Although, it’s not strictly true in that while there is nothing structured, and filled with good content, there are still a few things on my mind.
Like how insanely frustrated I am with the recent changes to the stats page. I am sure someone loves the new feature but it’s not me. There are three little pieces of information that could fit in 1/2 inch horizontal space but no, it has to take up 3 inches, at least, meaning I have to scroll back and forth to see the information pertinent to me.
The irony in all of this is my recent decision to share only positive rather than negative thoughts and opinions. It didn’t take long for that good intention to fly out the window.
The whole negative-thoughts decision was related to my less than glowing assessment on several recently read books. My insecure mindset viewed the weak response to the post as a good indicator that I should stick to compliments. The old adage, if you can’t say something nice don’t say anything at all.
The thing is – not all books are created equal. In truth, there are probably fewer well written books than there are not-so-well written. Like anything else in life some of us find certain tasks easier than others do. There is nothing wrong with that. In the end though, talent is one thing but willingness to do the hard work is the magic key. So, while not all books are great, I don’t need to comment on them. I’ll just keep quietly removing them before sharing a recently read and enjoyed post. Besides it not like I have a large audience and my opinion matters to the masses.
I am envious of one blogger I follow, she can, and often does, declare loudly about hating a book. She says it and we smile. I don’t have that gift, wish I did (big smile.)
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So, on to read and enjoyed.
Last night I finished Book 1 in a series and loved it. Kindle has a new feature that groups series together. It turns out, using this feature, I have Book 2 as well. I do remember starting it but having trouble making a solid connection. Now that I’ve read book one the beginning of book two is making more sense to me. Hopefully it will turn out to be as good as book one.
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Final thoughts on the rant we started out with.
Years ago we lived near a talented friend with an amazing voice. He loved to participate in community events singing solos of all kinds. We all thought he could have made it in the music industry if he wanted. He could have but he didn’t have the want to or the drive and dedication needed to make it happen. We’ve seen others with less talent who did make something special out of their gift.
We’ve seen it happen in other areas of life too, where the most talented weren’t the most successful.
It’s amazing how much of our success depends on the way we think and the way we act. A revolutionary thought.
A major snow storm rolled in this afternoon and we went from zero to lots in short order. It is beautiful enough to keep the blinds open and the porch light on. We have had snow already this season but this right here is the real start of winter.
The window has freckles.
I was watching the snow and reading a good book. A perfect night.
I miss the mountains. I lived my whole life in British Columbia Canada up until 2012 when I moved to Manitoba Canada. Where the land is flat. Not perfectly flat but much flatter than I was used to. I miss them everyday.
That’s why I like to follow a YouTube channel I discovered close to 2 years ago when they had major flooding in BC. There is a major highway running north and south through the rugged mountains and the damage was severe. The highway follows the river running through the tight valley and the overflow took huge chunks of the highway and some of the bridges along with it.
I’ve travel this highway many times over the years and the scenery is amazing. Flying over the area gives a whole different perspective, one I’d never had until now.
This is an update video showing us how the highway has been repaired and traffic is flowing again. If you check out their channel there are lots of videos showing the original damage and subsequent efforts to get traffic moving again.It’s amazing the way they’ve managed to get it done so quickly. Many predicted it would be many years, construction in the mountains is no small feat.
The truckers are pretty happy to have it fully open, a least parts of it anyway since it is a major truck route. They did manage to have one half of the highway open to two way traffic fairly early on but two separate parts is so much better with the heavy traffic this route experiences.
Enjoy this update on the newly opened portion. Be sure to check out their other videos as well. They are an adventuresome bunch and they are entertaining to listen to. They live in the area so they are familiar with the good sights and can show us things we would never experience without them.
I’m still not sure what an atmospheric river is but I gather it’s a big storm that could bring flooding with it. Parts of the highway are about down at river height and flooding could be an issue with more damage. Fingers crossed.
Not a lot going on in my mind tonight. There were a few book suggestions in the mailbox today but there was nothing new or interesting. No must haves, which was too bad because they are the best ones. I have worked my way quickly through several books but they weren’t the kind I was excited to talk about. They were OK but not that exciting.
That’s just how life goes sometimes. Nothing is great all the time. There are highs and lows flowing through every area of our lives on a regular basis. The best thing about the lows, they make the highs seem that much sweeter.
So, I wanted to post something tonight but there was no enthusiasm about figuring out what to say. That got me thinking about other bloggers, especially the ones we never see anymore. Maybe that’s what’s happened with them . . . they were discouraged and lost interest. Maybe life overshadowed the importance of keeping up with posting. I can think of many reasons why blogging could cease to be. It makes me sad though. I have a feeling that the reasons most have faded away were because of discouragement of one kind or another.
Anyway, the longer I dwell on the subject the longer the list grows for missing faces, figuratively speaking of course. Not everyone uses self-portraits. I always kind of envy those secure enough to post their picture.
Well, I think it’s time to go, I’ve run out of things to talk about.
Tomorrow is another work day and it’s Friday. The days and weeks are flying by much too quickly.
I need a picture of some sort on here so I will leave you with the cover of my current read. It isn’t riveting but it is interesting.
The past is all she has… Since her husband’s death three years ago, Violet has struggled to keep their antique store afloat and her grief at bay. She knows it’s time to move on, but she’s not sure she wants to. So when Nate moves in next door, she tries to ignore the feelings he stirs in her—feelings that were supposed to have died with her husband.
The past haunts him… Nate’s star was rising in the world of Christian music. But all that was erased with a single, life-shattering mistake. One he doesn’t deserve to be forgiven for. One that means he doesn’t deserve a future—and definitely not with his beautiful new neighbor.
Can they have a future? As the two work together to save her store, neither can deny the feelings that are starting to develop. But when Nate’s secret is exposed, they have to decide if they should walk away—or trust that the God of second chances has a plan for their future.
Photo by Esranur Kalay on Pexels.com Precious Memories
Last post (October 8th) ended with the promise to-be-continued. I was attempting to publish before midnight to avoid breaking the daily posting chain, that was the reason for the abrupt ending. Needless to say I was too late and we are back to the beginning, again. It was a valiant try, I have to say.
So, I was part way through telling the story of my trip to the grocery store for my contribution to our turkey dinner today. I was working through my list and was having trouble finding the canned cranberry sauce that goes so well with turkey. It’s tart and makes for a nice pairing.
Anyway, here’s the part that was unusual and unforgettable. I spied a young woman stopped in the middle of the aisle looking over her grocery list and I decided to ask her if she knew where the cranberry sauce was. (they keep changing things around just about the time you figure out where things are) It appeared that her family didn’t have cranberry sauce as a tradition because she didn’t really know what I was talking about. I was at a loss as to how to describe it. In a way it is in a category all it’s own. Cranberry is a fruit that it is cooked up like the jam you would put on toast but it is used more like the mustard and ketchup you would add to a sandwich or spread on a hot dog bun. How in the world do you describe that to someone?
We were in the canned fruit aisle and after a complex discussion she thought it was at the end on the top shelf. I said I would check it out but continued on down the aisle away from the section she was describing. I was thinking that sometimes they have racks of seasonal things like cranberry sauce closer to the meat department and thought I would look there first. The cream cheese was on my way there and I was stopped, looking it over, when someone approached me from behind.
It was the young woman with a jar in her hand. She had gone back to look over the section she had in mind and found what she thought I was looking for. It was cranberries alright. A fancy version I had never seen before but it looked like it would work.
As I think back, the memorable thing about the encounter was her kindness. She took the time to look for the item I needed and then made the effort to find me and make sure this was what I wanted. What I expected was the usual response where people consider the discussion closed and continue on with their shopping. To have someone go to these lengths for a stranger and to fully engage like she cared was truly amazing. And deeply touching. I think there was a connection we both felt in that moment.
There were clues that we moved in different circles and probably had different life experiences. I knew that when I approached her. But it didn’t matter to me. I looked her in the eyes when we talked and it was a comfortable discussion, it didn’t matter to her either and we were contributing equally.
These encounters don’t happen nearly often enough but when they do they are unforgettable. Something significant passes between us and I, for one, will remember.
Sometimes it’s as little as catching someone’s eyes and smiling. This doesn’t seem like much but a smile can make our day.
It’s true that we all have a need to be seen. Not for show sake but for the deep need in our lonely or hurting hearts.
I will never forget a shopping trip where a father and son came around the end of an aisle I was waiting to go down. The encounter was seconds long and as they passed me I looked into the eyes of the man in the wheelchair and then into the eyes of the older man I assumed was his father pushing it. It shook me to my core. The meeting felt like it was meant to be. I can’t express what I saw in their eyes. I just knew they needed someone to look in their eyes and see them. To see their pain. I had no idea who they were or anything about them but I don’t think I will ever forget.
Looking into strangers eyes is not something I do often. I’m an introvert and making eye contact is not always easy or comfortable. I am open to the possibility though and as a result all of the memorable encounters have been spontaneous. Maybe my radar is set to recognize hurting people, I don’t know, but when I feel an inner urge to look up I go for it.
I mention this doesn’t come naturally because it would be easy to assume this is just an everyday part of who I am, and that not everyone is like me. Contrary to these impressions it isn’t easy for me. Anyone can do it if they are aware of people around them and are willing to be there for them in some small way. It’s worth it when you make contact with someone needing a smile and maybe a hello. I have many spontaneous encounters I could share and I’ve even joked about writing a book about what, in the moment, feels like a divine encounter.
In another setting I have discovered the importance of thoughtful eye contact.
I think it started out for me as self-protection, looking people in the eye to gauge their intentions for good or evil. To this day there continues to be some element of protectiveness in place when speaking to people I don’t know well. This is where the contact starts, but then it continues to a different level because now I’m interested in what they are saying, or not saying, and I want to know who they are. Some folks are uncomfortable with the intensity of such contact but most of the time it is welcomed and the response often turns into lengthy conversations. The truth is that most people are starving for meaningful contact. We all have a deep need to be seen, heard, and understood.
It still shocks me how deep the needs are out there.
Maybe this recognition of need comes easily to me because I have my own life’s deep unmet need. It takes one to know one as the old saying goes. Multiple interactions have also reinforced the certainty in my mind and heart.
Years ago there was a man who was convinced I was in love with him. I asked him why he would think that. He said it was because I treated him like he was a human being. He felt seen, heard, and worth something. I’m convinced he wouldn’t have thought that way if he was without an unmet need.
I think that was the beginning of the starvation awareness for me. I wish more of us would catch this vision, especially in everyday relationships. Just think of the positive revolution that could happen and what it would mean if we felt secure and valued and offered the same to others.
Have you noticed the deep need phenomenon in people around you?
They say it is more blessed to give than receive. It’s true.
There is something magical that happens inside of us when we set aside our own needs and step up to be there for others.
So this is the rest of the cranberry story. Like other past encounters I’m sure I will have a hard time forgetting this sweet young lady. I don’t even want to. I’m sure our few minutes together will reside in my precious memories box forever.
For a Monday morning things were not going well. Last week I missed garbage pick-up, not an uncommon occurrence since I don’t put it out every week, and I needed to get it done this week. Pick up days move ahead one day every time we have another statutory holiday. That messes me up so much that I’ve stared leaving a note in a prominent place to jog my memory. I remembered this time. As a double check I even remembered to look out to see what the neighbors had done.
The street was clear, not a single garbage can to be seen anywhere. Maybe it’s too early. I checked the time. This was very strange, someone always get their stuff out early before anyone else. Nothing. I checked back a few more times, still nothing.
Maybe I’m wrong about the day. I’ll check the online garbage schedule just to be sure Monday is October pick-up day. Nope, not wrong, Monday is the right day. This is so bizarre, what is going on? I think I’m going out of my mind. Maybe everyone slept in, give it some time..
Still nothing. People in this neighborhood are dependable. Some of them can be counted on to be first out every time. What am I missing? There has to be an explanation. Maybe I have the date wrong or something. The date looks right. Doesn’t it? Maybe I need to look closer, the font it so small it’s hard to tell for sure. Hover over the date, bend down and squint, look closer. It’s SUNDAY.
I was positive it was Monday. It’s month end and I have been burning the midnight oil to beat a work deadline (because I left it to the last minute) and was feeling good to be all ready to roll first thing this morning. Finding out it was only Sunday still seems unbelievable. One the other hand it’s a huge relief.
Reading until 4 AM does not make for a good start on a Monday morning. What was I thinking?
All bets are on me forgetting it’s garbage day tomorrow. Remember the day before, forget on the day. I have to find a new way to keep from messing this up. A boxing glove that flies out and hits me upside the head would work.
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Here is the book I lost sleep over. Such a good read. I loved it. And laughed, The sense of humor was awesome.
When a man arrives at the Bleecker Street Inquiry Agency, anxious to hire them to find a missing heiress, Eunice Holbrooke realizes her past has finally caught up with her . . . and that she may no longer be able to hide under the disguise that has kept her safe for so long.
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I think I’ll stop fighting sleep and go back to bed. At least that’s the plan. Unless something sidetracks me.
First, I have to say it’s a bookless day, So sorry about that. And, I probably should have called this a Thisand That day because it may turn into that, you just never know.
It all started with a knock on the door. For the second day in a row.
Unexpected knocks on the door usually end up with people selling something or other that I don’t want or need and knowing that, I don’t care to answer. Maybe the reluctance is not liking to say no, even though I want to.
That’s what happened on the first day. I’ve never had someone be as persistent as this lady. She obviously knew I was here because she looked in the side window and could see me sitting at the table, typing away. After the fourth knock I went to the door and opened it a crack. She asked me a question. It was not a conversation I wanted to have so I slowly closed and locked the door walking away. I couldn’t believe did it. I still can’t. But I’m glad I did. It was better for both of us, at least from my perspective.
The next day there was a knock again. This is an unusual experience at my house y’all. And when it does happen I try to peek to see if it’s someone I know. I rarely answer the door so to do it two days in a row is unheard of.
This time there was man standing at a respectful distance from the door. He was holding something in his hand that looked suspiciously like election handouts. Sure enough they were. This confident professional man was running for school board and wanted to know if he could leave a brochure.
It’s kind of hard to say how the conversation veered from school board into a broader political conversation but it did. I’m not even sure how I had the audacity half way through to ask him what his political affiliation was, but I did. I couldn’t believe I did it and I don’t think he could either. To his credit he did answer carefully. Maybe he was trying to avoid being trapped in a negative situation.
It was good, we covered a wide range of subjects relating to politics in Canada and other places. I’m sure we don’t see eye to eye on everything but it was a positive experience. Several times before he left he commented on enjoying the experience. I did too. It isn’t often I get to have a conversation with someone that invested in the topic.
The coolest thing of all though, as I thought about it later, was that I got to say, spontaneously, things I’ve wanted to say to a politician for a very long time. I realize he is at the school board level but our city isn’t that big and I’m sure he has opportunities to meet up with our federal member of parliament now and then. He may even remember some of our conversation and things I was hoping he would pass on. Like be brave and stand up to people with crazy ideas. Say no when no needs to be said.
This was one time I was glad I answered the door.
I am learning to say no more often too. This usually generates even more I can’t believe I just said that moments. Love it.
Frost. We’ve had the first one of the season and it’s only September 27, 2022. I wonder when the first snow will fly. I’m sad to see summer leave but… winter has it’s own charm.
Everything is still green although with the change in weather it probably won’t be for too much longer. It’s hard to tell though. Every year seems to have a different timetable.
So, I’m just popping in for a short while. My current book is a page turner and it’s not easy to break away long enough to write anything of any consequence. I’m loving the story. I love the characters, the setting, the story line, but most of all I love that it makes me laugh out loud. And long sometimes. A good laugh is good for the soul and this book does it for me. I’m going to be sad when it ends. That said, the joy of the read will soon win out over the sadness.
This is the kind of story where you forget you are reading a book and find yourself living life along with the characters. The last week or so we’ve been staying at the country estate having a house party, but the guests have all suddenly departed, a sign it’s time to go back to the city. We have a murderer to flush out and catch. Well, a potential murderer. He or she, (we haven’t ruled anyone out yet,) has made several attempts on Herman’s life but so far hasn’t succeeded. We don’t want them too either.
Personally, I think it is the grandmother’s friend. He is a doctor and some of the coddling he does to his patient/friend seems a bit manipulative. He may have a reason to want the grandson out of the picture. We’ll see if I’m right about him, or if I’ll change my mind before the end.
Miss Daphne Beekman is a mystery writer by day, inquiry agent by night. Known for her ability to puzzle out plots, she prefers working behind the scenes for the Bleecker Street Inquiry Agency, staying well away from danger. However, Daphne soon finds herself in the thick of an attempted murder case she’s determined to solve.
Mr. Herman Henderson is also a mystery writer, but unlike the dashing heroes he pens, he lives a quiet life, determined to avoid the fate of his adventurous parents, who perished on an expedition when he was a child. But when he experiences numerous attempts on his life, he seeks out the services of the eccentric Bleecker Street Inquiry Agency to uncover the culprit. All too soon, Herman finds himself stepping out of the safe haven of his world and into an adventure he never imagined.
As the list of suspects grows and sinister plots are directed Daphne’s way as well, Herman and Daphne must determine who they can trust and if they can risk the greatest adventure of all: love.
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This is definitely a favorite read. Five stars, for sure.
It’s still a bargain too if you are tempted. I hope you are because you will love it.
“an edge of your seat-do not expect to put it down adventure!”
When Grey returns to his small Wisconsin hometown on the shore of Lake Superior to care for his beloved great-aunt, he’s determined to seek forgiveness for his past. But as he falls into an unlikely romance, danger looms on the horizon…
But one truth many don’t realize until it’s too late—vengeance can be dangerous. A suspenseful love story of redemption and second chances from a Carol Award–winning author, you don’t want to miss.
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My new read is one of our recent downloads. I’m quite enjoying the experience. Sometimes there is a sameness in stories that leave you feeling like you’ve read it before. That is missing this time. The story feels fresh to me in so many ways
Western Hearts: A Sweet Cowboy Romance (Cowboys of Aspen Valley Book 1)
Two promises. Two tests of faith and love.
Kip made a promise to his dying brother, but cowboy life didn’t prepare him to run a ranch, deal with a rebellious kid sister, and raise twin boys.
Upon first meeting, Kip mistakes Nicole for the new housekeeper hired so his kid sister can avoid her work, then he realizes her true purpose is taking the boys away.
Nicole has a will from her sister – the boys’ mother – giving custody of the twins to her father. Not willing to tear the kids away from everything familiar, she agrees to stay for a getting-to-know-you period.
But the boys aren’t the only ones she’s getting to know, and Nicole finds herself falling for the ruggedly handsome cowboy.
Can something beautiful grow between them or will cross-purposes kill what could be before it truly begins?
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What do you know. I didn’t expect to talk about books today and look what happened anyway. Probably because my nose has been in a book more today than it has in weeks and that’s where my thoughts are.
Winter is coming soon and I was out pruning one of the smaller trees. It was overtaking the flower bed and was it a heavy job, at least it was for me. Now I’m relaxing with a book giving my muscles a chance to recover, I’m feeling very pleased to have that chore done, we could have snow in another four weeks and it would be too late.
Thinking back, it seems like the leaves were already falling by this time last year. We have had so much rain this summer that the grass is still green and the trees are not letting go of their leaves. When they do come down there will be a massive pile. Although, the tree pruned today lost all it’s branches including leaves so that will be one small pile that won’t need to be raked.
It was a sunny, warm day to be out in the yard and it was a mood lifter.
I have to specify it was sunny and warm because around here it can very easily be sunny and cold. There could be another warm day yet this year but we can’t count on it. Make the most of what you have sounds like a good idea to me. Not that I always do but at least my intentions are good.
A bookless day. I’m sad, kind of. It’s exciting to have more books but I don’t need more today, it’s all good.
I have nothing exciting in mind to share either but I feel like posting. I guess I’ll just talk and see what happens.
I like to watch newsy videos on YouTube. The suggestion strip down the side is great but it changes whenever I pick something to watch and then try to come back for the next one which has, of course, disappeared . This is frustrating. Today I decided to use the watch-later flag and went through the list picking out a whole bunch. I’ve done this before, thinking I needed to go back to the list to see the next one. This decision didn’t work all that well. Everything seemed to be messed up somehow and nothing worked the way I thought it would.
Today I decided to let it do it’s own thing and, surprise, surprise, it played through the whole list of flagged clips, automatically. The irony is I would have discovered this feature last time if I had been paying attention instead of insisting on doing things my own way. I like it their way, much more efficient. And less frustrating.
I enjoy watching a bunch of different people but picking one causes the algorithm to change the suggestion strip based on what it decides I want to see. More clips from whatever source I picked first. It will be fun flagging a bunch of different sites all at the same time throwing a wrench in his algorithmic brain cogs. Is that even possible?
I’ll end with my current read. I’m liking it but will admit to skimming rather than read every word. Not a bad thing as I can get through the book and on to the next one faster that way.
To save a woman from being kidnapped, Officer Chris Fuller and his K-9 partner, Teddy, have no choice but to let the fugitive they’re tracking get away. But when the escaped murderer returns to hunt tour pilot Lexie McDaniels again, Chris knows the attempted kidnapping wasn’t a chance encounter.
Lexie won’t be safe until he catches the criminal…but are her secrets what is endangering them all?
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I’m a third of the way through this and should be on to another book tomorrow. Maybe we will even have new book suggestions tomorrow too. We just never know.
For the Love of Books 