R.eaders I.mbibing P.eril Challenge XII

by CarolNo Comments
R.eaders I.mbibing P.eril XII starts today. Our fabulous hosts are Heather at My Capricious Life and Andi at Estella's Revenge. Head over to either blog to sign-up. The purpose of the R.I.P. Challenge is to enjoy books that could be classified as: Mystery. Suspense. Thriller. Dark Fantasy. Gothic. Horror. Supernatural. There are two simple goals for the R.eaders I.mbibing P.eril XII Challenge: 1. Have fun reading. 2. Share that fun with others. I don't read much horror, but a mystery and a cup of hot chocolate is perfect for fall. I'm signing up for Peril the First. Read four books, any length, that you feel fit (our very broad definitions) of R.I.P. literature. It could be Stephen King or Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, Shirley Jackson or Tananarive Due…or anyone in between. I'm also going to try to participate in the group read of Slade House by David Mitchell. My tentative reading list: Glass Houses by Louise Penny Slade House by David Mitchell Weycombe by G. M. Malliet Death at Breakfast by Beth Gutcheon Emma in the Night by Wendy Walker The Shimmering Road by...
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Thursday’s Tale: Trolls of Reynisdrangar

by Carol4 Comments
Earlier this month I saw a National Geographic article on-line about the folktales behind Iceland's natural formations, like rocks, islands, and lava formations. I've also enjoyed Icelandic folk tales, even before I knew that's where they came. I might just have an affinity for trolls. I couldn't find the full version of the story of the trolls of Reynisdrangar on-line, but I've pulled together a couple sources, including National Geographic and a geo-caching site. Trolls, in Iceland, are night-dwellers. One night, three mischievous trolls, Skessudrangur, Laddrangur and Langhamar were pulling a ship onto shore. Apparently the task took longer than they anticipated and they lost track of time. When dawn came, they were instantly turned to stone. If you drive by the cliffs near Vik, you can still hear their wails as they dream of their home in the mountains. Reynisdrangar are basalt sea stacks. As basaltic lava cools over an extended period of time, geometric forms emerge, including the cliffs at Vik. The stacks are...
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The Dream Dragon by Kathryn England

by Carol2 Comments
I should maybe quit reading kids books. I picked up The Dream Dragon because it looked cute and I try to keep an eye out for books my nieces/nephews would enjoy. And it was a fine book, I just felt a little sad for the dragon. The dream dragon protects the boy's dreams. He scares away the bad dreams, but he also pushes the good dreams to the edge, because he wants to be the dream the boy remembers. Then, a t-rex comes along and defeats the dragon. It is the new protector, but then comes along a superhero, then a pirate, and each, in turn, stars in the boy's dreams. I like how the book first shows than not all monsters are scary. It also connects what we read about or learn about in real life to our dreams, which I think can be helpful for kids. At least it was when Amber was little. Knowing why she dreamed about something...
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My Favorite . . Time to Blog

by Carol3 Comments
My Favorite.. is a weekly meme hosted by Maureen’s Books. In this meme we share every week something we love with each other. Because let’s face it.. The world can be a dark place and it’s time to share something positive. For more info: My Favorite Meme. My favorite drink time to blog is probably in the evening on the couch snuggled up in my blanket, preferably when everyone else is out of the house for a while. Needless to say, that doesn't happen very often. When I actually do most of my blogging is during slow times at work - shh, don't tell anyone. I'm still on the computer and can switch windows easily when I have something to do. And, happily, my screen doesn't face clients unless I turn it for them to see. What's your favorite to blog? Join in at Maureen's Books....
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Thornhill by Pam Smy

by Carol1 Comment
Thornhill is spooky and heart-breaking. Ella is sad and lonely, but when she glimpses a girl in the window of the Thornhill Institute, she becomes obsessed with finding out who she was and what happened to her. Mary lived at the Institute in the 1980s, also a sad, lonely girl who is bullied and terrorized by the other girls. Thornhill is at heart a ghost story. We know from the beginning that Mary's a ghotst, but her diary entries made me cry. Her life at Thornhill was miserable, and few of the adults around her seemed competent or truly caring. Ella's story is just as sad. I assume her father loves her, but he's never home and her mom is gone, presumably dead. Her side of the story is depicted in black and white illustrations that are striking and add to the dark atmosphere of the novel. We know something happened to Mary, but not what. I think this is one of...
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Readers’ Workouts – 8/29

by Carol3 Comments
My replacement fitbit arrived Saturday afternoon - after I took my walk of course. This week: Thursday - Walk with the dog Saturday - Walk with the dog Sunday - Walk with the dog, yardwork Monday - Walk with the dog I want to put some kind of fun fitnessy activity on the calendar for this week. I'm not sure what yet though. Meal ideas: Shrimp and veggies Pork tacos Chicken and asparagus stir fry Coconut lamb with rice Burgers Pork tenderloin with veggies Chicken primavera Year Fitness Goals: - Lose weight. Goal - Lose 26 lbs. (current: -9.4) - Run 2 5ks, 1 10K and 1 half. Completed - 1 10K; 1 5K - Hit my weekly step goal (56,000 steps) for 48 weeks. Weeks completed: 27 How was your week? Readers’ Workouts is hosted by Joy at Joy’s Book Blog....
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