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A Dangerous PlaceA Dangerous Place by Jacqueline Winspear
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

As with the rest of the series, this book taught me as much as it entertained me. The new German language and dialects are added to the English, and now in Spain, there are Spanish language and accents, making the world larger while honing in on the imminent war. Orlagh Cassidy manages to carry off all the new characters with the seeming ease she portrayed of the many accents of the British Isles.

The world is getting more dangerous. Refugees flock to safety as they see the writing on the wall. Little wars are starting alongside the larger menaces of the globe. Maisie seeks out killers in whatever way she can while avoiding getting sucked into any of them. Her health and safety are in jeopardy.

I am so grateful to have the chance to listen to this audiobook via Libby. And thankful that my friend, Kay, recommended these to me.

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Journey to Munich (Maisie Dobbs, #12)Journey to Munich by Jacqueline Winspear
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The writing is on the wall. Another war is pending. But our fearless Maisie Dobbs has a mystery to solve. She has to become someone else. In Germany! There is a lot of espionage and intrigue.

This was not an easy bedtime read. But it was so thrilling to be in on the adventure, I couldn’t let it go. I want to say more, but maybe just read the blurb if you want to know more?

Jacqueline Winspear writes so well, and her knowledge of history is amazing. Add to that greatness Orlagh Cassidy’s narration with all her vocal characterizations, and this is better than any movie or television series. Far better!

I’m still thankful for the recommendation from my friend, Kay. And to Libby for having this series to borrow in Kindle or audiobook versions.

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Your Friday prompt for Stream of Consciousness Saturday is β€œthat time.” Use it any way you’d like. Enjoy!

Remember that time we started laughing and couldn’t stop? Those moments of heightened laughter or deep tears are moments we connect our souls. Those times we car-karaoke until our throats sounded like we smoked all our lives are miracles in my life.

I’m horrid at small talk.Β  But those times we stay awake until the sun becomes up solving the problems of the world, or deep spiritual meshing. Gosh, I love times like that time.


Sunset Diamond Painting still needs to be straightened and sealed. I’ll do that tomorrow morning.

I immediately got out this sea turtle. I love sea turtles. Well, anything to do with the ocean.

As you can see I’ve started at the bottom of the picture.
Aren’t Shiloh (the black cat on the left) and Milo (the cute doggie on the right) the cutest, cuddly couple of furry people ever? They groom each other and cuddle and wrestle and play. Poor tiger, Sammie is just trying to get used to them. And the three take all my attention.❀️
Two pairs of Two at a time, toe-up socks. The ones on the left are at the arch ribbing. But under them are the homework I’ve assigned myself. The manuscript on the right is chords and scales needed for the basis of jazz or other improvisation. My goal for this year. Progress seems slow. But I trust the process.


Station ElevenStation Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I want to thank my friend, Yvensong, and her book club for recommending this book. It was a fun adventure. And it is an adventure. It is nearly too hard to get a good night’s sleep after reading some chapters of this book. Well, I listened to Kirsten Potter, narrator. She did an excellent job. BUT I had times that I got confused. Whose point of view? What part of the history was this part of the story? Happened a lot at first. I think having the physical book would have helped me look it up at the moment.

I love the musical point of view and the performance elements. Yes, we will need to do more than survive if we end up in a dystopian post-apocalyptic world.

I will try to listen to the book again soon, as I will know who is who now. I do have the Audible version, so I can listen when I choose. Give it a try. You might like it, too.

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One-Liner Wednesday


Part of Linda’s One-Liner Wednesday


Leaving Everything Most Loved (Maisie Dobbs, #10)Leaving Everything Most Loved by Jacqueline Winspear
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This series is so good, I can hardly wait to read the next one. Then I get ahead of my reviews, and I have to read the blurb to remember which book was which. So if you need to, go to Amazon and read the blurb. My quick blurb: Maisie Dobbs must solve the mystery of Indian immigrants in this book. But she has other issues that creep up to take care of. But in her thoughtful way, Ms. Dobbs gracefully finds answers.

You can find this one on Libby. If I had more income, I would buy the whole series. Jacqueline Winspear’s writing and research put her books over the top! In addition to the great stories, Orlagh Cassidy’s narration makes them feel like reality.

I highly recommend this series and this book.

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Elegy for EddieElegy for Eddie by Jacqueline Winspear
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Oh, this was sad. Poor Eddie.

This has a long blurb on Amazon so I suggest you take a look at it.

There are so many issues that we currently face but were surely worse back in 1933. Especially dealt with is how the disabled can live if worked with or can suffer through bullying.

As I’ve mentioned before I love the Maisie Dobbs series. Each book hold a wealth of information in history and psychology as well as a great mystery or two to solve in the process.

Again, I have to praise the writing of Jacqueline Winspear and the talented narration Orlagh Cassidy make these books the best entertainment and bedtime reading.

I feel blessed to have found the series on Libby. If you get the chance, give the series a try! Thank you, Kay for suggesting these.

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A Certain Idea of America: Selected WritingsA Certain Idea of America: Selected Writings by Peggy Noonan
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This was a daytime read. I find it hard to read politics at bedtime. So I listened to the audiobook borrowed from Libby while doing my diamond paintings. I thought the author read this, but Hillary Huber is listed as the narrator. Either way, these are interesting essays.

I have to admit that I didn’t agree with everything, but even when I didn’t, I found something interesting to learn in each one. I do like how Peggy Noonan writes these essays. I felt engaged in the topic, pro or con.

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Your Friday prompt for Stream of Consciousness Saturday is “straw.” Use it any way you’d like. Have fun!

Straw in the country is important. Heck, it’s what keeps our chickens warm. My brother stacked a few bales on the west side of the coop to keep the wind out. He uses it for nesting material in their boxes.

There’s a whole theory of no weed gardening based on piles of straw. It helps keep down weeds around flowers or trees. It breaks down to mulch.

Ah, but here there are too many rodents that eat your plants before you even get started. So mostly you need to build rodent safe raised box gardens. That takes money we don’t have. Lumber isn’t cheap. Maybe someday we’ll get to try it.

Not my picture but we are surrounded by fields like this.

Drinking straws have gone back to paper to be good to the earth

But the last straw always is the worst, right?

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