Archive for May, 2024



The Vampire Book Club (Vampire Book Club, #1)The Vampire Book Club by Nancy Warren
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Oh, boy. Do I need a 12-step program for Nancy Warren’s books? I can’t stop! I’m already two books out from this one and haven’t written the review for this one yet.

May I stop for a moment? EVERYTHING about these books is fun, except the murder parts. And don’t blame the witches (at least the good ones) or the vampires. It is always a human with a grudge or two.

Reading is one of my favorite hobbies. In the olden days, I wouldn’t be caught without a book in my purse. A purse should always be big enough to carry a book or two. That way, I could read while sitting and waiting in the car for kids or long lights or even in an unmoving traffic jam. Standing in line at the DMV or at the Theater, out came the book, even if I merely got a paragraph.

Now, I have a different book on old cell phones tucked away in the bathroom or next to my bed; two different Fires hold different books or types of books. One Fire has games that don’t require much thought while listening to a book on the other Fire. The audiobook is my favorite venue now, but I do read the occasional paper book or Kindle on the phones.

I have books that require a lot of thought. I save those for daytime or waiting times. At nighttime, fantasy and lighter Sci-fi play with me.

So you know these are my nighttime pleasures. The dream of the last series was a yarn story in my house, where the knitting club met. This series, though having the occasional visit from the knitting vampires, is in the home above the bookstore the main character owns. This is my other dream life.

My husband and I met, dreaming of owning the noisiest bookstore ever. I planned to have a music area. If you want quiet, you go somewhere else. I wonder if the vampires bookclub would still meet in my imaginary bookstore?

View all my reviews

Making Monday


This yarn is so much fun, visually I worked far more than I should have. Shoulder and hands are crying. But aren’t they adorable?
These haven’t progressed but maybe a row or two. The watermelons were much more fun!
Same with these. They are closer to the heel now.
The dock is coming along.
This is a ukulele chord trainer. Just for practicing without disturbing the household. I still need the ear training but my fingers need more touching. This I can do while watching TV.
This two sided poster helps with positioning and the second side helps with composition,  harmony, and scales, etc.  It’s been a long time since music theory classes

So these are the things in the making here. Hope you had a marvelous Monday.


The Vampire Knitting Club: Cornwall (Vampire Knitting Club: Cornwall, #1)The Vampire Knitting Club: Cornwall by Nancy Warren
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

After reading the Vampire Knitting Club series, I couldn’t stop. I ordered and started immediately on this one.

Whoa! Wait! New narrator. What a shock. I got used to the other one. But after I got used to her, Piper Goodeve (Narrator) is a good choice for a new witch. Best friends with our former series star, Lucy, Jennifer proves to be a fun character to hang out with. And she can hold her own.

This new place gives that bit of travel I like in a good book. And more knitting, more competent knitting.

I haven’t mentioned this in any of the series’ reviews, but I wish we could do a cozy mystery without a murder. But that seems to be how it is. Oh, well. It is still fun.

And guess what! I’ve already started and finished the next book. On to my next review.

View all my reviews


Our prompt for Stream of Consciousness Saturday is:  What’s that Smell?

We live in the Oregon Outback. When most of us think of Oregon we picture GREEN. We live in the desert. Our green isn’t trees. Rather, mostly sagebrush.

Ooh, the marvelous smell of spring green sage in a breeze. It is only topped by that marvels of the alfalfa fields during watering or cutting. Wow!

If we long for the piney smells a short drive 12 miles can bring us to a campground. A little farther in another direction are the mountains that hold all kinds of wonders.

But here, in this house, we often shout that phrase. “What is that smell?”

To start out I live with three other people. Male adults. None of us are the most organized or extremely hygienic.

Back to the outside. Critters scurry everywhere. Mice are the worst. Our old lady cat no longer finds the chase worthwhile.

There are a couple strays outside. They do help. But they also caught a little rabbit who was playing lawnmower. 😥

Then there are the birds that insist on living in the eaves of our house. We’ve blocked them out. After they move out.

So that smell…

Pass the Lysol, please!

And pity this guy!

Finishing Friday


It’s been an interesting week.  I’ve been busy and am tired. So the bits I can grab and report are these:

Shooting the Curl is finally finished. It still needs sealing. There were a lot of black and dark colors so I’m glad to be done. My eyes cross in the parts mostly 310 (that’s embroidery black).
Just started what I’m calling The Dock. It looks easier on the eyes.
Look what UPS just delivered! It’s just too hard enough to be a challenge. But not enough to be discouraging.
And for my rhythm inadequacies, this too, came UPS. It’s pretty and no battery or wires.
My son’s slipper socks are at the heel stage. Hopefully I’ll finish them by midweek.
These are getting hard. Sometimes I have to go get a hint. Almost every answer needs to be checked. If it isn’t right it can get so messy it’s hard to recover. I figure I need to keep at it as sooner or later I’ll figure out how to do these harder puzzles. It’s still fun. When it isn’t I’ll find something else to do.

Now it’s time to play uke and recorders. Have a great weekend!

Jinxed


I had a feeling when I tried to predict rescue-dog-day-date. I think I jinxed it. The car needs oil and tire changes before we can make a longer trip to our little stores here. I am so disappointed. Sometimes, even at 74, being an adult sucks!

One-Liner Wednesday


Totally me! BUT there is the school of thought of visualization. It helps.

So Close


There were so many cute and funny things to share. But this one made me happy.

Others were about losing pets. I’m still sad, yes. But do I dare ask for prayers and blessings as on Thursday we will start visiting shelters. I’m nearly giddy with excitement. But trying to be a grownup. Haha.

Me hoping there’s one hoping for me.

Making Monday


My #2 son’s slippers are now to the arch. Chiaogoo red-laced cable needles, 40″, size 8, Two-At-A-Time. Turkish Cast-on, ribbed arch, will have Fleegle Heel.
I don’t know who these will belong to. But heading for the Fleegle Heel. Chiaogoo red-laced cable, 60″, size 1 needles. Because they have finer yarn and needles my hands have to take it slow.
Mediums are harder in this book. But I feel proud not to give up and I still try. Maybe someday mediums will be easier.
Making music still. Still working on Ash Grove. Learning flats. Playing both alto and soprano recorders. One of these days I will be coordinated or brave enough to record my own duets. This book is still quite challenging.
I know, now, the underlined chords. I’m working on the circled ones. My fingers are callused but so uncoordinated.
I’m also learning to play melodies. After decades of piano, I find this non-linear scale tough but fun for my brain.
I am learning scales, too!
Besides Bernadette’s 30 Day plan on YouTube (which is taking far longer!), I’m working in this book, too. Though I’m getting ready to order the next grade up. Maybe not a kid’s version. Suggestions?
A song involving chords and melody. I’m getting better.
Shooting the Curl will be finished tomorrow. I just need to fill the strays, seal and stash away.
12 languages. I don’t work on all of them everyday. But I do most of them most days. Sometimes I barely make it through one. But I only work on things I enjoy. Follow the passion.

Leave the World BehindLeave the World Behind by Rumaan Alam
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I saw the movie a while ago. It did the book justice. I will have to watch it again now that I read the book. Well, I listened to the audiobook through Libby, the library app. I highly recommend both ways to enjoy this thrilling story.

Here is the first part of the blurb about this book:

“A magnetic novel about two families, strangers to each other, who are forced together on a long weekend gone terribly wrong.”

I think that says it all!

Add to that the wonderful voice acting by Marin Ireland. Wow! Make sure your nails are long enough to bite.

View all my reviews

Pieces Of My Heart

"Words & Wonders - Where thoughts meet art

💫The Afterlove Voice💫 Justice For Liam ⚖

Justice, Channeling,Spiritual,Astrology,Truth- Seeker.

Amin Academy

Education, Information, Motivation

WhatIf.in.net - Alternate Realities

Where Curiosity Meets Creativity

Luso Loonie — Devin Meireles

Portuguese-Canadian Writing About This Portuguese Thing of Ours

UNDER THE WILL... OVER THE DRAMA...

Inheritance. Narcissism. Turf. Welcome to the family.

Selma

Finding the extra in the ordinary

Sip, Snack, See

A Blog About Food and Travels

Golu lodhi

I upload photos & videos Golu lodhi village pairakhedi

Hunza

Travel,Tourism, precious story "Now in hundreds of languages for you."

intricate cantrips

twisted yarns, unraveled

Introverted Growth

The Introvert's Roadmap to Self Discovery and Growth

Histopedia

story telling from history

KaustubhaReflections

Where ancient wisdom meets modern technology. Stories that illuminate the wonders of science, culture, and life — crafted with human creativity and a touch of AI magic.

Roads Lesser Traveled

Life is just down the road lesser traveled....

Enlarge my heart

In the Quiet Space of a Benedictine Heart: Seeking God in Every Moment