tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-98849722024-03-19T05:00:32.399-04:00KNOTTYNEEDLE Creative Writing, gardening, photography, digital and fiber arts and a whole lot of other things thrown in.Judy H http://www.blogger.com/profile/13685822567236742303noreply@blogger.comBlogger2876125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9884972.post-19886855135407714692024-03-19T05:00:00.001-04:002024-03-19T05:00:00.242-04:00Digital Art Tuesday - <p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwWZZgaEEiF2kKaXPlFuIYh6WcZY6oeirtBKzwRCjwfTJi-1iyrLcm1reDSSUEHj-eel3K8mZuZcjG9HAq-QnM_8zjw7p-Ka-xW5hnSY9sW4DV6UUIGiNgB3bcD9_aI7-GAeFXj5Sj6u2cfJ0k9asMP4niIlQsMLx1nUTr5rsBZ5mO9xx-3Q/s1800/orangeflowermandala.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1800" data-original-width="1800" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwWZZgaEEiF2kKaXPlFuIYh6WcZY6oeirtBKzwRCjwfTJi-1iyrLcm1reDSSUEHj-eel3K8mZuZcjG9HAq-QnM_8zjw7p-Ka-xW5hnSY9sW4DV6UUIGiNgB3bcD9_aI7-GAeFXj5Sj6u2cfJ0k9asMP4niIlQsMLx1nUTr5rsBZ5mO9xx-3Q/w640-h640/orangeflowermandala.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /> <p></p>Judy H http://www.blogger.com/profile/13685822567236742303noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9884972.post-21651996048971895762024-03-12T05:00:00.001-04:002024-03-12T05:00:00.138-04:00Digital Art Tuesday - Butterfly Mandala <p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC4S-Wa1Ntibxv19bc_pRS5x5cOn7GizgyjlUoYIxoM4alQ5mPaBv8edqWR11BqQ6WcB-nfeTTYfzuPlL6iCPBE37K-TxwEaaNqeIu8uezBF9Kxf_C3P-5huj2-uTnESl09PW03wv6hcIHgIhKjci6ZHNJMG_YHcNd8UP1MoUMere-xQijJw/s1152/yellowbutterflymandala.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1152" data-original-width="1152" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC4S-Wa1Ntibxv19bc_pRS5x5cOn7GizgyjlUoYIxoM4alQ5mPaBv8edqWR11BqQ6WcB-nfeTTYfzuPlL6iCPBE37K-TxwEaaNqeIu8uezBF9Kxf_C3P-5huj2-uTnESl09PW03wv6hcIHgIhKjci6ZHNJMG_YHcNd8UP1MoUMere-xQijJw/w640-h640/yellowbutterflymandala.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /> <p></p>Judy H http://www.blogger.com/profile/13685822567236742303noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9884972.post-84299083090035839992024-03-10T05:00:00.001-04:002024-03-10T05:00:00.145-04:00Positive Focus Sunday - Going 'Exotic'<p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Yes, it's that time of the year when I plant seeds for my veggie and flower garden. I have planted fruiting trees in the yard (double duty - bit of shade and fruit). My plan is to have more of a flower cutting garden area. I am also cutting back on the number of tomato plants this year and going for quality over quantity! (Gasp - I know!)</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">However, that doesn't mean I haven't stepped off the path of planting 'not your normal' things. I mean, there is a <a href="https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/cynara-cardunculus/" target="_blank">cardoon</a> in the greenhouse which is about 6 inches tall right now. I don't have any plans to eat it, but rather want it for the unusual look of it in the garden. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">And I have a <a href="https://www.fast-growing-trees.com/products/ylang-ylang-flowering-tree?variant=14011052425268" target="_blank">Ylang-Ylang tree</a> in the greenhouse too. It will be container grown so I can move it into the greenhouse in the winter. (Hmmmm....I think my need for a larger space to overwinter large plants is going to be on the planning books.)</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">But...</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4Va1w1WlDJXTVH43bsS6sIC5RJMUrMPJdTxy8IgEJ5gdKMs71ayc_HSi51qffBKkOBgPnaNX-F1n-FwjtH_nbjaiQCMUwOl5H-kAtySIJfbMcH34hGuBjPdzKsL1mGKorV-1tbuTRGoAUlCM4oUiPNCcZY463lAd4RE7kCEw1AYwrn_0R6Q/s4032/olivetree030824.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4Va1w1WlDJXTVH43bsS6sIC5RJMUrMPJdTxy8IgEJ5gdKMs71ayc_HSi51qffBKkOBgPnaNX-F1n-FwjtH_nbjaiQCMUwOl5H-kAtySIJfbMcH34hGuBjPdzKsL1mGKorV-1tbuTRGoAUlCM4oUiPNCcZY463lAd4RE7kCEw1AYwrn_0R6Q/w480-h640/olivetree030824.jpg" width="480" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">It's a bit hard to see right now, but in the middle of those leaves is a little 'bud'. That little bud is hopefully the start of a 'i<a href="https://www.oliveoilsource.com/info/olive-flowering-pollination-and-fruit-set-factors" target="_blank">nflorescence</a>' or cluster of flowers which will turn into olives! This is my little rescue tree which has been happily living on the backside of the house where it gets plenty of sun and warmth. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Of course, I am a bit concerned when I do get olives, there will be several steps I need to go through to turn them into something edible. Unlike my fruit trees, I can't eat an olive right off the tree. But still, the prospect of getting a real olive off a tree in North Carolina has me excited. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">And then there is this...</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnwsiGdwDjBo8oHdKFULZCJ0c-ksHzVlwoB_ZxYh7HtNXaD3E3SOa3HlEu0rMhH03HkOrGZwk1SGauhwyyz_NF89p0treznqW2lfvF5xSeSYGDPhdg2GK9W6KHnPs2szZiLxJvh1BRIBD4XX-e4VxYMjfJ8IgAxNjIt8E-E-A4I5j3PUB6jQ/s4032/dragonfruit030824.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnwsiGdwDjBo8oHdKFULZCJ0c-ksHzVlwoB_ZxYh7HtNXaD3E3SOa3HlEu0rMhH03HkOrGZwk1SGauhwyyz_NF89p0treznqW2lfvF5xSeSYGDPhdg2GK9W6KHnPs2szZiLxJvh1BRIBD4XX-e4VxYMjfJ8IgAxNjIt8E-E-A4I5j3PUB6jQ/w480-h640/dragonfruit030824.jpg" width="480" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Yep, I did a thing. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Like grab the dragonfruit out of the compost/trashcan at work and bring it home. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">And do you know how many hundreds of seeds are in a dragonfruit?</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">I scooped out the flesh and put it in a strainer and washed as much of the pulp away. I then dumped it into two trays I filled with potting soil and covered lightly with more soil. A week later I have about 60 seedlings in 2 trays with probably more to come!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Will I actually ever achieve a real fruit off one of these? </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Don't know. I would like to think so. Especially since I found out a dragonfruit grown yourself actually has some flavor, unlike the ones you buy at the grocery store. Those are picked under-ripe and don't have a chance to develop any flavor. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Plus I think it would be fun to grow a dragonfruit here in North Carolina. I know it will have to be container grown and moved into the greenhouse (damn, I need a bigger greenhouse!) for the winter. But still, why not?</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Hopefully, I can find homes for the seedlings I don't need!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">So while there will be my staple crops of tomatoes and green beans, supplemented by basil and other herbs, the idea of having some 'exotic' crops growing is fun. And isn't gardening supposed to be fun?</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Judy H http://www.blogger.com/profile/13685822567236742303noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9884972.post-47062273553658876742024-03-09T06:14:00.006-05:002024-03-09T06:14:59.250-05:00Seedy Saturday - Yard is 'Springing'!<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3VMZoNCnDnrv-gEIeJyBaVExzIjHbBB87QBRZPYbfGN8spi8TTcg3Y_u4XV_IAj8KPO4c_9QJjksNJwnIKuEX0WVBlJJ7ziUeFEOZxEB1iAi7IwiyAgXdjERcSwIY8qobfFYuZOQoja-l-S-Fha5nQtlrda2JSiVPOD43EvgKiTktUVjETw/s4032/Contender030824.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3VMZoNCnDnrv-gEIeJyBaVExzIjHbBB87QBRZPYbfGN8spi8TTcg3Y_u4XV_IAj8KPO4c_9QJjksNJwnIKuEX0WVBlJJ7ziUeFEOZxEB1iAi7IwiyAgXdjERcSwIY8qobfFYuZOQoja-l-S-Fha5nQtlrda2JSiVPOD43EvgKiTktUVjETw/w300-h400/Contender030824.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXLbKWqNKtWEqTPO9bM2dhcIXshjZwMjRhVSNmpmZNLj0xxHbSxVd_zKPSAhlpy1qoPKBLTVQu1Kiny9EwERunSY-OGzBEK77GonmajzqSnX35ZfKHw581Spr1QPCF9fme8Zp1AabQwZtZXhwkz4NY0Erf0fg6BmxUjeJJUz-l8AMKb56lAw/s4032/contenderbud030824.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXLbKWqNKtWEqTPO9bM2dhcIXshjZwMjRhVSNmpmZNLj0xxHbSxVd_zKPSAhlpy1qoPKBLTVQu1Kiny9EwERunSY-OGzBEK77GonmajzqSnX35ZfKHw581Spr1QPCF9fme8Zp1AabQwZtZXhwkz4NY0Erf0fg6BmxUjeJJUz-l8AMKb56lAw/w300-h400/contenderbud030824.jpg" width="300" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidxv6brl95jwED67su44DHZoWboYjibZpUee9C4eVjkF8DhA_FM4dQNhFgfakYFixn_UwXatKS8oNWcaGhY4PRS2iqFOpylUYhJ8Q8Bulc4SukWD1W6TkuhwJlROOPSmCXZ79w0WOhvJ3fkqgb0EjJzVEEJwYmy0XEbF_5pkgc6N9k5bjFLw/s4032/Elberta030824.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidxv6brl95jwED67su44DHZoWboYjibZpUee9C4eVjkF8DhA_FM4dQNhFgfakYFixn_UwXatKS8oNWcaGhY4PRS2iqFOpylUYhJ8Q8Bulc4SukWD1W6TkuhwJlROOPSmCXZ79w0WOhvJ3fkqgb0EjJzVEEJwYmy0XEbF_5pkgc6N9k5bjFLw/w300-h400/Elberta030824.jpg" width="300" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ5-ntFqeN0cDQGkHKMh4GXv1MkneO8JA5W-cfMOrtVI-lDz_HqXUk3mrLact1Q2sP7CApQmdVf7CtX2G93-rG1eLIsYQCm5SaH-RpsJZxW-sf3t5GxL5BzZgx4-AbnGyPHvwGo1AjLC23qHt2eWsGPkNUvelZjbeigvyFtQB6W1VlJMdYRg/s4032/Elbertabud030824.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ5-ntFqeN0cDQGkHKMh4GXv1MkneO8JA5W-cfMOrtVI-lDz_HqXUk3mrLact1Q2sP7CApQmdVf7CtX2G93-rG1eLIsYQCm5SaH-RpsJZxW-sf3t5GxL5BzZgx4-AbnGyPHvwGo1AjLC23qHt2eWsGPkNUvelZjbeigvyFtQB6W1VlJMdYRg/w480-h640/Elbertabud030824.jpg" width="480" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">'Elberta' and 'Contender' are all dressed up for springtime! Beautiful pink blooms. Contender is a darker pink than Elberta. Both are peaches.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBjqkhVQ9EgoseNJGgo12bCtKm1vTNrQXTBzZJ74TfYmCKlN9wp3FFQkKqF9RSs8hm3fVgLMJjCnTHm-3WnKjDySbGM5tub1n_WWOhJFS4GIrq3hNL-FrnyjLNJU6WNzxkgZyIaq3RPvjWgXgpvFKYGAhsr6b1655ArNN8uFLaB1lz93km_w/s4032/tokaplum.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBjqkhVQ9EgoseNJGgo12bCtKm1vTNrQXTBzZJ74TfYmCKlN9wp3FFQkKqF9RSs8hm3fVgLMJjCnTHm-3WnKjDySbGM5tub1n_WWOhJFS4GIrq3hNL-FrnyjLNJU6WNzxkgZyIaq3RPvjWgXgpvFKYGAhsr6b1655ArNN8uFLaB1lz93km_w/w480-h640/tokaplum.jpg" width="480" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">My <a href="https://rootstofruitsnursery.com/products/toka" target="_blank">Toka</a>, aka Bubblegum, plum is all about swelling buds. And it should be opening up in the next week or so. Beside it, I just planted my <a href="https://www.starkbros.com/products/fruit-trees/plum-trees/methley-plum" target="_blank">Methley</a> plum nearby, so it has a bit of catching up to do.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Since I did plant my <a href="https://shopgirlscrew3b-com.myshopify.com/products/surecrop-nectarine" target="_blank">Sure Crop nectarine</a> and the <a href="https://www.starkbros.com/products/fruit-trees/pear-trees/pineapple-pear?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=21087182548&utm_content=159248837946&utm_term=&gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQiArrCvBhCNARIsAOkAGcWDpNE1fEdYhSzqSZOpn24j69nd-frhurvBvtkHfVr6Qsmu8v7Cf7EaAhoAEALw_wcB" target="_blank">Pineapple</a> and <a href="https://www.fast-growing-trees.com/products/20th-century-asian-pear-tree?variant=13940824866868" target="_blank">20th Century Pear</a> too, I managed to get a nice border around with with paving stones, laying down some cardboard to stop weeds under a layer of mulch. <a href="https://shop.arborday.org/anna-apple" target="_blank">Anna Apple</a> and <a href="https://www.starkbros.com/products/fruit-trees/pear-trees/moonglow-pear" target="_blank">Moonglow Pear</a> are still in their pots awaiting planting. I do have 2 other apple trees I planted last year. And I still want a couple of cherry trees and probably an apricot tree for my 'orchard'. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYmg7wnUSCcI7Dk0GK3qto9_YMeMGJjHm0conVdhPPHpOz0f3ho77MiGBqSBgYjTYb3gm_lfDf8zERYCj6rtmYaeByGfy10qzVS2JOoD_FdYM7LtItTTEg5JLO84VXvLmhG9BortUyItSQneeF-6ykSSKU8fRy6X1ua8lj23_qsZ0mBqLIvg/s4032/asparagus030824.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYmg7wnUSCcI7Dk0GK3qto9_YMeMGJjHm0conVdhPPHpOz0f3ho77MiGBqSBgYjTYb3gm_lfDf8zERYCj6rtmYaeByGfy10qzVS2JOoD_FdYM7LtItTTEg5JLO84VXvLmhG9BortUyItSQneeF-6ykSSKU8fRy6X1ua8lj23_qsZ0mBqLIvg/w300-h400/asparagus030824.jpg" width="300" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">The asparagus is 'shooting' up. And it is killing me not to harvest it. But I know my restraint this year will yield a much better harvest next spring. I will be planting borage in the open space in the asparagus bed. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN1Q_TS4kmUdmmhgx7brPgbGEVlPo_mhx8tRDBJdr4M8o5wbUPeOfuipqvJ5GlIVUew1ILAjgWxUmDc1SAwmH2QFNrq43c2jcQCo2C3sWjajNTRcmImeiXPCcsrqqVvmQf5J8yu24CsVym7EJhD9LliyT_yloWB3cBCd5-u4OWWyDgni4KkQ/s4032/comfrey030824.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN1Q_TS4kmUdmmhgx7brPgbGEVlPo_mhx8tRDBJdr4M8o5wbUPeOfuipqvJ5GlIVUew1ILAjgWxUmDc1SAwmH2QFNrq43c2jcQCo2C3sWjajNTRcmImeiXPCcsrqqVvmQf5J8yu24CsVym7EJhD9LliyT_yloWB3cBCd5-u4OWWyDgni4KkQ/w300-h400/comfrey030824.jpg" width="300" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">The first of two comfrey plants is really 'springing' forth. It is also crowding out poppies. I will be digging it up and moving it around the yard. Hopefully, I can divide it into a couple of plants this year. I really want to bump up comfrey use as compost and mulch this year. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW1w53UksMusIFIcgauVaZ0FPeP0W3a7MEQi6LWldRdJzkjmBV66fqSaJ3-c_DETXvODUQXDhKCMPHIgAZVqEkxz6fl7Bp1MwAH-hAtrBGEZYErEKtZQz2mq-bDda3CGtlK-CZw-AcZUbdk5tLi1vuVjrd8fQoHqd6XzqzlUpRjZZf1DXylA/s3091/euclypsis030824.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3091" data-original-width="2875" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW1w53UksMusIFIcgauVaZ0FPeP0W3a7MEQi6LWldRdJzkjmBV66fqSaJ3-c_DETXvODUQXDhKCMPHIgAZVqEkxz6fl7Bp1MwAH-hAtrBGEZYErEKtZQz2mq-bDda3CGtlK-CZw-AcZUbdk5tLi1vuVjrd8fQoHqd6XzqzlUpRjZZf1DXylA/w373-h400/euclypsis030824.jpg" width="373" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">The eucalyptus I bought at the herb sale last year, which grew to about 18-24 inches and just 2 stems last year, is putting out all kinds of branches on one of the branches. It survived in a large pot in the middle of the front yard over winter. Can't wait to see how much growth it puts on this year. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicxm35P3TrnO76vzloJg0RIniMpqIk__4H5sOLUP1UNjCC1Nfql_ROekvATMt-pTZY6tKDgfPbh5vvqlGdb8vUgR7FFbArCVjEQ1Z672j4MmfntXf6syoURZkhfwmaCm6gPRmFmTgEgx-CVYixt2HaEGmSnWXIUsTycvn6DJG-Q7QlJC6Z7A/s4032/hydranga030824.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicxm35P3TrnO76vzloJg0RIniMpqIk__4H5sOLUP1UNjCC1Nfql_ROekvATMt-pTZY6tKDgfPbh5vvqlGdb8vUgR7FFbArCVjEQ1Z672j4MmfntXf6syoURZkhfwmaCm6gPRmFmTgEgx-CVYixt2HaEGmSnWXIUsTycvn6DJG-Q7QlJC6Z7A/w300-h400/hydranga030824.jpg" width="300" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">The 'rescue' hydrangea, which if I remember correctly, is a 'petite' one. But it is putting out a ton of leaves. Considering I thought it had died over the summer, this is really exciting. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6j-kyAliYqEUCP4hOkLPH6o330I83tBS6D1b9ejEpScQspvMSCzSNx16mqPpxxtIVcz7EnaRWil5zG8bS5inK10NlnM5SAoU_6jd3Ot5zoEwahJOsu-JPV_zBUkSfBuIc46Hnpx6ZqeiZcmcPs_IUnubw_o4hq8aJgxAAX_kw9FeSyO5sIA/s4032/mint030824.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6j-kyAliYqEUCP4hOkLPH6o330I83tBS6D1b9ejEpScQspvMSCzSNx16mqPpxxtIVcz7EnaRWil5zG8bS5inK10NlnM5SAoU_6jd3Ot5zoEwahJOsu-JPV_zBUkSfBuIc46Hnpx6ZqeiZcmcPs_IUnubw_o4hq8aJgxAAX_kw9FeSyO5sIA/w300-h400/mint030824.jpg" width="300" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">In the same pot with the eucalyptus is a lot of mint. And talk about some wild growth! It's actually pretty good, as I need to dig some out and pot up as an example for a herb talk next weekend. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrXR3DPKy6_DJUBgMcMpJ1IAKugdohVNkB22UZnJsE5xPnHMs_WxjOpl_rVfTdT0St0dnfJR6cjGEBkxdIUoxLG8IGaYIB9zRYnwDbWuP1lCHc7HhYuVrPRngw0ZErCf518XMl4f813IsngSb4We2XIr9dpGlrG62JajzDBWn3eeM8JWY8tw/s4032/raspberrysorbet030824.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrXR3DPKy6_DJUBgMcMpJ1IAKugdohVNkB22UZnJsE5xPnHMs_WxjOpl_rVfTdT0St0dnfJR6cjGEBkxdIUoxLG8IGaYIB9zRYnwDbWuP1lCHc7HhYuVrPRngw0ZErCf518XMl4f813IsngSb4We2XIr9dpGlrG62JajzDBWn3eeM8JWY8tw/w300-h400/raspberrysorbet030824.jpg" width="300" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">And the <a href="https://www.bushelandberry.com/raspberry-shortcake" target="_blank">Raspberry Shortcake</a>, which I bought and recently put in a container, has a couple of blooms on it. I have it planted in a container. I also have two different blueberry bushes also in containers. All three are promoted as being container plants, so we will see. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGKlBlcDrt5RcoD_6_bOLqYcfHUWyp6dqWNr64wiqcgrpbPbypNXWNA7GU46qK8v1PX1prwuzGcO_2NZiEGQwz445hH3bdgkiB-acnDb6w1Fs9jXvZkkiMiELFUcfJH7tX10HXHVTA74QXKtBQDc-0_uGuLTArV_s7w4aD-wjb8tyc3iTUoA/s4032/tulipbowls030824.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGKlBlcDrt5RcoD_6_bOLqYcfHUWyp6dqWNr64wiqcgrpbPbypNXWNA7GU46qK8v1PX1prwuzGcO_2NZiEGQwz445hH3bdgkiB-acnDb6w1Fs9jXvZkkiMiELFUcfJH7tX10HXHVTA74QXKtBQDc-0_uGuLTArV_s7w4aD-wjb8tyc3iTUoA/w300-h400/tulipbowls030824.jpg" width="300" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxQ0KvlIdrD_dkhtoBCncqzdyAIWtXC6KQddH31kRGJ9DGJynhVavBzHj1qbE7anjvTq9EcBLmJgz7QI5HO6KiT0nOhnyKcfNUBWhtOgU3bmvbVfmph4KHlMBVnigDb4zcFebdCm-RIXsfE5Fcqshy03TCE1Y9cAF-wJbI115CCROUQTVzSw/s4032/tulippatch030824.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxQ0KvlIdrD_dkhtoBCncqzdyAIWtXC6KQddH31kRGJ9DGJynhVavBzHj1qbE7anjvTq9EcBLmJgz7QI5HO6KiT0nOhnyKcfNUBWhtOgU3bmvbVfmph4KHlMBVnigDb4zcFebdCm-RIXsfE5Fcqshy03TCE1Y9cAF-wJbI115CCROUQTVzSw/w300-h400/tulippatch030824.jpg" width="300" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Tulips are opening up all over the yard, in the ground and in tops. While I never thought I would be a tulip fan, they are capturing my heart. The in-ground tulip patch will have the weeds removed and some zinnias (probably) sowed in there for the summer. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">All this growth is exciting. I can't help but feel optimistic about the yard this year. </span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><br /> <p></p>Judy H http://www.blogger.com/profile/13685822567236742303noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9884972.post-11294874717340149892024-03-06T07:23:00.002-05:002024-03-06T07:23:25.193-05:00Writing Wednesday - 'Project' and Life<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl6pnjI5xcip_GV5BvfP2Lipp4SuoPTjzpG91JSBCRkq3daTER2o3BfFmliRUkMfxBZk_2zrHEshHAyGbkK8MEXbV3vRUzbH9csRR8m8ONZAot2rsStMDuOp8CbhPg1_zuvlexkKpT72JRlrZOsnvs7OdU2FEDrPvjrBuvQBDB6OIkBLj3rw/s4032/planner030623.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl6pnjI5xcip_GV5BvfP2Lipp4SuoPTjzpG91JSBCRkq3daTER2o3BfFmliRUkMfxBZk_2zrHEshHAyGbkK8MEXbV3vRUzbH9csRR8m8ONZAot2rsStMDuOp8CbhPg1_zuvlexkKpT72JRlrZOsnvs7OdU2FEDrPvjrBuvQBDB6OIkBLj3rw/w640-h480/planner030623.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Progress is coming along on the 'project'. I have two more weeks left on my timeline to get everything finalized on the planner. Between the garden and the project, there isn't much time for much else. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">I got through making the pages for the planner. Now it's time to go through and insert some copy on the monthly pages and decorate some of the pages. Since today is a rainy, rainy day and I did something to my left shoulder, I will spend the day at the computer working on the planner. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Of course, even when the planner is complete and I am awaiting my sample copy, there is a TON of other things I need to do in order to get ready to do a Kickstarter in order to raise the money to actually have the planner printed. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Every time I think about the whole process I alternate between feeling positive and yet, at the same time, nervous it won't be funded. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">If nothing else, this has been an exciting process. While I had thought about printing my own planner in the past, I didn't realize all the steps needed and exactly what goes into making and publishing a planner. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">So wish me success and remind me to get up and walk around every hour while working today!</span></div><br /> <p></p>Judy H http://www.blogger.com/profile/13685822567236742303noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9884972.post-74491722457406368042024-03-05T05:00:00.002-05:002024-03-05T05:00:00.238-05:00Digital Art Tuesday - Seed Packet Mandala<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiumuZr440mmBHfF4VzO8xmXm5F1fit41I7SyavUrFfcI9VXpP3xvZsuSbMr1s3cyJZmS823cFOfqPVc27T1dhMw6L0TqmLUtOYjNcN77Vs68IVqg9q4jf89ezXCmnCSSqrp6nlvffNC5sBwZF9V8QOyLpG8vq0iwbE7L4Hreni1VyvMOvUSQ/s1560/seedpacketmandala.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1560" data-original-width="1560" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiumuZr440mmBHfF4VzO8xmXm5F1fit41I7SyavUrFfcI9VXpP3xvZsuSbMr1s3cyJZmS823cFOfqPVc27T1dhMw6L0TqmLUtOYjNcN77Vs68IVqg9q4jf89ezXCmnCSSqrp6nlvffNC5sBwZF9V8QOyLpG8vq0iwbE7L4Hreni1VyvMOvUSQ/w640-h640/seedpacketmandala.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /> <p></p>Judy H http://www.blogger.com/profile/13685822567236742303noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9884972.post-39090450499708239802024-03-03T08:30:00.000-05:002024-03-03T08:30:02.827-05:00Positive Focus Sunday - Life is Positively 'blooming'!<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYWwwOFScrO4Yq3_dL64lEZRED5vr-2JU_dMM-azyU7CBLovC2yyrb4pb7fP8Jdr1pgxz8M4ScafGUhz6nIer9lWLYRWN-f9IvIP9SUkIo6ajzOzh__h6LQZTjN7MHFmKBO45mcERBILSDWFImyAnfhBDS1qSXfSUrOflIO9qm7zR_zucqvw/s4032/1sttulip030224.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYWwwOFScrO4Yq3_dL64lEZRED5vr-2JU_dMM-azyU7CBLovC2yyrb4pb7fP8Jdr1pgxz8M4ScafGUhz6nIer9lWLYRWN-f9IvIP9SUkIo6ajzOzh__h6LQZTjN7MHFmKBO45mcERBILSDWFImyAnfhBDS1qSXfSUrOflIO9qm7zR_zucqvw/w480-h640/1sttulip030224.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Regular posts have fallen by the wayside for a bit. Between the 'big project' and 'big garden plans', any time at the computer is spent focusing on other things. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">What is joyful and exciting is taking that moment to wander in the yard, ignoring the THOUSANDS of garden chores I need to do, and focusing on the little things starting to emerge. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Some of the things happening in the garden, despite the cool and rainy weather -</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">The first of the tulips is opening up and more all over the yard</span></li><li><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">The peach trees are almost ready to open up their buds</span></li><li><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">The little Nanking Cherry tree is covered in buds</span></li><li><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Asparagus is sending up shoots</span></li><li><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">The two fennel I planted out last year and which did nothing, is regrowing</span></li><li><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">The Creme de Cassis Hollyhock is getting bigger and bigger</span></li><li><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Elderberry plants are starting to send up a massive amount of leaves</span></li><li><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Every time I left up a pot or more something which has been sitting on the ground, there are tons of earthworms underneath</span></li><li><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">The little hydrangea is putting on leaves</span></li><li><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">I've spotted my bluebird eyeing the birdhouse this past week</span></li><li><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Poppies in one bed are starting to emerge</span></li><li><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">My two comfrey plants are starting to emerge (and I want to move them somewhere else since they get so huge where they are now)</span></li><li><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Peonies are starting to send up their red shoots - all except Sarah Bernhardt Peony - she's such a diva</span></li><li><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Swiss chard and kale overwintered nicely</span></li><li><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Rhubarb is starting to growing</span></li></ul><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Of course I will not mention I have a list 10 times longer of things which I need to be doing in the garden, but for now, I am pleased with what the garden is doing on her own without my help. </span></div></div><br /> <p></p>Judy H http://www.blogger.com/profile/13685822567236742303noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9884972.post-56939412940035291412024-02-27T05:00:00.001-05:002024-02-27T05:00:00.142-05:00Digital Art Tuesday - Red Rose Mandala<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZGnuRv6la6g9fAKy1gKvdu4997NOk-_LmvFj_G7_0nL2TPkWzqUmzBVjJUaE4paRzp7LshGvpYhjwnTziZO3VxmPLdS47ZqE4p1i3kEueSWhlk5O4ZmT07qMFILATHwkRYRB_9HJpZ4l1Mqjie-7f040oyycflUDHNNpfY7ZG_0-r13uh1Q/s1152/rosemandala.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1152" data-original-width="1152" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZGnuRv6la6g9fAKy1gKvdu4997NOk-_LmvFj_G7_0nL2TPkWzqUmzBVjJUaE4paRzp7LshGvpYhjwnTziZO3VxmPLdS47ZqE4p1i3kEueSWhlk5O4ZmT07qMFILATHwkRYRB_9HJpZ4l1Mqjie-7f040oyycflUDHNNpfY7ZG_0-r13uh1Q/w640-h640/rosemandala.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /> <p></p>Judy H http://www.blogger.com/profile/13685822567236742303noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9884972.post-21668030422681675142024-02-22T05:00:00.001-05:002024-02-22T05:00:00.163-05:00Bookish Thursday - Mercy and Grace by Anoop Judge<p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Taking a brief break from my 'project' to drop in with a book review for <a href="https://muffin.wow-womenonwriting.com/2024/02/mercy-and-grace-by-anoop-judge-blog.html" target="_blank">WOW-Women on Writing</a> for Anoop Judge's book, <u>Mercy and Grace</u>. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZpiLx8DzG3FceO-I_vhZxDxSx_Ex2oUncCrYajldpRd0XVyT4IlVqXnEIWfh2Vvu-2E_0TqrKaiMe9KKaU_eSWqXJR3oBnB238J6D-YZmU7Q5PW7PDdZSmWxUtfNKQVQgrk-82p400hduwoVE8SuOg1q2_8536yPz8NQp7HCAPrEXTaFWWQ/s342/mercy%20and%20grace%20cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="342" data-original-width="221" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZpiLx8DzG3FceO-I_vhZxDxSx_Ex2oUncCrYajldpRd0XVyT4IlVqXnEIWfh2Vvu-2E_0TqrKaiMe9KKaU_eSWqXJR3oBnB238J6D-YZmU7Q5PW7PDdZSmWxUtfNKQVQgrk-82p400hduwoVE8SuOg1q2_8536yPz8NQp7HCAPrEXTaFWWQ/w259-h400/mercy%20and%20grace%20cover.jpg" width="259" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">First, the business of the book...</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Book Summary</span></span></p><p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">At twenty-one years old, Gia Kumari finally leaves the Delhi orphanage where she was raised. With few prospects for the future, she receives an unexpected invitation from a stranger named Sonia Shah, in San Francisco: an internship at Sonia’s weddings and event company. Jia and America. It’s love at first sight as she navigates an unfamiliar but irresistible new world of firsts. </span></span></p><p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">It’s Gia’s first real job: her first meeting with her only known family, her uncle Mohammed Khan, and her first romance, with Sonia’s quirky yet charming stepson, Adi. But it might be too good to be true. Gia’s newfound happiness is unfolding in the shadow of a terrible family secret, the impact of which is still being felt in a place Gia now calls home. To save what matters most, Gia must come to terms with a tragic past she’s only beginning to understand—and a lifetime of lies she must learn to forgive.</span></span></p><p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Publisher: Lake Union Publishing (September 19, 2023)</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">ISBN-10: 1662509219</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">ISBN-13: 978-1662509216</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">ASIN: B0BQNBFVBR</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Print Length: 283 pages</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Purchase a copy of </span><span style="font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Mercy and Grace </span><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">on </span><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Mercy-Grace-Novel-Anoop-Judge-ebook/dp/B0BQNBFVBR/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Amazon</span></a><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, </span><a href="https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/mercy-and-grace-anoop-judge/1142896516" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Barnes and Noble</span></a><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, and </span><a href="https://bookshop.org/p/books/mercy-and-grace-anoop-judge/19619722" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Bookshop.org</span></a><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">. You can also add this to your </span><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/75552280-mercy-and-grace" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">GoodReads reading list</span></a><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">.</span></span></p><p><b style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></b></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><u><span style="font-family: verdana;">About the Author</span></u></span></p><p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Born and raised in New Delhi, Anoop is the author of four novels, THE RUMMY CLUB which won the 2015 Beverly Hills Book Award, THE AWAKENING OF MEENA RAWAT, an excerpt of which was nominated for the 2019 Pushcart Prize, NO ORDINARY THURSDAY, and MERCY and GRACE. </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Her essays and short stories have appeared in Green Hills Literary Lantern, Rigorous Journal, Lumiere Review, DoubleBack Review, and the Ornament anthology, among others. </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"> </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Anoop calls herself a “recovering litigator” —she worked in state and federal courts for many years before she replaced legal briefs with fictional tales. She holds an MFA from St. Mary’s College of California and was the recipient of the 2021 Advisory Board Award and the 2023 Alumni Scholarship. </span></span></p><p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">She lives in Pleasanton, California, with her husband, and is the mother of two admirable young adults.</span></span></p><p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">You can find her online at:</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><br /></b><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Website: </span><span style="color: #1155cc; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="https://anoopjudge.com/" style="text-decoration: none;">https://anoopjudge.com/</a></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Instagram: </span><a href="https://www.instagram.com/judgeanoop/?hl=en" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">https://www.instagram.com/judgeanoop/?hl=en</span></a></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Linkedin: </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/anoop-ahuja-judge-94396743/" style="text-decoration: none;">https://www.linkedin.com/in/anoop-ahuja-judge-94396743/</a></span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Now for my opinion...</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">First off, I am intrigued by other cultures. A guilty pleasure is watching things like <i>Indian Matchmaking </i>on Netflix. The culture is so different from my Southern roots and I love it. So reading <u>Mercy and Grace</u> was a fun read as Gia learns to live not only in a different country, but also outside the confines of a convent orphanage. And all in the search for a family to call her own. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Secondly, it is a 'fun' read despite the sometimes heavy topic of finding out about her mother and learning to cope with living in a world which is completely different than the world she grew up in at the orphanage. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">And at 270 pages, the story is filling, but not something you have to wade through for days and days. It is something you can read in an afternoon. Or in a weekend if you want to really savor the read. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">This is a book I enjoyed reading, especially since it was filling time between flights at an archery tournament my granddaughter was competing in. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">But don't take my opinion alone (but you should), check out these other reviews...</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Blog Tour Calendar</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><b id="docs-internal-guid-04113119-7fff-760a-7ded-cb786f485668" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">February 12th @ The Muffin</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Join us as we celebrate the launch of Anoop Judge's book </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Mercy and Grace</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">. Read an interview with the author and enter to win a copy of her book.</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><a href="https://muffin.wow-womenonwriting.com/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">https://muffin.wow-womenonwriting.com</span></span></a></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><b style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></b></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">February 13th @ Rockin Book Reviews</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Visit Lu Ann's blog for her review of </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Mercy and Grace</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">. You can also win a copy of the book.</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><a href="https://www.rockinbookreviews.com/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">https://www.rockinbookreviews.com/</span></span></a></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><b style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></b></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">February 15th @ The Shaggy Shepherd</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Visit Isabelle's blog for a guest post by Anoop about creating compelling characters.</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><a href="https://theshaggyshepherd.wordpress.com/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">https://theshaggyshepherd.wordpress.com/</span></span></a></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><b style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></b></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"> February 16th @ What is That Book About</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Join Michelle for her spotlight of</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> Mercy and Grace.</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><a href="https://www.whatisthatbookabout.com/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">https://www.whatisthatbookabout.com/</span></span></a></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><b style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></b></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">February 17th @ Silver's Review</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Visit Elizabeth's blog for her spotlight of </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Mercy and Grace.</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><a href="http://silversolara.blogspot.com/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">http://silversolara.blogspot.com/</span></span></a></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><b style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></b></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">February 19th @ A Wonderful World of Books</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Visit Joy's blog for a guest post by Anoop Judge about Indian wedding traditions.</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><a href="https://awonderfulworldofwordsa.blogspot.com/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">https://awonderfulworldofwordsa.blogspot.com/</span></span></a></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><b style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></b></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">February 21st @ Jill Sheets' blog</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Visit Jill's blog for an interview with author Anoop Judge.</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><a href="https://jillsheets.blogspot.com/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">https://jillsheets.blogspot.com/</span></span></a></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><b style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></b></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">February 22nd @ Knotty Needle</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Check out Judy's blog for her review of </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Mercy and Grace</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">.</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><a href="http://knottyneedle.blogspot.com/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">http://knottyneedle.blogspot.com/</span></span></a></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><b style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></b></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">February 25th @ Chapter Break</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Visit Julie's blog for a guest post by Anoop Judge about her journey from litigator to writer.</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><a href="https://chapterbreak.net/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">https://chapterbreak.net</span></span></a></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><b style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></b></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">February 27th @ Lisa Haselton's Reviews & Interviews</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Join Lisa for her interview with Anoop Judge about her writing journey.</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><a href="https://lisahaselton.com/blog/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">https://lisahaselton.com/blog/</span></span></a></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><b style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></b></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">February 29th @ The Faerie Review</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Join Lily for her spotlight of </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Mercy and Grace</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">.</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><a href="https://www.thefaeriereview.com/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">https://www.thefaeriereview.com</span></span></a></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><b style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></b></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">March 1st @ World of My Imagination</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Join Nicole for her book review of </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Mercy and Grace</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">.</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><a href="https://worldofmyimagination.com/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">https://worldofmyimagination.com</span></span></a></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><b style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></b></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">March 3rd @ Boots, Shoes, and Fashion</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Join Linda for her in-depth interview with Anoop Judge about her book </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Mercy and Grace</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">.</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><a href="https://bootsshoesandfashion.com/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">https://bootsshoesandfashion.com/</span></span></a></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><b style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></b></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">March 4th @ One Writer's Journey</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Visit Sue's blog for her review of </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Mercy and Grace</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> by Anoop Judge.</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><a href="https://suebe.wordpress.com/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">https://suebe.wordpress.com/</span></span></a></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><b style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></b></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">March 5th @ Word Magic</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Join Fiona's blog for a guest post by Anoop Judge about managing the call with a literary agent.</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><a href="https://fionaingramauthor.blogspot.com/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">https://fionaingramauthor.blogspot.com/</span></span></a></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><b style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></b></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">March 7th @ A Storybook World</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Join Deirdra for her spotlight of </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Mercy and Grace</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">.</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><a href="https://www.astorybookworld.com/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">https://www.astorybookworld.com/</span></span></a></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><b style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></b></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">March 10th @ Michelle Cornish' blog</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Visit Michelle's blog for her review of </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Mercy and Grace</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">.</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><a href="https://michellecornishauthor.com/blog/book-reviews" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">https://michellecornishauthor.com/blog/book-reviews</span></span></a></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><b style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></b></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">March 12th @ Plain Spoken Pen</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Join Lisa for her review of </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Mercy and Grace</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">.</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><a href="https://theplainspokenpen.com/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">https://theplainspokenpen.com/</span></span></a></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><b style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></b></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">March 13th @ Sara Trimble's blog</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Join Sara for her review of</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> Mercy and Grace</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">. You also have the chance to win a copy of the book too!</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><a href="https://saratrimble.wordpress.com/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">https://saratrimble.wordpress.com/</span></span></a></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><b style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></b></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">March 15th @ Choices</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Visit Madeline's blog for a guest post by Anoop Judge about writing your way through grief.</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><a href="https://www.madelinesharples.com/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">https://www.madelinesharples.com/</span></span></a></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><b style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></b></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">March 17th @ Boys' Moms Reads</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Visit Karen's blog for her review of </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Mercy and Grace</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> by Anoop Judge.</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><a href="https://karensiddall.wordpress.com/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">https://karensiddall.wordpress.com/</span></span></a></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><b style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></b></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">March 17th @ Nikki's Book Reviews</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Visit Nikki's blog for a review of</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> Mercy and Grace</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">.</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><a href="https://nikkitsbookreviews.wordpress.com/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">https://nikkitsbookreviews.wordpress.com/</span></span></a></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><br /><br /><br /></p><p><br /></p>Judy H http://www.blogger.com/profile/13685822567236742303noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9884972.post-85737634015745181372024-02-20T05:00:00.001-05:002024-02-20T05:00:00.128-05:00Digital Art Tuesday - Moonflower Mandala<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1mDsJj86axZ1ZfhGNBK2jvn4-K7_z5pwZxpRDG4qcQMtV_iSZbfvB_lN6cOJZ2skw994Ajkv7uUDrbHw0w3Xp-o3FZP5PVU1g2-Ib0EIm7pCYbhr3XhnPziHiGPNxfE9BxXGLIGwEILy4TgQCOn6j2El88DnHCt5jqjBFvxG30QIBSEgEMA/s1800/moonflowermandala.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1800" data-original-width="1800" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1mDsJj86axZ1ZfhGNBK2jvn4-K7_z5pwZxpRDG4qcQMtV_iSZbfvB_lN6cOJZ2skw994Ajkv7uUDrbHw0w3Xp-o3FZP5PVU1g2-Ib0EIm7pCYbhr3XhnPziHiGPNxfE9BxXGLIGwEILy4TgQCOn6j2El88DnHCt5jqjBFvxG30QIBSEgEMA/w640-h640/moonflowermandala.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /> <p></p>Judy H http://www.blogger.com/profile/13685822567236742303noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9884972.post-55170317523147269322024-02-17T04:54:00.001-05:002024-02-17T04:54:09.474-05:00Seedy Saturday - New Things and Bulbs Up<p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Yes, spring is coming!</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">'Elberta' peach is just to the brink of putting out leaves and blooms. It is so exciting. And the roses are starting to put out leaves also. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Couple of things in the yard already are looking good. The 150 tulip bulbs I planted everywhere are coming up.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn2pjWiB0MKERiV8wwQhDFxPtubaa6EPzeRh-qoTO0AKsNMU5yiAaAVUVbUml9V9bCtMOLuGwpXc7e5klMs0XO3yxb2rcXChoSgsNiUY16QdinB1PQn7I0aHXEPCzV0fzCl4c4iL_0irOnVvuSwKLq15k3XcOq75bxKAXjPVLSmC4bJw2Sdw/s1024/tulippots.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="505" data-original-width="1024" height="316" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn2pjWiB0MKERiV8wwQhDFxPtubaa6EPzeRh-qoTO0AKsNMU5yiAaAVUVbUml9V9bCtMOLuGwpXc7e5klMs0XO3yxb2rcXChoSgsNiUY16QdinB1PQn7I0aHXEPCzV0fzCl4c4iL_0irOnVvuSwKLq15k3XcOq75bxKAXjPVLSmC4bJw2Sdw/w640-h316/tulippots.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">I have some pots of tulip bulbs, as well as, bulbs in the ground. The tulips are early, mid and late season tulips, so I should have blooms for a longer period of time.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">But a wonderful surprise is the little hydrangea.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBrTJDmn0lm23AXp6dUARHNYQ-g0XChThVqgiO6xgPjSovAEpLP_ZcRw2xDfbRIIcSwuOFuRo-XbA-XtvJ5Oztg-yD58n1qKihdNi4YRk_vBRMHrBYyUq1KyYeXsc9z8n8uzdmtVyX_lT6OtCYqpW_1sEuMxuCmJcO1zIXq1xL1Gkz55vcWQ/s1024/hydrangea.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="769" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBrTJDmn0lm23AXp6dUARHNYQ-g0XChThVqgiO6xgPjSovAEpLP_ZcRw2xDfbRIIcSwuOFuRo-XbA-XtvJ5Oztg-yD58n1qKihdNi4YRk_vBRMHrBYyUq1KyYeXsc9z8n8uzdmtVyX_lT6OtCYqpW_1sEuMxuCmJcO1zIXq1xL1Gkz55vcWQ/w480-h640/hydrangea.jpg" width="480" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">It might be a bit hard to see, but she is getting ready to send out leaves! And I figured she had bitten the dust during the summer last year. I actually thought I was going to have to pull her out and plant something else. So this is exciting.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVnr9UNKUUtaPIests9RcM5GQzysBXe1P-t1rBhxUbRyzMGcuQ0j591Of2cZnoRw74LysUPjf1xW58JRI_TPC0MlU1csCuASiuXRl3oto3WQ4DsPK8K57tr0n2l0o3RmpyP3usR4ZU1tYNkVeY-CPSjnTYr6XXdkAIRCjWNIrSUuQp4onGXQ/s1024/1stblooms.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="769" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVnr9UNKUUtaPIests9RcM5GQzysBXe1P-t1rBhxUbRyzMGcuQ0j591Of2cZnoRw74LysUPjf1xW58JRI_TPC0MlU1csCuASiuXRl3oto3WQ4DsPK8K57tr0n2l0o3RmpyP3usR4ZU1tYNkVeY-CPSjnTYr6XXdkAIRCjWNIrSUuQp4onGXQ/w480-h640/1stblooms.jpg" width="480" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">My first blooms in the 'bulb bed' are getting ready to open. More things are slowly emerging and it should look fairly nice in the next couple of weeks.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkJtx03OUQGo3jX7EexFQzlDaJJZGwK2qz9Hd2gJWo3t3i80frewix3fLAz9Od0i5ph8tBOTTx4wm-OUNJGjw2YXfNdONIXAD4_sbCMEAGQwkGd3nTlxGJOIER1pk3XnFBbaVjHkXsXdKP7YC3fb0-VZodTz3C7jeJRMrrOAAkFrdhJZ0KVQ/s1024/nectaroscordumbulbs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="769" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkJtx03OUQGo3jX7EexFQzlDaJJZGwK2qz9Hd2gJWo3t3i80frewix3fLAz9Od0i5ph8tBOTTx4wm-OUNJGjw2YXfNdONIXAD4_sbCMEAGQwkGd3nTlxGJOIER1pk3XnFBbaVjHkXsXdKP7YC3fb0-VZodTz3C7jeJRMrrOAAkFrdhJZ0KVQ/w480-h640/nectaroscordumbulbs.jpg" width="480" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">These are the <a href="https://www.gardenia.net/plant/nectaroscordum-siculum-sicilian-honey-garlic" target="_blank">Nectaroscordum</a> bulbs I planted. There should be a few more coming along. But this is the first time I have grown these, so it could be interesting. The problem is they came in a bag with some peonies. And I don't remember where, or if, I planted out the peonies. Hmmmmm....</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">And just because I happened to stop by Tractor Supply looking for a bare root pear tree, which they didn't have, I brought home these...</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjALgZtkZH6WsqAhN58FXfF8RYLj_7-BOUbsWSPzAwvZRlQKTX9u7ENDOq89j7MK4fVDjscZCl0q9iP9tkh6cjvovz3scZeCf9w8zLKFzGYPxyqiTOdeEELHQOXGasGEoZrF64AKYtpdnjWzu8fC4G2PTLC2-zczCLB3vvtxP2O6wuRd40ivA/s1024/peachsorbetblueberry.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="769" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjALgZtkZH6WsqAhN58FXfF8RYLj_7-BOUbsWSPzAwvZRlQKTX9u7ENDOq89j7MK4fVDjscZCl0q9iP9tkh6cjvovz3scZeCf9w8zLKFzGYPxyqiTOdeEELHQOXGasGEoZrF64AKYtpdnjWzu8fC4G2PTLC2-zczCLB3vvtxP2O6wuRd40ivA/w300-h400/peachsorbetblueberry.jpg" width="300" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEMGz-qGdTtOa6il9QGymRGpTTTOfW5gMXE9u0amKsypNyMXDf2IbdhQncXfF6wzeXmy0GJ9IYGgzdCVbDSdmMXs3Is5LrzbyCTSeqGY51x_uY2GYh5uSm_N5kpshjWbZBjLRWqaUZVrmIgDC7VVdFqBodT4OtRBI0Uo2wtO5jML-sGxN0xQ/s1024/pinkicingblueberry.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="769" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEMGz-qGdTtOa6il9QGymRGpTTTOfW5gMXE9u0amKsypNyMXDf2IbdhQncXfF6wzeXmy0GJ9IYGgzdCVbDSdmMXs3Is5LrzbyCTSeqGY51x_uY2GYh5uSm_N5kpshjWbZBjLRWqaUZVrmIgDC7VVdFqBodT4OtRBI0Uo2wtO5jML-sGxN0xQ/w300-h400/pinkicingblueberry.jpg" width="300" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY105PAMSOG0OLPvLJbFMgLznF3heIRuD0FwF2WsGQKvja3ll1FFU-kHDv6o2dg6SfKmREWaFLalNF6bBwMDIp1mJio_Yt6Au6cps2uVvELB4R4zjl9zHhYTIhIdHFUWRavn1nnrJCie0j7y4R2AW8jhkBKTqtuI-2kHcRIuHtXkvEW4fpIg/s1024/raspberryshortcake.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="769" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY105PAMSOG0OLPvLJbFMgLznF3heIRuD0FwF2WsGQKvja3ll1FFU-kHDv6o2dg6SfKmREWaFLalNF6bBwMDIp1mJio_Yt6Au6cps2uVvELB4R4zjl9zHhYTIhIdHFUWRavn1nnrJCie0j7y4R2AW8jhkBKTqtuI-2kHcRIuHtXkvEW4fpIg/w300-h400/raspberryshortcake.jpg" width="300" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">I plan to put them in containers and have them along the sidewalk up to the front gate. My raspberries in the back are still sitting there. I am hoping my pruning job didn't kill them. So far, they are just sitting there. Along with the blackberry bushes. Fingers crossed they are getting ready to do something other than look like bare stumps.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">My asparagus is shooting up. Unfortunately, this is the second season the crowns are in the ground, so no harvesting. But at the last count, I have 6 viable crowns growing. I am hoping a couple more pop up, as I think I originally planted about 11. If not, I need to get more crowns shortly to fill in the gap in the middle. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">But things are doing well. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">I have seed potatoes to put in containers also. And am getting other things ready in the garden. I do need to work on the walkway, but at this point I feel getting a fence set up around the veggie garden is a higher priority. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">However, today it's off to South Carolina to watch Lady K in an archery tournament. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Judy H http://www.blogger.com/profile/13685822567236742303noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9884972.post-4354216987652876692024-02-13T05:00:00.001-05:002024-02-13T05:00:00.132-05:00Digital Art Tuesday - Passion flower Mandala<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcz6uylgWMQT_5wuxX121aCcLElPgbStElkMS5zkN7cRIcQLC0dVcVFeelqEqJEAQQTWgIBw9lDshx4gdYMU2vkbBpHeGDhyphenhyphen89IJ2ni0ap6JrVE1T_uKr-VSZEecpnHADhmrnt4kzue_7Du1Ojuyv6713f0FBE8qYDBnZ_-EZh0fMuVoEu5g/s1080/passionflowermandala.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcz6uylgWMQT_5wuxX121aCcLElPgbStElkMS5zkN7cRIcQLC0dVcVFeelqEqJEAQQTWgIBw9lDshx4gdYMU2vkbBpHeGDhyphenhyphen89IJ2ni0ap6JrVE1T_uKr-VSZEecpnHADhmrnt4kzue_7Du1Ojuyv6713f0FBE8qYDBnZ_-EZh0fMuVoEu5g/w640-h640/passionflowermandala.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /> <p></p>Judy H http://www.blogger.com/profile/13685822567236742303noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9884972.post-91748677797736861782024-02-12T04:57:00.005-05:002024-02-12T04:57:51.029-05:00Week(s) in Review - January 29 - February 11, 2024<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5SNRourCEDoQMZOMMNourk-gwSgB_HX5Jx3dMExGh_mcIpXTcePYM1AULU2nwH01CyeOcJJzLikrS-BUr8wLmoE85JQvnR-tGFl38z0lRVmrQSJ8eyhU7BIPk630Cil3TkCd8yS-iacahgXKhGtmNMk4Ykx-ttjT4uCQcstH1IbFUADr_PA/s4032/wir021124.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5SNRourCEDoQMZOMMNourk-gwSgB_HX5Jx3dMExGh_mcIpXTcePYM1AULU2nwH01CyeOcJJzLikrS-BUr8wLmoE85JQvnR-tGFl38z0lRVmrQSJ8eyhU7BIPk630Cil3TkCd8yS-iacahgXKhGtmNMk4Ykx-ttjT4uCQcstH1IbFUADr_PA/w480-h640/wir021124.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">OMG - the moment you dread going to work because a co-worker is a massive '49er fan and they lost the Super Bowl by 3 points. It's not going to be a happy time today! LOL</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Anyway...</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">The past two weeks have been jam packed. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">I have been working on my prototype for my project. My big hangup is the artwork I want to use with it and have been playing with Photoshop to get what I want. Also, Publish and Thrive has restarted. This is an intensive 6-week course on how to publish a book as an indie author. And all the other things you need to do other than just write the damn thing! So lots of computer time the past two weeks.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">To relax and 'chill' the past week, I have been putting together the 'book alley' I backed on Kickstarter and received this past week. I have been wanting one of these for ages. However, the other one I do have is made of balsa and is really flimsy. This one is super sturdy. And colorful. There are still a lot of 'fiddly' pieces, like in the furniture, but overall very simple to put together as their instructions were very clear and well-illustrated. I even got the lights to work on the first try!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Lady K is progressing in her archery and broke 200 at her last tournament. That's a big deal around here. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">And the newest grandchild has decided he isn't due until the 15th officially, so he's staying put. Regardless of his mother's wishes. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Seven books were finished over the past two weeks. Which is a good thing. But I need to be doing more reading. Audio book loaded onto the phone finally, so that will be what I listen to at work this week.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Otherwise this week...</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Finish the prototype</span></li><li><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Start on the third module of Print Shop</span></li><li><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Finish up module two of Publish and Thrive</span></li><li><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Training a new fruit cutter Wednesday - Friday</span></li><li><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Archery tournament on Saturday</span></li><li><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Start outdoor 'garden' chores</span></li></ul><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">But for now...</span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Figure out breakfast and get dressed and hit the road to work!</span></div></div><br /><p></p>Judy H http://www.blogger.com/profile/13685822567236742303noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9884972.post-42571866357924020352024-02-11T05:00:00.001-05:002024-02-11T05:00:00.130-05:00Positive Focus Sunday - Little Things Mean More Than You Think<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgqGA4lfCWvDuVEUBFtrt0TzrSW9siSZ_lK9JjB5xyDLyhsMX_nKmMwfP2-m_CT8sYGaOgO_Aq5yaoRr7rIY-2GZOCY30leMu09GzQDOa5SRRD5v_QEjMietj9EEVM9x37l_JZ18Mc2TAzuG9CzWojUCoW-HMEiY6w1OxuswKLfSlLPNw46Q/s4032/woodpieces.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgqGA4lfCWvDuVEUBFtrt0TzrSW9siSZ_lK9JjB5xyDLyhsMX_nKmMwfP2-m_CT8sYGaOgO_Aq5yaoRr7rIY-2GZOCY30leMu09GzQDOa5SRRD5v_QEjMietj9EEVM9x37l_JZ18Mc2TAzuG9CzWojUCoW-HMEiY6w1OxuswKLfSlLPNw46Q/w480-h640/woodpieces.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">I told the story behind this wood on Facebook earlier in the week. The smaller pieces are from some work being done at my next door neighbor's house. What I wasn't expecting was the long piece. In fact, when I asked for the smaller pieces, I was told I couldn't have the long piece. Much to my surprise when I looked out the window, there was the longer piece! </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">That piece will become a edge of the first row in the veggie garden by the house. Having an 'edge' on the row will allow me to build up the row with some compost and keep it from flowing downhill in the rain. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">But what I am most happy about is this...</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY3WodllksWpnDBPpDgSO84l_F-WYPRUHaT8iVEbZtJIkmRjjCNZ_vg6zNC6c8l9f9yihh7vTEO18BlQj_qqqckVOBluYeVywXQ2YsrlbkgO76gNgVVeoHHfHKGslU-jAOcQ-_NX-nhCBhyphenhyphendsBZlQgAl66YFLyKDUIV44wiAaZQXlCsEON5w/s4032/onionbag.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY3WodllksWpnDBPpDgSO84l_F-WYPRUHaT8iVEbZtJIkmRjjCNZ_vg6zNC6c8l9f9yihh7vTEO18BlQj_qqqckVOBluYeVywXQ2YsrlbkgO76gNgVVeoHHfHKGslU-jAOcQ-_NX-nhCBhyphenhyphendsBZlQgAl66YFLyKDUIV44wiAaZQXlCsEON5w/w480-h640/onionbag.jpg" width="480" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Yes, it's a paper lunch bag. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">And inside, if you look at the picture, I have a whole bunch of red onion bulbs to plant out in my garden. They were given to me by my young co-worker, who also gardens. But that's not the part I am excited about.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">It's the bag itself.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">And why am I excited by a paper bag?</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">You see, <a href="https://murphymccully.wixsite.com/mysite" target="_blank">Murphy</a> is actually an extremely talented artist. Both Foxy and I have prints he gifted us with. Hers is a fox and mine is an owl. I have also hired him to create a logo for me for my new project (which will be unveiled soon). </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">So, not only do I have more red onion bulbs than I actually need to plant, I have an 'original' Murphy McCully! </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Actually, with my new project(s), I have plans to hire Murphy to do more design work for me - like some prints for postcards, illustrations and notebooks. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">So...</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Things don't have to be BIG to have a large impact on someone. A lot of times, it is the little things which have the most impact. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">NOTE: If you are an Instagram user, please check out Murphy here...</span><a href="https://www.instagram.com/artbymurphymccully/"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">https://www.instagram.com/artbymurphymccully/</span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><br /> <p></p>Judy H http://www.blogger.com/profile/13685822567236742303noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9884972.post-49680272027172378972024-02-10T06:09:00.002-05:002024-02-10T06:09:26.256-05:00Seedy Saturday - Budding Up!<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSpX1xzWGLTygiZLAoHU7H9lpmrIaDLsX7exke7MqVBvAF___jBVb_u3qgOlDN6yIXt2dy4259WV1csTFF16DuexVNEk76Ek7HcO3x0CgPElfSD6dZAdgYHq3JXf8qnT3KQqfJEXk5CESMktQmTwueBb4rwOWuNlQS7pifeBRREY0-zmMAgg/s2894/tulipinground.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2256" data-original-width="2894" height="498" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSpX1xzWGLTygiZLAoHU7H9lpmrIaDLsX7exke7MqVBvAF___jBVb_u3qgOlDN6yIXt2dy4259WV1csTFF16DuexVNEk76Ek7HcO3x0CgPElfSD6dZAdgYHq3JXf8qnT3KQqfJEXk5CESMktQmTwueBb4rwOWuNlQS7pifeBRREY0-zmMAgg/w640-h498/tulipinground.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">150 tulip bulbs later, planted all over my yard, and I am starting to see the 'fruit of my labors'. In the various beds and pots, tulips are starting to emerge despite the cold weather we have had in January. The tulips are a mixture of early, mid-season, and late-season varieties. Unfortunately, they are all mainly pinks and reds, but hopefully as the years go by, I will get different colors added in. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIlbNZx00vRWWLV3tdi2JGHteBZG6dClUfTYij9kyx9B-a2dfdsBjdQs84Q6xBai5J3Q1KLys3v3RjD0_K_bUrDy-_vJYNUbl2wm__W1l62yBRqFwLVk5v_SPBUuxwL7tzo1riLubttfbGxn47aJhkg4VuppYbnPLB8OUYSpojwNvgmehiVg/s4032/bulbbed.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIlbNZx00vRWWLV3tdi2JGHteBZG6dClUfTYij9kyx9B-a2dfdsBjdQs84Q6xBai5J3Q1KLys3v3RjD0_K_bUrDy-_vJYNUbl2wm__W1l62yBRqFwLVk5v_SPBUuxwL7tzo1riLubttfbGxn47aJhkg4VuppYbnPLB8OUYSpojwNvgmehiVg/w300-h400/bulbbed.jpg" width="300" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">This in-ground bed has a mixture of 'rescued' bulbs from the grocery store. I am hoping it will be filled out this year with the variety of bulbs planted here. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_R3joTXa_7qsVoZ-6s5EdcRr3PHCRqtzx6qfA2DOrBVD19HPZ3dcL6KSeJpmDCPsWnhXdYFzqheL2xIWVHqy6n8Y9YxxW_3wRRr1hVkU76RxtZSc3IJmrLUHqihkK3SHuWq-1M6wQVfqETGDEFExGABBL3_mDVNNq9f0jPNAxstYLTKqvSw/s4032/tulippot.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_R3joTXa_7qsVoZ-6s5EdcRr3PHCRqtzx6qfA2DOrBVD19HPZ3dcL6KSeJpmDCPsWnhXdYFzqheL2xIWVHqy6n8Y9YxxW_3wRRr1hVkU76RxtZSc3IJmrLUHqihkK3SHuWq-1M6wQVfqETGDEFExGABBL3_mDVNNq9f0jPNAxstYLTKqvSw/w300-h400/tulippot.jpg" width="300" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">And have 3-4 small pots with tulips in them also. I need to move them and set them on the porch steps, but I have to do some cleaning on the porch first.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN-XszhnAPDYt2rxPQa3hAnVz3D6aCIU4SwBfdmP9kIH1DvjhkqnYmTlqhLqvXJs4hCGioxwSvpCx16GNlbDExITP6_I6g7Or3qi8wXDcWBtGtICryOZIqWTTw3ZP5uN6inbQ_JVyKywNja0Zt1cbG0QFMRwYBDrB1He-b8FpwI3urXGVihQ/s4032/rosebuds.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN-XszhnAPDYt2rxPQa3hAnVz3D6aCIU4SwBfdmP9kIH1DvjhkqnYmTlqhLqvXJs4hCGioxwSvpCx16GNlbDExITP6_I6g7Or3qi8wXDcWBtGtICryOZIqWTTw3ZP5uN6inbQ_JVyKywNja0Zt1cbG0QFMRwYBDrB1He-b8FpwI3urXGVihQ/w480-h640/rosebuds.jpg" width="480" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">The 'America' climbing rose is budding up and getting ready to put on some growth. I am hoping he really grows up the trellis this year. His buddy, 'Don Juan' is much shorter and branching out everywhere. Some pruning will be necessary to curb his enthusiasm. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLlauPVyhTfxFWZ6KZRkyN4bpaZ9tso8Pw9FQJVY6fu59-KlmMUuk8mrcmLyliBKWnLbN3onWdOELIk0ImQf3dK62wtZA7PGIE30cRN6iLkIarTFcQDDQvx18A_qy6_d2QW1pi9GmO7Sj0Xf3cfTGRPXpLWKmz2o-dOx-JOxDPDlk8q7oYyA/s4032/babypoppy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLlauPVyhTfxFWZ6KZRkyN4bpaZ9tso8Pw9FQJVY6fu59-KlmMUuk8mrcmLyliBKWnLbN3onWdOELIk0ImQf3dK62wtZA7PGIE30cRN6iLkIarTFcQDDQvx18A_qy6_d2QW1pi9GmO7Sj0Xf3cfTGRPXpLWKmz2o-dOx-JOxDPDlk8q7oYyA/w300-h400/babypoppy.jpg" width="300" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Baby poppies are starting to emerge. Hopefully, I will be adding in some more different poppies to this bed. The yarrow clump, which has really popped up through the winter, is also doing quite well.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihBuOCMEn5_0myRi5XBKFbA7dK_kcNXrEjlUvOUuaYiuY3yOEqnh3SdViUklutlqJPH3zjX8W6R-tNJH2fbx3EfoARhFzkyu5J6fnIEaVxijphbBMQ6dheH6DGHcZXe1zoY72zZHylP-AU5d5Qks8mIoNexjm6GfW4Pyf97Q3MOQIV4rqwKA/s4032/comfreyemerging.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihBuOCMEn5_0myRi5XBKFbA7dK_kcNXrEjlUvOUuaYiuY3yOEqnh3SdViUklutlqJPH3zjX8W6R-tNJH2fbx3EfoARhFzkyu5J6fnIEaVxijphbBMQ6dheH6DGHcZXe1zoY72zZHylP-AU5d5Qks8mIoNexjm6GfW4Pyf97Q3MOQIV4rqwKA/w300-h400/comfreyemerging.jpg" width="300" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">The comfrey, which I basically striped back to the ground in the fall to make some comfrey oil, is coming back nicely. I'll leave it alone for another year (maybe) and then look at moving and dividing it. I would really like some in the veggie garden area. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivvCHa0MnF9haUaLLbC6U9JkKpqRwFpWQNBHPGMtiYarZn_qXedmw9bOzOwb2_4b1LcX5SXENyYz7dTqofxXsqVUE6ZvFjgKAjXlRI5JMBOsXUown3STrYF2U5cuLB_Mm_37VkRU63vcyUmVdUIARVaGdqGDJTWQx8o389QZoKPfrehHGlAg/s4032/mintinpot.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivvCHa0MnF9haUaLLbC6U9JkKpqRwFpWQNBHPGMtiYarZn_qXedmw9bOzOwb2_4b1LcX5SXENyYz7dTqofxXsqVUE6ZvFjgKAjXlRI5JMBOsXUown3STrYF2U5cuLB_Mm_37VkRU63vcyUmVdUIARVaGdqGDJTWQx8o389QZoKPfrehHGlAg/w300-h400/mintinpot.jpg" width="300" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Of course, this mint in a container is already do its thing. There may be some mint in my water or tea this weekend!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgojBpk0I_VpEH2WPge6mkb6daWDRZqqL-MCe5hyphenhyphen1epPpz_rz2FInyCuo3SvRuNGzuKYS0qpqrdcGh9lahzZWGVD8pA3X_wm5p2RT-GGJtwssY2fTTa9m9y44XzTnVtdMXc7zhVw_lOLxV3vBTwebWRWBCh_odp9WX_X6MzjoQvlVaCothjIA/s4032/IMG_5151.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgojBpk0I_VpEH2WPge6mkb6daWDRZqqL-MCe5hyphenhyphen1epPpz_rz2FInyCuo3SvRuNGzuKYS0qpqrdcGh9lahzZWGVD8pA3X_wm5p2RT-GGJtwssY2fTTa9m9y44XzTnVtdMXc7zhVw_lOLxV3vBTwebWRWBCh_odp9WX_X6MzjoQvlVaCothjIA/w480-h640/IMG_5151.jpeg" width="480" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">One of the asparagus crowns is showing some shoots. The other couple are just sitting there. Maybe as the temperatures warm up a bit more there will be some activity. But I think I am going to have to put in some more crowns this year.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">My favorite 'bud' so far is my <a href="https://www.plantingtree.com/products/elberta-peach-tree" target="_blank">Elberta Peach</a>. I have pruned to main branch to stop its upward growth at about 7 feet. I am hoping for some blooms this year and maybe, fingers crossed, a peach or two. The little <a href="https://rootstofruitsnursery.com/products/contender-peach" target="_blank">Contender Peach</a> hasn't grown like Elberta, but I have faith it will put on some growth this year.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Overall, I am very happy with how things are going so far this year. Of course, I need to get my butt out in the yard and do some work, but it will happen. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">For today, I am hoping to get the outside greenhouse 'tidied' from where it blew over a bit in one of our storms recently. I had to put zip ties on the base and anchor it to the posts on the porch to keep it in place during future storms. I plan on putting some lights out there for seedlings and start moving them out into the greenhouse. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Yes, I am happy with my 2024 garden so far. </span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><br /> <p></p>Judy H http://www.blogger.com/profile/13685822567236742303noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9884972.post-14336600737061425392024-02-08T05:00:00.001-05:002024-02-08T05:00:00.142-05:00Bookish Thursday - Analyzing The Prescotts by Dawn Reno Langley<p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Yes, another review for <a href="https://muffin.wow-womenonwriting.com/2024/02/analyzing-prescotts-by-dawn-reno.html" target="_blank">WOW-Women on Writing</a> for author <a href="https://www.rewiredcreatives.com/dawn-reno-langley/" target="_blank">Dawn Reno Langley</a> on her book, <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Analyzing-Prescotts-Dawn-Reno-Langley-ebook/dp/B0CM4SLKWG/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1VJ91B6N1PX4U&keywords=analyzing+the+prescotts+by+dawn+reno+langley&qid=1707340728&sprefix=analyzing+the+pre%2Caps%2C107&sr=8-1" target="_blank">Analyzing the Prescotts. </a></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">First, the business...</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwkTwUmWS6UvuTPHPPtv9mrFaAETk3lSLp4Cu-2tl-7Z2shTWEGn6d8TkEF21_zm4Lqeuwt-hU_ZxtO5_ZF8P2ZYiRBzgbCihOu-kcI6g5nHG8ziTGH1sXHJgN4sCwUIuV90JFgmIeIHRzvf7rba9gk9anvhwTh6vYin-p2MgueLYSJ5tvvA/s2500/Analyzing%20the%20Prescotts%20eimage%20FINAL.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2500" data-original-width="1676" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwkTwUmWS6UvuTPHPPtv9mrFaAETk3lSLp4Cu-2tl-7Z2shTWEGn6d8TkEF21_zm4Lqeuwt-hU_ZxtO5_ZF8P2ZYiRBzgbCihOu-kcI6g5nHG8ziTGH1sXHJgN4sCwUIuV90JFgmIeIHRzvf7rba9gk9anvhwTh6vYin-p2MgueLYSJ5tvvA/w430-h640/Analyzing%20the%20Prescotts%20eimage%20FINAL.jpg" width="430" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span id="docs-internal-guid-a1249a36-7fff-76e1-438e-7e4242552dff" style="text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Book Summary</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Cotton Barnes, a Raleigh, NC, therapist, leveled by a client’s recent suicide, is struggling to resume her practice when she begins working with the Prescotts, a family fractured when the father comes out as transgender and begins transitioning. They relate their stories in their chosen voices, each family member’s narrative in a different format. Journals, social media, and other nontraditional narratives challenge Dr. Barnes’ therapeutic skills. While each member of the Prescotts dodge land mines behind the closed doors of her therapy office, the Raleigh, North Carolina area is rocked by a series of LGBTQ+ hate crimes. As Cotton finds herself stalking the family, worried that she might not be able to “save them,” her husband slips away, and Cotton is forced to make a decision that will determine whether she saves her own marriage or the Prescotts.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Publisher: Black Rose Publishing</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Print length: 308 pages</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Purchase a copy of </span><span style="font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Analyzing the Prescotts</span><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> on</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Amazon: </span><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Analyzing-Prescotts-Dawn-Reno-Langley/dp/1685133495" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">https://www.amazon.com/Analyzing-Prescotts-Dawn-Reno-Langley/dp/1685133495</span></a></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">You can also add this to your GoodReads reading list </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">.</span><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/201087344-analyzing-the-prescotts" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/201087344-analyzing-the-prescotts</span></a></p><br /><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><u>About the Author</u></span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Dawn Reno Langley writes extensively for newspapers and magazines, has published more than 30 books (nonfiction, children’s books, and novels such as The Mourning Parade (Amberjack, 2017)), dozens of award-winning short stories, essays, and poems in journals such as Missouri Review, Hunger Mountain and Superstition Review, as well as hundreds of articles, theater reviews, and blogs. A Fulbright scholar and TedX speaker with an MFA in Fiction from Vermont College and a PhD in Interdisciplinary Studies (concentrations in gender studies and creativity) from The Union Institute and University, she lives on the North Carolina coast. She offers writing retreats for other women and teaches for Southern New Hampshire University’s MFA program. Her latest book, You Are Divine: A Search for the Goddess in All of Us (Llewellyn) was released nationally and internationally in January 2022.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">You can follow the author at:</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Website: </span><a href="http://www.dawnrenolangley.net/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">www.dawnrenolangley.net</span></a></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Facebook: </span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/dawnrenolangley/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">https://www.facebook.com/dawnrenolangley/</span></a></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Instagram: </span><a href="https://www.instagram.com/proflangley/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">https://www.instagram.com/proflangley/</span></a></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">You Tube: </span><span style="color: #1155cc; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCfSpOz4n17V06ZGei4SkXww" style="text-decoration: none;">https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCfSpOz4n17V06ZGei4SkXww</a></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="font-size: large; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><br /></p><p dir="ltr" style="font-size: large; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><br /></p><p dir="ltr" style="font-size: large; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">Now for my opinion.</p><p dir="ltr" style="font-size: large; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><br /></p><p dir="ltr" style="font-size: large; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">Ok, the book is set in Raleigh. I spent 20-ish years in Raleigh, and loved, loved reading about places I knew all about. I've been there! </p><p dir="ltr" style="font-size: large; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><br /></p><p dir="ltr" style="font-size: large; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">Secondly, I have done a bit of therapy in my time. And I have a really, really good friend who has been in therapy for years. So I have a tad on an insight into the whole procedure. </p><p dir="ltr" style="font-size: large; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><br /></p><p dir="ltr" style="font-size: large; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">About <u>Analyzing the Prescotts specifically-</u>I enjoyed reading this book immensely. I enjoyed it to the point I resented having to go to work and putting the book down. And there is so much I want to say about the book, but am afraid of giving away parts of the story. But I'll try.</p><p dir="ltr" style="font-size: large; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><br /></p><p dir="ltr" style="font-size: large; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">The fracturing of the Prescott family is understandable on one hand. However, would I rather my husband (if I still had one) leave me because of another person or because he wanted to be true to himself and become a woman? And that is the first of many questions I found myself asking myself while reading this book. </p><p dir="ltr" style="font-size: large; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><br /></p><p dir="ltr" style="font-size: large; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">While my life experiences are a hill in comparison to the Prescotts' mountain of problems, I do understand what it is like to decide to no longer want to fit into the 'box' society wants people to fit into. Also, unfortunately, I worked with a woman who could be Gray and it was pretty scary at times. </p><p dir="ltr" style="font-size: large; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><br /></p><p dir="ltr" style="font-size: large; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">And while the Prescotts are in a definite crisis, to see the issues their therapist was dealing with, both with their case and her past case which didn't turn out well. </p><p dir="ltr" style="font-size: large; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><br /></p><p dir="ltr" style="font-size: large; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">Anyway, pick up this book (it's free on Kindle Unlimited at the present time) and curl up for a really good read. And pick a time when you can read without having to stop!</p><p dir="ltr" style="font-size: large; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><br /></p><p dir="ltr" style="font-size: large; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">But don't take just my opinion, check out the following reviews. </p><p dir="ltr" style="font-size: large; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><br /></p><p dir="ltr" style="font-size: large; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><u>Blog Tour Calendar</u></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="font-size: large; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><b id="docs-internal-guid-53cd8ac7-7fff-3e3b-e430-a69666981e2f" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><br /></b></p><p dir="ltr" style="font-size: large; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">February 5th @ The Muffin</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="font-size: large; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Join us at WOW as we celebrate the launch of Dawn Reno Langley's novel Analyzing the Prescotts. Read an interview with the author and enter for a chance to win a copy of the book.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="font-size: large; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><a href="https://muffin.wow-womenonwriting.com/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">https://muffin.wow-womenonwriting.com</span></a></p><p dir="ltr" style="font-size: large; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><b style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><br /></b></p><p dir="ltr" style="font-size: large; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">February 6th @ The Mommies Review</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="font-size: large; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Visit with The Mommies Review for a review of Analyzing the Prescotts.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="font-size: large; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><a href="https://www.themommiesreviews.com/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">https://www.themommiesreviews.com/</span></a></p><p dir="ltr" style="font-size: large; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><b style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><br /></b></p><p dir="ltr" style="font-size: large; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">February 8th @ Knotty Needle</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="font-size: large; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Stop by Judy's blog for a review of Dawn Reno Langley's Analyzing the Prescotts.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="font-size: large; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><a href="http://knottyneedle.blogspot.com/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">http://knottyneedle.blogspot.com</span></a></p><p dir="ltr" style="font-size: large; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><b style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><br /></b></p><p dir="ltr" style="font-size: large; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">February 9th @ Boys' Mom Reads!</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="font-size: large; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Find out Karen's take on Analyzing the Prescotts in today's review.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="font-size: large; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><a href="https://karensiddall.wordpress.com/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">https://karensiddall.wordpress.com</span></a></p><p dir="ltr" style="font-size: large; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><b style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><br /></b></p><p dir="ltr" style="font-size: large; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">February 10th @ Boots, Shoes, and Fashion</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="font-size: large; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Visit Linda's blog for her interview with author Dawn Reno Langley about her novel Analyzing the Prescotts.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="font-size: large; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><a href="https://bootsshoesandfashion.com/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">https://bootsshoesandfashion.com/</span></a></p><p dir="ltr" style="font-size: large; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><b style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><br /></b></p><p dir="ltr" style="font-size: large; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">February 11th @ A Wonderful World of Books</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="font-size: large; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Visit Joy's blog for a guest post by Dawn Reno Langley on the challenges of writing using multiple points of view. You can also read an excerpt of Langley's novel Analyzing the Prescotts.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="font-size: large; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><a href="https://awonderfulworldofwordsa.blogspot.com/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">https://awonderfulworldofwordsa.blogspot.com/</span></a></p><p dir="ltr" style="font-size: large; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><b style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><br /></b></p><p dir="ltr" style="font-size: large; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">February 12th @ Lisa Haselton's Book Reviews & Interviews</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="font-size: large; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Visit Lisa's blog for an interview with Dawn Reno Langley, author of Analyzing the Prescotts.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="font-size: large; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><a href="https://lisahaselton.com/blog/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">https://lisahaselton.com/blog/</span></a></p><p dir="ltr" style="font-size: large; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><b style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><br /></b></p><p dir="ltr" style="font-size: large; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">February 13th @ Nikki's Book Reviews</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="font-size: large; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Read Nikki's take on Dawn Reno Langley's Analyzing the Prescotts.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="font-size: large; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><a href="https://nikkitsbookreviews.wordpress.com/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">https://nikkitsbookreviews.wordpress.com/</span></a></p><p dir="ltr" style="font-size: large; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><b style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><br /></b></p><p dir="ltr" style="font-size: large; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">February 15th @ Debra-Zenha Adams</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="font-size: large; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Visit Debra's blog for a guest post by Dawn Reno Langley exploring transgender authors: PhD Dissertation and the novel.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="font-size: large; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><a href="https://www.deborah-adams.com/blog/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">https://www.deborah-adams.com/blog/</span></a></p><p dir="ltr" style="font-size: large; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><b style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><br /></b></p><p dir="ltr" style="font-size: large; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">February 16th @ The Book Diva Reads</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="font-size: large; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Stop by Vivian's blog today when the spotlight will be on Analyzing the Prescotts by Dawn Reno Langley.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="font-size: large; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><a href="https://thebookdivasreads.com/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">https://thebookdivasreads.com/</span></a></p><p dir="ltr" style="font-size: large; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><b style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><br /></b></p><p dir="ltr" style="font-size: large; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">February 18th @ Così faccio io</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="font-size: large; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Don't miss Cecelia's review of Analyzing the Prescotts today.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="font-size: large; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><a href="https://cosifaccioio.substack.com/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">https://cosifaccioio.substack.com/</span></a></p><p dir="ltr" style="font-size: large; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><b style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><br /></b></p><p dir="ltr" style="font-size: large; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">February 20th @ Writer Advice</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="font-size: large; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Visit Lynn's blog for a guest post by author Dawn Reno Langley that gives us a peek at The Writer Life.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="font-size: large; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><a href="https://www.writeradvice.com/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">https://www.writeradvice.com</span></a></p><p dir="ltr" style="font-size: large; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><b style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><br /></b></p><p dir="ltr" style="font-size: large; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">February 22nd @ The Faerie Review</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="font-size: large; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Visit Lily's blog for her review of Analyzing the Prescotts by Dawn Reno Langley. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="font-size: large; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><a href="https://www.thefaeriereview.com/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">https://www.thefaeriereview.com</span></a></p><p dir="ltr" style="font-size: large; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><b style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><br /></b></p><p dir="ltr" style="font-size: large; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">February 25th @ Choices</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="font-size: large; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Visit Madeline's blog for a guest post by Dawn Reno Langley about writing about sensitive sociological issues.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="font-size: large; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><a href="http://madelinesharples.com/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">http://madelinesharples.com</span></a></p><p dir="ltr" style="font-size: large; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><b style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><br /></b></p><p dir="ltr" style="font-size: large; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">February 28th @ Author Anthony Avina's Blog</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="font-size: large; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Stop by Anthony's blog for a review of Analyzing the Prescotts by Dawn Reno Langley.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="font-size: large; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><a href="http://www.authoranthonyavinablog.com/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">http://www.authoranthonyavinablog.com</span></a></p><p dir="ltr" style="font-size: large; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><b style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><br /></b></p><p dir="ltr" style="font-size: large; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">March 4th @ Author Anthony Avina's Blog</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="font-size: large; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Read a guest post about violence in the LGBT++ community by Dawn Reno Langley, author of Analyzing the Prescotts.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="font-size: large; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><a href="http://www.authoranthonyavinablog.com/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">http://www.authoranthonyavinablog.com</span></a></p><p dir="ltr" style="font-size: large; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><b style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><br /></b></p><p dir="ltr" style="font-size: large; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">March 5th @ Così faccio io</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="font-size: large; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Author Dawn Reno Langley shares how to deal with broken characters at Cecelia's blog. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="font-size: large; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><a href="https://cosifaccioio.substack.com/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">https://cosifaccioio.substack.com/</span></a></p><p dir="ltr" style="font-size: large; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><b style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><br /></b></p><p dir="ltr" style="font-size: large; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">March 7 @ Michelle Cornish Blog</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="font-size: large; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Read Michelle Cornish's review of Analyzing the Prescotts by Dawn Reno Langley.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="font-size: large; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><a href="https://michellecornishauthor.com/blog/book-reviews" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">https://michellecornishauthor.com/blog/book-reviews</span></a></p><p dir="ltr" style="font-size: large; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><b style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><br /></b></p><p dir="ltr" style="font-size: large; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">March 10 @ Coffee and Ink</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="font-size: large; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Stop by Coffee and Ink for a review of Analyzing the Prescotts by Dawn Reno Langley.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="font-size: large; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><a href="https://coffeeandinkbooks.wordpress.com/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">https://coffeeandinkbooks.wordpress.com/</span></a></p><p dir="ltr" style="font-size: large; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><br class="Apple-interchange-newline" /></p><br /></span></span></div><p><br /></p>Judy H http://www.blogger.com/profile/13685822567236742303noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9884972.post-62296459792283455322024-02-06T05:00:00.001-05:002024-02-06T05:00:00.142-05:00Digital Art Tuesday - Silver Seedlings Mandala<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAhp2OvymjjOwtyhuMSAOe9DK57d4VJjZPznhXt1N1nu60H8U8YT5CGYBXvWfn00Fz-qZnp-AR1DlU1AOGFG67yex65frbUkdHVPW9SRFCp_mllzTFWlFRBiMPQUXLUKwDuMO7si90kjRkq7D0RjmlvamNKlVh7oN39uG09q5j5Ln25ROt-A/s1152/silverandgreenmandala.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1152" data-original-width="1152" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAhp2OvymjjOwtyhuMSAOe9DK57d4VJjZPznhXt1N1nu60H8U8YT5CGYBXvWfn00Fz-qZnp-AR1DlU1AOGFG67yex65frbUkdHVPW9SRFCp_mllzTFWlFRBiMPQUXLUKwDuMO7si90kjRkq7D0RjmlvamNKlVh7oN39uG09q5j5Ln25ROt-A/w640-h640/silverandgreenmandala.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /> <p></p>Judy H http://www.blogger.com/profile/13685822567236742303noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9884972.post-49122981291846421792024-02-03T06:15:00.002-05:002024-02-03T06:15:24.147-05:00Seedy Saturday - Playing with Seedlings and More Seeds Sown<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitKk79hNFiNHNRodSfIs3jA-hIblagRjEfM_sKaPnHbyZYxGjgUAefgme6kEN0JJdZK4_9Rhqhdv1fT7w_gLklhXZGTtlI5Lg7_FapnGct26lDpHLGwLhA95e9jnQ4smxwXlP1Sf7OHmhLByKbx53vcA6x4Zw_TyWofnaBjW1XhTmlSdbTTw/s4032/ravenongreenhouse.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitKk79hNFiNHNRodSfIs3jA-hIblagRjEfM_sKaPnHbyZYxGjgUAefgme6kEN0JJdZK4_9Rhqhdv1fT7w_gLklhXZGTtlI5Lg7_FapnGct26lDpHLGwLhA95e9jnQ4smxwXlP1Sf7OHmhLByKbx53vcA6x4Zw_TyWofnaBjW1XhTmlSdbTTw/w640-h480/ravenongreenhouse.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">First, thank goodness Raven is a tiny cat. Because for some reason, sitting on the mini-greenhouse has become a 'thing'. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">But yesterday was spent repotting some of the dahlia seedlings and a few other seedlings. There will be more done over the weekend, like a couple of peppers and the anise. Of course, in potting up the seedlings, I had to move houseplants off their shelves and set up a new set of lights. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiry-xQT-4lkOP8eVqdKDL9LxFkX-m1a51WE9r20SvLX4hikgp_qr99YTeAV5Es6e6vltYMbmx7dYXBqMhmCQMuQ2ohPRKwCmKEgxK6rbkb5eaotKvXRNcsqnjv7UAExfc6sbJ9EFNAs2duEwYHfXKEn1bXhqNwpB9b7ezFs0eg8LV4xJwjgw/s3995/seedlings020224.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2111" data-original-width="3995" height="338" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiry-xQT-4lkOP8eVqdKDL9LxFkX-m1a51WE9r20SvLX4hikgp_qr99YTeAV5Es6e6vltYMbmx7dYXBqMhmCQMuQ2ohPRKwCmKEgxK6rbkb5eaotKvXRNcsqnjv7UAExfc6sbJ9EFNAs2duEwYHfXKEn1bXhqNwpB9b7ezFs0eg8LV4xJwjgw/w640-h338/seedlings020224.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">I still have the upper shelf to put a light and seedlings. However, I think I want to see about installing lights in the porch greenhouse. My only concern with the outside greenhouse is the nights are still dropping into the 30's. But I may give it a try. I may also go ahead and sown some seeds and give it a try. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Anyway...</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh45eSGnSBMydhDjwN2QvkdyC3BPXxsIE_45cUNbcNdinR8uhi_7zJTjLLT_gI5-NY8ahEG56VzRsgNAQ0jaKZrj7WAv8yM22ElteEize_PBPSzs-0WRSdJT7iCmFKJv59bRBb3_LxzwOUhnA0eQyY7ziEC56oBADpUL-m_nDWC129gIHxnuA/s3999/seedssown020224.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2106" data-original-width="3999" height="338" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh45eSGnSBMydhDjwN2QvkdyC3BPXxsIE_45cUNbcNdinR8uhi_7zJTjLLT_gI5-NY8ahEG56VzRsgNAQ0jaKZrj7WAv8yM22ElteEize_PBPSzs-0WRSdJT7iCmFKJv59bRBb3_LxzwOUhnA0eQyY7ziEC56oBADpUL-m_nDWC129gIHxnuA/w640-h338/seedssown020224.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">I sowed some peppers and mainly tomatoes on Friday. There are still some open slots to add more seeds and will probably sow some basil soon. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">This weekend I will also try to get in my potatoes into grow bags. And do some winter sowing in milk cartons of lettuce, spinach and kale. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Tulips are starting to show their little leaf tips. The fruit trees have swollen buds, so leaving out can't be far behind. On my Elberta peach, I did prune the main branch at 7 feet. There are plenty of lateral branches to bear fruit and I don't want the tree so tall I can't reach the fruit. Other fruit trees still need a bit more growth. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Spring is just around the corner and I'm excited!</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><br /> <p></p>Judy H http://www.blogger.com/profile/13685822567236742303noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9884972.post-34910439697445842072024-02-01T05:00:00.004-05:002024-02-01T16:53:46.183-05:00Bookish Thursday - What Happens in Montana by Kim McCollum<p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">When the opportunity to review this book was offered, I jumped on it like a starving bird on a grasshopper. This picture just might have a clue as to why.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVa2FWYilzmDbdqC_qiJC-4D88nQ8sfZHrLHw0Ca6cS-cf_bxHjb6MD65tC2Snf6AFPhlDBc0I3qf217IjU8DZY9vwGG7BM1Fl2MGXLx0aBA4S1jRQIWz2a3gNBr3WYf2UxSjSz_oW9gIuahkkz0k18bBKZXZeSgAC7LoHLKTA7yY_LxiV7g/s3264/montanaphoto.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2448" data-original-width="3264" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVa2FWYilzmDbdqC_qiJC-4D88nQ8sfZHrLHw0Ca6cS-cf_bxHjb6MD65tC2Snf6AFPhlDBc0I3qf217IjU8DZY9vwGG7BM1Fl2MGXLx0aBA4S1jRQIWz2a3gNBr3WYf2UxSjSz_oW9gIuahkkz0k18bBKZXZeSgAC7LoHLKTA7yY_LxiV7g/w640-h480/montanaphoto.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">It's a view over Helena, Montana, with the Sleeping Giant in the background. The South Hills area of Helena, only a few blocks from our house. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Naw...I have zero interest in Montana (not!). It's not like if I could afford a house there and my kids and granddaughter wouldn't be 2500 miles away I wouldn't be there. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">The second reason is from my 5 years there (2013-2018) I made three very, very dear friends. Three smart, beautiful women with whom I have text group conversations daily.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">So, I entered the prospect of reading this book with a slight bias. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">But before I continue, let me take care of the business of this review for <a href="https://muffin.wow-womenonwriting.com/2024/01/what-happens-in-montana-by-kim-mccollum.html" target="_blank">WOW-Women on Writing</a>. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY2iMjUVK8i5CJGdfgYqPYiJRcOQObaLB8aXhVvBivS4Ynbg4d_YXML_OHjW6y3d8INDppiWXPtU4kVxLAkzmgC8MGd5DUYYsbE08uC7nAUcnewYAEf8nUCQnHMgIRg2eSzy48xLbNKv8EmPMyVBdcTJc3TN-UvO7rRFEWMM1bnNgb90E8lg/s2747/What%20Happens%20in%20Montana%20lightened%20cover.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2747" data-original-width="1864" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY2iMjUVK8i5CJGdfgYqPYiJRcOQObaLB8aXhVvBivS4Ynbg4d_YXML_OHjW6y3d8INDppiWXPtU4kVxLAkzmgC8MGd5DUYYsbE08uC7nAUcnewYAEf8nUCQnHMgIRg2eSzy48xLbNKv8EmPMyVBdcTJc3TN-UvO7rRFEWMM1bnNgb90E8lg/w434-h640/What%20Happens%20in%20Montana%20lightened%20cover.jpg" width="434" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">A synopsis of the book...</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><u><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">About the Book</span></u></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">At a hot springs retreat in Montana, whiskey-swigging Maude, the nearly eighty-year-old chef, longs for </span><span style="font-family: verdana;">the glory days when the retreat hosted martini-sipping celebrities instead of long-haired hippies who </span><span style="font-family: verdana;">refuse to wear deodorant. Brooke, feisty, adventurous, and a bit reckless, proposes a reunion at the retreat </span><span style="font-family: verdana;">with her best friends to get away from the chaos of her life with teenagers and the emotional aftermath of </span><span style="font-family: verdana;">her postponed wedding. One of those friends, Tracy, has devoted her life to her children and her husband </span><span style="font-family: verdana;">despite her excruciating boredom. But a long-held secret could cost her the most important friendships in</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">her life. Haunting the place is a ghost who, in life, dealt with tragedy by turning to prostitution which led </span><span style="font-family: verdana;">to her murder over 100 years ago at the very place they all are staying.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">What Happens in Montana explores friendship, betrayal, and forgiveness with blunt truth and witty </span><span style="font-family: verdana;">insights. Together, these friends learn to navigate empty nests, infidelity, deception, and poltergeists. </span><span style="font-family: verdana;">Most importantly, they learn their friendship is strong enough to get them through it all.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Publisher: Life: Black Rose Writing</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">ISBN-13: 1685133606</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Print length: 335 pages</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Purchase a copy of What Happens in Montana by visiting Amazon, Barnes and Noble, or Bookshop.org.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><u><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">About Author Kim McCollum</span></u></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Kim McCollum graduated from Barnard College as a Japanese major and headed to work on Wall Street. Many miserable all-nighters and the birth of her first child led her to stay home to raise her children. Eventually, she pursued her passion for writing. An excerpt from this novel appeared in The Copperfield Review Quarterly and her short stories have appeared in The Dillydoun Review, Beyond Solace, and Fiction on the Web. She lives in Bozeman, MT with her husband, Brian, and their blended menagerie of five kids, two dogs, and seven spoiled chickens. What Happens in Montana is her first novel.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Find Kim on her website: Kim-mccollum.com</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kimberly.w.gunderson</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Twitter/X: @KFMcCollum</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Now for my opinion...</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">So I lived in Montana. (Well, they were going to a spa in Montana) Check</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">I have three good friends who would love to get together. Check</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Love relaxing in a hot spring. Check</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Ok, so the whole thing with a ghost and a resort which might not exactly be a 5-star hotel, that is a bit of a miss. Otherwise, I'm seeing comparisons. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">This book hit so close to home in 4 friends who haven't seen each other for some time, getting together for a weeklong reunion. And with the backdrop of the beautiful state of Montana, this was a win for me. Just enough humor and angst to make this a fun, cozy read. And learning about life for a woman in early Montana history was interesting. I also enjoyed the interaction between crusty Maude and the ghost, Simone, and their attempts to communicate with each other. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">McCollum has nailed the Montana scenery and 'vibe' in this story. Give it a try for an enjoyable ride.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">But don't take my word for it. Check out the other reviews. (Note: At the present time it is free on <a href="https://www.amazon.com/What-Happens-Montana-Kim-McCollum-ebook/dp/B0CNQV2WTT/ref=sr_1_1?crid=253DI223TK4RL&keywords=what+happens+in+montana&qid=1706737462&sprefix=what+happens+in+montana%2Caps%2C95&sr=8-1" target="_blank">Kindle Unlimited</a>)</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAsio0t9Uq_k4eMhG_rDgZRnvJCxJyKUpFpCa2iM8RZGKlo7HOiQKJvZ_bVord_3PBdkvr2ii1FsrnJsbP7850Na-E83UNLonWfocNLZh7kgJ6LP4d9q5zs1TS5uzNaSzTwb554AepnZ6JbYQvtcEnPeMoI_uKK8w5XCcftPEErsleFIRueQ/s800/What-Happens-in-Montana-BlogTour.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="800" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAsio0t9Uq_k4eMhG_rDgZRnvJCxJyKUpFpCa2iM8RZGKlo7HOiQKJvZ_bVord_3PBdkvr2ii1FsrnJsbP7850Na-E83UNLonWfocNLZh7kgJ6LP4d9q5zs1TS5uzNaSzTwb554AepnZ6JbYQvtcEnPeMoI_uKK8w5XCcftPEErsleFIRueQ/w640-h640/What-Happens-in-Montana-BlogTour.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div></div></div><br /><p><br /></p>Judy H http://www.blogger.com/profile/13685822567236742303noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9884972.post-60019399330751203092024-01-31T04:44:00.004-05:002024-01-31T04:44:55.718-05:00Writing Wednesday - 'In My Opinion...' A Writer's Rant<p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Anyone who knows me, knows I love my true crime. And I probably spend way to many hours listening to and watching court trials. Just like I did on Monday. I listened to the testimony in South Carolina about jury tampering and whether Alex Murdaugh gets a new trial. (By the way, Judge Toal was the bomb! Love her.)</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">During the trial they took testimony from Clerk of Court Rebecca Hill and whether she, and her bid for her book success, had any bearing on the outcome of the case. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">NOTE: Opinions expressed in this post are mine and mine along. And I do own a copy of her book.)</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwVBbConvqJKPHr7QoGaXF54q7baQa3jbMWsKl9FcxafetdBsuuQHJ99rkyr0taW_ZHZOQpED7jTLQXjXVPKplAMhQtuCCz9ZFu88fTZTGVo3jskgsOsU-ZDD1kzhDCur1EpDhS54j9mGOwFmzJcT22THMFmXlGuNLOav_rBU1lgT273lleA/s1500/61LE+3m8zsL._SL1500_.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="971" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwVBbConvqJKPHr7QoGaXF54q7baQa3jbMWsKl9FcxafetdBsuuQHJ99rkyr0taW_ZHZOQpED7jTLQXjXVPKplAMhQtuCCz9ZFu88fTZTGVo3jskgsOsU-ZDD1kzhDCur1EpDhS54j9mGOwFmzJcT22THMFmXlGuNLOav_rBU1lgT273lleA/w414-h640/61LE+3m8zsL._SL1500_.jpeg" width="414" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">I did buy a copy of the book when it came out. I found it a bit 'insipid' and gave it a 3-star review on Goodreads. And then the <strike>shit</strike> book hit the fan, so to speak. And continues to be basis of a TON of continuing issues.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">But when listening to Hill on the stand and having to answer questions about her book, my writer-self was cringing. If ever (in my opinion) there was a situation of someone wanting to write a book to make money, this was it. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Hill, when asked about several things which seemed to be 'made-up' or overly embellished in the book, was give a 'that's what writers do' as the answer. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Yeah, fiction writers! I kept yelling at my computer screen during her testimony and wanting to bang my head on the desk. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">To take a step back, there is a relatively new term in the literary world - Creative Nonfiction. And according to <u><a href="http://Creativenonfiction.org">Creativenonfiction.org</a></u>, this is how the sub-genre of Nonfiction is viewed...</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><i>'Writers who write creative nonfiction are very different in voice, orientation and purpose. But what they have in common is that they are, in one way or the other, writing true stories that provide information about a variety of subjects, enriched by relevant thoughtful ideas, personal insight, and intimacies about life and the world we live in. And this scope and variety is exactly what makes creative nonfiction significant and, these days, so incredibly popular.'</i></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Give me some good creative nonfiction any day. I love to read 'A Year In...' whatever story. My own writing on my memoir/cookbook will be considered creative nonfiction. It will be MY thoughts and memories on events during MY life. Embellished - probably. True? To the best of MY memory of the event - yes. Plagiarized? F*** no! Altered history to make the story more readable? No. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">In my opinion, Becky Hill and her rush to publish had only one goal in mind, not to tell a compelling story. Not to give a true look at the what goes on behind the scenes of a major trial (which would have been infinitely more interesting than what she came up with). However, her rush to get a book out for monetary gain and attention lead to her downfall. She has attention now - but probably not the kind she was hoping for. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Please, anyone out there who wants to write a book - please, please don't do it for the money. Do it for the story. Do it because you have this story inside you which needs to be told. Yes, it's fine to hope it's successful and you make enough to give up your day job. But do it because you love writing and are compelled to get something on paper. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Anyway...</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">If you want to read a really good book on the whole Murdaugh story, read Mandy Matney's book, <u>Blood on Their Hands</u>. (Which I also have a copy of.)</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Surveyor Text A, Surveyor Text B, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 22px;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Surveyor Text A, Surveyor Text B, Times New Roman, serif;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWr6fm0yeZP0vcEOhDD_Lt5OQXckV3BnfLjyOy-oBivgniqhDVMvbQYdjc1Ifd0GgUdO9JwIxAEDL_AogZN4dfoQfMhcP6YR8tLW3VJYTK53raPMWtJcT8VCE9tixrq70rghrpceiKsEUlFa7k5L_3Og0qE4h6zJRi8p_sVUB7pIuAMRN7kQ/s1000/91XTSncp-yL._AC_UF1000,1000_QL80_.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="663" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWr6fm0yeZP0vcEOhDD_Lt5OQXckV3BnfLjyOy-oBivgniqhDVMvbQYdjc1Ifd0GgUdO9JwIxAEDL_AogZN4dfoQfMhcP6YR8tLW3VJYTK53raPMWtJcT8VCE9tixrq70rghrpceiKsEUlFa7k5L_3Og0qE4h6zJRi8p_sVUB7pIuAMRN7kQ/w424-h640/91XTSncp-yL._AC_UF1000,1000_QL80_.jpeg" width="424" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: 22px;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Surveyor Text A, Surveyor Text B, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 22px;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Surveyor Text A, Surveyor Text B, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 22px;"><br /></span></span></div><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Judy H http://www.blogger.com/profile/13685822567236742303noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9884972.post-85768382905402156962024-01-30T05:00:00.001-05:002024-01-30T05:00:00.133-05:00Digital Art Tuesday - Butterfly Bush Mandala<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2BdPMtO_dd-J9tNsYWEa9QDji3ivR5SOsfYAR7eV9I7WFsWQaTX2Yzc_9wfykIoS_9aCDwPeGC9SFnx4jkLoIWpFDUkDepyj4VNrkFFuGtNGPn6WBoJYhQIUvAzChuBSvxFwcqZ4wK9E6jSdThWfcpp71-us22D0vKZFlo2re8egb_8qWmQ/s1152/budlihamandala.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1152" data-original-width="1152" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2BdPMtO_dd-J9tNsYWEa9QDji3ivR5SOsfYAR7eV9I7WFsWQaTX2Yzc_9wfykIoS_9aCDwPeGC9SFnx4jkLoIWpFDUkDepyj4VNrkFFuGtNGPn6WBoJYhQIUvAzChuBSvxFwcqZ4wK9E6jSdThWfcpp71-us22D0vKZFlo2re8egb_8qWmQ/w640-h640/budlihamandala.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /> <p></p>Judy H http://www.blogger.com/profile/13685822567236742303noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9884972.post-16391162804425528472024-01-29T05:00:00.001-05:002024-01-29T05:00:00.479-05:00Week in Review - January 22 - 27, 2024<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf7WWOfdRYLU3f8Bg_A0yRaT95hLyq84MjSZO99zPyWa0ts8oELD9YHKjbXbwLKGv149NqMqDCvxlaEuQ6Vp5ZZ1S7UVE9e6eniIUqjJbCeWniPKp9Pa2lrpbYrYn5uQ48-AHWQDHDbH4AXWffyee1v9LxFs5-NtO3OE3-c1KSwaaNufh7-Q/s1024/wir12724.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="769" data-original-width="1024" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf7WWOfdRYLU3f8Bg_A0yRaT95hLyq84MjSZO99zPyWa0ts8oELD9YHKjbXbwLKGv149NqMqDCvxlaEuQ6Vp5ZZ1S7UVE9e6eniIUqjJbCeWniPKp9Pa2lrpbYrYn5uQ48-AHWQDHDbH4AXWffyee1v9LxFs5-NtO3OE3-c1KSwaaNufh7-Q/w640-h480/wir12724.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">And what a week it has been!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">While the week has ended in sunshine, Saturday was a grey, foggy day. Which was fine with me as I was doing an online course all day Saturday on how to plan and implement long-term strategies. Intensive and thought provoking, I now have a much clearer picture of my 'secret project(s)' and how to move forward. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">However, the BIG thing this week was Foxy finally finding a medical professional who did not dismiss her concerns as being 'young' and 'hysterical' and they know what she wants long term after all. Tuesday she was in the ER being treated - yet again - for ovarian cysts, pain and dehydration. Dehydration because her pain had been so intense over the previous two days she was throwing up. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">They gave her anti-nausea meds and some pain meds and sent her on her way. Once again telling her, we are the ER, get over it and we don't really care you have been dealing with this for almost 20 years. Luckily, the nurse pointed her in the direction of a Women's Health clinic which works in conjunction with the hospital. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Surprisingly, when called Wednesday morning, they got her in on Friday morning. She goes in, terrified she will get the same response, 'you're too young' (she will be 31 in May), 'what if your husband wants children' (she has one already), and a myriad of other reasons why they won't do a hysterectomy. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">The doctor listened and said 'Sure!' He also noted in his report 'her mistrust of the medical profession' and the fact she had been mislead and misinformed in the past. So now we are awaiting a call from his scheduler for when she will have her pre-op examination and then surgery. The relief she is feeling is noticeable in her voice and demeanor. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">The other thing is my prediction of Savvy's delivery date failed. Oh well, it seems MJ wants to 'cook' a little longer. Her official due date is 15 February. There had been a concern about his size, but the measurements this week show him doing fine and right now he is about 6.5 pounds. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">For me this past week...</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">I'm just along for the ride on the roller coaster! Working on my 'stuff' and picking up Lady K for the weekend with us. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">I think I am going to rename her 'Archer'. She has qualified for state in archery and the next 3 weekends will be spent on either an intensive practice session (Feb. 3), competition for 3D archery (Feb. 10) and an overall tournament on February 17. We will probably attend the one on the 17th - an all day event it seems. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Anyway...</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">This coming week...</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">More work on Print Shop</span></li><li><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Publish and Thrive workshop starts on Saturday</span></li><li><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Seed sowing round 2 starts this coming weekend</span></li><li><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Cleaning the house!</span></li></ul><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">But for now, it's off to work. </span></div></div><br /> <p></p>Judy H http://www.blogger.com/profile/13685822567236742303noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9884972.post-78336244802303096702024-01-28T05:00:00.001-05:002024-01-28T05:00:00.126-05:00Positive Focus Sunday - Another Piece of Flash Fiction<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPhl-F44Z2UKESVSesghFPvZpLf0PMsFSHv1fVslNwyt63odz1-amZXoCL81FSEoY7zsnrFZNA5ANaqosYrRqQb03P6lEcF1qyaGY09b0P-NPVBkxxooVkwgoMTfErcNq1pcSUSwB0_5BgjnWBVXr6EsgK3f31-tZk_ZQT1D1QllbCrYCTTQ/s4032/pageswritten.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPhl-F44Z2UKESVSesghFPvZpLf0PMsFSHv1fVslNwyt63odz1-amZXoCL81FSEoY7zsnrFZNA5ANaqosYrRqQb03P6lEcF1qyaGY09b0P-NPVBkxxooVkwgoMTfErcNq1pcSUSwB0_5BgjnWBVXr6EsgK3f31-tZk_ZQT1D1QllbCrYCTTQ/w480-h640/pageswritten.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">While I haven't been writing on either my novel or my cookbook/memoir, I did attend the writing workshop last Sunday. That week's lesson was on scenes and how they need to have a beginning, middle and end, just like in a full novel has. Each scene in a novel moves the story forward.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">The following is the flash fiction piece I wrote during the workshop. I am going to brag a bit in that the instructor was very pleased with it and suggested I submit to a literary magazine with it. I probably won't, but it was very encouraging. You see, I have an inner critic which is the size of the Hulk! </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Anyway, here is my scene which he suggested calling '9/11'...</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Three of us gathered around the machine, waiting for the flight manifest to finish printing. Name and seat number in black ink slowly inched up on the teletype, each of us reading the names, seeking one or two which might be familiar. The sound of the printer seemed deafening.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">'There's Petter," he whispered, the words barely audible in the hush of the office normally filled with conversation.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Turning, I left the printer behind, going down the silent hallway to the break room. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">"It's a little plane," someone said, eyes fixed on the TV screen.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">"It's our jet," I said and continued walking, the taste of ashes in my mouth. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Unfortunately, with Lady K with us this weekend, as well as some other obligations, I won't be able to attend the last workshop. But I do want to thank <a href="https://www.charlottelit.org" target="_blank">CharlotteLit</a> for offering this class through our library system. I hope to attend more in the future. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><br /><p></p>Judy H http://www.blogger.com/profile/13685822567236742303noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9884972.post-57401948000505588362024-01-27T05:59:00.001-05:002024-01-27T05:59:08.502-05:00Seedy Saturday - And The Growth Continues!<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUaASUn77KyOC3MvF89jeid408iie8t8ikoEEnRNZIibBxBF1Q6ZoID4C-DrV1aHwGrtmLZm72X_8TjDFS_R7_XR6728k_gW1UZAeLR4A4Zf8bOOUkppF-YPhvfTaq-QJKJ0NIxP2Kgo-2ib39bdrRrh2AhAhQCkhM9bAmH5vErSip_CHU2Q/s4032/seedlings012624.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUaASUn77KyOC3MvF89jeid408iie8t8ikoEEnRNZIibBxBF1Q6ZoID4C-DrV1aHwGrtmLZm72X_8TjDFS_R7_XR6728k_gW1UZAeLR4A4Zf8bOOUkppF-YPhvfTaq-QJKJ0NIxP2Kgo-2ib39bdrRrh2AhAhQCkhM9bAmH5vErSip_CHU2Q/w640-h480/seedlings012624.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /> <p></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Patting myself on the back a bit, this first round of seed starting is off to a great start. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">For one thing, they have been blasted with light and at a close range. With the exception of a couple of plantings, they are all short and stocky. And my dahlias! They are looking so good. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">The dahlias will have to be monitored throughout the growing year. Since they are from seed, there is no real guarantee on color or shape really, other than they will be a dahlia in some form. Which means I have to remember to label them with color and type when they bloom. On one hand, I'm excited about it, on the other hand - I'll probably forget. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">But just about everything from the first round of seed sowing is up. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">I pulled out some things which have been in the fridge to cold stratify. And several of them are already starting to sprout. Which means today or tomorrow I need to pot them into soil. The exception is my <a href="https://www.botanicalinterests.com/products/steel-blue-sea-holly-seeds" target="_blank">Blue Steel Sea Holly</a>. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">The Sea Holly is not only an attractive flower, but it attracts pollinators (a plus), will grow in poor soil (plus for the clay in the front yard) and is drought tolerant. Seems like a winner all the way around. But I had popped the seeds into a container of potting mix and stuck them in the fridge for their month of cold. They are about 1/2 inch tall now. I am so excited. My plan is a couple of groupings in the back of beds (they get 24-48 inches tall) and probably will do some plant swaps with the rest. Maybe.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">This weekend, amongst doing research and writing, there will be a bit of planting. I want to winter sow some lettuce, kale, spinach and onions. I have to sow seeds for the herb society sale (borage, bronze fennel and Mexican Tarragon) and get ready, over the next week, to pot up the seedlings I currently have. Because next weekend is the start of the 'veggie round'! And more flowers. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Of course, while the daytime temperatures seem to be moderating some, the nighttime temps are still dropping into the 30's. Which means if I stick things in the outside greenhouse, I need to more in a heater. Doable. Will have to see. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">As far as my pathway?</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Well, we have had a lot of rain over the past couple of weeks. While that doesn't help make my layer of clay soil easier to work with, it means it is really mud I'm working in. So that project is having to take a 'Mother Nature' break until things dry up a tad.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">What's growing in your house?</span></p><p><br /></p>Judy H http://www.blogger.com/profile/13685822567236742303noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9884972.post-58610241680532942032024-01-25T18:08:00.007-05:002024-01-31T16:44:59.935-05:00Bookish Thursday - TBR and Reviews<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ7YTyJuAuvtI8wopifN1HMIRwcNTqrvarddXdfgvjuSwq2hRgtSzBZYn6eKx5LYjuxVWM-3WFmLN-eOwJoPSIEoMFCv7dlAIv9B_qevKdkg7rYF91GG13e0IiapGEunAQaH7x5FJJAQRmdeeku3tYly6QsmsO3jem0BwtBAlhHCz9fwyOcg/s3997/fourbookstoreview.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1869" data-original-width="3997" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ7YTyJuAuvtI8wopifN1HMIRwcNTqrvarddXdfgvjuSwq2hRgtSzBZYn6eKx5LYjuxVWM-3WFmLN-eOwJoPSIEoMFCv7dlAIv9B_qevKdkg7rYF91GG13e0IiapGEunAQaH7x5FJJAQRmdeeku3tYly6QsmsO3jem0BwtBAlhHCz9fwyOcg/w640-h300/fourbookstoreview.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Beyond my '24 in 24' and my HUGE stack of library books, I have four books I need to read over the next month. Two of the books are for an actual book review for WOW-Women on Writing and the other two are just for reviews to be posted on Goodreads and Amazon. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">So, in addition to my 'secret project' and other 'stuff' going on, I am still reading. It's how I relax in the evening before going to bed for the most part. If I do manage to get an audio book, I will listen to it while at work. That's how I get my reading accomplished. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">What's on your 'to-be-read' list?</span></div><br /> <p></p>Judy H http://www.blogger.com/profile/13685822567236742303noreply@blogger.com0