M is for MACADAMIA NUTS #AtoZChallenge

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

My daily #AtoZ posts combine two concepts in under-300-words per day:

an appealing food choice along with thoughts that spring to mind.

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Until I visited a macadamia nut farm on the Big Island, it was difficult for me to picture the nut growing on a tree. It is even harder to imagine a cashew or pine nut growing from a branch. The macadamia nut originated in Australia. The Director of the Botanical Gardens in Melbourne, a scientist and botanist, identified and classified the tree, then named it in honor of his fellow scientist, John MacAdam (Macadam). Hawai'i, however, is where commercial production of the macadamia nut is concentrated.   



If you've never eaten dry roasted macadamia nuts, why not put that on your list of things to do this month? Whenever the bagged nuts go on sale at Longs (aka CVC), I purchase a few bags and snack on them about once a day. There are different schools of thought as to whether the nuts, made up of about 72% oil, are really healthy for you or not. I figure anything made in Hawai'i has got to have some redeeming qualities.

The first macadamia tree was planted on the Big Island of Hawai'i in 1946. The nuts and Kona coffee are both thriving products on the open market. If you don't want to eat the nuts plain, try them in cookies - naturally, they come with white chocolate chunks - or try them covered with chocolate (Mauna Loa is my favorite milk chocolate-covered macadamia nut.)

 



Many years ago, I decided that as long as I enjoyed the nuts in small helpings there was no need to worry about the health factor. Besides, Jim Nabors once owned a macadamia nut farm on Maui. If those nuts are good enough for Gomer Pyle, then they are definitely good enough for me!

 

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THIS LIFE I'VE LOVED by author Isobel Field

When is the last time you read a memoir, or any book, that made you feel good inside, excited you to action, and entertained you to laughter and tears? THIS LIFE I’VE LOVED created all these emotions in me. 

Isobel Field lived a life we all dream about while we run our daily errands and cook our meals. Born in Indianapolis, Isobel began her travels at the age of four, mostly with her mother. She experienced the gold rush days and the old west in America, became a dancer, an artist, a craftsman. Her life in the theater alone makes a fascinating story.

 

 

This was before she relocated to Honolulu and became well-acquainted with King David Kalakaua, the Merry Monarch. The king asked her to design the royal crest of Hawai‘i, as well as the official Hawaiian flag. She complied. 

Isobel moved to Australia at the request of her mother and stepfather, who then established residency for the entire family in Samoa. Her writing of all these events of her life is honest, straightforward, colorful, and most of all personal. I felt included in the many parties, theater rehearsals, and hectic Paris studio activities. I was pleased with her arrival in Belgium, home of my paternal ancestors, and how she spoke of the country’s great painters and hospitable citizens. 

Of Isobel, Irwin S. Cobb says: "Although much of Isobel Field's autobiography is concerned with her stepfather, Robert Louis Stevenson, it is Isobel's own unique story and her vibrant personality that will captivate the reader. Belle was a wonderful storyteller and a writer of great wit and acuity. She was with her mother, Fanny (Frances Van de Grift Osbourne), when they met Stevenson in Grez in 1876. . . 

“A great woman . . . who has lived as picturesque and colorful and useful life as anyone I know." 

 

Next up for review is:

 

Divisadero by Michael Ondaatje

FAST FIVE Author Interview with Rich Weatherly

Author Rich Weatherly, a good friend through The Independent Author Network, is visiting today to talk about his newly published book, Closed Doors, a Trilogy. Much of Rich’s professional career included technical and copy writing, media production and corporate photography. His focus is now on creating writing. I was given the opportunity to read Rich’s thrilling novella, Toxic Situations, prior to publication and enjoyed the well-researched and action packed story. This week I am reading Closed Doors, a Trilogy.

FAST FIVE: Welcome, Rich, and thank you for visiting today. Your book is unique in several ways. Can you please share with us details of Closed Doors, a Trilogy and your research for it?

RICH WEATHERLY: So that everyone has an overview, I’ll start with the synopsis of Closed Doors, a Trilogy:

Closed Doors opens with a novella, Toxic Situations. A break-in at an Atlanta, Georgia laboratory results in the theft of avian flu virus capsules by organized crime figures and an investigation by the CDC.

Toxic Situations was inspired by a paper presented by Dr. J.J. Brown on risks associated with laboratory research into deadly viruses. I contacted her with my idea for a fictional story based on the paper and received permission to do so. The rest is imagination except for fact checking places, organizations and procedures. I spent some time in Sydney, Australia during the ’60. Sydney is the destination of the fugitives in the story.

Toxic Situations is followed by two short story prequels: Family Secrets and Thrills at the Esplanade Cinema. Each story has ties to the Craig Wells family. The short stories are fictional renderings of personal events in my life. That said, I used a large amount of creative license. These stories are set in North Texas where I’ve lived most of my life.

FAST FIVE: What is the backstory for your main character, and is “the job” the most important part of your protagonist’s life?

RICH WEATHERLY: Craig Well’s Jr. is my protagonist in Toxic Situations. After losing his wife during the 9/11 attacks, he and his parents helped raise his now teenage daughter. His family is featured in the story but his role as head of security at the CDC has center stage in this story. He is well qualified for the position having served in Naval Intelligence during Operation Desert Storm and the CIA. He uses his background, training and persistence to pursue his objectives.

In the short story Family Situations, Craig Sr. is a 14 year old boy who uses his wit and determination to protect members of his family in a difficult situation and at great risk. He takes actions which result in the capture of a criminal who attacked a family member.

Thrills at the Esplanade Cinema features Craig Sr. as a high school student working as a theater usher. While doing his job of maintaining order in the theater, a belligerent young woman starts a confrontation that escalates into a dangerous situation. He has his hands full.

FAST FIVE: The Mystery/Suspense genre is the focus of Fast Five interviews, what unique twist makes your book stand out?

RICH WEATHERLY: I have to be careful with this one to avoid giving you a spoiler. The best twists are near the end but I’ll give you some important elements near the beginning of Toxic Situations which is a Suspense/Thriller. When criminals break into and steal capsules of the deadly avian virus it creates the potential for a national emergency. CDC obtains phone intercepts that quickly identify competing organized crime figures who want to exploit the break-in. When members of one organization flee the country with the capsules, they unknowingly have a mole onboard their plane who is determined to stop them.

FAST FIVE: How does your main character’s profession draw him into suspenseful situations, (murder, for instance?)

RICH WEATHERLY: As head of CDC security, any situation that risks exposure by American citizens to bio-hazards has the potential of becoming a threat to national security. My MC is in the vanguard to keep risks from becoming a reality.

FAST FIVE: Is this book part of a series, and are you working on a sequel?

RICH WEATHERLY: Toxic Situations, the novella ends with the capture of some but not all of the fugitives. CDC also learns that a remaining capsule probably remains in the U.S. I am planning a sequel.

FAST FIVE: Rich, this isn’t a Fast Five question, more an “if/then” scenario: If Paris is not an option, then where would you most like to spend your time writing and why.

RICH WEATHERLY: I’m easy to please but secluded places like Rocky Mountain National Park or the Blue Ridge, Smoky Mountains or an Appalachian Mountain resort are worthy of consideration.

Thank you, Rich, for sharing this interesting information about yourself and your new book.

Here are the links where readers can follow you and your excellent blog site:

Author Page: http://richweatherly.wordpress.com/my-writing/

IAN: http://www.independentauthornetwork.com/rich-weatherly.html

Twitter: twitter.com/richweatherly43

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/richard.weatherly1