Some of My November Reading

First, I have not read this book. Martin read it and I want to read it, so I took a photo.

I am now reading this series by Anthony Horowitz. 

He wrote a series of young adult books that I read to students.

He is a very good mystery writer.

This one sounded interesting but was kind of sad.

The main character was very introverted and I can relate.

An okay read-

We went to see this at the Orpheum when we got back from our trip.

I enjoyed seeing the live show since I had only seen the movie version.

I'ver read several more books this month but didn't take photos of them

What are you reading?

 

Travel based on books

The Three Pines Mysteries by Louise Penny inspired me to plan a trip to Quebec City and Montreal.

We have visited several cities in Canada but have never been to these two cities.

October seemed to be the perfect time to visit - before snow and after the heat of summer.

We flew from NYC to Montreal, then the next day took a train to Quebec City.

Halloween decorations were fun to see in public spaces like this park.

Looking at these will always remind me of the uphill trek we made to get to the Tourist Office.

Most of the signage was in French, so I don't know the reason for this clock display.

The weather was beautiful.

Just wish I was in better shape for all the walking.

We walked to a cafe near our hotel for breakfast one day.

Latte and a date-oatmeal bar. Yummmmm.

We took the city bus to the chute de Montmorency (Montmorency Falls).

It was the end of the bus line and the leaves were turning all the beautiful fall colors. 

Our Quebec City hotel was across from a big mall.

We walked over to Walmart and bought some fruit and yogurt and other snacks.

There was a mix-up in our hotel reservations, my fault, but the hotel we stayed in was a good fit for us.

After three days in QC we took the train back to Montreal.

Did you know that we pronounce Montreal differently from the French.

The city name means Mount Royal and in English is pronounced Mon-Tree-all.

In French it is pronounced Mon-Ree-al. 

Writing this to remember the difference.

Back in Montreal we were just a few blocks down the street from a big art museum.

This was a view from one window.

A model in the curiosities exhibit.

The front of the museum. There are three or four buildings in the complex. They are connected by underground walkways. Very handy for rainy or snowy weather.

The best money we spent was for the hop-on/hop-off bus tour.

This was our guide, Jean Bernard.

He was the guide on all the buses we hopped on that day-3 different tours!

The view of Montreal from the summit of Mount Royal.

Then it was time to fly home.

It was fun.

We definitely recommend a trip to Montreal and Quebec City.

Brush up on your French. You will feel like you have travelled to Europe while still in North America.

September Books and other finishes

Our Germantown UMC Book Club book for August was The Ride of Her Life.

I really enjoyed reading this true story that happened when I was about 3 years old.

It was well written and engaging.

Unfortunately, we did not get to discuss the book because of a scheduling conflict.

Martin recently read the book below.

I'm including it here because I want to read it one day.

These three books by Lucy Foley are pass-alongs from Emily and Jessie.

I think it is funny that they both read books by the same author.

I finished The Guest List a couple of days ago.

I'm reading The Book of Lost and Found now.

Who can I pass them on to next?

I was asked by Tea Forte' to review a new teapot.

They sent a box of 28 different flavored teas and the new teapot.

I have included the teas and teapot because I often drink a cuppa while I read.

Something about reading a mystery and drinking tea seems to go together to me.

 

August Books & Family

First, a couple of books I have enjoyed reading this month.

The Louise Penny series has inspired us to plan a trip to Montreal & Quebec City, Canada in the fall.

To get ready for the trip to French speaking Canada I'm working on French with Duolingo every day.

The Veronica Speedwell series is fun and set in 1880's England.

I would love to visit the UK again and go to some of the smaller towns.

The best part of August was a visit with our NYC grandsons.

We took all four grandkids to some local kid-friendly places.

Thanks to Joey & Jessie for the suggestions.

The Children's Museum was fun for all.

Then Jumping' Jellybeans kept us busy with lots of games and movement on a rainy morning.

Liam, David, and I played Monopoly while Emily & Ben went to Huntsville.

The first time for both boys to play this iconic board game.

David loved having 3 railroads and charging $100 rent.

(Gran won the first game and retired from play.)

One morning we had Gran's Craft Time.

We read The Gingerbread Baby and made felt gingerbread boys & houses.

They ended the morning watching Tom & Jerry cartoons.

It was good to have time with David.

We made mini cheesecakes.

Eating them was the most fun, of course.

Hugs with sweet Liam.

And too soon they were on their way back to NYC.

Looking forward to seeing them on our way to Canada in a few weeks.

 

July books etc

Just finished this and returned it to the library.

These cuties are having fun in Breckinridge, Colorado.

Early 4th of July celebration in North Fork, NY.

I'm keeping busy with physical therapy for my knee three times a week.

PT is really helping me walk and take stairs better.

 

Where did May and half of June go?

Well, Dear Readers, you know I've been reading. Just neglected to post here.

I'm reading through the Three Pines series by Louise Penny.

She is a great writer with an interesting back story.

As she was writing the book below she was caring for her husband who had dementia.

When he died, she thought she would never write about her main character again.

Her husband was the inspiration for Armand Gamache.

One day she sat down and wrote 2 words. The next day she wrote 4 words.

She finished the sentence and was back to writing about Armand.

She found that writing helped her grieve.

Above are two of my recent finishes. Or sort of finishes.

River of the Gods was a book club selection.

I requested it from the local library but it wasn't available until a few days before our meeting.

After discussing it, I decided not to finish it.

I took a bus trip to the big quilt show in Paducah, Kentucky.

It was a day I wrote about in my sewing blog.

Fun but exhausting.

We went to a couple of shows at our favorite theater in Memphis.

Enjoyed music with our Sunday school class at a local park.

I binge watched this Disney TV show.

It brought back memories of former students.

(Not that any of them had super powers.)

We had a full day of visiting and connecting with family and friends.

The IBC was in Jackson and I had to attend at least one session.

I spent a week driving Miss Ava to summer camp activities.

So glad I can do that.

Right now we are watching our garden grow.

I am only an advisor in this project.

Mr. Martin does all the hard work.

I am currently working on this in the sewing room.

See my sewing blog for more photos.

Well, that is mostly what I've been doing the past 6-7 weeks.

Love, Janice

 

Finding memories & making memories

Today I found these treasures while I was unpacking a box - it's only been eleven months since we moved!

Oh, my goodness, junior high was not my favorite.

I walked or rode my bike to school.

In 8th grade I decided to memorize Edgar Allen Poe's poem, "The Raven".

I recited it as I walked to and from school.

In the same box I found my "Man from UNCLE" newsletters and secret instructions. Hahaha.

Ninth grade was so much better than junior high.

I lived two blocks from high school and came home for lunch every day.

My friend and I discussed the latest episode of the show as we walked to school.

The two books below are returning to NYC.

Liam has the other two in the series and he likes to keep sets together. (Like his gran.)

I took this pic in front of our local library.

Flat Chuck, the chick, is part of Missouri Star's anniversary celebration.

Quilters were asked to take selfies with him.

Libraries are some of my favorite places.

All the cousins making music. 

I love this noisy bunch.

In a quiet moment David and Ava were using their reading skills with some vintage Golden Books.

Gran's gang.

The youngest on the highest step.

Liam the helpful leader is near his buddy, Kenton.

The six year olds together.

So much fun.