April's choice

[Wendy]

Hmm Coralie has already picked May and I haven't even managed to get
April's book yet - I think the problem here is that it's only recently
been published in the UK. It isn't out in paperback yet and it's not
in my local area libraries.

Has anyone else managed to get it? I don't mind buying a book if I
can get it second hand and therefore usually reasonably priced but it
looks like the only way I'll get hold of this one is to pay full
hardback price which I'm not keen to do even for a book that looks
interesting.

Any thoughts?

[Jill Glennsansum]

I'm afraid that I am having the same problem!  The book is not available in any of Cambridgshire's libraries.  I love new books but as our house is full of books already, I am always reluctant to actually purchase a full price book if it is not something that I am going to want to keep and treasure.

 

As Wendy says, if I can get a book cheaply second hand and then pass it on to someone else, then I can justify it.  New books in the UK, especially if they are only available in hard back, are expensive.  Unfortunately, with a wedding in a few weeks and a new grandchild arriving soon after, I am afraid that new books are not part of the budget!

 

I am going to ask my local library if they can possibly get it for me, but when I did that with Holy City it took them months before they were able to locate a copy!   I will try.  I think Coralie's book for May should be easier to find, although I haven't yet checked.

 

I hope everyone is having a good week.  I am sitting here at my computer, listening to the birds singing outside, with bright sunshine pouring through my window.  A similar scene to one I imagine our NZ friends are enjoying.  Sadly, it is all due to change tomorrow when we will be hit by big storms, high winds and hail stones.  What fun!

 

Just before I go I want to tell you about an email I received today from a "doggie" group that I belong to.  It is a petition.  In 2007, the 'artist' Guillermo Vargas Habacuc, took a dog from the street, tied him to a rope in an art gallery, and starved him to death.

 

The photos are truly shocking.  People paid to watch this dog die.  But this is not all... the prestigious Visual Arts Biennial of the Central American council,   decided that the 'installation' was actually art, so that Guillermo Vargas Habacuc has been invited to repeat his cruel action for the biennial of 2008. 

 

I am forwarding the email with photos, which are very graphic and upsetting, in the hope that my fellow "Purple Wearers" will all sign the on-line petition.  It's very easy and takes about 30 seconds.  I hope you'll join me in trying to get this stopped.  Thanks.

 

Jilly.

[glezer55]

Hi Jill,
I finally got my copy today.It took about 2 weeks.
I glad you mentioned dogs as I just got myself a new dog yesterday. A
collie cross male pup about 4 and a 1/2 months old, black with a tinge
of tan. Are you sure thats what the artist did to a dog? Most of the
articles on the net about it suggest that the dog was only tied up for
3 hours and was fed.I am strongly against animal cruelty in any form
but I wonder what the real story is
behind these reports.
Cheers
Glenn

On Apr 17, 5:41 pm, Jill Glennsansum <jill.san...@btinternet.com>
wrote:

[Jill Glennsansum]

Hi Glenn,

 

Your dog sounds lovely and I hope that you have a happy time with him.  I believe that these acts of cruelty are carried out and as a life long dog lover and owner I cannot stand by and do nothing.

 

Even if it turned out that the story is not quite true and as you say the dog was only tied up for 3 hours, I'm afraid I still think that is very wrong.

 

How could anybody stand by and watch a distressed dog that has been tied up and is clearly petrified?  It's sick.  It certainly is not art.  At least not what I understand to be the definition of art.

 

I think just one look at the photos shows that this a dog that  has been abused and is very scared.  I'm afraid that for me it is just really sick.  I cannot understand how anyone could just stand by and watch.

 

I passed on the information because I adore dogs.  It is of course, purely up to each individual to choose if they sign the petition or not.  I hope that lots will.

 

Have a great day and give your new dog a hug and a kiss from me.  Maybe a biscuit too!!

 

Jilly.

[di.grantmc]

Hi Jill,

The world is full of very sick people.

Those who mistreat animals invariably mistreat their kids as well.

I have 2 dogs, 3 cats and 16 horses.

Many of the horses I own have been brought from the Dog Food man in starving and abused states.

This happens worldwide and most people don't care.

I am our area inspector for the SPCA and deal with the horse cases. Thankfully there are few.

When we are collecting or selling raffle tickets in our town it is the solo mums and lower income people who donate not the farmers and well off people.

Maybe the artist and committee would like to donate to the local dogs home to ease their conscious.

Di