Tea. Toast. and Trivia.

S4 E16: Lily Style on Horatia’s Secret and Bringing the Past Alive in Stories

“Horatia Nelson Ward has a terrible secret. She is the illegitimate daughter of British hero Admiral Lord Nelson, while her mother is the despised Lady Hamilton. And if she claims her heritage to redeem herself, she’ll ruin her children. Her silence is tearing her apart. Concerned loved ones coax her to disclose. But a sixty-year-old promise of silence seems impossible to break.” Lily Style “Horatia’s Secret”

I am excited that Lily Style, writer, historian, and genealogist, and I are connecting the village of South Brent in Devon, Britain and Vancouver, Canada to discuss the remarkable life and legacy of Emma Hamilton, the great love of Admiral Lord Nelson.

Lily is the direct descendant of Admiral Lord Nelson and Emma Hamilton.  She explores the past to piece together the real human stories lying behind dry facts. She writes regularly for Nelson-related publications. Horatia’s Secret is her first historical novel.

Listeners, thank you for joining Lily and me on Tea Toast & Trivia.

And a special thank you, Lily for sharing your insights, your dedication to discovering the stories that have been hidden in the folds of history.  It has been a privilege to connect with you and I look forward to reading Horatia’s Secret.

Listeners, I invite you to connect with Lily on her website, Lily Style,  on Amazon,  Goodreads, Facebook, and Emma Hamilton Society.

Until next time we meet, dear friends, keep safe and be well.

I am heading across the ocean to Wales, that beautiful country full of magic, mystery, music, and great writers. I am excited to reconnect with one of those writers – Paul Andruss.

Paul is the author of the Young Adult magical realism trilogy, the Jack Hughes Books, and the forthcoming (very adult) Finn Mac Cool – a mythological saga. He has also written several short stories and novellas.

Over the past several months, Paul and I have been exploring the evolution of writing. What will the future bring in a world where different artistic disciplines are blurring: books to movies and the advent of gaming. How will different creative disciplines merge and cross over?  Or are they bounded by the current product format? These are the questions that will be discussed today.

Listeners, thank you for sharing this moment with Paul and me on Tea Toast and Trivia. I invite your to meet up with Paul on Goodreads and on his website, Jack Hughes Books.  You are only an internet click away from a daring and exciting adventure.

Music by David Celeste "Catharsis" Epidemic Sound

https://www.epidemicsound.com/track/7Y8Il1GyZs/

Living in the reality of Covid-19, travel has been curtailed, internationally as well as domestically.   While travel is coming back slowly, there are places that I will never visit in my lifetime.   Over the past months, I have found that travel is possible through the alchemy of technology.

Welcome to Tea Toast & Trivia – “The Virtual Journey” which will explore new horizons through the eyes of a friend.  As Marcel Proust reminds me, “The real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new landscapes, but in having new eyes.”

I am thrilled that H.S. Eglund has invited us to travel with him to The Erzgebirge, The Ore Mountain. I understand that there may be some time travel involved back to the Bronze age.

Eglund is an engineer, writer, journalist, and publicist. He worked as a science journalist and reporter in Africa for several German newspapers.  Since 2005, his focus has been on the environmental initiatives. As a specialist journalist for renewable energies, he works within media related to the ecological energy transition, first of all about solar energy

Time to put the kettle on and join the conversation on Tea Toast & Trivia. I am your host Rebecca Budd, and I am looking forward to sharing this adventure with you.

Thank you to you, Eglund, for an amazing travel adventure in The Erzgebirge.  I felt I was there in reality. You brought history alive in this conversation.

Dear listeners, thank you for joining Eglund and me on Tea Toast & Trivia.  Stay tuned for Eglund’s return for another stimulating conversation.

Music by Bonn Fields "Can You See The Stars From Here" Epidemic Sound

https://www.epidemicsound.com/track/h35mpxlwTx/

S4 E12: Shetland, Herring & The Gutter Lasses

Storytelling has been with us since ancient times beginning as an oral tradition.  When writing arrived, these oral stories would find new homes in stone, papyrus, and parchment. Found in every culture and civilization, stories have taken on the form of epic poems, chants, rhymes, and song.  It is one generation gifting their knowledge and wisdom to the next generation.

The gutter lasses have faded into history, but their story remains ever vibrant, a reminder that we are at our best when we build a community based on friendship and common purpose.  This then is the essence of belonging, to be affiliated with and accepted by others within a group.  To work together in difficult times, to share joys and sorrows, to show respect, to encourage and support each other in our personal journeys and aspirations.

S4 E11: Graciela Gonçalves Da Silva on Building Deeper Connections Through Art

I am beyond thrilled that I am travelling virtually to Los Angeles where I am meeting up with Argentine artist, Graciela Gonçalves Da Silva

Since 2004, Graciela has been developing images for graphic design, animation, videogames, comics, and toys. She has always felt comfortable expressing things through characters. She says that drawing is like breathing. One day she decided to go out and draw on the streets, and she has never stopped.

Thank you, Graciela, for sharing your insights, your journey, and your connection to the world through your artwork. Your dedication to building compassionate communities through artistic endeavours wherever you go inspires me and all those who have the privilege of meeting up with you.

Listeners, I invite you to connect with Graciela on her website, Animalitoland and Instagram .

Music by Emily Rubye "Finding Rain" Epidemic Sound

https://www.epidemicsound.com/track/LcXQhHd2MT/

Season 4 Episode 10: Marcelle Glock on The Wood Fired Ceramic Tradition Part 2

Welcome to Tea Toast & Trivia. Thank you for listening in.

Today, I am heading back to Mudge Island, located within the scenic Gulf Islands, between Vancouver Island and Gabriola Island.   Marcelle Glock, ceramist, and I are continuing the discussion on the wood fired ceramic tradition.

You will recall that Marcelle’s pottery and sculptures sit in private collections around the world. Her artwork encompasses stoneware, raku, and local wild terra-cotta.  Marcelle forms clay into extraordinary artworks – from functional to sculptural, wearable and oracle.  She imbues each piece with a primal reverence toward the natural world.

And a special thank you, Marcelle, for sharing your insights, your journey, and your connection to nature through the medium of clay.  Your continued awareness, respect and reverence for your art and the medium in which you work inspires me.  I know that you have encouraged listeners to recognize artistic endeavour is a calling and a responsibility

Listeners, I invite you to meet up with Marcelle on her website, Mad Mudslinger on Instagram  and YouTube.

Music by Ryan Freeman "Just Spend Time"  #EpidemicSound

https://www.epidemicsound.com/track/uu2jL8Mqaa/

S4 E9:   Stephanie Ladouceur on Staying the Course 

Welcome to Tea, Toast and Trivia. Thank you for listening in.

We live in a world that demands our time and energy.  These are precious and scarce resources.  There is only so much time and we have only so much energy.   Time to check in with my wellness coach, Stephanie from Bold Moves, for an energy boast and a great conversation on coaching for health and fitness.

So put the kettle on and add to our discussion on Tea Toast & Trivia.  I am your host Rebecca Budd and I’m looking forward to sharing this moment with you.

Thank you for joining Stephanie and me on Tea Toast & Trivia.  A special shout-out to Stephanie who keeps me focused and inspired by her dedication and enthusiasm for health and fitness.

One last thought comes from Winnie-the-Pooh: “A bear, however hard he tries, grows tubby without exercise.” A.A. Milne, Winnie-the-Pooh

Music by Pastis "Enjoy Your Heartbreak (Instrumental Version) #Epidemic Sound

https://www.epidemicsound.com/track/A2mcSsRSzx/