where did july go?

Hard month, stressy end of term and grey skies - trying to sort my head out. Can't believe I had another panic attack yesterday - seems as though it happened to a different person now. Trying to be a different person. Sat out reading until it got dark last night to get some rays jacking up my pineal gland and stubbed my toe while storing up blue skies last week. Can't say I'm not trying, hopeless case...

So what's good?

Books:

People of the Book by Geraldine Brooks. 4 Amazon stars. I read Year of Wonders a few years back and this is a testament to Brooks' growth as an author. I have ordered her Pulitzer prize winning March from the library (use it or lose it!)

Secret Scripture by Sebastian Barry. Won the Costa prize but has a half less star - probably because it encapsulates in its heroine the tradgedy of Ireland. But wait! she rises like a phoenix. A degree of misery is essential, I could take it, so can you.

About to start Home (faith, love, doubt, fear..) Marilynne Robinson. Loved her 1980 Housekeeping, she's won the Pulitzer since then for Gilead, maybe next on my list...

Films:

Looking for Eric (Cantona) and yes, he is in it. The nearest Ken Loach will ever get to a feelgood movie, a little gem from a national treasure.

Sunshine Cleaning. Amy Adams, Emily Blunt, Alan Arkin, all gorgeous. Believable, human, compassionate. A pinch of the essence of life here, black humour, wry smiles. Emily continues to convince and amaze - this is Young Victoria's antithesis.

Looking forward to 35 Rhums, father, daughter, read the interview, see the trailer; Frozen River, low budget Thelma & Louise on Alaskan border.

Exhibitions:

Waterhouse at the R.A. Don't read the reviews, just go. Makes me wish I'd done Classics.

Places: Walking in Edale, between Kinder Scout and Mam Tor on Lose Ridge. We did the sunny afternoon walk. Women and children did it every day of the year to start work at 5 am in the cotton mill we stayed in. And over to Castleton for funerals. Trail of tears.

But maybe weddings too, and christenings, and guys. Not all bad.

We are finishing off the Ridgeway, finally, next week and Snowdonia is lined up for the Bank Holiday, after a couple of days sailing (what has possessed me?) and a weekend in Christchurch. As you can see I really am trying.