Wonderful Wordy Wednesday

Last day of April! We had our first 80 degree day on Monday. They predicted severe storms but they never happened. Grass and all sorts of other things are greening up nicely. I may need to mow some parts of the yard soon. I do not do No Mow May, my lawn is too healthy. I do have lots of blooming flowers and shrubs for the insects to feed on. 

While the weather was warm I opened up the windows and let in lots of fresh air. It was a windy day, so lots of breezes inside the house. It cooled off on Tuesday!

Early Tuesday I went out and refilled the bird feeders. I also put out the hummingbird and oriole feeders. I had the orioles at the feeder within a hour! Both male and female. Only issue is that the robins also like the jelly and get very aggressive running off other birds, including the orioles. I need to put out a second feeder!

I haven't see any hummingbirds yet, but the sugar water level in the feeder is going down.

Fondant Fumble the cupcake bakers are back with their newest franchisees, two of the local pro football players, the QB and his main receiver. Then the team owner and head coach are murdered. Suspects? Yeah, the QB and receiver. Plus Mel has a surprise of her own.

An Unfinished Love Story: A Personal History of the 1960s. The author, Doris Kearns Goodwin, was married to Richard "Dick" Goodwin. Both writers and people to were intimately involved with politics and history in the 1960s. He was involved with JFK, LBJ, Eugene McCarthy and RFK as speechwriter before focusing on writing. Doris worked for LBJ but during the late years of his presidency and after. The book is a historical memoir of their involvement with politics and government. This was a trip back through history for me since I lived through these times.

The Independence of Miss Mary Bennet this book takes the characters from Pride & Prejudice 20 years into the future. Mother Bennet has died freeing Mary to do what she wants. She has financial resources and chooses to explore, aiming to write a book on the plight of the poor. Mary and the rest of the family all have their adventures. Author also wrote The Thorn Birds. 

 Happy Reading.
 

Wonderful Wordy Wednesday

 Spring is getting here. I can see that the leaves on various trees and shrubs are starting to appear. Daffs are blooming and the hyacinths are getting there too. We getting some warmer weather along with rain. Grass is greened up too. 

Grilling season is finally underway. As I pulled out my grill from storage I could see that parts of it were badly rusted. Time for something new, but it took me a week to figure out how to get it from the front of the house to the back. They don't deliver like they used to, with two people and actually bringing to the patio in the back. One person delivery and I think I could carry things better than the older man making the delivery!

I've done hamburger, pork tenderloin filet, chicken so far. A few veggies too. So far things are tasting good. Ducky and I shared grilled chicken for Easter dinner. Nom, Nom!

Sorry for the video being sideways. I don't always get the phone in the proper alignment for good video!

Still time for reading, actually getting a bit more time to read. Winding down on larger crochet projects for the summer. Plus I will have to get at outside chores too. Some pruning that needs to be done. 

Carson The Magnificent was a book I just happened to spy on the Lucky Day shelf. I'm of the age where I watched most of the years he did the Tonight Show. Starting probably in 1966 or 1967, I claimed I had to stay up late to catch the latest weather since I walked to school, then after the news was done, continued into the monologue. Book is written more in the style of a long feature article with a chapter devoted to various aspects of his life and career. Interesting read if you are a Carson fan.

 

Yes, yes, yes! I usually read enough to give you they general plot, but I also have mentioned when I just can't get into a book. But that is me, you might feel differently. Read what you love, pass on the rest.

Also means the TV is off! Less news, more happiness.

Happy Reading. 

Wonderful Wordy Wednesday

It is the middle of April, the weather goes from OK to blah. I keep looking at the outside work I should get done, but want nicer weather to do it in.

Back at trivia this week at our original spot. We had lots of laughs and we actually did pretty good, third place! There were seven teams total so not too shabby. Plus we had a wonderful guy as our waiter. One of nine! yes nine kids, from a good Lutheran family. The wait staff is given some of the answers to help teams. Although we were doing pretty good on our own. We could confirm our answers with him!

Racing season has started, did a three day weekend and that seems too much for me. I rarely have done three days so probably won't do it in the future. 

Good to see friends after the winter where we don't get to see each other. To actually sit and have an extended conversation or two. 

 One of the cuter cars and not one we see very often. Sunrise on Saturday AM and me keeping warm and out of the wind!

On to the books of the week. 

Prime Time the first book in a short series about an investigative reporter at a Boston TV station. Charlotte, aka Charlie, digs into a series of weird spam emails that relate to some sort of financial fraud.

Everyone on this Train is a Suspect - the book blurb reads Murder on the Orient Express meets Clue. On a train between Darwin and Adelaide a group of crime writers, agents, editors and fans. When one of the writers is killed, the other writers take on the role of detective. Which one of them will end up in cuffs?

Reading the Constitution is a very deep dive in how different justices interpret laws and the Constitution. Written by former Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer, it is a deeply researched providing examples of actual cases. Why some justices prefer what is called textualism versus pragmatism. Hard read and I will admit I skipped through parts to read the parts that I wanted to know more about. 

 

Happy Reading. 

Wonderful Wordy Wednesday

 Just to briefly touch on the Wisconsin Supreme Court election of last week. Yes, both candidates had lots of money supporting them that came from outside the actual campaign. Some feel that the funds one side was trying to spend were not being used in a legal or ethical manner.

It is now the most expensive judicial election in the United States, likely exceeding $100 million. I for one would prefer to get ALL of this outside money away from elections, but that won't happen until they repeal Citizen United. (Jumps off soapbox.)

While the grass is getting green, flowers that are bulbs are growing, but we still are getting snow showers! Brrr. Supposed to be nicer this coming weekend and hit the 50s. 

I have plans for the weekend that will take me outside, so I am hoping that it will be warmer. Also prefer that it be dry! No rain please!

     

If Books Could Kill second installment of the Bibliophile Mystery, Brooklyn is attending the Edinburgh Book Fair. A friend, Kyle, gives her an old book to authenticate which supposedly contains information on an affair between the Scottish poet Robert Burns and a daughter of King George III. Before Brooklyn can do her thing, Kyle turns up dead, killed with one of Brooklyn's bookbinding tools. Who is trying to pin this murder on her?

Death and Fromage is a book set in France. Richard, an Englishman, runs a B&B in the Loire Valley. A scandal and possible murder occur and Richard finds himself in the middle of the investigation and helps to solve the crime.

A Death in Diamonds another installment in the Her Majesty the Queen Investigates series. The setting is back in the 1950s. A girl is found dead dressed in only her silk undies and a valuable tiara. One of the issues is that Prince Philip is seen in the area the night of the murder. Could he have something to do with this?

Challenger is an in-depth look at the space shuttle Challenger disaster. Starting back in 1967 after the astronaut deaths during a fire in the Apollo space craft. The author shows how NASA continued to be less focused on safety and more on pushing forward, getting things done. Pressuring contractors to be the same way. Very interesting read. 

Happy Reading

Wonderful Wordy Wednesday

I made it through the spring election in Wisconsin yesterday. Results are looking promising in that Elon wasn't able to buy an seat on the state Supreme Court. Very thankful all of the ads are no longer on the TV, they were getting very irritating. 

Local school board is looking good too. At least two of the people I wanted to get elected look like they will win. 

Weather is all over the place, had a really nice day last week in the 70s, been icky since. I keep wanting to grill out but don't want to freeze my buns off while grilling.

Homicide in Hardcover a new author and series to me and I like it, will read more. Brooklyn restores rare books and when her mentor is murdered she is determined to find out who did it.

Remarkably Bright Creatures a touching story of a Giant Pacific Octopus, Tova a cleaner at the aquarium, family and friends. Love, loss, family, friendship and the interconnections of life.

One Wrong Word a twisty tale! Arden is being let go from her PR firm but the boss is giving her one last job, and her severance and reference letter depend on it. The job, help Ned rehabilitate his reputation after being found not guilty of vehicular homicide. The more Arden digs, the more she thinks Ned was framed. But by who?

Original Sins Riley Fisher is a new FBI agent assigned to the Des Moines, Iowa office. As she arrives there are attacks on women, likely to be done by a serial attacker who has attacked before. Threats, including to the newly elected female governor, are making things tense. Page turner thriller.

Happy Reading.