NEW COZY CONSPIRACY SERIES

 

Bestselling Bahamian author Tanya R. Taylor has just released her 32nd book "Eppington: Where Dogs Rule". This is Book One in her new Hewey Spader Cozy Mystery Series.

Thank you to The Tribune and also The Punch, which both published my article about Tanya's exciting new release.

The Punch article appeared on page 13 of their issue Monday, August 17th. The Tribune article can be found on page 7 of their "Weekend" issue of Friday, August 21st, here: TRIBUNE WEEKEND

To purchase "Eppington" go to EPPINGTON: WHERE DOGS RULE

 

LOCKDOWN STRESS!

 

What a time this is! We're under a two week lockdown on New Providence. Except for essential workers, we can't go anywhere at all on Saturday, Sunday, Tuesday and Thursday (except for exercising in our yards or 6 a.m. - 9 a.m. in our immediate neighbourhood). We've had lockdowns before, but none as long as this one. It's rumoured that it might be extended and may even be more restrictive!

On Monday, Wednesday and Friday, food stores, gas stations, hardwares (but only for those carrying lumber and concrete, and for curbside pick up only), pharmacies (curbside pick up only), and banks (mornings only) are open. We're supposed to just go there, shop, and return quickly to our homes (hah!). One person per family is supposed to be a designated shopper (that's not working!).

Because of the severe restrictions, on the days we can go to any of these, it's crazy with people crowding and standing in long lines, many not wearing masks or wearing them incorrectly. The overcrowding must be defeating the purpose of trying to reduce the number of positive Covid-19 cases. Then supplies fly off the shelves, so shoppers have to dash from one store to another.

Erskine had a terrible rush yesterday trying to get enough groceries for the weekend. Then our water delivery guy couldn't make it, as they were restricted to only three days per week (Monday, Wednesday and Friday - plus Saturdays for essential workers only). He said he could drop our water today. However, by the time it got to mid-afternoon, we were getting worried. We didn't have enough drinking water to last until Monday. Anyway, he eventually got here and saved the day.

Someone we know says he had quite a time at a gas station the other day. When he paid for his gas, the cashier angrily informed him that the $20 bill he gave her was counterfeit. He tried to replace it, but was short $1.51. He told her he would have to come back to pay the $1.51. She didn't want to accept that, but in the end he drove off, got more money from his house and returned to pay her the $1.51. He worked out later that the counterfeit note had been in change he was given at a food store. 

If Covid-19 doesn't kill us, all this lockdown stress will!

NOSTALGIC SCOTTISH MEMORIES

 

Do you have Scottish roots or do you just love the blockbuster movie "Braveheart"?! 

In this nostalgic, illustrated mini-memoir I share memories of my journey back to Scotland with my mother and young sons, to revisit our Scottish roots. 

“THE SCOTTISH CONNECTION” contains a wealth of information - Scottish ancestry, historical facts, genealogy, comparable prices, geographical descriptions, personal anecdotes, nostalgia and precious old photos.

EXCERPT: “We pressed on towards the border. Our AA book informed us we would cross the line of the old Roman ‘Hadrian's Wall’ before the boundary between England and Scotland. Just after the Border Forest, a carload of excited, waving people passed us going in the opposite direction. We knew we had reached Scotland at last! The boys cheered. My mother and I were home again, in that land of soaring mountains, rushing burns and ancient glens.”

CLICK HERE FOR THE SCOTTISH CONNECTION

A BLAST FROM THE PAST!

 

This brightened up my day! A friend sent me this newspaper cutting that appeared on The Bideford History Page of Facebook. The photo was taken about 60 years ago! I did have a faded copy, but it was minus the caption. 

It was interesting to have a reminder about "Bideford Musicals", that I'd once belonged to. I'm second from the left ("Fay Johanson"). 

I also did ballet as a young child and at the age of twenty was a chorus girl in a production at The Exeter Little Theatre, Devon. As well as a writer, I'd always wanted to be a singer or a dancer!

HURRICANE ISAIAS PAYS US A VISIT!

Neighbours lose shingles during Hurricane Isaias

Well, we have survived. Hurricane Isaias has left The Bahamas!

When I woke up Saturday morning to crazy weather, I felt quite nervous. The power was off, wind howling and rain beating down. We had been warned that Isaias would bring quite a lot of rain and possible storm surges.

It reminded me of Hurricane Matthew, which I wrote about HERE. I prayed we wouldn't get another one like that - or even worse, a "Hurricane Dorian", which Grand Bahama and Abaco suffered terribly from in September 2019!

However, we were lucky. My husband Erskine summarized it for me. When Isaias approached us, the eye was 45 miles south of New Providence. Hurricane force winds were only 35 miles from eye, so we were 10 miles away from hurricane force winds and only had tropical force winds. The eye of the storm passed over Andros, which is west of us. By Saturday evening we knew we were in the clear.

We understand there has been no severe damage, no injuries and no deaths anywhere in The Bahamas. However, some homes have been affected by high water from the rain in low lying areas. My heart goes out to those residents. Our power was restored after eight hours. Others were not so fortunate.

Now Isaias is heading for the Carolinas as a Tropical Storm (possibly becoming a hurricane again). I wonder if everyone will be able to pronounce the name Isaias properly by the time it dissolves!

WHY?

A fellow author in the U.S. reached out to me the other day, saying: "You've been quiet lately. Is everything OK with you and yours?"

That's a good question. I guess he meant because I haven't been continually writing, marketing my books and revealing plans for more books, as I usually do! Also, I haven't been saying anything about how things are in The Bahamas and there sure has been a lot going on.

I think a lot of writers worldwide are grappling with the current Corona virus situation. I see them discussing this on writers' forums. But I don't know what's up with me! I keep trying to pull myself together and get on with it. Get on with what though?

I do go through the motions - doing secretarial work for my family, cooking, cleaning, exercising as much as is currently allowed, and so on...... But something's missing and it's not just the writing or not being able to physically socialize with friends!

Why am I like this right now? I think this question will only be answered after everything gets back to "normal", whenever and whatever that will be!

Nevertheless, here I am writing again, so maybe this is the best way to go right now. If you are having difficulty applying yourself to whatever you love to do, don't worry about it. It will all come back to you at just the right time. I truly believe that!