Category: Just writing

Just writing

Archive or Kindle

nhpureandsimple

I like to feel the books in my hands. I like how they look on the shelves. I like to use a bookmark, whether it’s one I made myself or a dried flower between the pages. I like the faded colours of the pages over the years. And, I like my scribbles and highlighted sections throughout the chapters. I used to visit the local library frequently and made sure I have got a library card in each and every new city I moved to. I also used to buy books, always on Amazon and sometimes from charity shops.

However, things changed when I discovered the Archive Digital Library with its online fourteen day lending system. Some books have fewer days to borrow, but I believed it was a great option. I don’t really remember when I first joined the Archive Library, but that helped me reading more. It was about two years ago when I heard that The Archive Library had legal issues regarding publishing copyrights and other complicated matters I couldn’t understand. The library don’t allow any changes to be made to any books, and no one can download any copies either. That was when I started to turn back to Amazon, especially Kindle.

With kindle books, things became much easier. I can read for longer hours at night (of course that depends on the book) without my husband nagging me to turn the lights off. I can also highlight sections, add notes, and copy my favourite parts as much as I want.

Whatever you prefer to use for reading, don’t stop.

Have you ever received a book as a gift? Wouldn’t one make a great gift?

With all the best wishes,

Nahla

Just writing

Have you missed it?

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The New Year celebration bonfires?

I haven’t.

The city where I live now is so quiet that even the New Year celebrations were not fussed about. When I got up on the morning, I asked my husband whether he heard any bonfires? He said no, and I smiled, feeling so happy we moved to live here.

Isn’t it becoming too much of a waste of money, time, and peace? Ironically, these lavish celebrations smashed people’s calls and prayers for abundance, wisdom, and peace into a big, thick wall. They already dumped them all into the void, making all these virtues nothing.

Do you think one day people will stop taking part in this madness, these sophisticated competitive celebrations? Would they be satisfied with simple celebrations at home with family, and friends?

Some would say simplicity is not commercial, not entertaining, not profitable, and that’s the ethos of celebrations. But what all these things have to do with making a genuine, healthy, memorable moment?

You wouldn’t regret missing the bonfires celebrations, but you would definitely miss your peace of mind if you didn’t.

With all the best wishes,

Nahla

Just writing

Knock knock

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Who’s knocking?

‘It’s me, the New Year,’ your visitor says.

You open the door and there is your visitor, having travelled a long journey, about 365 days, to visit you just before sunrise when it’s all quiet. Your visitor is smiling, arms open wide, eyes sparkling, in neat, elegant clothing, and smelling of a fresh, morning breeze perfume that wafts through the door and fillles you, and your place.

You seized the – once – in – a year encounter, and prattled about lots of things: the fire works celebrations, the – once – in – a life time trip to celebrate the New Year on the Caribbean or the moon, the special romantic night, the list of your last year’s fulfilled resolutions, the list of complaints about your misfortunes and bad luck, and the list of your sheer luck achievements. (Please feel free to add the things most of us usually think at each and every new year.)

‘Have you changed? The newcomer asks after listening patiently to all that details.

Struck by the question, you stammer, thinking for a minute or two and then say; ‘Of course, with all those details and things I have changed. I should have changed. Everything changed, and is changing. Just wait and see how the New Year celebrations will look next year.” You said the words, full of confidence, gazing at your visitor who looks the same as ever.

Your visitor smiles, seeming to read your mind. ‘Changes don’t have to be mainly physical. And, thanks for the celebrations.’

‘What’s piece of advice are you giving me this year?’ You ask.

‘A new year is a new chapter. Editing your writing font colours and styles makes no significant change to your chapter. It’s the content that does. What you write, what you say, and what you feel is what making your chapter worth reading, and celebrating. Besides, as long as you live, there’ll always be a new chapter to live, to write, and to celebrate whether it’s January or any other month of the year.

‘Oh, I will think about that. Do you want to know my new plans for this year?’ You ask.

‘Does anyone have to read your chapter before it’s done? I’m sure you’ll share it next year,’ the visitor says and leaves.



With all the best wishes,

Nahla







Books, Just writing

Playing cards

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Before the smart phone games, app games, and all the massive screen based entertainment, some parents used to play cards with their children during holidays and school breaks. I did, still do, though rarely nowadays.

Those moments engraved wonderful memories in our minds. We laughed, shouted, and jumped as we sat in a circle on the carpeted floor to play cards. We played for fun with one rule: the first loser is out, but had to keep sitting and watching until the last round. It was something like “The Weakest Link.”  What made those moments even more enjoyable was how my husband and I called the cards names in the Egyptian Arabic. Our children wouldn’t mind,  wouldn’t even try to use the english ones. They liked it this way.

I wonder, and you might also wonder, why I thought about all that today? That’s becuase of the book I have just finished reading: The Solitaire Mystery. Have ypu read it? I really recommend it. It’s a good book,. But to be honest, I was a bit confused with the English cards names version. I even don’t know what the Solitaire game is? We play basic cards games. Bit by bit, I came to understand things, and that’s when I started enjoying the book more.

Herewith the link for my book review. Have a look and let me know what do you think about the book?

https://nh825.wordpress.com/2024/12/28/the-solitaire-mystery/

With hope and peace,

Nahla

Just writing

Don’t let them age

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I remember my grandparents from my mother’s side as I hadn’t seen my father’s since they all died early before he married my mother.

Anyway, my grandparents were barely in their late sixties or early seventies when they died. As a child, I used to believe they were so ancient, so weird. Their house was so big and so old. Not becuase they didn’t have enough money –  they did, but because they didn’t like change. They liked their old furniture, the old walls, the old staircase, and even their old clothes.

From my mother’s tales, especially about her father, I believed he was a monster and a tyrant. By the way, he wasn’t religious, but I am not going to detail more because we shouldn’t speak ill of the dead, should we? However, he was, actually, so kind with me. Perhaps, because I used to avoid him all the time, or because I was the quietest of his grandchildren tribe. But, he really was kind, and when he laughed or smiled, I didn’t see him that old at all.

Some people say that the real youth is the youth of the heart and the soul. If you read Mr. MacBride’s story, you will know how important it is to not let either your heart or your soul age.

Have you read The Five Wishes Of Mr MacBride. It’s a wonderful book. Have a look at my review!

https://nh825.wordpress.com/2024/12/17/the-five-wishes-of-mr-murray-mcbride/


With all the best wishes,

Nahla

Just writing

Not soft-drinks

nhpureandsimple

Years ago, I started taking my daughter to a tennis club. Of course, there would be a fun day for parents and children during the Christmas holiday. So far, so normal.

One year, at this sepical occasion, as I was sitting with my daughter, waiting for my husband to join us, a couple joined my daughter and me at the table. After “would you mind” and brief greetings, my daughter and I turned to watch others playing on the courts. So far, so normal.

It wasn’t until I heard the pop of some cans when I turned to the couple at the same table. I didn’t look at them; I mainly focused my gaze on the drinks which, of course, weren’t  soft drinks. Why? How? I wondered, feeling so angry. But that wasn’t becuase I, as a Muslim, felt I was the odd one out. No. That was becuase it was mainly a children event. Is this how people raise their children? How can you encouge a child to play sports and be healthy while you drink in front of them? I was deep in thought and didn’t realise I was gazing at the drinks on the table for more than enough. It wasn’t until my daughter grabbed my hand that I blinked and turned to her. ‘Let’s go and play,’ I told her and went to one of courts.

When my husband joined us, we went back to the table, but the drinks were gone. I felt a flutter of happiness, and turned to my daughter with a broad smile, but my daughter looked startled, glancing at the couples joining our table. I turned to see what was wrong. There, the woman was glaring at me as if I had slapped her. Honestly, I wondered if there was something wrong with her, a mental health issue. I gave her a brief smile, but she kept the same angry face. My husband asked me what was wrong. I shook my head and told him I had not the foggiest idea. But then, I remembered that I saw one of the coaches by our table when we were playing which means he was the one taking their drinks away, not me, but perhaps becuase of me?

After that event, my daughter continued attending her sessions, but we decided there would be no need to participate in any of their holiday events.

With all the best wishes,

Nahla

Just writing

Confession

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As I was reading my book last night, a sentence of my last blog kept nagging at me that I thought I was going to dream about it. But, it inspired me to write today’s blog.

In my last blog, The quiet, shy girl, I said I had never failed. Well, that wasn’t completely a lie, and it did’t awfully prick my conscience. After all, as long as the issue doesn’t involve anyone else, so it’s between God and me, and I prayed for forgiveness. Besides, I was mainly talking about my academic education which as far as I can remember was the truth.

But, of course, Life doesn’t go perfect all the time. Even the genius makes mistakes. We are the offsprings of Adam and Eve; humans with blood, flesh, and emotions. Therefore, we are not perfect, we are not robots. Sometimes, we will get a first-time Pass, and other times we’ll get it on the second or fifth attempt. Or, we’ll change direction and achieve it somewhere, sometime else.

With all the best wishes,

Nahla

Books, Just writing

Idolization

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Just look at how people follow a special player, or jump on stage to hug that famous singer, or run after a remarkable actor to take a selfie. And look at those who bow, kneel, and even kiss the ground that this leader or that walks on. This idolization has been the same throughout the ages, it’s obviously disgusting these days because of the social media madness.

Have you ever thought how those idols throughout the ages take but, never give? They don’t know you, won’t care about you. Whether in the form af a celebrity, a leader, or a political party, they want you, as a number, as a voice. They stand high and long, here and there, just like statues. Their strength and durability depend on the expertise of their craftsmenship. But, they never live becuase statues are soulless, vague, and empty. And, one day, they would be dumped, forgotten, and replaced by other statues.

I remember one day while watching a documentary about a famous Egyptian singer from the seventies, there were women throwing themselves out of the top windows of high buildings. Were they really happy following him into the grave? I wondered, thinking how those people will one day answer to God for commiting suicide. This is completely blind idolization, which I believe is so destructive, so humiliated, so pathetic.

On another occasion, when I first came to live in the UK, I met different people. My first friend and neighbour was following the Shia Mathhab. By the way, we didn’t introduce ourselves as Shia and Sunni. These differences just seemed to be obvious. Well, as my friend and I used to visit each other quite a lot, I noticed that there are certain things that she was celebrating and practising which I wasn’t. I asked her about that and she simply replied, ‘I swear I don’t  care about this Imama or that, I just do what my mother does.’ We burst out laughing. How simple and funny our life would be, if we don’t idolize our differences!

Children, of course, might idolize their parents, or students idolise their noble mentors but that’s out of pure love and ultimate reverence, because they deserve it. These people in our lives are the ones who really care and love us.They can not be replaced, can not purchased.

By the way I have just finished The Stationary Shop Of Tehran. It’s a good book, I enjoyed it, enjoyed more reading about Persian Culture and traditions which are a bit different from my Arabic ones. Herewith is my book review, hope you will like it.

The Stationary Shop of Tehran

With all the best wishes,

Nahla

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Just writing

Life in the countryside

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Do you ever see wild animals?

One of the best things about living in the countryside is the ability to handle difficult problems and situations. There, people live and strive to thrive. Using basic ingredients, they can make the most delicious meals and desserts. They can fix broken things, mend old clothes or sew new ones, and even save lives as quickly as an ambulance.

I’m not sure if countryside life is still the same nowadays as it was when I was a little kid vising my grandparents for a month during summer holidays? But to be honest, though I enjoyed it, I couldn’t wait to go back to my easy life in Cairo.

I remembered that becuase of today’s prompt.  I am not sure if a scorpion can be considered as a wild animal, but I am making it one in my post for today.

It was one of those long, hot summar nights, and I was having a sleepover at my Aunt’s country house. We had just come back from visiting one of her neighbours. We were laughing and joking, and couldn’t wait to hit the pillow. My aunt rested on a wooden bench in the big, high ceiling, and so dimly lit hall, pondering her next day chores.  I headed straight to the bedroom I used to share with her, but just before getting changed, her screams filled the house. I ran out, and saw her hands tightened around one of her calves, as she lifted her leg, trying to slow her blood circulation. ( of course I understood that later). ‘Scorpion,’ she shouted, and her sister ran outside to get some help from their neighbour, asking another to fetch the village doctor. That night, she survived, and I went to bed whispering one prayer: ‘Please God keep that dreadful insect away from me. Amen,’ I prayed and fell into a sound sleep. Next morning, life went back to normal, with my aunt doing her chores and me playing around.

By the way, did you know that scorpions don’t live in Antarctica, although they can adapt to almost every other place on Earth. Of course, they would freeze, be unable to use their venomous sting, be easily seen, and their lifespan would be cut down to a few days. Don’t you think this can also apply to wild, evil people?

With all the best wishes,

Nahla

Just writing

Reading Challenge

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It’s almost the end of the year, and I am running our of time to finish the 50 books I had planned to read this year. Actually it’s not that bad, I  read 47 books so far. By the way it’s thanks to my WordPress friend Arlene for starting this experience in the first place. I can’t remember exactly when I did, but I was inspired by her reading challenge experience.

Before the coffee gets Cold, is the most recent book I have finished, and here’s my book review for it.

https://nh825.wordpress.com/2024/12/05/before-the-coffee-gets-cold/

Please have a look. Hope you’ll like both the book and my review.

With all the best wishes,

Nahla