Another fun week of reading. God, I love books.
I picked up one new ebook this week - a mystery. Still have five unread ones from last time - paranormal romance, romantic suspense, historical thriller, mystery, and SF.
Books read:
89) Evil Under the Sun by Agatha Christie (9/20/19) - Mystery - 5 stars. Neither new to me nor underappreciated. The last of my big Agatha Christie thrift store haul - 17c.
No review.
88) Death in Nostalgia City by Mark S. Bacon (9/18/19) - Mystery *# - 4 stars. New to me and underappreciated. Free off the Robin Reads newsletter.
Review: "Definitely
not light-hearted or cozy, but definitely a good mystery. Loads of
twists and turns, with a splash of nostalgia thrown in."
87) Accidental Archaeologist by Kathryn Wells (9/14/19) - YA Fantasy*#2 - 5 stars. This was a Book 2 and definitely underappreciated. $2.99 - full price. I picked this one up as part of my 'read six book 2s this year' thing. I read Book 1 back in January.
Review: "Just as awesome as the first book with more adventure, loads of magical goodness, and tons of fun."
No DNFs.
Currently reading...a fantasy mystery. Magic, murder, intrigue... Good stuff so far.
What have you been reading this week?
Saturday, September 21, 2019
Thursday, September 19, 2019
Thursday This n That
Sleep deprivation... It's real and it's deep, man. There is not enough coffee on the planet today. I think I need a java IV. STAT.
Have you noticed the vape commercials on TV? "May contain nicotine." They can't advertise cigarettes on TV, but they can advertise that? I also saw an ad for something like a nicotine pouch you can put in your mouth. But they can't advertise chew. Now, I'm not advocating getting rid of those product ads. I'm just saying if they can advertise, the others should be able to also. I find the hypocrisy irritating.
Speaking of commercials, have you noticed they've upped the number of them? Used to be like 3 maybe four commercials every fifteen minutes. Now it's like 5-7 every ten or so minutes. And if it's an old show from back in the fewer commercials days, they chop it up and suck parts out of it to allow for the commercials. Or suddenly an hour long show is like an hour and fifteen.
The neighborhood guinea hens amuse me. The other day I was driving out and saw them all sprawled in one of the neighbor's driveway, sleeping and doing their feathers and just generally chilling out. They're such funny little things. Of course, sometimes I have to stop and remind them to get out of the road. Move along, ladies, before someone squashes you flat.
Which reminds me of a funny thing I've seen around the webs. It goes something like 'Be decisive. The road is paved with flat squirrels who couldn't make a decision.'
Speaking of which, I hit a squirrel a couple days ago. It came from the other side of the road and stopped in the middle. Then it gave me this horrified, scared look and proceeded to run in front of my car. I had hoped it would manage to be in the middle of the car, but one of my wheels must've got it because I could see it in the rearview, laying there in the road. If it had simply stayed where it was or run back the other way, it would've been fine. But no. Stupid suicidal squirrel. And I know there are millions of squirrels, but I always feel bad when I hit one.
I also feel bad when I hit butterflies. Lucky for me, it's fleeting or I'd be driving around feeling bad all the time.
I finally remembered to clean my computer vents. It's running much quieter now. Whew. I so do not need a crash right now.
And on that note, I'll let you get back to your morning coffee. Bottoms up.
Have you noticed the vape commercials on TV? "May contain nicotine." They can't advertise cigarettes on TV, but they can advertise that? I also saw an ad for something like a nicotine pouch you can put in your mouth. But they can't advertise chew. Now, I'm not advocating getting rid of those product ads. I'm just saying if they can advertise, the others should be able to also. I find the hypocrisy irritating.
Speaking of commercials, have you noticed they've upped the number of them? Used to be like 3 maybe four commercials every fifteen minutes. Now it's like 5-7 every ten or so minutes. And if it's an old show from back in the fewer commercials days, they chop it up and suck parts out of it to allow for the commercials. Or suddenly an hour long show is like an hour and fifteen.
The neighborhood guinea hens amuse me. The other day I was driving out and saw them all sprawled in one of the neighbor's driveway, sleeping and doing their feathers and just generally chilling out. They're such funny little things. Of course, sometimes I have to stop and remind them to get out of the road. Move along, ladies, before someone squashes you flat.
Which reminds me of a funny thing I've seen around the webs. It goes something like 'Be decisive. The road is paved with flat squirrels who couldn't make a decision.'
Speaking of which, I hit a squirrel a couple days ago. It came from the other side of the road and stopped in the middle. Then it gave me this horrified, scared look and proceeded to run in front of my car. I had hoped it would manage to be in the middle of the car, but one of my wheels must've got it because I could see it in the rearview, laying there in the road. If it had simply stayed where it was or run back the other way, it would've been fine. But no. Stupid suicidal squirrel. And I know there are millions of squirrels, but I always feel bad when I hit one.
I also feel bad when I hit butterflies. Lucky for me, it's fleeting or I'd be driving around feeling bad all the time.
I finally remembered to clean my computer vents. It's running much quieter now. Whew. I so do not need a crash right now.
And on that note, I'll let you get back to your morning coffee. Bottoms up.
Tuesday, September 17, 2019
Randomosity
Randomosity occurs when I don't have enough thoughts to put together a post on a single subject.
They really need to move mornings to later in the day.
Autumn is supposed to start on Monday. Yesterday, we matched the record high for the date at 95F. It was like a freakin' sauna out there. Umm, what the hell?
Hubs is out of cookies again, so I guess there will be some baking this morning. A man needs his cookies and I like to keep my man's cookie reserves stocked.
Made what I call quesadillas yesterday. They probably aren't really quesadillas, but that's what I call them. Whatever they are, they're yummy. Two tortillas fried in butter until they're crisp. Put one on a pizza pan for the bottom, layer it with taco stuff - refried beans, taco meat, cheese, olives, etc. Put the other tortilla on top, cover it with salsa, cheese, etc. Bake until the cheese is all bubbly. Cut it into quarters and serve with a side salad. Last night, I did chicken and mushrooms. So good.
Yesterday, I was walking up the hill toward the house when I saw a snake in the road ahead. I approached with caution, sticking to the opposite side of the road, just in case. Most snakes I come across are friendly. This was a copperhead. And it wasn't moving. But at the time, the morning was a mite chilly, so I wasn't sure if the snake was dead or just cold. (It wasn't squashed or anything, so it was hard to tell.) I kicked a black walnut at it. The walnut hit it and bounced over, but it didn't move. 90% sure it was dead. If it's there again today, I'll be 100% sure. Of course, if it's not there, could be it was dead and some animal made off with the carcass. Crows love dead snakes. Anyway, it reminded me why I always watch where I'm walking.
My sale ended last night. I'll think about putting together a wrap-up post on it.
I'm reading an interesting mystery centered around a theme park. It's got way more casualties than I expected. Like every time the author got stalled a little, they threw in another disaster. It's beginning to stretch the boundaries of my disbelief, but I'll keep reading.
We got a spam phone call with a semi-colon in the number. How do you even get a semi-colon in the phone number??
That's it for my randomosity this morning, I think. What's going on in your world?
They really need to move mornings to later in the day.
Autumn is supposed to start on Monday. Yesterday, we matched the record high for the date at 95F. It was like a freakin' sauna out there. Umm, what the hell?
Hubs is out of cookies again, so I guess there will be some baking this morning. A man needs his cookies and I like to keep my man's cookie reserves stocked.
Made what I call quesadillas yesterday. They probably aren't really quesadillas, but that's what I call them. Whatever they are, they're yummy. Two tortillas fried in butter until they're crisp. Put one on a pizza pan for the bottom, layer it with taco stuff - refried beans, taco meat, cheese, olives, etc. Put the other tortilla on top, cover it with salsa, cheese, etc. Bake until the cheese is all bubbly. Cut it into quarters and serve with a side salad. Last night, I did chicken and mushrooms. So good.
Yesterday, I was walking up the hill toward the house when I saw a snake in the road ahead. I approached with caution, sticking to the opposite side of the road, just in case. Most snakes I come across are friendly. This was a copperhead. And it wasn't moving. But at the time, the morning was a mite chilly, so I wasn't sure if the snake was dead or just cold. (It wasn't squashed or anything, so it was hard to tell.) I kicked a black walnut at it. The walnut hit it and bounced over, but it didn't move. 90% sure it was dead. If it's there again today, I'll be 100% sure. Of course, if it's not there, could be it was dead and some animal made off with the carcass. Crows love dead snakes. Anyway, it reminded me why I always watch where I'm walking.
My sale ended last night. I'll think about putting together a wrap-up post on it.
I'm reading an interesting mystery centered around a theme park. It's got way more casualties than I expected. Like every time the author got stalled a little, they threw in another disaster. It's beginning to stretch the boundaries of my disbelief, but I'll keep reading.
We got a spam phone call with a semi-colon in the number. How do you even get a semi-colon in the phone number??
That's it for my randomosity this morning, I think. What's going on in your world?
Sunday, September 15, 2019
Sunday Update - Week 37
Hello again.
I took myself in hand last Sunday and shoved all my headspace negativity into a big box. Since then, I've written like 5700 words. Not a record by any stretch, but they're words on paper moving toward a finished story. I did not do any editing. At this point, editing would be antithetical to my purpose - which is to write without being critical.
I did a boatload of marketing. The SCIU sale is still running until tomorrow night.
Unfortunately, now that I'm writing again, I'm not reading as much. Only two books finished last week and one of those was finished yesterday afternoon. If this slowdown keeps up, I may regret upping my reading goal for the year. Derp.
On the activity front, I only did 3 out of 7 days, and most of that was cleaning. I went from the 3rd to the 13th without taking a walk, which sucked. I made myself walk Friday night because I really needed it (and it was finally cool enough to walk without sweating myself into a raisin). We shall not talk about weight.
We're still battling bugs. The fleas are fewer, but the oak mites have been voracious little bastards. Kira gets her next flea treatment tomorrow. There's nothing we can do about the oak mites except pray for colder weather and limit our time outside. Which sucks. My gardens are all totally neglected and pathetic.
Now that I'm writing again, I seem to be less keen on baking. I guess the baking bug was my brain's way of telling me I needed to create something and be productive. The writing is happening and the bug's flittered away. Poor Hubs will have to live without as many home baked things. And my ass will probably thank me for not shoving carbs down my throat as often. I'll still make granola bars for Hubs and oatmeal cookies, though, cuz that's how I roll.
Ugh, I just remembered that I have a pork roast sitting in the fridge that I have to cook today. Not ugh because I don't like port roast, but ugh because I keep forgetting it's in there. (Only two days, so no worries about old pork, but still.) (Also ugh because thinking about food first thing in the morning grosses me out.)
Okay, that's more than enough from me this week. How's things with you?
I took myself in hand last Sunday and shoved all my headspace negativity into a big box. Since then, I've written like 5700 words. Not a record by any stretch, but they're words on paper moving toward a finished story. I did not do any editing. At this point, editing would be antithetical to my purpose - which is to write without being critical.
I did a boatload of marketing. The SCIU sale is still running until tomorrow night.
Unfortunately, now that I'm writing again, I'm not reading as much. Only two books finished last week and one of those was finished yesterday afternoon. If this slowdown keeps up, I may regret upping my reading goal for the year. Derp.
On the activity front, I only did 3 out of 7 days, and most of that was cleaning. I went from the 3rd to the 13th without taking a walk, which sucked. I made myself walk Friday night because I really needed it (and it was finally cool enough to walk without sweating myself into a raisin). We shall not talk about weight.
We're still battling bugs. The fleas are fewer, but the oak mites have been voracious little bastards. Kira gets her next flea treatment tomorrow. There's nothing we can do about the oak mites except pray for colder weather and limit our time outside. Which sucks. My gardens are all totally neglected and pathetic.
Now that I'm writing again, I seem to be less keen on baking. I guess the baking bug was my brain's way of telling me I needed to create something and be productive. The writing is happening and the bug's flittered away. Poor Hubs will have to live without as many home baked things. And my ass will probably thank me for not shoving carbs down my throat as often. I'll still make granola bars for Hubs and oatmeal cookies, though, cuz that's how I roll.
Ugh, I just remembered that I have a pork roast sitting in the fridge that I have to cook today. Not ugh because I don't like port roast, but ugh because I keep forgetting it's in there. (Only two days, so no worries about old pork, but still.) (Also ugh because thinking about food first thing in the morning grosses me out.)
Okay, that's more than enough from me this week. How's things with you?
Saturday, September 14, 2019
Saturday Reading Wrap-up - 9/14/19
Not a whole lot went on in my reading world this week.
I did snag some new ebooks - historical thriller, mystery, and SF. I have four left from before - fantasy mystery, mystery, paranormal romance, and romantic suspense. No new hardcopies.
Books read:
86) Decision at Delphi by Helen MacInnes (9/10/19) - Suspense. 5 stars. Not new to me or underappreciated. 50c at the thrift store.
Review: "Started a little slow, but what an awesome book."
Note: I can't believe I hadn't read Helen MacInnes before recently. She nails it. Now, I'm snagging her books whenever I can find them at the thrift stores.
No DNFs.
Currently reading... a YA fantasy. It's a book 2. I read the first book back in January and enjoyed it, so when I was looking for a book 2 to read and get after my goal of reading six book 2s this year, I picked that one. It's pretty fun.
And that's it for me. Since I'm writing again, I'm not reading as many books, but I am still chugging along. Still ahead of my new reading goal of 120 for the year.
What was on your reading menu this week?
I did snag some new ebooks - historical thriller, mystery, and SF. I have four left from before - fantasy mystery, mystery, paranormal romance, and romantic suspense. No new hardcopies.
Books read:
86) Decision at Delphi by Helen MacInnes (9/10/19) - Suspense. 5 stars. Not new to me or underappreciated. 50c at the thrift store.
Review: "Started a little slow, but what an awesome book."
Note: I can't believe I hadn't read Helen MacInnes before recently. She nails it. Now, I'm snagging her books whenever I can find them at the thrift stores.
No DNFs.
Currently reading... a YA fantasy. It's a book 2. I read the first book back in January and enjoyed it, so when I was looking for a book 2 to read and get after my goal of reading six book 2s this year, I picked that one. It's pretty fun.
And that's it for me. Since I'm writing again, I'm not reading as many books, but I am still chugging along. Still ahead of my new reading goal of 120 for the year.
What was on your reading menu this week?
Thursday, September 12, 2019
Thursday This n That
It's morning. I forgot to write this yesterday. I have not had enough coffee yet to adequately interact with other human beings.
I didn't write anything yesterday, but that's okay. I did write three days in a row this week, which is something considering how little I've written otherwise. I had a major plot point jump up and smack me in the face and now I'm thinking about how I'm going to proceed with this. Which I will do today.
I really need to take the cotton swabs to my computer's vent thingie. But I have to turn the computer off to do it and I never remember during a time when I don't need my computer on. Better get it done before the dust and cat hair cause a major computer problem, though.
French bread pizza is an awesome way to have homemade pizza without having to go through all the work of making the dough. I have no urge to knead when it's this hot out.
When will Summer get the hell out of here already?? It shouldn't be this hot in the middle of September. Gah.
We now have to make sure we wake up in the middle of the night to take Geriatric Cat to the litter box or there are dire consequences. It's not that she can't walk to the litter box. She forgets that she needs to walk over there. During the day, she meows loudly to remind me that she needs something but I think she isn't quite sure what she needs. At night? Silence and she just pees wherever she is. If I put her in there, she goes fine. She is in her 80s, though, so we're rolling with it.
A couple days ago, I was at Wallyworld, picking up some more Benedryl gel and there was an older woman standing there staring at all the myriad itch relief creams and gels in apparent utter confusion. So, I started talking to her about what she might need. She showed me her arm. Oak mite bites. I have become a layman expert on oak mites this year. I suggested the Benedryl and told her we also use Aloe Vera Gel (100% aloe from over in the cosmetics section). She grabbed some Calamine instead. :shrug: That'll work, too, I guess. Benedryl and/or aloe works better, in my opinion, but to each his own.
A short while later, over in the food section, I kept crossing paths with an elderly lady. And after a while, we'd laugh as we passed. We finally stopped to talk in the juice section. She was telling me about her husband who has a form of dementia and how she only ever gets a chance to talk to other people the one day a week she has someone come in to watch her husband so she can grocery shop. I let her talk because people do kinda need human interaction and she was nice. Then as we wound down, she apologized for taking up so much of my time and thanked me for listening. I told her there was no need to apologize. I wasn't in any hurry and she wasn't bothering anyone. She needed an ear and I was happy to provide it. And as she spoke of her once strong, intelligent, active husband turning into a healthy body with no mind, I was reminded again of how much dementia sucks - not just for the person who has it, but for their loved ones. =o(
And on that depressing note, I'm out of here. Hug your loved ones. Exercise your brain every day in any way you can. And enjoy your life while you have the mind and the body to do so.
I didn't write anything yesterday, but that's okay. I did write three days in a row this week, which is something considering how little I've written otherwise. I had a major plot point jump up and smack me in the face and now I'm thinking about how I'm going to proceed with this. Which I will do today.
I really need to take the cotton swabs to my computer's vent thingie. But I have to turn the computer off to do it and I never remember during a time when I don't need my computer on. Better get it done before the dust and cat hair cause a major computer problem, though.
French bread pizza is an awesome way to have homemade pizza without having to go through all the work of making the dough. I have no urge to knead when it's this hot out.
When will Summer get the hell out of here already?? It shouldn't be this hot in the middle of September. Gah.
We now have to make sure we wake up in the middle of the night to take Geriatric Cat to the litter box or there are dire consequences. It's not that she can't walk to the litter box. She forgets that she needs to walk over there. During the day, she meows loudly to remind me that she needs something but I think she isn't quite sure what she needs. At night? Silence and she just pees wherever she is. If I put her in there, she goes fine. She is in her 80s, though, so we're rolling with it.
A couple days ago, I was at Wallyworld, picking up some more Benedryl gel and there was an older woman standing there staring at all the myriad itch relief creams and gels in apparent utter confusion. So, I started talking to her about what she might need. She showed me her arm. Oak mite bites. I have become a layman expert on oak mites this year. I suggested the Benedryl and told her we also use Aloe Vera Gel (100% aloe from over in the cosmetics section). She grabbed some Calamine instead. :shrug: That'll work, too, I guess. Benedryl and/or aloe works better, in my opinion, but to each his own.
A short while later, over in the food section, I kept crossing paths with an elderly lady. And after a while, we'd laugh as we passed. We finally stopped to talk in the juice section. She was telling me about her husband who has a form of dementia and how she only ever gets a chance to talk to other people the one day a week she has someone come in to watch her husband so she can grocery shop. I let her talk because people do kinda need human interaction and she was nice. Then as we wound down, she apologized for taking up so much of my time and thanked me for listening. I told her there was no need to apologize. I wasn't in any hurry and she wasn't bothering anyone. She needed an ear and I was happy to provide it. And as she spoke of her once strong, intelligent, active husband turning into a healthy body with no mind, I was reminded again of how much dementia sucks - not just for the person who has it, but for their loved ones. =o(
And on that depressing note, I'm out of here. Hug your loved ones. Exercise your brain every day in any way you can. And enjoy your life while you have the mind and the body to do so.
Tuesday, September 10, 2019
HAPPY Mix
I mentioned my HAPPY mix on yesterday's Outside the Box post, so I thought I'd share it here today. It's comprised of music from CDs or songs I own that I've downloaded to my computer for easy mixing.
In no particular order (because I put it on shuffle anyway)...
Keep Your Head Up - Andy Grammer
Fine by Me - Andy Grammer
Lunatic - Andy Grammer
Biggest Man in Los Angeles - Andy Grammer
Good to be Alive (Hallelujah) - Andy Grammer
Honey, I'm Good - Andy Grammer
Back Home - Andy Grammer
Masterpiece - Andy Grammer
Red Eye - Andy Grammer
Call Me Maybe - Carly Rae Jepsen*
Good Time - Carly Rae Jepsen
Brighter Than the Sun - Colbie Callait
Think Good Thoughts - Colbie Callait
This - Darius Rucker
Comeback Song - Darius Rucker
Southern State of Mind - Darius Rucker
Love Will Do That - Darius Rucker
I Don't Care - Darius Rucker (and Brad Paisley)
You Can Call Me Al - Paul Simon
Carry On - Fun
Tonight, Tonight - Hot Chelle Rae
I Like It Like That - Hot Chelle Rae
Radio - Hot Chelle Rae
Downtown Girl - Hot Chelle Rae
I'm Yours - Jason Mraz
Stronger (What Doesn't Kill You) - Kelly Clarkson
Everything - Michael Buble
I've Got the World on a String - Michael Buble
Good Life - One Republic
And that's it for right now. I have some CDs I haven't loaded yet and a few songs I want to buy that I know I'll add to this, but this'll do me for the time being.
And after building this post Sunday morning and watching the videos I linked to, I was pretty damned happy. Have fun clicking and listening and watching. =oD
* The US Olympic Swim Team video of this.
In no particular order (because I put it on shuffle anyway)...
Keep Your Head Up - Andy Grammer
Fine by Me - Andy Grammer
Lunatic - Andy Grammer
Biggest Man in Los Angeles - Andy Grammer
Good to be Alive (Hallelujah) - Andy Grammer
Honey, I'm Good - Andy Grammer
Back Home - Andy Grammer
Masterpiece - Andy Grammer
Red Eye - Andy Grammer
Call Me Maybe - Carly Rae Jepsen*
Good Time - Carly Rae Jepsen
Brighter Than the Sun - Colbie Callait
Think Good Thoughts - Colbie Callait
This - Darius Rucker
Comeback Song - Darius Rucker
Southern State of Mind - Darius Rucker
Love Will Do That - Darius Rucker
I Don't Care - Darius Rucker (and Brad Paisley)
You Can Call Me Al - Paul Simon
Carry On - Fun
Tonight, Tonight - Hot Chelle Rae
I Like It Like That - Hot Chelle Rae
Radio - Hot Chelle Rae
Downtown Girl - Hot Chelle Rae
I'm Yours - Jason Mraz
Stronger (What Doesn't Kill You) - Kelly Clarkson
Everything - Michael Buble
I've Got the World on a String - Michael Buble
Good Life - One Republic
And that's it for right now. I have some CDs I haven't loaded yet and a few songs I want to buy that I know I'll add to this, but this'll do me for the time being.
And after building this post Sunday morning and watching the videos I linked to, I was pretty damned happy. Have fun clicking and listening and watching. =oD
* The US Olympic Swim Team video of this.
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