Unquantifiable loss – impossible to express or measure in terms of quantity. When loved ones pass it is a sad time, indeed. More so for those who are parents and have lost a child/children – for that kind of loss is truly the King of Loss. Late yesterday, I found out that a dear lady called by her nick name, Ardy, (and Hannah in my memoir, When Angels Fly), had passed on. Shocked is an understatement. I found out via a text, and had hoped to talk later that last evening on the phone. I can understand the text, and in the end, I, too, had to let my son know the same via text for several reasons. I have tried to explain how much this lady meant to me and my son, but one can’t quantify or understand. One can understand that she was like a grandmother to many children, and like a mother to myself. But one can’t understand, or truly appreciate just what this loss meant. You see, Ardy was much more, loyal to children, and treated everyone fairly. She was more for my only living son – she was his protector  24/7 while I was 250 miles away with my youngest son fighting a huge cancer battle.  Essentially, she fostered my son with love and care in abundance, and she battled my mother and my son’s father in preventing them from abusing my son, only six years old at the time. Honestly, I have no idea why I’m blogging this, but I do know I needed to vent my feelings and I thank those of you who have graciously allowed me to do so. 

Fat Dogs and French Estates – Part 1

By Beth Haslam

I have just finished reading this funny book by Beth Haslam. My review follows Haslam’s book blurb found on Amazon.

“Buying a country estate in France seemed such a simple thing to accomplish. When Beth, her irascible husband Jack, and their two fat dogs set off, little do they know that it will become such an extraordinary adventure. Surviving near-death experiences, they drive thousands of kilometres around French estates steeped in history and crazy aristocrats. Will they find their dream home, or return to Britain defeated? This is the hilarious first instalment in the Fat Dogs series.”

This book is about moving from England to rural France and what happens in the process. The story is well-written with more than adequate descriptions, which is nice for the mind to visualize. Haslam uses funny moments as she is optimistic whereas her husband complains, and is rather grumpy. The drawings are a nice twist to see in a memoir. I feel that this books ending could have been better, if a home had been found, and then the next books of the series continued onward.