While many watch TV or scroll their phones for news and entertainment, I prefer to take my news from reliable sources from my favorite podcasters and analysts. But, I also watch documentaries on Youtube. I’m fascinated at what makes people tick and how they came to be – sometimes intentionally, others – situational.
One of my favorite genres I read and watch are stories from WWII. For every miraculous escape, or surviving the unsurvivable, those who sacrificed their lives for others, and for others searching deep into what creates diabolical and inhumane humans; these are the stories that fascinate me.
Lately, I’ve been watching a lot of docs about heroic women of war who risked their own lives for their country. This little mini – bits of biopic, as I like to call this series, are condensed versions of some of the stories about these female war heroes. An interesting difference from what usually comes to mind as war heroes – men in uniforms on battlefields. These are stories about unassuming women who did heroic things to defend their country, kind of stories. We can learn how these women ended up fighting in the war without joining the battle fields, how unimportant women were assumed to be (war was for men), how instrumentally helpful they were because they were inconspicuous, and how they managed to survive, and who they became after.
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I subtitled this series – ‘heroic-a’, a genre I made up to categorize female war heroines. In this first episode, we’re observing Alice Arteil – Code Name: Sylva.Loire, France.
Alice Arteil (1912 to 1995) seventh child, brought up proper in a poor family of twelve children in Loire region of France. Educated only until thirteen years old. Her parents worked at and owned their own bakery.
In 1936, Alice married textile merchant Raymond Arteil, a mercantile. In 1940 they had a baby girl. Raymond joined the French army, and was captured a year later. And Alice made it her mission to find her missing husband, as he was declared. And she did – a few years later, after learning he was imprisoned in a war camp in Prussia (border of Poland and Russia). Alice had had enough of feeling powerless and joined a resistance group to foil, fight, build resistance networks, and find her husband. Some of her duties were to hide fugitives, run guerilla missions through the forests and mountains, and deceive the nazis. Her undercover code name became Sylva, which meant ‘forest’, because she knew the lay of the land in the Loire. By 1943, she was leading her own resistance. Interesting to note that women were only about 15% of the resistance, and many were part of communications – sending and transmitting messages. Many death-defying missions.
By 1940, France had caved to the Gestapo. The Vichy police had turned into French Gestapo. By 1943, they were calling up boys(men) born betwen 1920 to 1922 to work as forced labor for the Germans. Not voluntarily. The ones who refused to sign up, created a huge new resistance. Alice kept up her missions of resistance throughout the rest of the war, risking her own life with every mission, as the gestapo were on to her. She survived their, ‘shoot her’ orders, along with many mountain missions in all weather to transmit messages, weapons, and leading Jews through the mountains, saving the lives of many. She survived it all, and after reuniting back with her husband, sank right back into civilian life. She was later recognized by some of the highest echelons of France and received the Croix de Guerre and many other honorable medals, for her heroism during WWII.
Makes one stop and think – what would we do if our country was being taken over, become a hostage of it or join the resistance? No brainer for me. I’m a born justice fighter. If it’s unjust, I’m going to call it out. That’s who I am. So, there’s nothing to think about for me. I most certainly would have been part of the resistance.
If you’d like to learn the whole story condensed into 36 minutes, you can hear the whole story below of this valiant woman:
“Alice Arteil was not the woman she was before the war.” No doubts, after what she’d seen and done.
“She fought when she could have hidden, she had led when she could have followed, she had risked her life repeatedly when she could have stayed safe.”
Welcome back to my Writer’s Tips series, For my April shares, Anne R. Allen has more good tips on how to avoid being Scammed with our Books, Deborah Jay is at the Story Empire sharing How to Pitch your Nonfiction Book, and Hugh Roberts shares a tutorial on How to Add a Blogroll to our blogs. And lastly, I came across two blog posts (sorry I can’t remember from who), directing us over to this interesting page by Grant P. Ferguson at TameYourBook.com on the various uses for A.I., also, a great breakdown from Diana Peach on the Three Act Structure.
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Anne R. Allen on 10 Things to Avoid from getting Scammed with our Books
Today I’m thrilled to share my dear friend, Sally Cronin’s, new release of the third book in her Tales From The Irish Garden series – The Missing Pieces. For those of you who don’t know Sally, she runs the Smorgasbord Blog Invitation blog and there you will find a plethora of fun, music, entertainment, health, books, and more! Never a dull moment at the Smorgasbord. And that’s where you’ll also find my monthly column each year on a different subject. Feel free to visit, and if you’re an author, you should check out all the generous author promos Sally does as well to help get our books noticed. This time, Sally gets center stage.
I’ve read and loved all Sally’s books and am looking very forward to reading this one. Sally has a knack for great storytelling, and while doing so, knows how to grab at our heartstrings.
About Sally Cronin:
Sally Cronin is the author of nineteen books including her memoir Size Always Matters in 2024. This was an updated version of her first book, Size Matters published in 2001 which followed her weight loss of 150lbs and the programme she designed to regain her health. A programme she shared with her clients over her 27 year career as a nutritional therapist and on her blog. This has been followed by another eighteen books both fiction and non-fiction including multi-genre collections of short stories and poetry.
Her latest book is part of a three book series set in a garden in Spain and then in Ireland. Tales from the Irish Garden: The Missing Pieces brings together creatures and people in need of a sanctuary, where they can spend their lives in peace.
As an author she understands how important it is to have support in marketing books and offers a number of FREE promotional opportunities on her blog Smorgasbord Blog Magazine and across her social media.
After leading a nomadic existence exploring the world, she now lives with her husband on the coast of Southern Ireland enjoying the seasonal fluctuations in the temperature of the rain.
The Irish garden has been a sanctuary for centuries for those escaping persecution, invaders and grief. Its guardian is the storyteller, a man who has lived for hundreds of years and who is part of a network of guardians around the world, offering a safe haven to those worthy of their protection.
It is not only humans who travel from afar to this garden, but animals which are hurt or lost. One creature in particular has travelled across time following the elusive melody remembered from its time in an ancient civilisation, a cat who has reached its ninth life.
There is fantasy, magic, friendship and love to be found in this green and welcoming haven. For some of those who find their way to the garden there is a renewal and an awakening of the spirit and special gifts lost through tragedy. For others it is the end of a long and arduous journey to find their soulmate.
You are welcome to join the storyteller, Finn, Lilah, Ramon, Michael, Bebechat and Flaco in the garden to enjoy their company, discover their stories and be amused at some of the antics they get up to as they finally find a peaceful home to call their own.
Excerpt – The Invitation
The storyteller gently stroked the sleek head of the bird on his shoulder as they made their way to the rose garden. Here he found a pigeon was greedily gobbling up the seed which had been scattered around the edges bird table by the earlier onslaught by the starlings. It raised its head as he saw the storyteller approaching and flew across to perch on the back of a wooden rocking chair, positioned to allow the occupant to enjoy the last rays of the evening sun. As the chair moved back and forth the bird flapped his wings in surprise and then seemed to enjoy the movement.
‘Why don’t you head off Charlie and check those pesky rabbits have not been raiding the carrot patch again.’
The crow nodded his head and flew off in the direction of the abundant allotment at the end of the garden, leaving the storyteller to deal with this unexpected visitor.
He gently lifted the pigeon up and gazed into its eyes gently cooing to reassure it.
‘Okay, let’s see what you have brought me.’
He removed the small pouch attached to the bird’s leg and headed back over to the bird table.
‘Finish your breakfast my friend and I will come and get you if I have a message for you to take home with you.’
The bird happily continued stuffing himself and with a smile the storyteller headed inside the cottage to the kitchen to find his reading glasses.
You are requested to attend the 950th AGM of the Guardian’s Association.
Usual place, usual time. Important things to discuss. Bring Honey.
With a wry smile, the storyteller picked up a small piece of tissue paper and dipped a swan’s feather into the ink pot and wrote his response.
Will do; make sure there are almond croissants.
With that he slipped the folded up piece of tissue paper and tucked it into the pouch. On his return to the rose garden he found the pigeon having a drink from the bird bath and attached the message to its leg. With a quick kiss to the top of its head, he whispered in its ear and released it into the sky. After watching for a moment to check it was headed in the right direction, he returned to the cottage to make preparations for his upcoming trip.
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Visit Sally’s socials and her blog. And don’t forget to visit her promotional pages if you’d like to partake in any of the promos she offers.
Welcome to my Sunday Book Review. Today I’m reviewing a memoir/selfhelp book by Alicia F. Gow that inspires on how to move forward toward your goals in life and how to attain them.
Don’t Die Broke: Your Step-by-Step Guide to the Life You Desire is not about money the way people expect–it’s about mindset, identity, and refusing to live a small life just because of where you start. The title is provocative on purpose, but the heart of the book is really about designing a life that actually fulfills you–financially, emotionally, and spiritually.
A little backstory: Why did I write this book, and what’s it about?
Growing up in a poverty-stricken home and a toxic environment meant the life I led left much to be desired. I was crass and uncouth, broke and broken. I desperately needed healing and purpose.
After becoming a single teenage mom, I realized that I had to change my future. Not just for me, but for the child I was now responsible for. So that’s what I did.
Through a series of mindset transformation–unlearning old beliefs and patterns and breaking generational habits–I was able to design the life I now lead.
My early life was filled with much pain–darkness, abuse, depression, anxiety, self-loathing, you name it. I wrote this book to share the exact steps I took to transform my life into something I truly enjoy. Not what others said it would–or should–be, but what I truly wanted it to be.
My story is one of resilience, hope, and proof that transformation is possible no matter where you are in life. I wrote this book to be a lighthouse of hope for people dreaming of more–more joy, more fulfilling lives, more peace.
The book is unique due to several core elements:
Unique Goal-Setting Frameworks: It introduces the Anti-Dream (defining the future you must avoid) as a starting point, and the Dream Life Calculator—a four-step process for making your ideal life tangible, including estimating its monthly cost.
Deep Psychological Focus: It explores the science of self-sabotage through concepts like Defensive Failure and the Three Mindset Traps that prevent personal growth.
Authentic Cultural Context: The principles are grounded in my powerful personal story of overcoming deep poverty in rural Jamaica, utilizing cultural references.
Unapologetic Stance: It takes a firm position against the concept of “nobility in poverty,” framing it as a destructive cycle that must be intentionally broken.
How many dreams have died because someone believed they weren’t enough?
Don’t let yours be next.
You weren’t born to just survive. To stay stuck in survival mode. To bury your ambition and just make peace with a life you never asked for.
This isn’t a get-rich-quick scheme. This is a Don’t-Die-Broken guide. It’s a blueprint for lasting change.
Inside, you’ll learn how to:
Break free from generational mindsets and limiting beliefs
Redesign your life based on your values and vision
Heal from trauma and rewrite your story
Fix your relationship with money and unlock financial clarity
Who is this for?
For the one who’s exhausted from pretending.
For the one who’s tired of playing small.
For the one who still has a flicker of belief left, even if it’s buried under fear.
Your life is calling. Don’t let your dream end up in the graveyard with a million others who didn’t make it. It’s not too late. You’re not too broken or too far gone.
You were born to thrive. Don’t die broke or broken. Start living on purpose.
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My 5 Star Review:
This book is a wonderful practical guide for living your best life. Like the author points out, we aren’t all born into an easy life, but we all have the ability to change our lives in a more positive direction.
As stated in the blurb, the author carefully maps out each chapter, touching on self-growth, not weighing what you have against what another has, and most importantly, learning how to focus on the prize – manifesting in positive light what we wish our outcome to be. Setting goals and keeping the right mindset is the focus on success.
The book is broken down nicely into sections about the process from the initial dream we have, to instilling mindset goals and avoiding negativity that often is the reason for self-sabotage and deflation. A great guide to help move your life in a more healthier and wealthier direction.
I’ve had this post in draft for a while as it caught my attention before I went on winter blog break. I wanted to share my thoughts on Windows 11 and see what other bloggers felt about it, or if people are aware of just how invasive Windows 11 is.
I have had the Windows 11 update sitting in my updates for over two years now on my computer. I have zero plans of downloading it. My dilemma is what I’m going to do when my extended protection for Windows 10 runs out next year.
I’m going to preface my thoughts by mentioning, when Windows 8 rolled out, most PC users, including myself, didn’t like it at all. There were tons of glitches and the new ‘touchscreens’ began with Windows 8. But with all its glitches, I also refused to download it. It seems that I wasn’t alone in my thinking as many rebelled it. But, within a year, Microsoft quickly came out with 8.1 and that became a gem for me. Although I was hesitant again when it came to Windows 10, I waited a good year before purchasing that version, hoping their glitches were under control. Enter Windows 11.
Ever since Windows 11 became available, weird things would happen on my laptop. Microsoft’s Edge browser squeezes its way into things while I’m researching, and their A.I. – copilot, follows me around like a leech. Oh, I got rid of those problems by following my tech helpers on Youtube. You would be amazed at how deep we have to go to get rid of bloatware and apps that are hidden deep in our computers – and phones. But what I also learned from these tech gurus is HOW INVASIVE Windows 11 is.
I’ve been reading about how many Windows users refuse to download Windows 11. The A.I. integration is over the top. It spies on everything we do and write in Windows 11 – to the point that hospitals and big corps are concerned and looking to find alternatives, such as Linux to change their operating systems for customer and patient privacy issues. Imagine you’re in a hospital and all your private health information is exploited by Microsoft. This leaves many, like myself, wondering where I’m going to move to after Windows 10 protection ceases.
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Some of the drawbacks to Windows 11 are:
Their recall option feature – this tracks everything we say and do on our computers like surveillance. It also takes intermittent screenshots of OUR WORK every few seconds, and it’s anyone’s guess what they are used for – besides telling them what kind of ads to tailor for us. They are stored for A.I. analysis and UNPROPERLY encrypted.
Apparently, the ads are out of control, permissable by Microsoft for third party spies, so they can make more money off us by selling our privacy. Happily pre-installed, courtesy of Microslop.
Most updates wreak havoc on computers because of bugs.
Copilot A.I. is baked into the system, so A.I. follows us around EVERYWHERE.
I don’t know about you peeps, but surveillance spyware and unwanted bloatware doesn’t interest me. I’m not sure if I want to learn a new computer language with Linux or even Mac, so until something better comes along, I’m not moving from Windows 10.
And my all-time pet peeve is watching a squiggly A.I. mark follow me around pages while I work, trying to put words in my mouth that aren’t mine!
I did have to laugh as I was researching Windows 11 and someone listed all the nasty things about it, they created a word – ‘enshittification’ for baked in ads and A.I. following us all over the pages.
Many businesses in the EU have already moved over to Linux because of privacy concerns.
As I mentioned above, I’m staying with my Windows 10 as long as I can keep protected on it. After that I’m most likely going to learn and use one of the Linux operating systems.
What about you people? Are you familiar with the invasiveness of Windows 11? Are you using it?
Listen below to discover why Dell is done with ‘Microslop’- PC sales down because of invasive A.I. Over 53% Windows users not upgrading to 11and all the flaws built into it.
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Through all my searching, I came across a blog by Kevin Tech Guy who shares info about Opatch, a security update site that will continue Windows 10 updates for a nominal annual fee for those of us not wishing to move to Windows 11
Welcome back to the final part of my winter vacay in Puerto Vallarta. In the previous two parts I shared some of the fun and food in PV. In this part I will explain what went down on Sunday February 22nd, day six of my vacation.
The Gang War:
There seems to be much confusion for most of the world’s population about Mexico and their Cartel – there are Cartel and there are the CJNG (Cartel Jalisco New Gang) gangs who are a bunch of rogue ex-cops among an assortment of other undesirables whose mission is to take over territories and destroy and disrupt, and who think that they can somehow take over the famed Sinaloa Cartel. This is what the various wars across Mexico have contended with for years. The Cartel are not the problem in many parts of Mexico, as much as the gang wars are. The original Cartel do their illegal thing, they also own properties, which are mostly used for money-laundering purposes, and they mind their own illegal business with zero reasons to come out in public and stir up unnecessary shit. They’re like the Mafia, except in Mexico. Mafia don’t approach innocent people, they do their own thing and take care of their own problems, not harassing the average citizen in the streets. These new gangs have to prove themselves as powerful thugs as they try and take out real Cartel for power, and sadly, whoever is in their line of fire become a victim of carnage. The real Cartel aren’t looking for street action. They own hotels too and rely on the tourism; they want to keep their investments safe, and need their investment properties for money-laundering. I know they own plenty in Puerto Vallarta. Puerto Vallarta is known as one of the safest cities to visit.
An enlarged view from my hotel rooftop – smoke up in the mountains
What happened in February in PV didn’t begin in PV. There has been a price on the head of the CJNG leader, known as ‘El Mencho’, for decades. It just so happened that the Mexican police and Federales received intel on Sunday, February 22nd as to his whereabouts and he was shot and wounded and was being sent for medical assistance, but died enroute to hospital. This occurred in the city of Talpapa, Jalisco, about a five to six hour drive, east from Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco. Only, when gang members heard their leader and son and six other members were killed, they rebelled in various areas of the state. We originally heard the backlash was in retaliation for the shooting of El Mencho, and also because the gang wanted the leader’s body back. In Puerto Vallarta, there were some members up in the mountains who began lighting fires in demand. Many cars in public parking lots were also set afire. It all happened so fast, and just as quickly, the Mexican police and Federales had Puerto Vallarta cordoned off pronto. All traffic ceased, roads blocked, hotels and condos locked down.
I took these pictures when we walked up the empty street the next day and saw these cars parked in the grocery plaza parking lot
Where was I?
It was about 8:30 am-ish on that Sunday morning, when we dashed up to the rooftop pool to secure our sun lounge chairs. We grabbed our pool towels and proceeded to where we liked to sit, when we were told we couldn’t stay at the pool, we must go back to our rooms or to the lobby. We went back to put our pool gear back in our room and I called Zahra to see where she was and if she knew what was going on. Of course she did! She’s Zahra who missed her calling as a reporter or cop, lol. She told us to come down to the lobby and briefly gave us the lowdown on the lockdown. I then went back to my balcony where I had a bird’s eyeview of the layout of the land. I saw quite a few fires burning up in the mountains. I’m quite used to seeing smoke come from the mountains every so often, so it wasn’t shocking. What was shocking was looking at the main drag below and seeing nobody, not a vehicle, not a siren, but the odd army truck or Federale vehicle and the odd police helicopter circling round. As I found out, the city was in lockdown and being patroled by the army, navy, local police and the Feds. It was surreal seeing the bustling city quiet as a churchmouse.
View from my balcony of the mountain fires and the ominously, quiet main drag below
A view from the rooftop pool as quite a few vacationers were also looking down at the carnage
I began checking the news, looking up Canadian media sites and Youtube to see if the world was aware of this incident, but nobody seemed to be talking yet about what was happening. I decided to contact our local CTV news channel here in Toronto. I sent an email with what was transpiring, along with some images – and then I totally forgot I’d sent the email and literally, never checked my email again until the next night where I discovered journalist, John Woodward, replied to my email asking if I’d do a live Zoom with him. I burst out laughing as I read the email much too late, and told Cheryl about the email. I replied with some more facts, and my opinion about how much the media was blowing up everything to epic proportions from what I’m seeing on both Canadian and American news. I told him the event was handled and over by 5pm the same day, so anything I had to report was late in the news cycle spin, but if he still wanted to Zoom or see my footage that I’d be happy to. I didn’t hear back from him.
I could have been a star! Below is some short balcony footage I took from my balcony after we were sent back from the pool– with my amateur commentary.
As soon as lockdown happened, the hotel took all the emergency exit doors by elevators off their hinges – just in case.
Yellow alert from red, lockdown over next afternoon, with nothing still open except the big grocery store across the street, and we could see the lineups blocks long just to get in. We were allowed out, but nothing opened until Tuesday, and it was full on business as usual everywhere then, but a ghost town on Monday – save for the busy grocery store. Sadly, Zahra and her hub were leaving Tuesday morning, so their last two days were spent locked out from doing anything. But their flight got out on time as scheduled. Cheryl was staying another two days and then I’d be moving over to Liz’s rented condo next door.
The Grand Venetian didn’t give me that same old comfortable vibe. First off, the outdoor pool tables with umbrellas and chairs were moved from ‘our’ section. This section offered breezes despite the sun’s rays because of its strategic location. Instead, management placed potted plants around the area and argued the tables would make it difficult for the gardeners to water them. So the few tables left are further down along poolside where the sun blazes from 11am onward with nary a breeze. I found myself sitting by myself on the cooler part while ‘the gang’ sat around two or three tables, gabbed and drank under an umbrella, daily. The forging of tables somehow forged a few groups of people together – expanding our circles. I began to feel excluded among my once familiar surroundings – save for my dear friends Brenda and Saul, and Liz. I’m very selective who and where I choose to spend my time with, so I didn’t feel comfortable auto-pulled into a cluster of people I didn’t prefer to hang around. I was also a bit peeved at two events planned with reservations with ‘the group’ for outings that I wasn’t even considered asking to attend. I don’t hold grudges and move on, but I also prefer to disappear and slither away silently if I’m not into the scene. That’s how I’ve always rolled. I also didn’t feel like the welcomed guest I did the previous year when I stayed at Liz’s, which was taking an internal toll on me to both, endure and keep my thoughts zipped. Without elaborating, I will state – this had nothing at all to do with Liz.
Something was definitely in the air with that blood moon, lunar eclipse, mercury retrograde, that hit the last week of my vacay. Each of these planetary happenings have a tendency to affect me. And this clusterbomb was a lot. Which brings me to the real energetic forces working against me, beginning on my long awaited massage day. It began early morning when I took the elevator down to lobby and walked to the spa in the next building – I got stuck in the elevator for ten minutes. No thanks to anyone’s help, I finally got out. After my massage, when I went to pay, my Visa card wouldn’t go through. It was my last few days in PV and I didn’t want to run out of Pesos, but I told the girl I’d bring down the cash. While I was upstairs I called my bank to see what the problem is and there apparently wasn’t any. After I went back down to pay the girl, I found out that other Canadians were having trouble with their Visa cards there as well. The same day, my email morphed into some weird configuration right before my eyes, nothing looked familiar, no current emails, only emails from 2022. It took me over an hour of Googling and Youtubing in search for some aid from whatever morphed onto my screen, to get it back to normal. Then to top it all off, I grazed my hand over a cactus plant and had to then pull out MANY needles. It was a day that kept on giving.
A few interesting images: Setting up for a beach wedding on the public beach in front of the Grand Venetian pool (taken from my lounge chair)
A nightly view from the condo balcony – firework clip (pay no attention to the background chatter)
I felt the time had come to move on, the universe was showing and telling me. But it was all good, although the fun part of my trip was with my homies. 🙂 I did go out for a few more meals, but not many. I went to one of our fav spots with Brenda and Saul – it’s kind of become our ritual to visit Bonito Kitchen. Nobody else appreciates the small little Asian fusion restaurant the three of us love.
A few pics with me, Brenda And Saul:
A few more images at Abulon with me, Kevin and Tina
And I also went back to Abulon with Tina, Laura, Kevin, Brenda and Saul. Liz didn’t come because her husband caught whatever seemed to be knocking someone we knew, down daily in that gang. It wasn’t until I caught the ‘not feeling so great today’ moment two days before I was coming home, I was next. Oh yes, It became a familiar feeling, perhaps a bit milder than the time I experienced Norovirus on a cruiseship. I was too sick to even look at my phone for the rest of the day or night. Keeping my eyes open made me dizzy. The next day I made a point to Google – What on earth is going around Puerto Vallarta making people sick for a day or two. The reply was Norovirus. Boom! Not exactly the best way to spend my last two days – in bed, but very grateful I was well enough to fly home.
It’s been quite a ride! I’m quite sure I’m ready to move on to new pastures next year. Time to let go of my comfort zone and make new memories somewhere else. Who knows where that will be!
Waiting for a cab to airport and my posse – Liz in the middle and Brenda sending me off
Welcome to my last Sunday Book Review before my blogging break. Today I’m reviewing Jackie Lambert’s second book to her ‘Beast’ series, book 2. In this second book of Jackie’s adventures, traveling narrow roads in the UK with the tank-like beast provides lots of humor and good information on the trials and tribulations of building this beast, getting it road worthy, and all the bits and bobs that go on to make this journey fun and doable.
“I haven’t laughed so much at the written word since Pam Ayres released Some of Me Poetry in 1976!” Drew Johnson, author of the Andalucian Adventures series
When Jackie and Mark bought The Beast, a vintage, six-wheel army lorry sight unseen off the internet, they planned the ultimate overland adventure to Mongolia with their four dogs. But when COVID-19 slammed shut international borders – it abruptly rerouted their dream.
Stranded in the U.K., they tackle life on the road in a home-built truck camper laughably over-engineered for the quaint English countryside. What follows is a laugh-out-loud British road trip, filled with mishaps, mechanical mayhem – and the hidden marvels of their homeland.
Blending travel tales with dogs, wit, and heart, More Manchester than Mongolia is a celebration of embracing life when it doesn’t go to plan. Perfect for fans of Bill Bryson, Tony Hawks, and Mark Wallington, this is a funny, feel-good memoir of resilience, rediscovery, and finding that sometimes, the best adventures are the ones we never intended to take.
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My 5 Star Review:
After reading the first book in this series, it was a given I had to read this one. Lambert has an interesting way of sharing her storied journeys, including lots of nuggets of wisdom shared along the journey, written as though she’s speaking directly to us in her stories and descriptions.
In this book, the author shares the story about their journey through the UK in their converted, newly re-fitted (Swedish army tank) – perhaps, not yet finished, as the author, her hubby Mark, and their dog family attempt to drive to Scotland as a test drive with their new monster vehicle/home. Narrow ancient roads and all, this beast is moving! Maybe just not to Mongolia. And maybe they don’t even make it to Scotland!
Time constraints with the length it took to convert this vehicle – and Covid and Brexit, got them to a late finish, and ultimately, leaving them no choice but to move into the vehicle before, let’s say, all was perfected. Brexit added to making travel that much harder for Brits going to the EU. Praying for luck, the Beast sets out, first facing some very narrow country roads, which the author describes perfectly with added hilarity. And not to mention the many passerbyers who are marveled at such a creation. Trials and tribulations abound from sticky crossings, to broken windshield(s), to new tires required, let’s not forget about visa issues, add some electrical issues and getting stuck in soggy grounds, and just about any obstacle to put a pause on things, will happen. But then there are always – the people we meet along the way that just helps to make life better – especially at times you really need them.
On the maiden jaunt north to Scotland, the Lamberts encounter some interesting twists and turns, and some interesting people along the way, as well as the author sharing of some interesting literary sights in her detailed journey and guided tours of people, places, and events of some of the UK’s rich history. And some very helpful information for fellow RVers along the way.
A few poignant quotes from the author and what inspired the journey sums up the adventure perfectly:
“The path Mark and I have chosen is not just a way of living. It’s a means to reclaim freedom in a society that tells you to anchor yourself with a house, mortgage, and possessions. Preferably ones you need to get in debt to afford.”
“Our lifestyle offers something different. It offers time. Time to explore, to think, to breathe. And time to be present in an existence that rushes by too quickly.”
“From our obsession with travel, we had already learned that happiness doesn’t come from things; it comes from experience. And we’d observed that variety, and breaking out of everyday patterns, had the side effect of making time appear to slow down.”
” An obsession with longevity urges us to hoard time, clinging to it as though we could own it. But the lesson of a free life is that it’s not the years or the possessions you accumulate that count. It’s the richness of your days…”
“Our lifestyle is not about rejecting responsibility or ambition. It’s about prioritising joy and meaning. It’s realising that the best way to honour time is not to stretch it out endlessly, but to savour it deeply.”
If you’ve ever wondered what it would be like to turn an army tank into your abode and means of travel transportation, with roadblocks, restrictions, and plans, you’ll want to read this fun jaunt with the Lambert’s through some interesting parts of England for entertainment, and for some wonderful lessons in history. Like we say – it’s not only about the destination – but the journey to there.
I recently published my January Writer’s Tips before coming across this important article for authors, from the Kindlepreneur, I felt it was an important share. I don’t know about you peeps, but I don’t relish the idea of Amazon A.I. speaking for me.
Amazon’s A.I. is now describing our books – WITHIN our books! I couldn’t believe this when I came across the article from the Kindlepreneur. Since I recently published my January Writer’s Tips, this article didn’t make the cut, but so important for authors to know. It actually would have been nice had Amazon even bothered to email us and inform us, even though we have ZERO ability to stop it.
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From the Kindlepreneur:
“Amazon just rolled out a new Kindle feature called Ask This Book. It lets readers ask questions about whatever they’re reading and get AI-generated answers on the spot.
Right now, it’s available in the Kindle iOS app for U.S. customers, with plans to expand to Kindle devices and Android later in 2026.
Forget who a character is? Want a reminder of what happened earlier? Confused about a scene? You can now ask, and the system will tell you.
What makes this different from most reading tools is that it doesn’t send you back to the page. It offers its own explanations.
And it does it without the author’s involvement, permission, or ability to intervene.
That’s the problem…”
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My thoughts: Just no! I don’t appreciate Amazon OR A.I. describing what I MEANT in a passage of my book. I don’t appreciate A.I. translating what I intend for my readers.
DGKayewriter.com 