 It's back to the Waterfront restaurant in Rockland with a group of "girls" enjoy a magnificent lunch. I asked for crispy quesadillas and the best French fries ever...and that's exactly what I got! We talked to the waitress who always brings me a club soda before taking our orders, knowing exactly the drink selection I want.  JoAnn laid the coolest black and white glasses down and I tried them on. I just love them. "Probably got them at Reny's" she remarked as I hadn't checked there because I have about 20 pair sitting around the house and the car.  Today (Thursday) I met Nan and Janet at the Villager in Camden for lunch. Chatting away, the restaurant filled up and almost every table was taken. I'd say everyone wanted to get out in this almost 50 degree day!  This became my lunch and the taste simply cannot be described. Fabulous yogurt and nuts below the fruit couldn't taste much better than my Tuesday quesadilla. Well, staying home and relaxing the month of January is not working out. There is the grocery store to pick up some items. Planet Fitness to catch an hour of exercise. It's as if I have to go somewhere every day. I need to wear my pajamas during the day so as not to jump in
that car and head out!
0 Comments
 December was a rest period from reading. Too much going on and paintings partially finished. So reading somewhat stopped! Happenings became the book that was partially read, so I picked it up again and began turning the pages. It happened to be a very long book - 544 pages - but the read equals simply wonderful.
It took place in 1959 in a small town in South Australia where someone local discovers the Turner family - mother and three children - lying dead by their estate. "The police quickly rule it a murder-suicide." Sixty years later the story where Jess Turner-Bridges becomes journalist in London takes over as she receives a call from her grandmother, Nora Turner, who is in the hospital after a fall. Jess returns to Australia to take care of her and finds an old book in the attic defining a true-crime account of the 1959 tragedy. The tellings of old ancestral layers of hidden history and Nora's connection to the Turner family begins as Jess unravels the mystery through "old diaries, newspaper articles, and interviews." The surprising resolution tells us the meaning of "homecoming". All sorts of themes appear throughout this story: family secrets, returning to one's roots, truth and story telling (fact and narrative), shifting roles of women. It is a literary mystery and an emotional family saga to create a narrative exploring the secrets we somehow inherit shape who we become. I learned a lot of new vocabulary in my reading of this novel - along with parts of my personality showing up throughout the book. This put me into thinking about myself. Have you ever kept secrets from loved ones?  I won a game of MahJongg today after not playing for months! The last line where my figure nail is spotted names the winner! Kay showed me her MahJongg socks and her daughter's new additional family member. He's been mistreated but will have a great home to spend time being loved.  Then when I got home I see Leon with ladder in hand ready to take down the huge outdoor wreath that has been hanging on the side of the house...  and taking it back into the attic where it lands til next Christmas.  Leon and I ordered night vision glasses to avoid the glare of oncoming lights when driving in the dark. Can't wait to try them out!  As I take Spencer out I snapped a photo of what January looks like at the Bausch house. The bike seat and the bird thing sit with a pile of snow on them. It reads WINTER in MAINE - a glorious season. That pretty well fills up our day with lots of laughter and sharing of happenings that take place. Just a perfect setting all the way around.
 Remember this book I wrote about several years ago? Well, it's a movie now! And a very good one at that.  This picture of the main character was taken while watching the film. All books had been burned in a Nazi event and Liesel's mother did laundry for this wealthy couple. As Liesel delivered the clean clothes she was introduced to a host of reads. She could not believe it and was invited to stay and read them.  It is worth every second of watching this child learn to read while devouring the books available to her.  While in Dallas, Linda got a book from the author who was visiting and with it he left a message. It arrived in the mail as a SURPRISE! I thanked Linda over and over. The book and the movie are spectacular and
calls for both for you to experience.  It's New Year's Day and dining at Linda's was really special. With beautiful napkins, silver placed beside the plates and quite a decorative runner - red being the color - made it all a spectacular setting.  The centerpiece, all decked out with money, will make us wealthy in the coming year! We all took a penny lying by our plate home for good luck.  The meal sat waiting to dive into with ham and black eyed peas, collared greens, and rice and pickles - quite succulent.  A familiar dessert came into view! Leon's peanut brittle.  We unquestionably had one great time together with friends bringing in 2026 on a happy note with much conversation and laughter.  I'm sure Linda's friend enjoyed us leaving after one great day was experienced by all and things could get back to normal.
Thanks so much, Linda. I love celebrations!  A new year is here already! Where did the old one go? I'm always surprised when this happens as the years speed by.  I remember watching the fireworks at midnight outside our bedroom window when we lived on the 12th floor of the Bonaventure. The indescribable excitement of watching those lights explode as if they were headed toward the windows. When I was younger, staying up during those New Year's Eve parties. It was so much fun! Now, I'm in bed tired and asleep by 9:00!  What's your New Year's resolution? Mine is to learn a new hobby - something I will enjoy doing as the days pass by.
 I don't read many mysteries, but, Mark, a high school friend, gave this book to me on my birthday. When looking at the cover I wondered where that hammer fit into the story. I came home and began reading.
I'm not quite sure how to explain this book. On the inside cover it says "When investigated journalist Plum Dixon shows up on her doorstep asking questions about Lottie's past and specifically her involvement with numerous unsolved cases. Well, Lottie just can't have that." "But getting away with murder is hard enough when you are young. And when Lottie receives another annoying knock on the door, she realizes this crime might just be the death of her." I leave it up to you to discover exactly what that means. Samantha Downing books have received awards all over the world with her thrillers being on the New York Times bestseller list. Mark, thanks for opening up another world of writing that I have not experienced in my choice of books before. It was a great read!  It's a perfect day before Christmas! The snow lends beauty to the outdoors and the sun provides shadows...once again.  My homemade centerpiece sits perfectly on the kitchen counter top. Setting up snack time with the Fossum family. We're all enjoying appetizers and loving the talk among us.  Spencer had a ball smelling his Christmas package.  Stella and Chewy dog treats! Hooray! What a delicious gift.  The 2025 holiday has ended perfectly - enjoying every single minute.
 Michelle signed us up for a special holiday greens class for my birthday and I had the time of my life creating!! Arriving at the local green house we observed room after room with people selling their wares. Everybody taking the class began with plastic bowl with a block of foam and clippers. From here we began making a centerpiece for our tables. Many joined us on a lovely day using our talents to set in our homes or give away for presents. It became a learning experience all the way around.  I had my private helper (the owner's mother) showing me how to do it right. She was such a big help!  We both walked away with our outstanding creations, learning about greenery, a subject I knew nothing about. Once arriving back home I added some patterned color and more red berries making the greenery come alive. Thanks so much for the best birthday present ever, Michelle!
|
