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Sunday 30 December 2018

Under The Dome by Stephen King


According to the author’s note at the end of Under The Dome, Stephen King explains, ‘I tried to write a book that would keep the pedal consistently to the metal.’ He certainly wasn’t joking. 


Photo source: Google


Under the Dome was published in 2009. King first attempted to tell this story in 1976 but he only managed about 75 pages in a couple of weeks. He explains, ‘I crept away from it with my tail between my legs.’ King didn’t abandon the story because of the enormous cast of characters, but due to the technical problems the story presented. He tackled it again in 2007, with the help of Russ Dorr as head of research. Russ had previously helped him on The Stand and several other books. 

Under the Dome is set in a small town in Maine (as are several of King’s books). Chester’s Mill is an average town, going about its business as usual when an invisible barrier descends over it. The residents aren’t completely cut off from the outside world, but nobody can leave or enter the town. This situation brings out the best and worst in certain townspeople and pinpoints what some individuals will do when total power is obtained and threat of punishment is no longer an issue. 
A battle for power between good and evil ensues. The good guys are led by former Army Captain Dale ‘Barbie’ Barbara who was intending to leave town on the day of the dome’s appearance. His main ally is Julia Shumway, editor of the local paper. Barbie reluctantly takes on the role of government liaison to Colonel James Cox. Cox is trying to keep the town under control from outside the dome. Barbie is also given authority over the township by The President. 
‘Big Jim’ Rennie has other ideas. Rennie is a used car salesman and the Second Selectman of the town. After the First Selectman dies, Big Jim sees an opportunity to take over the town for himself.  Consequently, he appoints his son and his son’s friends as police and uses them to help him control the residents of Chester’s Mill. 
As this battle between the two continues, the rest of the townspeople begin to take sides. Unfortunately, due to the stress of the situation and dwindling resources, the majority of residents go along with what is happening out of blind fear. Meanwhile, something strange is happening to the children of Chester’s Mill. 
Under the Dome is an epic page-turner. It’s not the usual Stephen King horror story, the horror here isn’t in the gory details, but in how far regular people will go in order to survive and protect what they believe in.     

Friday 28 December 2018

An Emotional Christmas

I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas or if you don't celebrate Christmas, a happy holiday.

Our Christmas has been a mixed bag of emotions. My sister's partner passed away after a long illness about a week before Christmas. At least he is no longer in pain.


Here's a pic of the family celebrating Christmas before he became ill. Left to right - Whitesnake, KB, Sister, Sister's partner, Dad. Mum took the photo.

A couple of day's later was the first anniversary of our sweet dog's passing. She was my baby and I miss the little angel dearly.

Coco: Photo source - KB

Our Christmas was full of love, good food, wine, Christmas movies and presents. Luckily for me, my husband loves to cook.

Orange And Lemon Cake Recipe

Love KB
x


Tuesday 11 December 2018

Merry Christmas

Photo source: Pixabay



Early to bed
Anticipate the dawn
No thoughts of our Saviour
Or the day he was born

Tossing and turning
No sleep to be had
Excitement is growing
Driving me mad

Peer through the curtains
Searching the sky
Hoping perchance
To see him fly by

Squeals of delight
He surely has been
Little sis impatient
To share what she's seen

Skip through the kitchen
Crumbs left on his plate
Gifts galore surprise me
Santa was definitely worth the wait



I'm taking a blogging break while I celebrate the holidays. Have a wonderful time, stay safe and I will see you again in the New Year.

Love KB
x

Shared with Tuesday Platform and Poetry Pantry

Thursday 6 December 2018

Summer Not Found

This week in New Zealand we have experienced thunder, lightening, heavy rain, hail, strong winds and sunshine. It's difficult to believe that it's a couple of weeks until summer time. 





Photo source: KB





Photo source: Twitter

This post has been shared with Skywatch 

Love KB
xxx

Monday 3 December 2018

Poetry: MISSING YOU

As I was perusing my favourite blogs earlier, I noticed a challenge over at real toads to write a flash 55 to keep the memory of our dear friend Galen alive. Galen originally hosted this fun challenge and his posts and comments made me laugh so much. I decided to repost this 55 which I wrote over ten years ago and if you read the comments you will see G-Man being his amusing self. If I remember correctly, his 55 was regarding toilet humour that week. Miss you buddy.

P.S. This poem was written about my husband. We met, he went back to Australia, he came back, we got married...it's complicated, hehe.


When you're away my life feels wrong.
My only company wine and song.
I count down the days until you return.
The art of patience, something to learn.

When we're together the time flies.
Love and laughter, mischief in our eyes.
Nobody understands me, like you do.
Sometimes I believe we are one, not two.

Photo source: Pixabay 

FROM ORIGINAL POST  19/9/2008

Flash Fiction - Every Friday, I compose a short story of 55 words - no more, no less. If you would like to join in the fun and games... post your story and report to the boss -
If you're not interested in contributing a story, feel free to read the other entries. I'm sure any comments you have would be appreciated.

Happy reading and writing!
Love
KB
xxx