Fall graces us with beautiful colors.
Reds, oranges, and yellows are not the exclusive domain of spring and summer.
Each season is blessed with its own hues of color. Bright or pastel. They are all lovely.
Just as our lives have different seasons and each is lovely in its own way.
1. Who Rescued Who-Victoria Schade
Elizabeth loses her high-powered job but discovers family and gains a dog and a new career and life in the English countryside.
2. The Big Finish-Brooke Fossey
Duffy Sinclair lives in an assisted living facility. Life is predictable. Until his roommate’s granddaughter crawls in through their bedroom window one night and everyone’s lives change.
3. Separation Anxiety-Laura Zigman
A once successful author learns to deal with her own feelings and her dysfunctional family. This book was listed as funny, but I only found it to be sad and painful. I finished it but wish I had stopped when I thought about it.
4. The Banty House-Carolyn Brown
Three senior ladies living in Rooster, Texas take in a teen expecting a baby. They develop friendships and become a family.
5. Howloween Murder-Laurien Berenson
Melanie Travis and her standard poodle Faith search for who has poisoned the Halloween treats, causing the murder to look like it was committed by their friend.
6. A Walk Along the Beach-Debbie Macomber
A book about the Lakey sisters, their family, and love interests. A bit heart wrenching for a Debbie Macomber novel, but a good read.
7. The Geometry of Holding Hands-Alexander McCall Smith
Read about 100 pages and decided to give it up. Found myself wondering what I would read next every time I picked it up. Just not in the mood for it.
Magazines:
Yankee
Several of these books were excellent but if I had to pick a favorite, it would be Who Rescued Who. It made me wish that I lived in the English countryside.
I’ve been learning about the process of writing as I try to write a book. So far I’ve started at least four different ones. So I decided something needed to change since I obviously haven’t been able to maintain my focus. I’m doing two things differently and they seem to be helping.
Reading is always a help to me. So I am reading a book about how to write. It is a textbook sort of book. I read one chapter every day or so and then ponder the exercise at the chapter’s end. The book I chose is one I purchased some years ago called The Right to Write by Julia Cameron. Lots of good info. I would recommend it.
Secondly, I am writing longhand instead of typing on my laptop. Apparently the process requires different skills and can help with creativity. I discovered a number of famous authors do their first drafts with pen or pencil. This has helped me immensely. I don’t spend time trying to fix the things my computer points out as I go, instead of writing. The words seem to flow from my brain to the paper uninterrupted. As I finish a sentence, the next one forms in my brain on its own. I don’t know what is coming next until it pops in my mind. Pretty cool!
Who would have thought?
Books Read-August 2020
I don’t have a number one pick from this month’s books because they are all so different. It just depends what you are in the mood for. I find that as the weather cools and my gardening chores taper off, I am reading more. I am already on my fifth book for September with nearly two weeks to go!
Magazines:
Well, today I was NOT sitting in a lounge chair enjoying the patio. And not just because it was so hot.
First I helped tie up some loose ends from a construction project. Then I picked up nails from said project. After that it was time to pick green beans. Picking beans seems to be my new hobby. Either that or cleaning and snapping them.
This afternoon consisted of making rice pudding for this evening’s dessert and then working on cleaning up the office. I never did get around to writing which was the whole point of cleaning up the office.
Oh well, as a line from a great movie says (in a wispy southern accent), “Tomorrow is another day. “
Hello Dear Readers,
My brain has been working overtime on new ideas and I have not been able to make a decision, so I am asking for feedback and opinions. I plan to write a book, but I keep changing my mind as to what I should focus on. It will be non-fiction since my thought processes tend toward the technical. All those years as an environmental scientist served me well. I have started some books, but need to pick one and follow through. My choices for you are as follows:
I am interested to know which of these subjects is most appealing to you since I seem to be equally attached to all of them. And I may write about all of them but I have to start some where. If you have other ideas, feel free to mention those too!
Thanks for the input.
Surviving a pandemic is hard. Even if you aren’t sick. You have to socially distance and practice isolation as much as possible.
I have not been inside a grocery store since the beginning of March. Thank goodness for curbside pick up. And thank you to the shoppers who make it possible. There are many things I miss.
See that little notebook? It is how I cope. Every time I want to do something but realize that I can’t because there is a pandemic going on, I write what I wanted to do in the notebook.
Our memories are short. I don’t want to miss out on anything and I will surely forget some things. Now I have a record of them. I have a post-pandemic list of desires and goals ready and waiting for me.
It helps me to feel that I am not missing out. I just can’t do these things right now. But they are on my list.
Some examples
Your list may have different activities. But take heart dear ones, these restrictions will not last forever. One day we will be able to start work on our lists.
Peace to you.
Dear Readers and Friends,
In these trying times I think about you and hope that you are doing ok. For anyone who needs to hear it, and don’t we all, I care about you.
From my home to your’s, I wish you peace, prosperity, and good health.
I’m publishing my lists of books read for May and June together in this post. Since summer is here and there is lots of gardening to do and keep up with, I don’t have nearly as much time to read, so the lists are shorter.
If you could only read one of these books, I would recommend A Country Year by Sue Hubbell. She was a resourceful woman and a beautiful writer. I put this book back on my shelf, because I will want to read it again one day.
Books Read May 2020
1. Molly-Colin Butcher (Non-fiction)
The pet detective dog who searches for lost cats, and occasionally dogs and other animals.
2. Morning Comes Softly-Debbie Macomber
Southern librarian Mary answers an ad for a Montana rancher seeking a wife to help raise 3 orphaned children in his custody.
3. Table For Five-Susan Wiggs
School teacher Lily ends up helping raise her best friend’s three children after a tragic accident. The children’s uncle has custody and things turn interesting.
4. The Spirit of Covington-Joan Medlicott
Made it too page 79 and stopped. Not my cup of tea.
Magazines:
Books Read-June 2020
1. Killer Crab Cakes-Livia J. Washburn
Phyllis agrees to look after her cousin’s Texas B & B, and the murders start taking place.
2. Fool For Love-Beth Ciotta
Chloe heads to Vermont after a breakup with her cheating boyfriend. She makes a new life with her new free spirit boss and finds unexpected love.
3. A Country Year-Sue Hubbell (Non-fiction)
The author makes her own life as a beekeeper in the Missouri Ozarks. She lives in a rustic wood heated cabin with her two dogs and enjoys nature and the seasons. Beautiful insights into the natural world.
Magazines:
Country Living-2 isssues
This is what retirement looks like.
Cassius is a retired racing greyhound. He must have been a good racer. He didn’t come off the track until he was four years old. He won 18 racers, and placed and showed in others.
Given his prey drive, I imagine he enjoyed racing. Even so, he is the picture of peace and calmness with our cats and other dogs.
Cassius still enjoys a quick sprint around our fenced pasture and likes to play with his jolly ball. But his favorite thing is sleeping on the couch while maintaining body contact with his mama. That’s me.
We could all take a lesson on how to chill from retired racing greyhounds.
Sanctuary Acres 