The Year I Read the Poldark Novels

Last winter, we watched the 1975 BBC Series “Poldark” on our streaming service. We were soon hooked on the story and I was thrilled to learn that the author, Winston Graham, had  actually written a series of 12 novels. While I knew the basic story lines of the first four books from the show, there were many more descriptions and plot lines to keep my interest. I just finished the last book, “Bella,” and would like to share my thoughts.

 

The Good: The relationship between Ross and Demelza. I could never figure out what he saw in Elizabeth, his first love, but was quite surprised when he suddenly married his kitchen maid. Watching them love, grow, struggle, and grieve together was the strongest plot line in the books. The second book, “Demelza,” was probably my favorite of the series. Even secondary and minor characters were well developed. I particularly liked the empathy that Ross showed toward the lower classes. This often put him at odds with his own class but that did not deter him. After all, he married a miner’s daughter.

Marrying a partner outside their own social class became a recurring theme in the series. I doubt that these plot lines occurred frequently in real life but they made for great stories. Dr. Enys and Caroline were one of my favorite couples.

 

The Not So Good: Why, oh why, did so many names of families and estates begin with the letter T? I should have taken notes in book 1 to record who was who.

Some plot lines were overly long and I often wondered why they were included at all, other than adding local color. The books would have been long enough without them.

The ending of “Bella,” the last book in the series, left me wanting. I expected a conclusion and wished that the author had finished the series with “The Twisted Sword.”

 

The Great: The real star of the novels was Cornwall itself. I loved Winston Graham’s descriptions of nature. I could practically smell the salt of the sea in the air and hear the wind rattling at the shutters of Nampara.

The Poldark novels also provided a history lesson for me. I had not realized that England was at war for most of the period when the novels took place (and that was after the French and Indian War and the American Revolution). By putting his major characters right into the conflicts history became very real for me, especially in “The Twisted Sword.”

 

Image: Herbythyme (https://commons.wikimedia.org)

 

 

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Sixty Years Ago Elvis Presley Arrived in Germany

On October 1, 1958, the most famous soldier in the U.S. Army, Elvis Presley, stepped off the troop carrier USS General Randall in Bremerhaven to serve a tour in Germany. Hundreds of excited fans, mostly female, greeted his arrival. After he carried a duffle bag down the gangway several times for the media, a troop train whisked him away to his post at Ray Kaserne in Friedberg/Hessen.

He arrived in a country that was recovering from the lean post-World War II years. Ordinary workers could not afford cars. Therefore, bicycles, mopeds and motor scooters became popular modes of transportation. Household appliances were also very much sought after.

Starved for entertainment, the population flocked to movie cinemas. Youth soon dressed in jeans and petticoats and imitated the hair styles of movie stars and singers. American pop culture took the country by storm.

No wonder that Elvis Presley received such an enthusiastic reception when he began his tour in Germany.

 

 

 

Image: commons.wikimedia.org (Author: Neptuul)

 

Review of “Create Your Own Backyard Wildlife Habitat”

The Feathered Quill Book Reviews just posted this review of my book:

Beautiful birds, intriguing insects, and all sorts of interesting plants – all enjoying your backyard habitat.  Wouldn’t that be wonderful?  In author Doris Dumrauf’s new book, Create Your Own Backyard Wildlife Habitat, she introduces young readers to many amazing creatures and gives ideas on how to create the perfect environment to attract them to your home.

Create Your Own Backyard Wildlife Habitat opens with a page describing some basic things that wildlife and plants need to survive. Nectar for insects, water for birds, and what is hiding just below the water’s surface? Accompanying the text is a vibrant photograph of a backyard habitat with a small pond complete with water lilies.

The bulk of this lovely book is devoted to showcasing various birds and insects that might be found in a backyard setting. First up is a very happy looking cedar waxwing with a bright red berry in his mouth. We learn that the bird makes a “zit-zit” whistle to announce his arrival. Compare to the Eastern bluebird – on the opposing page – who works hard all day catching crickets and other insects for his chicks.

There is a great selection of different birds and insects, including moths, caterpillars and butterflies within the pages of this book. On one page we meet both the hummingbird clearwing moth and his once caterpillar self, with a close-up picture of both and text describing how it drinks nectar and what type of flowers both forms enjoy.

Want to know what a chipmunk or squirrel need to survive? How about an American hover fly? These animals and numerous others grace the pages of this book. Each page features one creature, with one or two photographs, along with text briefly pointing out an interesting fact or two about that creature. Within the text are snippets the author has cleverly inserted that will help readers understand and prepare a habitat that will encourage that featured bird, moth, squirrel, etc., to come visit. Additionally, there is a two-page spread at the back of the book with “things to remember when you start your own habitat.”

No review of this book would be complete without mention of the great photographs. Yes, I mentioned them above, but really, they deserve more as they are really fantastic. Close up views of so many creatures, down to the drops of water flying around a robin as she enjoys a bath and the “eyes” on the back of a spicebush swallowtail caterpillar. They really add a lot to this book and will undoubtedly entice many youngsters to explore its contents.

Quill says: A wonderful, instructional and enjoyable book for young readers.

For more information on Create Your Own Backyard Wildlife Habitat, please visit the author’s website at: dorisdumraufauthor.com

Welcome to Our Habitat

Our native garden provides plenty of photo objects for me. Every year I observe insects I have never seen before. It has also been a good year for monarch butterflies so far. Just this week I spotted four tiny monarch caterpillars on one butterfly weed. Here are some samples of photos I have taken recently, which will probably be featured in future books:

Monarch butterfly on butterfly weed

Hummingbird clearwing moth on wild bergamot

Morning glory prominent moth caterpillar in plum tree

A German in Penn’s Woods

Just one half percent of Germany is classified as wilderness. Forests are devoid of undergrowth in which wildlife and flowers could thrive. Fallen trees are swiftly carried off. No wonder I saw fewer than a dozen squirrels during the decades I spent in Germany.

 

I was awestruck when I arrived in the United States and we began exploring the state parks near our Pennsylvania home. Fallen trees, which are not removed, are covered with fungi and moss. New life emerges from the decaying wood. Ferns and wildflowers thrive in this environment. Birds flit among the trees and nest in snags. Chipmunks and squirrels collect nuts and stash them away for winter. Insects find nectar on the many native plants while also serving as pollinators. No matter which season of the year, there is always something new to discover: a wildflower or insect we have never seen before; a bird call we don’t recognize; or the intoxicating fragrance of a flowering plant.

 

Nature walks remain one of our favorite pastimes, even if it means climbing over or around a tree trunk from time to time.

 

 

 

Notes From A Nature Photographer

As a writer, I wear many hats. I have not only published a novel in two languages, but I have been writing non-fiction photo features for many years. These articles revolve around local attractions and nature-related topics, birds in particular.

 

When the weather improves, I turn my attention to my second passion: nature photography. I specialize in birds, wildlife, and native plants that grow in our garden. You can’t be a nature photographer without caring about your subjects. Studying them and their behavior is the best way to improve your images. That includes knowing what the wildlife eat and when they are most active. As my photography evolved, so did our garden. Over the years, we have created a habitat where birds, insects, mammals, and even frogs can survive and thrive.

 

Publishing a book that included both stunning images and an engaging text was a logical next step. Wildlife is threatened by many aspects of modern life: climate change, pesticides, habitat fragmentation, fracking, light pollution, vehicles, and our obsession with lawns. What better way to demonstrate how we can help wildlife than by publishing books for young readers?

After all, they will inherit the Earth from us. I hope my books and images will encourage them to create a habitat for birds and other wildlife. Our future and food sources depend on it.

Every Day is Earth Day

Last Sunday the world observed Earth Day. But Earth Day should not be a once-a-year event, it should be a daily occurrence.

 

I grew up in Germany, where people sweep the sidewalks every Saturday. Litter was my biggest culture shock after moving to the U.S. As the snow melts in the spring, I am always appalled at the amount of trash that has accumulated along the roadsides. Doesn’t anyone take their trash home? I appreciate the efforts of countless volunteers who collect this mountain of garbage, but why do people litter in the first place?

 

Recycling is a national sport in Germany. Everything gets recycled there: glass, metal, paper, even kitchen trash. You have to pay a deposit for plastic bottles, which enormously reduces waste because who wants to throw away money?

 

Another area where the two countries widely differ is the use of bags. In Germany you have to bring your bags to the grocery store or pay for plastic bags. This keeps many bags out of landfills and oceans. Here in the U.S. I seem to be the only customer who brings her own tote bags to the store.

 

These are just a few steps anyone can take without much effort to make the Earth more livable for humans and wildlife alike.

 

Doris Dumrauf is the author of “Common Backyard Birds,” “Create Your Own Backyard Wildlife Habitat” and “Oktober Heat”

Image: Erkaha (commons.wikimedia.org)