Carol's Notebook – Page 332

Readers’ Workouts – 8/4

August 4, 2015 by Carol5 Comments

So, here are my steps for the week. I hit my goal for the week overall if not each day. Here's my current plan. I haven't signed up for the race yet, but I'm still planning on it. CT stands for cross-training, SS stands for stretching or strength-training. My week: Tuesday - 65 minutes on the recumbent bike (13 miles) Wednesday - Short walk with the dog, 30 mins of yoga Thursday - 4 miles on the treadmill (3¼ running, ½ walking warm-up, ¼ walking cool-down) Friday - 60 minutes on the recumbent bike (11+ miles) I'm down 11 lbs from 5/19. I usually listen to a book while I'm running or walking. The week I finished The Fold by Peter Clines. I also admit I spent more time on the bike than the elliptical because it was easer to read Once Upon a Scandal by Julie LeMense that way. How was your week? Readers’ Workouts is hosted by Joy at Joy’s Book Blog. Thanks!...

Saturday Snapshot – 8/1

August 1, 2015June 24, 2016 by Carol3 Comments

Just a little reading garden at the library in Andover, Ohio. It's a little overgrown, but still lovely. Saturday Snapshot is hosted by Melinda at West Metro Mommy Reads....

Natchez Burning by Greg Iles

July 31, 2015 by Carol3 Comments

I really expected to like Natchez Burning. I've read Iles' books before and found the gripping and thought-provoking. This one just didn't work for me. The plot itself is good, I liked, or hated, the characters, and the setting was well-done. I enjoyed seeing the story from different characters points of view and it was easy to follow whose side of the story we were hearing. I did listen to the whole 35+ hours, but in the end I wished I hadn't bothered. First, there is a lot of repetition. Cut some of it out and it would be a tighter, more enjoyable book. I hate it when authors seem to think I'm going to forget things two chapters after they told me the first time. Second, it was overwrought. I don't know whether to blame the writing or the reader, but it was all overdone, just too much. Maybe the goal was to maintain tension and be descriptive, but it came...

Thursday’s Tale: The Emperor’s New Clothes

July 30, 2015July 30, 2015 by Carol1 Comment

Most of us know Hans Christian Andersen's story "The Emperor's New Clothes." Two weavers promise an Emperor a new suit of clothes that is invisible to those who are unfit for their positions, stupid, or incompetent. When the Emperor parades before his subjects in his new clothes, no one dares to say that he doesn't see any suit of clothes until a child cries out, "But he isn't wearing anything at all!" You gotta love the honesty of children and the stupidity of adults who want to be special. I was in a Muppets mood today, so here's their version of the story. Thursday’s Tales is a weekly event here at Carol’s Notebook. Fairy tales, folktales, tall tales, even re-tellings, I love them all. Feel free to join in....

Elvis Sightings by Ricardo Sanchez

July 29, 2015 by Carol1 Comment

Sometimes I forget how fun books can be. If you read the blurb above, you know this mystery's definitely quirky and pushing believability. But I loved it, pure and simple. The mystery itself is pretty good. The author plays fair enough with clues and motives. It's the characters that are outrageous and the situations they find themselves in. It's not a book for everyone. It's silly in some spots and laugh-out-loud funny in others. You have to be able to just relax and go with the ride. I don't want to tell too much and spoil the fun. It's like a ride at an amusement park that you just can't stop smiling during. Elvis Sightings is in no way serious, just really light, enjoyable summer read. It's one of my faves so far this year. ...

Reader’s Workouts – 7/28

July 28, 2015 by Carol4 Comments

So, here are my steps for the week. I hit my goal for the week overall if not each day. I'm giving up on any kind of plan for now. I'm just too busy to stick with it. Mid-July, it should settle down a bit. My goal is to get in at least 8,000 steps a day, 50 crunches and 10 (girly) push-ups. The rest'll just be icing. My week: Tuesday - 45 mins of yardwork Wednesday - 20 min walk with the dog, 50 crunches, 10 push-ups Friday - Does walking around an amusement park count as exercise? :) Sunday - 40 minutes of yard work Monday - 50 crunches, 10 push-ups, 20 mins yard work, short walk with the dog I'm down 10.8 lbs from 5/19. I need to up my exercise and watch what I eat. I think I want to do the Montour Half-Marathon September 15. I haven't signed up yet, but that gives me about 6 weeks to get ready. I really need a goal...