Thursday’s Tale: The Bear Cubs

by Carol2 Comments
The book I talked about yesterday featured a seagull in the opening scene, so today I went searching for a seagull story. This tale comes from the Innu people of Canada. When spring came, the bear woke from hibernation and came out of her den. She went for a walk to the place where most of the snow had melted so that she could eat berries. She left her children behind where they were still asleep. After she had finished eating, she went back to her den and took a nap. While she was sleeping, her children woke up and saw that their mother's mouth was purple from eating berries. The cubs decided to follow her footprints and try to find berries too. So they followed their mother's footprints until they reached a patch of berries and started eating too. After they had eaten enough berries, they both went home. When they had nearly reached their den, they heard their mother making desperate cries. It...
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The Dance of the Seagull by Andrea Camilleri

by CarolNo Comments
I'm not sure how many Montalbano mysteries I've listened to/read now. They start to run together a little. This one opens with a seagull dying on a beach. This scene comes back later as a kind of vision that helps Montalbano solve the case - which is odd and doesn't feel like it fits with the series. Also out of character is that Montalbano refers  to "that television series" and later the comment "Little surprise that Montalbano couldn't tell Camilleri how the story would end." I don't want my mysteries to be that aware of themselves as fiction, but maybe that's just me. Aside from that, the book was fine. It's been a little while since I finished listening to it and that part that I remember the best is how concerned Montalbano was with finding Fazio, how important it was. And once Fazio's found, keeping him safe becomes important. Montalbano forgets all about Livia, his long-time lover, coming in for a...
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My Favorite . . Book that Made Me Cry

by Carol5 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. Today, Maureen is asking what our favorite book that made us cry is. I'm skipping the question. I don't enjoy crying at books - or movies, or commercials, or tv shows. I'm a bit of a sap and cry way too easily at fiction. I actually avoid books that I know are going to make me cry, which I know means I miss out on a lot of excellent ones, but I'm okay with that. Of course, often enough a book catches me off-guard, leaving me in tears. Really annoys me. I will say the book that most recently made me cry was The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet by Becky Chambers. The...
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Bout of Books 20

by Carol2 Comments
Bout of Books 20 starts on the 21st. Here's the info: The Bout of Books read-a-thon is organized by Amanda Shofner and Kelly @ Reading the Paranormal. It is a week long read-a-thon that begins 12:01am Monday, August 21st and runs through Sunday, August 27th in whatever time zone you are in. Bout of Books is low-pressure. There are challenges, giveaways, and a grand prize, but all of these are completely optional. For all Bout of Books 20 information and updates, be sure to visit the Bout of Books blog (http://boutofbooks.blogspot.com/). - From the Bout of Books team Sounds like fun, doesn't it? I'm not making a reading list. I have so many books on my to-read list and summer reading list, it's easy enough to pick up whichever is calling me.  ...
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Readers’ Workouts – 8/8

by Carol4 Comments
I'm trying to get back to eating right and exercising. I did a pretty good job this week. I made my step goal, kept to my August challenge (moslty) and even snuck in some swimming before the weather turned a bit cooler this week. It really hasn't felt like August the last few days.   This week: Tuesday - Walk with the dog; 40 jumping jacks, 30 crunches, 30 squats, 13 push ups Wednesday - Swimming, Walk; 40 high knees, 30 sec plank, 30 lunges, 13 push ups Thursday - Elliptical; 40 jumping jacks, 30 crunches, 30 squats, 14 push ups Friday - Walk, 40 high knees, 30 sec plank, 30 lunges, 14 push ups Saturday - Run at the park, Stretching Sunday - Walk with the dog, Pilates Monday - Walk with the dog, Pilates, 45 jumping jacks, 35 crunches, 35 squats, 15 push ups My August Challenge Meal ideas: Turkey Chiles Rellenos Shrimp fried rice Mozzarella mini quiches Flatbread pizza Habanero-Apricot Chicken Sandwiches Burgers Year Fitness Goals: - Lose weight. Goal - Lose 26 lbs. (current: -9.4) - Run 2 5ks,...
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