Love, Laughter, and Life

Adventures With a Book Lover

Category Archives: Uncategorized


by Leave a comment

Spring Cleaning

10E39A99-CDFF-4F15-BF75-A5185B714497

This past (YAY) winter has left this bod in serious cabin fever shape.

It’s true. Being cooped up inside with record snowfalls does nothing for a hiking physique. I did spend quite a bit of time shoveling, but that exercise was offset by hiding inside away from frigid temps.

Take my walk today, for instance. Huffing and puffing, sweating and trudging at a snail’s pace, the summer hiking season seemed far from my grasp. After all, actual hiking is done up and down, over hill and dale.

That’s when I realized my self needed spring cleaning. Some sprucing up, working out, and trimming off the fat.

Spring cleaning is coming to this future outdoors woman.

Walking around the yard, I noticed several casualties of the heavy snow and resulting compact ice. Funny smiling face? Busted. Sage in clay pot? Needs repotting to an undamaged pot. Siberian irises in a similarly disintegrating pot? Same treatment. Gravel strewn every which way due to shoveling of snow.

C59FA3D6-C8EF-4AF0-AC04-36A0D81E9C3F

Spring cleaning extends to the garden and surrounding yard.

It also includes the cat, Monet, who is sporting more of a tummy due to forced lack of exercise, and her favorite pastime-hunting. It’s hard to hunt or pursue any fun activities when snow accumulations are higher than your head! The one time she tried, well, it was hysterical and a very fast trip. Monet is in much need of a tune up.

Spring cleaning has arrived for the cat.

A29FC1D2-B99F-4F27-A782-81C564DDC170

Monet on her way up the pasture to the irrigation ditch (and future snacks)

The good news is she caught her ‘second’ first mouse of the season today. We thought spring was on the way in late January and early February. That was when she ate her first mouse of the year. And then Snowmageddon. There was much lying around, racing through the RV, climbing the walls, and sleeping on fuzzy blankets.

Inside the RV, blankets and rugs have been washed. Carpets love their new vacuumed look and floors appear a shade lighter after being mopped. Excess items are disappearing from cluttered sight. Spring cleaning is happening all over the place.

Let’s chat just a bit about the honey. In his jammies. And plastic shoes. Right now. Out smashing down mole hills all over the pasture. This mole has been a busy beaver, leaving a winding lane of black dirt mountains across the field. Soooo, honey does his spring cleaning by paying attention to signs of the season.

Spring cleaning comes to the Yakima Valley.

How about you? Have you enjoyed spring cleaning? What’s your favorite spring cleaning task?


by Leave a comment

Motorcycle Monday: First Ride of the Year

97F01530-C4D7-4008-8A3A-B1368636B309

For us, motorcycle adventures take place in two seasons: spring and fall.

Occasionally, like yesterday, the blue skies call us despite snow-laden hills and fields and cool temps. Technically, it is still winter. So we started early this year! Most years we can squeak in a ride in February as long as we are well covered with warm layers and roads are clear.

5BD635FD-EB10-4F84-990B-5BB8E5FA4B83

We are kind of like Baby Bear in The Three Bears. We need the weather to be not too hot, not too cold, but just right. The best time for us to ride is spring – not too cold, not too hot. And fall – not too cold, not too hot. Winter? Snow, ice, frigid temps. Summer? Sun and sweltering heat.

B84E4036-5696-4012-83E2-EBA24756A765

It could be perfectly fine outside for wearing shorts and tank tops. But we prefer to cover up when riding to protect our skin from bugs, sun burn, heat, road rash (if we crashed). Plus the helmet, oh the insulator of heat it is, keeps us nice and sweaty. Unless we are moving down the road and creating our own breeze, it is hot beneath the blazing sun. Stop lights are my least favorite!

In winter, it goes without saying. If four tires play slip and slide over mogul-like roads, imagine two tires. That’s a motorcycle recipe for disaster!

Yesterday we grabbed the perfect opportunity to take a short test run. Glorious blue skies, blinding white hills, brisk air. And quite a few others who succumbed to motorcycle fever! Just enough right to whet our motorcycle thirst for adventure.

Our trip was a short loop out Ahtanum Road, going right on Slavin, and then right on Cottonwood Canyon, which lead us back towards home. Lots of folk out cleaning up and enjoying sun and blue skies.

1C09A057-A8EB-4268-AF8D-4DB54D0265F3

Welcome spring!

How do you welcome spring? What are your favorite things to do in spring?


by Leave a comment

Happy Hump Day Haiku Challenge: go winter

B302D2C2-A2D0-4820-A835-3C5580A949C4

winter’s still present-

won’t melt; snow castles are us!

white lemonade fun

 

go winter by Angie Quantrell

CF8CB64D-26FF-4C91-94F6-C6E190B0D71A

The winter snow melt in our area is unseasonably late. Parents, drivers, workers, gardeners, spring sports players-even school children-are hoping for blue skies and warm temps to thaw the concrete ice mountains and fields of white covering our valleys.

We LOVE snow. But it is time for green and insects and baby animals and flowers.

Snow lemons? Making white lemonade.

 


by Leave a comment

Book Report: A Vow to Cherish by Deborah Raney

848BCC5B-288C-4D2C-90E9-12DAF1046727

A Vow to Cherish, 25th Anniversary Edition

Written by Deborah Raney

Raney Day Press, 2019

 

A special thanks goes out to Deborah Raney for gifting me a copy of A Vow to Cherish, 25th Anniversary Edition. I receive her Inspired by Life and Fiction e-newsletter and won a copy by commenting on one of her posts. Thank you, Deb!

Blurb from Amazon:

The battle they face will either ruin them or bring the deepest fulfillment they could ever know.

When his precious wife receives a devastating diagnosis, John Brighton feels his world has fallen apart. As Ellen slips away from him day by day, their love is tested as never before. Desperately needing someone to confide in, John meets Julia Sinclair, a young widow who seems to understand his pain as no one else can. Torn between doing what he knows to be right and what his heart tells him surely can’t be wrong, John soon discovers that the heart cannot be trusted where true love is concerned.

A Vow to Cherish has impacted three generations of readers—first with the book from Bethany House Publishers and then through the World Wide Pictures film inspired by Deborah Raney’s novel. This newest edition of the novel brings home the profound message of the sacredness of marriage and the importance of the commitments we make in marriage.

This novel was originally published in 1996 under the same title.

Why I like this book:

25 is NOT old! I’m more than twice that age, and I think I’m still pretty interesting. Most of the time. Sometimes. Occasionally…

I enjoyed reading A Vow to Cherish. The writing is clean and easy to read. The subject matter was a little harder to digest-facing the loss of a spouse due to health issues. The long, slow health decline is so hard to read about. Part of the reason I had a hard time is my increasing age and the uncertainty of how I’ll continue to age (health wise). But that has nothing to do with the quality of the story and the writing.

As the title suggests, marriage, commitment, vows, promises, and choices play a huge part in this story. Regardless of the emotional events in this tale, life is lived and the characters find a wonderful peaceful resolution. Without giving too much away, marriage vows are a key conflict in A Vow to Cherish. Reminders of the sanctity of marriage vows are skillfully woven throughout this story.

Thank you, Deb, for sharing this beautiful story.

F547BB00-6102-4317-AAB4-C66B7EB9AED3


by 2 Comments

I’m in Love with My New Portable Standing Desk!

76DD0B37-7966-4501-801C-5CD532B111A9

Everyone who is anyone has read about the dangers of sitting long hours. Not that a numb backside, crinkled shoulders, and achy knees will kill you, but sitting and being sedentary just might steal your health and shorten the days you expect to be around to do anything.

As a writer, well, sitting at a computer desk, coffee table, work table, research desk, or any other writerly space is sort of a job requirement.

The challenge is how to stand and write but also be able to access (ergonomically) the keyboard or laptop, mouse, and assorted resources and supplies.

Living in an RV adds additional space challenges. Where would I store a standing desk? How could I use the tiny dining table if a portable standing desk were in place? What about the bump between the slide and the RV floor? Do I need to stand on the hump to work at a standing desk?

After literally spending years contemplating, researching, and giving up the idea of a table top desk, I finally threw up my hands after a particularly long (sitting) writing day. I did a quick Amazon search, found the perfect portable standing desk, checked for size for my 17″ laptop, and ordered it. All within 5 minutes.

I should have done that ages ago!

0E4673DD-29C6-4DDB-B99E-163592FD1B04

This wonderful office accessory arrived a few days after placing my order. It took me a few minutes to figure out the legs, but after that, I realized what a treat it will be to use my new standing desk.

My 17″ laptop fits securely on top of the adjustable angle table, held in place by a shelf. My mouse and pad rest to the right of my laptop and are also held in place by a softened shelf. If you are looking for one for yourself, this is definitely for a right-handed person. Look to see if a left-handed version is available. Coloring is pretty nondescript, but I’m not in it for looks. Purpose is my main goal. It is neutral in color and is sturdy enough that I don’t worry for the safety of my laptop. It does wiggle as I type, but not the kind of wiggle that tells me it’s going to crash down. I love being able to angle the top of the tray, and my wrists appreciate the easy angle when working.

Storage is not an issue either. This tray folds flat. The two shelves that hold up the computer and mouse are a bit raised on one side, while the folded legs are raised on the back. But I found a perfect spot to rest my new work buddy.

392AC0F4-6476-4709-93D1-D2EBE326CC6F

I now have the option to stand and work or sit and work. Hurray!

What took me so long???

A1821C6C-E65D-4A04-88CA-BFA6D043F695

Details of my portable standing desk: [Large Size] Neetto TB101L Adjustable Laptop Bed Table, Portable Standing Desk, Foldable Sofa Breakfast Tray, Notebook Stand Reading Holder for Couch [Personal Computers]

You’re welcome.


by Leave a comment

International Women’s Day #IWD2019

A3016977-654F-49A8-A93F-0300A1BEFBC1

Happy International Women’s Day!

If you are a woman, be blessed and do not take for granted the gifts, skills, and life you have been given.

If you are a woman, be thankful for your ability to give to and care for others.

If you are a woman, look for opportunities to uphold and support other women who need you.

If you are a woman, be generous with your affections and assistance, energy and engagement.

If you are a woman, acknowledge your capabilities, opportunities, and strengths. Own your faults and take responsibility for your failures. Realize you cannot do it all.

If you are a woman, exude kindness. Treat others as you would have them treat you. Remember you can catch more flies with honey than vinegar. Be nice even to those who are not.

If you are a woman, embrace relationships, both near and far, with family, friends, and strangers.

If you are a woman, be at peace. Love, accept, strive to improve yourself. Delve deep to learn your faith. Stretch to exercise and grow strong.

If you are a woman, rely on God, do not be afraid to trust. Seek and find.

If you are a woman, live to the fullest. Be present in the day. Give focus and attention to those around you.

If you are a woman, rejoice! To be a woman is a gift.

DECBE7EF-63D2-4DFC-87C4-CD0822DEB423

Today, I gave blood at the Red Cross. For women, men, children-whoever needs red blood. Regardless of race, education, income, culture, residence. Because we bleed the same. Red.

Loving with red.

How about you? Did you celebrate International Women’s Day?

C15C8DF8-B5ED-461B-B411-1773277045BA


by Leave a comment

Happy Hump Day Haiku Challenge: again

F52CB4B7-69D3-45DA-9489-8C2456F72545

commence shoveling!

again, or still; nearly spring-

snow falls quietly

 

again by Angie Quantrell

Like Groundhog’s Day (the movie), this winter clutches our neck of the woods with the setting of repeat. Some movies have that choice, did you know? Especially for the younger crowd. I didn’t know winter had the same option.

But I LOVE snow! Even as green-starved as I am, gasping for fresh air and spring flowers, I feel giddy with joy when snowflakes dump steadily the whole day and into the  night. Despite the need for shoveling, I gleefully glance out the window to make sure it’s still coming down in white blankets.

It is! Sheets, comforters, pillowcases, and blankets of the white stuff. Doomed I fear, according to weather reports.

But today. I shovel. Again.

B3EB8172-2060-47EA-9E5B-60C86DBEB00E


by 4 Comments

Poser, A Short Story

A4440B0D-5EA1-4460-B73E-831DCBA2D766

“What are you praying for, dear?”

“Peace.”

“Your pose is truly beautiful.”

She glanced his way, insect eyes missing no detail.

“What are you thinking of, my love?”

“Appearances.”

“You look ferociously fit.”

She flexed her legs, wiggled her wings. Let him move close.

“How are you feeling, gorgeous?”

“Hungry.”

 

Poser by Angie Quantrell

 

I wrote this story in response to Vivian Kirkfield’s #50PreciousWords Writing Contest (50 words total) and a Twitter conversation with @Realistic Poetry about favorite insects. Hop on over to  Vivian’s site to read more short stories.


by Leave a comment

Book Report: Delayed Justice by Cara Putman

A special thanks goes to Cara Putman for gifting me this copy of Delayed Justice. Thank you!

Delayed Justice

Written by Cara Putman

Thomas Nelson, HarperCollins Christian Publishing, Inc., 2018

5713C3BF-C891-4290-8DDD-8B192F9D1C08

Amazon Blurb:

She had long given up the desire to be loved. Now she only needed to be heard.

Jaime Nichols went to law school to find the voice she never had as a child, and her determination to protect girls and women in the path of harm drives her in ways both spoken and unspoken. As Jaime, now a criminal defense attorney, prepares to press charges against someone who wronged her long ago, she must face not only her demons but also the unimaginable forces that protect the powerful man who tore her childhood apart.

Chandler Bolton, a retired veteran, is tasked with helping a young victim who must testify in court—and along with his therapy dog, Aslan, he’s up for the task. When he first meets Jaime, all brains, beauty, and brashness, he can’t help but be intrigued. As Chandler works to break through the wall Jaime has built around herself, the two of them discover that they may have more to offer one another than they ever could have guessed—and that together, they may be able to help this endangered child.

This thrilling installment of the Hidden Justice series explores the healing power of resolution and the weight of words given voice. And as Jaime pursues delayed justice of her own, she unearths eternal truths that will change the course of her life.

 

Why I liked Delayed Justice:

I enjoyed Cara’s clean writing. I appreciated her handling of icky details (this is after all, a thriller). I knew what had taken place, but didn’t have to read pages filled with horrific scenes to get out the other side. My imagination does quite fine on its own, thank you. I loved watching a relationship develop between Jaime and Chandler. I especially liked learning about therapy dogs and Aslan.

There is plenty of growing tension and deep emotions shared throughout the story. I whipped through this one quite quickly, in a hurry to find out what happens in the end.

Two thumbs up!

Find out more about Cara Putman at:

Cara Putman

Cara Putman on Amazon

Cara Putman on Twitter

Cara Putman on Goodreads

 


by Leave a comment

logo

Hey, friends! If you are a writer of picture books and stories for young readers, this writing contest is for you! 50 words to tell a story (beginning, middle, end)? You can do it! Visit Vivian Kirkfield at her blog for details. Best wishes!

via The #50PreciousWords Writing Contest is OPEN: March 2-6