Another reason for writing the 'Action Annie' stories was to correct an imbalance which had appeared to have developed between girls and boys; and in particular, the differing stereotypes. When one looked at 'roles' and 'the type of behaviour' that might be 'expected' from a boy, but which was wholly 'never expected' or considered 'acceptable' from a girl; the discrimination practised was more subtle: such as shouting, swearing, fighting, picking one's nose and even making rude noises in p...

Numerical Linear Algebra with Applications: Using MATLAB and Octave, Second Edition provides practical knowledge on modern computational techniques for the numerical solution of linear algebra problems. The book offers a unified presentation of computation, basic algorithm analysis, and numerical methods to compute solutions. Useful to readers regardless of background, the text begins with six introductory courses to provide background for those who haven't taken applied or theoretical lin...

As a growing child, the one thing that I experienced in abundance was 'second chances.' In fact, I'd go as far as to say that without having had my fair share of second chances, my life would have taken a much different course. Second chances were my life saver!Not surprisingly, one of my favourite books was Victor Hugo's 'Les Misērables,' a story that was chiefly responsible for transforming me from 'Thief' to that of 'Probation Officer' in later life. I was also fascinated by the...

I grew up on my mother’s stories. Although an Irish woman of small stature and imaginative mind, stories didn’t come any ‘taller’ than those tales told by my mother. They would stretch the bounds of one’s credulity beyond the realms of possibility, and yet, she always made me ‘want to believe them’. I have taken the germ of her fact and added a bit of my fiction with a dash of author licence. ‘The Priest’s Calling Card’ is about a Portlaw Priest who leaves his walking stick outside any hou...

A Jamaican story from the land where the sun shines down on every man, woman and child in equal measure; a safe harbor where hope springs eternal in the hearts of all good people and where the river of respect runs deep.This story is set in Trelawney, sometime between 1950 and 1962. The story is one of three stories that Nelson Mandela praised as being 'wonderful'. I extend my appreciation to the honorable Royland Barrett, the Custos of Trelawney (Mayor), for the factual background...

I was born in Portlaw and when my time comes to lie at the other side of the green sod, it is my wish that half my ashes shall be placed upon my grandparents' grave, William and Mary Fanning, along with my uncles, Willie Fanning and Johnnie Fanning who are also buried there. The remaining half of my ashes will be placed at a spot on the Haworth Moor.Apart from writing two musical plays between 2005 and 2009, I'd stopped writing for a number of years. It was only after I had met my ...

These four stories were written to help ease the traumatic experience of separation and loss caused by the absence or death of a parent, along with being the victim of bullying, or a sufferer of cerebral palsy or any other debilitating condition. They tell about the indomitable spirit that exists in all of us and which helps us get through life.The stories are suitable for the 7-11 year old.Bereavement, loss and separation are three of the most unsettling of emotions that one will ...

Another reason for writing the 'Action Annie' stories was to correct an imbalance which had appeared to have developed between girls and boys; and in particular, the differing stereotypes. When one looked at 'roles' and 'the type of behaviour' that might be 'expected' from a boy, but which was wholly 'never expected' or considered 'acceptable' from a girl; the discrimination practised was more subtle: such as shouting, swearing, fighting, picking one's nose and even making rude noises in p...

This is a love story is about a travelling Romany who visits the home of Lizzy Lanigan in Portlaw during the year of 1955. Lizzy is a newly-wed, who was married a mere three months earlier. The peg-selling gypsy persuades Lizzy to have her palm read for the cost of two shillings.The Romany fortune teller then informs Lizzy that she will give birth to a girl child within the year who will be named 'Mary'. Lizzy is informed that she will give birth to a total of seven children during...

I believe that all things that bring pleasure and happiness into the life of a child, possesses its own spiritual dimension in the world of that child, especially in the magical mind of an imaginative child like Annie.Another reason for writing the 'Action Annie' stories was to correct an imbalance which had appeared to have developed between girls and boys; and in particular, the differing stereotypes. When one looked at 'roles' and 'the type of behaviour' that might be 'expected'...

As a growing child, the one thing that I experienced in abundance was 'second chances.' In fact, I'd go as far as to say that without having had my fair share of second chances, my life would have taken a much different course. Second chances were my life saver!Not surprisingly, one of my favourite books was Victor Hugo's 'Les Misērables,' a story that was chiefly responsible for transforming me from 'Thief' to that of 'Probation Officer' in later life. I was also fascinated by the...

Another reason for writing the 'Action Annie' stories was to correct an imbalance which had appeared to have developed between girls and boys; and in particular, the differing stereotypes. When one looked at 'roles' and 'the type of behaviour' that might be 'expected' from a boy, but which was wholly 'never expected' or considered 'acceptable' from a girl; the discrimination practised was more subtle: such as shouting, swearing, fighting, picking one's nose and even making rude noises in p...