{"id":828,"date":"2018-04-17T09:13:56","date_gmt":"2018-04-16T23:13:56","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/diane.eklund.abolins.net\/blog\/?p=828"},"modified":"2018-04-17T09:20:43","modified_gmt":"2018-04-16T23:20:43","slug":"dianes-newsletter-17th-april-2018","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/diane.eklund.abolins.net\/blog\/dianes-newsletter-17th-april-2018\/","title":{"rendered":"Diane&#8217;s Newsletter 17th April 2018"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>&nbsp;<br \/>\n<a id=\"A\"><\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"western\"><span style=\"font-family: DejaVu Sans Condensed, sans-serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: 300%;\"><b>A<\/b><\/span> is the first letter (and the first vowel) of the alphabet. In English it is the third most common letter (in Spanish and French it is the second most common letter). There are at least seven different pronunciations associated with <span style=\"font-size: large;\"><b>A<\/b><\/span>, depending on the country\/region. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignright size-full wp-image-836\" src=\"http:\/\/diane.eklund.abolins.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/03\/A.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"300\" srcset=\"https:\/\/diane.eklund.abolins.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/03\/A.png 300w, https:\/\/diane.eklund.abolins.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/03\/A-150x150.png 150w, https:\/\/diane.eklund.abolins.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/03\/A-144x144.png 144w, https:\/\/diane.eklund.abolins.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/03\/A-270x270.png 270w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/p>\n<p class=\"western\"><span style=\"font-family: DejaVu Sans Condensed, sans-serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><b>A<\/b><\/span> usually denotes that which is best (a student, fruit, accommodation. . . ). <span style=\"font-size: large;\"><b>A<\/b><\/span> tends to give the impression that something surpasses everything else in the same group.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"western\"><span style=\"font-family: DejaVu Sans Condensed, sans-serif;\">However, the letter does also have negative connotations. For example, in <i>The Scarlet Letter<\/i> by Nathaniel Hawthorne, Hester Prynne, is forced to wear a scarlet <b>A<\/b> on the bodice of her dress when, after giving birth, she refuses to say who fathered the child. For the Puritan society of seventeenth century Boston adultery was something that could be punished by execution. <\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"western\"><span style=\"font-family: DejaVu Sans Condensed, sans-serif;\">On a lighter side, the letter <b>a<\/b> is used in algebra to represent known quantities and in geometry <b>A<\/b> is one of the letters used to represent lines, segments etc. The capital <b>A<\/b> can also refer to an angle in a triangle, while <b>a<\/b> refers to the side opposite the angle. It can also be used to denote size (for example shoes).<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"western\"><span style=\"font-family: DejaVu Sans Condensed, sans-serif;\">From a numerology perspective <span style=\"font-size: large;\"><b>A<\/b><\/span> = 1. <span style=\"font-size: large;\"><b>A<\/b><\/span> is a leader, independent, assertive and strong willed. Its colour is red, and it almost always has a lot of energy, original ideas and a creative approach; it is also ambitious. On the negative side, <span style=\"font-size: large;\"><b>A<\/b><\/span> can be stubborn and, at times, even selfish.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<br \/>\n<a id=\"aotearoa\"><\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"western\" align=\"center\"><span style=\"font-family: Comic Sans MS, cursive;\"><span style=\"font-size: 350%;\"><b><span style=\"color: #000000;\">AOTEAROA<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"western\" align=\"left\"><span style=\"font-family: DejaVu Sans Condensed, sans-serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">As I mentioned in the beginning of this Newsletter, we have just got back from New Zealand, for which the Maori word is <b>Aotearoa<\/b>. This was a complete coincidence: <b>A<\/b> was not chosen as the letter for April because we were going to New Zealand, and we did not decide to visit New Zealand (or <b>Aotearoa<\/b>) because <b>A<\/b> happened to be the month&#8217;s letter. It just worked out that way.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"western\" align=\"left\"><span style=\"font-family: DejaVu Sans Condensed, sans-serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">From what we saw of the South Island, where we spent all our time, it is a beautiful country and definitely worth another visit or even visits. Those of you with Instagram accounts should have been able to follow our journey between Queenstown and Christchurch via the photos I posted <a href=\"http:\/\/instagram.com\/dianeeklundabolins\">there<\/a>. I have also placed a few photos here on my website.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"http:\/\/diane.eklund.abolins.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/04\/NZ-1-Queenstown-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-885\" srcset=\"https:\/\/diane.eklund.abolins.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/04\/NZ-1-Queenstown-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/diane.eklund.abolins.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/04\/NZ-1-Queenstown-360x270.jpg 360w, https:\/\/diane.eklund.abolins.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/04\/NZ-1-Queenstown.jpg 600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"http:\/\/diane.eklund.abolins.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/04\/NZ-3-Milford-Sound-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" class=\"alignright size-medium wp-image-887\" srcset=\"https:\/\/diane.eklund.abolins.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/04\/NZ-3-Milford-Sound-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/diane.eklund.abolins.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/04\/NZ-3-Milford-Sound-360x270.jpg 360w, https:\/\/diane.eklund.abolins.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/04\/NZ-3-Milford-Sound.jpg 600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><br \/>\n<img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"http:\/\/diane.eklund.abolins.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/04\/NZ-2-Near-Milford-Sound.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"600\" height=\"450\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-886\" srcset=\"https:\/\/diane.eklund.abolins.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/04\/NZ-2-Near-Milford-Sound.jpg 600w, https:\/\/diane.eklund.abolins.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/04\/NZ-2-Near-Milford-Sound-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/diane.eklund.abolins.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/04\/NZ-2-Near-Milford-Sound-360x270.jpg 360w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><br \/>\n<img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"http:\/\/diane.eklund.abolins.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/04\/NZ-5-Twizel-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-889\" srcset=\"https:\/\/diane.eklund.abolins.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/04\/NZ-5-Twizel-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/diane.eklund.abolins.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/04\/NZ-5-Twizel-360x270.jpg 360w, https:\/\/diane.eklund.abolins.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/04\/NZ-5-Twizel.jpg 600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"http:\/\/diane.eklund.abolins.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/04\/NZ-8-Lake-Tekapo-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" class=\"alignright size-medium wp-image-892\" srcset=\"https:\/\/diane.eklund.abolins.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/04\/NZ-8-Lake-Tekapo-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/diane.eklund.abolins.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/04\/NZ-8-Lake-Tekapo-360x270.jpg 360w, https:\/\/diane.eklund.abolins.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/04\/NZ-8-Lake-Tekapo.jpg 600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/span><br \/>\n&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><a id=\"mood\"><\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"western\" ><span style=\"font-family: Comic Sans MS, cursive;\"><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-top:35%;\"><center><span style=\"font-size: 300%;\"><b><span style=\"color: #cc0000;\">A<\/span>&nbsp;Feeling<\/center><\/b><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/p>\n<p class=\"western\" align=\"left\"><span style=\"font-family: DejaVu Sans Condensed, sans-serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">While I was putting together the Newsletter, I came across a passage in a book where the words <i>anxious<\/i>, <i>afraid<\/i> and <i>annoyed<\/i> all appeared in the same sentence. That one can be anxious, afraid and annoyed at the same time is highly likely; however, the thing that struck me was the fact that all these words begin with<span style=\"font-size: large;\"><b> A<\/b><\/span>, which is this month&#8217;s letter of the alphabet.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"western\" align=\"left\"><span style=\"font-family: DejaVu Sans Condensed, sans-serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">The discovery set me on a search for other mood or emotion<\/span><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"> or ways-of-being<\/span><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"> words that begin with <\/span><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><b>A<\/b><\/span><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><b>. <\/b><\/span><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">You can, for example, feel<\/span><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">:<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"western\" align=\"left\"><span style=\"font-family: DejaVu Sans Condensed, sans-serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><b>alarmed<\/b><\/span><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">, <\/span><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">adequate, <\/span><span style=\"color: #cc0000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Comic Sans MS, cursive;\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">appreciated<\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">, <\/span><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">ambivalent, <\/span><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">abrasive, <\/span><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><b>awake<\/b><\/span><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">, <\/span><span style=\"font-family: Comic Sans MS, cursive;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><b>admired<\/b><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">, <\/span><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">abandoned, <\/span><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">amused, <\/span><span style=\"font-family: Andale Mono;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><b>acerbic<\/b><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">, <\/span><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">animated, <\/span><span style=\"color: #cc0000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Times New Roman, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">aware<\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">, <\/span><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">accepted, <\/span><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">abrupt, <\/span><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><b>alone<\/b><\/span><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">,<\/span> <span style=\"font-size: medium;\">ancient, <\/span><span style=\"font-family: Andale Mono;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><b>accomplished<\/b><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">, astonished, <\/span><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">aloof, <\/span><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><b>accommodating<\/b><\/span><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">, <\/span><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">adventuresome, <\/span><span style=\"font-family: Comic Sans MS, cursive;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\">aggravated<\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">,<\/span> <span style=\"font-size: medium;\">abject, <\/span><span style=\"color: #cc0000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Comic Sans MS, cursive;\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><b>ambitious<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">, <\/span><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">awestruck,<\/span><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"> appealing,<\/span> <span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">apprehensive<\/span><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">, <\/span><span style=\"color: #cc0000;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">affluent<\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">, <\/span><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><b>abstracted<\/b><\/span><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">, <\/span><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">alienated, <\/span><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">apologetic, <\/span><span style=\"font-family: DejaVu Serif Condensed, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><b>alert<\/b><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">, admirable, <\/span><span style=\"color: #cc0000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Times New Roman, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">affable<\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">, <\/span><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">anxious, <\/span><span style=\"font-family: Comic Sans MS, cursive;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><b>assured<\/b><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">, <\/span><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">augmentative, <\/span><span style=\"font-family: Andale Mono;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><b>adroit<\/b><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">, accursed, <\/span><span style=\"font-family: DejaVu Serif Condensed, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">amenable<\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">, <\/span><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">ageless, <\/span><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">accountable, <\/span><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><b>active<\/b><\/span><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">, <\/span><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">angry,<\/span> <span style=\"font-family: Comic Sans MS, cursive;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><b>amazed<\/b><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">,<\/span> <span style=\"font-size: medium;\">agile, <\/span><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">able, <\/span><span style=\"color: #cc0000;\"><span style=\"font-family: DejaVu Serif Condensed, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">adorable<\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">, <\/span><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">austere, <\/span><span style=\"font-family: Comic Sans MS, cursive;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><b>assertive<\/b><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">, <\/span><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">animated, <\/span><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">ardent, <\/span><span style=\"font-family: DejaVu Serif Condensed, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">average<\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">, <\/span><span style=\"color: #cc0000;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">antagonistic<\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">, <\/span><span style=\"font-family: DejaVu Serif Condensed, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><b>amusing<\/b><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">, <\/span><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">abnormal, <\/span><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><b>adaptable<\/b><\/span><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">, <\/span><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">abominable, <\/span><span style=\"color: #cc0000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Comic Sans MS, cursive;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\">abstemious<\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">, <\/span><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">angelic, <\/span><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">alluring<\/span><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">, <\/span><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">annoyed, <\/span><span style=\"font-family: Comic Sans MS, cursive;\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">alive<\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">, <\/span><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">aimless, <\/span><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">aggressive,<\/span> <span style=\"font-family: Andale Mono;\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><b>affable<\/b><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">, <\/span><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">abashed, <\/span><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">afflicted, <\/span><span style=\"color: #cc0000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Times New Roman, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: xx-large;\">attractive<\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">, <\/span><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">apathetic, <\/span><span style=\"color: #cc0000;\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><b>ambiguous<\/b><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">, <\/span><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">acidic, <\/span><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">anguished, <\/span><span style=\"font-family: Comic Sans MS, cursive;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\">absent-minded<\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">, <\/span><span style=\"color: #cc0000;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">agitated<\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">, <\/span><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><b>altruistic<\/b><\/span><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">, <\/span><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">accused, <\/span><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">afraid, <\/span><span style=\"font-family: Comic Sans MS, cursive;\"><span style=\"font-size: xx-large;\">amiable<\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">, <\/span><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">awed, <\/span><span style=\"color: #cc0000;\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">awful<\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">, <\/span><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">approved, <\/span><span style=\"font-family: Andale Mono;\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">arrogant<\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">, <\/span><span style=\"color: #cc0000;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">agreeable<\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">, <\/span><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><b>alluring<\/b><\/span><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">, <\/span><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">awkward, affectionate<\/span><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">, <\/span><span style=\"font-family: Comic Sans MS, cursive;\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">absurd<\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"> and<\/span> <span style=\"color: #cc0000;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">ashamed<\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">. . .<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"western\" align=\"left\"><span style=\"font-family: DejaVu Sans Condensed, sans-serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">It is possible that there are many more such words beginning with <\/span><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><b>A<\/b><\/span><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">, but this is a<\/span><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"> start.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"western\" align=\"left\">\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<br \/>\n<a id=\"alison\"><\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"western\" ><span style=\"font-family: Comic Sans MS, cursive;\"><span style=\"font-size: 300%;\"><b>Alison<\/b><\/span><\/span>&nbsp;Booth published her newest book, <em><i>A Perfect Marriage<\/i><\/em>, on the 22nd March. She is an Australian author and is probably best known for the Jingera Trilogy. She was featured in my Newsletter, March 2017.<img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"http:\/\/diane.eklund.abolins.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/03\/A-Perfect-Marriage-195x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"195\" height=\"300\" class=\"alignright size-medium wp-image-849\" srcset=\"https:\/\/diane.eklund.abolins.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/03\/A-Perfect-Marriage-195x300.jpg 195w, https:\/\/diane.eklund.abolins.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/03\/A-Perfect-Marriage-768x1179.jpg 768w, https:\/\/diane.eklund.abolins.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/03\/A-Perfect-Marriage-667x1024.jpg 667w, https:\/\/diane.eklund.abolins.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/03\/A-Perfect-Marriage-176x270.jpg 176w, https:\/\/diane.eklund.abolins.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/03\/A-Perfect-Marriage.jpg 1524w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 195px) 100vw, 195px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><i>A Perfect Marriage<\/i> has been published by RedDoor, UK, and, according to their <a href=\"https:\/\/reddoorpublishing.com\/project\/a-perfect-marriage\">website<\/a>, <em>A Perfect Marriage<\/em> is about Sally Lachlan &#8216;. . . (who) has a secret that has haunted her for a decade; is it time now to let it go? A chance meeting with the charismatic geneticist, Anthony Blake, reawakens her desire for love and at the same time, her daughter, Charlie, shows signs of wishing to know more about her father. Both the past and the future are places Sally prefers not to think about. . . &#8216;<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"http:\/\/diane.eklund.abolins.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/03\/Alison-Booth-251x300.jpeg\" alt=\"\" width=\"251\" height=\"300\" class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-848\" srcset=\"https:\/\/diane.eklund.abolins.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/03\/Alison-Booth-251x300.jpeg 251w, https:\/\/diane.eklund.abolins.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/03\/Alison-Booth-226x270.jpeg 226w, https:\/\/diane.eklund.abolins.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/03\/Alison-Booth.jpeg 668w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 251px) 100vw, 251px\" \/><em><i>A Perfect Marriage<\/i><\/em> is available from most book shops; it is also available online.<\/p>\n<p>The photo of Alison Booth is from <a href=\"https:\/\/researchers.anu.edu.au\/researchers\/booth-al\">ANU<\/a><\/p>\n<p>You can read more about Alison and her books on her <a href=\"http:\/\/www.alisonbooth.net\/\">website<\/a>.\n<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<br \/>\n<a id=\"angelikasv\"><\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"western\" ><span style=\"font-family: Comic Sans MS, cursive;\"><span style=\"font-size: 300%;\"><b><span style=\"color:#3A01DF;\">GUEST POST by ANGELIKA<\/span><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"http:\/\/diane.eklund.abolins.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/04\/swedish-flag-150x150.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" class=\"alignleft size-thumbnail wp-image-934\" srcset=\"https:\/\/diane.eklund.abolins.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/04\/swedish-flag-150x150.png 150w, https:\/\/diane.eklund.abolins.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/04\/swedish-flag-144x144.png 144w, https:\/\/diane.eklund.abolins.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/04\/swedish-flag.png 225w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px\" \/><br \/>\n<span style=\"font-size: 200%;\"><b><span style=\"color:#000000;\">YINYOGA<\/span><\/b><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p>Efter mina barn- och ungdoms\u00e5r i olika skolor i Lidk\u00f6ping, var gymnastik det \u201dv\u00e4rsta\u201d \u00e4mnet i skolan, det visade sig \u00e4ven i betygen \u2026 Detta har gjort att jag inte velat medverka i gymnastiksgrupper av allehanda slag.<\/p>\n<p>Jag har med \u00e5ren f\u00e5tt ont lite h\u00e4r och d\u00e4r och \u00e4r mest besv\u00e4rad av artros i v\u00e4nster kn\u00e4 och ont, utsliten, h\u00f6ft, jag har \u00e4ven <a href=\"https:\/\/www.1177.se\/Fakta-och-rad\/Sjukdomar\/Bechterews-sjukdom\/\">Ankyloserande spondylit &#8211; Bechterews sjukdom<\/a>, som beror p\u00e5 inflammation, framf\u00f6rallt i muskelf\u00e4sten och leder. Man f\u00e5r ont, blir tr\u00f6tt och stel. Sm\u00e4rtan kommer och g\u00e5r i perioder.<\/p>\n<p>I november 2017 lockade min arbetskamrat med mig p\u00e5 ett prova-p\u00e5-pass med Yinyoga.<br \/>\nJag som inte kan ligga p\u00e5 kn\u00e4 f\u00f6r jag har s\u00e5 ont i dem, l\u00e5g 2 x 5 min p\u00e5 kn\u00e4 utan att ha ont.<br \/>\nJag som i 30 \u00e5r haft en kudde mellan mina kn\u00e4n f\u00f6r att avlasta korsryggen, inte ens kunnat ligga 5 minuter p\u00e5 sidan utan kudde, innan jag fick ont, jag har sedan den enda g\u00e5ngen kunnat klara mig utan kudde mellan kn\u00e4na! T.o.m. under hela natten, och jag sover alltid p\u00e5 sidan.<img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"http:\/\/diane.eklund.abolins.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/04\/yinyoga-1.jpeg\" alt=\"\" width=\"290\" height=\"174\" class=\"alignright size-full wp-image-924\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Jag \u00f6vervann min motvilja till grupptr\u00e4ning (vi \u00e4r ca. 8 st. och tre \u00e4r mina v\u00e4ninnor) och anm\u00e4lde mig p\u00e5 en g\u00e5ng till v\u00e5rens alla pass fr\u00e5n januari till maj 2018.<\/p>\n<p>Jag ser fram mot Yinjoga-tr\u00e4ningen varje vecka \u2013 fast vi ligger b\u00e5de p\u00e5 rygg, mage, och kryper runt p\u00e5 en tunn yogamatta med bara ett ullskinn p\u00e5. Vi g\u00f6r st\u00e4llningar som \u201dhunden\u201d, \u201dbarnet\u201d, \u201dtrollsl\u00e4ndan\u201d, \u201dsvanen\u201d \u201dhappy baby\u201d och mycket mer. Och det mest fantastiska av allt \u00e4r att jag klarar av r\u00f6relserna utan att ha ont och det blir b\u00e4ttre och b\u00e4ttre f\u00f6r varje vecka! <\/p>\n<p>Jag \u00e4r \u00f6verraskad av mig sj\u00e4lv \u2013 f\u00f6r att inte tala om vad min dotter \u00e4r, som ocks\u00e5 yogar och g\u00f6r liknande r\u00f6relser som jag! Hon tror inte mamma klarar av detta, men vi gjorde ett pass ihop p\u00e5 min yogamatta nu i p\u00e5skhelgen, och hon var \u201dchockad\u201d att jag klarade av detta. (Och jag stolt.)<img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"http:\/\/diane.eklund.abolins.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/04\/yinyoga-2.jpeg\" alt=\"\" width=\"275\" height=\"183\" class=\"alignright size-full wp-image-925\" srcset=\"https:\/\/diane.eklund.abolins.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/04\/yinyoga-2.jpeg 275w, https:\/\/diane.eklund.abolins.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/04\/yinyoga-2-272x182.jpeg 272w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 275px) 100vw, 275px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>P\u00e5 bara n\u00e5gra veckor klarar jag av att b\u00f6ja upp min utslitna? h\u00f6ft och kan sm\u00f6rja in min v\u00e4nster fot, ta p\u00e5 mig strumpor, o.s.v. \u2013 har inte klarat detta p\u00e5 minst tre \u00e5r. Jag tycker jag f\u00e5tt ett nytt liv. Det hade jag inte r\u00e4knat med n\u00e4r jag b\u00f6rjade med Yinyogan i januari m\u00e5nad.<\/p>\n<p>Kanske min h\u00f6ft inte \u00e4r utsliten utan att mina senor och muskler inte \u00e4r tillr\u00e4ckligt utt\u00e4njda \u2013 f\u00f6r det \u00e4r vad vi g\u00f6r p\u00e5 Yinyoga-passen. Vi t\u00e4njer kroppen i 5 minuter och vilar i 5 minuter, sedan g\u00f6r vi en ny r\u00f6relse i 5 minuter och vilar i 5 minuter o.s.v. s\u00e5 g\u00f6r vi i 1,15 h. D\u00e5 jag har ett sittande arbete, blir inte h\u00f6ftmusklerna utt\u00e4njda och de blir f\u00f6rkortade.<img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"http:\/\/diane.eklund.abolins.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/04\/yinyoga-3-300x166.jpeg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"166\" class=\"alignright size-medium wp-image-926\" srcset=\"https:\/\/diane.eklund.abolins.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/04\/yinyoga-3-300x166.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/diane.eklund.abolins.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/04\/yinyoga-3.jpeg 301w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Jag \u00e4r s\u00e5 v\u00e4ldigt tacksam att min arbetskamrat \u201dlurade\u201d med mig p\u00e5 det f\u00f6rsta yoga-passet. Jag s\u00f6rjer redan att kursen \u00e4r slut i maj \u2013 och ser redan fram mot h\u00f6stens Yinyoga-pass.<\/p>\n<p>                                                                Av Angelika Bristle Folkesson, Vara, Sverige.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<br \/>\n<a id=\"angelikaeng\"><\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"western\" ><span style=\"font-family: Comic Sans MS, cursive;\"><span style=\"font-size: 300%;\"><b><span style=\"color:#3A01DF;\">GUEST POST by ANGELIKA<\/span><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"http:\/\/diane.eklund.abolins.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/04\/flag-english-150x150.jpeg\" alt=\"\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" class=\"alignleft size-thumbnail wp-image-936\" srcset=\"https:\/\/diane.eklund.abolins.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/04\/flag-english-150x150.jpeg 150w, https:\/\/diane.eklund.abolins.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/04\/flag-english-144x144.jpeg 144w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px\" \/><br \/>\n<span style=\"font-size: 200%;\"><b><span style=\"color:#000000;\">YIN YOGA<\/span><\/b><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<br \/>\nDuring my childhood and teenage years, I attended various schools in Lidk\u00f6ping, and   physical education or gymnastics was always the subject I liked least, a dislike that was reflected in my marks. Consequently I avoided all kinds of physical education activity.<img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"http:\/\/diane.eklund.abolins.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/04\/yinyoga-4.jpeg\" alt=\"\" width=\"299\" height=\"169\" class=\"alignright size-full wp-image-927\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Over the years I have suffered the odd pain here and there, but I have been most troubled by arthritis in my left knee as well as by a painful, worn-out hip. I also suffer from <a href=\"https:\/\/www.healthcentral.com\/encyclopedia\/b\/bechterews-disease\">Bechterew&#8217;s Disease (Ankylosing spondylitis)<\/a>, which is an inflammation of the muscle attachments and the joints. The symptoms are pain, tiredness and stiffness, with the pain usually coming in bouts or periods. <\/p>\n<p>In November 2017 a work colleague talked me into attending a free session of Yin Yoga.<img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"http:\/\/diane.eklund.abolins.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/04\/yinyoga-3.jpeg\" alt=\"\" width=\"301\" height=\"167\" class=\"alignright size-full wp-image-926\" srcset=\"https:\/\/diane.eklund.abolins.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/04\/yinyoga-3.jpeg 301w, https:\/\/diane.eklund.abolins.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/04\/yinyoga-3-300x166.jpeg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 301px) 100vw, 301px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Although I am normally unable to kneel because of the pain in my knees, after this one session I could kneel 2 x 5 minutes without experiencing any pain.<\/p>\n<p>Although, for the last 30 years I have always had to have a pillow between my knees to relieve my lower back, and I have not been able to lie for more then 5 minutes on my side without experiencing pain, after just one session I could manage without a pillow between my knees, and I was able to sleep all night (I always sleep on my side).   <\/p>\n<p>I conquered my aversion to training in a group &#8211; we are about 8 in the group, 3 of whom are my girlfriends &#8211; and I immediately registered for the spring course: January &#8211; May 2018. Now, in spite of the fact that I have to lie on my back and stomach and crawl around on a thin woollen yoga mat, I find myself looking forward to my weekly Yin Yoga session where the poses (or exercises) have names such as &#8220;the dog&#8221;, &#8220;the child&#8221;, &#8220;the dragonfly&#8221;, &#8220;the swan&#8221;, &#8220;happy baby&#8221;. Most fantastic of all is the fact that I am able to do the exercises without experiencing any pain, and it simply gets better and better with every passing week.<img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"http:\/\/diane.eklund.abolins.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/04\/yinyoga-2.jpeg\" alt=\"\" width=\"275\" height=\"183\" class=\"alignright size-full wp-image-925\" srcset=\"https:\/\/diane.eklund.abolins.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/04\/yinyoga-2.jpeg 275w, https:\/\/diane.eklund.abolins.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/04\/yinyoga-2-272x182.jpeg 272w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 275px) 100vw, 275px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>I am more than surprised by what I can already do, as is my daughter who is also into yoga and does similar exercises to mine. She would not believe that Mum was able to do such exercises, but over the Easter weekend we had a session together on my yoga mat and she was shocked that I actually managed them. (Imagine how proud I felt!). <\/p>\n<p>After only a matter of a few weeks I am able to move and bend my worn-out (?) hip; I can even do things like oiling my left foot or pulling on my socks &#8211; things I have not been able to do for at least three years. I feel as though I have been given a new lease of life, something I had not expected when I began with Yin Yoga in January.<\/p>\n<p>Perhaps my hip is not worn out at all, and it is simply a case of my tendons and muscles not having been sufficiently stretched &#8211; because that is what we do at Yin Yoga. We stretch our body for 5 minutes and then we rest for 5 minutes, then we do an new exercise for 5 minutes and rest for another 5 minutes, and so on for one hour and fifteen minutes. As I have a sedentary job, my hip muscles do not get enough stretching and, as a result, they become shortened.<img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"http:\/\/diane.eklund.abolins.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/04\/yinyoga-1.jpeg\" alt=\"\" width=\"290\" height=\"174\" class=\"alignright size-full wp-image-924\" \/><\/p>\n<p>I am so thankful that my work colleague talked me into giving Yin Yoga a try, and although I am sad that this course will be finishing in May I am already looking forward to autumn&#8217;s Yin Yoga course.<\/p>\n<p>                                                                Angelika Bristle Folkesson, Vara, Sweden.<\/p>\n<p>All images from wikimedia<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<br \/>\n<a id=\"antarctica\"><\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"western\" ><span style=\"font-family: Comic Sans MS, cursive;\"><span style=\"font-size: 300%;\"><b><span style=\"color:#1E90FF;\">ANTARCTICA<\/span><\/b><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p>For years I have dreamt of visiting Antarctica. Long before all the tours and cruises that now transport people to that continent I imagined what it would be like to visit a place that was so vast, so empty, so quiet and, of course, so cold. Dreams do not always eventuate and now the cost of travelling there as a tourist is completely beyond the reach of normal people.<img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"http:\/\/diane.eklund.abolins.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/03\/antarctica-1-300x198.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"198\" class=\"alignright size-medium wp-image-854\" srcset=\"https:\/\/diane.eklund.abolins.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/03\/antarctica-1-300x198.jpg 300w, https:\/\/diane.eklund.abolins.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/03\/antarctica-1-768x507.jpg 768w, https:\/\/diane.eklund.abolins.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/03\/antarctica-1-409x270.jpg 409w, https:\/\/diane.eklund.abolins.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/03\/antarctica-1.jpg 800w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/> <\/p>\n<p>Taking a cruise from Argentina (the closest point to Antarctica), you can expect to pay more than $10,000 for a 10-day cruise; however, if you travel from Australia, you can pay $30,000 &#8211; $50,000 for a three-week cruise. Because of location and distance, the cruises from Australia are always going to be longer than those from Argentina (but travelling from Argentina is usually also going to entail air travel, and this cost must be factored in to the overall cost). However, not being a cruise person, these alternatives (apart from the cost) do not really appeal &#8211; perhaps I should have been a scientist, and then I could have got myself involved in one of the scientific expeditions. . .<br \/>\n<img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"http:\/\/diane.eklund.abolins.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/03\/antarctica-2.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"275\" height=\"183\" class=\"alignleft size-full wp-image-855\" srcset=\"https:\/\/diane.eklund.abolins.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/03\/antarctica-2.jpg 275w, https:\/\/diane.eklund.abolins.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/03\/antarctica-2-272x182.jpg 272w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 275px) 100vw, 275px\" \/><br \/>\nThe word <em>Antarctica<\/em> actually means <em>the opposite to north<\/em> (i.e. the opposite to Arctic). It is possibly interesting to know that when Australia was named <em>Terra Australis<\/em> (the south land) no one suspected that there was actually a continent further south than Australia. By rights Antarctica should have been named Australia, but perhaps Antarctica (<i>the opposite to north<\/i>) works just as well.<br \/>\n<img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"http:\/\/diane.eklund.abolins.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/03\/antarctica-3.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"275\" height=\"183\" class=\"alignright size-full wp-image-856\" srcset=\"https:\/\/diane.eklund.abolins.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/03\/antarctica-3.jpg 275w, https:\/\/diane.eklund.abolins.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/03\/antarctica-3-272x182.jpg 272w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 275px) 100vw, 275px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>The entire continent, most of it above 3,000 metres in elevation, is covered by a permanent layer of ice, and it is the coldest place on earth &#8211; the lowest temperature recorded being -89.2\u00b0C. The &#8216;summer&#8217; months (temperatures between 5\u00b0C and 15\u00b0C) are constantly light, whereas winter is constant night. From what I can gather the only people living there are scientists and other people manning research stations. The original countries that claimed territory on the continent are Australia, Argentina, Norway, France, Chile and New Zealand; however, in 1959, several other countries also made claims: Belgium, Japan, USA, South Africa and Russia.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"http:\/\/diane.eklund.abolins.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/03\/antarctica-4.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"259\" height=\"194\" class=\"alignleft size-full wp-image-857\" \/><br \/>\nIt is undoubtedly a beautiful place, and we can only hope that it can maintain its isolation and natural beauty in an age when so many big companies are only motivated by the profits to be made both above and below the ground.\n<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<br \/>\n<a id=\"anne\"><\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"western\" ><span style=\"font-family: Comic Sans MS, cursive;\"><span style=\"font-size: 300%;\"><b><span style=\"color:#cc0000;\">Anne Askew (Ayscough, Ascue) <\/span><\/b><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p>I was going to say that history is littered with examples of man&#8217;s inhumanity to man; however, it may be more correct to say that it is actually composed of such incidents. I have no idea why this is the case; perhaps humankind suffers from a serious inferior complex or some other psychological disorder. Who knows. . .<\/p>\n<p>We are all familiar with the bloodshed and the slaughter that coloured not only the reign of Henry VIII but also the reigns of both of his daughters. To my way of looking at it, the killing was unnecessary &#8211; why should everyone have to share exactly the same set of beliefs? (But perhaps the answer boils down to that inferior complex I mentioned earlier. . . ).<figure id=\"attachment_860\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-860\" style=\"width: 212px\" class=\"wp-caption alignright\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"http:\/\/diane.eklund.abolins.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/03\/Anne_Ayscough-212x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"212\" height=\"300\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-860\" srcset=\"https:\/\/diane.eklund.abolins.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/03\/Anne_Ayscough-212x300.jpg 212w, https:\/\/diane.eklund.abolins.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/03\/Anne_Ayscough-191x270.jpg 191w, https:\/\/diane.eklund.abolins.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/03\/Anne_Ayscough.jpg 565w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 212px) 100vw, 212px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-860\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">(c) National Trust, Tatton Park; Supplied by The Public Catalogue Foundation<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/p>\n<p>One of the people executed during the reign of Henry VIII was Anne Askew (Ayscough, Ascue). I found myself attracted to her not only because of her bravery but also because, in many ways, she was one of the first feminists. Born in Lincolnshire (which is north of London and south of York), she was, from all accounts, an extremely intelligent and well-read woman; she was also a devout Protestant, which did not stop her being forced into marriage (at fifteen years of age) to Thomas Kyme, a Catholic. It is difficult to understand how such a marriage could have even been considered given the erratic religious atmosphere of the time.<\/p>\n<p>From what I can gather, Thomas was not a model husband, and eventually, deciding that he actually did not want to be married to a Protestant, he sent his wife packing. She, possibly relieved to finally be rid of him, began to consider divorce, which, given the time, was unheard of.<\/p>\n<p>Anne travelled to London where she joined together with like-minded Protestants, all of whom supported Martin Luther, and began preaching. In 1543, Henry had decreed that it was illegal for women and any man below the rank of gentleman to read the Bible, and reading the Bible is exactly what Anne and her friends were doing. While in London she approached Henry and requested a divorce from her husband, but her efforts were unsuccessful and, according to some accounts, she was ordered to return to her husband. Other accounts claim that Thomas, unhappy about the turn of events, recalled his wife to the marital home in Lincolnshire. Whatever the case, Anne, having tasted freedom, escaped back to London. In 1545, when she was only 24 years of age, her husband had her arrested on the grounds that she was a Protestant, that is to say, a heretic. That her husband would have had her arrested on such grounds was a bit underhand, seeing as he would have already known of her beliefs before he married her. Anne&#8217;s father&#8217;s position as a member of Henry&#8217;s court made no difference to the outcome, and Anne found herself in gaol.<\/p>\n<p>She was soon released (perhaps Mr Askew&#8217;s position did count for something after all). However the following year she was re-arrested and was tortured on the rack &#8211; the only woman ever to be tortured in the Tower of London &#8211; before being burnt at the stake. The Constable of the Tower, who normally presided over such dreadful events, was very much against a woman being treated in such a manner, and he refused to have any part of it. However, the torture continued under the guidance of four of King Henry&#8217;s closest men, including the Chancellor, a bishop and the king&#8217;s secretary.<br \/>\n<img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"http:\/\/diane.eklund.abolins.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/03\/stake-197x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"197\" height=\"300\" class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-861\" srcset=\"https:\/\/diane.eklund.abolins.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/03\/stake-197x300.jpg 197w, https:\/\/diane.eklund.abolins.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/03\/stake-768x1172.jpg 768w, https:\/\/diane.eklund.abolins.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/03\/stake-671x1024.jpg 671w, https:\/\/diane.eklund.abolins.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/03\/stake-177x270.jpg 177w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 197px) 100vw, 197px\" \/><br \/>\nThe men had nothing against Anne personally, but they wanted her to give them the names of other Protestants, and they were hoping that she would implicate the then Queen of England, Queen Catherine Parr. Anne had, unfortunately, become caught up in a power struggle between the Catholic traditionalists and the Protestant reformers. Nevertheless, she did not give her torturers satisfaction by divulging any names, and when she was finally brought to the stake for execution she had to be carried as she was no longer able to walk. According to some accounts, the executioner, taking pity on Anne, placed a bag of gunpowder around her neck, which meant that death came somewhat quicker than it otherwise would have done.<\/p>\n<p>Apart from her obvious bravery and the fact that she has gone down in history as a Protestant martyr, Anne is mainly remembered for her writing. Her <em>Examinations<\/em> (an eye-witness account of the turmoil of the sixteenth century from the point of view of religion and gender) &#8211; part of which was written while she was in the Tower of London &#8211; is considered to be one of the most important testimonies from that particular period. For me the fact that she believed in something so completely and was prepared to defend her views even with the horror of execution hanging over her marks her as a very special and courageous woman.<\/p>\n<p>The images of Anne Askew and the burning at the stake are from wikimedia\n<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<br \/>\n<a id=\"amanda\"><\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"western\" ><span style=\"font-family: Comic Sans MS, cursive;\"><span style=\"font-size: 300%;\"><b><span style=\"color:#800080;\">AMANDA&#8217;S BIRTHDAY CURRY<\/span><\/b><\/span><\/span><br \/>\n<img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"http:\/\/diane.eklund.abolins.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/03\/a-curry-1-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-875\" srcset=\"https:\/\/diane.eklund.abolins.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/03\/a-curry-1-225x300.jpg 225w, https:\/\/diane.eklund.abolins.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/03\/a-curry-1-203x270.jpg 203w, https:\/\/diane.eklund.abolins.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/03\/a-curry-1.jpg 450w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 225px) 100vw, 225px\" \/><br \/>\nThis wonderful curry has been contributed by <strong>Annette<\/strong>, and even though it is the second curry in two months curries are <strong>always<\/strong> amazing, and I know that you will love it. It is easy to make; it is colourful; and it tastes <span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><strong>delicious<\/strong><\/span>.<br \/>\n&nbsp;<br \/>\n<strong>INGREDIENTS<\/strong><br \/>\n<strong>(A)<\/strong><br \/>\n2 cloves garlic<br \/>\n1 brown onion<br \/>\n1 tablespoon Indian curry (<a href=\"https:\/\/nurtured-earth.com.au\/product-category\/herbs-spices\/dried-herbs\/\">Nurtured Earth Organics<\/a>) or <strong>any<\/strong> curry powder<br \/>\n1 teaspoon Cayenne pepper (Nurtured Earth Organics) or <strong>any<\/strong> Cayenne pepper<br \/>\n1 teaspoon salt<br \/>\n2 teaspoons turmeric powder<br \/>\n1 teaspoon nutmeg<br \/>\n2.5 tablespoons Sunflower oil<\/p>\n<p>2 medium capsicums, chopped coarsely<br \/>\n1 zucchini, sliced<br \/>\n2 cups of diced, partially cooked, pumpkin (for example, Jap)<br \/>\n1 medium broccoli (flower heads separated plus the finely chopped stem)<br \/>\n1 tin coconut milk<br \/>\n2 chopped carrots<br \/>\n2 cups baby spinach<br \/>\n<img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"http:\/\/diane.eklund.abolins.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/03\/a-curry-2-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" class=\"alignright size-medium wp-image-876\" srcset=\"https:\/\/diane.eklund.abolins.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/03\/a-curry-2-225x300.jpg 225w, https:\/\/diane.eklund.abolins.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/03\/a-curry-2-203x270.jpg 203w, https:\/\/diane.eklund.abolins.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/03\/a-curry-2.jpg 450w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 225px) 100vw, 225px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><strong>METHOD<\/strong><br \/>\nWarm the oil in a large frying pan. Add all of (A) and let cook for a few minutes. Add the capsicum. Add half the coconut milk, and then add all the vegetables with the exception of the spinach. Add the rest of the coconut milk. Stir carefully, lower the heat and allow to cook for about 10 minutes. Just before serving add the spinach leaves and cook for an extra couple of minutes.  <\/p>\n<p>Serve with Basmati rice and yoghurt.<br \/>\nLebanese flat bread or Greek Pitta bread slightly browned under a grill and cut into quarters can be a great accompaniment to the curry.  <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>&#8216;God has given me the bread of adversity and the water of trouble. . . &#8216; Anne Askew <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":871,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[8],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/diane.eklund.abolins.net\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/828"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/diane.eklund.abolins.net\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/diane.eklund.abolins.net\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/diane.eklund.abolins.net\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/diane.eklund.abolins.net\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=828"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/diane.eklund.abolins.net\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/828\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/diane.eklund.abolins.net\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/871"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/diane.eklund.abolins.net\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=828"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/diane.eklund.abolins.net\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=828"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/diane.eklund.abolins.net\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=828"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}