, Linwood Barclay was The Author?? --- Not sure if I mis read, or had another senior moment ??

No worries , I call them blonde moments these days, sounds better than senior moments, trouble is my hair is red...lol....

Val,dont you go telling me all about it till I get back lol
I go on the 15th for about 2 weeks but only in for 1 week I hope.!Its a hysterectomy.So I have to rest,so I can use the pc without feeling guilty for sitting here when everything wants doing lol

Good luck Mac and take it easy, I gave up guilt ages ago, it interfered with my play time. I won't say a word about the book until I know you've read it.

Hi Val,  Whats with this 'Blonde Moment ---s??  When You have 'Red Hair' ::) ::)  Hum!!   Sounds like a Cover Up ??



Mac, We shall all be thinking of You 'specially' a week on Tuesday!! Trusting all goes well!!  That also Includes reading ---"No Time For Goodbye" ;) ;)

Thanks Phoenix  :-*

Hi Val, You keep that lovelly 'Red Hair'  a'showing and be proud!! -- The only time i 'cover up' is when the Sun is out??  Have to wear my panama hat to stop skin cancer - last Hospital check due August 26th. should be OK??

Why is it that as we grow Older?? we seem to inherit these Guilt Feelings ?? I never used to have them and wonder if it's because I cannot do things as before ::) ::)

We are learning all our lives Phoenix
and in the autumn of our lives we have to accept some things
I am sure once we accept them it gets easier.

I don't do guilt these days, for the first time I feel free of it and allow myself to enjoy it. As a mum of 4 I was full of guilt, am I doing the right thing, are they getting enough vitamins and so it went on. The youngest is 20 so if I got it wrong tough I can't change it now. Its me time, so Phoenix enjoy your me time and let go the guilt.BTW although this sounds selfish I make sure it doesn't hurt anyone.

 Hurray for Books!!   Have not done so much Reading for years??  Guess I look at it as -- Non-Productive ::) ::)
 What did I do, befor The computer ??????? 

READ.........Phoenix lol
init just brill ???/
 :P

My book came yesterday, I've read half of it, but I promise Mac, I'll not say another word.
(http://www.postsmile.net/img/29/2936.gif) (http://www.postsmile.com/)

My Books are piling up ?? must try speed reading again, I can't keep up wiv 'em ::) ::)

What do you do with your old books? I've got a bag full and keep forgetting to dispose of them

Hi Val, Normally??  We Buy form Age concern @ 99p. each -- Then when we have a large bag full --- We Take them back!!

There is an 'Art'to this ??? --- Not to Buy the same book Twice ::) ::) ::) --Well? T'is our good deed?? -
OK!!  Another Senior Moment?? (caught out again) ::) ::)

Val,it must be good if you have read half of it already lol

My lips are sealed.(http://www.postsmile.net/img/29/2940.gif) (http://www.postsmile.com/)

Then I look forward to it  ;D

Come on you Bookworms ??  What are you reading now ??

Am halfway into a Book called -- "STREET KID"  BY JUDY WESTWATER. -----  'ONE CHILDS FIGHT FOR SURVIVAL' -----
I am finding it quite interesting, although it does 'depict' the cruelty shown by some Adults??

This book is quite a change for me to read, but i need to see how she gets through life!!

Just finished reading "The Victorians" by A N Wilson  http://www.amazon.co.uk/Victorians-N-Wilson/dp/0099451867

Also "Florence Nightingale" by Cecil Woodham-Smith
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Florence-Nightingale-Biography-Memoirs-Woodham-Smith/dp/0094758107

Kept me out of mischief for an hour or two.  Very interesting stuff in both books.

Val,the book was very good indeed,I would never have guessed the outcome did you ?

 I believe the 'value' of any good Book, is the final chapter and the feeling of enjoyment!!

Alas?? not every book has that Ending??

Mac it was amazing, it started off slow for me and I thought I'm never going to get through this but what a good read, no I never guessed the ending at all.

Now re-reading "The Flame Trees of Thika" by Elspeth Huxley.  First read it in the early 1960s.  Anyone else out there read it ?

Yes I have Aljed,and I saw the film done by television the scenery was beautiful and the colours were just spectacular too.The story wasnt bad either lol

You may well not believe this, but??   I am going to have another READ, of  "SUCCESS THROUGH A POSITIVE MENTAL ATTITUDE" --- HAD IT FOR MANY YEARS AND MOST CERTAINLY HELPED IN THE PAST!!  --- now with health failing and my head in a 'whirl' I need to  think more positively ???

Good intention Phoenix! I hope it will help you!

She has written several other books about Kenya too.  I read them (and others) when we were out there in the 1960s as a way of getting to know and understand a bit about the country.

I bet it was nice in the 60s in Kenya

Well . . . .

We got there in June 1964, just after "Independence", and we left at the end of 1966.  The old colonial days had definitely ended, many Europeans had left for good and everyone was wondering how things would work out under the new African government.  By the time we left it seemed as though there would soon be a showdown between the Kikuyu people tribes in sympathy with them in the country north and east of Nairobi, and the Luo and their friends to the west on the shores of Lake Victoria.  A politician was assassinated near where we lived, so we were glad to leave and felt by then that it was no place to be with a young family.

However, we travelled about as much as we could and were able to see Uganda before it degenerated into Civil War.

Ayjed so you are an expert for African issues. In German schools we deal with colonial and postcolonial Africa. It's a rather interesting topic.

John one of our chatters and his wife live in SA,and they are trying to get back to England,they have just put their house up for sale.Read his posts they are qute interesting and you will relate to a lot of what he says too.

That rings a bell, did they make a film or something of it? or maybe I have read it, the title certainly seems to strike something.Oh lol, just read all the other replies, I never saw them ...doh....

No, I am definitely not an expert in African issues - we only went to Kenya for 2½ years - and that was 44 years ago !!!!!

However, since we were there to teach the Kenyans I thought I should know a bit about the place, and school had not taught me anything.  I read up what I could and found it all very instructive.  I suppose the exploration of the country and the building of the railway were what I found most interesting - modern African politics I find a mess and a muddle.

Ayjed have you ever read something written by Ngugi wa Thiong'o? His story "Meeting in the Dark" is one of the stories dealt with in our schools. The clash of cultures described there got under my skin.

Today, has been a good and restfull day. Apart from a little shopping, I have continued the reading of "The Fall of Berlin" - one of the most interesting war books, I have read. = Fact and Explecit:

It was a hard time - some weeks ago they showed a report on Berlin after WW II - Rosinenbomber we called the planes that brought food and "sweets".
Phoenix, do you know that the first chocolat I ever have eaten was distributed to the children on X-mas by the Americans. My first sweets (peppermint bonbons) were thrown out of an jeep by an American soldier.

Thats probably why you have still got your own teeth Teri.
Funnily enough we didnt get sweets either except when the yanks brought them along with the nylons.
My mother said they were the best years of her life !!!

The Sweets  =   Yes!!   The Nylon Stockings ???   =  Thats how 'they' got round the Women!!  Easy Work???

Thats what my dad said too lol

ALL  Perfectly True!! -- "Pride, taketh A Fall" ?????
If something is Wanted??  Something has to be Given ?????

Snippets from an author called David Southwell.
Entitled 1001 ways to die,apparently all true.

Big Bang
Giacario Burranti was so infuriated after 10 break ins to his shop,that he rigged up a bomb as a security system.Sadly,he forgot to disarm it one day in 1992 and blew himself to bits.

Live Wire
In 1979 at a village fete,an English vicar sat on top of a tank of water and if contestants hit a target with a ball he would be tipped in.Unfortunately he was holding a microphone at the time.......leading to a flash of holy smoke.

Thunder Box
In 2001,a 32-year-old camper died in Montebaur,Germany,when a campsite toilet he was using exploded due to a build-up of leaking gas from a nearby septic tank.

His and Hearse
Undertaker Jose Augustin Noh and his lover Ana Maria Camara,from Mexico,succumbed to carbon-monoxide poisoning as they slept after having sex in a hearse.The engine had been left running to keep the air conditioning running.

All Lit Up
It wasnt a very happy christmas for the family of Seattle man James Hoban in 1982.He electrocuted himself when he decided to water his Norfolk Island pine christmas tree........with the fairy lights on it !

Plum Crazy
Rumanian farmer Dimitru Dumitrazcu was making and sampling plum brandy in his barn during the 1993 festive season.Dimitru became so in toxicated that he fell face first into a barrel of the potent drink and drowned.

His Work Got On Top Of Him
French undertaker Marc Bourjade died when a stack of coffins collapsed on him in 1982.With fitting irony he was later buried in one of the coffins that had crushed him to death.

lol, maybe I shouldn't laugh but I do find them funny.nice one.

Got myself, a Good book today.  "Notes from a small country" by Bill Bryson. -- The first of his books i had read. Brilliant!! Britain is the small country.
Anyone read any of his ?? I still have five on my shelf to read --- sometime ??

Yes Phoenix
I have read a few of Bill Bryson`s some are better than others,and he has a special way of describing things,very humorous !

Bill Bryson, sure has a special way of writing. In this first Book I read "Notes from a small Island"  (sorry i had it as Country) -- It is as though one was with Him, all the way through --- every step of the way.

Nice to see you Phoenix
hope you are ok

I've bought a couple from Amazon, haven't read them yet but I do like 'happy' books.

A great book for the gents. The Soldier's War ( The great war through veterans eyes) by Richard Van Emden. With previously unpublished photos and letters. Very moving :'(

Part of this book was serialised in the Daily Mail. Special purchase offer by the Mail? = This book reduced from £20 to £18. for Mail readers Big deal????????? :P

 I bought a brand new hard back copy through Amazon for £10.35. FREE Postage.

Highly recommended



Geoff  ( The cannie one, mac LOL!!   ;))

Hi Geoff, Thanks for the reminder!! I missed the offer in The mail. I really enjoy war books and can't get enough. I much prefer the True Stories 'factual' without embellishment:

Hi Phoenix :)

I believe you will like this book. When I see the film shots and photo's of the expressions on the faces of those poor souls in the trenches- both German and English -  my heart goes out to them even though most are dead now. It must have been a living hell! I try to imagine me being there but its impossible to empathise.

The positive things are the poems some of these men wrote - straight from the heart. And the letters to their loved ones. Tough men turned to poets and authors. Wonderful.

Geoff :)

Hi Geoff, I too have tried to visualise being in that position, in both wars, but extremely hard to place oneself there. I have some programmes in my comp: about those wars, that I re-read from time to time. My Father in the first world war wrote a poem of 23 verses, " The Sentries Reflection and Duty" and had it publised, with othere's in The Dover Holiday Guide, before the last war.
 I still have a few war books to re- read again and again, but do mix with othere's sometimes.
"Lest We Forget Those Dead Heroes"