self-care sunday

Spent the day regrouping and rejuvenating.

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

Wrong book at the wrong time. I couldn't wait to finish it. It's part folklore and part fantasy. And like I said, the wrong book at the wrong time for me.

From the publisher:

On a dark midwinter’s night in an ancient inn on the river Thames, an extraordinary event takes place. The regulars are telling stories to while away the dark hours, when the door bursts open on a grievously wounded stranger. In his arms is the lifeless body of a small child. Hours later, the girl stirs, takes a breath and returns to life. Is it a miracle? Is it magic? Or can science provide an explanation? These questions have many answers, some of them quite dark indeed.

Those who dwell on the river bank apply all their ingenuity to solving the puzzle of the girl who died and lived again, yet as the days pass the mystery only deepens. The child herself is mute and unable to answer the essential questions: Who is she? Where did she come from? And to whom does she belong? But answers proliferate nonetheless.

Three families are keen to claim her. A wealthy young mother knows the girl is her kidnapped daughter, missing for two years. A farming family reeling from the discovery of their son’s secret liaison, stand ready to welcome their granddaughter. The parson’s housekeeper, humble and isolated, sees in the child the image of her younger sister. But the return of a lost child is not without complications and no matter how heartbreaking the past losses, no matter how precious the child herself, this girl cannot be everyones. Each family has mysteries of its own, and many secrets must be revealed before the girl’s identity can be known.

Once Upon a River is a glorious tapestry of a book that combines folklore and science, magic and myth. Suspenseful, romantic, and richly atmospheric, the beginning of this novel will sweep you away on a powerful current of storytelling, transporting you through worlds both real and imagined, to the triumphant conclusion whose depths will continue to give up their treasures long after the last page is turned.

sunday stealing

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Book tag

Who is your favorite author? Louise Penny, Jojo Moyes, Stephen King and many others!

What was the last book you read? I'm finishing up with Once Upon A River by Diane Setterfield

What book reminds you of your school days? Bellweather Rhapsody

What book releases are you looking forward to? Olive, Again by Elizabeth Strout and The Giver of Stars by Jojo Moyes

What movie releases are you looking forward to? Downton Abbey!!!!!

What 3 books are you planning to read? The Giver of Stars, Olive Again, and The Victory Garden

Have you ever damaged a book? of course

How long does it take you to read a book? a few days

Books you haven’t finished? not many

Popular books you didn’t like? The Poisonwood Bible

Is there a book you wouldn’t tell people you were reading? no

How many books do you own? more than a thousand on my Nook

Are you a fast or slow reader? moderate to fast

Do you read better in your head our out loud? I'm not sure what this means--but I like to eye read and listen to books, I've learned to love audio books when I'm knitting

saturday 9

The Straw Hat Song
Unfamiliar with this week's song. Hear it here.

1) In this song, Desi Arnaz encourages us to laugh and sing instead of concentrating on our troubles. Is this an approach to life you could adopt? Or are you a worrier? I tend to worry then to shrug it off, but I need to really worry first

2) Because Desi's public persona was carefree, people are often surprised to learn his early life was hard. In 1933, his wealthy family was targeted by Cuban revolutionaries. Their home was destroyed and were forced to flee the country. In Miami, they lived in a warehouse and 16-year-old Desi helped support the family by cleaning cages for the man who sold canaries outside a drugstore. Think about your friends and acquaintances. Whose life story turned out to be very different than you originally thought? my oldest sister

3) While still in his teens, Desi got his first job as an entertainer. As a boy in Cuba, he expected to be a lawyer, not a musician. He only began playing guitar because he noticed girls like musicians and he liked girls. Tell us about a hobby of yours, and what inspired you to pick it up. after many, many failed attempts--it clicked and I am an avid knitter

4) He discovered he was not only a talented musician but a natural leader. By the tender age of 19, he had organized The Desi Arnaz Orchestra and they were performing in Miami hotels. Have you ever been a boss? If so, did you enjoy it? I am a natural leader and it is a strength of mine but I don't always love being the leader

5) When he was 23, he went to Hollywood to try his hand at movies and met a 28 year old actress named Lucille Ball. In Hollywood back in 1940, it was considered embarrassing for a woman to date a younger man. Their initial attraction was so powerful she quickly got over it. Do you think age matters when it comes to romance? it depends on the age difference and the people

6) Desi was the first person to call that famous redhead "Lucy." Throughout her entire life, friends, family and coworkers always referred to her as "Lucille," as she preferred. But Desi insisted on "Lucy." He said that name was his and his alone. Ironically it became the way the world referred to her. Do you have a pet name for anyone? I do have pet names for my sisters

7) Lucille and Desi named their son and daughter after themselves. Were you named after anyone? I was named a variation of my mother's mother's name

8) Desi was the founding force behind Desilu. One of the first great production studios of the television age, Desilu grossed $15 million in 1957 (more than $135 million in today's dollars). He credited his success to his unconventional and creative approach to problems. Are you a good problem solver? yes, usually I am

9) Random question: Who annoys you more, a know-it-all or an ignoramus? oh brother--that's a toughie. deep down, though, I am more annoyed with a know-it-all

the friday 56

The Friday 56

Rules:
*Grab a book, any book.
*Turn to page 56 or 56% in your eReader
(If you have to improvise, that's ok.)
*Find any sentence, (or few, just don't spoil it)
*Post it.

I'm listening to Once Upon a River.

There was a doctor 2 miles from Radcliff but nobody thought of sending for him. He was old and expensive and his patients mostly died which was not encouraging. Instead, they did the sensible thing, they sent for Rita.

three on thursday

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Thing One: This weekend I have a manicure.

Thing Two: This weekend I will attend a celebration of life for a dear cousin who passed away.

Thing Three: This weekend I will attend the 50th-anniversary party for my aunt and uncle.

(almost) wordless wednesday

ten things tuesday

1. Classy Boho
2. I am a great listener
3. I am a slobby housekeeper
4. Medium Iced with Cream & Liquid Sugar
5. Books, laughter, hugs, puppies, good yarn, bread
6. Slow drivers in the passing lane
7. 😀
8. Brown
9. All of them
10. My birthday

currently

I am...

Reading: just about to finish Once Upon a River

Listening to: the washing machine

Loving: being able to do small loads of laundry (at Dad's)

Thinking: about a meeting I have tomorrow evening

Feeling: awkward and dorky

Celebrating: a successful day

Grateful for: the dog hasn't been too needy this time of dogsitting

Weather: currently 64 degrees and mostly cloudy

Enjoying: late afternoon sunshine

A quote I want to share: