Diversity Reading & Garden Photos

I just finished reading a great middle school book called The Gauntlet by Karuna Riazi.

It reminded me of the story Jumani but with a smart Bangladeshi girl as the main character.

Don't have a photo of the cover but I recommend it to readers who like suspense and puzzles.

In other news, here are some random photos of our garden.

We have squash. We have eaten the first few-just enough for the two of us.

Flowers are blooming.

Amaryllis above.

Hibiscus below.

How does your garden grow?

Remembering Childhood Summers

Once again I posted on the other blog something I wanted to share here.

Please check out my summer memories here.

While you are here, enjoy this photo of our youngest pianist - Baby Ava.

It's blooming around here

The first day of spring was last week and plants are blooming around our yard.

While Em and the boys are skiing in New Hampshire, we are enjoying a windy March.

Yes, these aren't blooming yet. Dahlias are budding. We are happy they returned.

The hawthorn is showing off. Bees are buzzing. 

Close up of the hawthorn. The flowers almost make up for the wicked thorns.

After several years not blooming, these azaleas popped.

This is my favorite color.

The leaves are so dark. The flowers are barely visible.

The pansies are another favorite.

I took these so I can remember the flowers and to avoid working on a presentation.

This afternoon I will make myself buckle down and finish my work.

Still reading the Maisie books.

February Redbud Sightings

Thursday, February 22, I saw my first Redbud tree blooming as I drove out to Flora.

I have posted before about how much I love these trees when they bloom.

Other things are blooming, too. This is a spirea shrub at mom's house.

And what would this time of year be without jonquils or daffodils?

Mom has so many and she loves to share.

I hope to have this many at my house one day.

I'm still reading Maisie detective books as I shared in my last post.

I bought the one that our library is missing. It was less than three dollars plus shipping.

I was surprised to learn it was a surplus library book from a military base. Just like new.

Wonder if my library would accept it to replace the one that's lost?

What blooming things are you seeing? 

What are you reading?

Reading Obsession

I am obsessed with the Maisie Dobbs series.

Mr. M bought this book to read and when he finished I read it.

Then I went to the public library and checked out the next in the series.

The book begins before World War I and continues into the 1920's.

The author has based it on some of her family stories and research into

the days after the war and how it affected people in England.

Maisie helps people get their lives sorted out. She doesn't close a case until

all the parties come to an agreement. It is very holistic in helping people heal mind and body.

The local library doesn't have one of the books - lost forever I guess. So, I had to buy it.

That is the obsession part. I am reading the books so quickly that I don't want to miss any.

I did buy it used, so that's okay.

What are you reading? Obsessing?

Red for January

I wanted to participate in the 2018 Color Challenge so I made these two red squares. Both are six inch squares. The block on the left is a simple windmill or plus. The block on the right was designed by Jen the challenge host.

I'm going to link up with the challenge. Can't wait to see all the entries.

Busy New Year

Did I stop reading? Break my hand? Move away from technology?

Nope. 

I have been busy reading but not writing.

I am reading more fiction and less work related journal articles.

Here are a few photos from around our place.

Bird visiting outside our dining room window.

A little snowy weather.

Outside cat staying warm.

Some hardy plants that made it through freezing weather.

Progress learning to knit.

Finished the latest mystery. It was a present to Mr. M. so I insisted that he read it first.

She is one of my favorite authors and I rarely buy her books. I usually check them out at the public library but since we both like her books I bought it for a Christmas present.

No new year's resolutions - just looking forward to reading more books.

Hope your New Year is off to a great start.