Title: One Damp Day
Author: Julie K Parrott
Publisher: XlibrisAU
ISBN: 978-1-5245-1563-8
Pages: 82
Genre: Literary Collections
Reviewed by: Beth Adams
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Pacific Book Review
One Damp Day is a treasure chest of rhymes and musings by author Julie K. Parrott. As on a damp day, the author did not want to do the clothes washing and mending, nor house cleaning, so she peeked under her bed and found a box of assorted writings; notes, memoires she had written over the prior years. Shuffling through them she thought to preserve her writings and thus begun the compiling of the poems and all of her tidbits into this book, so appropriately titled for the humid day which provided this creative spark. Adorned with drawings of a duck in various cartoon accoutrements, One Damp Day is now available for all to enjoy.
Many of Parrott’s writings deal with a wide variety of subjects which will be enjoyed by everyone. She writes about school, bullying, love, heroes and even death. I must say the beauty of her thoughts about having a loved one pass away are captured very eloquently in a piece titled Death. In my opinion this shows the maternal nurturing of Parrott’s kindness and wisdom, exemplified no doubt of her loss suffered by one in her own family, it articulates such warm emotions of dying. “It is only us who are left behind, who feel the pain as tears we cry,” she speaks of the passing of a loved one which is no longer in pain – those whom left us are not crying, but it is us left behind who are sad.
In one of her writings titled, Nine Days, Parrott tells about a very person “condition” endured at a time of her life; constipation. As she takes the reader day by day, hoping for relief, as one has to smile at the fine line of humor and sympathy expressed with both candid humility and descriptive personal thoughts about achieving “success” at the loo.
In the “Random Musings” section of her book, she reveals her fortitude of character as she takes on the many subjects which bring so much joy into her life. For example, the birth of her Grandchildren created the gift of life overwhelming her emotions; the depth of her romantic desires shows how deep she draws from her own heart; the ability to forgive is discussed with a discipline to aid and prevent epic situations from destroying relationships; plus so much more. This section alone becomes her guidelines for others to seek self-actualization, peace and harmony with their own lives, if they are wise enough to take her good advice.
Learning about the author from the back of the book makes it obvious the root culture of the humor which has inspired in her – she’s from Australia, hence the down-under attitude. From the other side of the pond comes this collection which will be a welcome addition to all family libraries and certain to be a favorite for bringing the joys of literary appreciation into the readers’ lives. What better friend than a cute little duck to lead you through the thoughts, memories and hopes in Julie K. Parrott’s imaginative world of writing as in One Damp Day.
