Saturday, February 25, 2017

Sunday Post: My Friend's a TV Star!/Multiple Narrators/New Things to Try

What I Am Reading: I am nearly finished reading Read To Death by Terrie Farley Moran. Wouldn't you love to browse the menu at Read ‘Em and Eat Bookstore Café? I know I would.

What I Am Listening To: I am very much enjoying Amy Poehler's Yes, Please.

What I Am Watching: Daryl and Carol reunited. What a great moment on The Walking Dead. What do you think of Alexandria's new allies?

This past week my office was abuzz with talk of one of our own's appearance on a television show called Restored. It's a new DIY Network show hosted by Brett Waterman. He restores old houses, and in this case, it was my coworker's 1922 Arts and Crafts home. It's actually been the talk of the office for months now, as we listened to her stories about the filming and renovation process.


What's Going On Off the Blog: We started last week off with a field trip to the California Pizza Kitchen restaurant. Our Girl Scout Troop was able to take a tour of the kitchen and learn a bit about the business--and make their own pizzas. It was a lot of fun. We have a few deliveries to make this next week, and the troop still has a few booth sales scheduled at local stores up to the middle of March, but Mouse and I are pretty much done with individual cookie sales. I think many of us will be celebrating once cookie season is officially over.

We've also been busy with soccer, homework, school and work. The usual busy-ness, really.


This Week In Reading Mews:

Tell me about what you have been up to! What are you reading, listening to and watching? How was your week? Do you have anything planned for this coming week?

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Every Friday Coffee Addicted Writer from Coffee Addicted Writer poses a question which participants respond on their own blogs within the week (Friday through Thursday). They then share their links at the main site and visit other participants blogs.

How do you feel about books with multiple narrators?
This is a great opportunity to talk about a couple of my pet peeves. First, let me just say I love books with single or multiple narrators. The "voice" of a book is very important in how a book is received. It shapes the story and helps develop the characters. I can lose myself in either situation, and often do. I cannot tell you which I like better--it all depends on the book and the story being told. Using multiple narrators can be very effective.

However, since we are on the topic of books with multiple narrators, I do not especially like it when the "voices" of the narrators are too similar--or worse, are the same. An author using multiple narrators in a book must be able to give each of the characters their own voice--their own personality. Why else tell a story using multiple narrators? My other pet peeve is when a second narrator comes out of the blue near the end of the novel. This tends to happen sometimes in crime fiction novels when the author decides to introduce the perspective or voice of the killer in the last fourth or sixth of the book, a perspective and voice that hasn't come out at all earlier in the book. I just ask for consistency, please.

The question about how I feel about multiple narrators can also apply to audiobooks, which I have only a small amount of experience with. Most of the books I have listened to have only had single narrators (as in: the person reading the book). I have listened to a handful of audiobooks with multiple narrators, most of which have been amazing and wonderful (Eleanor and Park, for example) and one so far that didn't quite work as well for me (the book was written in third person, following multiple characters, and I was a little confused at times about the way the novel was broken up to be read by the two audio narrators). I do enjoy listening to books with multiple narrators, but I do think whether it would work well or not depends on the book, the narrators, and/or possibly the director.

When it comes down to it, I just love reading. And I like how much variety there is out there. Single narrator or multiple narrators, I am there!

What about you? Multiple narrators or not?

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Every Sunday, Kendra Allen of Reads and Treats comes up with a theme for a Sunday list  of 5 things (because making lists are fun!) and asks participants to share.


Today's 5 Things on Sunday theme is  New Things to Try. As you can tell from my below list, I am not very adventurous. I kept it simple.

1. I was asked this past week if I could be the treasurer for our Girl Scout Troop. I am still thinking about it. My mom told me during her last visit I was always good at math. Do you think she got me mixed up with someone else? I can do this! (Do I want to?)

2. I want to try yoga. My body and mind would probably appreciate it very much.

3. Compliment a stranger. I came very close to doing so a few weeks ago, but did not. I really wish I had. I like to make people smile, and wouldn't it be nice to make someone's day? Or at least make them feel good for a moment?

4. Take a weekend break from technology. Could I do it? Could my entire family is the bigger question?

5. Pay it forward at a store or in the drive-thru line. I am always tempted to, but have yet to do it.

What new things would you like to try?


I hope you all have a great week! Happy Reading!




The Sunday Post is hosted by the wonderful Kimba, the Caffeinated Book Reviewer, and gives us all a chance to recap our week, talk about what we are reading, share any new books that have come our way, and whatever else we want to talk about. 


© 2017, Wendy Runyon of Musings of a Bookish Kitty. All Rights Reserved. If you're reading this on a site other than Musings of a Bookish Kitty or Wendy's feed, be aware that this post has been stolen and is used without permission.

57 comments:

  1. That is pretty cool about your coworker's house. Your comment about Girl Scout cookie sales reminded me that I was supposed to pick some up yesterday. Oops! I am hoping to try the gluten free cookies this year. I'm glad they've added that.

    Hope you have a great week!

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    1. Christina - It really is! We were all teasing her at work last week about her "performance". I hope you are able to get your Girl Scout cookies! I tried the Trios gluten free cookies were selling and they aren't bad. A peanut butter oatmeal chocolate chip cookie.

      I hope you have a great week too! Thanks for visiting!

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  2. I liked the video. I am a big fan of home restoration, decorating, etc., and used to be addicted to HGTV. I've moved beyond it, needing more reading time, I guess.

    Your discussion about multiple narrators brought up several points I've thought about, too, such as distinctive voices being important.

    As for audio books and narrators, I won't even go there, as I haven't listened to any...and have issues with being able to focus without the words in front of me.

    Thanks for sharing...and I'm curious about Amy Poehler's book, too.

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    1. Laurel-Rain - I love those restoration shows a little too much. LOL I don't get a lot of time to watch them now, but if I have time to randomly turn on the TV, it's usually to a show like that.

      I am not the best audio listener, but I figure if I keep trying, I'll get better at it. I have the worst attention span when it comes to audiobooks. Haha

      I hope you are enjoying your month so far!

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  3. California Pizza Kitchen- sounds yummy. although anytime the word pizza is mentioned I'm interested lol. And yes I'd love to sit in that cafe from the Moran and order off the menu, and relax.

    I loved seeing Carol and Daryl back together, although I disagreed with his decision to lie to her. I mean I feel like she's going to find out eventually, and she's proven her toughness- why not tell her the truth? I'm liking the show for the most part but it's slow moving- I wish they'd get on with the war on Negan! Not sure about the new allies, but they seem to have numbers? If they can be trusted. :)

    Have a great week!

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    1. Greg - It's been awhile since I last ate at California Pizza Kitchen (I didn't get to eat while on the field trip, unfortunately). I have enjoyed their food in the past though. :-) Pizza is one of my favorites too. Haha

      I am a couple episodes behind on The Walking Dead right now, although I heard a big spoiler for this past Sunday's episode and so will go in knowing what's coming. I'm ready to see Negan taken out too!

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  4. That's awesome about your co-worker's house. I like the idea of the new things meme - good luck and have a great week! :)

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    1. Maree - Thank you! I thought it was pretty neat that my coworker was able to be a part of a show like that. Now if only I could get one of those shows to come and do my backyard!

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  5. That's great about your co-worker's house! Is she happy with the end result? I think I'd be a bit scared to let a TV show take over renovating my house, as they often have their own ideas about stuff that might not work for me ;)
    I love multiple narrators - when they're well done! Like you, I need to be able to recognize who is 'talking' straight away, and some authors manage to do this very well.
    Have a wonderful week ahead and happy reading.
    Lexxie @ (un)Conventional Bookviews

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    1. Lexxie - She and her significant other are extremely happy with the results. The transformation to their home is very impressive. My coworker was thrilled to have them restore her house, but she hated having to be on television. :-)

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  6. Haha, that's awesome that your coworker's house was on a TV show! You're famous by association now ;-)

    What a fun girl scout field trip! Definitely better than the time my troop took a tour of a water treatment facility lol.

    I completely agree about multiple narrators. If an author is going to do that, then they need to make the voices different, even in third person. And I don't like when all the sudden a new POV is thrown in. Same when the whole first book or two is one character's POV, but then a new one is added in later books.

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    1. Kristen - It's pretty cool. :-) It's neat too to have the inside scoop about the behind the scenes. LOL

      Mouse had a blast on the field trip. I hope we can do more like that. I think we have another one scheduled for next month, now that I think about it.

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  7. That's a fun thing about your coworker's house renovation. Bet it will be lovely when finished. Cute picture of Miss Mouse at soccer. Cookie sales - remember those - good luck if you decide to be treasurer. It probably wouldn't be too bad - though I have an accounting background and that might be coloring my viewpoint. LOL

    I like multiple narrators at times - both in print and audio. Depends on the book. And I think the rest of your '5 things' sound great. I bet you would like yoga. For me, it has helped quiet the mind and it's good for stretching and loosening the muscles. Have a good week, Wendy!

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    1. Kay - They did a great job renovating the home. It took them about two months this past fall--right when we were getting lots of rain too. :-)

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  8. That girl scout outing was awesome! I might have stuck with the girl scouts if we did stuff like that! All we did was crafts (that I sucked at). Good luck deciding if you want to be treasurer or not! Big decision!

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    1. Samantha - It was a fun outing. :-) We try to make it fun for the girls. I think they enjoy the crafts we do each meeting just as much. But then again, they are all kinders and first graders.

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  9. Wow, that house is really something. Thanks for sharing it. I have an audio with two narrators, but haven´t been able to listen to it yet. So I don´t know how I will feel about it. But I do like narrators who do a great job and sound good. Happy reading and have a great new week ahead.
    My haul

    Best wishes
    Vi @ Gone With The Books

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    1. Vi - It's a lovely house, and the restorations made really bring that out. I'll be curious to know what you think of the dual narrator audio you have! I haven't listened to many myself.

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  10. I definitely echo your thoughts about the multiple narrators. Some of the best books I've ever read were with multiple narrators who had unique voices and perspectives that spoke to me and made the book shine. Oh, when they don't have their own unique voices, though, it's just a source of frustration. If I have to page back to the beginning of the chapter to look at the name to know whose perspective the story is being told from, the author probably should have just picked one narrator.

    I was once approached to be the treasurer at my church, and happily, people were very honest with me about the challenges of the job. I was skeptical since I'm no great math wizard to start with, and in the end, I'm glad I turned that one down.

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    1. Megan - Yes! Multiple narrators can be a real benefit to a book when done right.

      I ended up saying yes to being treasurer with my husband promising to help, at least to get me started. I think I'll be fine once we get everything sorted out initially. That's one of our big plans for this weekend. I'll let you know how it goes!

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  11. How exciting for your friend! I'd love for someone to come do that to my house.

    Our Girl Scout cookies were delivered last week by our sweet little neighbor.

    A few years ago, I started making it a point to compliment strangers whenever I can. I think it makes them feel good and it makes me feel good to. Paying it Forward is loads of fun - I love to do it at a toll booth.

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    1. Kathy - I would too! Especially to re-do my backyard. :-) Maybe put in a pool. LOL

      The official end of our cookies sales is this weekend and our troop did pretty well overall, I think. Especially for the first time out. What an ordeal though! So much stress . . . At least for the parents.

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  12. I forgot to comment on multiple narrators! Some narrators don't do voices well and I think it's particularly effective then but, like you, I only think it works if the voices are unique enough to tell apart.

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    1. Kathy - Yes, the voices really have to be unique or else having multiple narrators is kind of pointless.

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  13. That is so neat about your co-worker. I am a DIY, HGTV junkie..lol I will have to find and watch it..since you teased us. I wanna know what is under the siding!!

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    1. Kim - I'm so happy for her. :-) I'm a HGTV junkie too--and now that I know what channel DIY is on . . . I hope you get to see the episode! I want to go back now and watch the other episodes of the show as well.

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  14. The multiple narrator theme is so interesting. Some great books have been written using the technique. I agree that is the voices are too similar it can mar or even ruin a book. I recently read a book where the technique was used to very good effect. Like everything else, it depends on the skill of the writer.

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    1. Brian - I agree, it really does depend on the skill of a writer whether or not he or she can effectively put multiple narrators to use. I've been fortunate in my reading (or maybe I'm easy to please) that I have had more good experiences than bad ones.

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  15. Congrats on your coworker's house! I hope you have a great weekend!

    Here’s my Sunday Post!

    Ronyell @ Rabbit Ears Book Blog and join in this week’s Book Photo Sundays!

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    1. Ronyell - Thank you! I hope you are enjoying your month so far!

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  16. Another GREAT Sunday Post as usual, Wendy!! How exciting that one of your co-workers is on a TV show!! You MUST get her autograph! Lol.

    Since I'm a bit strapped for time right now (My sister will be here soon to pick me up so I can go visit my folks), I have only skimmed your wonderful post.

    I've been trying to catch up on comments from last week, by replying to all my commenters (on my blog), and am now going to THEIR blogs to comment on their own posts. I promise I will be back further to write in more detail! (You know just how detailed I am in my comments, too. I'm not QUITE that "chatty" in person, lol.)

    Your BBH answer looks AWESOME.

    More coming! Later!! HUGS to you and Mouse!!!!! <3 <3 :) :)

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    1. OMG....I was really in a big hurry before! I just re-read my comment above, and saw the following: "I promise I will be back further to write in more detail!" Some wires got crossed there, as I obviously meant "later", not "further"....LOL. The brain is faster then the fingers, so these things will sometimes happen! :)

      Anyway....I'm back! It's already past midnight here in sun-drenched (actually, we had a little rain Sunday afternoon) Miami.

      You know, I thought your co-worker was going to appear in the video! Well, maybe in the next one, right? :)

      I'm so glad the Girl Scout tour was so much fun, and the girls even got to make their own pizzas! Mama mia!! :)

      Mouse sure looks cute as she plays soccer! Do we have a budding female Beckham here?

      In regards to your answer to the BBH question, I LOVED it!! VERY well stated!! And we are absolutely on the same page (pun intended) regarding multiple narrators and their contributions to the story. I love reading books with multiple narrators as long as each one has a distinct personality. If they sound too much like one another, then the book falls flat for me. Plus, it can get confusing, telling them apart. So you are on the right track with this observation!

      Your other pet peeve doesn't bother me as much -- having a second narrator pop into the story toward the end of the book. I recall that Stephenie Meyer did this in the last two books of The Twilight Saga. She had Jacob Black, the werewolf, do a bit of the narrating in parts of "Eclipse" and "Breaking Dawn", mostly toward the end of the books. Since I TOTALLY ADORE this series, and wish Edward Cullen and Jacob Black could be my second and third husbands, I didn't mind this AT ALL. I think these short narrations by Jacob actually enhanced the plot of each of these novels. But that's just me, though. Lol. Other people might very well agree with you.

      I like Numbers 2 and 3 of your New Things To Try List. I, too, would like to get into yoga. Of course, I'd prefer to be in a class, because I KNOW I wouldn't be able to stick with it on my own. I have begun to search for such a class. It has to be a reasonably-priced one, though. And it's not easy to find such a class.....

      A short digression: I just got a computer notification that the movie "La La Land" won the Oscar for Best Picture. (Yes, incredibly enough, I forgot all about the Oscars tonight.....) I was not very impressed with this movie. I wish "Hidden Figures" had won it, instead....

      WHOA! There was a mix-up!! Another notification just now says that "Moonlight" is the REAL Oscar winner! And I never even heard of this one.....lol.

      Back to our regularly-scheduled comment.... As for complimenting strangers, I don't do it very often, but I DO do it. Only with women, though. I'll tell them, "Oh, I LOVE your purse! Where did you buy it?" I NEVER do this with guys. They would, of course, get the wrong idea! And I'm very happily married, thank you very much!!

      Thanks for sharing all of your bookish and non-bookish news, Wendy!! Thanks as well for dropping by and commenting on my own BBh post!! Have a GREAT week!! HUGS!!!!! <3 <3 :) :)

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    2. Maria - Haha! My brother said he wants her autograph. I get it every two weeks when she turns in her time sheet. :-) If you search for the show Restored, you should be able to find the episode online.

      I hope you had a nice visit with your parents! My house is finally my own again--all our company is gone. I'm hoping for a quiet weekend this weekend. Goodness knows we need one!

      Mouse enjoys playing soccer for the fun of it, but not so much for the competitive aspect--which is fine by me. That may or may not come. I'm good either way. I just want her to have fun regardless.

      I hope you are able to find a yoga class you like. I'm the opposite. I won't do a class, but I am happy to give things like that a try on my own.

      I hope you are enjoying your month!

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  17. People seem really happy when people pay it forward for them in a line. You should do it! I should do it. lol

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    1. Kelly - I just need to be in a position where I have the money on me to do so! One of these days . . .

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  18. I like reading books with multiple narrators; then again I also like first person POV. I suppose it all depends on the story and how the author writes it. As long as it is nicely told and with an interesting plot, I don't mind anything. :)

    Hope you've a great week, Wendy!

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  19. I take a yoga class on Fridays and I really love it. I'm not much for meditating and this is definitely a more active yoga but I always leave feeling so much calmer and relaxed. It's like a massage without having someone else touch you. I'm with you on multiple narrators. The voices have to feel distinct and when it comes to audio I really prefer different voices for different narrators. That is awesome about you co-worker! What fun to get a behind the scenes peak. As for the treasurer do it! It'll be an interesting experience. Just be sure you're not in charge of picking your replacement or you'll be stuck doing it forever. Have a great week!

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    1. Katherine - I am glad you enjoy yoga! I have heard such good things about it. Now that things are calming down here a bit, I will try to fit it in. I won't be taking a class though--but doing it on my own. I ended up saying yes to being treasurer, so we'll see how it goes. :-) I hope you are enjoying your month so far!

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  20. That is really cool that your co-worker is being featured on a TV show. I loved all of my daughter's Girl Scout field trips but the cookie sale could become overwhelming after a while. Have a great week!

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    1. Carole - She's not too thrilled about being on TV, but I think she is happy with the results. Mouse enjoys being a part of Girl Scouts, and that makes me happy. :-)

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  21. I love watching home renovation shows. It is a bad addiction I can only give in to every once in a while. I think it would be so cool to hear about the process and get to see the final product.

    When I was a sophomore in high school, Dr. Phil came to my hometown to "expose the secrets" lurking in a small town and bring families together or some BS. A kid in my math class ran away from home and couldn't be found after his family was featured on the show. Our high school was made out to be a cesspool of sex everywhere. Finally the Chamber of Commerce changed the locks on the buildings they were headquartered in and gave them the boot. There was even a page about it in our yearbook that year.

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    1. Charlie - I do too! I think I would be horrible if I had to renovate my own home, but it's fun to watch and dream . . .

      That's crazy about the talk show experience your town had. You never know how those will turn out, especially given how sensational some of them can be.

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  22. I wish that Singapore (and Japan) had girl scouts! I keep hearing about the cookies and the cookie sales (and thin mints? I think that's the name) but I've never had a chance to try them :p

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    1. Eustacia - Maybe I can send you some Thin Mints next year so you can try them. :-) They actually do have Girl Scouts in Japan, although I don't know how common it is. If you haven't heard of it there, then I imagine it isn't. There are also troops in Singapore, but from what I could find, it sounds like it's very limited in terms of who is involved--mostly Americans living there or children attending international schools, from the sounds it.

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  23. Ah, multiple narrators. Like just about everything else, a style of writing that can work for me but doesn't always. I'm really intrigued by husbands and wives/brothers and sisters who co-write as I think the pressure on them must be immense.

    Busy reading a book by an Indie author and already stressing about how I'm going to word my review.

    Vikings is finally being shown on a tv station we can get. The first episode was last night, I'm already hooked despite the fifteen minutes of programme-ten minutes of adverts that I hate.

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    1. Tracy - I hope you are well. I have been thinking a lot of you lately. I take it you weren't enjoying the indie book you were reading? I always struggle with reviews when I either didn't enjoy a book or don't have strong feelings about it one way or another. Sometimes those middling books are the hardest to review.

      I haven't seen Vikings, but it sounds good. I hate the commercials too. I record most of the shows I watch because they are on later than I am awake, but one big advantage is being able to fast forward through the commercials.

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  24. I love the compliment one! I have a friend who has a personal goal to compliment every single person she meets. It's always a genuine compliment, whether it's on their shoes, hair, eyes, laugh, etc., and people just love her for it!

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    1. Chanda - What a nice friend! I love making people's day. :-)

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  25. I do compliment strangers--most often I compliment people for a wonderful smile. The young hostess who seated us at a restaurant was the most recent. People who smile and cause a return smile in return are wonderful, lift my spirits. :)

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    1. Jenclair - Smiles and eyes seem to be what catch my eye to most. I can't help but smile back when someone smiles at me too. I've been making a point of smiling or acknowledging strangers when I walk by them. Some ignore me, but the ones that don't, lift my spirits too.

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  26. Wendy,

    That craftsman style house is so cute (that's the kind my daughter wants). How cool to be featured on tv. I've been doing yoga 3x a week since Labor Day and love it. I never like exercise but, yoga and me are a match. I miss it and my body (heck and shoulders) want me back in class each Monday. I was surprised how easy most every position was for me since I am quite overweight. As for multiple narrators, I'm not a fan, the older I get. Especially difficult for me to follow in audios. Hope u r having a great week.

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    1. Diane - It is a cute house. Hopefully our daughter will someday be able to find one to live in. :-) I have heard such good things about yoga and think I will like it too. Now that things are getting back to normal, I hope to start soon.

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  27. Multiple narrators I think if done properly can be quite good, I like hearing from different people especally if all relevant to the one story.

    Trying new things, I hate change but would love to learn more new stuff. I would LOVE to learn something creative, making bookmarks, knitting anything like that would be great.

    Lainy http://www.alwaysreading.net

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    1. Lainy - I don't mind change if I am prepared for it. Sudden change and I don't always get along. Of course, it depends on the change. :-)

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  28. Ohh great answer on the blog hop, thank you so much for stopping by my blog hop.

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