Tag Archives: Sunday Salon

Bookish Talk, Life

The Sunday Salon: Happy 4th!! (also a bit about my reading pickle)

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US Flag

It’s Independence Day here in the U.S. Also known as the Fourth of July. On this day, back in 1776, the Declaration of Independence was adopted. These days, we celebrate it with a day off from work (for most of us), cook-outs and fireworks. The weather in Southern California is not cooperating though…

The View from my Front Door

The view from my front door is a gloomy one. Yesterday was sunny, and about 80 degrees, which is cool for this time of year. Today, it’s overcast and drizzly. Most of it will burn off (I think) but fireworks typically won’t happen with this much haze in the sky.

Our plans? Well, we normally head out to see the city’s firework’s display but this year we are avoiding the crowds and plan to just hang out in our own backyard. Fireworks are not legal where we are, but someone ALWAYS obtains them illegally so there is usually something to see. We are going to BBQ some teriyaki burgers & make smores.

As for the reading pickle I mentioned…

I am in the middle of reading several books right now. I am re-reading The Stand, which most of you already know about. I am really enjoying it but it’s an epic that demands my attention so although I am reading it along with three other books, I find myself having to go back to it more than the others. It’s sort of hard to switch gears between all of the books because they are all so different.

The other books are The Space Between Us, which I am reading for Lisa’s read-along, and Homecoming which I am reading for book club. All good, but my attention span is that of a gnat these days, so the brain is working hard trying to give each the attention they deserve. Balance is still something I strive for when it comes to reading. I can’t seem to find it. I either have way too much to read, or not enough.

On a personal note, the Boy’s grounding has ended so he may once again walk amongst society. He won’t get his computer back until school starts though. Many of you asked about him so you’ll be happy to know that he survived his offense, but just barely. I sure hope he learned his lesson.

Right now The Hub is fixing my brake light (the jerk at the oil change place loosened it to make a buck) and I am about to jump back into one of those books. I wish you all a happy and safe Fourth of July!

Bookish Talk

The Sunday Salon: Reading, Cooking and Hanging Out Edition

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Backyard
Pimm's Cup, My Kindle and The View

On Friday I posted a recipe using Pimm’s liqueur and made a promise to do something summery and just for me this weekend. Well, I’m happy to say that I made good on my promise. I prepared a traditional Pimm’s Cup which is basically Pimm’s, ginger ale and lemon, fired up my Kindle and spent a good chunk of the day in my backyard. The little one was with dad who was visiting his brother across town. The big one was grounded and carrying out his sentence in the privacy of his bedroom, so that left a sunny, afternoon all to myself. And yes, that is a jelly jar. I drink out of mason jars all the time.

I put a large pot of spaghetti sauce on the stove to simmer away for tonight’s dinner and read The Stand while sipping my refreshing drink. Later, a friend of ours is coming over for dinner, but it will be real casual with good conversation and yummy food. Sigh. I only wish that my son had behaved himself and that he wasn’t grounded, but I can’t really dwell on that too much. Kids have to learn the hard way sometimes.

I am a bit off kilter with my reading schedule. I had planned to finish Tinkers, but it’s sort of a heavy book even though it’s so short. It’s not the type of book to read on a beautiful, sunny day but then again, neither is The Stand! I checked out Homecoming by Schlink for this month’s book club meeting so at some point I am going to have to start reading it. It’s not calling my name right now though.

Book Download – Kindle Survey Results

You know how I was making such a big deal about downloading my first paid Kindle book? Well, apparently 44% of you agree that the first download is quite important:

Kindle Survery Results
Kindle Survey Results

For the record, my first FREE download was Emma by Jane Austen.

My first PAID download was You Couldn’t Ignore Me If You Tried by Susannah Gora

I picked YCIMIYT because the Brat Pack totally defined who I am today. I was in high school when those movies came out. I dressed like them, I listened to the same type of music. Those movies felt like they were based on  my life. I still watch them today and my iPod is filled with music from that era.

What I learned? If you see a book you want, just download it because with all of my waiting, it fell off the bestseller’s list and ended up being $4 more. Lesson learned.

Happy Sunday to you!