Saturday, April 11, 2020

Weekly Mews: Happy Easter & My Bookish Thoughts on Big Little Lies & Dog Songs Along With April's TBR Winner

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. 


Happy Weekend! Happy Easter to those of you who celebrate. I know for many Easter will not be what it has been in the past. Church services either via drive in style or streaming. No big gatherings with family and friends. Our Easters have always been on the quiet side, and so it will not be much different than usual for us. Mouse has been counting down the days until Easter, and with everything, I did not want her to miss out. We are expecting the Easter Bunny to visit as usual, leaving a few eggs behind for Mouse to find in the morning, along with a basket filled with goodies. Her dad promised Mouse we could watch the new Trolls movie which just came out. Maybe we will pop some popcorn to go with it.

Our Easter Tree

What I Am Reading: This week I finished reading Mary Oliver's Dog Songs in honor of National Poetry Month, I also finally finished Liane Moriarty's Big Little Lies. I am now enjoying Starbreaker (Endeavor, #2) by Amanda Bouchet. I had not realized how much I missed Tess and her crew. I am not too far into this science fiction novel, but I can already tell it will be action-packed. I am hoping Starbreaker will break through my reading malaise.

What I Am Watching: I sneaked in a couple of episodes of Big Little Lies while my daughter was napping. I can see what all the fuss was about. I think I might like it more than the book, although is that fair to say so early in? As a family, we have continued with our Harry Potter and Marvel superhero marathon.

Off the Blog: We have had what seemed like nonstop rain for the past several days. I kind of miss the nonstop melodramatic storm watch news stories of seasons passed. Instead everything is about the coronavirus. I try to keep my news intake down to a minimum for the most part got sanity's sake, but some days that is easier than others.

Last weekend, news came out that two sheriff deputies in my county died of COVID-19. It hits close to home considering how closely my agency works with law enforcement, often working alongside them. It is hard not to think of my colleagues who are out there in the community, the risk to them. Restrictions at work have tightened even more to try to protects us and protect those we work with.

Although it might seem like the middle of a pandemic would be an odd time to move programs and staff around, the agency I work for decided now was as good a time as any. I am now supervising another program in addition to my other one. This just came about this past week, and so I am still learning what all of my responsibilities will be. I am looking forward to it. It seems like it will be a good fit.

I am still going into the office half of the week.  The teleworking the other two days is going well. I am finding my rhythm, although I imagine it will change up some with Mouse starting distance learning Monday. I do not have a lot of flexibility, but what little I do have will come in handy.

Someone knocked over the tent. Again. 
(She does it on purpose.)

Tell me what you have been up to! What are you reading, listening to and watching? How was your week


Big Little Lies by Liane Moriarty
(Berkley, 2014; Fiction, 465 pgs)

Surprisingly, I somehow avoided all spoilers for this novel since it first came out and so went into it blind. The reader learns straight away there has been a death--whether a murder or an accident--we are not told right away. Set in a beach side community, the novel centers around the lives of three mothers in particular: Madeline (who now I am only able to picture as Reese Witherspoon), a funny and passionate woman with two young children and a teenager who Madeline cannot seem to connect with; the beautiful Celeste whose life with her wealthy husband and twin boys is the envy of every mother at the school; and Jane, a young single mother who seems to have the weight of the world on her shoulders.

I enjoyed Big Little Lies. I jokingly referred to the mama drama in the book a few times when mentioning it to my husband or friends. There was certainly plenty of that. Moriarty also tackles more serious issues including relationships with exes and their spouses, domestic violence, date rape, and bullying. I really came to feel for and like Madeline, Celeste and Jane, rooting for them as they struggled with their individual situations.

I liked the author's The Husband's Secret and had been wanting to read something else by Moriarty for some time now. The television series loosely based on the book had received a lot of buzz, and I was curious about that as well. Just from seeing the first two episodes of the series, I find myself liking the more in-depth glimpse into the various characters lives, particularly the minor-but-significant characters, the show offers. But also the main characters, especially in regards to Madeline. I have a new appreciation for her character. And that's just in two episodes. Who knows if that will change the more I watch.

While Big Little Lies was not a "love it" book for me, I did like it. I would like to read more by Liane Moriarty. She has a way with characters and relationships that draw a reader in.

*

Dog Songs by Mary Oliver (Penguin Books, 2013; Poetry, 144 pgs)

I was browsing my TBR shelves and came across my copy of Dog Songs by Mary Oliver. It seemed the perfect choice for National Poetry Month. For years now I have heard nothing but wonderful things about Mary Oliver's poetry, but I had never given her work a try before. Until now. Poet Mary Oliver shares her love for her dogs in this delightful collection. It brought back so many memories of my own dog, Riley, and the many dogs I grew up with. Those of you who have followed my blog for some time may remember that I was a dog person long before I became a cat person. I still love dogs, even though it has been years now since we had to say goodbye to my Riley.

This really was the perfect book to read right now, with tension and anxiety so high given the world situation. These heartfelt poems took me back to a kinder time and was a reminder of the simple pleasures in life.

While I enjoyed all of the poems, I do have my favorites. Like "A Bad Day" in which Mary Oliver admonishes her dog Ricky for barking and trying to rip the couch only for Ricky to remind her that his day has been a long one too--leaving him alone, not letting him out, feeding him late, a shorter walk than usual, and not playing with him like usual--so is it any wonder he is acting out? The poem came to mind that evening when I found myself getting frustrated with my daughter, a reminder to be more patient and understanding. I may have had a long day, but so had she.

There is also a poem called "Little Dog's Rhapsody in the Night" which I loved just for its simplicity and truth. It is a captured moment in time between a dog and his human companion, in which their love for one another shines through.

Here are some excerpts from a few of my other favorites:

So I climb on the bed where the light of the moon
is shining on your face
 and I know it will be morning soon.

Everybody needs a safe place. [excerpt from "Every Dog's Story," pg 7]

*

Okay, I said. But remember, you can't fix 
everything in the world for everybody.

"However," said Ricky, "you can't do 

anything at all unless you begin. Haven't
I heard you say that once or twice, or
maybe a hundred times?" [excerpt from "Show Time," pg 91]

*

she adored
every blossom

not in the serious
careful way
that we choose
this blossom or that blossom—

the way we praise or don’t praise—
the way we love
or don’t love—
but the way

we long to be—
that happy
in the heaven of earth—
that wild, that loving. [excerpt from "Luke," pg 19]


I cannot believe it has taken me so long to give Mary Oliver's poetry a try. If you have a favorite of hers you think I should read, please let me know! 


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). 




A Time to Dance by Padma Venkatraman came in at five votes; The Poet X by Elizabeth Acevedo with ten; and Inside Out & Back Again by Thanhha Lai with eleven.  It was a tie up until the very last minute. I finally had my daughter pick the winner. She took a long time deliberating, but in the end, she said she made her selection based on the fact that she knows what it is like not to fit in. It just so happens this book falls within her Accelerated Reader level, and so she's agreed to read it along with me. Thank you to everyone who voted!


Inside Out & Back Again by Thanhha Lai (2011)
For all the ten years of her life, Ha has only known Saigon: the thrills of its markets, the joy of its traditions, the warmth of her friends close by...and the beauty of her very own papaya tree.
But now the Vietnam War has reached her home. Ha and her family are forced to flee as Saigon falls, and they board a ship headed toward hope. In America, Ha discovers the foreign world of Alabama: the coldness of strangers, the dullness of its food, the strange shape of its landscape...and the strength of her very own family.
This is the moving story of one girl's year of change, dreams, grief, and healing as she journeys from one country to another, one life to the next. [Goodreads Summary] 



Thank you for voting! I hope you all have a wonderful week. Stay safe and well.  Happy Reading!


© 2020, 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.

68 comments:

  1. Happy easter! And I loved Big Little Lies- book and show. :) I thought Rees was fabulous as Madeline.

    I hope Inside Out turns out very good! I thought it sounded great... :)

    Take care and have an awesome week!

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    1. Greg - Thank you! I am really pleased with the casting for Big Little Lies. I've been rubbing it in that Reese is in the show because my husband swore she wasn't. LOL

      I hope you have a good week to. Thank you for visiting.

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  2. Happy Easter! I'm glad you're all safe and healthy these days.
    And congrats on the new job responsibilities. That's awesome - even if it's hard to figure things out these days.
    I hope online learning will work well for Mouse. If you need help with anything, let me know - I've been teaching online since the middle of March, and I've helped both my fellow teachers and several of my students to set things up nicely.
    Have a good week ahead, stay safe and healthy, and happy reading :)

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    1. Linda - Thank you. Happy Easter to you as well. I am hoping the online learning will work out well too! Thank you for the offer to help. I will let you know if I need it. I hope you have a good week as well. Thank you for stopping by.

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  3. Happy Easter, Wendy! I've been curious with Big Little Lies when it was first released but didn't get around to reading it. It sounds like an interesting case of characters study.

    Inside Out & Back Again sounds good to me. I hope you enjoy reading it and am looking forward to hearing your thoughts on it.

    Stay safe and have a good week ahead!

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    1. Melody - Thank you! I hope you had a nice Easter as well. I was hoping to like Big Little Lies more than I did, and for that I am disappointed, but I did enjoy it overall. I am looking forward to reading Inside Out & Back Again too. My daughter's eyes lit up when I told her we could read it together if she wanted. :-)

      Stay safe as well! Thank you for visiting.

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  4. Happy Easter and I am glad you are not missing out on that. And I am sorry to hear about your officers. Hope everything settles down soon!


    Gayathri @ Elgee Writes

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    1. Gayathri - Thank you! It is good to have some normalcy in this uncertain time. And thank you too for your sympathies. So many have lost someone to this horrible illness. I feel for them all. Thank you for stopping!

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  5. I really loved Big Little Lies and thought the show did a great job. I still need to get around to season 2 but after a lukewarm reception haven't fit it in yet. Happy reading!

    Natflix&Books

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    1. Natalie - I am not sure how long Big Little Lies will be available to me, but hopefully long enough for me to get through at least the first season. Thank you for visiting.

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  6. My favorite poem by Mary Oliver is The Summer Day!

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    1. Linda - Thank you for sharing your favorite poem by Mary Oliver. It's a lovely poem. I found it online and just read it. I've always liked grasshoppers. Thank you for stopping by.

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  7. It feels like a strange Easter here, with no church except that on tv. We are keeping it in our hearts, though; that's the most important thing. It's that spirit of renewal, of rebirth, that I'm looking for in the world now.

    I am glad your daughter isn't missing out during this time. It has to be most difficult for the children. They don't completely understand.

    I'm glad Inside Out and Back Again was chosen for you. I hope you both enjoy it.

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    1. Deb - I wanted to make sure she had a good Easter despite everything that has been happening, and I know she appreciates it. Thank you for visiting.

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  8. We typically have a quiet Easter too but family usually come around to join in with the meal and that's the main difference for us... We're having the meal but there are just three of us to eat it. :(

    Hope you enjoy the movie!

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    1. Nicci - I am sorry you cannot get together with more family for Easter. I do hope that you have a nice one though. Thank you for stopping by.

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  9. Happy Easter to you and your family. I walked this morning and there were a lot of people out walking and running. I think everyone was trying to get out while they could because we're supposed to have bad storms today.

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    1. Kathy - Thank you. We are expecting another rainstorm tonight. I haven't seen too many people out and about when we go walking in the neighborhood, but it could the the time of evening that we usually go. I imagine most people are probably eating dinner then. Thank you for visiting.

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  10. I loved Big Little Lies and have read all of her books. Have a great day and week ahead!

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    1. Cindy - I hope you have a good week too. Thank you for stopping by.

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  11. Happy Easter, and I'm sorry to hear about your work colleagues. It is terrible that our country did nothing in a timely manner, and we are definitely behind with what we need, like testing and supplies. It is good that we're on lockdown, now, though.

    I loved the Big Little Lies miniseries and enjoyed Season II, as well.

    I hope you have a great week and stay safe. Thanks for visiting my blog.

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    1. Laurel-Rain - Thank you. Yes, I am really disappointed in our country's leadership, although not surprised. They continue to botch the job and are only making matters worse. I have no faith in them.

      I hope you have a good week too. Thank you for visting!

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  12. I still need to watch Big Little Lies. I enjoyed the book and know that the show has a lot of good reviews. I only just heard about Dog Songs for the first time yesterday so I'm glad to already read your thoughts on it - it will be on my list.

    Inside Out & Back Again is high up on my list as well.

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    1. Athira - There are some major differences in the Big Little Lies show right off the bat, but it still worked for me. I hope you like it when you see it. I really enjoyed Dog Songs. It was the perfect book for the moment. Thank you for stopping by.

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  13. Happy Easter to you and your family! Your Easter tree is lovely. I'm thinking we may do a family movie and some popcorn this evening too, just for something a little different while we're all stuck at home. I agree with you about Big Little Lies. I liked the book but loved the TV series. I think for me it's all in the casting. They really picked the perfect actors to bring each of the characters to life.

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    1. Suzanne - Happy Easter to you as well! I hope you were able to catch a movie tonight also. We enjoyed the Trolls movie. The casting of Big Little Lies is spot on, I agree. Thank you for visiting.

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  14. Happy Easter, Wendy! Love that Easter tree. :)

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  15. Happy Easter! I really enjoyed reading Big Little Lies, but I think I watched the TV show too quickly after reading because it didn't work for me. But, my daughter is currently binging the show and loves it.

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    1. Helen - Happy Easter to you as well. I had hoped to like the book Big Little Lies more. I am glad your daughter is enjoying the show. I am not sure when I'll get to watch more, but I'm enjoying it so far. Thank you for stopping by.

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  16. Your Easter tree is sweet
    Im not really a fan of the tv adaption of Big Little Lies, i found it very Americanised.

    Wishing you a great reading week, good health and Happy Easter 🐣

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    1. Shelleyrae - Thank you. We have no where to store the Christmas tree right now, and so it's become a seasonal tree. :-)

      I think that was among the biggest changes I noticed right away between the book and TV show--it is very much Americanized.

      I hope you have a good week too. Thank you for visiting.

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  17. Love your Easter tree, Wendy! Hope you guys have a very nice day today. Take care!

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    1. Kay - Thank you! I hope you had a nice day was well. Thank you for stopping by.

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  18. What a darling Easter tree! I hope you had a lovely Easter. Stay safe. :D

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    1. Lark - Thank you! I hope you had a nice Easter as well. Thank you for visiting.

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  19. I really want to see the Big Little Lies series. Love the kitty in a tent :) We switched to online learning this past week and after the first learning curve day we have really gotten into a good groove with it. Happy Easter. Stay safe!

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    1. Stacy - She loves playing in the tent. Mouse keeps having to chase her out when she wants to play in there. Sometimes, if Nina is there first, she'll chase Mouse out. LOL It's good to hear you have gotten into a good groove with the distance learning because I am feeling so overwhelmed with it after the first day. It'll work out, but I can already see tomorrow will be a challenge since I'll be trying to work at the same time I am helping her with her school work. At least today was my day off. I'm sure it will work out. Ask me how I'm doing next week. Haha. Thank you for stopping by.

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  20. Happy Easter!

    I don't think I read Big Little Lies but I did watch the show and liked it. They have a great cast.

    I hope you have a great week! Stay safe!

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    1. Yvonne - I agree; I really liked the cast of Big Little Lies. Thank you for visiting.

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  21. The days seem to all be running together for us. My daughter does have some school deadlines but otherwise, the days don't feel different to me. At least, we have had great weather with only about 1 day a week of rain. I feel uncertain which makes me unmotivated to do projects. I'd feel better if I did them though. So it's good you have a new program to work.

    Have a healthy, safe week! Happy Easter!

    Anne - Books of My Heart Here is my Sunday Post   

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    1. Anne - I am glad you have had such great weather. I hope we will see some sunshine soon. I know what you mean about knowing you'd feel better if you worked on your projects, but feeling unmotivated. I'm right there with you. Thank you for stopping by.

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  22. Sorry to hear about the two deputies in your county! It really brings home the danger of this virus!

    I listened to Big Little Lies and the narration was fantastic. I also watched the HBO version and while they did do a great job I still liked the book a bit better.

    Hope you and your family enjoy your Easter and Trolls! :)

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    1. Rachel - Thank you. Yes, it really does bring it close to home. Makes it even more real. Trolls was really cute. I like the way they framed the message. Thank you for visiting.

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  23. Happy Easter! I hope your daughter enjoys the day and I must say that I love your Easter tree. I just found out that my neighbor is in the hospital with the virus and it is strange to know that it is so close to home. Stay safe in the office, Wendy! I am glad that you can work from home at least part of the week. Stay safe and have a great week!

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    1. Carole - Thank you. I am so sorry to hear about your neighbor. I hope your neighbor is able to successfully fight it. Thank you for stopping by.

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  24. How worrying for you! What a shame you cannot work completely from home, Wendy. And best of luck with the distance learning after the Easter break. I love the pic of the cat... and I'd love to know why she wants the tent on its side:). Have a safe, peaceful week.

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    1. Sarah - Thank you. Day One of the distant learning was not quite a success, but it could have been worse. It is a work in progress. I want to know why the cat wants the tent on its side too! Thank you for visiting.

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  25. I love your Easter tree, ho cute. Happy Easter.

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  26. Happy Easter! I'm glad you’re able to work from home half the week, and your job is doing things to try to make you guys safer. I've had to distance myself from the news to for my mental state. It's just too much to be reading and watching the news all day everyday. I started distance learning with my daughter, and boy is it a lot of work. Take Care :)

    Lindy@ A Bookish Escape

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    1. Lindy - Thank you. I hope once we settle into this distance learning it gets easier. Right now I am feeling so overwhelmed. How am I going to do this and work at the same time? I know we'll make it work somehow--we have to. Thank you for stopping by.

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  27. It's hard to work at home while kids are also doing distance-learning. We've been juggling things quite a bit and my husband still goes in to the office because I just don't know how we'd make it work for him at home. There's only a handful of them still there though and they practice social distancing. We've been doing movie marathons after the kids have their work done. We've gone through Pirates of the Caribbean and Lord of the Rings and will be moving on to another series tomorrow. I hope things go well for you this week!

    Tressa @ Wishful Endings

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    1. Tressa - Oh my gosh, yes! It is proving to be quite the challenge. I hope we find our rhythm soon. I'm sorry your husband is unable to work from home. I know I wish I could all the time (at least right now), but that isn't a possibility. I really want to introduce my daughter to the Lord of the Rings movies, but I don't think she would enjoy them very much--yet. I hope someday. Thank you for visiting.

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  28. Hope Easter was nice for you considering our current situation. We were just the 2 of this but, I was told our granddaughters had a nice day. Sad to hear when the virus hits close to home. In our area so many nursing home residents and veterans are dying alone from the virus; that makes me so sad. Stay well Wendy - hoping work will not be too stressful for you.

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    1. Diane - Thank you. We had a nice Easter. I am glad your granddaughters did too, although I am sorry you could not be with them. The nursing homes around here have been hit hard too. It's just so sad. Thank you for stopping by.

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  29. Sarbreaker by Amanda Bouchet is on my TBR too and I hope to start reading it soon. I hope you're liking it. '
    I'm sorry to hear about the bad weather.
    Good luck with working on the new program.

    Stay safe and happy reading.

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    1. Maureen - I hope you enjoy it too! So far I am enjoying Starbreaker. :-) Thank you for visiting.

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  30. Starbreaker sounds neat, and I really need to get on Big Little Lies. Have a happy, healthy week!

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    1. Mary - I am enjoying Starbreaker. I hope you like Big Little Lies when you read it. Thank you for stopping by.

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  31. Love the Easter tree. So cute. :) I'm so sorry to hear about the deputies in your area. It's just heartbreaking.

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    1. Tanya - Thanks! This is the second time we've tried to keep the tree up longer than it was meant for. Maybe we'll make it all year before I get tired of decorating it for each season or holiday. LOL

      Thank you for your kind thoughts and for visiting.

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  32. Your daughter is just now starting online school? My daughter is heading into week 4. Even as a teen I have to remind her of things. Like right now, she is supposed to be up but she's not.

    I loved Big Little Lies. It reminded me a lot of my PTO days.

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    1. Ti - Yes, all the area schools either started last week (ours) or this week. They let everyone have their spring break before the teachers had to prepare for distance learning. I still have to remind my husband of things. LOL

      Thank you for stopping by!

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  33. I'm glad I listened to Big Little Lies. I think I enjoyed it so much more listening to it then I would have if I read it. Love the Easter tree! Such a fun idea. I hope you have a great week!

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    1. Katherine - I wonder if I would have liked it better in audio. Thank you for visiting!

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  34. Happy Easter! I hope the Easter bunny brought nommies. I hope your week has been going well and that the next is smooth sailing.

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