attitude of gratitude

 

Tuesday, April 28: The End

We’ve reached the end of our little "Non-Challenge" Gratitude experiment. When I started this, I promised there would be no points, no streaks, and no pressure. I just wanted to see if I could tilt my head a different way and notice the good stuff that’s already here.

Looking back at my posts over the last few weeks, from my reliable microwave to the series I'm enjoying, I’ve realized that gratitude isn't a destination. It’s more like a muscle. The more I practiced looking for those "background heroes" and "second-hand smiles," the easier they were to find.

Final Reflections:

• What I learned: I learned that even on the days where everything feels heavy, there is almost always a "nothing" problem to be thankful for (like the Wi-Fi staying connected or a good iced coffee).

• What I’ll keep: I’m going to keep looking for that small moment in the busyness of my day.  I'll keep adding to my gratitude journal (where I write three things daily).

The Final Prompt: What is one thing you’ve started noticing more because of this challenge?

Whether you joined in for every prompt or just read along silently, I’m so glad you were here. This blog has always been a place for me to figure out if "this is as good as it gets," and these last few weeks have convinced me that "this" is actually pretty wonderful.

finished reading

Is there such a genre as cozy romantasy?  If so, this fits.  It's a sweet romantic fantasy set in a witchy world.  I loved the quirky characters I don't often see in books, like neurodivergent or clubfooted.  And these characters weren't defined by their differences; the differences were one aspect of who they are. Anyhow, the diverse cast of characters created a delightful found family.  The Inn is a cozy, ramshackle refuge that magically invites worthy guests.  My favorite guest is Sir Nicholas of Mayfair, the young knight from the local medieval fair who champions the Inn.  The country setting, the quirky garden, and the zombie rooster Roo Roo were cozy--I wanted to stay.  

Once the quest to figure out the components of the power-restoring spell began, the action picked up.  I liked that the madcap plan sort of worked.  

From the publisher:

Sera Swan was once one of the most powerful witches in Britain. Then she resurrected her great-aunt Jasmine from the (very recently) dead, lost most of her magic, befriended a semi-villainous talking fox, and was exiled from her magical Guild. Now she (slightly reluctantly and just a bit grumpily) helps Aunt Jasmine run an inn in Lancashire, where she deals with her quirky guests' shenanigans, tries to keep the talking fox in check, and longs for the magical future she lost.

When she learns about an old spellbook that holds the secret to restoring her power, she turns to Luke Larsen, a gorgeous historian who might just be able to help her unlock the book’s mysteries. Luke, who has his own reasons for staying at the inn, never planned on getting involved in the madcap goings-on around him and definitely had no intention of letting certain grumpy innkeepers past his icy walls, so no one is more surprised than he is when he not only agrees to help, but also finds himself thawing.

Running an inn, reclaiming lost magic, and staying one step ahead of the watchful Guild is a lot for anyone, but Sera is about to discover that she doesn’t have to do it alone... and that the weird, wonderful family she’s made might be the best magic of all.

sunday stealing

 

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Five Things You Didn't Want To Know But I'm Telling You Anyway

1) Has anyone ever told you they would love you forever?  yes--we are no longer a couple

 

2) Who is the last person you were in the car with? Valerie, Lois, and Gail--it was a bookish adventure

 

3) Do you have big plans for tomorrow (Monday)? it's back to school after a lovely week of vacation

4) How long do you typically spend in the shower? probably ten minutes

 

5) What were you doing at 7 AM yesterday (Saturday)? getting ready for my bookish adventure

postsecret

 

PostSecret is an ongoing community art project where people mail in their secrets anonymously on one side of a postcard. I like to post one that speaks to me each week.

finished reading

I've read four or five books by Sally Hepworth, but this one feels a little different from her usual fare.  Maybe it's because this focuses on children and the foster care system.  I liked that each of the three main characters develops a distinct personality, and the sister dynamics are very real.  Miss Fairchild's character arc was, to me, predictable.  How her backstory unfolded was not a plot twist--I don't know if it was supposed to be, that's how obvious it was.

Adult Jessica, Norah, and Alicia were scarred from their foster experiences with the very volatile Miss Fairchild.  Their familial bond never left them, though.  

While the plot twists didn't quite catch me off guard, the heart of the story--the unbreakable link between three women who survived brutal forms of abuse--will stay with me.  It's a darker Sally Hepworth, but still chilling; the usual domestic suspense genre takes on a grittier, emotional core by exploring the foster system.

Interestingly, there are two competing views of the foster system:  Alicia's professional experiences as a dedicated, thoughtful, caring advocate, in contrast to how the system worked when she was a child.  Hepworth made the system more than a backdrop to the story.

From the publisher:

For as long as they can remember, Jessica, Norah, and Alicia have been told how lucky they are. As young girls they were rescued from family tragedies and raised by a loving foster mother, Miss Fairchild, on an idyllic farming estate and given an elusive second chance at a happy family life.

But their childhood wasn’t the fairy tale everyone thinks it was. Miss Fairchild had rules. Miss Fairchild could be unpredictable. And Miss Fairchild was never, ever to be crossed. In a moment of desperation, the three broke away from Miss Fairchild and thought they were free. Even though they never saw her again, she was always somewhere in the shadows of their minds. When a body is discovered under the home they grew up in, the foster sisters find themselves thrust into the spotlight as key witnesses. Or are they prime suspects?

A thrilling page-turner of sisterhood, secrets, love, and murder by New York Times bestselling author Sally Hepworth.

saturday 9

Good

Unfamiliar with this week's tune? Hear it here.

1) This song begins with a guy realizing he's home alone. Do you enjoy being all by yourself? yes!

2) He watches the sun throwing shadows on the floor. Which room in your home lets in the most sun? a toss-up between the spare bedroom and my bedroom--both have southern exposure (one east one west) 

3) He sings that he may write a letter to his ex. If you were inspired to send someone a handwritten message, do you have stationery or notecards on hand? What about first-class postage stamps? I have blank notecards and stamps

4) This week's band, Better Than Ezra, got their start in Baton Rouge. All the members attended LSU and played their first gig at Murphy's, a bar near campus. When you were in your early 20's, where did you and your friends go to socialize? we called it the Barmuda Triangle--the Mai Tai lounge, Champs (a sports bar), and Coppers (a wanna-be upscale lounge)

5) While the band refuses to disclose the origin of their name, many assume the "Ezra" they refer to is poet Ezra Pound. Do you often read poetry? fairly often--a few times per week

6) In 1995, when this song was popular, Michael Jordan "unretired" and returned to the Chicago Bulls. Tell us about a decision you wish you could undo. nothing comes to mind

7) Also in 1995, Phoebe Buffay first performed "Smelly Cat." Do you recall what show she sang on? Friends (one of my comfort shows)

8) Legendary New York Yankee Mickey Mantle died in 1995. How is your team doing so far this young baseball season? they played their first game of the season today and I haven't heard how they did--they won't return to school for a few more hours

9) Random question: What's in your garage, besides your car (lawn tools, holiday decorations, old paint cans, etc.)? sadly, I do not have a garage

finished reading

I haven't enjoyed a series in a while--where I finish a book and immediately move on to the next installment.  I am so caught up in Emma M. Lion's world that I just can't get enough.  Emma's quest to find employment is madcap and funny! I enjoyed the celebration of Emma's birthday as she finally came of age and is now the mistress of Lapis Lazuli House and of her destiny!  The Golden Age of Friendship with Islington, Pierce, and Hawkes is ramped up in this volume.  

From the publisher:

There is bedlam, and there is delightful bedlam.

This afternoon touched on the second, much to my pleasure.

The Year is 1884 and Emma M. Lion has, at long last, gained her majority. Entering a golden age of friendship with Pierce, Islington, and Hawkes, Emma is confident she will manage whatever comes her way. It is The Season she must help Arabella secure a husband, while navigating the threat of Aunt Eugenia, the unflagging adoration of Charles Goddard, and the amusing unpredictability of St. Crispian’s. But the secrets of her trusted friends are what might very well bring about disaster.

Emma M. Lion offers up her Unselected Journals, however self-incriminating they may be. Armed with wit and a sideways amusement, Emma documents the curious realities of her life at Lapis Lazuli House.

three on thursday

 

Thing one:  the weather has not cooperated very well for this vacation.  Otherwise, it's been a good week.

Thing two:  every day I had something going on--I haven't had a hurkle durkle day.

Thing three:  it was a stellar week for audiobooks:  I listened while I puttered!

finished re-reading

This book group re-read was as good the second time around.  What really stood out to me were parallels to The Wizard of Oz--the four main characters' found family feels reminiscent of Dorothy's adventure, although there is no wicked witch, there is an enigmatic "great and powerful Oz".  The book begins with a tornado interrupting travel plans.  When Ava, Ray, and Sasha set out with the little dog PJ, Sky eventually rounds out the band of travelers.  I especially enjoyed that this group of mismatched strangers shared their heartbreak and innermost thoughts, creating strong bonds.  The poppy fields themselves are what came to mind for the Oz-like sequence of sleeping.  The yellow-brick road takes the form of an ugly rental car.  There's even a hot-air balloon ride!

It will be fun discussing this with my book group.  Maybe I'm seeing things that aren't there, but we'll have a good time dissecting my theory.

From my original post:  

This book is an absolute must-read for a book club, offering themes and elements ripe for discussion. At its core, the novel introduces an intriguing speculative premise: a carefully vetted process designed to offer grief relief by allowing those who have suffered tremendous loss to essentially sleep through their pain.

While the concept touches on heavy topics--including medical ethics, the complexities of grief and loss, and the role of social media in modern life--the book never feels weighed down. The novel centers on the journey of four main characters who are drawn together on their quest toward the Poppy Fields. It's in creating this found family that the book truly shines. Each character brings a poignant and unique experience of loss, estrangement, and hope, which humanizes the abstract themes. This focus on personal, character-driven storytelling is a major strength, setting it apart from other, often more clinical and distant, works of speculative fiction in the same vein (I'm thinking Never Let Me Go or The Memory Police).   

The audio is particularly well done.

finished reading

For this fourth outing of the Marlow Murder Club, Judith, Suzie, and Becks are solving a mystery set on a Thames River cruise.  The suspects include members of the Marlow Amateur Dramatic Society and, well, there is drama along with mystery!  Judith, Suzie, and Becks have been specifically told by Tanika to not get involved in the investigation, so the trio finds ways to bend that edict.  This time, Suzie seems to cause the most chaos while Judith puts the pieces together.

This locked-room style mystery is clever--every suspect has a grudge against the victim plus a solid alibi.  And the MADS members are somewhat over-the-top, but, in all honesty, they are representative of people I've seen in my own town's community theater group: the grueling rehearsal schedule, the underappreciation for the technical director, and the diva behavior.

The chemistry between the three leads remains the best part of the series.  And I was kept guessing until the end!  The audio version is fantastic.

From the publisher:  

Verity Beresford is worried about her husband. Oliver didn’t come home last night so of course Verity goes straight to Judith Potts, Marlow’s resident amateur sleuth, for help. Oliver, founder of the Marlow Amateur Dramatic Society, had hired The Marlow Belle, a private pleasure cruiser, for an exclusive party with the MADS committee but no one remembers seeing him disembark. And then Oliver’s body washes up on the Thames with two bullet holes in him – it’s time for the Marlow Murder Club to leap into action.

Oliver was, by all accounts, a rather complicated chap with a reputation for bullying children during nativity play rehearsals, and he wasn’t short of enemies. Judith, Suzie, and Becks are convinced they’ll find his killer in no time. But things are not as they seem in the Marlow Amateur Dramatic Society, and this case is not so clear-cut after all. The gang will need to keep their wits about them to solve this case, otherwise a killer will walk free …

the reading nook

 

Tuesday, April 21: The Reading Nook

We are moving right along with our gratitude challenge. We’ve looked at our surroundings, our household "heroes," and the kindness of strangers. Today, we’re retreating into one of my favorite places: the world of words.

As a reader, I find that so much of my gratitude comes from the stories I get to disappear into. Sometimes it’s a specific book that felt like it was written just for me, and other times it’s a single sentence that perfectly captures a feeling I couldn't quite name.

The Prompt: Share a book that you are currently grateful for.

For me:

The Recommendation: I’ve been spending time with The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion recently, and I’m so grateful for the series. The way the author handles Emma's coming of age is just funny. It’s exactly the kind of story I needed this year, and especially this week.  

Whether it's a thriller that kept you up too late (in the best way) or a piece of literary fiction that made you stop and think, there’s so much to be thankful for on our bookshelves.

What are you reading right now that feels like a "win"? I’d love for you to share a recommendation or a favorite line in the comments.

currently

I am...

Reading: Murder on the Marlow Belle by Robert Thorogood

Listening to: Facebook reels

Thinking:  trying not to perseverate on the social media shitstorm

Feeling:   slightly anxious

Celebrating:  vacation week!

Grateful for:  very kind police personnel 

Enjoying:  a delightful Zoom meeting with a colleague from the University, where we discussed a book we might incorporate into our history classes

Weather:  34° and light snow 😠

A quote I want to share: 

finished reading

In this volume, Emma has some poignant moments dealing with grief amid her usual chaos and mayhem.  Her relationships with Young Hawkes, Islington, and Pierce are more fully developed.  I'm so curious to see if any of them turn romantic in nature, as all three have potential.  One of the hijinks Emma is involved in is the second favor Emma owes to ner'do well, Jack.  Learning about Guy Fawkes Day was entertaining as the neighborhood's traditional celebration took place.  

I want to live in Emma's world.

From the publisher:

I took Treasure Island to church with me as a talisman.

“What a lovely bible,” Mrs. Tribly said.

“Isn’t it just?” I replied, hoping she would not ask me to read a favorite verse aloud.

I do not believe the psalmist wrote,

Fifteen men on a dead man’s chest,

Yo-ho-ho and a bottle of rum.

The Year is 1883 and Emma M. Lion has returned to her London neighbourhood of St. Crispian’s. But Emma’s plans for a charmed and studious life are sabotaged by her eccentric Cousin Archibald, her formidable Aunt Eugenia, and the slightly odd denizens of St. Crispian’s.

Emma M. Lion offers up her Unselected Journals, however self-incriminating they may be, which comprise a series of novella-length volumes. Armed with wit and a sideways amusement, Emma documents the curious realities of her life at Lapis Lazuli House.

finished reading

This multi-generational look at family is wryly amusing and poignant.  Told through multiple perspectives, each narrator fleshes out the nuances of the family's dynamics.  Focusing on a sister feud that shapes interactions among family members, the interconnected stories and experiences offer a glimpse of small, everyday moments.  I wasn't as invested in some of the narratives and found the portrayal of children to be stereotypical.  The competitive relationship between the sisters rang true.

From the publisher:

When their beloved sister passes away, Sylvia and Helen Rubinstein are unmoored. A misunderstanding about apple cake turns into a decade of stubborn silence. Busy with their own lives—divorces, dating, career setbacks, college applications, bat mitzvahs and ballet recitals—their children do not want to get involved. As for their grandchildren? Impossible.

With This Is Not About Us, master storyteller Allegra Goodman—whose prior collection was heralded as “one of the most astute and engaging books about American family life” (The Boston Globe)—returns to the form and subject that endeared her to legions of readers. Sharply observed and laced with humor, This Is Not About Us is a story of growing up and growing old, the weight of parental expectations, and the complex connection between sisters—a big-hearted book about the love that binds a family across generations.

sunday stealing

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More Questions From Steph

1) Are you the sort of person who can nap or sleep anywhere, any time? except for moving vehicles of any type, yes

 

2) Have you ever walked in your sleep? yes, as a kid

 

3) Do you chat with your Uber/Lyft/taxi driver? if I'm by myself, I probably will exchange pleasantries 

4) Do you remember what you did on Valentine's Day? I met with my Breakfast Club friends and later had book group

 

5) How many laptops have you owned over your lifetime? hmmm, three or four

 

6) How many countries have you visited? 18--I was in Canada yesterday

 

7) Did you/will you go to work today? I'm on Spring Break from school until the 27th

postsecret

 

PostSecret is an ongoing community art project where people mail in their secrets anonymously on one side of a postcard. I like to post one that speaks to me each week.