Reading

Bookshelf: read

Hello friends and fellow bloggers,

The end of 2024 is fast approaching and I still have several books I'd like to complete before the year is ended. I met my modest reading goal of 30 books for 2024 some months ago but I'm trying to see how many more books I can complete this year.

I set my goal very modestly due to my intention to focus on 'creating' through various hobbies. I'll have more to say on that at the end of the year.

I keep track of most of my reading material on the Goodreads platform but they don't have a good widget for copying books as I've done above. Consequently there are a few errors. I did not read Shadows over the Zambezi (read in 2018) or Nothing but the Truth (read in 2022) this year.

It's hard to pick a favourite from these books but my top picks would include: The Armor of Light by Ken Follett,  The Venice Sketchbook by Rys Bowen, The Covenant of Water by Abraham Verghese and A Path Through the Highlands:  A Missionary Memoir From Papua New Guinea, by Jessica Cormier (presently a missionary to Kenya). I also enjoyed My Name is Barbra, by Barbra Streisand.  

Typically I like books that are written in a 'cosy' style, as in a conversational type of style. It helps me stay focussed on the information and it is more enjoyable late at night while reading. I also like books that present information in a straight forward manner (non-fiction) or one that gives personal details as in a memoir. Having said that, the Barbra Streisand memoir was very informative but almost overwhelming in terms of its details and facts. 

What about you dear reader? Do you like to read paper books or ebooks? Which do you prefer?  Do you also keep track of your reading?

I've put a link to each of the books in case you'd like to learn more and read one or two of them yourself. Happy reading!

A Week in November

November 7, 2024

November 7, 2024

November 5, 2024

November 5, 2024

November 4, 2024

November 4, 2024

November 1, 2024

November 1, 2024

November 1, 2024

These are the skies in early November. It's mostly been wet and cold but we also had some brilliantly blue coloured skies. It's always good to have colour in the sky after days of dull, gray, rainy days.

Thank you for stopping by my post for Skywatch Friday this week.

Bath Time ~ Tuesday 4 Meme

Hello!  It is nice to have you back again for Toni Taddeo's Tuesday 4 hosted by Annie at Cottage by the Sea.

Today we're discussing the secrets of the bath?

1.  Do you take baths or showers?  Is there a reason you prefer one to the other?

I only ever had baths as a child.  I remember my earliest baths were in homes without running water. Mother would heat up the water on a gas converted wood stove then fill a round aluminum tub which was placed by the stove for warmth.  Then each of us kids would have a bath in privacy as no one else came into the kitchen during our bath times.  

Since I've become an adult, I only ever have a shower. I don't know why I converted to showers since it was so long ago. I think it had to do with my thinking it was much quicker to have a shower because the tub didn't have to be filled with water first and I was always short of time in the mornings. I had a friend who overcame this by having her baths at night before bed because she preferred having a bath in a tub. Today I would have a difficult time to have a soaking bath even if I wanted too because bad knees make it hard to get up and out of the tub.

2. Once a day shower or bath or do you have a different schedule?

I have a shower once a day in the morning or before I go out for appointments or errands. I've been told I shouldn't shower so often because the skin on my legs is far too dry. I've experienced dryness for some time but it became a larger problem over the last year and a half or so. I use oils, heavy creams and vaseline to try and protect my skin. I am trying, not so successfully as of yet, to ha e a bath less often and just have a bird bath but it takes me just as long if not longer and I find it cold in the bathroom even with the heat light on. I guess it's a symptom of growing older. Either that or poor insulation and definitely inadequate indoor heating. 

3. What are your favorite soap and shampoo?

Due to the dry skin issue I've started using body wash and lotion products that the local hospitals use.  They are made by a company called Medline and the particular products I'm using are Phytoplex, both the cleanser and moisturizer.  But I also buy other creams and lotions made by various companies.  I also sometimes buy unscented castile body wash at a local dispensary.

4.  Back in the day many loved Jean Nate spray after a bath.  My mom enjoyed Avon's Skin so Soft.  What do you like in the way of skin creams, oils or sprays?

I used to use and love Avon's Skin So Soft too.  But I lost track of my Avon representative many years ago and stopped shopping for Avon products.  Now I purchase lotions at my local pharmacy or on Amazon if I want to purchase the Phytoplex items. I also buy oils at a local dispensary (sunflower, jojoba, avocado apricot and so on).  Sometimes I mix the oil into the lotions I'm using. The lotions I tend to use are mainly Eucerin and Lubriderm, sometimes Bergen's, Aveeno and Vaseline (lotions and jelly). I like lotions that are heavy but not too sticky which is why I like adding the oil. The Phytoplex moisturizer is one of the nicest I've used so far. It goes on well and is both hydrating and soothing.  I don't use any body sprays or perfumes anymore.  I stopped wearing these because there are so many restrictions in public places about wearing scents and also I personally know many people with allergies.

Thank you for stopping by.

The Last Day in October ~Skywatch Friday

Hello friends and fellow bloggers,

I hope you're all fine and doing great.  It's the end of another month and it has turned cold and very wet as we close out the month 

Today (Thursday) we had the first snows of the season on the mountain tops. No doubt skiers and ski hill owners are happy. I'll be happy as long as the white stuff remains on the mountains 🏔️.

The months fly by and tomorrow we begin November.  Soon the year will be over!

For dinner on a cold night I made ground beef mixed with baby bok choy and tomatoes in sauce served over steamed rice. It was delicious and definitely warmed me up.

Thanks for stopping by and joining me in checking out today's Skywatch Friday.

Friday Beauty

Hello friends and fellow bloggers,

I hope this day finds you happy and well.  After a tremendous amount of rain recently, something called an Atmospheric River, I am happy to say we have enjoyed several fabulous days of clearer skies and sunshine.

I'm joining in with Skywatch Friday this week. Thank you for stopping by!

And When October Goes ~ Tuesday 4

Welcome to Toni Taddeo's

Tuesday 4.

"And when October goes

The same old dream appears

And you are in my arms

To share the happy years

I turn my head away to hide

The helpless tears

Oh, how I hate to see October go". 

Barry Manilow

 

1. What do you hate to see go?

I hate to see the end of the dry seasons.  Heavier rains can start as early as the middle of October and last well into the new year.

2.  How's the autumn weather in your part of the world right now? 

Today (Monday) it was a beautiful day with sunshine and clearing blue skies.  We've just had 3 days of torrential rainfall. Something called an atmospheric river which is a new phenomenon.  Sadly, many of the surrounding municipalities were flooded and there were a few casualties around the province.

Sunday sky

Monday sky

3.  Anything on your reading list for autumn? What are you reading/watching right now that you would share with us.

I'm about to begin reading several books including:  The Book That Wouldn't Burn by Mark Lawrence.

I can't yet say that I recommend them because I haven't read enough yet.  They were all random books I picked up at the library a few days ago.

I've also been watching a few different series on Netflix:  Pachinko and Slow Horses and I'm looking forward to the new season of both. I understand that Pachinko hasn't yet been renewed but Slow Horses has been. If you are a fan of Gary Oldham you will enjoy his performance in Slow Horses but really, the entire cast is a delight.

4.   For many religion keeps them going with promises of better things to come.  But there are other things that help along the way.  What things/people/thoughts, keep you going on your way?

At the moment, the thought that keeps me going is once I get through major decluttering and reorganizing, I will be 'free' to do other things wholeheartedly and enjoy life more. I do enjoy life right now but I hope to enjoy it more with greater free time to do hobbies and maintain or make new friendships. I also want more time to host people for dinner including loved ones and family members and time to plan travels and projects with my dear hubby.

October Marches On & Gives Me a Beautiful Gift

Hi friends and fellow bloggers,

I hope you are well today.

October gives us a mixed bag of weather. We've had some spectacular, sunny days and clear blue skies and we've also had days where it pours like cats and dogs. The particular day I snapped these sky photos for you, we had a brief spell of pouring rain. 

I had gone to the post office to check mail. Imagine my surprise when I came outside to see the rainbow.  Initially I thought it was just the very faint rainbow I saw near the church steeple but when I turned my head, I was amazed to see a full rainbow arc and it was a beautiful sight.

 

I hope you enjoyed the rainbow as much as I did! 

I'm joining in with Skywatch Friday this week. Thank you for your visit.

Lunch at Woolworth's ~ Tuesday 4

Click to see full size.

It's time again for Toni Taddeo's Tuesday 4.   

Prices are soaring and there is no end in sight!  Wouldn't it be nice to go back in time to do our buying? Even restaurants were affordable back in the day.
You can click on the menu to see it full sized. 

1. Did you ever eat at Woolworth's?  

Yes!  When I was growing up we lived in a small city in the far north of my province. There weren't many restaurants. In fact, I only remember 3, Woolworth's, a Chinese restaurant and a cafe at the local Co-op and a few fast food joints. There was a Dairy Queen (DQ) but I think it was only open in summer for take out ice cream items only.  We also had a KFC which in those days was called Kentucky Fried Chicken or Chicken Village.  There may have been more restaurants but I don't remember them.  Anyway, back to Woolworth's. Mother took me and my siblings (3 of us in those days) to town once in awhile and it was a treat because she took us to Woolworth's for lunch. I don't think we ate anything other than French Fries with gravy and a Coca Cola but it was always a treat. I remember these days very fondly.

2.  What would you order from this menu?

Definitely the French Fries and gravy and maybe, on occasion, a Hamburger Platter.

3. Woolworth's had banana splits and sundaes.  Do you like sundaes? What kind?

I love both banana splits and sundaes. If I order a sundae it's usually a strawberry sundae.  Sometimes I ask for 2 toppings (strawberry and pineapple or strawberry and chocolate).

4. What restaurants are you favorites and what do you usually order?

I enjoy all kinds of food but when I go out I normally have Asian food, either Vietnamese or Japanese. I order Vietnamese House Special Soup (with the works) and Prawn Salad Rolls. Sometimes I order a bowl with noodles, peanuts, shredded carrots and celery, and topped with deep fried spring rolls and grilled skewered pork. At the Japanese restaurant, I order a Bento Box most often with beef or chicken teriyaki and mixed tempura along with miso soup, salad and a California roll.

I also crave 'Western Food' now and then but there are extremely few places to get it these days. I'm talking about places with menu items similar to the old Woolworths and then some. I like having pork chops, mashed and veggies or something like a soup and sandwich. 

Last but not least, I love some good Mediterranean food like Chicken Souvlakia, roasted lemon potatoes, Greek Salad, and Middle Eastern vegetarian dishes and foods like Morrocan Chicken Tagine. I'm thinking of making a Tagine later this month for my brother's birthday dinner.

Thanks for stopping by!