Lilian's Tree

 I have read seven books this month with a new author, Hira Arikawa being my featured author. I didn't have any books by an author, with the surname starting in A, so I asked a good friend, Wendy and she made the suggestion.  The book she suggested was The Travelling Cat Tails,  by Hira Arikawa. Set in Japan, it tells the story of Satoru and his cat Nana. Satoru takes Nana to visit several friends, with the hope that they will take Nana for him. The story is told from Nana's point of view and you learn about Satoru at different stages of his life, through this journey. Beautifully written but have your tissues ready. 84, Charing Cross Road, by Helene Hanff, was mentioned by a friend, Kerry Farmer and I found my copy and read it. It is a series of letters between Helene and a bookshop at 84, Charing Cross Road. A delightful read. Two more of Jane Bettany's were also read, Murder at Maple Grange and Murder on Bluebell Hill.  Featuring Violet Brewster as the amateur sle...

 The Society of Australian Genealogists ran a five week course on WeAre.xyz, starting in July. I was wary of a new genealogy platform BUT I'm converted. I've been doing my One-Place Study on the cemetery at Mummell for several years and hadn't found the right platform for what I wanted to do, i.e. list and write about the people buried there. This program has given me the opportunity to do just that and I have spent weeks collecting facts and information on the people and entering it into the relevant sections. It has also allowed me to connect people to each other, through creating family trees. I've enjoyed it so much that I've started another study, this one on the Kootingal-Moonbie General Cemetery, but it will take a bit longer to do. This link is to the WeAre.xyz site. you do need an account but it's up to you if you want a paid one.   WeAre.xyz This is the link to the Mummell Cemetery site.   Mummell Cemetery

 In July I started a five week course on the genealogy platform, WeAre.xyz. It is a website that you can create your own family site on or do a One-Place Study. (OPS) I played with the family tree side of it but decided to move my Mummell Cemetery One-Place Study to the site. (more in another post) We also did a six night Outback Safari, going as for as Cameron Corner, where South Australia, Queensland and New South Wales meet. It was by 4WD Landcruiser and was wonderful. We went to places that I wouldn't drive to, because of the roads or the distance. Had a wonderful time, exploring our state. Macquarie Marshes Cameron Corner Mungo National Park Back home and we had to get the red dust out of everything! I have been doing heaps of research into the people on my OPS, did a class on Excel and one on Artificial Intelligence, interesting. August has been, wet, wet, wet, and now it's windy!  I did a talk for the Hawkesbury Family History Group on 13 August on the City of Sydney Ar...

 Since I did the April A-Z Blogging Challenge my blogging mojo has been missing. I've done my book posts but nothing else. May saw Paul and I do a cruise on the Murray River onboard the P S Murray Princess. It was so relaxing, gliding along the river, looking at the bird life and the stunning scenery. Did some shore excursions and wandered around Mannum and Swan Reach. We had time in Adelaide both before and after the trip and caught up with friends. Big Bend Our boat. June was cold and wet, so we stayed close to home and I read, knitted and worked on the family tree.