WEEKEND POTPOURRI — OCT. 30

This has been one of the oddest weeks in recent history for me. First of all, there was the whole digestive disturbance thing I had going on for a couple of days that seemed to wipe me out.  Then I couldn’t seem to get into my book—I’d been reading it for several days—and I just kept putting it down and then picking it up again later.

Finally I seemed to be on the mend, except for the part about sleeping a lot of hours at night and even taking naps.

I guess it was my body trying to get over everything.

But then I finished the book, wrote my review, and today I read the second book.  That went a lot faster, so I felt as if I’d gotten my second wind.

Now my grandson is coming for a sleepover, so I’m hoping I have the energy for it all!  LOL

Usually he brings his PSP, and then he watches movies, so I’ll still be able to read my book.

Now I’m reading The Lost Hours, by Karen White, and so far, it’s promising to be an intriguing foray into family secrets.  It’s set in the South—Savannah–and I can already visualize the lovely magnolia trees and the beautiful old homes.

Maybe tonight I’ll also rent a movie at On Demand; or I could watch one of my old favorites.  I have a stack of them waiting on my office coffee table.  Yes, I’m hanging out in the office while my grandson will be in the living room with the big screen TV.  That’s okay, though, because the office has a TV, DVD player, and even a VCR.  Yeah, remember those?  I still have a few videotapes from back in the day.

Hope you all have a happy Halloween and don’t overdose on candy!!  What are your favorite treats at Halloween?

 

TEASER TUESDAYS — OCT. 26

TEASE ME, MICKEY!

 

Welcome to Teaser Tuesdays, hosted by Should Be Reading. Here is the place to showcase our current reads and tempt all of you to add our books to your wish lists.

Today I’m spotlighting Falling Home, the new re-release by Karen White.

 

Blurb from Amazon:

“…a rich novel about discovering roots and learning the true meaning of keeping the hearts of those you love.” — Deborah Smith, NYT Bestselling Author

“FALLING HOME is everything contemporary women’s fiction should be…and more.” — Deb Stover, Award-winning Author –This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Teaser:  Tears parked themselves in Cassie’s eyes.  God—where was that coming from?  If all it took to set her off these days were kind words, she needed to get back to New York as soon as possible, before she softened too much.   p. 155

What exciting and tempting tidbits can you share today?  I hope you’ll stop by.…

WEEKEND POTPOURRI — OCT. 23

NOSTALGIC MOMENTS -- MY KIDS A LONG TIME AGO

Today has been one of those days for nostalgia…and that means watching movies that I haven’t seen in a long time.

Like Sea of Love, starring Al Pacino and Ellen Barkin.

Maybe you’ve seen it.  Al plays a homicide detective investigating a series of killings.  All the victims have used personal ads and connected with their dates in this fashion.   Ellen plays a woman whom Al is attracted to, and they begin a steamy affair.  Afraid that she might be the actual killer, Al behaves in a paranoid fashion periodically, which turns his lover off.

Suffice it to say that the identity of the killer will be surprising (maybe) the first time you see it.

You may wonder why I keep watching it when I know how it ends….Well, I love the interactions between the characters, enjoy seeing the Manhattan apartments and scenery, and…well, who doesn’t enjoy these actors?

Earlier in the day, I watched another old favorite—When Harry Met Sally.

So what have you been doing this weekend?  Having fun with friends or enjoying nostalgic moments?

 

 

 

TEASER TUESDAYS — OCT. 19

TEASIN' MICKEY

Welcome to Teaser Tuesdays, where we get together to share bits of our current reads.  Hosted by Should Be Reading, here’s how to play:

Here’s how it works:

• Grab your current read
• Open to a random page
• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
• Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

Today I’m spotlighting a book by an author I’ve enjoyed, so I’m looking forward to this one.  Goodnight, Beautiful, is by Dorothy Koomson.

Here’s a blurb on Amazon: (my copy of this book is an ARC):

Nova Kumalisi and Mal Wacken have been best friends since childhood (and secretly half in love with each other). Nova would lay down her life for Mal, but then Mal comes to her with a proposition that makes her nervous. Mal’s wife, Stephanie, is unable to have children, and they want Nova to be the surrogate mother. Nova agrees, but Stephanie, already somewhat suspicious, finds a text message from Mal to Nova that suggests they were more than friends and forces him to cut all ties to his best friend and his son. Eight years later, Nova and Mal are still not speaking to each other, and Nova is raising their son, Leo, by herself. But when Leo becomes critically ill, Nova realizes that despite their estrangement, Mal needs to know his son before it’s too late. Is there too much bitterness, anger, and deceit between Mal, Nova, and Stephanie, or can it be bridged in time? Koomson’s fifth novel is a dramatic, intense story about love and forgiveness….

Teaser:  Mum often told us that when she and Dad moved into this street about eleven years ago, those very same neighbors wouldn’t talk to them.  The women would often stand in groups in the street, gossiping, but would stop talking when Mum walked past; they stared at her if she smiled at them in the shops; they refused to take parcels in for her from the postman.  p. 66.

What books are you excerpting today?  Please stop by and tease me with your comments and links.

WEEKEND POTPOURRI — OCT. 15

 

Peace!!

On the cusp of the weekend, my thoughts turn to change.  The change that is born of restless energy, boredom, and memories.

Yesterday I wrote about this on my Accidental Moments site, and then, after rearranging furniture and reinventing the looks of some of my blog sites, I went to my hair stylist (my daughter!), who loves to shake things up.

Somehow she talked me into this really short spiky haircut that I love for the ease of it, but I’m still trying to get used to how it looks.  It feels great, though.  Hmm, I don’t know if I’ll dare to have photos in this look…LOL.

Last night I was so tired that I fell asleep BEFORE Grey’s Anatomy or Private Practice.  Thank goodness for the DVR.  I’m getting ready to watch them now.

However, the DVR sometimes goes quirky on me, like the other night when I tried to record the early morning repeat of Oprah’s show with Ali MacGraw and Ryan O’Neal. I was so looking forward to it…but, for whatever reason, the shows got switched around and I only got half of it!  Sigh….

I missed the afternoon show because I was doing something else and hadn’t known they were on….

Maybe they’ll rerun it at some point, but they never seem to do the shows I really want to see…I know, spoiled brat whining here!

So what exciting weekend events are you looking forward to?  Anything you’re doing that is born of restless energy, boredom, or the need for change?  Please stop by and share…and if you know how I can get the Ali and Ryan/Oprah interview on my computer, do tell!

Also, I’ll be watching this movie, since it has to go back to the library today!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TEASER TUESDAYS — OCT. 12

MY TEASIN' MICKEY!

Welcome to Teaser Tuesdays, hosted by Should Be Reading. This is our event in which we tease others with what we’re reading.

Here’s how it works:

• Grab your current read
• Open to a random page
• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
• Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

I am spotlighting a book that has been on my TBR stacks for quite awhile; it was even on my reading list for last week.  But now, at last, I’m breaking the spine on it!

 

The Secret Memoirs of Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, by Ruth Francisco, is a fictionalized account.  Here’s a tidbit:

“… a wonderful work of research and imagination. With this book Ruth Francisco underlines the power of fiction when it comes to telling the truth about who we are.”—Michael Connelly, bestselling author of Lincoln Lawyer “A convincing voice for America’s most glamorous first lady…. Francisco’s prose is like a dream–the sort of dream that throbs and twists underneath the consciousness of everyday life.  This is a work of fiction, but in its frayed ends and emotional rawness, it reads as true…. This is a book most anyone can admire and–more crucially–slip into and inhabit.”—Edge magazine

Here’s my Teaser:

As I step over the threshold and lift the hem of my shimmering white gown, big fat snowflakes float over me like rice at a wedding.  The toe of my slipper touches the pavement and I look up, smiling at the cameras.  p. 164

So what are you tempting us with today?  Please stop by and share your tidbits and links.

SUNDAY POTPOURRI — OCT. 10

 

Making a Dent in the Stacks

 

This has been a very relaxing weekend. Yesterday I spent pretty much all day reading, even though I wasn’t “officially” participating in the Read-A-Thon.  But knowing that others were also reading all day spurred me on.

I managed to get through two of my TBR books that have been on my stacks forever!  Check out my Sunday Salon for what I read and reviewed this week, and some other blogging events.

I always enjoy posting photos here, especially when the subject is one of my grandkids.  Here are some shots of Noah, who is seven.

 

The Wonders of Childhood!

 

 

Dinner at the "Pie Place"

 

I snapped this second photo at Marie Callender’s, where I took Noah after I picked him up from after-school care on Friday.  He is busily occupied, knowing that dinner is on the way.

Later, after I snapped this, he said:  “Oh, no, you’re going to put that on your blog, aren’t you?”

As much as he sounds like someone who doesn’t want to be there, he always gets a kick out of seeing himself when I show him the posts.

Today I thought I’d go to the movies, but instead I had a lazy lunch with my book, and now I’m going out on the patio to read some more.

 

Reading under the Umbrella

 

TEASER TUESDAYS — OCT. 5

TEASIN' MICKEY

Welcome to our exciting Tuesday event hosted by Should Be Reading.

Here’s how it works:

• Grab your current read
• Open to a random page
• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
• Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

Today I’m celebrating a book that’s been on my TBR stacks for awhile; I bought it just before the movie came out, but somehow, didn’t get around to reading it.  I’m rectifying that this week.

Evening, by Susan Minot, is a dying woman’s flashbacks into secrets and joys of her past.

Here’s a snippet from Amazon:

As Ann Lord lies on her deathbed, her daughter delivers a balsam pillow from the attic. At first the ailing woman is confused, but suddenly the scent reminds her of the “wild tumult” she experienced 40 years earlier…

Teaser:  She stood on a bluff above a cove of churning water.  Grace Stackpole was beside her.  You can’t dive in, it’s full of syringes, she said.  p. 141.

What did you find this week?  I hope you’ll stop by and share some comments and links.

SUNDAY POTPOURRI — OCT. 3

Oktoberfest Moments

Good morning, and welcome to Sunday Potpourri, a place to come together and share about life’s quirky tidbits.

On this, the first weekend in October, I am reminded of events across the world that celebrate the season.  Oktoberfest in Munich, Germany, is one such event, and a year ago I shared some thoughts and photos (from my eldest, son, Craig Robinson, Berlin Photographer) about one such event.  Click the Oktoberfest link to see more, and Craig’s link to view some of his fabulous photos.

Oktoberfest -- Celebrating Beer and Giant Pretzels

This year, I started off the season by attending a book sales and signing event for authors in this part of the world.  The Big Valley Book Fest was held in Hanford, CA, a small community about an hour away from where I live.  Fun was had by all, as the event was in the mall for the first time.  This venue may be one we choose to revisit.

Big Valley Book Fest -- Laurel-Rain Snow, Participant

In reading the Sunday papers today, I learned of a very special children’s bookstore called Petunia’s Place. Located not that far from where I live, I plan to visit soon.

In this time of businesses closing and old favorites dying out, this tidbit encouraged me so much!

A Lively Group of Customers

Sometimes we have to cling to the remaining special spots and events that give a little joy to our lives.

What events and places do you enjoy in your life?  What do you hope will never leave?