Lost in books

It's no secret I love to read.  Give me a stack of good books and I'm happy.  I keep lists of books I want to read.

That's the problem!  Not long ago I began reading a series of Detective Quinn novels, by Lisa Regan - she has written 18 to date.  I made it through book 5 and discovered another book I wanted to read, and another!  Never turn me loose in a library or on Amazon's book section!  I find books on Amazon, then go get them from the library.

I ran across a novel from the Gilded Age, An American Beauty.  Wow!  That one captured me, page after page.  And that author has another one I must read - The Second Mrs. Astor.

This morning I made a quick trip to the library to return two books.  I decided to check their small cabinet of books outside, a sort of community library where you take whatever you like and add books that you no longer want to keep.  The Great Alone. . . that title caught my eye.  Kristin Hannah - the author - who is she?  Never heard of her.  Checked her out on Amazon.  How is it I never heard of her?  She's written quite a few books I simply must add to my list, stories from World War II, the Great Depression, and a young idealistic nurse who chooses to join the military and finds herself in the jungles of Viet Nam.

I like too many genres and time frames from history.  I like the simple stuff - Nora Roberts and Danielle Steele - and things with more substance - John Jakes, historical romance, thrillers, biographies, and the list goes on.   I probably shouldn't classify Danielle Steele as "the simple stuff."  Over the years, she has increasingly written more books with substance.  

When my twin sons were little, I insisted they read books.  I didn't specify which books, only a book that interested them.  Michael was okay with that. . . then there was John.  I finally gave up on him.  But I am proud to say, today, much older, even with hints of gray in his hair. . . he reads a lot!  On occasion, I have passed on books to him that I owned that he actually enjoyed reading!

Now back to my latest book, Hidden Riches by Nora Roberts!

                                                                                                                            

                                                                                                             

Juicing

If you aren't into juicing, you should be!  Juicing is a way to get more vitamins and nutrients and it is pure nutrition.  No preservatives, no additives, just good healthy juice.

This serving above is made from beets, apples, carrots, cucumber, and ginger.  Sometimes you may look at the list of ingredients in a juicing recipe and not be excited.  But all the flavors come together to make a refreshing drink.

There are dozens of good quality juicers on the market.  The masticating ones are the best.  They extract more nutrients.  I've been happy with my Tribest Green Star Elite.  Had it for quite a few years now.
 

The Winter Blahs

There was a time when I enjoyed winter in the North Country. . . I was an avid downhill and cross country skier.  Over a number of years, back in the 80's and 90's and early 2000's, I spent a week in the Adirondacks, snowshoeing, skiing, just having a wonderful time with friends.

These days, I'd rather curl up on the couch with a good book, with the dogs cuddling next to me.

I saw an electronic sign today while running errands, "Spring is 40 days, x number minutes, and x seconds away."  That got my heart beating!

Looking around my house, I realized I'm down to just one house plant.  Little by little over months, the few others I had died.  So I made a trip out to the Garden Factory on the west side of town.  I bought 3 house plants.  I planned to buy a Wandering Jew and a Purple Passion, two of my favorites.  They were out of those but expect to get a new shipment early next week.  The three plants I bought were small.  I like to buy them small and watch them grow.    One plant, in the picture above, is in my living room.  The Spider plant is hanging in the kitchen.  The third one I haven't decided where it will go yet.

Just a small thing as going shopping for new house plants went a long way to boost my spirits.  And tomorrow is one day closer to Spring!