Reading

Entry tags:

book meme

Wednesday Reading Meme

What I Just Finished Reading: Since last Wednesday I have read/finished reading: Answers in the Ashes (The Inn at Holiday Bay) by Kathi Daley, Once Upon a Mystery (The Bookstore at Holiday Bay) by Kathi Daley, Halloween Moon & Thanksgiving Past (The Cottage on Goosberry Bay) by Kathi Daley, Opera and Old Lace (The Bistro at Holiday Bay) by Kathi Daley, and some fanfic.

What I am Currently Reading: Still working on The Woman Who Would Be King: Hatshepsut's Rise to Power in Ancient Egypt by Kara Cooney. I also started An Archer's Awakening (Of Crowns & Quills) by Casey Morales as my ‘light’ reading to go with the heavier reading of Hatshepsut.

(Funny thing, I didn’t remember the book when I read the blurb, but apparently I’ve already read it. o_O Some of it came back to me when I started reading it, but not enough for me to feel comfortable going on to the second book. So I’m actually re-reading this one. So many books, too little brain.)

What I Plan to Read Next: I have some library books out, so one of those. Probably the next Amelia Peabody.

Entry tags:

The Day in Spikedluv (Tuesday, Aug 19)

I hit Price Chopper while I was downtown and got in a walk around the park.

I did a load of laundry (washed, dried AND folded, though I had to make myself complete the task), hand-washed dishes and did a load in the dishwasher, took Grant for a short walk, cut up chicken for the dogs' meals, and scooped kitty litter.

I also hit the bank on my way home from mom's and browned ground beef to put together chili for tomorrow’s supper. Tonight, at Pip’s suggestion, was sausage and eggs.

I visited mom, read fanfic, and typed in ~1,200 more words on my fic! Finally! It’s been a while since I’ve typed in anything.

Temps started out at 48.9(F) and reached 75.4. Today was not nearly as nice as yesterday because it was very cloudy all day. There was some spots of blue sky and hints of sun, but overall, clouds. We’re supposed to get rain starting at midnight and lasting all day tomorrow through to 8am Thursday morning. We’ll see.

Mom Update:

Mom was doing okay today. ( more back here )

Entry tags:

Sunflower Auction

Bidding at

sunflower_auction, to benefit Ukraine, is open!

My offer is HERE.

(There are only 10 offers, so it's very easy to scroll down to see them. Some are offering fic, and some art. Please go check them out!)

Entry tags:

The Day in Spikedluv (Monday, Aug 18)

I hit Walmart and the Dollar Tree while I was downtown. (I also stopped in at the Shoe Department to see if sneaker companies had magically started making women’s 10 1/2 or non-ugly men’s sneakers. They had not.) (Later on I stopped at Sunnycrest to see if they had the beef sticks Pip likes; they did not.)

I did two loads of laundry (including bed sheets, so also stripped and re-made the bed; both loads got washed, dried AND folded), hand-washed dishes and emptied the dishwasher, took the dogs for a couple walks, cut up chicken for the dogs' meals, scooped kitty litter, and shaved.

I read more Hapshetsut and watched some HGTV programs.

Temps started out at 48.6(F) and reached 73.2. It was sunny with a light breeze, which was perfect. Needless to say, I did not wear the shorts and tank top I had laid out last night. This morning definitely called for capris and a t-shirt. And a sweatshirt, natch.

Since the high for today was only supposed to be 70, I turned off the AC (we only have one in the bedroom) and opened windows to get some of that cooler air inside the house in the morning. Hopefully we won’t have to turn the AC back on for a while. That would be nice. While I appreciate the cold temps the AC provides when it’s 90+ out, I really do prefer a nice fresh breeze if I can get one.

Mom Update:

Mom was not doing great. ( more back here )

Entry tags:

Photos: Lilacs (5/7 - 5/27/2025)

Another Photo Flashback post. I posted a couple lilac photos back in May, but didn't continue, even though I took several photos every day or every couple of days. I decided to choose one photo from each day to show the progression.

Seeing them here I'm remembering how wonderful they smelled and the times I'd go outside and bury my face in them (after checking for bees first o_O).

( 9 more back here )

Entry tags:

The Day in Spikedluv (Sunday, Aug 17)

I went down to mom’s earlier today than usual because Pip needed to use my car in the middle of the day (he took his dad to a local annual “antique power days”, basically an antique tractor show). I only stayed for about an hour and a half, with plans to return later in the afternoon to check on her again. (More about my visit below.)

I did a load of laundry (Pip’s uniforms, so washed, dried and hung up), hand-washed dishes and ran a load in the dishwasher, baked chicken for the dogs’ meals, changed kitty litter, and showered.

Pip brought home chicken dinners that we had for supper, lol!!

I read fanfic and more in Hatshepsut.

Thank you to

cornerofmadenss and

tinny for the birthday wishes!

Temps started out at 61.5(F) and reached 92.3. So much for low 80s. Again, no rain, unless it eventually came in after we went to bed.

Mom Update:

Mom was about the same today. ( more back here )

Entry tags:

Books 89 - 93 of 2025: All Kindle Cozies by Kathi Daley

Posting this now for two reasons. A) so the book meme isn't overflowing with books and B) because I'm hoping to read something by an author who is not Kathi Daley next as my light reads along side Hatshepsut.

Book 89 of 2025: Answers in the Ashes (The Inn at Holiday Bay) (Kathi Daley)

I mostly enjoyed this book. ( spoilers )

This book was pretty good; I’m giving it four hearts.

♥♥♥♥

(There are two more books in this series listed on Amazon, but they aren’t due to come out until September and October.)

Book 90 of 2025: Once Upon a Mystery (The Bookstore at Holiday Bay) (Kathi Daley)

This book is the first in a series that spins off from the above series. I wasn’t sure how I was going to like reading about another main character. It was alright. ( spoilers )

The thing that interested me about this series is that they eventually form a group that solves murders/cold cases, and that sounded good. Also, the bookstore showcases some cats from a cat rescue, how cute is that?!! But I didn't enjoy this book enough to continue with this spin-off series. I’m giving this one three hearts.

♥♥♥

Book 91 of 2025: Halloween Moon (The Cottage on Gooseberry Bay) (Kathi Daley)

I enjoyed this book. I had forgotten that we met the main character in the Inn at Holiday Bay series, so this is also a spin-off. ( spoilers )

This book was pretty good; I’m giving it four hearts.

♥♥♥♥

Book 92 of 2025: Thanksgiving Past (The Cottage on Gooseberry Bay) (Kathi Daley)

I enjoyed this. ( spoilers )

This book was good; I’m giving it four hearts.

♥♥♥♥

Book 93 of 2025: Opera and Old Lace (The Bistro at Holiday Bay) (Kathi Daley)

This is another spin-off from the original Inn at Holiday Bay series I read. It was pretty good. ( spoilers )

This book was okay, but I’m starting to wonder how many murders (aka, spin-off series) a small town like Holiday Bay really needs? I’m giving it four hearts, but I don’t expect I’ll read more in this series.

♥♥♥♥

Entry tags:

The Day in Spikedluv (Saturday, Aug 16)

I hit the Bakery and Agway while I was downtown and got in a walk around the park. I stopped at the bank on the way home and at the library on the way to mom’s. (I also stopped at the garage on the way home because someone brought in eggs. Even though the price has dropped substantially (and I just bought an 18-pack this week), you don’t turn down free eggs these days!)

I did two loads of laundry, hand-washed dishes, took the dogs for a short walk (where I got more pumpkin photos!), cut up chicken for the dogs’ meals, and scooped kitty litter.

ETA: I forgot to mention that I grilled burgers last night to have with the macaroni salad I made. Yum!

I visited mom and read more (some in Hapshetsup and some in two different Kindle cozies).

Temps started out at 62.7(F) and reached 90.5. So much for cooler temps. It was overcast on the way downtown, so I checked the weather app. Forecast now called for a chance of rain today and tomorrow. Whether we actually get it or not is a different story. Check back later. *g* Later: In shocking news, we did not get any rain today.

Mom Update:

Mom was still feeling weak today. ( more back here )

Entry tags:

Photos: Smokey & Sorry Face (Garage, now Deck, Cats) (with Bonus Buck!)

Here are the garage cats (who have moved to the deck for the summer, almost like snowbirds heading to Florida) making themselves comfy on the deck. They're very brave, but the dogs mostly leave them alone now that they're getting used to them.

( 10 more back here )

Entry tags:

The Day in Spikedluv (Friday, Aug 15)

I hit Price Chopper while I was downtown and got in a walk around the park. I also met my used bookstore friends for breakfast! (It was nice to catch up. They treated me for my birthday. They also gave me more GCs! One for the Bakery and one for my favorite local pizza place.) I hit Stewart’s on the way home (for gas and milk).

I did a load of laundry (washed, dried AND folded – I’m on a roll with this!), hand-washed dishes, took Grant for a walk, cut up chicken for the dogs’ meals, scooped kitty litter, and showered. ETA: I also boiled macaroni and eggs, diced veggies, and stirred up macaroni salad.

I visited mom and called her in the evening; read more in Hatshepsut; and finished the current Kindle cozy and started another (in the same series; I might stick with this one).

Thanks to

mistressofmuses for the birthday wishes!

Temps started out at 57.6(F) and reached 84.2. It’s not in the 90s, but it still felt very hot out.

Mom Update:

Mom was still very weak and easily exhausted today. ( more back here )

Entry tags:

Photos: Apple Blossoms (5/6/25)

I realized, as I looked back at my photo posts, that I never posted any photos of the apple blossoms! Granted, I was still wearing a walking shoe/boot at this time (and if I recall correctly, it was soaking wet all the time), so I couldn’t take any walks through the orchard, but the apple trees in front of the house blossomed nicely. Here are just a few pics from the early days. (All were taken on 5/6/25.)

( 8 more back here )

Entry tags:

The Day in Spikedluv (Thursday, Aug 14)

I didn’t have to do any shopping this morning, but I did go to the bank for my aunt and got in a walk around the park while I was downtown. I dropped off a book at the library on my way to visit my aunt and talked to the librarian about it (and picked up another book). I did a load of laundry (washed, dried AND folded), hand-washed dishes, took Grant for a walk, cut up chicken for the dogs’ meals, and scooped kitty litter.

I visited mom, read some fanfic, finished the Kindle cozy and started another, and read more about Hatshepsut. (I have already concluded that this is not a book I’m going to be able to just sit down and read through. My plan is to read a little bit each day, and read something light in between.) I also received another GC (the Bakery) for my birthday! And tomorrow is breakfast with my used bookstore friends to round out the celebration.

Temps started out at 63.5(F) and reached 88.7. Today was supposed to be the first in a string of (supposedly) cooler days. o_O

Mom Update:

Mom was doing better than yesterday, but not great. ( more back here )

Entry tags:

Photos: More Pumpkins & Flowers (with bonus Grapes)

More pumpkins! (These pics were taken on a couple different walks.)

These two look like the pumpkin is forming even before the flower does.

~*~

( more back here )

Entry tags:

The Day in Spikedluv (Wednesday, Aug 13)

I had a chiropractic appointment and a pedicure this morning. I chose a light teal polish, though it looks like a brighter blue on. Still, this is the summer for experimenting with different colors on my toes, so I’m okay with it.

I hit Price Chopper and the Pharmacy while I was downtown and got in a walk around the park. I also picked up Chinese for my lunch.

I did a load of laundry (mom’s that she sent home with me; got it washed, dried and folded to go back to her tomorrow), hand-washed dishes and did a load in the dishwasher, took Grant for a short walk, cut up chicken for the dogs' meals, scooped kitty litter, and showered.

I visited mom, started two Kindle cozies (finished one), and started the Hatshepsut biography.

Thanks so much for birthday wishes from

goss,

mific,

scriggle,

tarlanx, and

tozka.

Temps started out at 70.5(F) and reached 86. That I saw. It had to be hotter than that, but the clouds had started rolling in before I got home. In fact, the temp dropped two degrees the short time I was home between downtown and visiting mom.

It was so hot downtown, but just as I was pulling out of town, dark clouds rolled in. I drove through rain on the way to the garage to pick up Grant (another story), some of it quite heavy. And then it stopped, but the roads were wet. It was also wet at the garage, and about a third of the way home from there, and then dry pavement. We were supposed to get some rain later in the day, but we only got enough at our house to get everything wet. Meanwhile, the garage got a second storm and Pip said he thought they might have gotten over two inches because it came down so hard and fast.

Mom Update:

Mom was not doing great. She was lying on her bed after having a dizzy spell when I arrived. ( more back here )

Entry tags:

Wednesday Reading Meme & Books 85 - 88 of 2025

What I Just Finished Reading: Since last Wednesday I have read/finished reading: Lord of the Silent (An Amelia Peabody Mystery) by Elizabeth Peters, The Sound of Broken Glass (A Duncan Kincaid and Gemma James Mystery) by Deborah Crombie, Kidnapped in the Kitchen (The Inn at Holiday Bay) by Kathi Daley and Through the Evil Days (Clare Fergusson/Russ Van Alstyne Mysteries) by Julia Spencer-Fleming.

What I am Currently Reading: I just finished a book last night so haven’t started another one, but I’m hoping it’ll be the book I requested on a whim, The Woman Who Would Be King: Hatshepsut's Rise to Power in Ancient Egypt by Kara Cooney. (Yes, I requested it while reading the last Amelia Peabody book.)

What I Plan to Read Next: Uncertain. I do have another library book out, but I might actually read one of my own books first.

Book 85 of 2025: Lord of the Silent (An Amelia Peabody Mystery) (Elizabeth Peters)

This book is so good!! ( spoilers )

I enjoyed this very much and am giving it five hearts.

♥♥♥♥♥

Book 86 of 2025: The Sound of Broken Glass (A Duncan Kincaid and Gemma James Mystery) (Deborah Crombie)

This book was so good! ( spoilers )

I enjoyed this very much and am giving it five hearts.

♥♥♥♥♥

Book 87 of 2025: Kidnapped in the Kitchen (The Inn at Holiday Bay) (Kathi Daley)

This book was okay. ( spoilers )

I'm starting to get tired of this series, but I also have the need to know what happens, so I'll most likely continue with it. Unless I forget about it when the two new books come out in the fall (there is one left to read that is already out). I'm giving this one three hearts.

♥♥♥

Book 88 of 2025: Through the Evil Days (Clare Fergusson/Russ Van Alstyne Mysteries) (Julia Spencer-Fleming)

This book was (mostly) good. ( spoilers )

I enjoyed this book right up until the author cut out my heart at the end; I’m deducting a heart because it still stings.

♥♥♥♥

Entry tags:

The Day in Spikedluv (Tuesday, Aug 12)

I hit Walmart and the Dollar Tree while I was downtown and got in a walk around the park.

I did two loads of laundry (both washed, dried AND folded), hand-washed dishes, baked and cut up chicken for the dogs’ meals, scooped kitty litter, and shaved. I grilled steak for Pip’s supper.

I visited mom and finished the Clare Fergusson book.

Temps started out at 68.0(F) and reached 92.3. The temps should be a tad lower after this (low- to mid-80s for a few days) before dropping to mid-70s. We’ll see if that holds.

Mom Update:

Mom was very tired today. ( more back here )

Entry tags:

The Day in Spikedluv (Monday, Aug 11)

Pip had a procedure this morning, basically an endoscopy, to remove a nodule they’d found in a previous endoscopy. The annoying bit is that the doctor looked at it and said it didn’t need to be removed. Why did they schedule the procedure, then?!! (Pip’s regular gastro doc, the one who saw him back when he got really sick and diagnosed him with celiac, had this other doc look at the pictures he took AND the tests had already come back that it was benign, so why we needed to go through this I have no idea.) *deep sigh*

I did a load of laundry (washed, dried AND folded!!), hand-washed dishes, cut up chicken for dogs’ meals, scooped kitty litter, and showered. I also visited mom briefly and stopped at Stewart’s on the way home. I grilled country style pork ribs for supper.

I read more in the Clare Fergusson book.

Thank you for the additional birthday wishes from

adafrog,

celli,

cordeliadelayne,

lunabee34,

malinaldarose,

pattrose,

reeby10,

silver_chipmunk,

sperrywink,

thatjustwontbreak,

turps,

umadoshi, and

vysila.

I also forgot to mention that I received birthday wishes and an invite to breakfast from my used book store friends, so I'll be meeting them on Friday! I haven't seen them in a while. It still feels weird. BC (before Covid) we saw each other several times a week, now it's several times a year.

Temps started out at 63.3(F) and reached 93.2. Again, so hot. I think we have one more day where it’s going to be this hot, then around 80, then a full week of mid-70s. That’s gonna feel so strange.

Mom Update:

Mom had her chemo today and once again it started the process of her being knocked on her butt. ( more back here )

Entry tags:

The Day in Spikedluv (Sunday, Aug 10)

I did two loads of laundry, hand-washed dishes, cut up chicken for the dogs’ meals, and changed kitty litter.

We went to a local restaurant for supper to celebrate my birthday. (I had their fish and chips which I remembered fondly; they were good, but not as good as in my memory.) I also finished the Kindle cozy and started the next Clare Fergusson book.

I visited mom and got my birthday raspberry pie. (I've reached the big 6-0 today!) I also got pressies from mom, my sister A (who left the bag there yesterday) and my brother (who visited mom today). Lots of gift certificates: Amazon, Bath & Body, and Panera. I also got some candy (Andes mints), some lip balm, a scented candle (mango tangerine), and some sunflower themed stuff (a wind chime, a mug, and a sun catcher) from one of Pip’s sisters.

I received a lot of birthday wishes from family on FB and from DW peeps

angelofthenorth,

angelskuuipo and

desdemonaspace, so thank you for that!

Temps started out at 60.1(F) and reached 92.3.

Mom Update:

Mom was actually doing better today. ( more back here )

Entry tags:

Photos: Pumpkins & Flowers

Here are some photos I took on a walk at the end of July.

More baby pumpkins! And medium. And large.

( 8 more back here )

Entry tags:

The Day in Spikedluv (Saturday, Aug 9)

I hit the Pharmacy and the Bakery while I was downtown and got in a walk around the park. I stopped at the farm stand and the post office on the way home. I spent several hours with mom.

I did a load of laundry (yes, washed, dried AND folded!!), took the dogs for a short walk, cut up chicken for the dogs’ meals, hand-washed dishes, placed an online order, scooped kitty litter, and showered.

I finished the Duncan Kincaid book and started another Kindle cozy.

Temps started out at 59.0(F) and reached 88.3. Yes, it was hot in the sun.

Mom Update:

Mom was doing a little better today. ( more back here )