Bad Blogger

Wow. Where did the time go? I'm going to try to better. No promises though.

Had 4 hubby free days. He went to a family reunion. I've enjoyed the "me" time but I do miss him.

The weather here is driving me nuts. I'd been enjoying my early morning time on the porch but now it's even too hot in the morning and I get up early. 6 am and it's too warm to enjoy my coffee outside.

So now, I'm finding different things to do inside the house. I'm doing a bunch of reorganizing. I find I have books scattered everywhere again. I thought I stopped buying so many books when I got my Kindle. The book must be reproducing or something.

Well, off to read and relax before bed.

I know a lot of people aren't reading this but I thought I would apologize for my lapse in posting. The last 5 weeks have been very hectic and I will get caught up as I really have a lot to say. My hubby is one of the subjects I wanted to talk about. He is awesome!!

Just a Wonderful Day

Today was just a wonderful day with my honey. After 33 years, it's nice to know that the little things matter. We both worked a bit outside. I finished planting some flowers and I believe I'll only have to add some annuals here and there. Dan watered and checked on all the trees he's planted in the last few weeks. Last year we worked on the inside of the house so this year we're concentrating on the outside. It sure looked very sad when we started.

Then I roasted two whole chickens in my tabletop roaster. The ones you buy in the store are just so salty and greasy. I used some different spices but the main flavor was rosemary. Dan loves fried "taters" and corn on the cob, so that is what he got. If I say so myself, it was very good. Dan was kind enough to wash and put away the roaster for me. It's just too heavy for me to deal with.

I finished off the day giving myself a pedicure. Now that was extremely relaxing.

So, just a nice quiet Sunday spent with my guy. Priceless

Review: The Witness by Nora Roberts

Wow, just wow!! Her 200th book and a great one it is!!!! Usually I pick and chose my Nora Roberts books depending on the synopsis but the last couple of years I've really enjoyed some of the differences in her writing style. I absolutely adored The Search. I am a die hard fan of her In Death Series and hope and pray it doesn't end for a very long time. Having said all that, The Witness is an outstanding addition to her work. The story of Abigail Lowery just flows. There is no other way to describe it. Poor Abigail does make one small mistake; she decides to hide out in a small Arkansas town in the Ozarks. Her secretiveness keeps attracting more interest than she wants. The town sheriff, Brooks Gleason, is curious and intrigued. I'm talking in circles here, I know it. There are so many things happening all through the novel, I absolutely don't want to give any spoilers. Brooks and his family are are so very well written and Abigail's dog, Bert, is a star attraction. But Abigail, Abigail is just indescribable. As a matter of fact, the only way I could describe her is she reminds me of the character, Temperance Brennan in Bones. Socially awkward and smart. Brooks plays off her character seamlessly. This part just made me think of men and their mothers. It's a conversation Brooks has with his mother after she first goes to see Abigail. (Brooks) ..."You...petted that big-ass monster dog?" (His Mom) " She told it in French it was all right. He was very sweet. He's devoted to her, I could see that. Never strayed more than two feet away. He's a very good dog, and I'm sure a fine companion. But that girl needs a friend. Now, I've got to run by the store and pick up some things. I want to try this recipe she gave me." "Ma, I don't want you going over there until I know more" "Brooks" He was thirty-two years old, and that tone, that look, could still make his balls shrink to marbles".... Anyways, it's a fantastic story with suspense, humor and action, lots of action. This is definitely one I will reread again and again. My rating: 4.5 Stars

Book Blogging/Reviewing

When I volunteered to be a book blogger, I had all these wonderful thoughts and ideas. I’d get to share my love of books with others who loved books at an established, fun website. Naive, right? I mean, I talk books all the time with family and friends, how could writing about them in a forum be any different? I’m more than naive, I’m pretty much delusional.




It sounds like I’m ready to throw in the towel, not by a long shot. I love books too much. I recently had my first case of reviewer’s block and it made me think about what I was actually writing in my reviews. Seriously, I’m a 56 year old, fairly independent woman, pretty well read, articulate and with an opinion (just like everyone else). I served 20 years in the Air Force and wrote reports and projects for generals and stuff. How could writing about books be a big deal. It feels like a big deal for me.



Initially I thought, hey no one’s gonna care about my OPINION but some people actually do. Uh ho. How about if I write a review about a favorite author and it’s not necessarily a great review? How’s that going to make me feel? Like crap, by the way. Or what if, I write a scathing review of an ARC and the publisher reads it and doesn’t send Pure Textuality any more ARCs. Wow, I could shut down the website or something. So not happening!!



Then, I started doing the very worst thing possible. I was reading every book like I was going to write a review. I was highlighting and making notes on my Kindle Fire like crazy. About a week ago, I wasn’t having any fun reading a book (by one of my all time favorite authors), I received a month before release because I was not reading as a reader but as a reviewer. Smack my head!!



I know this all seems pretty silly. To me, it wasn’t. Did I mention delusional already? I had a talk with self. Just read the book, dammit!! Forget about everything else, that’s why you like to read. You’re making this out to be school or something where you had to read Animal Farm (I ended up using Cliff’s Notes). But remember the time you read Seven Days in May and went back and read all the author’s other novels.



Seriously, I’m not on medication, well, not too much. None for delusions though, honest. It’s ALL about the love of books. You’re going to end up reading some stinkers to find the diamonds. I’ve found many more diamonds than stinkers. I’ve reached out to authors and would you believe it, they reach back. Hey, they’re normal, regular people with an amazing talent.



Reading is what you make it. I decided I’m making it FUN again!!



And will still share my opinion with no pressure.



I’m off to read an extraordinary book by an author I love, even if it receives a 3 Star review (or more).

Thinking about Family

On March 26th, my Mom would have been 78 years old. She's been gone almost 12 years and I miss her every day. The hurting is not so bad but the lonely feeling is always there. Yes, I know she's watching but I can't talk to her. I can only hear her laugh in my head.

Mom was one of 10 kids. Her Dad worked in the coal mine and it killed him at 48 years old. My grandmother never remarried. Three of the four youngest went to the Masonic Home in Louisville, Kentucky. My Mom was fourteen but went with her two younger brothers to kind of keep an eye on them. Good thing too, because she met my Dad there. He had been there since he was 4 years old.
What brought me to writing this post is the oldest of the 10 kids, my Aunt Dolly is in the hospital right now. You have to know Aunt Dolly. For her to stay in the hospital, that is not a good thing. She has pneumonia. She also had 10 kids. The first 7 were boys. Her oldest daughter is her best friend. Aunt Dolly is Teresa's best friend. I adore them both. So, I'm praying very very hard that He will give them some more time together!!

God Bless