Is Hamnet by Maggie O'Farrell worth your time?

Since moving into a new home, I needed to start getting involved in the community so I joined the local library book club. 

Although there was one book that was to be read I was to start with the book that the group had read before and that was Small Pleasures by Clare Chambers. 

However, I am considering starting to write my blog again more consistently while reading that book. I decided to start with the book that they had read before that. That was Hamnet by Maggie O'Farrell. So I will begin.

 What is the synopsis?

The book is set in Elizabethan times when Queen Elizabeth the 1st on the throne. It is about a woman and her family. It begins with the loss of a child called Hamnet and then goes back to when the woman Agnes falls pregnant before marriage. Then loops back to the present time for her and how she deals with the loss and the family's own reaction.

The themes:

There are a group themes for this novel and they are:

• Death

• Love

• History

• Family dynamics

Death:

This is an obvious one with the death of Hamnet. So it is easy to see. Although a short one.

Love:

This one is not such an obvious one although it is combined with death because of Hamnet's death but also the early love between Agnes and her lover who becomes her husband while pregnant. And when they drift apart.

History:

This one is again so obvious as Maggie O'Farrell has used language and description as well as setting. She used a specific dateline of 1596 as this is when the child Hamnet died as a main link for the entire book.

Family dynamics:

This theme is a little more subtle than the others but it is the biggest one. The reason for this is many people are secondary characters. These included Agnes’s husband, siblings, children, parents and in-laws. 

My Thoughts:

For me, this was a tough book to start especially with the split in the beginning. But I pushed through and enjoyed it. Because I heard about it before reading it. I was intrigued by how Maggie O'Farrell wrote it. She used the historical truth as a basis. It is based on the time of William Shakespeare's life and the actual death of his son who is called Hamnet. Maggie also told the truth from Agnes, his first wife's point of view. Although much of the story is fiction, those bits are based on truth. So is it worth it?  Well, that is up to you! I did enjoy many of the subplots as well as the main one.

Fresh chapters with cp.

Hey there,

Remember how I've been talking about my move and the process whilst having cerebral palsy? Well, I'm excited to announce a slight shift in focus.

While the move combined with cerebral palsy is still incredibly important, I'm going to be taking things in a new direction by discussing the life of a person with the condition. From a personal view living in a home that's either in process of being altered or already done.

Don't worry, this isn't a complete overhaul! But I believe this change will allow us to explore cerebral palsy in a more comprehensive way, and provide you with even more valuable insights.

Stick around to learn more about why I'm making this change and what exciting things you can expect in the future!

Topics that are going to be mentioned:

1. How I put on makeup.

2. Skin care.

3. Book reviews.

4. My favorite gadgets everyone can use.

5. Clothes I find easy to wear.

6. Techniques I use to dress if I can do it myself.

7. Aids I use daily.

8. Days out.

And many more topics.

Please do follow me on Facebook, Instagram and threads. There you will see what I'm doing on a daily basis. You can always ask me questions on the subscription group via Facebook sensible questions.

AFew Months!

It's been a few months since I moved into my final home. I had given myself a bit of time to recover from the amount of stress, uncertainty and energy that I have used over the last 14 months with all the moves.

Having multiple conditions and moving is probably more stressful than just moving. Which is stressful in itself.

There are many things which I never thought about growing up with the main condition cerebral palsy which I spotted in my 1st move. But never thought of it until moving into the final home.

Here are some tips to make the transition smoother:

Involve the person with cerebral palsy in the planning process as much as possible. This will help them feel more in control and invested in the new home.

List any accessibility needs to be addressed in the new home.

This could include wider doorways, bathroom grab bars, or a lower kitchen counter.

Start unpacking and setting up the new home one room at a time.

This will help to avoid feeling overwhelmed.

Familiarise the person with cerebral palsy with the layout of the new home.

This will help them feel more comfortable and independent.

Be patient and allow plenty of time for the person with cerebral palsy to adjust to the new home.

Some tips can be done during settling into a new home. The biggest one I discovered in the last home as I got used to the layout of the place.

As an ambulatory wheelchair user, there was one major thing I was suffering in the first month and that is to use my home helper trolley that I have for transferring from one room to another. So that I could adjust to the different surfaces of certain rooms and areas.

My kitchen, hall and bathrooms are laid with lino

and the living room and bedrooms are carpeted.

I'm still struggling a little bit three months on but I'm getting better. I know that it's ok and I know that I will get used to the house and area. I still walk gingerly around some places as I don't go out as much as I did before.

A new place

A lot has happened since. But here I am.

A different place. Older and wiser than before. New things are coming slow and steady. Other things keep dropping off. I have learnt a lot over the last few years. Knowing that life has always a way of doing things to change your plans no matter what you want. It's ok though. Learning is what life is all about. In some ways life has been harder but in others it hasn't.

You think life is going one way then it shows you a different route. Sometimes they lead to a completely different place and sometimes it might just be a loop or bump in the road that either speeds things up or slows it down.

What's next ? Who knows. All that can be done by me is being done and the rest is out of my jurisdiction. The wait can be a problem but the best thing is to channel energy into other things. I'm trying my best to do that very thing. Yet there are so many distractions. Some are welcome, others are not.

What is left to do? A bit of clearing out. Not much though! Everything I had asked for is coming even though there have been difficulties. Some have been huge and others small. They all have challenged me most definitely. 

One of the things I have struggled with is patience. There's a saying ”patience is a virtue” and I know that it's one I wish I had. Especially when it's to do with things that are out of my control. Have you ever had those types of feelings? I know I have!

How do I deal with those feelings? That depends on what I'm wanting to be done by others. I know people probably think I should be doing everything. I can't however. It doesn't mean I don't want to. Just physically I can't.

You see, I'm an ambulatory wheelchair user. I used to do almost everything possible as a child and young adult. The older I have gotten, the less I have been able to do. There are many people who are like this. Not just me. 

Frustration is forever changing because things I could do a year ago. Now I either struggle with it or can't do it anymore. And things change. And as a person either accept the change or become more maudlin and then depressed. It's never easy to accept things about yourself as a teen or young adult. And if something happens while getting older. 

There is always the question “why me?” The question should actually be “why not me?” Or “what can I learn from the situation I'm in?” those questions are a better way. 

Because there's always something you can learn. Sometimes you may not be the one who needs to learn something but you are the one who is there to teach someone else something.  

Someone said that if you don't learn something the first time around then you are given multiple challenges until you learn what is required. 

The two things that I have learnt in my life so far is acceptance and understanding.  There are a few more things that I need to learn successfully. Such as listening, patience and the ability to stop worrying about things that are out of my control. Those things are not easy to do. I'm trying though. 

What do I want for the rest of my life? I went through a phase of doing things that are not really me. They gave me a new set of skills which is great. I know that those skills are going to be useful, however I'm not ready to use them properly yet. I know I will just not now. But I am excited to be doing what I'm doing. Especially as this is something I love doing but have not felt quite good enough to do it again because of my disability and other life situations that I had no control over. 

What is it that I can do for now?  Obviously I need to do physio and gentle exercises but what can I do?

Well there's been a few things that have changed since the beginning of this. There has been a massive change in the sense of two different moves. One was a temporary move because where I had been was not really good for me. The other. 

The other was the final. I'm finally settling into the new house but there's a few things that need to be done. And once they're done I'll feel more confident in the house. The other big change is the area of where I'm living.

It's a quaint village that has old buildings but the pavement is not really good enough for someone who is an ambulatory wheelchair user, or someone who is wheelchair bound. I need to go around on my scooter and get to know the area. However at the moment I'm stuck using a scooter which is totally not my type. Even if the colour is my favourite. Which means I'm stuck indoors until mine is repaired.

Luckily there's still some things that need to be done. Before having people around.

A New Season ahead

Welcome to a new season of Life with Sweetestmoondust. And sorry for being away for such a long time. There has been so much going on for me at the moment in the last year, almost a year. Have the first quarter. It was because we were getting things ready to start moving again.

Due to life. And the rent and everything else you can imagine. As things have been going for the last year or so, especially with COVID and everything else beforehand. because of various things as well, including moving. I was trying to look for a new place before Christmas last year.

The move at the end of the first quarter of this year, the second quarter was also settling in. And we're here for a little down. So on Third quarter hair and we're just been here since March.

And it's because I'm just doing it for my phone because I haven't got the space. To use everything that I've got to record my podcast or write. This season is going to be all about different things regarding my life. And regarding cerebral palsy and endometriosis.

life is on a day to day basis for everything of both with both, as well as everything else.

I'm going to be doing a few more podcast episodes. In the next few weeks or so. I'm trying to catch up with everything else that needs to be done. And I hope you can join me. It and see you then.

My favorite classic actors

 

Classic Hollywood movies have always been a source of inspiration for many people. The glamour, the romance, and the drama have captivated audiences for decades. And, of course, the actors who brought these stories to life have become legends in their own right. Here are some of the most iconic classic actors that have left a lasting impression on the world of cinema.

Marilyn Monroe

Marilyn Monroe is one of the most iconic actresses of all time. Her beauty, charm, and talent made her a Hollywood legend. She starred in many classic films such as "Some Like It Hot" and "Gentlemen Prefer Blondes"

Audrey Hepburn

Was a British actress and humanitarian who rose to fame during Hollywood's Golden Age. She was known for her elegant and sophisticated style, as well as her natural beauty and grace. Hepburn starred in many iconic films, including "Roman Holiday," "Breakfast at Tiffany's," and "My Fair Lady," and won numerous awards for her performances. In addition to her successful acting career. Hepburn was also a dedicated humanitarian, serving as a Goodwill Ambassador for UNICEF and working tirelessly to improve the lives of children around the world. Despite her untimely death in 1993, Hepburn's legacy continues to inspire and captivate audiences today.

Katherine Hepburn

was an iconic American actress known for her fierce independence and unconventional style. Born in 1907, she began her career on stage before transitioning to film in the 1930s. Hepburn was known for her sharp wit, intelligence, and strong personality, which often translated into her on-screen roles. She won four Academy Awards for Best Actress, a record that still stands today. Hepburn was also known for her personal life, which included a long-term relationship with actor Spencer Tracy. She continued to act well into her 80s, leaving behind a legacy as one of Hollywood's most beloved and influential actresses.

Grace Kelly

Was an American actress who became a princess after marrying Prince Rainier III of Monaco in 1956. Born in Philadelphia in 1929, Kelly began her acting career in the early 1950s and quickly gained recognition for her talent and beauty. She starred in several successful films, including "High Noon" and "Dial M for Murder," and won an Academy Award for Best Actress for her role in "The Country Girl" in 1955. Kelly retired from acting after her marriage to Prince Rainier and devoted herself to her new role as Princess of Monaco. She was known for her elegance, poise, and philanthropic work, and became a beloved figure both in Monaco and around the world. Tragically, she died in a car accident in September 1982 Monaco. 

Ginger Rogers

was an American actress, dancer, and singer who rose to fame during the Golden Age of Hollywood. She is best known for her partnership with Fred Astaire in a series of musical films in the 1930s, where she showcased her incredible dancing skills and charm. Rogers was a versatile performer who also acted in dramatic roles, earning an Academy Award for her performance in the 1940 film "Kitty Foyle." She continued to work in film, television, and theatre, throughout her career, and was admired for her talent, beauty, and grace. Rogers remains an icon of Hollywood's golden era and a beloved figure in American popular culture.

Fred Astaire

Was an American ballroom dancer who also was an amazing actor to boot. He was born in 1899 and was in vaudeville from the age of 4. As a young man he headed to Hollywood and began to act too. His most famous dance partners include Ginger Roger who is mentioned above Judy Garland, Joan Crawford and Cyd Charisse. He died in 1987 at the age of 88 from pneumonia.

Gene Kelly

Another American actor who was a fabulous dancer who has been compared against Fred Astaire to who was the better dancer. He was a dancer, actor, singer and director He was born in 1912 and died in 1996 after a few strokes which slowly made his health decline.  

James Cagney

Similarly to Fred Astaire was born in 1899 and died in 1986. Even more like Fred, he was a dancer as well. But and his comedic ability and use of deadpan made him full of acclaim and win multiple awards.

Cary Grant

Born Archibald Alec Leach, was a legendary actor who left an indelible mark on the world of cinema. With his dashing good looks, impeccable charm, and effortless sophistication, Grant became an icon of classic Hollywood glamour. His career spanned over three decades, during which he starred in numerous memorable films, including "North by Northwest," "To Catch a Thief," and "An Affair to Remember." Grant possessed a remarkable ability to seamlessly transition between genres, excelling in both romantic comedies and suspenseful thrillers. His impeccable comedic timing, combined with his suave demeanor, made him the epitome of the sophisticated leading man. Beyond his on-screen talent, Grant's personal life was equally fascinating. Known for his charisma and wit, he was often seen as the epitome of the debonair gentleman. Cary Grant's legacy continues to captivate audiences, and his impact on the film industry is undeniable, making him an enduring symbol of timeless elegance and cinematic excellence.

Frank Sinatra

Frank Sinatra, the legendary American singer and actor, remains an enduring icon of the entertainment industry. Born in 1915, Sinatra's remarkable career spanned over six decades, leaving an indelible mark on popular music. Known for his smooth, velvety voice and impeccable phrasing, he captivated audiences with timeless classics like "My Way," "Fly Me to the Moon," and "New York, New York." Sinatra's magnetic stage presence and charismatic persona made him a beloved figure, earning him the nickname "Chairman of the Board." Beyond his music, he ventured into acting, winning an Academy Award for his role in "From Here to Eternity." Sinatra's influence extends far beyond his era, as his music continues to resonate with listeners of all generations, solidifying his status as one of the greatest entertainers of all time.

And while a little girl growing up these were the most seen actors I saw on TV. So I will be doing a series of posts on each of them and how they influenced me as a person growing up .