It's Monday!

It's Monday and What Are You Reading?

I finished two books that really went well together.

One Summer: America, 1927 by Bill Bryson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I have to admit that the older I get the more interested I seem to be in history. ONE SUMMER, AMERICA 1927 was interesting and entertaining. Easy to read until the last several chapters that seemed to drag a bit. 1927 was very busy -- Lindberg's flight probably the most exciting event. There were massive floods along the Mississippi and Hoover was put in charge of arranging help for the victims. He was quite a guy, not very likable, but great at organization (as long as he got the rewards). In Bryson's words "Hoover was also extremely intolerant of anything that seemed likely to diminish his eminence." There was Alvin Kelly who was a well known flag sitter -- an occupation that was sure to incite the onlookers. Radio broadcasting. Newspapers and tabloids. The very beginnings of television. Talking movies. Buildings that got taller and taller and cities got larger as the workers poured in. Babe Ruth hits 60 homeruns. The bombing of an elementary school. A secret meeting held at a Long Island estate that would lead to lowering of interest rates and the crash of 1929. Mount Rushmore. .Sacco and Vanzetti. Prohibition. Al Capone. Henry Ford (what a crackpot). And on and on. What a ride!



The Aviator's Wife by Melanie Benjamin
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

When I finished Bill Bryson's ONE SUMMER: AMERICA, 1927, I was left with a desire to read more about the Lindbergs. I knew of Lindberg's flight, alone, across the Atlantic and Anne's success as a writer before reading Bryson's book, but very little else. When I found THE AVIATOR'S WIFE at Half-Price books, I grabbed it and continued my journey with the Lindbergs. I thought the two books were quite complimentary. Author Benjamin is careful to state in her afterwords where she took liberties and she took very few. The historical facts are all there. Benjamin added the emotion. Shy, thoughtful, Anne finds out just how strong a woman she is by marrying the American hero, Charles Lindberg. From learning to fly and setting a few records on her own, to flying with him, the kidnapping, the constant interference in their lives by the media -- what an interesting ride. I don't give 5 stars to books as I don't think anything is perfect, but I came close with this one. A very very enjoyable read.

View all my reviews

What are you reading?

Wishing you well and much joy.

Happy New Year!

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If you like postcard swaps --
it's time to sign-up over at June's ... A Creative Dreamer.

It's warmer in Anchorage, Alaska than it is in Houston, Texas.
Who would have thought????!!!!!

Chasing Sun Puddles

Sunlit Sunday is back for its third season.
The link-up was started in 2011 to help add a little sunshine to what can be
a rather grey period from January through March.

Today Teddy and Mina are chasing sun puddles.

Wishing you well and much joy.

Stay warm!

Potpourri

Happy New Year!

I'm still trying to figure out where 2013 went.

Yes, my Christmas tree(s) is still up and will be until at least January 6.


It's so nice to have Nancy back with Random Five.

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One of the things I look forward to over the holidays is lunch.

Lunch, you ask?!!

Yep, I have lunch with my friends --
 folks that this year I will make an effort to see more often.

(Resolution Number One and maybe my only one.)

One never knows what will happen at lunch.

It can become an adventure.

Like firetrucks and ambulances and driving down and around streets

 I had never heard of to get out of the traffic jam.

Pulling into someone's driveway to call my pal
 and say "Guess what -- the restaurant is closed".

We did get our lunch.

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This was the year that I rediscovered watercolor.
What fun!
Here are a couple of my favorites.

This is Hastings. I made him up. Perhaps I'm looking for him in the real world!

This doesn't have a title. I did frame it for myself.

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Last year, after discovering a box of crafty goodies that were my Mother's,

I said I was going to "get these things made instead of buying new projects".

The box is still on my list of things to do and I bought new projects.

I'm not good at resolutions.

I read something in an AARP email that made a lot of sense to me.

Rather than resolving to change myself, 

why not embrace myself.

Embrace my age, love my shape, my looks, everything about the way I am now.

The essence of positive aging.

And yes, I'll try to live healthier.

Perhaps I now have a word for the year: Embrace! 

*****

To all my friends who are living with snow and ice (UGH),

here's a vintage reproduction postcard for you.

The original artist is unknown, 

but it is believed the card was published around 1912.

I'd like to believe these young fellows are wishing us a happy start to the young new year.

Thank you to Beth for hosting Postcard Friendship Friday.

Wishing you well and much joy!

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas!

This is not one of my photographs.

It is the cover of Dharma Crafts Holiday 2013 catalog.

I thought it was lovely.

More importantly it says what I want to say to you.

Wishing you joy and peace during this Christmas season and the happiest New Year.

I'll see you next year. 

Be well.

Potpourri

It is warming up around here -- high 70's.

I did learn something during our last cold snap:

When your car tells you it is cold (low outside temperature),

it really is cold.

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Speaking of frosty air, here is
another reproduction vintage postcard.
The artist was Margaret Evans Price and it was published around 1922.

"I part my casement curtains

And place my candle there

To flash a Christmas Message

Across the frosty air."

Thank you to the lovely Beth for hosting Postcard Friendship Friday.

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One of my photos was featured at Focusing On Life.

I've been smiling all week.

How cool is that?!!!

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On my last visit to the Farmer's Market I came home with

beets, turnips and strawberries.

I can't bring anything home without the kitties checking it out.

In addition, I brought home this lovely bowl.

(No, Mina -- it isn't your new food bowl.)

I got an early Christmas present for myself and made a donation to a good cause.

The bowl was created by a local artist and donated to Empty Bowls Houston,

benefitting the Houston Food Bank. They raised $2,365 at the Farmer's Market.

 This will provide 7,095 meals to the hungry!

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I've watched White Christmas three times so far.
Scrooge was on last night as was The Christmas Carol.
Looking for The Bishops Wife and then my holiday movie watching will be complete.

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Last, but not least -- Random Five Friday is back!
YeeHaw!
Thank you, Nancy!

Wishing all of YOU well and much joy!