Reading in the Garden

  The Forbidden Field of Medicine for Women A woman trying to pursue her passion in a time when it was illegal for her to be surgeon was fascinating.  It made me realize not just how much women’s roles in healthcare have evolved, but also the enormous challenges and discoveries in the medical field of a bygone era. Hooray for Nora, who quickly won my respect, and later my full admiration!   It’s the middle of the nineteenth century in London, and the cholera epidemic left little Nora an orphan.  Dr. Croft took her into his home, under his wing where she immersed herself into learning all about the medical field. Yet in that time and age, Nora was not allowed to become a surgeon as she wanted, and even Dr. Croft’s medical license could be in jeopardy if anyone knew how involved she was.  This dilemma hanging over their heads eventually becomes an imminent threat.  What will Nora do? What will Dr. Croft do?  What will their new, young assistant doctor do when all their livelihoods and re

  A Real-life Horror Story An Antarctic expedition turns into a real-life horror story. The crew of the  Belgica  is mentally and physically pulled to the brink of hell when their ship is stuck in powerful and unforgiving ice for a year. An amazing tale of survival that made me shiver just imagining what they endured!   In 1897 the  Belgica  sets sail on an expedition which is met with drama before even reaching Antarctica. Insubordinate, gun-wielding sailors and the ship running aground could have been clear omens that this voyage was destined for tragedy. Yet the mission continues on with hair-raising results.  After the commandant’s betrayal, the crew cannot escape the icy nightmare they find themselves in. Helplessly, they watch as the polar nights descend on them like a coffin lid, leading some to madness while almost everyone is plagued with a mysterious, debilitating illness.    Although the destination of the South Pole was not reached, the ordeal of their journey will forever