I’ve had so much fun with my piano, learning and relearning Christmas songs. In this book
My fav is
I’m going to work on these songs just one more week. Then I’ll do a ‘warts and all’ recording before retiring them to wait at least 250 days.
I’m going to miss these.
My Grape Paris by Laura Bradbury
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
I love this series. It is the only one I truly read. (I usually need audiobooks due to tracking and dyslexia issues). I keep it on my phone on my Kindle and just read it when I have a few quiet moments alone. Laura Bradbury writes in such a way that I never feel lost, even when I have to neglect the read for a while.
The other fun thing about the books is the use of French words or phrases, just occasionally, nothing overwhelming. But it is a great chance to practice my elementary concepts of that language. And don’t worry; it is all contextual and she adds the translation if needed.
The best part is how well you get to know Laura and her boyfriend, Franck, their friends and family. As life continues, you see them grow and learn.
In this episode, Laura needs to take a year of college in Paris to study her educational major. So you learn about her love of ancient French writings. Meanwhile, she and Franck get to visit all the wonders of Paris. I feel I am traveling with them. And Laura learns to stand up for herself and figure out how to do that while in a relationship.
I highly recommend this series. It isn’t too horribly mushy. In fact, I found a few things at 75 that Laura learned when she was still in her 20s.
If you wish you could travel to France, this series, this book is for you.
For others
And Nature is trying. Hope it’ll stay until tomorrow.
Merry Christmas Eve, everyone!
Cher: The Memoir, Part One by Cher
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
And the Beat Goes On for the best member of that team!
I loved, loved, loved this autobiography from one of my favorite singers from the 60s. It was a chance to relive my life. She kept me singing, dancing, or laughing during good or bad times.
Cher wrote an accessible story about part of her life. As she stated, dyslexia is one of those abilities many share, and can understand why she needed a part-time narrator. Stephanie J. Block took over the story seamlessly. Sometimes, it was hard to tell who was reading. But suddenly, there was a deep voice and accent that made you realize it was Cher. But I never could tell when Ms. Stephanie took over.
I can hardly wait for part two. But I may try to listen to this one again and add my musical playlist to bring it to life. I would love to see this as a movie or series. Cher has been through several lifetimes of good and bad times.
I highly recommend this autobiographical masterpiece. Please enjoy the audio version!
Wishing you all a loving Christmas, Hanukkah, or however you celebrate or live these days with hearts and spirits. May we all find ways to be kind to one another.
Though energy, hands, and back have stopped much practice on violin, uke, and even recorder, I hope to get it back. That and other yarn projects will have to wait for the healing.
I have enjoyed the heck out of playing Christmas songs some new, some old favorites from my childhood lessons. I realized in 5 days I will have to bundle them up with notes for next year. I plan to get more serious about scales, arpeggios, improvisations, and dare I dare, composing? It’s a lifelong dream. If not now then when?
Duolingo continues to keep my brain working. I usually do it while I ride at least 5 miles or over 30 minutes on my stationary bike. Now on level 2 rather than 1. Yay, that’s some improvement.
Dare I call it a habit that I started morning bed yoga? This morning my whole spine crackled. I’m hoping it was for good and not evil. I haven’t hurt anymore than usual so, maybe it’s good, eh?
Depression has been visiting for a year due to fur-babies and then one of my best friends passed.
An issue with the elderly adopting pets had me angry. My pets grew old and died. My brother died when I was 24 and he was 21. I’ve seen so many cases where the pet saves the person and vice versa. Pets should not just be for the wealthy and young. Many of us would love to even foster pets but on our budget and with disabilities that make it difficult we have been turned down. It just seems unfair, you know?
A couple of days ago, our noon news was replaced with a widely viewed Newscast for the state instead of local counties’ usual show. These days one always holds their breath when news changes or interrupts suddenly. My husband got on the web to find out why.
Around the time of the pandemic, a new newscaster came on. She was young and the make-up people overdid her beautiful face. As time went on the make-up became more flattering. She became confident. We grew to love her coming into our homes every day. She was a fur-baby lover. She had the rescue of the week on Thursdays and I think I remember her adopting a couple. She loved animals.
This is what we found out:
https://www.kold.com/2024/12/16/13-news-remembers-ana-orsini/
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/ana-orsini-tucson-arizona-news-anchor-dies-age-28-kold-tv/
Blood, Sweat and Tiers by Nancy Warren
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Once again, Nancy Warren and Hollis McCarthy brought a fun whodunnit adventure. The author wrote this series in such a fashion that you can catch up and know what is happening no matter where you start. I read all her Vampire Knitting Club. Then, a bit of the Book Club. I found 5 and 6 of the Great Witches Baking Show when I needed something light. But I couldn’t read the tiny print that said which number in the series I started on. So I started on number 6 and then just finished number 5.
As usual, Hollis narrated each character so well that I knew whose point of view I was visiting. I can’t wait until I can get caught up with the series on Libby or buy the Audible version soon.
I hope you can enjoy this series. It’s light, even if it is a murder mystery.
Crumbs and Misdemeanors by Nancy Warren
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Because of the availability at Libby, I am reading this series out of order. After the fun of GingerDead, I found book 6. I dislike reading things out of order, but I figured Nancy Warren does such a nice job of filling in the needed details from the previous books. I didn’t feel I’d get lost. And I don’t think I did.
This book went nearly as fast as the Gingerdead novella. It was a fun ride.
Hollis McCarthy narrated this one, also. She could voice all the characters so well that I often forgot it was just one woman reading aloud.
Nancy Warren’s series are all so light and cozy, yet engaging. I don’t like that mysteries are always about murder. But everything else is fun. It’s always an adventure.
It was one of those sleepless nights, so I not only finished this one, but I went on to the other one Libby had available. Again, way out of order. On to number 5!
Congrats! You have completed your goal of reading 100 books for the 2013 Reading Challenge! 115 of 100 (115%)
Congrats! You have completed your goal of reading 225 books for the 2012 Reading Challenge! 225 of 225 (100%)
Congrats! You have completed your goal of reading 200 books for the 2011 Reading Challenge! 204 of 200 (102%)
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