friday 5

Fresh Catch

1. What were your feelings the last time you stood on a scale?
resigned
2. In what ways are you old school, and in what ways are you new school?
I'm old school about education and I'm new school regarding technology
3. What big event is coming down the pike for you?
I'm going to be dog-sitting for a week, starting Monday
4. In which social situations do you thrive, and in which do you flounder?
I thrive when I know what to expect and flounder when there is too much unstructured activity
5. When was the last time a fad hooked you?
I often an hooked by fads... lately it's the TV show Alone

booking through thursday

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How do you store your books? On bookcases? In piles? In piles on bookcases? Are they sorted? Do you know where everything is? What’s the most creative storage you’ve seen or used for your books? .

I'm down to one book case. But I have a couple of boxes of books that I need to sort or donate (I know I'll never read them again). I don't have a system, other than by genre. I know where to find them, that's what counts! That's one thing I love about my Nook. No more storage problems!

yarn along

Join in every Wednesday to share a single photo of what you are knitting and reading too!

The Lara Hat and The Paying Guests

ten things tuesday

Ten Favorite Vacation Moments:

1) Not setting an alarm.

2) Eating at Cafe Sorpreso every week.

3) Knitting. And being asked to knit some keepsakes for friends and family.

4) Reading. I am still waiting for THE book of the summer, but I have read some good books this summer.

5) Road trips! I've taken three trips and am looking forward to at least one more.

6) Reconnecting with old friends. Staying connected with all my friends.

7) Ice cream.

8) Spending time with my nieces.

9) Savoring Dunkin' Donuts iced coffee.

10) Letting go of stress and worry about the changes coming in the next school year.

happy challenge

It is time, once again, for the August Happiness Challenge! Thanks to The Gal Herself!


Here's a brief explanation of the Challenge:

"Each day in August you are to post about something that makes *you* happy. Pretty simple. And, it doesn't even have to be every day if you don't want it to be. It's a great way to remind ourselves that there are positive things going on in our lives, our communities, and the world."

friends and feasts

The Friends!

The Feast!

I am so glad I went on this getaway to Chebeague Island; the island is quaint and not quite what I was expecting. There is a lot of wealth on the island. And a lot of shabby-chic.

But, on to the important parts: on Friday, we hit Portland and wandered around the Old Port. Jon was a great host in his home city. And the three of us spent a great afternoon and evening just catching up and gabbing. Unfortunately, I crashed around 8 pm, causing our night to end early. In my defense, the 6 hour drive down was in pouring rain and it was quite taxing. The Old Port was bustling, people watching was at a premium, and the conversation flowed.

Saturday morning we got up to make the ferry to the island. The bus to the ferry was crowded with lots of locals who were loaded with bags, boxes, and parcels. It was an uneventful ride. When Piper met us, there were hugs and tears--and lots of laughter. The big activity of the day was the library's 50th Anniversary celebration. Since Piper volunteers there, we went to the big bash. Being avid readers, Valerie and I were thrilled to tour the little library and attend the gathering. Piper introduced us to all sorts of people who shape the summers of her life. Interestingly, Val was introduced as a childhood best friend and I was introduced as a high school bestie. It was so much fun! Late Saturday afternoon, we got around to preparing the feast--all the while listening to an 80s radio station, singing, dancing, and reminiscing! The years melted away. We talked the night away.

Sunday was a drizzly, dreary day. Piper's hubby joined us unexpectedly--he wanted to make himself scarce so we would be able to focus on us. Curiosity got the better of him and he had to join us, though. The ferry back was even more crammed full than the previous ferry. But we managed to make it home before it got too late.

I'm lucky I have today to recover, poor Val had summer school bright and early. It's almost like a friend hang over!

musing mondays

Click here to play along.

Musing Mondays asks you to muse about one of the following each week…

• I’m currently reading…
• Up next I think I’ll read…
• I bought the following book(s) in the past week…
• I’m super excited to tell you about (book/author/bookish-news)…
• I’m really upset by (book/author/bookish-news)…
• I can’t wait to get a copy of…
• I wish I could read ___, but…
• I blogged about ____ this past week…

This week’s random question: Have you ever made a new friend because of a book? (or books)?

I've made friends by being in book groups, so I guess that counts!

finished reading

From the publisher:

Ten years ago, Quinn Barton was on her way to the altar to marry Burke Morrison, her high school sweetheart, when something derailed her. Rather, someone derailed her--the Best Man, who at the last minute--and with shocking revelations--begged her to reconsider the marriage. Quinn, stunned, hurt, and confused, struggled between ignoring what she was told--or running away.

She chose running. With the Best Man. Who happened to be Burke's brother, Frank.

That relationship didn't work either. How could it, when Quinn had been engaged to, in love with, Frank's brother? Quinn opted for neither, and instead, spent the next seventeen years working in her Middleburg, Virginia, bridal shop, Talk of the Gown.

But when the two brothers return to town for another wedding, old anger, hurt, and passion resurface. Just because you've traded the bad guy for the good guy for no guy doesn't mean you have to stay away from love for the rest of your life, does it? Told with Beth Harbison's flair for humor and heart, Chose the Wrong Guy, Gave Him the Wrong Finger will keep you guessing and make you believe in the possibilities of love.

Read this while on my vacation trip--lots and lots of fun!

sunday stealing

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Sunday Stealing: "I’ll spread my wings and I’ll learn how to fly" Meme

1. Have you ever had a pen pal? I had a Dutch pen pal when I was a kid--we wrote for several years

2. What’s your favorite breed of dog? I love a French Bulldog

3. Can money buy happiness? sure

4. Do you listen to music when you’re down? not necessarily

5.What is one thing you spend way too much money on? clothes, books, and yarn

6.Can you honestly say you’re okay right now? yes, maybe a bit tired

7.What was the last thing you spent money on? lunch

8.Is your current hair color mostly your natural hair color? not mostly, totally!

9.Who have you texted in the last 24 hours? my sisters

10.Were you in a good mood last night? an exceptional mood

11.Do you have a reason to smile right now? yes, it was a fun-filled weekend with a successful road trip

12. How often do you hold back what you want to say? fairly often

13. Do you think that in the end, everything will fall into place? yes

14.Are you currently looking forward to anything? payday

15.Do you have any TV shows on DVD? several

saturday 9

All The Way

1) In this song, Frank sings, "who knows where the road will lead us?" Which leads Sam to ask, does your vehicle have GPS? my vehicle doesn't have one installed, but I do have one

2) Sinatra introduced "All the Way" in the movie, The Joker Is Wild. During that film he also sang "Chicago (That Toddlin' Town)." A few years later, in the movie Robin and The Seven Hoods, he declared Chicago as his "kind of town." Besides Chicago, can you think of another city Frank immortalized in song? New York

3) When Frank was 19, he saw a pretty girl sitting on her front porch, giving herself a manicure. He went and got his ukelele and serenaded her. That girl became his first wife, Nancy. Tell us how one of your romances began. I was wooed with clever letters

4) Both Frank and Nancy grew up in New Jersey. When you think of NJ, what else comes to mind? Bravo's Real Housewives of New Jersey (a guilty pleasure)

5) Sinatra made Las Vegas as famous for entertainment as for gambling. He was so identified with the Strip, that when he played Caesar's Palace the marquee simply said, "He's Here." Have you ever been to Vegas? no, and I can't decide if I want to go

6) Thin for most of his life, Frank was blessed with a metabolism that allowed him to whatever he wanted without gaining weight. He especially enjoyed clams posillipo. What's your favorite Italian dish? spaghetti bolognaise

7) Perhaps because of his hardscrabble childhood, Sinatra was a soft touch for charities devoted to kids. One of his favorites was Variety, which sends disadvantaged children on day trips to museums, zoos and sporting events. Here's your chance to tell us about a cause that's near and dear to your heart. I am a fan of the local cancer support group--I knit hats for their big fundraiser, Planet Head Day

8) Sinatra was a neat freak who couldn't stand dust or clutter and showered at least twice a day. He got this from his mother Dolly, who was compulsive about housecleaning and hygiene. Can you think of a time when you caught yourself doing something and thought, "I'm just like Mom/Dad!" I continually think "I am my father's daughter!"

9) In 1998, Sinatra was buried with the things he always had in tow: a bottle of Jack Daniels, a pack of Camels, a Zippo lighter and 10 dimes. Why the dimes? According to his daughter, "He never wanted to be caught not able to make a call." Of course, 17 years later cell phones have replaced pay phones. Anyway, tell us what you always carry. keys

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.

still haven't packed...

I need to pack my bags for a whirlwind trip to Chebeague Island for the weekend. Staying with a high school chum I haven't seen in a good 15 years or so--it's going to be a major gabfest! I'm also going to see my best high school guy friend that I caught up with last summer. My bestie and I are making the trip, it's going to be a blast.

booking through thursday

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So … will you be reading Go Set a Watchman: A Novel? Why? Why not? What do you think of this whole deal? Harper Lee, after all, is famous for insisting she wouldn’t publish another book, and now this … and the controversy about Atticus? Discuss!

I literally just had this conversation with a friend. I haven't decided yet if I want to read this book, I hate to think of Atticus as anything other than the upstanding, righteous, father. I might wait until someone I know reads it and has something to say about it. PBS had a special, I have it on my DVR but have yet to watch it.

this.

Secret: It’s hard to figure out whether to be a cop or a third-grade teacher. I have to be both. I want to be Willie Wonka. That’s the ticket. Unpredictable, not always nice, high standards, and sometimes candy. ~Sonya Huber

just finished reading

Now, this is a summer read. From the publisher:

Set against dramatic Mediterranean Sea views and lush olive groves, The Rocks opens with a confrontation and a secret: What was the mysterious, catastrophic event that drove two honeymooners apart so suddenly and absolutely in 1948 that they never spoke again despite living on the same island for sixty more years? And how did their history shape the Romeo and Juliet–like romance of their (unrelated) children decades later? Centered around a popular seaside resort club and its community, The Rocks is a double love story that begins with a mystery, then moves backward in time, era by era, to unravel what really happened decades earlier.

I did not anticipate the catastrophic event, at all. I was fully engaged in all of the characters, the families and the guests at the summer resort alike. I think I fell in love with Mallorca! The island is as much a character as any of the people are. Going back and forth through time reconfigures the story, kept me interested and gave much background to the whys of character behavior.

I'm excited to talk about it with my book group.

w.w.w. wednesday

MizB at A Daily Rhythm has made some changes to her weekly meme line up and W.W.W. Wednesdays is no longer a weekly meme. But I love this meme and am going to continue it on my own.

• What are you currently reading? I'm reading The Rocks by Peter Nichols and The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up: The Japanese Art of Decluttering and Organizingby Marie Kondo. And I'm listening to The Paying Guests by Sarah Waters.

• What did you recently finish reading? Paper Towns by John Green which will soon be a movie.

• What do you think you’ll read next? The Book of Speculation by Erika Swyler--it's my August book group selection.

ten things tuesday

Linking up with Ten On Tuesday this week.

This week's topic is 10 Favorite American Artists. I went for a variety of art forms.

1) Edward Hopper.

2) Ansel Adams.

3) Walt Disney.

4) Gene Kelly.

5) Elvis Presley.

6) Martha Graham.

7) John Singleton Copley.

8) Georgia O'Keeffe.

9) George Carlin.

10) Stephen King.

finished reading

From the publisher:

Quentin Jacobsen has spent a lifetime loving the magnificently adventurous Margo Roth Spiegelman from afar. So when she cracks open a window and climbs back into his life—dressed like a ninja and summoning him for an ingenious campaign of revenge—he follows.

After their all-nighter ends and a new day breaks, Q arrives at school to discover that Margo, always an enigma, has now become a mystery. But Q soon learns that there are clues—and they’re for him. Urged down a disconnected path, the closer he gets, the less Q sees of the girl he thought he knew.

I listened to this book and the narrator was fantastic. There's something about hearing John Green's writing that works for me. His dialogue--the witty repartee and banter is quick. There was one section toward the end that seemed a bit too existential, but that is my only complaint. I loved the cultural references and the use of Walt Whitman's poetry--which seemed familiar to me, because I spend so much time with teenagers.

There are compelling characters, authentic parents, and awesome, if somewhat unrealistic, adventures. The movie is going to be released soon, and I hope they did justice to this book.

musing mondays

Click here to play along.

Musing Mondays asks you to muse about one of the following each week…

• I’m currently reading…
• Up next I think I’ll read…
• I bought the following book(s) in the past week…
• I’m super excited to tell you about (book/author/bookish-news)…
• I’m really upset by (book/author/bookish-news)…
• I can’t wait to get a copy of…
• I wish I could read ___, but…
• I blogged about ____ this past week…

This week’s random question: Are you able to read while in a vehicle (in motion)? Have you always been this way?

Lately it seems like I'm the driver (which I don't mind), so I'm unable to read while driving. I haven't tried listening to audiobooks in the car because I'm so used to tuning out and thinking while driving that I'm afraid I would not pay much attention to a book. Anyhow, long answer short: yes, I love reading when in motion. I haven't had much opportunity to try traveling with my Nook, but I suppose I would love it!

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.

sunday salon

Joining in Sunday Salon.

Time: 1:17

Scene: Overcast and humid. I'm lounging in the recliner.

Today's plan: I had a "do nothing" day planned but had a phone call from Dad. My stepmother fell and hit her head and they were at the emergency room. Dad has to play at a recital today and needed a ride home. I am trying not to freak out about my stepmother's injury. Dad assures me she's fine. But I still fear.

Listening to: a stupid movie with a good cast, Lucky You

Drinking: Cherry Limeade Sparkling Ice

Giving thanks for: my family and my health... and I'm trying not to worry about my stepmother

sunday stealing

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Sunday Stealing: Let's Not Be Difficult Meme

1. Do you like your movies and books to be more lighthearted or serious? I like lighthearted movies and serious books

2. What’s more important, first impressions or lasting impact? first impression

3. Order these areas of psychological health from what you need the least improvement into what you need the most improvement in: physical, emotional, social, intellectual, environmental, spiritual: environmental, physical, social, spiritual, emotional, intellectual (eta: I realize that I answered this from most improvement to least)

4. Do you react appropriately to things and control your feelings? some people actually think I'm stoic. I prefer to call it "outwardly calm"

5. Do you have stable relationships? yes

6. Do you need to be in a relationship to feel good about yourself? not a romantic relationship

7. Which is the clearest and most concise, your thoughts, your speech or your writing? Which is the least clear and concise? I am more clear and concise in my speech

8. Are you always trying to learn new things? always

9. Do you feel at peace? most of the time, I do

10. Do you have strong morals and ethics that you believe in and adhere to? yes

11. Do you think of the needs of all humanity or just the needs of yourself and those you know? I usually focus on those in my immediate sphere of influence

12. Do you recycle? yes

13. Are you active in your community? I'd like to think so

14. Are you sensitive to the needs of others? I am

15. Do you dress up to go out? I like to dress up

16. What could make you lose respect for someone? oh--lying and cheating

17. If you won $1,000 every week until you die, would you still go to work? nope

18. What trend has been getting on your nerves lately? dyed armpit hair

19. Do you forgive yourself when you make a mistake? after I have soundly beat myself up

20. Is ignorance really bliss? no

21. What can be described as ‘even better than the real thing’? U2

22. What’s in your wallet right now? a pen

23. Do you write letters that you never send? yes

24. Do you ever get the feeling people are laughing at you? I teach high school, so yes!

25. Who’s the one person you’d like to drop a house on? a local politician

netflix day

Annnnd, I binge-watched Grace and Frankie. It's a rainy day and I'm knitting and watching Netflix.

st. vincent

Another movie I watched today, and I'm glad I did is St. Vincent. Bill Murray is awesome.

must watch

Whenever it's on I have to watch it.

saturday 9

Bubbly

1) Singer Colbie Caillat says this song was inspired by a trip to "the beach and having a wonderful day with a person you like." Have you been to the beach yet this summer? next weekend!

2) Are you careful about applying sunscreen? yes

3) Colbie made her TV debut in a 2009 episode of Saturday Night Live. Are you a big SNL fan? I used to be, especially the original players

4) "Bubbly" is often a synonym for champagne. When's the last time you enjoyed a glass of bubbly? I don't actually remember, but I do love it

5) Colbie sang the National Anthem at the third game of the Red Sox/Cardinals World Series in 2013. How is your favorite baseball team doing so far this season? not great

6) In 2005, Ms. Caillat tried out for Season 4 of American Idol but was eliminated very early in the process, before she could even audition for Simon, Paula and Randy. The winner that year was Carrie Underwood. Are you a Carrie Underwood fan? yes, I am! I voted for her, even.

7) In 2007, when "Bubbly" was popular, actress Yvonne deCarlo died. She was best known as Lily on The Munsters. If you had to choose (and yes, this Saturday you have to), would you rather hang out with Lily Munster or Morticia Addams? I bet Morticia Addams would be a kick in my knitting group!

8) In 2007, MySpace was faced with a serious challenge from Facebook, and it's obvious which social network won. Did you have a MySpace account? If so, do you still post to it? I deleted it when I got Facebook

9) Random question: Which have you had longer, your ironing board or your plunger? ironing board

friday 5

Looking For Alaska

1. Alaska’s motto is “North to the future.” Where’s somewhere north you’ll be traveling some time in the future?
I live in Northern Maine, so I'll be heading south!
2. Alaska is the westernmost of the United States. What’s the farthest west you’ve been in your country?
California
3. Alaska’s state flower is the forget-me-not. What’s something you really need to remember to take care of before the weekend’s up?
I need to pick up some balloons
4. Alaska has cities named Chicken, Beaver, Pelican, Eagle, Badger, and Bear Creek. What place names near where you live are named after animals?
I teach in Caribou
5. What’s something interesting you know about Alaska?
A reindeer is a domesticated Caribou

booking through thursday

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Where is your favorite place to read? On the beach? Inside/outside? From the archives.

I like to read everywhere! But, to answer the question, I think I read the most in bed. One of the joys of the lightweight Nook is its lightness! I don't often realize I'm reading a 300+ page book because the Nook is so light. I listen to audiobooks while knitting and that's usually in my recliner.

finished reading...

From the publisher:

When famed true-crime writer Julian Wells' body if found in a boat drifting on a Montauk pond, the question is not how he died, but why?

The death is obviously a suicide. But why would Julian Wells have taken his own life? And was this his only crime? These are the questions that first intrigue and then obsess Philip Anders, Wells' best friend and the chief defender of both his moral and his literary legacies.

Anders' increasingly passionate and dangerous quest to answer these questions becomes a journey into a haunted life, one marked by travel, learning, achievement and adventure, a life that should have been celebrated, but whose lonely end points to terrors still unknown.

A good, solid read. I would consider it an old-school tale of intrigue and mystery. Not a gripping read but compelling.

yarn along

Join in every Wednesday to share a single photo of what you are knitting and reading too!

Knitting the Garland Cowl and listening to Paper Towns

ten things tuesday

Linking up with Ten On Tuesday this week.

This week's topic is 10 Favorite Ice Cream Flavors.

I have to say I'm a fan of Ben & Jerry's ice cream because of their fair trade business practices and their social consciousness.

1) My all-time favorite flavor is Ben & Jerry's Wavy Gravy, which has been retired.

2) Another Ben & Jerry's favorite, retired flavor, is Tuskeegee Chunk.

3) A current favorite is Ben & Jerry's Boom Chocolatta!

4) Then there's Ben & Jerry's homage to Jimmy Fallon: The Tonight Dough.

5 & 6) And the Core flavors of Ben & Jerry's Hazed & Confused and Peanut Butter Fudge.

Ok, moving on from Ben & Jerry's. There is a local dairy that makes ice cream and is amazingly popular around here.

7) Soft serve chocolate & vanilla twist. So fresh and delicious!

8) Also from Houlton Farms Dairy is a delicious Black Raspberry Chunk (black raspberry with dark chocolate chunks). ETA--it's made from local raspberries.

9) And the Houlton Farms mint chcocolate chip is great.

Finally, from another Maine dairy:
10) Gifford's World's Best Chocolate (it's won this award 5 times)

knittery

This is the hat that tested my mettle.  But, I prevailed!

just finished

I'm not sure if I would have enjoyed this as much as I did if I had read it, instead of listening to it. All the narration by the different guests was like being at a big reunion or party. And, of course, all of the back stories about one of my favorite movies is a delight. I like how the book was organized by scenes.

If you're a fan of the movie, this book's for you!

musing mondays

Click here to play along.

Musing Mondays asks you to muse about one of the following each week…

• I’m currently reading…
• Up next I think I’ll read…
• I bought the following book(s) in the past week…
• I’m super excited to tell you about (book/author/bookish-news)…
• I’m really upset by (book/author/bookish-news)…
• I can’t wait to get a copy of…
• I wish I could read ___, but…
• I blogged about ____ this past week…

This week’s random question: What book (or books) would you take with you on vacation? Why?

Now that I've moved almost-exclusively to the world of Nook, I just take that with me. But generally speaking, I read lighter fare, such as a rom-com, or thrillers on vacation trips. And it kind of depends on where or when I'll be reading while away. If I need entertaining for hours (think plane or other travel), I will choose a thriller--something that will grip me and keep me guessing for hours. If I'm somewhere that might include conversations (think lakeside or on a deck), I'll pick lighter fare--something that will entertain me but doesn't need a lot of concentration.

Of course, I read thrillers or lighter fare even without a vacation trip...

sunday stealing

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Sunday Stealing:I Want To Be Famous Meme


1. Would you like to be famous? In what way? I would like to be a beloved teacher

2. Before making a telephone call, do you ever rehearse what you are going to say? Why? yes, because I want to be concise

3. What would constitute a “perfect” day for you? I'm on summer vacation--every day is perfect!

4. When did you last sing to yourself? To someone else? in the car yesterday

5. If you were able to live to the age of 90 and retain either the mind or body of a 30-year-old for the last 60 years of your life, which would you want? the mind

6. Do you have a secret hunch about how you will die? nope

7. For what in your life do you feel most grateful? my health--physical and mental

8. If you could change anything about the way you were raised, what would it be? well... there was a lot of chaos, I would remove that

9. If you could wake up tomorrow having gained any one quality or ability, what would it be? to be a neat-nick

10. If a crystal ball could tell you the truth about yourself, your life, the future or anything else, what would you want to know? I can't think of anything...

11. What does friendship mean to you? cherish those you choose to invite into your life

12. What roles do love and affection play in your life? they aren't focal points

13. When did you last laugh? this morning

14. Are you a morning person or a night owl? I used to be a night owl, during school I am forced to be a morning person, while on vacation I am a mid-day person!

15. Seen anything weird lately? there are weird people in my neighborhood, I'll leave it at that

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.

saturday 9

Crazy Little Thing Called Love

1) In this video, Queen lead singer Freddie Mercury is wearing a leather jacket. Do you have a leather jacket? I do not

2) There's a statue of Freddie in Switzerland. There's another statue of him above the Dominion Theater in London. Tell us about a statue or memorial in your town. the local movie theater is named after a race horse--does that count?

3) Mercury said this song was inspired by Elvis Presley. What's your favorite Elvis song? oh, there are so many... "A Little Less Conversation" sprang to mind first

4) This song was covered by the animated Alvin and the Chipmunks. Do you still watch cartoons? occasionally

5) The members of Queen met while attending Ealing Art College in London. Are you still in touch with the friends you had in your late teens and early 20s? as a matter of fact, yesterday I got together with some friends and we realized it's been more than 20 years since we've all been together! We had so much fun catching up.

6) During Queen's hey day in the 1980s, Mercury stayed in shape with tennis and swimming. Are you more accomplished on the court or in the pool? well... back in the day I was an ok tennis player. Now I guess I'd go with floating around in the pool.

7) In 1980, when this song was popular, Brooke Shields made a jeans commercial where she said, "Nothing comes between me and Calvins." It actually only aired for a short time because so many viewers called and complained about it. Have you ever called or emailed to protest something you saw on TV? I have not

8) 1980 is also the year the Post-It note was introduced. What's the last Post-It you wrote? I use them frequently... the last one I wrote was a smiley face and a heart that I mailed to my niece to let her know I was thinking about her.

9) Random question: Do you blush easily? I do

friday 5

Hard Time

1. What’s the story of someone you know who has spent time in prison?
I don't know anyone in prison, however, jail time was drunk-driving related
2. What is the most official trouble you’ve ever been in?
I was stopped at a State Trooper road block
3. What’s the last program you binge-watched?
The Casual Vacancy on HBO
4. What would be good prison nicknames for a few people you know?
Bubba, The Cardinal, Her Majesty
5. Of the usual prison jobs (library, electrical shop, laundry, cafeteria, gardener, clerical, etc.), which would you ask to be assigned to? Feel free to be creative!
hopefully the library!!!

just finished reading

From the publisher:

There are secrets you share, and secrets you hide….

Growing up on her family’s Sonoma vineyard, Georgia Ford learned some important secrets. The secret number of grapes it takes to make a bottle of wine: eight hundred. The secret ingredient in her mother’s lasagna: chocolate. The secret behind ending a fight: hold hands.

But just a week before her wedding, thirty-year-old Georgia discovers her beloved fiancé has been keeping a secret so explosive, it will change their lives forever.

Georgia does what she’s always done: she returns to the family vineyard, expecting the comfort of her long-married parents, and her brothers, and everything familiar. But it turns out her fiancé is not the only one who’s been keeping secrets….

Now, this is a summer read. A story about a family who loves each other, secrets, and wine! I enjoyed the characters, they were flawed but not cliches. The plot moved along quickly.

My complaint is that the narrative point of view shifted from third person to first person a couple of times, which distracted me. Otherwise, it's a summer read with a variety of plot twists and points to amuse.

the empress of blazing winds

Saw this at Endomental and had to swipe it!

ahh... summer

Ahhh... the intake/exhaust fan set on low is gently moving air. I can hear birds singing. The sounds of my busy neighborhood are drowned out by nature (and the fan). This is summer.

just finished reading

From the publisher:

Thirteen-year-old Steven has a totally normal life: he plays drums in the All-Star Jazz band, has a crush on the hottest girl in the school, and is constantly annoyed by his five-year-old brother, Jeffrey. But when Jeffrey is diagnosed with leukemia, Steven's world is turned upside down. He is forced to deal with his brother's illness and his parents' attempts to keep the family in one piece.

What I liked was the portrayal of Steven's school and school day. And that the story wasn't hokey. I admit I was moved to tears a couple of times. I can't wait to read the sequel.

booking through thursday

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What’s the most beautiful thing you’ve ever read?

I still say that Me Before You by Jojo Moyes was the most beautiful love story I've read in a very, very long time.

ten things tuesday

Linking up with Ten On Tuesday this week.

This week's topic is 10 Favorite Things To Do On A Summer Staycation.

1. Sleep. Nap.

2. Read.

3. Watch junky television.

4. Discover good television.

5. Catch up on blogs and favorite websites.

6. Leisurely lunch dates with my friends. Especially at Cafe Sorpreso.

7. Take trips to neighboring towns. Mostly because I have to go through beautiful countryside.

8. Work on ideas for school. My recent brilliant idea is to get a toy microphone so that when students have to stand and deliver, they can hold the microphone and "drop the mic" when they're done. Actually I figure if they're holding something ridiculous it will take their attention away to their uncomfortableness in front of the class.

9. Knit. I've got to start thinking of my Christmas gifting.

10. Hang out with my parents on their porch.

finished reading

This is my book group's July selection. I feel accomplished to have finished it. Not my favorite genre, toward the end when the fantasy stuff kicked into high gear. There will be a lot to talk about, I'm especially interested to know if my fantasy loving friends enjoyed it. Or if everyone thought it was just way too long.

yum!

Fresh berry season! Shortcake will be consumed!

musing mondays

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Musing Mondays asks you to muse about one of the following each week…

• I’m currently reading…
• Up next I think I’ll read…
• I bought the following book(s) in the past week…
• I’m super excited to tell you about (book/author/bookish-news)…
• I’m really upset by (book/author/bookish-news)…
• I can’t wait to get a copy of…
• I wish I could read ___, but…
• I blogged about ____ this past week…

This week’s random question: So, apparently Amazon is now going to pay its Kindle Unlimited & Select authors by pages read. You can read more about this {here}. What do you think of this? Share your thoughts!

I don't have a Kindle.

Instead, I'll answer the "Up next I think I'll read" prompt: The Rocks by Peter Nichols, for my new reading group (I'm facilitating the discussion) and Eight Hundred Grapes by Laura Dave

new toy

sunday salon

Joining in Sunday Salon.

Time: 5:31 pm

Scene: living room, in the recliner

Today's plan: a whirlwind trip to Central Maine (2.5 hours each way) to have lunch at Five Guys

Listening to: The Book Of Life on HBO

Drinking: Polar orange dry soda

Thinking about: what to do next

sunday stealing

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Sunday Stealing: Mash Up Meme

1. What’s overdue for a good cleaning? my whole apartment

2. What’s overdue for some kind of professional examination, service, maintenance, or upkeep? I think my car needs an oil change

3. Who’s overdue for a phone call or letter to you? I think I'm all caught up

4. What’s overdue for an appearance in your neighborhood? the street sweeper

5. Who’s overdue for a good comeuppance? I can think of one person, we work together

6. What’s a gross food you like anyway? calamari

7. Who’s an unlikeable person you like anyway? JL

8. What’s an unpleasant task you enjoy performing anyway? I like washing the dishes

9. What’s a dumb song you enjoy anyway? Uptown Funk... don't believe me just watch!

10. What’s a lousy restaurant you frequent anyway? there are several around here

11. What's your favourite Sci-fi film/program etc? Orphan Black

12. Have you ever had a proper Tarot reading? yes

13. Have you ever used the phrase "back in my time" to someone younger than you? I find that I do say it

14. Have you ever done something really unbelievable, only to have no one around to see it? regularly

15. If you were famous would you want a statue or a building names after you? I think a statue

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.

saturday 9

Hungry

1) Are you eating anything as you respond to these questions? nope

2) Paul Revere and the Raiders performed in Revolutionary garb. Have you ever worked at a job that required you to wear a uniform? yes--I had forgotten (or repressed) until I got thinking back through my work career

3) The "Paul Revere" of Raiders fame was born Paul Revere Dick in Boise, Idaho. What else is Idaho known for? they have always been Maine's potato rival

4) The original Paul Revere was a silversmith by trade, known for making church bells. Can you hear church bells from your home? yes, there are four churches in my immediate neighborhood

5) In April, 1775, Paul Revere literally rode into history when he galloped into the night, spreading the word that "the British are coming." Name another Revolutionary War-era hero. Nathan Hale

6) Historians tell us that Revere's famous "midnight ride" actually took place between 9:00 and 10:00 PM. When is your usual bedtime? during the school week I head to bed at 8-ish to read, during vacations anything goes!

7) Earlier this year, officials from Boston's Museum of Fine Arts uncovered a time capsule buried in 1795 by Paul Revere and Gov. Sam Adams. It included coins and newspapers. If you were to bury a time capsule that reflects American life in 2015, what would it include? I would put in things that don't need electricity, so they can be deciphered

8) Will you attend a fireworks display during the 4th of July weekend? I will avoid them

9) What's your preferred way to celebrate Independence Day -- a parade, a picnic, or both? picnic or cookout