Of mothers, viruses and Texas bluebells... an update!

Published: Tue, 02/25/20

I was incredibly touched by all the messages I received following my last newsletter. Thank you so much for all your prayers, caring and concern - and the good wishes for my mother's operation! <3

For all those who have been asking, I thought I'd give an update: I've been spending the last few weeks looking after my mother in Taiwan and I'm delighted to report that she has come through the spinal surgery smoothly and has been discharged from hospital. She is now recovering at home, although she will have limited mobility for a while yet.

Actually, the hardest thing for my mother was not being allowed to shower for the 2 weeks following her operation, in order to keep the surgical wound dry... which really made me think about all the things we take for granted and how precious simple and mundane things become when we can't have them. (Maybe there's a book in that! ;-) )

It was lovely seeing her delight when she was allowed out for her first walk and it's been very interesting for me accompanying her to rehabilitation classes to help rebuild her core muscles and strengthen her spine again... It made me realise how bad MY posture is, especially as I spend hours every day hunched over my computer, writing books! :P

Ironically, it's just as well that my mother isn't able to go out much, because avoiding crowded public places is probably a good idea at the moment, given the ongoing coronavirus outbreak.

I'm sure you're all worried about the epidemic too as many of you have been feeling the effects in your own countries - the atmosphere is certainly very tense in Taiwan. Everyone wears masks in public; many shops, restaurants and offices have someone stationed at the door with a thermometer to take your temperature before you're allowed inside, and you're obliged to disinfect your hands with alcohol sprays before entering. Well, I suppose it's good that so many precautions are being taken - hopefully Taiwan will be able to maintain the control it's had so far and prevent the terrible situation that's gripping some other countries where infection is spreading like wildfire.

Meanwhile, in lighter news, my husband tells me that back home, Muesli has been helping to look after my garden...! ;-)

In case anyone is wondering, those beautiful pink flowers are called 'Lisianthus' - also known as Prairie Gentian or Texas Bluebell, as they originated in the southern United States, Mexico, the Caribbean and South America.

I killed dozens of Lisianthus plants before I figured out that they like to remain dry - their roots rot really easily, so you have to water VERY sparingly! They're gorgeous and come in an array of beautiful pastel shades.

Here are some blooms I picked back in December last year (the start of our summer) for a vase in the house... don't they look remarkably like roses? No fragrance, though!

Well, hopefully the next newsletter I send you will say I'm back home in Australia and back in the saddle again! ;)

I'm hoping to finish writing TROWEL AND ERROR - Book 4 in my English Cottage Garden Mysteries, in time for release end March / early April.

And for those waiting for Book 7 in my Bewitched by Chocolate mysteries, that will be delayed until the second half of the year but I will do my best to get it to you as soon as I can.

Meanwhile - in case you missed any of them - here are my most recent releases:

Oxford Tearoom Mysteries: The Mousse Wonderful Time of Year (Book 10) Amazon | Amazon UK | Audible

Bewitched by Chocolate Mysteries: Double, Double, Toil and Truffle (Book 6) Amazon | Amazon UK | Audible

The English Cottage Garden Mysteries: Doom and Bloom (Book 3) Amazon | Amazon UK | Audible

** Plus - for any German-speaking readers:

Törtchen, Tee und Tod (Ein Oxford-Tearoom-Krimi 1) - the German edition of 'A Scone to Die For' - is out now, with Book 2 (Tee mit Milch und Mord) currently being translated and due for release soon.

I hope you are all taking care, and staying safe and healthy during these difficult times!

Thanks for reading - talk soon!

Hsin-Yi
(H.Y. Hanna)

Website: www.hyhanna.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/hyhanna.books

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