Reunion Memories - My Life as a Reader

What do you remember about your childhood? I remember reading a book a day in second grade.

My teacher had a small classroom library of books that we checked out. When we finished the book we returned the book and stuck a star by our name on a chart. 

Second grade was the grade when I began to figure out words from context. I remember the word - "surprise". After that I was a reader. I read everything. I won a prize that year for reading the most books. I have been a voracious reader ever since.

Now to the book above. 

My sixth grade teacher read from Bird Life in Wington for daily devotional.

 Public school in the South. 

I liked the book so much I asked my parents to get me a copy.

Here is the memory. 

Recently at my 50th high school reunion my classmate JoAnn shared a memory of me from sixth grade. (I was new to the school that year. Most of the class had been together since first grade. I didn't make friends easily so I spent most of my time reading.)

This day JoAnn remembered that I was reading a book that I kept in my lap. Our teacher had a discipline method with a sticker or something on each child's shoulder that she would take away if you misbehaved. I was quietly reading my book. The teacher came over and took my sticker.

JoAnn said she was impressed because I protested the action. I don't remember what I said but I'm sure it was on the line of "I wasn't misbehaving. I was quietly reading."

That led me to remember a time or two when I read a book during class in seventh grade. The teacher made us round-robin read the textbook. It was sooooo borrring.

I propped my textbook open to the page we were slowly reading. The fascinating novel I wanted to read was hidden by the textbook, so I thought. I was so engrossed in the story that I didn't realize my teacher was looking around at us. Caught not paying attention in class I was sent to the office. Her husband was the principal. I don't remember the punishment but not having to listen to students stumbling as they read aloud was its own reward.

I'm still a reader who gets lost in a book. 

As a parting thought enjoy the flowers below.

They are Clara Curtis or Country Girls, a type of chrysanthemum.

Looking around the yard in July

Let's take a look around the backyard.

First my baby bed planter is doing great!

Will from Deep Roots Landscaping and his crew have been working on phase 2.

New dry creek has been created.

Lower terrace has been rejuvenated.

They even added a bonus dry creek between some beds.

The okra is producing and the shade plants are doing well.

Tomato plants all over the place.

New blueberry planting. Hoping for fresh berries next year.

The crew even reused some of the grass sod they removed for the dry creek.

Looking good? What do you think?

Middle School Good Reads

I recently finished three middle school books. Two came from a book club order and the other was given away at a literacy conference.

If you have a reader, looking for something to read this summer, I recommend all three.

The Gauntlet is great for kids who like puzzles and smart girls.

The main character is Bangladeshi and has an irritating younger brother.

By mistake they get pulled into a board game. If they lose the game, they have to stay forever.

Alien Invasion is the first of a series called Level Up. The main character is a typical gamer.

He is trying out a new video game. The catch is he will stay in the game if he loses 3 times.

Very short book. Good for kids who don't like to read. It hooks the reader into wanting to read more.

The Thing About Leftovers is not all about food, even though the main character likes to cook.

She feels like a leftover when her parents divorce and start new families. Her aunt encourages her to enter The Southern Living cooking contest. Set in Kentucky, the characters attend church regularly, something I haven't read about in a kid's book in ages.

So that's about it for what I'm reading.

School is out tomorrow.

Oh, the reading to come.

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.