My News

A weekly blog by Cynthia Cook

What Really Happened to the Hat and the Gloves

                I’m proud to introduce you to my first non-fiction novella. Here is a teaser.

What really happened to the hat and the gloves entirely depends on who you ask.

When Marion, a once-independent wealthy woman, begins her descent into Alzheimer’s, her world shrinks to a new shared home with her son and his partner. But what should be a time of familial support turns into a maelstrom of accusations and betrayal.

During a visit from Marion’s sister and her husband, a beloved hat is mysteriously mutilated. This seemingly small act of destruction ignites a family firestorm, exposing long-buried tensions and testing loyalties.

As the story unfolds through multiple perspectives, readers are drawn into a web of conflicting memories, half-truths, and heartbreaking realizations. With each chapter, the lines between victim and perpetrator blur, challenging our understanding of family, trust, and the devastating effects of dementia.

Cynthia Cook’s unflinching narrative forces us to confront the question: In a family torn apart by illness and suspicion, can the truth ever truly be known? And more importantly, can forgiveness find a way?

                My writing approach is non-traditional. I didn’t start with an outline. I always write everything out in long hand first. But I didn’t get any rejections!

                I always said I would write a true story if I ever had the opportunity, because you can’t make this shit up! During my family’s latest crisis, I decided that the time was right. As these events unfolded during the last four months, I just sat down and wrote. What Really Happened to the Hat and the Gloves is in the proofreading stage, and it will be in print this fall.

                I would like to thank my high school English teachers, who were the first ones to see my potential as a writer. The team at Atmosphere Press has been great right from the start, with editorial support, advice, and encouragement. I’m so happy with my first book, and I can’t wait to take the next step!

See you next week.

Blog #2

August 16, 2024

                We have made great progress on my book! I have approved most changes suggested by the proofreaders and made a few corrections of my own. I have selected a front cover design that I’m really happy with. The next step will be the interior layout and design, which usually takes 6 to 12 weeks. When the back cover design has been finalized, the first physical copy of the book will be ready to print!

                I have started a Facebook account for What Really Happened to the Hat and the Gloves. I have also joined Threads under my new Instagram profile cynthia_cook_author.

                I have dreamed of being a writer for a long time, because I had good teachers in elementary and high school who instilled a love of reading in me. My earliest literary inspiration was An Episode of Sparrows, by Rumer Godden. Ann Frank’s Diary is a powerful true story.

                My high school teachers introduced me to the great authors. I read For Whom the Bell Tolls, by Ernest Hemingway, On the Beach and A Town like Alice, by Nevil Shute. I was influenced by the Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck, Catch-22 by Joseph Heller, To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee, The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald, and A Clockwork Orange, by Anthony Burgess. I learned about Watergate by reading All the President’s Men, by Woodward and Bernstein. A special mention goes to Trinity, by Leon Uris.

                Later I read The Stand, and The Dead Zone, by Stephen King, and The Fountainhead, by Ayn Rand. More recently Killers of the Flower Moon, by David Grann, was an excellent historical novel. My favorite book is Small Great Things, by Jodi Picoult.

                To quote Stephen King, “If a book has been banned, go to your public library and check it out, to see why they don’t want you to read it!”

                I am taking the weekend off to indulge in another one of my cultural inspirations, live music! We are going to watch The Four Tops perform.

                See you next week.

What Really Happened to the Hat and the Gloves

August 23,2024

Blog #3

                We are up to date on the status of my book, so today I would like to discuss another important artistic influence in my writing, theatre. The most inspirational musical I have seen is Wicked. The story returns us to Oz, where the Good Witch and the Bad Witch become college roommates, and the most unlikely of friends. The moral of the story is that none of us is completely good or evil, and that there is plenty of blame to go around. The Scarecrow takes us Dancing Through Life, where we learn that nothing matters, except knowing nothing matters. I have used the lyrics of For Good to memorialize our son.

They say that people come into our lives for a reason

I don’t know if that is true

But I am changed because of you

Who can say if I’ve been changed for the better?

I believe that I’ve been changed for the better

Because I knew you

I have been changed for good.

The most inspirational dramatic play I have seen is The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime. It’s the story of a high functioning young Autistic adult man striving to live independently as a contributing member of society. There’s no lack of intellectual ability, but he experiences sensory overload from everyday sounds such as the underground trains he has to travel on to write his University entrance exams in Mathematics and Physics. He can be easily overcome in social situations as it’s difficult for him to interpret facial and verbal cues. For these reasons, many of his teachers and fellow students have underestimated his abilities. This play is an excellent guide for family, friends, teachers, and counsellors who want to be supportive to people on the autism spectrum.

                An education in the Arts is essential. I have learned so many valuable life lessons in the theatre.

                Next week I’ll bring you updates on the progress of my book and talk more about my creative process. I’ll see you then!

August 30 2024

Blog # 4

What Really Happened to the Hat and the Gloves

                Today I’m going to talk about how inspirational movies have been in my writing. My favorite movie is American Fiction, a satire of the book publishing industry. Our hero is an English professor, who is the author of several books which have received critical notice but haven’t sold well. When his mother’s health declines, and she has to go into an assisted care facility, he can’t afford to pay her medical expenses. He read a popular novel, and quickly figured out who his target audience was; namely the poorly educated. He discovered a revenue stream from a series of books he wrote after he sold his soul as an author, with hilarious results.

                Another movie which I find powerful is a foreign film, The Zone of Interest. It is the true story of the Hoss family who lived in luxury just outside the gates of Auschwitz. The father was the officer in charge of the Final Solution. We hear gunfire and screams in the background, while the family goes about their everyday lives. We see flames and clouds of ashes coming out of the smokestacks. There is a particularly chilling solo scene, without dialogue, by German actress Sandra Huller, who portrays Mrs. Hoss. She admires herself in the mirror modeling a full-length mink coat. We realize in horror that it had recently belonged to a woman who died in the concentration camp, when Mrs. Hoss reached into the coat pocket and found a tube of lipstick. She tested some of the red lipstick, and immediately wiped it off in disgust. Then then she gave the coat to the maid to have it cleaned, because the hem was dirty.

                I am inspired by so many movies which are based on the great works of literature, including Harper Lee’s timeless classic, To Kill a Mockingbird, and the original movie of Stephen King’s The Dead Zone. Christopher Walken’s portrayal of the hero, a teacher who lost many years of his life in a coma, and awakened with second sight, is one of his best performances. Stephen King prophesied recent event in politics, when our hero was tutoring a boy who was struggling at school . The boy’s father was visited by a campaigning presidential candidate, who was portrayed by Martin Sheen. As the politician was leaving, the boy’s father said to his son’s tutor, “Get yourself registered, and vote against this turkey”.

                That’s all for now. I’ll see you next week, when I’ll talk about television series that have inspired me as a writer.

September 6

Blog-5

What Really Happened to the Hat and the Gloves

                Drumroll please! I will soon have a physical copy of my book. It should be available in print, eBook, and audiobook by mid fall.

                Today I will discuss the influence that television programs have had on my writing. The quality and content of the shows has improved dramatically from the early days of television. My favorite series is The Affair, which tackled the issue of infidelity through the perspectives of all the members of both families who were affected. Everyone remembered the events differently.

                Season three of The Bear left a lasting impression on me. The Berzolli family restaurant has been entrusted to the oldest surviving brother, Chef Carmine. He and his sister Sugar, the business manager of the restaurant, have survived a tumultuous upbringing, full of uncertainties and insecurities. They are damaged people, doing their best to thrive, and keep the family business from going under, Jamie Lee Curtis gave an outstanding performance as their manic-depressive mother, who is self-medicating to cope. She’s a sympathetic character, because she is doing her best to inflict no further damage onto her children.

.               Six Feet Under is one of the most influential television series that I’ve watched. The Fisher family business is a funeral parlour. The premise of the show is that everything ends. The truth is that you should live every day as if it’s your last, because it just might be! During one of my favorite episodes, the Room, the manager of the family business, David, says to his older brother Nate, who has returned to work in the company, “You won’t be happy until we’re all in therapy, will you?” That line reminded me of the most recent events in my own family!

                Under the Bridge is a limited television series based on the book by Rebecca Godfrey. It’s a tragic true crime story about the 1997 swarming death of Victoria teenager Reena Virk. I remember these events as they unfolded because it seemed unbelievable at the time. Reena just wanted to be accepted by her peers, as everyone does. She had the misfortune of moving with the wrong crowd, at risk teenagers. The ringleader Kelley Marie Ellard came from a privileged background. The incident started with a misunderstanding, as it usually does. Reena felt excluded, so she went behind her friend’s back with a telephone campaign, in an attempt to damage her reputation.

                Reena was excited to be invited to a gathering at the harbour. That’s when the crowd turned on her, punching and kicking her, and even burning her between her eyes with a cigarette. Reena, scared and humiliated, started to walk home alone, under the bridge. Kelly Ellard returned with her then boyfriend, Warren Glowatski, to finish what she had started. Kelly held Reena’s arms behind her back, while Warren continued to kick and punch Reena. Then Kelly drowned her, and they left her body in the ocean.

                Most of the juveniles stood trial, and were found guilty, sentenced to detention. Kelly and Warren were tried for first degree murder. Even with the best legal defense team in B.C., Kelly was found guilty. Warren was also convicted, but he almost immediately accepted responsibility for the violent crime. Kelly Ellard didn’t admit guilt until recently, when she herself became a mother.

                That’s all for now! I’ll see you next week, when I’ll talk about the contribution music has made to my writing process.

September 13, 2024

Blog number 6

What Really Happened to the Hat and the Gloves

Today I’m writing to you while I’m on vacation in Scottsdale, looking forward to relaxing by the pool. I’m happy to report that my book is on its way to the printers, and I will have a proof copy soon!

I wanted to discuss music, because all my friends know that I think in song lyrics. My essential albums are as follows:

Disintegration, the 1989 masterpiece by The Cure
Ziggy Stardust, by David Bowie
Meat is Murder, by The Smiths
Back to Black, by Amy Winehouse
American Idiot, by Green Day
Jagged Little Pill, by Alanis Morrisette

The songs the saved my life are as follows:

L.A. Woman, and Hello, I Live You, by The Doors
Disorder, and Love Will Tear Us Apart, by Joy Division
Happy House, Spellbound, and Cities in Dust, by Siouxsie and the Banshees
Head Over Heels, and Everybody Wants to Rule the World, by Tears for Fears
Too Bad, by Doug and the Slugs
What Do You Mean, by Justin Bieber
Suit and Tie, by Justin Timberlake
Personal Jesus, Enjoy the Silence, and Ghosts Again, by Depeche Mode
I Can Hear Music, by The Beach Boys
Desperado, and Hotel California, by The Eagles
Viva La Vida, by Coldplay
Brandy, by Looking Glass
The Only Living Boy in New York, and The Sounds of Silence, by Simon and Garfunkel
Kiss on My List, and Sarah Smile, by Hall and Oates
Lovely Day, by Bill Withers
I’m Scared, by Burton Cummings
One, Two, Three, Four, and Go Away, by Gloria Estefan
Faith, Last Christmas, and Careless Whisper, by George Michael
Don’t Stop Me Know, and Bohemian Rhapsody, by Queen
Diamonds and Pearls, 1999, I Wanna Be Your Lover, and Let’s Go Crazy, by Prince
Rock With You, Girlfriend, and Off the Wall, by Michael Jackson
Close To You, and We’ve Only Just Begun, by the Carpenters
Imagine, and Beautiful Boy, by John Lennon
Kentucky Rain, and If I Can Dream, by Elvis Presley
I Wish That It Would Rain, My Girl, and Just My Imagination by The Temptations
What’s Going On, Sexual Healing, Ain’t Nothing Like the Real Thing, Ain’t No Mountain High Enough, Mercy, Mercy Me, and What’s Going On, by Marvin Gaye
Could It Be I’m Falling in Love, and I’ll Be Around, by The Spinners
Baby, I Need Your Loving, Bernadette, and Just Walk Away Rene, by The Four Tops
She’s a Lady, It’s Not Unusual, Delilah, and The Green, Green Grass of Home, by Tom Jones
What’s Love Got to do With It, Private Dancer, I Don’t Wanna Fight, and Ragdoll, by Tina Turner

That’s all for now! I’ll see you next week, when I’ll tell you about the fun we’re having on vacation in Arizona.

September 20, 2024

Blog # 7

What Really Happened to the Hat and the Gloves

Today I want to discuss the passion I pursue when I’m not writing, travelling! We’re having fun in Scottsdale.

We watched The Emmy Awards on Sunday. Congratulations to The Bear on their record eleven wins. Special mention goes to Jamie Lee Curtis for her portrayal of Donna Berzolli in the episode Fishes. She gave a standout performance as chef Carmine and business manager Sugar’s manic-depressive mother, who is self-medicating in order to cope.

It’s no surprise that Jean Smart won another Emmy Award for Hacks, although she quipped, “I really appreciate it, because I don’t get enough attention. I’m serious!” Her character Deborah Vance is based on the life of comedy great Joan Rivers.

We went to see Beetlejuice Beetlejuice at the IMAX theatre in Phoenix yesterday. I don’t usually recommend movie sequels, but this one was just as good as the original.

We visited spectacular Sedona today! We saw a Raven, and many Red rock formations including Lucy, Woodstock, and Snoopy. We went on a Pink Jeep Tour of Diamondback Gulch. We drove through Greasy Gulch, where they brought the chuck wagons to feed the cowboys who took care of their cattle. We saw Bell Rock, Cathedral Rock, Courthouse Butte, Lost Wilson Mountain, Wilson Mountain and Roundtop.

That’s all for now! I’ll see you next week when I’ll tell you about our wine dinner, and the Desert Botanical Gardens.

September 27, 2024

Blog # 8

This week we went to a wine dinner at our vacation home in Scottsdale. We met a nice couple from Massachusetts, ate delicious food, and tasted wine that would normally be far out of our price range!

Today we visited the Desert Botanical Gardens in Phoenix. I’m an Advanced Master Gardener at VanDusen in Vancouver, but I don’t usually get to see so many species of Cacti. They are all unique, especially the Saguaro, which is the indicator species of the Sonoran Desert. We saw beautiful butterflies, a Crested Lizard, and a Bevy of Quails!

We walked the Desert Wildflower Trail, which included the Butterfly Garden, and the Hummingbird Garden. We hiked the Center for Desert Living Trail, which included the Herb Garden. We did the Desert Discovery Trail, where we saw the Giant Mexican Cardon Cactus, which is over 75 years old. They can grow to a height of 60 feet. We saw a historic plant, cultivated in the garden since 1939, the Crested Mammillaria. This brain shaped cactus has learned much over its 85 years at the garden.

I was sad to learn that Cacti are the fifth most threatened desert species due to climate change.

That’s all for this week! I’ll see you next week when I hopefully will be able to approve my proof copy of What Really Happened to the Hat and the Gloves. The next step after my nonfiction novella is released will be selecting the narrators for the audiobook!

October 4, 2024

Blog 9

What Really Happened to the Hat and the Gloves

I have exciting news to share with you; I have received the proof copy of my nonfiction novella! It will be available to purchase soon in print, eBook, and audiobook.

We’re back home in Vancouver, preparing for our next travel adventure soon. We have decorated the house for Halloween, which is one of my favorite holidays.

Monday September 30^th was Canada’s National Day of Truth and Reconciliation. I wore my Orange Shirt with pride, to honour my maternal grandmother, who was Metis, born in Saskatchewan. She hand beaded the gloves which are featured in my upcoming nonfiction novella. The gloves are over 100 years old.

Every October I write a word on our pumpkin, each day of the month, in honour of all my Metis ancestors. My Great Aunt was a residential school survivor. My aunt and uncle weren’t so lucky. They died in prison. My cousin was born addicted. The only relatives left to raise her were my Great Aunt, who was too old, and her second husband, who didn’t want my cousin. My childless aunt didn’t want my cousin either, but she would have been a bad parent anyway, because she was an alcoholic.

Here is what I have written on the pumpkin so far, this October; Through Truth and Reconciliation Comes

That’s all I have for this week, but things are developing quickly for me as a published author! Thank you for reading.

October 11, 2024

Blog # 10

What Really Happened to the Hat and the Gloves

I have exciting news to share with you; I have received the proof copy of my nonfiction novella. An omission was included, and an error in the text was corrected. The proof copy interior correction was also done. What Really Happened to the Hat and the Gloves will be available to purchase soon in print, eBook, and audiobook.

We’re back home in Vancouver, preparing for our next travel adventure in Las Vegas. We celebrated our 45^th wedding anniversary on October 6^th .

On October 9^th, we caught up with our friends from World Cruise 2022, Frank and Connie Kislan! The cruise ship they are travelling on now made a stop in Vancouver, so we showed them around a bit before we took them out to lunch at The Sandbar, on Granville Island. We returned them to the ship ahead of onboard time. It’s always great to catch up with old friends!

Here is what I have written on the pumpkin so far this October; Through Truth and Reconciliation Comes Justice and Healing Every Child Matters Tax the Churches.

I’ll see you next week, when I’ll tell you about the Eagles concert at The Sphere. I’ll have information for you about my book release date, pricing, and distribution.Stay tuned!

October 18, 2024

Blog Issue #11

What Really Happened to the Hat and the Gloves

I had a telephone meeting on Monday, October 14^th, with Cameron Finch of Atmosphere Press to discuss how to make the greatest impact with my book. The purchase prices, in US dollars, will be as follows: $7.99 US for the eBook, $12.99 US for a paperback, and $20.00 US for a hardcover copy. Preorder options will be available. The release date will be December 3^rd. The eBook is now available to preorder on Amazon, for $9.99 Canadian, and $7.99 US. Distribution will be through Ingram.

We belatedly celebrated our 45^th wedding anniversary by travelling to Las Vegas on October 11^th, for a two night stay at the Venetian Hotel. We went to see Ray Romano on the first evening. We really enjoyed his show! He was genuinely funny when he talked about marriage and parenting. He ended his show with outtakes from Everyone Loves Raymond; they were hilarious!

The next morning, we went to the Mandalay Bay hotel for two of my must do items while I’m in Las Vegas; going to the Shark Reef exhibit, followed by Mexican cuisine at the Border Grill.

The highlight of our trip was the Eagles concert at the Sphere on October 12^th . We started with a 5-course dinner at Mott 32, in the Palazzo hotel. We proceeded to the Sphere, the most impressive concert venue I’ve ever seen. The visuals are a show in themselves. The Eagles put on a great performance, as we expected. I’m sure Glenn Frey was watching his son Deacon with pride, since he has toured with the band masterfully playing his father’s part. The Eagles performed all of their greatest hits including Desperado, Hotel California, I Can’t Tell You Why, Take it Easy, New Kid in Town, and Tequila Sunrise.

I had an appointment with master artist Lee Ozeki at Apex Tattoo in Abbotsford, B.C., on October 15^th. My new ink is the title of my first nonfiction novella, What Really Happened to the Hat and the Gloves!

Here is what I have written on the pumpkin so far this October, Through Truth and Reconciliation Comes Justice and Healing Every Child Matters Tax the Churches to pay for the Searches for the Little Bones and the Missing

I’ll see you next week to update you on life here in Vancouver, and the status of my book!

October 25, 2024

Blog # 12

I have exciting news about my upcoming book, “What Really Happened to the Hat and the Gloves”! I have received the promotional one-sheet from Atmosphere Press. My first nonfiction novel is available to preorder in eBook for $9.99 Canadian, and $7.99 US. My author copies have been shipped, so in one week I should have 60 paperbacks to share with friends!

Here is what I have written on the pumpkin so far this October. Through Truth and Reconciliation Comes Justice and Healing Every Child Matters Tax the Churches to pay for the Searches for the Little Bones and the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls Watch Reservation Dogs.

I will soon proudly wear my beautiful seal skin Poppy to honour our veterans. It was designed by Inuk artist Trudy Metcalfe-Coe, If you would like to have one of your own Poppies to wear on Remembrance Day, November 11^th, they are available to purchase at the Canadian Legion, at www.legion.ca!

I’ll see you next week with an update you on life in Vancouver, and the status of my book! Our 50^th high school reunion will be on Saturday, October 26^th. It should be interesting!

Here is a link to the first review of my book!

https://readersfavorite.com/book-review/what-really-happened-to the-hat-and-the-gloves

@atmospherepress

November 1, 2024

Blog # 13

What really Happened to the Hat and the Gloves

It was 1974. Benny and the Jets, by Elton John, from his epic album Goodbye Yellow Brick Road, was #1 on the charts. October 26^th was the 50^th high school reunion of Point Grey Secondary School. This brilliant event was held at Tap & Barrel Bridges Restaurant on Granville Island. One hundred and twelve of us grads were in attendance, including my husband and me. If I have a launch party for What Really Happened to the Hat and the Gloves, I hope it will be at least half as successful as this event was. It was organized by Liz du Fresne, Ann Hunt, Terry Walters, John Rose, Trish MacDonald, and Lori Scott. Several people were nice enough to express interest in my book, so I gave them my card which has my contact information on it. I enjoyed catching up with many of my fellow grads who are very accomplished people. The highlight for me was Paul Louie’s closing speech when he talked about a subject that’s so relevant to me: our Indigenous ancestors who were robbed of their land, culture, and language. We have begun the important work of Truth and Reconciliation, but we have far to go before we achieve Healing and Justice.

People also complimented me on my beautiful seal skin Poppy, which I proudly wear to honour our veterans. It was designed by Inuk artist Trudy Metcalfe-Coe. If you would like to have one of your own Poppies to wear on Remembrance Day, November 11^th, they are available for purchase at the Canadian Legion, at www.legion.ca !

Here is what I have written on the pumpkin this year: Through Truth and Reconciliation Comes Justice and Healing Every Child Matters Tax the Churches to pay for the Searches for the Little Bones and the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls Watch Reservation Dogs Your Home is on Native Land

This is an exciting day for fans of The Cure. We have waited 16 years for the release of a new album, and today, Songs of the Lost World is here! The best band in the world is also the most generous to their fans; in less than one hour, at 1 pm Pacific Daylight time, they will livestream their performance at the Troxy, on YouTube.

This is also an exciting day for my upcoming book, “ What Really Happened to the Hat and the Gloves”! I have received the promotional one-sheet from Atmosphere Press. My book has also been reviewed by Ann Linus in readersfavorite.com. Here is the link to it https://readersfavorite.com/book-review/what-really-happened-to-the-hat-and-the-gloves

My first nonfiction novella is available to preorder in eBook for $9.99 Canadian, and $7.99 US. I have 60 author copies to share with friends, who are encouraged to post reviews on readersfavorite.com.

I had a telephone meeting with Atmosphere’s Director of Publicity, Hayla Alawhi. I have a second review coming on Book Commentary. I can direct people who have read my book to post a review on the Goodreads listing, or Amazon. After my book is released on December 3^rd, I can include the one-sheet when I approach book stores and libraries. When the manuscript is available, Atmosphere Press will begin a Netgalley campaign with a site listing for my book, with a membership of industry professionals. The one-sheet contains the ISBN number.

Suggested venues for a book launch include local bookstores and libraries, Art Galleries, and Museums. I will also be able to email local newspapers, and the Alzheimer’s Society.

That’s everything until next week! Thank you for reading.

November 8, 2024

Blog #14

What Really Happened to the Hat and the Gloves

The wait is long for my The Cure Songs of a Lost World shipping order, but in the meantime, I have received the author’s hardcopy of my book.

My book is now live on Goodreads : https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/220419960-hwat-really-happened-to-the-hat-and-the-gloves?ac=1&from_search=true&qid=8YByz2LQc&rank=1 People who have read my book are encouraged to post a review in the Goodreads listing, or Amazon.

I have a second review coming on Book Commentary. I can direct people who have read my book to post a review on the Goodreads listing, or Amazon. After my book is released on December 3^rd, I can include the one-sheet when I approach book stores and libraries. When the manuscript is available, Atmosphere Press will begin a Netgalley campaign with a site listing for my book, with a membership of industry professionals. The one-sheet contains the ISBN number.

Suggested venues for a book launch include local bookstores and libraries, Art Galleries, and Museums. I will also be able to email local newspapers, and the Alzheimer’s Society.

That’s everything until next week! Thank you for reading.

November 15, 2024

Blog # 15

What Really Happened to the Hat and the Gloves

RIP Jeremy Cook, November 9, 1989, to May 31, 2015. Our son would have been 35 years old. He is loved and missed every day by his Mom, his Dad Philip, and his only sibling, Charlton Jeremy Cook.

For what it’s worth, it was worth all the while

It’s something unpredictable, but in the end it’s right

I hope you had the time of your life

Good Riddance, by Green Day

Jeremy was born the day the Berlin Wall came down.

The wait to receive my The Cure Songs of a Lost World shipping order is over! It was inexplicably delivered to an address we hadn’t lived at for 13 years. My faith in human nature has been restored. People we had never met before were nice enough to telephone my husband to pick up my parcel. I now have my deluxe CD, and T-shirt!

Suggested venues for a book launch include local bookstores and libraries, Art Galleries, and Museums. I will also be able to email local newspapers, and the Alzheimer’s Society.

That’s everything until next week! Thank you for reading.

November 22, 2024

Blog Issue #16

What Really Happened to the Hat and the Gloves

Here’s the latest meme I posted. Apparently, I will go to Heaven after all:

Say Yes to Books

A chicken walks into a library and up to the desk.

“Buk”, says the chicken. So, the librarian gives him a book. The chicken leaves with the book and returns five minutes later. “Buk”, he says. So, the librarian gives him another book. This goes on about eight more times, until finally the librarian leaves the library and goes outside on break in back where there’s a pond. The chicken is standing on the edge of the pond tossing the books to a frog on a Lilypad. The chicken says “Buk, Buk” and the frog says “Reddit, reddit”.

Now that I’ve explained why reading is important, here’s the latest book I purchased:

the cure

pictures of you

photographs by tom sheehan

foreword by robert smith

“WHY DON’T YOU AND THE OTHER HERBERT GET STUCK IN THAT SPINNING HENRY WHILST I FIRE OFF A COUPLE OF FRAMES AND WE SHOULD BEFORE THE TAPSTER’S HAD TIME TO POUR YOUR NEXT GARGLE…”

MEETING TOM SHEEHAN AS EARLY AS WE DID MEANT MOST SUBSEQUENT PHOTOGRAPHERS- FAFFING, FUSSING, FRETTING, EASILY UNDERSTOOD- SUFFERED BADLY BY COMPARISON

TOM WAS ALWAYS SHORT, SHARP, SURE AND SLIGHTLY FUGITIVE- TRICKING US ‘HERBERTS’ INTO CASUAL POSE WITH THE ARTFUL BUT SNEAKY TECHNIQUE OF RABBITING -NOT-LOOKING-THROUGH-THE-CAMERA AS HE SNAPPED HAPPILY AWAY-CHIDING US ALL INTO A MORE CONSIDERED MOOD WITH A “CHIN UP MINCERS WIDE LESS HAMPSTEADS REMEMBER YOU’RE A GOTH BAND CHAPS” ADMONISHMENT OR TWO- CONFOUNDING US WITH A NINJA-LIKE ABILITY TO HIDE IN PLAIN SIGHT, A ROLL OF FILM CHANGED BEFORE THE SCRUFFS HAD EVEN NOTICED HE WAS TAKING PICTURES…

AND OF COURSE ‘SESSIONS WITH SHEEHAN’ WERE ALWAYS SO MUCH MORE THAN JUST PICTURE-TAKING-LOSING MEMBERS OF THE ENTOURAGE ONE BY ONE UNTIL THE INVARIABLE SMALL BRUISED BAND OF FOOLS WOULD ARRIVE SOMEWHERE SHADOWED, SMOKY, STRANGE AND OFTEN VERY STOKE-ON …

BUT THE MOST MEMORABLE THING

THE MOST IMPORTANT THING

WAS THE WONDERFUL FEELING WE HAD

THAT HERE WAS SOMEONE WAS NOT ONLY

A REALLY GOOD PHOTOGRAPHER

BUT A REALLY GOOD MAN…

… A REALLY GOOD BAIZE LEGEND RUBY STAR

TOP GEEZER SMUDGE MAN!

ROBERT SMITH

I’ll conclude this week’s newsletter by quoting my favorite modern day author, Stephen King, from The Stand, The Complete and Uncut Edition.

This morning, before first light, she had crept up to the attic, where her father’s few possessions were stored in cardboard boxes. Her father had been a merchant seaman. He had deserted Irma’s mother in the late sixties. Irma’s mother had told Irma all about it. She had been perfectly frank. Her father had been a beast who got drunk and then wanted to rape her. They all did. When you got married, that gave a man the right to rape you anytime he wanted. Even in the daytime. Irma’s mother always summed up her husband’s desertion in three words, the same words Irma could have applied to the death of almost every man, woman, and child on the face of the earth: “No great loss.”

I’ll see you next week. Please keep reading!

Blog #17

November 29, 2024

What Really Happened to the Hat and the Gloves

As Elvis Costello crooned, “Everyday, every day, every day, I write the book… In chapters four, five, and six, I write the sequel”.

On Friday we celebrated the upcoming release of my nonfiction book by dining at Published on Main, which is one of Vancouver’s Michelin starred restaurants. We met up with Darrel Cook, who is not related to me, or my husband Philip Cook. Most people assume that we must be related though, because we have much more in common with Darrel than either one of us share with any of our actual blood relatives. The only exception to this rule is our child, Charlton Jeremy Cook.

We veered away from ordering the $101 cocktail, but if we ever win the lottery, I shall return to Published and order one. Here is the ten course menu that we enjoyed:

1^st

SNACKS

chef’s selection

2^nd

SQUID

Warm mushroom broth, parsley, fine herbs

3^rd

HIRIAMA

Truffle ponzu, kelp condiment, daikon

4^th

RAW SIDE STRIPE SHRIMP

Buttermilk, dill, malt

5^th

PICKEREL

Shellfish broth, brassicas

6^th

WINTER SQUASH

Pepita miso, koji butter, currants

7^th

BISON

Salsify, truffle, coffee

8^th

FOIE GRAS

beets, spekulatius

9^th

SUNCHOKE

apple, dulce

10^th

BLUEBERRY

Chocolate, spruce

The portions were small, so it wasn’t as much food as it seems. I am a fan of The Bear, which is a television series on Disney+. The Chef Du Parti at Published looks like Richie Jerimovich, the cousin of the Head Chef Carmine Berzolli. The beautiful Carmine must have been working hard behind the scenes in the kitchen!

The weather in Vancouver, Canada, has been good, despite the dire forecasts of Bomb Cyclones, and Atmospheric Rivers. We went for a walk in the River District on Saturday and took many beautiful pictures on my new iPhone 16.

Until next week, here is a quote from my favorite band, The Cure “I leave you with photographs”.

Blog # 18

December 6, 2025

What Really Happened to the Hat and the Gloves

Something has changed within me. Today I’m Galinda. Tomorrow I might be Elphaba. I can’t stop thinking about Wicked, Part One, since I saw it at the Imax theatre last Wednesday. It was visually stunning, and the story was perfectly told by Ariana Grande, Cynthia Erivo, Jonathan Bailey, and Jeff Goldblum, who was the greatest Wizard there ever was. If you can’t go to the theatre to see the movie, the soundtrack is available. I have been listening to it nonstop, only alternating with Songs of a Lost World, by The Cure. While I decorated the house for Christmas, I spent One Short Day, in the Emerald City. I planned what the Wizard and I would do when we met. I went Dancing Through Life with the Scarecrow, who explained that “Life is painless, for the brainless”. I had a high school friend try to teach me how to be Popular, but she didn’t succeed anymore than Galinda’s well-meaning effort did with Elphaba. Elphaba just continued being green. When they first became roommates at the College of Shiz, Galinda and Elphaba were overcome by feelings of Loathing. But everything changed when Galinda was kind to Elphaba’s sister Nessa. Elphaba did receive an invitation to meet the Wizard. Elphaba invited her best friend to come with her to the Emerald City. When we first meet the Wizard of Oz, he is handsome, charming, and can sing and dance. But Elphaba immediately saw right through him. She said to the Wizard,” You need me, because you have no power.” Jeff Goldblum looked right into the camera and replied, “Exactly.” But Elphaba had really done it this time. Galinda was terrified. She said to her friend Elphaba, “I hope you’re happy now.” Part one of Wicked ended with Elphaba Defying Gravity. If you care to find Elphaba, look to the Western Sky! I will have to wait until next year to return to Oz.

The house is now decorated for Christmas. I have been busy writing this week. I have submitted another manuscript to Atmosphere Press. I am still writing the book, because two chapters of my nonfiction work are still unwritten.

What Really Happened to the Hat and the Gloves was released on December 3^rd. I will be doing a reading with Atmosphere Press on January 7^th, at 3:00 pm Pacific Standard Time.

Here is the latest review of my book!

Buy on AmazonBuy Locally

What Really Happened To The Hat and The Gloves

Category:	Memoir
Author:	Cynthia Cook
Publisher:	Atmosphere Press
Publication Date:	December 3, 2024
Number of Pages:	46
ISBN-13:	979-8891324558
ASIN:	B0DK2JX165

Cynthia Cook’s book, What Really Happened to the Hat and the Gloves, delivers a complex story of familial conflict, deception, and the subjective nature of truth. The narrative is centered around Marion, a wealth-possessing yet mentally declining matriarch. Her son, Shane, and his partner, Sunshine, attempt to care for her while struggling with the intricate dynamics involving Marion’s sister, Candace, and brother-in-law, Paul, who are purportedly involved in the destruction of a cherished hat and the acquisition of heirloom gloves under false pretenses. The plot unravels through personal testimonials from key characters, painting a multifaceted perspective on the incidents concerning the titular hat and gloves. With each chapter, characters divulge competing narratives, wrestling over events clouded by Marion’s Alzheimer’s and familial tensions. The gloves, beaded by Marion and Candace’s grandmother, carry sentimental value and symbolize the enduring conflicts and mistrust within this family dynamic. Intertwined with Sunshine’s emotional past, the hat accentuates deeper layers of resentment and perceived betrayal, especially when Marion accuses Candace of malicious intent. Can this family uncover and embrace the truth amid the chaos of illness?

The setting spans Canadian locales like Vancouver and Park City, providing a geographical dispersal that mirrors the emotional distances within the family. Despite these vibrant and dynamic settings, the story remains rooted in the interpersonal spaces that govern family ties. This is juxtaposed with Marion’s mental landscape, which is both familiar and disorienting—a reflection of her diminishing cognition. Thematically, the book examines a patient’s memory’s reliability, the faltering grasp of reality versus perception in declining mental health, and the destructive potential of assumptions and half-truths. Candace and Paul’s narrative exposes the often selfish and blindsides of familial love, constrained by personal histories and misunderstandings. The novel weaves a web of perspective, demonstrating how each character’s truth is saturated with bias and recollection, challenging readers to ponder the authenticity of the so-called “facts.” The characters are unforgettable. Marion is a tragic embodiment of vulnerability, burdened with failing health and trust issues. Shane struggles to balance familial loyalty and personal beliefs. Sunshine, though in a caring profession, is caught in a whirlwind of loss and damaged pride exacerbated by external familial forces. What Really Happened to the Hat and the Gloves is a true story that is impeccably crafted, loaded with pathos, and features likable characters. It is a breezy read that is heavy with emotional currents.

Reviewed By: Jayne Anne Rooney

Date: December 5, 2024

https://thebookcommentary.com/review-preview/1517/what-really-happened-to-the-hat-and-the-gloves

I’ll see you next week! In the meantime, please keep reading, keep calm, and listen to The Cure

What Really Happened to the Hat and the Gloves

Blog #19

This is you invitation to my Zoom reading of my nonfiction book on January 7. 2025 at 3:00pm Pacific Standard Time. Please join me for what will be my first reading, but hopefully not my last!

You are invited to a Zoom meeting.
When: Jan 7, 2025 03:00 Pacific Time (US and Canada)

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

That’s all my news for this week! Please keep reading, keep calm, and listen to The Cure!

Blog #20

December 20, 2024

What Really Happened to the Hat and the Gloves

Cynthia Cook Author of What Really Happened to the Hat and the Gloves

Hi there,

You are invited to a Zoom meeting.
When: Jan 7, 2025 03:00 PM Pacific Standard Time (US and Canada)

Register in advance for this meeting:
https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZMuduuoqT0pHNaDWbbLad5YBRv9hGP4HMnK

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

Here is the link to my book’s listing on NetGalley: https://www.netgalley.com/catalog/book/528087

I thank all my Canadian friends who have expressed interest in my first nonfiction book. It is now available to order on Amazon.ca in hardcover for $40 Cdn.

We had an enjoyable weekend in Seattle, celebrating my birthday! We had dinner at Place Pigalle, in Pike Place Market, on Friday. Seattle had windy and rainy weather on my birthday, which was Saturday. But that didn’t prevent us from having brunch at Lowell’s in Pike Place Market, and spending the evening at Jazz Alley! First we a had Prime Rib dinner, and then we were entertained in style by The Spinners. They were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2023, and their many hits include Could It Be I’m Falling in Love, It’s a Shame, and I’ll be Around.

That’s all my news for this week; please keep reading!

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