Funko
Btw, anyone notice I had no idea what day of the week it is?
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Yay! I got these done in time for the birthday party last night. And, I’m told, they fit!
I have more pics of my travels but no time.
My favorite word. Except on long drives is water. I’ve taken more pics of the stuff than anything else while on this adventure.
And then from the ferry to Seattle:
I love when you can taste the water in the air. Sea breeze saltiness. Ummm. Water.
Not a Grey’s Anatomy myth!
Got to take a ferry to Seattle. Space Needle! No, I didn’t get to go in. But I enjoyed the view!
I’ll share the beach walk for tomorrow as well, there’s a secret to keep until then.
And it had two rooms, one with a king size bed, the other had two queens. Two TVs we didn’t use.
The pool was only 5 feet deep. Even as short as it was it took me a few to enjoy laps. The jacuzzi made travel weary bones happy.
The downside of needing lots to do with my hands is traveling.
What This Comedian Said Will Shock You by Bill Maher
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
I’m not finished with this book yet, but I know I will in the next two nights. I will be so busy that I won’t have time to do a proper review. But at 75% finished, I think my thoughts on the review won’t change much.
Bill Maher can cause me to laugh out loud, nod in agreement, OR scream at my TV (at least in my head). And I’m okay with that. I like hearing different points of view presented with a sense of humor or thoughtfully. This book is like his show; it is open and works over ideas. Bill’s point of view. This is one that you don’t want to throw the baby out with the bathwater. I feel we can disagree and still like/love each other. Bill gives us other ways to look at it all.
I was lucky to get this from Libby as an Audible. Bill Maher narrates with all his best humor and maybe a bit of bitterness. But thoughtfully, respectfully, um, for the most part.
Give it a try and see what you think.
Shadow of Night by Deborah Harkness
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Below is the review I made the first time I read this book. I find it says more than I was planning to say. My current review would have just said how much I loved this time-travel adventure between the witch and her vampire husband. Check out the old review for the rest.
*****
After a bit of research, I realized that I had read the first book, A Discovery of Witches, in 2011. That reading was a result of a recommendation by my cousin. I loved that book. Yet, I just took the quiz and found I only got 3 questions right out of 10. So maybe I should have read it again before reading this second book, Shadow of Night. I did feel lost at times, but the story kept me engaged, and I didn’t want to leave the past to review the first book. Also, in my research, I found that I didn’t have the Kindle version of the first book. I must have borrowed the hardback from the library. But I do have the Audible version of the book that I had listened to alongside the hardback.
With both books of the series, I was delighted by the narrator, Jennifer Ikeda. Her voice is exquisite. I love the way she can vary according to each character. I feel she could read the phonebook and make it exciting. But Deborah Harkness’s writing needs no help. Several times, I’d have a sleepless night and want to read. I hated donning my headset just for a few minutes of reading. Those few moments lasted for sometimes hours. So yes, I know how well the writing is. With the duo of writer and narrator, this story comes to life. And that is when Elizabeth I was queen.
I love time travel stories, but this was different in that it was due to witchcraft that made it happen. And that by a witch who doesn’t understand her craft. Okay, I won’t tell you any more about the story. Needless to say, it is worth the read. The characters alone can grab you. They are well-developed, as is the plot. So much so that I couldn’t wait to get the next book and get involved. I highly recommend this series.
A Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Jennifer Ikeda narrated this book with so much variance in her voice, playing each character with enthusiasm and strength.
The story is as interesting this second time around. I am sucked right into the story as if it is the first time. I can remember certain plot points, but getting to those points is half the adventure.
After reading the Vampire Knitting Club and the Vampire Book Club series, I needed to have another lighter story. This one isn’t as much humor as it is a full immersion into Deborah Harkness’s world.
I have enjoyed this so much that I decided to get back into the whole series. I’ve already started reading book two.
Below is my first review of this book
******
This book was so much fun. Now, I have a new author, Deborah Harkness, and a new narrator, Jennifer Ikeda, on my favorites list. The only problem I had with the book was that feeling when the book ended and the next book wasn’t available yet! So, I spent my day in that withdrawal phase that happens when you have learned to love the characters and enjoy the plot.
What some reviewers were irritated with was the clothing issues. I found them to be signs of a modern professional woman who is trying to be ‘normal.’ I loved the range of senses Ms. Harkness called upon to present the world. Ms. Ikeda’s accents made the characters come alive.
I have to thank my cousin for suggesting this book. Only for her would I have read anything to do with vampires. I was led to believe, by the title, I suppose, that this would be about witches. 🙂
Summer used to be my favorite season. To sum it up: swimming. I would be in the water 24/7 if I could. From the time of my first lesson, I think I was 11 or 12, I knew my inner spirit was a mermaid.
I challenged myself to swim from one end of the pool to the other in one breath.
Though I took the diving challenges, low board or high, I hated the time it took me out of the water. Although overcoming my fear of heights was tough, once mastered, I gave it up to be in the pool.
In seventh grade I was able to take lifesaving and be a part of a swim team. I didn’t get to finish the course. Nor did I get to continue the competitions. I suffered a severe case of swimmer’s ear that put me to bed the rest of the summer. It wasn’t the earache that caused the most pain. I cried daily for what I was missing. I’ve since learned how to keep my ears dry between swims.
Summer also meant camp and camping. Every year my folks took the family on 3-week vacations. To save money it was always camping. Our favorite system was to go to Sequoia, Yosemite, and Bass Lake. Swimming in the lakes made me happy.
As a teen, Sunshine Superman played as we had many trips to the beach.
I found I loved the beach as much as the pool. Salt water. Sand. Bodysurfing. It became my favorite spot. But laps are too long in the ocean! And swimming under water wasn’t as much fun.
Living in the small community with no pools has been hard. Beaches are too far away. It is Lake County but we’ve yet to see the lakes. And they seem more for fishing than swimming. The one I plan to investigate this summer is actually a reservoir. But we’re told there are leeches. Ugh!
Another sad issue with summer now is the fires. Breathing becomes an issue.
But this summer is starting with the possibility of a really fun road trip. And maybe a swim? Our fears are fires and or snow. I know! But tonight we have to drip. A freeze. June!!!
But I plan on challenging summer this year. Please bring water and fresh air!
Darswords 
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