Beetroot soup, River Cottage style

You’ve probably picked up from the blog & Twitterverse that I’m a bit of a “foodie”—here’s a few recent photos by way of evidence!

Bake day--hurrah!

Enjoy. 😉

In my recent post for “A View From Here: A View From Christchurch” for the Aotearoa at Frankfurt Blog Carnival, I alluded to some of the less-than-easy aspects of living in post-earthquake Christchurch.

Summed up in a few words, disasters of the magnitude that happened here are never over when the earth stops shaking (or whatever the natural or man-made equivalent is in the case of other disasters in other places.) That is only the beginning and the really hard yards come afterward: surviving, making do, repairing, rebuilding. And such things take time, a lot of time. They’re not “sexy” in media terms either—no more death and destruction, no feats of heroism, sacrifice, and service. “The shouting and tumult dies—the captains and the kings depart” (Kipling)—and places like Christchurch are left just trying to make a day-to-day difference in a situation that is a lot about grunge and far from “normal” by any stretch of the imagination.

Mostly, I believe, we succeed, but it is natural, I think, for the first rush of offers of assistance and help to come in in the early days when the disaster is very much in the news—and the need both immediate and great, no question about that at all.

From  a personal point of view, when it comes to assistance, although we sought and accepted practical help from family and friends in the days post Feburary 22nd (much of it recorded here on the blog under the Earthquake Reports and also in the Acknowledgments to The Gathering of the Lost, The Wall of Night Book Two, completed during that time) we mainly tried to keep it to that. The reason was because we knew for a fact that we were an awful lot better off than a great many other people and we wanted the help, both institutional and charitable, to go to those who really needed it.

For this reason, we have never taken any grants such as those available from the Red Cross, even though in theory we qualified for them. And when various charities and welfare agencies came knocking door-to-door, which they have done on far more than one occasion, I have always said the same thing, very sincerely: “Thank you so much for asking, but we’re fine. We don’t need anything.”

So if the Christchurch Irish Society had knocked on the door, I would have said exactly the same thing.

But here’s the thing: when I walked out to my letter box the other morning, I saw something red and green and shiny in it, and thought (as you do): “Huh, what’s that?” When I got closer, I saw that it was a brand new first aid kit. Picking it up and examining it more closely (and still a little puzzled), I saw a very small sticker that said: “From Chch [Christchurch] Irish Society.”

And then I understood: this was a gift. A very practical and useful gift that would be of very real benefit to any household anywhere, but particularly on Christchurch’s East Side in the aftermath of the last two years’ events. And although such a gift may address need, it isn’t about need: it’s about giving. And when something is given in that way: quietly, generously, and thoughtfully, it would be churlish at the very least to either return it or give it away. To do either of those things, regardless of whether or not one could afford to buy exactly the same First Aid kit for oneself, would be to deny both the magic of the gift, and the generosity of the giver.

So I have done the only thing possible: I have accepted the gift. More, I am grateful for it and for the thoughtfulness it represents, not least because this is a gift from Christchurch people, who may themselves be in need, to their fellow Christchurch people.

And in a living situation where, despite best intentions, it is sometimes hard not to have days when the “glass half empty” is the glass one sees, the moment of realisation around the gift of this first aid kit was one of both deep appreciation, but also warmth: cup-running-over stuff, indeed.

Needless to say, I shall also be giving thought to “paying it forward.”

And here it is at last, in all its glory, the first aid kit:

Joanna Preston

I said yesterday that it must be spring because events were bustin’ out all over, with a post on NZ Speculative Fiction Blogging Week following hard on the heels of Suffrage Day.

And lo and behold, into my inbox popped the panui (notice) for the Canterbury Poets’ Collective, Poetry In Performance Spring Season 2012.

Brian Turner

And I have to say, it’s a great line-up! If you are in Christchurch for any/all of the evenings it would be well worthwhile popping along for a listen and to meet the poets.

(And where I’ve featured a poet here “on Anything, Really” I have linked to the poem so you can sneak a look at his or her work.)

But anyway, to the notice:

—

Canterbury Poets Collective (CPC) presents

Tusiata Avia

Poetry in Performance, 2012 Spring Season

Open mike and guest readers. Wednesdays at 6.30 pm

Audience vote for the Best Open Mic Poet.

3   October:     Johanna Aitchison, Hagley Writers Institute
10 October:     Elizabeth Smither, Emma Currie, Paul McGuigan
17 October:     Joan Fleming, Andy Coyle, Frankie McMillan
24 October:     Louise Wallace, Sean Joyce, Marisa Cappetta
31 October:     Brian Turner, Fiona Farrell, David Gregory
7   November: James McNaughton, Bernadette Hall, Rebecca Nash
14 November: Owen Marshall, Tusiata Avia, Joanna Preston
21 November: Best of the season’s open mic readers.

Frankie McMillan

The venue is the very comfortable space at the CPIT Students Association (CPSA) Hall, 5 Madras Street and about 200 metres south of our former venue, the well loved Madras Café and Book Shop (now Black Betty Cafe.)

Yup, it must be spring because things are happening all over, with Suffrage Day yesterday—although that, of course, is historical!—and NZ SpecFic Blogging week having commenced on Monday 17 and running through until Sunday 23.

Sponsored by SpecFicNZ, the idea of the blogging week is that bloggers everywhere post on NZ speculative fiction topics all week. As it says on the SpecFicNZ blog:

“Post to your blog in that time, and whether it’s a snippet of SF poetry, or a self-indulgent squee about the Fantasy epic you’re reading – or writing – or a discussion of the craft, or just pictures of that freaky costume you wore to the last Con, you’ll be in to win fame and fortune and prizes!”

I’ll let you click through to SpecFicNZ, here,  to find out more about the prizes and how to win fame and fortune! 😉

But otherwise, if it’s Science Fiction/Fantasy/Horror and it’s Aotearoa-New Zealand: get blogging!

Kate Sheppard Memorial (still there, post quakes!)

Yes, on this very day, in 1893, New Zealand women achieved the vote.

New Zealand was not only the first country in the world to grant women suffrage “at all” (although I believe the state of Wyoming in the US granted women the state legislature vote in 1869), but granted it to all women, regardless of age, class or race. (Quite right, I hear you cry, but also understand that was not always the case.

“Canterbury had an integral part to play in the Women’s Suffrage campaign. Both the leader of the women’s campaign for women’s votes, Kate Sheppard, and the leader of the Parliamentary campaign, Sir John Hall, were Canterbury people.” (Source: Christchurch.org)

Kate Sheppard, who led the campaign for the vote

Something to be proud of, neh? And I am proud of it—although with women’s wages still lagging at around 85% (a very ’rounded’ average) behind those of men, and the continuing prevalence of violence against women in society, including family and domestic violence, the work of suffragists such as Kate Sheppard is far from done.

—

Suffrage Events in Christchurch Today:

5.30 pm at the Bridge of Remembrance, Cashel Mall: A Suffrage Day Event–Rebuild our Vote for our Schools, City and Environment

Here’s the Panui:

“We are arranging a community, family-friendly event to Rebuild Suffrage on Suffrage Day 19 September–this Wednesday 5.30- 6.30 at the Bridge of Remembrance in central Christchurch.

The goal is launch a new petition for democratic decision making for our schools, our city and our environment.

Why? Three big changes have removed meaningful local democracy:

1. A sweeping array of school closures and mergers threatens to take the heart of many communities away. These school communities have supported us and our children through disaster. Some ideas may be welcomed, others not. Many communities need much more time and support and information. School communities should debate and vote for their school futures via school board elections!

2. Real decision making power has been taken from the voters for Christchurch City Council and given to an unelected Government body CERA with no plan in sight for how this power will be returned. We may not have all agreed with the City Council, but it was ours! Local democracy and city votes must be at the heart of our rebuild!

3. We have lost our right to vote for our Regional Council ECan, which makes decisions about our children’s environment, water, air and public transport. If Government-appointed Commissioners are doing a good job, let them stand for election to win our support!

To recover from disaster we must take people with us. Our tamariki need to grow up with a clean environment, local schools and to be listened to with respect in rebuilding their city. It is undemocratic, unwise and unfair to force rushed change, and experiments while removing our voice. Change must be achieved with the people’s vote through our school boards, city council and regional council.

If you share our concern come along to launch the petition ‘Kids Vote Canterbury’ on 19 September, Suffrage Day, at the Bridge of Remembrance.

An online petition will also be available shortly.

Bring / Wear/Pledge:

–Bring white, purple and green balloons for Suffrage Day
–Wear a white camellia
–Bring along some signs, or come down early and make some!
–Pledge to support suffrage for our children, city and region by signing our petition ‘VOTECANTERBURYKIDS’
–Bring your families!! This is a community and family-friendly event. 🙂

Follow us on twitter: https://twitter.com/votecanterburyk
Facebook:http://www.facebook.com/events/113307418819925/?ref=ts
Website: http://votecanterburykids.wordpress.com/ ”

—

7.30 pm: Middleton Grange School—Join Women on Air for their celebration of Suffrage Day & the end of 20 years of broadcasting!

The event will include:

•  actress Helen Moran as Kate Sheppard; and
• Port Hills MP Ruth Dyson will read the maiden speech of Elizabeth McCombs, New Zealand’s first female MP.
• Comedienne Michele A’Court will read a piece called “A letter to my daughter”

As well as:

•  music from singer-songwriter, Rachel Dawick, and Fiona Pears
• performance poetry from Tusiata Avia

—

So, protest or party, or both—there really is something for everyone happening this September 19 in Christchurch, for Suffrage Day.

Rhian Gallagher

As my Tuesday Poem feature today, I am linking to my recent Women on Air interview with poet, Rhian Gallagher, author of the poetry collection , “Shift.” Rhian recently won the NZ Post Book Award for Poetry 2012, again for Shift.

To listen, and also hear Rhian reading ‘Under the Pines’ and ‘Gaze’  as part of the interview, click HERE.

Then either click on the ‘Play’ icon, or download the MP3

You may also read my post on her NZ Post Book Award win, here.

.

For more re Shift, Rhian, and her work, check out the following features:

• Tuesday Poem: “Windowpane” by Rhian Gallagher, October 24, 2011
• Tuesday Poem: “Between” by Rhian Gallagher, June 29, 2010
• “Feeling for Daylight: The Photographs of Jack Adamson” (by Rhian Gallagher). July 10, 2010

In addition,  I featured Rhian and Shift when I was guest editor for the Tuesday Poem Hub on August 23, 2011. You can read the poem Butterfly, here.

Enjoy!

—

.

To read the featured poem on the Tuesday Poem Hub and other great poems from fellow Tuesday poets from around the world, click here or on the Quill icon in the sidebar.

Well, one thing I am clearly doing as you will know from my two update posts from last week, here and here, is working on Daughter of Blood, The Wall of Night Series Book Three. Be assured, that shall continue ‘until it’s done’ and I will bring you the occasional up date from time to time–but JanB says I am not to ‘tease’ you, so I shall try not to do that either! 😉

I have not been doing so many guest post gigs recently, but I do have my current series “Fun With Friends” on SF Signal, which comprises an interview per month with an Australian or New Zealand SFF author. To date I’ve interviewed Kim Falconer, Juliet Marillier and Tim Jones, and the interview I have coming up for September is with local writer, Jane Higgins, author of The Bridge, which you may recall I talked about here.

But in fact I do have a guest spot coming up in the next month or so, with book blogger Abhinav Jain on his Sons of Corax site. The series features newer SFF authors on the international scene, with each author to post on the significance of names in their Fantasy writing. Abhinav talks more about the series, here. The deadline for getting the articles in was September 15 so my contribution, titled The Power of Names, is done, but I have to say that I had a great deal of fun writing it, looking at exactly how I do approach names and naming systems in my work. I will cross-post when the article goes live—although with so many authors that could be some time away—and hope to give you some advance warning if at all possible.

And of course I am keeping up with my regular Tuesday “date” with The Tuesday Poem. This week I shall be linking to my recent radio interview with NZ Post Book Award for Poetry winner, Rhian Gallagher, and featuring links to other posts where I’ve fatured her poetry in the past. I have other great poems and poets coming up over the next few weeks, too (how not?), and then on October 16 I shall be the guest editor for the Tuesday Poem Hub.

That’s probably “it” from me for now, but here’s a few “extry” links to what’s happening around the traps:

•  At Civilian Reader, guest Daniel A Rabuzzi posts on the potential of the 18th and 19th centuries for Fantasy literature: “The Fantastical 18th and 19th Centuries, or, Dragons Dancing at Almack’s”

• Jo Fletchers Books features a guest post by blogger Jared Shurin on the influence of both High and Low Fantasy in Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings, here

• Alison Croggan acknowledges defeat on her Theatre Notes blog—a position for which I have considerable sympathy and wish her all the best for the next month dedicated to her novel

• While the Bad Astronomer features a solar eclipse seen from Mars (awesome!)

And on that note: Happy Monday!

On Thursday, I posted on the latest and 5th instalment of the The Aotearoa Blog Carnival,which is part of celebrating New Zealand literature and letters as part of New Zealand being the official guest country at the Frankfurt Book Fair this year.

The theme for the fifth instalment of the The Aotearoa Blog Carnival is “A View From Here” and reflecting on the theme, I did feel there were so many slants and angles into it. On Thursday, I also said that I intended to develop the post into four views, from the micro to the macro, centered on being a writer living in Christchurch, New Zealand.

The four perspectives were to be the view from: my study, from Christchurch, from New Zealand, and as expressed through my books.

In terms of the actual carnival, the “View from Christchurch” did rather take over the show, and the link to that post is here.

Wattle in flower

But as stated then, I shall also post on all the other sub-themes—and today it is the micro of micro versions, the view from the writer’s study!

Yup, this is literally what I see when I am seated at the writer’s desk and look left, out the window.  It’s  a wattle tree, a hardy and evergreen Aussie import that has recently withstood earthquakes and unprecedented heavy snowfalls—and although it is a little late this year, it’s still one of our southern hemisphere spring’s first harbingers in my garden, producing a tracery of pale yellow blossom.

And that’s it—nice & simple, huh?! (Especially after Thursday’s “weighty” post! 😉 )

Ruth Todd, producing Women on Air for 20 years

Today from 10.00 am-12.00 noon, after twenty years—twenty years!—will be the very last show for Women of Air, on Plains 96.9 FM.

I must admit I feel incredibly sad, not only because I have been doing “books’n’writer” interviews for the show for the past six years, but because I think it’s a great loss for Christchurch women, to have their dedicated voice “on air” fall silent.

But really, today is all about Ruth Todd and Morrin Rout who have been producing the show for all of those twenty years, with a wonderful support team through both Plains FM and also the whole of the Women on Air crew.

If you’re in the Christchurch area, get your ears on and listen in on 96.9 FM. If not, there are still some great podcasts to check out, here.

Back to properly “bookish” ( 😉 ) posts today—and I’m very pleased to say that the weather has improved since I posted on this same topic on Wednesday, here. Hail, sleet and cold has given way to bright sunshine, although the wind was still more than a little chilly when I snuck out for my consitutional yesterday.

(Are any of you “…on Anything, Really” readers Deadwood fans? If yes, then you may “get it” when I say that the constitutional, on a day of sunshine but cold wind, doesn’t get beyond a little “perambulation.” 🙂 )

But another reason for just sneaking out and quite quickly back was that you may recall that I also talked of “pieces of the puzzle … finally … clicking together” on Wednesday, when I posted about the writing of Daughter of Blood, The Wall of Night Book Three. Those clicks were coming thick and fast yesterday, and when that happens you definitely want to stay with the roll!

Of course, I can’t tell you what’s actually happening—because that would mean “warding sign: spoilers!“—except that there was action, and backstory, and the characters-de-jour were Malian and Raven… Most of the last few weeks have been Kalan, but this week I returned to a Malian sequence.

Hmmm,  I’m thinking that I need to get some sort of “proper” Daughter of Blood “icon” (or “avatar”?) for the site so that every time I talk about the book from now on I can have a visual to go with… Waddya reckon, sound like a plan to you?