Friday, August 02, 2019

Weekly Mews: Welcome to August & My Thoughts on Unraveling & Broken Girls - Plus My August TBR Poll

I am linking up to the Sunday Post hosted by Kim of Caffeinated Book Reviewer, where participants 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. I am also linking The Sunday Salon hosted by Deb Nance of Readerbuzz where participants discuss what they are reading and other bookish topics. In addition, I am linking to Stacking the Shelves hosted by Team Tynga's Reviews and Marlene of Reading Reality a meme in which participants share what new books came their way recently. 

I was deeply saddened by the news that we have lost one of our own here in the blogging community. Grace of Rebel Mommy Book Blog lost her fight with cancer this past week. Although I never met Grace in person, I did know her through our blogs. If you knew her and are interested in sharing your memories or condolences with her family, please visit the Rebele's Kudoboard. Grace was a bright light in our community and she is very much missed.

This past weekend was the big show. My husband's ballet debut in Don Quixote and my daughter taking the stage in the musical The Greatest Showman, along with a couple of showcase dance performances. I had only caught bits and pieces during the rehearsals, and given all the obstacles thrown in the musical's way, I was in awe of how well everything came together. I was able to watch the performances Saturday night, and was working backstage for Sunday's performances. I am so very proud of the kids. They worked hard for this and it showed. My husband was pretty amazing in his role as well. Who would have thought he'd feel so at home on stage? It always feels a little bittersweet after a show comes to an end. Relief to have it behind us, but also a bit of sadness as well. Mouse has a three week break before the new dance season starts up. She's already talking about this coming Winter's Nutcracker ballet production . . .

Mouse and I spent Friday at the pool with friends. It was nice to relax a bit with no deadlines or anywhere else to be. The start of school is still a week away, but I am sure the time will go fast.

Tell me what you have been up to! 

Be sure and vote in my TBR List Poll this week, and help me decide what to read next! You can find the poll at the bottom of this post. Thank you!


What I Am Watching: Mouse was excited to see the new season of The Worst Witch had come out on Netflix. And I was too, if I am honest. It is a cute little show. I have not been watching much else as of late.

What I Am Listening To: Not much listening was done this past week either, I was hoping I would be able to fit in more of Marie Lu's Warcross, but no such luck. I am at a very tense part right now too--and so am anxious to find a decent chunk of time to find out what happens next!

What I Am Reading: This past week I finished reading Vox by Christina Dalcher, my July TBR List Poll Winner (thank you again to all who voted!). It was a disturbing and entertaining read.  I hope to make time to write up my review soon.

It took me awhile to settle on my next book to read. I was thinking something light after two heavier reads, but struggled over the direction to go. Does anyone else find themselves sometimes wasting time trying to decide what to read next? It's a good problem to have, don't get me wrong. Sometimes I think having so many choices at my finger tips is part of the problem. I finally did pick a book though, and am now reading Sweep of the Blade by Ilona Andrews. It is the fourth book in a series I have come to love.


What are you reading, listening to and watching? 



Unraveling by Karen Lord
DAW Books, 2019
Fantasy; 304 pgs
A chorus of tree frogs trilled in the damp, velvet darkness, wide awake and relentless as they spoke their authority over the nocturnal world. [Opening of Unraveling]
Karen Lord’s Unraveling appealed to me both as a fantasy novel and as a mystery. Dr. Miranda Ecouvo is a forensic therapist of the City. She recently helped put a serial killer away, however, as she is about to find out, the situation may be much more complicated than that. Drawn into an otherworld through a near death experience, she is met by brothers Chance and Trickster. The more question they ask, the more memory threads she is asked to follow and the more labyrinths they have her walk, she begins to see a bigger, darker picture.

I wanted to like this one more. The premise is fascinating, but I found myself lost (disoriented even) a few times, especially in the beginning. I never really connected with any of the characters, feeling more like an observer. I cared enough to want to see how everything played out, especially for Miranda, however, so there was that. And I wanted to know more about Chance and Trickster. I found their backstory—creation—if you will, interesting. As well as Chance’s role in everything that took place in the novel. By the end, I had mixed feelings about the book. This was advertised as a standalone. I had not realized there were previous books set in the same world. Unlike romance and many mysteries series books, I find it harder to jump into a fantasy world without having read the earlier books, series or not. Would that have made a difference? I do not know. Unfortunately, my mixed feelings about this book do not have me eager to give an earlier book a try any time soon.


Broken Girls by Simone St. James
Berkley, 2018
Fiction (Historical); 336 pgs
The sun vanished below the horizon as the girl crested the rise of Old Barrons Road. [Opening of Broken Girls] 
 Journalist Fiona Sheridan cannot let go of the past, particularly that of the murder of her older sister twenty years ago. The man accused of her murder was tried and convicted, and yet something still doesn’t sit right with her. She is drawn to the site where her sister was believed to have died, the old run-down Idlewild Hall, once a boarding school for wayward girls. When Fiona learns the school is being restored by an unknown benefactor, she sets out to learn what she can about the old school and the new owner's plan for it. In a novel that takes readers from 2014 present day Vermont to 1950 Vermont, the readers not only are immersed in Fiona’s tale, but also that of four troubled roommates, who form a strong friendship, only to have one of them suddenly disappear.

Simone St. James has written such an atmospheric novel, weaving history, mystery, ghosts, and even a dash of romance together into one of the most compelling novels I have read this year. Barrens, Vermont, and particularly Idlewild Hall took on character dimensions, both when the school was whole and when in ruin. Both the past and contemporary story lines had a tight hold on me as I read, from Fiona’s struggle with her own demons to the heartbreaking situations of the four roommates. The author successfully kept the suspense building as the story unfolded, answering all my questions in the end.


New to My Shelves


Gwynneth Ever After (Ever After, #1) by Linda Poitevin (picked up free on Amazon)


Sweep of the Blade (Innkeeper Chronicles #4) by Ilona Andrews (purchased)


Have you added any new books to your shelves recently?


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.
Do you own more than one copy of a book? (submitted by Billy @Coffee Addicted Writer)

I do. Just do not ask me which ones. Seriously though, there have been times I purchased e-copies of physical books I already own. Mostly for ease of reading. The print in my paperback copy of Victor Hugo's Les Misérables, was just too small, not to mention it's a rather thick book. Likewise, my hardback copy of War and Peace by Leo Tolstoy is too heavy and big to carry around and read.  It definitely wouldn't fit in my purse. Having an e-copy to read made it so much easier--and frankly, possible for me to get through. Then there are the physical copies I have bought after having read the e-copy--simply because I loved the book so much, I must have a copy I can hold in my hands.

There are also a few books my husband and I have in both paperback and hardback. The Princess Bride by William Goldman, for example. The paperback is the version we read, and the hardcover is more of a collector's edition. And then there are a couple of books which both my husband and I came into our marriage with copies of--and neither one of us could part with our personal copies.

Oh, and I cannot forget about the duplicates I have of audiobooks and physical copies! In most cases it is because I decided I wanted to listen to the books the second time around. I do have one I listened to first though and was gifted the hardcover copy, which I hope to one day read.

What about you? Do you own more than one copy of a book?


Thank you for helping me decide what book from my TBR collection I should read next:


My TBR List is a meme hosted by the awesome Michelle at Because Reading. It’s a fun way to choose a book from your TBR pile to read. The 1st Saturday of every month, I will list 3 books I am considering reading and take a poll as to which you think I should read. I will read the winner that month, and my review will follow (unfortunately, not likely in the same month, but eventually--that's all I can promise). 




With summer winding down and the busy-ness of the season behind us, I thought it would be a good time to pick up something fun and on the lighter side. Have you read any of these titles? Which one do you think I should read this month?


The Bookish Life of Nina Hill by Abbi Waxman
The only child of a single mother, Nina has her life just as she wants it: a job in a bookstore, a kick-butt trivia team, a world-class planner and a cat named Phil. If she sometimes suspects there might be more to life than reading, she just shrugs and picks up a new book.

When the father Nina never knew existed suddenly dies, leaving behind innumerable sisters, brothers, nieces, and nephews, Nina is horrified. They all live close by! They're all—or mostly all—excited to meet her! She'll have to Speak. To. Strangers. It's a disaster! And as if that wasn't enough, Tom, her trivia nemesis, has turned out to be cute, funny, and deeply interested in getting to know her. Doesn't he realize what a terrible idea that is?

Nina considers her options.

1. Completely change her name and appearance. (Too drastic, plus she likes her hair.)
2. Flee to a deserted island. (Hard pass, see: coffee).
3. Hide in a corner of her apartment and rock back and forth. (Already doing it.)
It's time for Nina to come out of her comfortable shell, but she isn't convinced real life could ever live up to fiction. It's going to take a brand-new family, a persistent suitor, and the combined effects of ice cream and trivia to make her turn her own fresh page. [Goodreads Summary]

The Lost for Words Bookshop by Stephanie Butland
The Lost for Words Bookshop is a compelling, irresistible, and heart-rending novel, perfect for fans of The Storied Life of AJ Fikry and The Little Paris Bookshop.

Loveday Cardew prefers books to people. If you look carefully, you might glimpse the first lines of the novels she loves most tattooed on her skin. But there are some things Loveday will never, ever show you.

Into her hiding place - the bookstore where she works - come a poet, a lover, and three suspicious deliveries.

Someone has found out about her mysterious past. Will Loveday survive her own heartbreaking secrets? [Goodreads Summary]


How to Find Love in a Bookshop by Veronica Henry
The enchanting story of a bookshop, its grieving owner, a supportive literary community, and the extraordinary power of books to heal the heart

Nightingale Books, nestled on the main street in an idyllic little village, is a dream come true for book lovers--a cozy haven and welcoming getaway for the literary-minded locals. But owner Emilia Nightingale is struggling to keep the shop open after her beloved father's death, and the temptation to sell is getting stronger. The property developers are circling, yet Emilia's loyal customers have become like family, and she can't imagine breaking the promise she made to her father to keep the store alive.

There's Sarah, owner of the stately Peasebrook Manor, who has used the bookshop as an escape in the past few years, but it now seems there's a very specific reason for all those frequent visits. Next is roguish Jackson, who, after making a complete mess of his marriage, now looks to Emilia for advice on books for the son he misses so much. And the forever shy Thomasina, who runs a pop-up restaurant for two in her tiny cottage--she has a crush on a man she met in the cookbook section, but can hardly dream of working up the courage to admit her true feelings.

Enter the world of Nightingale Books for a serving of romance, long-held secrets, and unexpected hopes for the future--and not just within the pages on the shelves. How to Find Love in a Bookshop is the delightful story of Emilia, the unforgettable cast of customers whose lives she has touched, and the books they all cherish. [Goodreads Summary]





Thank you for voting! 

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


© 2019, 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.

51 comments:

  1. I'm so glad the show went so well! Maybe your husband has found a new hobby?!

    It was hard to choose a book to vote for this month - they all look so good!

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    1. Kathy - Thank you! I think my husband would love to do another show if they asked him to. :-) Considering the type of shows they do, I am not sure how often that opportunity will come though. He enjoys working backstage too though, so there is always that.

      Thank you for voting!

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  2. Glad to hear the production went well- that's so cool! Theater productions are so fun. :)

    So sorry to hear about Grace- it's heartbreaking.

    Fun topic this week- I do have a few books where I have more than one copy. Some books are just like that!

    I voted for How To Find Love In A Bookshop, but honestly- they all look good!

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    1. Greg - Thank you! They really are fun. And so much more goes into them than one might realize who isn't in the know.

      Thank you for helping organize the initial fundraiser for Grace. So many of us wanted to do something to help her--and you gave us a way. It really is heartbreaking.

      Thank you for voting!

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  3. I'm still so sad about Grace, it's so heartbreaking.
    The shows sounds amazing! :)

    I voted for The Bookish Life. That one sounds cute and it has a cat in it! :)

    Have a great week, Wendy! Happy Reading!

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    1. Michelle - Me too. I feel for her family.

      Thank you for voting! I hope you have a great week too!

      Delete
  4. I'm glad the show went so well.

    I didn't know Grace, but I was sad to hear of her passing.

    I enjoyed The Broken Girls.

    I hope you have a great week!

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    1. Yvonne - I am too. I wasn't sure how it would turn out given all the obstacles we had along the way. The Broken Girls was really good, wasn't it? I hope you have a great week too!

      Delete
  5. Grace is definitely missed, and I was devastated when I heard of her passing :(

    I've read Gwyneth Ever After and quite enjoyed it! I hope you will too.

    Have a wonderful week ahead and happy reading.

    Lexxie @ (un)Conventional Bookworms

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    1. Lexxie - It was such a shock. I still can't believe she's gone. :-)

      I am glad you enjoyed Gwynneth Ever After. I am looking forward to reading it. I hope you have a wonderful week as well!

      Delete
  6. Glad the performances went well!

    I remember reading Gwynneth Ever After years ago and enjoying it and Sweep of The Blade was a lot of fun. Hope you enjoy them!

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    1. Nicci - Thank you! I am glad to hear you enjoyed Gwnneth Ever After. I couldn't resist when I saw it was free on Amazon. And Sweep the Blade is so good so far!

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  7. It's awesome about your husband doing Don Quixote! And your daughter in The GREATEST showman! Everytime I watch that movie, I bawl. I'm super interested in The Broken Girls!
    it's truly sad about Grace 😔
    Genesis @ Whispering Chapters

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    1. Genesis - He was over the moon at being asked. :-) We've watched The Greatest Showman so many times in recent months--even after the show this week. LOL It makes me tear up too. I hope you do get a chance to read The Broken Girls. It's awesome.

      I was so shocked when I first heard about Grace. It's just so sad. :-(

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  8. I bet you had a great time watching your husband and daughter in shows. How wonderful of them to participate in these shows. It sounds like a fun adventure.

    I read Nina Hill last week, and How to Find Love in 2017, and I liked both of them (honestly, though, what reader doesn't love stories set in bookstores) but I chose Lost for Words Bookshop since I haven't read it and I'd like to hear what you think.

    Enjoy your time with your daughter. It goes so fast!

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    1. Deb - It was a lot of fun. They both did a great job.

      You are right! I don't know a reader that doesn't love a story set in a bookstore. Thank you for voting! Have a great week!

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  9. A long and wonderful recap as always! So much fun about your husband and daughter's onstage performances. You must be so proud!
    I was thinking that wow, your daughter is going back to school so soon, but my grandkids in FL go back in the middle of August too. Where I am now it's right after Labor Day.

    I don't know any more about Finding Love in a Bookshp than the blurb shown, but already I'm curious to find out more. After dark and heavy titles in July I'm eager for more pleasant ones. Enjoy, Wendy!

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    1. Rita - Thank you! I am very proud of them. :-) I am happy to stay behind the stage myself. LOL

      It's crazy how early school starts these days in some parts of the country. One of the districts in my county starts this next week.

      My last two July reads were on the darker side too, and so I am looking forward to something lighter. I hope one of these will hit the spot. Thank you for voting and visiting!

      Delete
  10. Hi Wendy, that is very sad news about Grace.

    It sounds like a busy and productive week with the big shows!
    I like the look of those last 3 books about books :) Enjoy and have a nice week!

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    1. Naida - Yes, it was very sad. My mom's breast cancer story turned out so well. I was hoping for the same for Grace.

      I hope you have a nice week as well! I only have to work three days and then have a long weekend to look forward to. :-)

      Delete
  11. I’m glad the shows were both successful!

    I want to read The Bookish life of Nina Hill so I voted for it.

    Have a great reading week

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    1. Shellyrae - Thank you! And thank you for voting! I have heard wonderful things about The Bookish Life of Nina Hill. :-) I hope you have a great week as well.

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  12. It was so sad to hear about Grace. And bravo for both plays. The pool sounds like a well deserved treat:)

    My Sunday Post

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    1. Laura - I really feel for Grace's family.

      Thank you! Everyone put in so much work on the performances. I came home with a sunburn evidently, even despite wearing sunscreen. Oh well. It could be worse. We had a good time while at the pool, at least. :-)

      Delete
  13. Had to vote for How to Find Love in a Bookshop because of how much I liked that one when I read it. :)

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    1. Lark - Thank you for voting! I like the sound of that one too. :-)

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  14. I do love how you are all enjoying the dance and theater world as a family. When my son was doing theater so many parents just dropped their kids off and picked them up and never helped or volunteered for anything. It's great your husband got on stage! 🙌🙌🙌

    I voted in your poll. I'm excited to see which one wins. 📚

    Have a wonderful week. 🌞

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    1. La La - It really is a family affair for us. :-) There aren't too many families in which the father is involved in the dance and theater as well, and so that circle is even smaller. And, as you said, so many parents do just drop their kids off and pick them up after. At least one parent is required from each family to volunteer during the shows, although not all do. My husband and I are not very social, and this has been just as rewarding an experience for us as it is for our daughter in some ways.

      Thank you for voting! I hope you have a wonderful week too!

      Delete
  15. What a nice week with the performance and pool time. Enjoy this last week before school starts. I love everything Ilona Andrews. I liked all the reads in your vote this month.

    Anne - Books of My Heart

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    1. Anne - Thank you! I only have a three day work week this coming week and am looking forward to the long weekend ahead. I love everything Ilona Andrews too. :-) Thank you for voting!

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  16. Congrats to your husband and daughter on their accomplishments. All three books look good.

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  17. I enjoyed The Bookish Life of Nina Hill...and I'm tempted by Unraveling.

    Enjoy your week.

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    1. Laurel-Rain - If you do give Unraveling a try, I hope you will share your thoughts on it. I'd be curious to know what you think. Thank you for visiting!

      Delete
  18. I'm glad the shows went well. Enjoy your books!
    I don't tend to keep duplicate copies of books, although when I was recently reorganizing/donating books, I found three copies of Dracula.

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    1. Carol - Thank you! We don't have a lot of duplicates, but there's usually a reason when we do. :-) Thank you for stopping by!

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  19. Glad to know that the shows went well! Kudos 👏

    I would be looking forward to read your review of Vox. I haven't read the book yet, but have seen many positive reviews. It sure does have an amazing plot.

    Ohhh, just a couple of days earlier, I downloaded the Worst Witch books by Jill Murphy! I am really excited about reading them. I discovered these after reading an article on the Guardian about these books being the inspiration (?) Behind HP. I hope the series is based on these books or I might have just blabbed about something completely irrelevant 😂

    Hope you enjoy the last week before school!

    ERK from https://theconfuzzledreader.wordpress.com

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    1. ERK - Thank you! We got the video link today, and so now my husband and daughter can finally see their performances. :-)

      We haven't read the Worst Witch books, but I should look into doing so. It's such a cute show. I think of Harry Potter when I watch it--and so I can see why it was one of Rowling's inspirations for her own books. Thank you for visiting!

      Delete
  20. I'm glad to hear the production was a success. I voted for The Bookish Life of Nina Hill in your poll because I loved it so much when I read it. All three books sound great though.

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    1. Suzanne - Thank you for voting! I can't wait to see which one wins. :-)

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  21. I'm glad to hear the performances went well, Wendy. You must be so proud of your husband and Mouse. :)

    I've Warcross in my pile for a while but just didn't get around to it. Im looking forward to your thoughts on it. Hope you've a great week, Wendy!

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    1. Melody - Thank you! I am very proud of both of them. :-)

      I still haven't managed to finish Warcross. I didn't get time to listen to it at all this week. Maybe this coming week I can get around to finishing it. I'm so close!

      I hope you had a great week too!

      Delete
  22. Wow you sound like you have a very talented family! How fun that everyone is involved in the performing arts! My siblings were the same way growing up, but I've always been more of an introvert! Yay for a new Ilona Andrews book!!! Enjoy all of your new reads and hopefully you'll be able to continue Warcross this week :)

    Lindy@ A Bookish Escape

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    1. Lindy - I am very much an introvert too--although I was in the choir for many years growing up and into college. Although there is some anonymity that comes with a choir, so it's a bit safer in the performing arts department for someone who doesn't like the limelight. I absolutely loved Sweep of the Blade. Those authors can do no wrong when it comes to their writing. I hope you have a great weekend!

      Delete
  23. Whilst I had never personally got around to visiting Grace over at her Rebel Mommy Book Blog I know lots of bloggers who frequented her blog and so know what a miss she'll be the the blogging community.

    Another three great picks for this month's poll, my vote goes to The Lost for Words Bookshop even if (a hard decision) my mind was eventually made up by the cover which I thought striking..

    With regard to having more than one copy of a book. I've only intentionally sought out another copy of a book once (it was a special anniversary edition) though I have had people buy me hard back copies of books that I had had in paper back. Then of course there are the books that, having been on loan for so long, we have replaced the copy only for the book to be returned.

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    1. Felicity - Her passing came as such a shock, especially after the news that she had been feeling a bit better.

      Thank you for voting! I love the cover of The Lost for Words Bookshop as well. I think it's my favorite of the three covers.

      Oh yes! I have been putting off buying another copy of a favorite book of mine that I loaned out because I keep hoping it will make its way back to me . . . It's been a couple years now though, so maybe I should give up and just buy another copy.

      Thank you for visiting!

      Delete
  24. I am so sad to hear about Grace. Condolences.

    So many books about books - I had to admit I voted because of the cover, but I want to read all three of them!

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    1. Andreea - Sometimes I vote by cover too, so I understand. :-) Thank you!

      Delete
  25. Grace's loss has hit me really hard. It is a good reminder to cherish each day.

    I am glad that the show went so well. It sounds like your husband and daughter did great and had a good time. I am so glad that I am not the only one who buys ebooks of print books that I own.

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    1. Carole - Yes, it really is. You never know what each day will bring. It's been a rough couple weeks--her death and then everything else going one. One of my coworkers just lost her son in a freak skateboarding accident. You really just never know.

      I am glad the show went well as well. We just got the link the video recording of the show, and I know my husband and daughter are anxious to see how it turned out.

      Thank you for visiting!

      Delete
  26. I'm so happy to hear about Mouse and your husband's performance in Don Quixote. I bet that was so much fun for you to watch! That's going to be such a wonderful memory for her when she grows up that her dad was right there along with her!

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