I’m telling you, the catalpa is more spectacular than ever! Both Don and I cannot believe how gorgeous it is. More rain today and tomorrow; let’s hope some of the blossoms survive.
Those gorgeous big heart-shaped leaves, the frothy blossoms – I’m very grateful for this old and incredibly tall tree that graces us with its beauty.
A picture I took of Don the other day. We really like this one.
I just finished The Last Remains by Elly Griffiths. It’s the last and final book in the series and I’m already in mourning. No spoilers here, but oh my, I’m going to miss these characters, this place…everything. A superb series and I have all of you to thank for it, because I don’t know if I would have started it if you hadn’t urged me to. I’ve ordered the first two books in the Brighton series from the library system and they just arrived at my local library, so I’ll return the last two books in the Ruth Galloway series and start in on a new adventure. But can I just say it one more time? I am hoping the author rethinks this one and surprises us with another Ruth Galloway mystery.
We are officially halfway through War and Peace as of three days ago. I just started Volume 3, where we’re back to war, and caught up with Chapter 1 and 2 this morning. Tolstoy is frigging brilliant. I’d put him right up there with Shakespeare and you know how much I love Shakespeare.
Is it time for our favorite question? Yes, it is.
What are you reading?
Stay safe.
Happy Friday.
I just finished reading How To Stop Time by Matt Haig which was recommended by another blog I read. It’s an interesting fantasy about a man who doesn’t die who was born in the 1500s and is still alive now. I enjoyed it.
Sounds interesting, Ellen!
Stay safe.
I’m on my 5th Barbara Kingsolver, Demon Copperhead. All of them have been so different from what I usually read, but I really like her characters and their worlds. Appalachia, the Southwest—native americans on reservations and people struggling to make ends meet in a climate-stressed world. Flight Behavior, The Bean Trees, then Pigs in Heaven, and Unsheltered. All excellent. Haven’t read that last Ruth Galloway yet, but I will also mourn the loss of that character.
Your catalpa is awesome…and so is that husband of yours. Beautiful shots of both.
Demon Copperhead just won the Women’s Prize in Great Britain. It’s on my TBR list.
Stay safe, Shanna.
I just finished “Hell and Back” by Craig Johnson. I am a fan of Sheriff Longmire and his friends.
That is a wonderful, may I say sexy, photo of Don.
Take Care,
Kaye
I passed that information on to Don, and I must say, he was surprised and pleased.
Stay safe, Kaye.
P.S.
I can see Don in the role of Sheriff Walt Longmire.
Kaye
Hmmmmm
wonderful photos of the catalpa tree and don! :)
i’ve made a note to check into those elly griffith books. am sure i will add to my “tbr” pile for you asking the question and reading everyone’s answers. thank you. for me now and always, the Bible. :)
most days this week have felt like a saturday to me. maybe that’s in part how retirement is supposed to feel … not having to pay much attention to days and dates or what time it is??? i know today is friday (though it also feels like a saturday), in part because i have many things to do for the weekend … best i get to doing them.
hope you,don and everyone else have a lovely day. stay safe!
kathy
That’s what happens. We are often confused about what day of the week it is.
Stay safe, Kathy.
That catalpa tree is gorgeous! I’m reading a novel, Isle of Palms, by Dorothea Benton Frank…an older one, but so far it’s interesting. Nothing too heavy.
Enjoy, Barrie.
Stay safe.
The catalpa is georgous. I don’t think I’ve ever seen one close up.
I am waiting for the last Ruth Galloway book. I am sad that it’s ending too.
The last book I read was Spare by Prince Harry. I think there is alot of truth in it although sometimes one person’s perception can be different from another’s. I am not of fan of the King or Camilla. I would like to see William and Harry mend their relationship…maybe with time.
As someone else said, Don could play Walt Longmire. I’ve not read the books but I’ve watched the series twice.
Take care
I read Spare. I really enjoyed it. Also not a fan of the King or Camilla – or William, for that matter.
Stay safe, Marilyn.
I’m reading the books Shaun Blythell wrote about being a used bookshop owner in northern Scotland. I started with a later book, Remainders of the Day, which is a publication of his 2016 journal. I was so captivated by his life as a bookseller that I promptly reserved all his books I could from the local library. He owns and runs the largest used bookshop in Scotland, in the small town of Wigtown, of about 800-900 people. However, just by the mentioning in his journal of other bookstores in his tiny town, there are at least another five or so.
I’ve read two of his books, the first one a few years ago. I really enjoyed them.
Stay safe, Wendy.
I too hate to see that Elly Griffiths series end. I don’t have many left in Donna Leon’s series and hoping it continues. Recently read West With Giraffes by Lynda Rutledge. A break from all the mysteries I read and quite a good story.
Glad you’re enjoying your break from mysteries, Joyce.
Stay safe.
I’m only on The Dark Angel, so I still have some books in the series to read. I save them for times when life is particularly hard and I need something to engross me but not tangle my mind. That’s what John Irving’s uncomprehendingly long The Last Chairlift did. Why is he doing this or that, I was constantly questioning. I know he’s a good writer, so he’s doing it on purpose, but what’s the purpose. I have a theory and am waiting on a friend to finish so we can discuss it.
I read so many of Irving’s books years ago, but haven’t read any of his most recent books. But he is a wonderful writer.
Stay safe, Linda.
Your tree is most definitely gorgeous. When I was a kid, there was a huge one in the front yard of my best friend. Whenever you showcase yours it takes me back to memories of us playing under it. Love Don’s (and his tee) pic too.
I need to catch up on many posts since I’ve been down and out with Covid since last week. Yes, the “bad cold” Dean brought back from Singapore turned out to be the virus. Plus, we discovered most of the free test kits we’d gotten through the gov had expired. Waiting anxiously today for some ordered through Costco to arrive today so we can see if we’re negative yet.
I’m a nonfiction reader and right now I’m reading the bio “Eleanor” by David Michaelis. It’s my legal first name and, although I’m named after my paternal grandmother, I’ve always been fascinated by Mrs. Roosevelt. After growing up as old-fashioned “Ellie Kay,” among schoolmates with names like “Linda” and “Patty,” and “Sharon,” when I turned 18 I told the family to drop the first part. I will be forever grateful that they respected my wish. Times change and in the last decade I’ve met more tiny “Ellie’s” than you can shake a stick at. I live next door to one who was in the first grade this year. Even after all these years, every time I hear her mom or dad call, “Ellie!” I have to quash an automatic reflex to yell back, “What?” Now whenever I’m introduced to a new one, I think, “Where were you when I really needed you?” LOL
Take care,
Kay
Oh no! I’m so sorry you both had Covid!
I like the name Ellie! It’s wonderfully old-fashioned in the best possible way. But one of my oldest friends is named Kay, so I’m fond of that name, too.
Stay safe, Kay.
Being one of the Linda’s has its challenges, too. Even now, when someone in a doctor’s office calls out “Linda” into the waiting room, it’s not uncommon for two or more of us older ones to rise. Recently, in the infusion room at my rheumatologist’s office, a nurse called for Linda and three of us sitting with infusion fluids said, “Here.” This is said tongue-in-cheek and with not a hint of what-about-ism. I wish I’d had your courage, though. My middle name is Dianne. When a child, I thought the name “Linda” was only for children since I knew only children with that name, and that I’d get to use the rarer and, to my ears, more beautiful Dianne when I was an adult. I didn’t have the strength to become someone different, though, at that time and missed my opportunity.
I returned “The Last Remains” to the library yesterday. Sigh. Ruth Galloway is one of my all-time favorite fictional characters, and I think I first heard of the books here on your blog. So … thank you! Reading that whole series the past couple of years is one of the things that got me through the Covid times.
I read them through Covid and lockdown as well. I just returned my copy to the library this morning.
Stay safe, Emily.
That tree is stunning! I am reading a Jack Reacher book, ‘No Plan B’ and it’s ok. I love this character but the books collaborated with Lee Childs son are a little different. I just checked out “The Crossing Places” to start a summer reading list as you have enjoyed this series so much. I’ll let you know what I think. As always I love the book suggestions.
Yes, read the series in order, Linda. Enjoy!
Stay safe.
Gorgeous tree!
Just finished reading the book “Taste” by Stanley Tucci. Not something I’d normally read, but a fun, relaxing and clever book. I would highly recommend “Everything I am I Carry With Me” by William Landay. A real page turner.
Thanks for the recommendation, Terri.
Stay safe!
Whoops! The title is “All That I am I Carry with Me.” Sorry for the error.
xo
I just started this book by William Landry and it is so good.
xoxo
Great photo of Don. It could grace an album cover!
I am currently reading The Seven Sisters by Lucinda Riley. I tried it several years ago and have up to it after a couple of chapters as I found the name Pa Salt intensely irritating especially as it isn’t a true anagram of Atlas. Anyway the series is hugely popular and the final volume seems to have created a massive waiting list plus a couple of friends said to try it again.
I have to say that it’s a very pleasant, easy read. I am enjoying the setting of Rio and the construction of Christ the Redeemed statue which has always fascinated me.
Happy Friday
Thanks so much, Dee Dee!
Stay safe.
*gave up not have up😀
xo
Stunning tree! Cool pic of Don…swoon worthy.
I’m rereading a light mystery with fantastic recipes…Sweet Revenge by Diane Mott Davidson. It’s a quick read, before I send it off to the thrift store along with others I am rereading. I can only read for short bursts right now, so this seemed perfect.
Enjoy your evening! ;)
Sometimes light reading is just what the doctor ordered!
Stay safe, Donnamae.
Your catalpa tree is stunning. Does it have a fragrance? We just picked up your movie ” Spoiler Alert” from the library. Can’t wait to watch it. Just finished reading a book by Canadian author Sheri Lapena called “The Couple Next Door”. Surprise ending. It was excellent. Another Canadian author I like is Linwood Barclay. He has written quite a number of thrillers and they are all good. Happy reading everyone. Hugs, Elaine
Yes, it smells like jasmine. It’s heavenly.
Yay for Spoiler Alert!
I have read a least one book by Shari Lapena – I think it was one of her first books. I liked it a lot.
Thanks, Elaine.
Stay safe.
We just had a nice old-fashioned thunderstorm. Now all is quiet. Watch a movie “A Man called Otto”. Good movie when it came to character development. I was uncomfortable with some parts of the movie. Concerning books I finished “The Spectacular’ by Fiona Davis. In two days. This book is the first one I read written by her. I found myself to read others she had written. I am reading “In Order to Live: A North Korean Girl’s Journey to Freedom by Yeonmi Park.” Eye opening what it is like to live in North Korea. Makes me appreciate what we have here in this country.
I’ve read quite a bit about North Korea. Chilling.
Thanks, Trina.
Stay safe.
Hi there Claudia,
That tree is so beautiful. It must be wonderful to see it each day. Across the street there is a mayflower tree that blooms white flowers also and it smells divine. The new owner wasn’t liking the tree so much, as it’s supposed to be a shrub. But it’s enormous! I love to see it and look forward to the spring when it blooms early. I think anybody would be lucky to have such a tree in their yard. Enjoy yours, I love it.
I like the photo of Don playing his guitar. You are so lucky to be married to a muscian. My husband is a poet when he decides to write. I wrote a poem and it took me two years to write! I’m trying to be a painter, but isn’t everybody? I’ll be better.
– Irene
Side note,
I miss my mom so much. Was crying this morning. My dad says that he misses her too. But we have each other.
Catching up and not going back to comment on everything but this photo of Don is a gem. Perfection! Loved the photos of the girls.
Just finished Ann Cleeves first “Vera” — “The Crow Trap” — and started “The Sign of Eight” (Cecil Waye.) Loved “These Precious Days” (Ann Patchett essays), “Lessons in Chemistry” and the latest “Thursday Club Murder” — “The Bullet that Missed.”
I haven’t read any of the Thursday Club books but they’re on my list.
Stay safe, Jeanie.