TIANA'S BOOK NOOK ~~~~ curl up with a book ~~~~ BOOKS -- MAGAZINES -- ENJOY SOME POETRY or SHORT STORY? To start off the recommended books, a few personal favorites of mine: The Cat Who Said Cheese, by Lilian Jackson Braun The Great Food Explo is the latest in the series of events that has to put the little town of Pickax, Moose County, on the map. This grand festivity, including a cheese-tasting and new restaurant openings, should blow life in a restored part of town. However, a bomb strikes the only local hotel and kills a housekeeper. So James (Jim) Qwilleran, an ex-journalist from Chicago who inherited the Klingenschoen millions, goes on the sleuthing path. With the help of Koko and Yum Yum, his two smart Siamese felines, he unravels this complicated case. The mysterious woman who stayed in the hotel is within Jim's grasp and a beekeeper is frightened. And then there is the celebrity auction where a date with this eligible bachelor goes to the highest bidder. A delicious treat from author Lilian Jackson Braun! -- Review by: Tiana Order The Cat Who Said Cheese Today! The Unexpected Mrs. Pollifax, by Dorothy Gilman In this series opener, Mrs. Pollifax's doctor advises her to go and do something with her life. So widow and grandmother Emily Pollifax from New Brunswick, New Jersey goes to the CIA and asks for work. Her more than innocent look gets her a job as courier. A simple delivery to a bookshop owner in Mexico City goes awry and she gets drugged. When she wakes up Mrs. Pollifax finds herself in Albania, locked in a cold cell with a wounded man. The same man she was supposed to meet in Mexico. Faced with this unexpected dilemma, Emily Pollifax turns out to be resourceful and courageous under most challenging circumstances. I recommend you start the series with this book to get a tingling introduction to this delightful character created by author Dorothy Gilman. -- Review by: Tiana Order The Unexpected Mrs. Pollifax Today! Banker, by Dick Francis Tim Ekaterin, a young investment banker, finds his boss in the fountain near the bank's entrance. From the moment he decides to stand by his boss, Tim's quiet investment world changes rapidly. The multimillion dollar loan he helps put in place to purchase champion thoroughbred Sandcastle, is at stake. Ekaterin gets tangled in a web of violence and murder in his search for answers. However, Tim feels he can't quit his quest for justice and continues his dangerous journey to find the killer and save Sandcastle. Author Dick Francis cleverly crafts banking, racing and the underworld to a captivating climax. -- Review by: Tiana Order Banker Today! BACK TO TOP Browse a few magazines BACK TO TOP Read some poetry by Anita Sjouwerman: Watch The Time!   The Sandman's Touch Forbidden Thoughts Clearing His Head Note: All material on this website is copyright protected, whether specifically mentioned or not. BACK TO TOP THE OLD MAN AND THE DUST: Linda's stroll along a country road turns eventful when she encounters this mysterious, old man who gazes at her with his big, brown eyes. THE OLD MAN AND THE DUST © Anita Sjouwerman, 1998 One more time the pale brown pebble darted recklessly before skittering in the ditch at the other side of the dirtroad. I had kicked it. Strolling along the countryside east of Orillia, Ontario, I had arranged to meet with Helen Spencer. My dear friend, a happily struggling farmer, lived only twenty minutes down this unpaved route. Squinting at the bright morning sky, I reached for my straw hat, tilting it forward just enough to soothe the eyes. A fluorescent pink bandana was tightly wrapped around its top; the folded tips loosely draped over the back brim, cheerfully bouncing up and down with each step. The hat complemented the rest of my outfit: white clamdiggers with a thin, pink leather belt pulled through the small loops and a spotless white blouse neatly tucked in, the few undone buttons leaving a perfect place for the pink silk shawl with polka-dots. On my feet some old, comfortable runners complete with brand-new laces. Pink, of course. Usually I didn't encounter many other people on my frequent walks in this thinly populated area. Unlike nature, that always greeted me with an appealing selection of seasonal music. Today the sounds of hammering woodpeckers, buzzing bees, whispering leaves, and even a distantly howling wolf, accompanied me. With a deep breath I took in a stunning picture: rolling green hills and meadows with neatly bundled hay, looking much like a green and beige checkerboard with barbwire fences. Majestic oaks, frivolous maples, white birches, hardy spruces, tough cedars and other members of the pine family enhanced this Canadian countryside. A yellow canola patch popped up between the trees like a giant, yellow carpet. A smile curled my lips at the thought of having this carpet in my living room, knee-deep indeed! Strolling further down the dusty road, I occasionally kicked sticks, stones and the stray pop can. I passed Miss Isabel MacFarland's place. The last couple of years the wild raspberry shrubs seem to have covered most of her old wooden fences. Isabel was a lonely spinster, who lived with her friendly collie Brandy, a silky-coated sheepdog with a long ruff and a long, narrow head. Sometimes I paid them a visit, but not today. Today I was going to visit my friend Helen. So I continued my morning hike. A little further down the road I halted to watch some brown cows in collective hiding under the trees' cool shade. An unpleasant smell drifted my way and penetrated my nose. Yuk! Quickly I jogged up the hill to put some distance between me and the lazy quadrupeds, who watched my escape with little enthusiasm. Oh well, country living at its best ... or so I thought. An irritating noise was interfering with nature's soothing sensations. I stepped aside. A car approached too rapidly, in its wake a cloud of complaining dust. Upon recognizing the noisy, red sedan, I waved my arm in a friendly gesture. With the other I quickly covered nose and mouth to prevent the cloud from settling in unwanted places. When the floury dust finally settled down, a human shape slowly emerged. Thoughtfully I reconsidered my distinct impression that the road had been empty before the red car appeared. The straight road allowed for a good view, especially from my position on top of a hill. Sun in my back, I narrowed my eyes for a few seconds to observe sharply. My assessment was a startling one: the shape appeared to be that of a man! Taken by surprise and intrigued by the man's inexplicable ubiquity, I changed my leisurely stroll to a brisk walk. Getting closer, I discovered the stranger was far from young. He was a bit taller than my statuesque five-nine. The slightly hunched back made him lean over and his aged face was heavily wrinkled. A medium brown velvet shirt, buttoned to the top, hang loosely over a pair of snug, light-coloured pants, his black loafers faded by a layer of powdery dust. He struggled with every limping stride he took. What, for heaven's sake, was this old man doing out here! When he lifted his jaded face, two dark brown eyes pierced mine. I crossed the road, not knowing what drove me: my curiousity or the spellbinding look in his eyes? He came to a halt as I approached and greeted me with the hint of a smile. "Well, hello! How are you doing on this beautiful day?" He verbally reached out to me, while gesturing at the world around us. His body language suggested it was not just a polite comment, the remark appeared genuine. Instinctively I smiled at him. "I'm fine, thank you! And yes, it is beautiful. Beautiful enough to entice you to a stroll?" I couldn't help myself, I was snooping shamelessly while responding to his kind remark. He deepened the creases at the corners of his mouth as he pulled them into a grin. "Oh yes! Every day is worth enjoying nature, but I think today is one of the best days I will come across!", he said. His expressive glimmers kept me captive while he spoke these mysterious words. My eyebrows plunged as I pondered his remark. I had no clue where this conversation was heading. He sensed what I thought and without saying another word he snared me into prying some more. "A special reason?", I asked. He nodded meaningfully and his big, dark brown eyes stared right into my soul. "Yes, you!" Briefly I was taken aback by his direct answer. By now I felt rather confused by his words, even more by the way he established contact. His words didn't only roll from his tongue and emerge from his mouth, I intuitively perceived what he was relaying, like he put his thoughts in my mind. Scary! But I was not about to admit that. "Today's a good day, because you met me?" "Yes!" "I don't get it. Would you mind explaining that?" A mystifying glimmer momentarily brightened his eyes. "I have a story to tell.", he announced. The old man wandered to the side of the road and leaned against the remainders of a pine tree. I followed. There was no doubt in my mind this was going to take some time and, strangely enough, I was prepared to lend an ear or two. After all, I was dying to know what he had to tell me. I waited for him to make himself comfortable against the dry, rough bark. In the meantime I reached down to pick a yellow dandelion and thoughtlessly dawdled with its long, green stem. He recaptured my full attention by starting off his tale, meanwhile pointing at the unpaved road. "This was once a narrow track, mainly used by animals to trot to that little lake further down the road. The lake was much bigger then. Later there were horse-drawn carriages, making the narrow track wider. Most animals did not like it anymore and had to find another route; you can still find it a few hundred yards that way! It is covered with leafy branches and other green growth, but if you know where to look, you have no problem spotting it." Interesting as it was, his story did not tell me anything about the man himself. However, nature and history could be counted among my strong suits. For many years I had been busy going through old archives, public and private libraries, in an attempt to discover everything there was to know about this area. And although his story fitted my interests perfectly, my primal curiosity wasn't satisfied. Nevertheless I remained patient as I continued to listen to more of his reflections, meanwhile fumbling with the yellow weed. Who knows what I would learn! "The number of animals dropped significantly over the next century as man invaded their territory and chased the original inhabitants to other areas! The birds seemed to uphold their numbers, not being solely dependent on ground level. Of course some species became extinct, but that is part of nature. However, that does not apply to this deadly sniper you call pollution!" He had reminisced intriguingly over past events, but now he interrupted the account for a moment to catch his breath. I still had no idea where his story would lead, but in view to both my natural and historical avocations, I felt strangely fascinated by what he had to tell. After all, he wanted to share this information with me! The old man observed me closely as he prepared to continue. His big brown eyes enveloped me in a warm way as not to let my attention waver for a single moment. "Trees got sick, but it took mankind a long time to figure out exactly what made that happen. They started to look into the diminishing numbers of present wildlife and altered lifestyle. A few of them started to get a clue, but their discovery was not wanted and therefore ignored. A sad thing!" Fatigue filtered through in his voice and he coughed a few times. "Are you okay?" I made the remark automatically. He shot me a critical look, knowing I didn't really mean what I had said. "No, but that is unimportant right now. Important is that I finish my story and you listen. And I do not have much time!", he said. I remained quite, for the expression on his face was a persisting one. The man had embarked on a mission and I was not to interfere. Observing him, I gathered that his conviction was debilitating. Something was definitely not right! "I am here to let more people know what is going on! And you are one of the chosen!" Before I could express my shock, he continued swiftly. "Look around you!" This time he pleaded with great passion, waving his hand in the air. I glanced around, not really knowing exactly what to examine. "Look at those trees!" He now pointed at a group of three trees, varying in height. "Those oak trees?" I guessed, still trying to establish what this man wanted from me. So far I had a hard time to comprehend his vague story. He sensed my confusion as he continued with renewed effort. "Right! Look at the split bark, the deformed branches and the brownish leaves! Those trees have a disease; they are violated by impurities. Man-made impurities! Some animals do not eat the leaves anymore, and the ones that do, digest even more contamination. And when they are thirsty, they go to that small lake to drink filthy water!" He painted the ugly picture with such intensity that he ended in a minute-long cough recital. In a daze I took the dandelion in my left hand, stepped closer and padded him gently on the hunched back. It seemed to have no impact, but he let me be of assistance anyway. When he finally resumed his narrative in a grating voice. The flower founds its way back between my restless fingers. "I better make it short. We have noticed YOU care about nature! That is why we have chosen you to spread the word, Linda!" Now he cut to the chase, my jaw dropped in amazement, my eyes grew wide and my face paled. I had no idea exactly what I had expected, but certainly not something of this importance. I was chosen to spread the word? He knew my name? What the ...! Uncontrollably I tweaked my fingers, the dandelion's yellow head snapped abruptly and dwindled to the ground, its green stem still stuck in one hand. Flabbergasted I eyed him, unable to speak. The old man grew irritated by my inability to communicate. He gently padded my shoulder, clearly leaving a dusty print on the white material. "Do not you get it? Nature is being destroyed! It desperately needs protection by people who care, people like you. We implore you, help us! Nature cannot do it alone anymore, it requires assistance. Please help us before it is too late! Spread our concern. By lending a caring hand, you eventually help yourself!" The man pleaded, his spirited body language emphasizing his words. White as a sheet I stared at these big, brown eyes that begged me, told me what to do. Nature needed help and I was designated to lend a hand! Exhausted, the old man slumped against the dead tree. His chest rose and fell heavily as he gulped for air. "Thank you." He had whispered those last words. While he pushed himself away from the tree stump, dry pieces of bark crumbled to the green grass. Briefly he swayed, stepped waveringly in the ditch and resumed a slow limping stroll, his hand pressed closely to his chest. In breathtaking bewilderment I stared at the disappearing, bent back as he drew closer to the little group of oak trees. I had to squint against the bright sun as tears shot to my eyes. Briefly I rubbed my eyes before shaking a few salty droplets. When I realized what heavy task I had been left with, I quickly caught my breath. Questions! I had so many questions! How, I wanted to call out to him, and why me? But ... there was no one in sight! Again I rubbed my eyes with the back of my hands, but it didn't matter. The old man seemed to have vanished as strangely as he had emerged. Staring in the direction I last saw the mysterious man, I was left wondering. Did I actually meet the guy or ... was this merely a daydream? It all seemed so fabulous now. I sighed, not knowing what to think. Staring at the trees, a big animal suddenly stepped from between the growth. There stood a proud buck, sturdy light-coloured legs under an elegant, brownish body, its head high. His big, dark eyes stared at me with a familiar intensity. When I realized where I had seen this before, an icy chill ran over my spine. The deer sniffed some brownish leaves, then turned his head and shot me a last knowing glance before it slowly limped across the road into a farmer's field. Spellbound I followed it with my eyes until it disappeared in a cloud of kicked-up dust. Long after the dust settled, I could be found staring at the field. Trying to figure out exactly what I had seen and, foremost, what not. Had I laid eyes on this limping, old man? Did I talk to him? Who or what had put these thoughts in my mind? And what about this big animal that had dared to leap out this close? Had I truly seen what I thought I had? Or had the sun been playing tricks with me? I didn't know for sure. When I finally continued my stroll in an aura of confusion, I paid close attention to nature's beauty. No need for an old man to tell me that, was there? One way or the other nature deserved all the help it could get, I pondered. With a distinct sense of determination, I knew I would unravel this mystery or at least corroborate the old man's tale. It seemed the only way of clearing my dusty vision. One thing was sure: for the time being this incredible encounter would be kept under wraps. Who would believe me anyway? A quick glance at my watch confirmed the distinct impression that the noon hour had passed. Helen had expected me around ten and must be worried sick by now! So the rest of the way I rushed along the picturesque countryside. Short of breath I arrived at her doorstep. The door flung open. "Thank God you're here, Linda! What took you so long? Bob said you left hours ago! I was so worried! Come inside. Oh, just a minute! First let me wipe this dusty spot off your shoulder. There... now go inside. I've got some cold lemonade waiting for you. Have a sip and tell me all about it!" © Anita Sjouwerman - Last revised: August 5, 1998 Let this writer know what you think: click here to e-mail Anita. BACK TO TOP Amazon.com is welcoming us as an associate! Click here. Books Music Enter keywords...