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Hi, Rusty!
I am home again now.
I had a great day!
It was lovely to see my friend and hear all her news.
But oh dear! did it rain.....cats , dogs and pink elephants!
You are fortunate to have had such good weather.
I can highly recommend your reading "To Kill a Mocking Bird".
I think it one of the best books that I have ever read.
It is narrated by a then grown up ( previously a child during the book's "action") Jean Louise Finch, known as "Scout".
Scout's father, Atticus is a lawyer, who believes strongly that everyone , irrespective of race or colour , deserves fair treatment.
He thinks that people should be judged on their own actions and behaviour , rather than by who or what they are.
He defends a black man, accused of raping a white woman.
The book focuses on events as seen, and experienced, through the eyes and behaviour of his children, Scout and her slightly older brother, Jem.
I think you would enjoy reading it.
Or alternatively - and it is not often I say this - watch the film.
That also comes across well..... bringing out the beliefs and high principles of Atticus.
I think I have just talked myself into re - reading my book!
Nearly six o'clock!
It has been a long and busy , thoroughly enjoyable, day!
Is your son coming to visit?

Good evening, Elle!
Been fine weather here.
Glad you enjoyed your day out.
I like the sound of the book "To Kill A Mockingbird".
I saw the film, but many years ago!
My son was here, yes.
He won't be here next week as he and his good lady are going to Venice on Wednesday.
Miss O will visit me, instead!

Hi elle
I've seen the film of "To kill a mockingbird". I didn't particularly enjoy it, but I thought that Gregory Peck was good. Much later, after many recommendations, I tried reading it. I gave up about half-way through - I found it over-written, rambling, and tedious.

Sorry...

(This may confirm our differences of opinion on literature!)

I ought to add that I generally compare most writers' prose, usually unfavourably, with that of Jane Austen (absolutely my favourite writer).

Hi, Rusty!
Still wet here......
The grass needs cutting, but we don't seem to get a fine day to do it!
Walks are becoming "plodges"!
Your son and daughter-in - law are doing well for holidays!
Have they previously been to Venice?
That is nice of Miss O to come and visit you next Thursday, in her Dad's stead.
You will enjoy that!
I have very nearly finished "On Chesil Beach".
I shall search for my copy of "To Kill A Mocking Bird", I think, and re-read that.......
How are you getting on with Michelle Obama's autobiography?
She is an interesting woman.



Hello, Chris!
I don't know why you are apologising"
It would be very boring if everyone liked the same books and never varied in their opinions!
I know that you and I seem to come to different conclusions about what we have read - such as "Engleby"..... and I think also "The Life of Pi" provided another potential ending over which we didn't agree?
But this is surely good...and stimulates thought and discussion?
But I cannot agree with you over your upholding Jane Austen as a "measure" of good literature!
I do not think that it is just a matter of well written prose, but also the ideas, thoughts, opinions ....even just possibilities......that make a book interesting.

Hi elle
Yes, books like "The life of Pi", "The buried giant" and "A god in ruins" really annoy me, for having wasted my time reading them. It all didn't happen!
I'm really surprised that you don't accept that Jane Austen was the best writer in English ever (but you are entitled to your opinion....)

Chris, I am not disputing Jane Austen's grasp of the English language , her skilful writing of prose, or her power of words...and her character portrayals in Society life are excellent..........
But the thoughts and opinions offered are limiting, and scarcely challenging, if that is all you are going to judge by?
But let's just agree to differ and co -exist amicably?
After all, we DO agree about "Swallows and Amazons"!

Hello, Elle!
You seem to have had more than your share of rain recently!
No, they have not been to Venice before.
It is my son's wife who wants to go.
She has always had a notion for Venice.
I gave my son one of my CD's she may, or may not, like.
It is by Rondo Veneziano, "Venice in Peril".
It's a great CD but I don't play it very often.
The thing is, he is not sure if they have a CD player anymore.
Apparently they are old hat now!
No idea what folk use nowadays!
Michelle and me are getting on fine.
I read several pages each day.

Good morning, Rusty!
A fine day here ...for a change!
I am just back from my walk.......very muddy everywhere.
I hope your daughter-in-law enjoys the CD you gave her.
i didn't know that CDs weren't the " in thing" anymore ?
I have quite a number of them.
I hope CD players don't become a thing of the past.....at the moment, we have three, and fortunately all are working well!
I have a free day ahead.....I shall make a coffee...look at my crossword.....and then read my book!
I managed to hunt down To Kill A Mocking Bird", and so have started reading that.

Good morning, Elle!
Frosty here, today!
I think my son has not been to Curry's lately!
Huge selection of things to play CD's on.
Mainly boomboxes. (That's what I have).
A CD player and radio combined.
I have finished my puzzle.
I hope you don't need a parse for 22a, for I am stumped!
I have an answer for 14a. It is new to me, and I do not understand the definition in Chambers!
Other than that, a fine puzzle?
I had a look at "Too Kill a Mockingbird" on Amazon.
It gets very good reviews!
Why was Jean Louise called "Scout"?