[Robyn Welsh]

 

Aren’t summer holidays just wonderful?  I picked up Janet Frame’s three-volume autobiography in a Coromandel recycle shop and I’m loving every bit of it, making notes along the way as ideas pop into my head.

Then, one day and few chapters in, I picked it up to take a look at the collection of photos and out fell a piece of paper.  It was the Order of Service for Janet’s funeral in Dunedin following her death on January 29, 2004.

On the back of that sheet of hymns, tributes and her poetry there was a mention in similar small type:  ‘A Reading by Jacquie Baxter – From Janet Frame’s Autobiography.’

I’m thinking that this must have been the book that belonged to Jacquie Baxter, poet and author and the widow of J K Baxter.   If so, then who gave it to her?  The words inside the front cover read: ‘From Joy and Alastair April 1991.’ Who are they?  And where might they be now?  And where has this book been on its travels from 1991 until Christmas 2017, across some 26 years?

I can wonder all I like.  Or I could wrap a whole new story around this theme that has just fallen into my lap.

[Kathy Swailes]

Just had goose bumps (despite the heat) when reading your mini-story/real-life events. I’ll look forward to reading what you fictionalise (Is that a word?) for the intervening years.

[Carolyn McKenzie]

That’s a fabulous story, Robyn. Sounds like a well-travelled book and there has to be great story waiting to be written in there somewhere, so good luck with that!

[Nikki Crutchley]

Wow what a great story Robyn! Definitely a tale in the making 🙂

[Tina Shaw]

That’s incredible – what a valuable find.

[Mandy Edwards]

A fabulous find. Everything happens for a reason. I wonder what that is for you?