Chit-chat Wednesday and A Cup of Sunshine

The light was so beautiful in Sydney over the weekend. Cups of sunshine sprinkling the inner-city. We played family board games, op-shopped and fed wild pigeons. I watched the new Miss Marple and we fell asleep through Prime Suspect. I met my women's spiritual group. We baked chicken, apple crumble, went to swimming lessons and looked for pixies in parks. It was a weekend of little happenings but perfect. Midweek it is raining again which is my favourite weather. I am working on my crime short story which has to be my lightest one yet. The sunshine on the weekend must still be with me. All week I am humming a little tune and feeling happy inside. The Scribe is leaving next week on a work trip to look for sharks. I shall miss him. I plan to throw myself into my new book so I don't notice his absence. And I have been watching a lot of Charlie and Lola. xx

Magnificent, Marvellous, Mighty Monday and Miss Marple!

The 13th to 20th of September is Agatha Christie week in the UK, which coincides with the Queen of Crime's birthday. There is a host of things happening such as John Curran's wonderful new book, Agatha Christie's Secret Notebooks. And most exciting of all, actors in period costume will act out a murder on the Orient Express. To celebrate at Tale Peddler for the next couple of weeks, my Monday posts will feature my two favourite detectives from the devious mind of the Queen of Crime.
Jane Marple has to be one of my very favourite literary characters of all time. I admire the surreal juxtaposition of the frail, seemingly helpless old lady who conceals her razor sharp mind and acute grasp of human psychology under her seemingly genial, aged veneer. I love the way St Mary Mead becomes a microcosm of the macrocosm and how Miss Marple from cool and careful observations of her maids and neighbours can see the dark heart of those foolish enough to commit murder near the spinster.
I have long harboured a desire to be Miss Marple. If she didn't enjoy detective work so much her analytic nature would have made her an excellent writer. She is a feminist icon to me. Fiercely independent and rising above the mindset of age, she beats the male professionals surrounding her at their own game. She defies all stereotypes; another trait I admire.
My very favourite actress who portrays her is the wonderful Joan Hickson.
What's not to love about Miss Marple? She knits, she has a pretty face, a romantic heart, she's cozy, keeps an immaculate house and loves her beautiful garden - when she's not pruning her roses she solves murders most bloody and foul in an always genteel, dignified manner.
And so for Magnificent, Marvellous, Mighty Monday let us raise our knitting needles in the air and click them madly giving three cheers for Magnificent, Marvellous, Mighty Marple!
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