A Quote from Dick Francis

I didn't write in my quote notebook which of Dick's books this came from. Sorry.

"... I learned something from you. I learned not to go around squealing when things weren't fair. I learned to shrug off small injustices and get on with the next thing and put my energies in the future instead of rabbiting about the past. I learned not to mind too much when things went against me."

A Hero of mine died today.

Photo of Dick and Felix Francis

From an article in the Telegraph (UK):
Dick Francis passed away at his Caribbean home in Grand Cayman, according to a short statement released through his publicist.

During the latter part of his life Francis became best known as one of the most popular British thriller writers, penning 42 novels based on the horse racing industry, as well as an autobiography, The Sport of Queens, and a biography of Lester Piggott.
But those achievements stemmed from a successful earlier career as a National Hunt jockey, winning over 350 races and being honored as Champion Jockey for the 1953/4 season.
He rode eight times in the Grand National, including for the late Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother, in 1956. On that occasion his horse, Devon Loch, collapsed beneath him as he appeared to be on course for victory.
A small funeral is planned at Francis's home in Grand Cayman, followed by a memorial service in London.
He is survived by two sons, Felix and Merrick.
Felix Francis said: "My brother, Merrick, and I are, of course devastated by the loss of our father, but we rejoice in having been the sons of such an extraordinary man. We share in the joy that he brought to so many over such a long life. It is an honor for me to be able to continue his remarkable legacy through the new novels.”
His wife Mary, to whom he was married for 53 years, died in 2000.

John Irving's A Prayer for Owen Meany

I've let John Irving slip past me somehow. Even though I've seen the movies made from "The World According to Garp" and "The Cider House Rules" and enjoyed them both. I don't know how I could have missed checking his work before now. In any case, I am reading the Owen Meany one and laughing out loud every little while. How wonderful to have a great author to discover (even if the rest of the world has already done so long ago). The first person character is Owen's best friend from early school days. Owen himself is a tiny person who comes off as bigger than life.

I'll have more to say when I finish the book. This is just a heads up.