Tag Archive: nature



Force of Nature: Three Women Tackle the John Muir TrailForce of Nature: Three Women Tackle the John Muir Trail by Joan M. Griffin
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Anna Crowe narrated so well that I thought it had to be the author reading her own work. This was a nice hike with a few women on the John Muir Trail. I felt like I was right there without freezing or mosquito bites, vicariously eating a high-calorie diet to keep alive while moving up and down the mountains.

This was inspiring writing for sure. I want to do that kind of camping and climbing. I want to be able to write as well as the author. She felt old in her fifties. But here I am inspired by her and hoping I can find a way to do this kind of thing. It is time to start getting in shape. Maybe by summer, I can walk more than two miles a day. They managed 10 a day. I believe it can be done. I think these old bones would be happier with me if I tried.

If you can’t get into nature, maybe it’s too cold right now. But this book will help make you feel it is summer and you are making the JMT with friends. I recommend this read!

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The Land of Painted Caves (Earth's Children, #6)The Land of Painted Caves by Jean M. Auel
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This was my second “read.” I just listened on Audible. This time, I was less enchanted. I felt it was repetitive, repeating so many stories from the previous books. I wouldn’t say I liked Jondalar and got mad at Ayla several times. And the Zelandoni (I’m not sure how to spell the one that relates to the first one–Audible) didn’t seem the wisest of women either. And the grand adventures of the past books weren’t there. But it was fun to live in the story just a little longer. But I wasn’t as gooey as I was in my previous read. The review from a few years ago is below.

It is the times, my attitudes of now and then? I didn’t feel the same this time.

~~~
Why did I have to read these so fast? Now, there are no more cave-bear books.

Sandra Burr. Listen to her performance of these books if you get the chance.

I feel I have already reviewed this series. Before I reread them, I will try to find pictures of the places, the caves, and the types of people these books are about. It would be cool if Jean M. Auel could write a companion picture book. I must admit to having my curiosity piqued about the prehistoric times when womyn were warriors. I am glad that the author spent so much time researching these stories. Her knowledge of the geography, flora, and fauna made the world of Ayla come to life.

If you haven’t read these yet, you owe it to yourself. If you have, trek back to the Caves.

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Grandma Gatewood's Walk: The Inspiring Story of the Woman Who Saved the Appalachian TrailGrandma Gatewood’s Walk: The Inspiring Story of the Woman Who Saved the Appalachian Trail by Ben Montgomery
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Though Patrick Lawlor (Narrator) did a good job telling the story, I felt it would have been better with a female narrator. Still, it wasn’t about the narrator or the author. This book was dedicated to Grandma Gatewood, her life and times, and the many hikes she walked just because.

Regardless of the way the story is told, I felt inspired by Grandma Gatewood. Granted, I find a walk of a couple of miles more than enough. I think maybe because I have other things planned for the rest of the day. I wonder, if I told myself that this day is for walking if I would find it more enjoyable than trying to get back on time for this or that appointment. On the other hand, this is winter and the wind is horrid. And I might melt if it rained, excuses, excuses.

Anyway, I was lucky to find this on Libby You might like it too.

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The Parrot and the Igloo: Climate and the Science of DenialThe Parrot and the Igloo: Climate and the Science of Denial by David Lipsky
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I am really not finished yet. I am at 99%, but I wanted to write this review before closing the laptop.

This is highly political, but David Lipsky seems to have no favorites. He has much to say about the denial on both sides of the aisle. I love science, but this proves how human ambition can kill science and the people who would benefit most from knowing the answers, however they proved.

Mike Chamberlain (Narrator) did a reasonably good job reading the book, but there wasn’t much to work with. It seemed the thing I hated most about this book was how the author chose to pretty up the story with words or illustrations that seemed to entertain him. I found these annoying, and it took me out of the story he was trying to tell. Not to say this is fiction. It was history in light of science and politics.

There are various opinions about this book in the reviews. Maybe you will love it? Or not? Try for yourself to see.

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A Walk in the Woods: Rediscovering America on the Appalachian TrailA Walk in the Woods: Rediscovering America on the Appalachian Trail by Bill Bryson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Below is the review from my first reading. An actual paper book. This time it was the Audible version. I didn’t realize I had read it before. Rob McQuay’s narration was brilliant! I enjoyed this read as if it were my first time, obviously.

* * *
I haven’t felt this way about a book in a while. I wanted it to continue. Bill Bryson wrote with such a light touch that you felt you were walking beside him. I loved how he threw in well-researched information not only about the AT but about the ecology and history of people.

I may want to read this again someday, so I will have to go out and buy my own copy. This one is a BookCrossing copy that will soon find someone else to thrill. 297-4877803 To find out where it lands.

[Passed to TangoDream:]

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Remarkably Bright CreaturesRemarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

OH, I needed that! What a fun little book!

A seventy-year-old main character? Finally!

A chance to see life from the octopus’s point of view? Yes!

I was lucky to listen to this book on a Libby audiobook. The voices are fantastic!

Marin Ireland (Narrator),  Michael Urie (Narrator),

Especially octopus’s pompous voice.

I don’t want to give any of it away. Just dive in and enjoy!

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Cadillac Desert: The American West and Its Disappearing Water [Revised and Updated Edition]Cadillac Desert: The American West and Its Disappearing Water [Revised and Updated Edition] by Marc Reisner
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Joe Spieler (Narrator), and Kate Udall (Narrator) mostly Mr. Spieler, tell the history of water, dams, resources, and politics.

I’d love to say it was exciting. Unfortunately, as informative as it was, it was hard to stay with it. This was a library, Libby, audiobook. I needed to finish as others were waiting for the book so I listened every chance I could. Still, having been married to an employee on the California Aqueduct and lived up and down the state of California, I was able to follow a lot of the history as it unfolded in the way of how politics played into everything.

What I appreciated most was when Kate Udall started reading near the end of the science, ecology, and climate changes play a part in the most important element for life besides air. I feel this is a textbook everyone should take the time for. Whether you agree with it all or not, this is still a lot here to chew on for a while.

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Tuesday Tidbits


So I took a nap with Kali. After I got up the cats joined Kali. Like they couldn’t wait for me to let them have THEIR bed!
That’s Kali on the left, Teddy to the right. (At least they don’t take over my pillows.)
Here’s Rosey at the end of the bed.
I almost forgot to share our moment of spring. The mesquite is in bloom. Today was hot enough for shorts. Next week summer.

My natural life in motion.


Thru-Hiking Will Break Your Heart: An Adventure on the Pacific Crest TrailThru-Hiking Will Break Your Heart: An Adventure on the Pacific Crest Trail by Carrot Quinn
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This book will stay with me for a while. Erin Spencer (Narrator) made me feel like I was right there, on the trail, soaking wet or extremely tired. Sometimes a narrator is so good that you think it has to be the author as they seem to maintain the cadence of the written speech as if it were their own. It was fantastically done.

That means the writing was natural and felt genuine. This was a journal of sort of the hiker, Carrot Quinn. She was honest and told the good and the bad of her travels. There were times that I laughed out loud at what happened. And there were tears of seeing the incredible scenery and tears of hurt along the way.

I have to admit I want to do this. But it seems so far away from possible when just getting the dog and I out for our mile walk is tough. A windy day will keep us in. Rain is my dog’s least favorite. She won’t go out, yet I have the raincoat and boots and plenty of umbrellas. Snow is my favorite, but my dog can’t handle it very long, even with coat and pad coverings, so we walk around the yard. So much for my trek.

So it is fun to live vicariously through those who do the long hikes or marathons. Inspiration helps with daily life and gives hope for more.

I want to read this again soon.

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Why Fish Don't Exist: A Story of Loss, Love, and the Hidden Order of LifeWhy Fish Don’t Exist: A Story of Loss, Love, and the Hidden Order of Life by Lulu Miller
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This was a lot more fun than the last book I read. I really enjoyed hearing Lulu Miller tell her story and someone else’s while showing what had influenced her life.

I wanted to be a marine biologist in my way younger days. So this book was up my alley in many ways. Of course, that only lasted for ninth grade, and I learned that math was required for that and being an astronaut. Still, the love of the non-existent fish (and space travel) lingers in my life.

My friend recommended this, and I was able to find it on Libby. I didn’t want to do anything but listen to this story, so I got it done far quicker than most books. Lulu Miller did a great job weaving her life with one she admired. I felt like I was with her experiencing everything with her.

If you get the chance to read/listen to this book, I highly recommend it!

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