Book Review

This is the second in a series of nine books called the Ringing Cedars of Russia.  I read the first book and am half way through the second.  This is a series of books by Vladimer Megre about his encounter with a woman he met in the Tiaga Forest, a remote area of Siberia.  Through the course of several brief stays he had two children with her and she in return, "revealed her philosophy on Man's relationship to Nature, the Universe and God, as well as lifestyle, education, nutrition, spirituality, love, family, sexual relations and other plants." 

This series of books have had a stunning effect, selling millions and widely popular in Russia and gaining popularity in the rest of the world.  There are currently over 200 natural settlements - a back to the land movement of simple living - in Russia, as well as others communities that have sprouted up worldwide.  These settlements use her advise on how humans relate to the living world and how we should live and conduct ourselves.  A huge gardening advocate, she has very definite views on how one should plant a garden for maximum health benefits.  She calls the modern world a technocratic system, and found it highly destructive and counterproductive to a healthy lifestyle.  

I have absolutely no idea if these books are fact or fiction, or a combination.  I have no idea if this woman (Anastasia) is a projective fantasy, an actual person, or inspired from a combination of fact and rich imagination.  Sound advise for natural living is intermingled with the preposterous.  Sharing her living quarters ( a cave) with a bear, while spending most of her time with few if any clothes in the Siberian Forest doesn't seem altogether realistic or plausible.  From what I can gather no one has ever met Anastassia and she herself stated in the first book, " I exist for those who believe me."

The books were written in the 90's and whether fact or fiction, the advice she gives on living a healthy lifestyle harmoniously in the natural world is a timeless important message which we can all gain something from.  

If you've read any of the books or the series I'd love to hear your thoughts. 

Dr. Seuss.

Happy Birthday ! A fellow Pisces and I presume a dam nice guy, Theodor Seuss Geisel was truly one of a kind. His books and cartoons are still completely fun and freaky, and delight at any age.

I read him when I was learning to read and again the day I graduated from college. All the children in my life have shared Dr. Seuss with me, either by my reading to them, or they to me. An originator in feel good memories and bonding moments. An interesting and inspirational character, his first book, And to Think That I Saw It on Mulberry Street, was rejected 27 times before it was finally published.

I like this man, he's real and when you dig a little deeper you see he's quite real. Lots of mishaps, mistakes and wrong turns but also a brilliant mind, heralding a new generation of thinkers, readers and visionaries.

freakishly fun and good for all ages. Your great Dr. Seuss,!

Happy 105th

Something for Everyone

For anyone who may be grappling with a loss and have small children in their homes I would like to strongly recommend the Fall of Freddie The Leaf by Leo Buscaglia. "Freddy, a maple leaf, is born in the spring, and grows to know his fellow leaves and his surroundings. Although leaves superficially look the same, he learns and appreciates the subtle differences between himself and other leafs. He admires a larger leaf, Daniel. Daniel has a deeper understanding of life and death. He helps Freddie understand each of his phases of life. Finally, Daniel explains death and letting go." This simple story is both comforting and accessible in communicating the natural cycle of life. It's often difficult to find the right words or level of explanation and this book is quite skilled at helping children understand what occurs to all living entities. Its also a great comfort to read.
Blessings and be well,
Miss. S.

The Golden Compass

I loved the golden compass. It's a trilogy. I read the first a few years back. if you go to the site you can find your own daemon. Here's' mine!

I was pretty excited but also apprehensive to see this book had been made into a movie. The Golden Compass was one of the best books I have ever read and who wants to spoil that with a cheesy movie.

Also I discovered my favorite witch in the universe inside those pages, Serafina Pekkala. Once introduced I knew if I had a girl that's what I would name her. Here's Hollywood's version, pretty of course and quite like I imaged but in my mind a bit more fairyish with green eyes. Have a look......