End of June Ramblings ~

Hello Peoples! Oh, my word! It’s the end of June! This morning I went to the bakery. As I was waiting for my order, there was another female customer standing near me. As we waited, this is what we said ~

Female customer looking me up and down: My, you sure look fluffy.

Me rendered speechless for a moment. I actually had to shake myself out of my surprise: Thank-you.

Fluffy??? Fluffy??? LOL! Where did she see fluffy??? I’m wearing a sleeveless hoodie and summer pants. How is that fluffy??? When I shared this with Rick, he said, well, that’s new. 😉 I have the funniest conversations with people.

Snoopy is Fluffy! 😁

Currently Reading ~

Oliver Twist by Charles Dickens

Your Favorites At The Cottage In June ~

Dead Over Heels Aurora Teagarden ~ June 13, 2022

Saturday Morning At The Cafe 25th ~ June 26, 2022

Top Five Tuesday Top Five Books of 2022 So Far! ~ June 28, 2022

July 4th is almost here. What are your plans? My hubby Rick was born on July 4th, so we always celebrate his birthday on the 4th. One year I put sparklers on his cake. It didn’t go to well.

Have a great day! Enjoy the sunshine!

Much love ~

Kathy

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The Classics Club ~ O Pioneers! by Willa Cather

I was completely captivated by this story. It was a difficult book to put down and when I did, I returned, eager to read on. Alexandra Bergson is a strong, intelligent female heroine. She has three brothers.

“His sister was a tall, strong girl, and she walked rapidly and resolutely, as if she knew exactly where she was going and what she was going to do next.” (4)

“She had a serious thoughtful face, and her clear, deep blue eyes were fixed intently on the distance, without seeming to see anything, as if she were in trouble.” (4)

The Bergson family arrive in Nebraska when Alexandra is a young girl. When her father dies, Alexandra manages to turn the land her father left her, into a flourishing farm. In the beginning, the conditions are tough, the environment uncooperative, hardship all around, but Alexandra perseveres.

“The land did it. It had its little joke. It pretended to be poor because nobody new how to work it right; and then, all at once, it worked itself. It woke up out of its sleep and stretched itself, and it was so big, so rich, that we suddenly found we were rich, just from sitting still.” (59)

This story begins with humble beginnings. Many of the Bergson’s neighbors lived in sod huts, but Alexandra’s mother refused. She insisted on a cabin. The winters were harsh and frigid. Many families left, moving on. Alexandra persevered.

This book is so well written. The bleak Nebraska prairie comes to life in this wonderful story of family, community, struggle, tragedy, perseverance and hope. I loved all the characters, well, most of them. Alexandra, Carl Linstrum, Emil, Marie and the eccentric Ivar. I liked Frank, he was deeply troubled, but I did like him. My heart went out to him. I loved the book. It is definitely one of my favorite classic reads. I look forward to reading more books by this author. 5 ***** Nebraskan stars!

https://theclassicsclubblog.wordpress.com/

Top Five Tuesday ~ Top 5 Books of 2022 ~ So Far!

Hello Peoples! My word! Top Five Books of 2022! Mmmm. I find it so difficult to put these books in order of favorites. They are all very good. Very very good! I did my best. But, the day is young, the sky is blue and I am going for a walk. Have a great summery day!

https://meeghanreads.com/

1.)

Beauvallet by Georgette Heyer

Sea-faring adventure! Swashbuckling hero! Romance! Merry chase across Spain! What more could a reader ask for???

2.)

The Eternal Savage by Edgar Rice Burroughs

My word! This is all adventure! I really really enjoy Burroughs books. He can spin a yarn! *haha* I’m in a mood this morning! 😃 Time travel! A prehistoric adventure and a good one! Amour. ❤

3.)

A Sicilian Romance by Ann Radcliffe

My word! A Sicilian Romance is soooooooo good! Very very good! Loved it! If you enjoy Gothic, Ann Radcliffe is an author you want to check out! Mmm. This should be number one???

4.)

The Italian by Ann Radcliffe

The Italian is so incredibly good. Ann Radcliffe is my favorite Gothic author! In this book, the author transports the reader to the Inquisition.

5.)

The Confession by Charles Todd

An Inspector Ian Rutledge Mystery

I really like Ian Rutledge. He’s an Inspector with Scotland Yard. He’s a good detective and a great guy. I recommend this series!

That’s all for now.

Much love ~

Kathy

Saturday Morning at the Cafe ~ 25th

Hello Peoples! Yesterday I walked slowly, very slowly to the cafe. I was tired. But, I walked to the cafe. I think I should have stayed home and slept. When I arrived at the cafe the same gentleman who took my order last week, was working this week. Our conversation is below ~

Me: Hi. How are you? You were here last week when I came to the cafe.

Him: Hi. Yes, I was. We talked about books. You recommended an author to me. I think he wrote Pinocchio.

~ I almost laughed. ~

Me: Tarzan. I recommended Tarzan by Edgar Rice Burroughs.

Him: Oh. Ok. I’m reading a historical fiction right now.

Where did he get Pinocchio??????? LOL! I’ve never read Pinocchio!!! I think I need to write a short list of authors for this guy at the cafe.

Much love ~

Kathy

Visit ~

Hello Peoples! My Big Brother came to visit us! He drove his very BIG truck with his camper attached. We talked, we laughed, we ate, we watched movies, we saw the sights that are unique to our city and then, sadly, we said good-bye. He said, he will return for another visit in the near future! The day he drove home, we met some friends at the bakery. We ate yummy treats and had a good visit.

I am feeling so much better. I have been sick for so long. It’s nice to feel good again. The doctor put me on this special diet. It’s an elimination diet. Apparently, he thinks I’m sensitive to foods or allergic and we’re trying to discover which foods. Right now, I can’t eat lettuce! I’m a vegetarian. How can I not eat lettuce??? I’m experiencing a little difficulty with apples. Apples!!! Everything else seems fine so far. He has me eating gluten free bread and lactose free milk or rice milk. I shake my head. 🤨

Finished Reading ~

Death Walked In by Carolyn Hart

A Death On Demand Mystery

Well! I finished reading this mystery last night and it’s good. Valuable coins are stolen! How rude! It is suspected they are hidden in Max and Annie’s home they are restoring! Once again, rude! And! A woman is murdered. The woman’s son is arrested for the crimes, but everyone on Broward’s Rock knows he’s innocent.

I recommend the entire series. I did solve this mystery, however, there was a surprise when all is revealed.

Have a sunshiny day!

Much love ~

Kathy

Book Tag ~ The Book Snob

haha! Hello Peoples! It’s a beautiful morning.

As I read the title of this tag, I like to think of myself as a book enthusiast or a person who enjoys a good story. 😃🧐 I discovered this tag on Emma’s blog. To find out more, trot on over to her blog. The link is below ~

https://turn-another-page.com/

Adaptation Snob ~ Do you always read the book before seeing the movie?

No, I do not. I watch the Aurora Teagarden mysteries and I’ve never read any of the books. I read The Chronicles of Narnia several times before I ever watched the movies, well, the movies weren’t made yet. 😁 I’m all over the place here.

Format Snob ~ You can only choose one format in which to read books for the rest of your life. Which do you choose: physical books, Ebooks or audiobooks???

I definitely choose physical books! 📚

Ship Snob: Would you date or marry a non-reader?

Sure. I am married and he does read some, however, his reading interests are very different from mine. He doesn’t read as often as I do either.

Genre Snob ~ You have to ditch one genre ~ never to be read again in your life, which do you ditch???

Mmmm. That’s a tough question. Probably romance. I would definitely keep romantic comedy though.

Uber Genre Snob ~ You can only choose to read from one genre for the rest of your life, which genre do you choose???

My favorites are mystery/suspense, so, I will go with that.

Community Snob ~ Which genre do you think receives the most snobbery from the bookish community???

I have no idea???

~ Snobbery Recipient ~ Have you ever been snubbed for something that you have been reading or for reading in general???

Oh yea. Frequently, but I get just as many people who are curious and want to know what I’m reading. They usually ask many questions, and a discussion happens.

That’s all folks! I tag anyone who wants to jump in and do this tag. Have fun!

Much love ~

Kathy

The Classics Club ~ Gaudy Night by Dorothy L. Sayers

Oh dear. While I can’t say I didn’t like it, I can’t say I liked it either. Harriet Vane has been invited to Shrewsbury College, Oxford to participate in a yearly celebration known as Gaudy. The event does not go well when someone begins sending negative messages, horrible graffiti and just plain old vandalism to the occasion. Harriet Vane is on her own for a good portion of the book. Lord Peter is galivanting across Europe as the mystery moves forward. I haven’t read many books by Sayers, however, this was the first mystery where I met Lord Peter’s nephew. I liked him. He was a fun guy and amusing. He liked Harriet and called her, Aunt! Although this was not a murder mystery, it was still an interesting mystery. There were plenty of suspects. Oxford is a great location for a mystery, but overall the book didn’t keep my attention and I thought there was a considerable amount of rambling on and on. I didn’t solve the mystery, but I felt I should have because there were clues. 3 *** neutral stars!

https://theclassicsclubblog.wordpress.com/

Happy Reading!

Hello Peoples!

I’ve been sick today. I’ve been sick for over a year. It’s my stomach. My doctor sent me to a specialist. He did an upper GI endoscopy. Well, he discovered a rash, in my poor stomach that does become inflamed. When its inflamed, it takes up space in my stomach, so I can’t eat. He also found three polyps, which he removed and sent to the lab. They were all benign. He also found a substance which is seen in people who have been taking medication for a long time. I have been taking medication for a while. He gave me medication for everything he discovered. I was on the medication for six or seven weeks. He did another upper GI endoscopy and discovered I am healing, but very slowly. So, I’m still on the medication. I’ve had this burning pain, sometimes I can’t eat, sometimes I can. I’ve been nauseated and uncomfortable. I have good days and bad days.

Please remember me in your prayers. Thanks.

I’ll blog when I can.

Much love ~

Kathy

Dead Over Heels ~ Aurora Teagarden

Dead Over Heels (2017)

Candice Cameron Brue Lexa Doig Marilu Henner Miranda Frigon

Yannick Bisson Peter Benson Ellie Harvie Scott Lyster

This is a good one! I was completely into this mystery. Aurora aka Roe (Candice Cameron Brue) as you may know, bought a house a few miles from town. It’s winter, Roe and Sally are outside. Roe is trying to fix a leaky outdoor faucet. A single engine plane flies overhead and drops a body onto Roe’s yard where her and Sally are standing. So, Roe is once again involved in solving a murder mystery.

Poor Sally (Lexa Doig) is in shock from witnessing a body falling from a plane and needs medical care. Lynn Smith (Miranda Frigon) is the lead detective on the case and as usual, she isn’t thrilled that Roe is involved. Aida (Marilu Henner) continually cautions Roe to stay out of the investigation and let the police handle it. Of course, Roe charges into the investigation. Roe has a boyfriend, Martin (Yannick Bisson) and he is trying to keep Roe safe. They clash on that issue. And! Martin is a suspect. How rude! The librarian Roe works with Lillian (Ellie Harvey) becomes involved in this murder mystery when she is attacked. There is some cloak and dagger going on here too. A bit of cloak and dagger in a mystery is a good idea. 😁

I’ve never read the books, but I do like the movies! Have you read the books? What do you think? Have you seen the films? Let me know in the comments below.

Enjoy!

Saturday Morning At The Cafe ~ 11th

Hello Peoples! I seem to have started something new. I walk to the cafe early on Saturday mornings and read and observe for awhile. This morning it started to rain whilst I was walking. I picked up the pace, and I did arrive at the cafe without getting soaked.

Right now, I’m reading, Gaudy Night by Dorothy L. Sayers. When I entered the cafe the gentlemen who took my order ask me what I was reading. I answered his question and showed him the book. He then asked me, if I read a lot of classic authors. I said, I do. He asked for recommendations! I recommended Edgar Rice Burroughs. If you want adventure in the jungle or sci-fi, Burroughs is your man!

As I was leaving, I noticed a woman sat up a display of jewelry she was selling. People were in and out and it was a busy morning.

So, Rick is the gardener at our house. He has tomatoes, 🍅 peppers🌶 and lettuce in our backyard. It is all doing well. And! Of course, we have our raspberry bush. It is thriving. No berries though, not yet. And, we have flowers.

86 degrees today! Fun in the sun. 🌞 It’s a great day to have a great day!

Do you have a garden?

Much love ~

Kathy