......Have you read any of the Outlander books by Diana Gabaldon? There are six of them so far. They certainly blew my kilt up! They have been out for a while, but I only read them last fall (2001). When I needed something to read, a very good friend suggested Outlander.
I read it twice! Then went on to read the others.
The first book, if you haven't read it, is about Claire, a former combat nurse on holiday in Scotland with her husband. The year is 1945, they went to Scotland to get reacquainted after being separated during wartime. Claire, visiting an ancient stone circle, thought she heard screams. Looking closer through an opening, she put her hand on one of the giant boulders and is hurtled back two hundred years in time, to 1743.
It is a very troubled time she went to. But then, there is Jamie Fraser--a tall, red-headed, warrior-type Scotsman. If there was a movie made from these books, I'd like to see Liam Neeson play the part of Jamie and Nicole Kidman could be Claire--with dark hair of course.
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Sound like a romance novel? It is and it isn't. There is quite a bit of history and detail, but it only serves to really set the scene. You may even find yourself
speaking with a wee bit of a Scottish lilt in your voice :-). I even went so far as to put a small transfer of 'stones' and the words 'Through the Stones' on a shirt for myself. Anyway, the action, humor, and (yes of course) romance will keep you on a roller coaster of emotion. Throughout the series there is some 'travelling' and eventually the couple end up in America. I won't tell any more! You must read for yourself--I'm sure you will enjoy the stories. I try not to read the covers, I just dive into the books--I don't want to be told what happens before it happens. I am captivated by the whole set of books.The idea of time travel is very intriguing. I'm not sure where in time I would want to go, so until then, I'll just travel safely through books.
Another set of books that I enjoy is the Clan of The Cave Bear. I have just started reading the latest and fifth in the series, The Shelters of Stone. Jean M. Auel is another writer who can make you feel like you are 'living in' the story.
These books are about Ayla, a young girl who loses her family in an earthquake and is picked up by a band of cave people. She is tall and blonde, unlike the cave people, and is eventually cast out.
Living on her own in a time when there are saber toothed tigers and mammoths isn't easy! Ayla does however, finally meet some people who are like herself and the story continues......Check out the link below.
I have read a lot of different types of books (mostly fiction) and I don't usually like stories that go on and on (like some movies),but these two writers hold my interst. I hope they don't mind me putting these images on my page!
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I also like to know what's happening within the Royal family. I was particularly fond of Princess Diana and the Queen Mother.
I have a few books and several older magazines on Princess Di (my favourite). I try to keep up on what is going on with the whole family. The site map on the link below will take you places to find everything.
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I seem to be leaning towards history lately,fiction or not.
I think my next endeavor will be finding out about my ancestors. My parents' last names were Cummings and Lansdell. Some of the names linked to Cummings are: Baird, Hardy, Wighton, McIntyre, and Stewart.
My Grandpa Cummings was from Rutherglen, Scotland and my Grandma Cummings was from Dundee, Scotland.
The Lansdells originated, I believe, from Kent. Some names linked to them are: Godden, Tapply, and Sheppard.
If anyone out there has any relatives with the same background, please send me some mail.
Here are some links that I really enjoy and I hope you do too! Some are related to the stories mentioned above and some are just for interest and enjoyment.
Diana Gabaldon
Stone Circles
Crystalinks
Royal Family
Clan Of The Cave Bear
The Gathering of The Clans
AngelEyes Card Shoppe
DragonLady.....learn html and how to do applets
Here are some pictures of a stone circle that a very close friend made for me....the base is a slice from a 'thunderegg' and some of the stones are: blue lace agate, garnet, amethyst, green jade, black jade, and agate. Isn't that just the coolest thing!
Another gem from the same friend! The 'Lady' is one piece of crystal. The whole piece is three and a half inches tall. The little stone out front is a garnet and the bench is rose quartz.
If you share the same interests, check back, I hope to be adding tidbits to this page from time to time.
This is the section where you will find anything new.
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OUTLANDISH