Thank Goodness It's Sunday

~ Breaking Bread with dear friends

~ Visiting with friends

~ Electric fire place/heater

~ Gorgeous weather, being able to open the door in the afternoons

~ God's grace 

Christmas Lost quote

 

Thanks to Donna Keevers Driver for creating this.

Christmas is coming.

Celebrate with a story: 

Christmas Present

The eighth novella in the series.

Welcome back to Holiday, USA, small town America, where nothing happens, except holidays... and a little romance, if the hero and heroine trust God.

Terra Connor is looking forward to her first two-week vacation, even if it means working part of the time to ease her daughter's mind. Her daughter's wedding on Christmas Eve is her only priority, and she definitely doesn't have time for romance.

Carson McDonald is in Holiday for his younger brother's wedding. The friendly town is as good a place as any to rest and recover from the upheaval of losing his job due to an accident. He has enough on his plate for the foreseeable future.

God's ways are not man's ways...
http://www.amazon.com/Christmas-Present-Holiday-USA-Book-ebook/dp/B01ASDPDJQ/ref=sr_1_1

 

If you prefer paperback, Holiday, USA Anthology 2015

All four novellas published in 2015 are available in their entirety in paperback, including the covers on the back, for those who enjoy collecting a series.

https://www.amazon.com/Holiday-USA-Anthology-2015-2/dp/153018617X/ref=sr_1_22

 

Christmas Present Quote

 

Thank you, Donna Keevers Driver, for sharing your time and talent to create this.

Thank Goodness It's Sunday

~ Visiting with friends

~ Grill Night

~ Fireplace 

~ Opportunities to serve others

~ God's grace 

Reminder

 

TBR 2024

151. The Danger with Diamonds (Falcon Point series Book 1) by Traci Hunter Abramson and Sian Ann Bessey suspense romance. A tie-in to Abramson's Guardian series. Page-turner! Tough to put down, even when desperate for sleep. 

152. From an Unknown Sender (Falcon Point series Book 2) by Traci Hunter Abramson and Sian Ann Bessey suspense romance. Yes, I lost sleep because I couldn't put it down. 

153. When Fashion Turns Deadly (Falcon Point series Book 3) by Traci Hunter Abramson and Sian Ann Bessey suspense romance. A fascinating dive into the world of modeling and fashion design with theft and murder thrown in for a little more tension. The newest addition in the Falcon Point series. 

154. Cowboy Daddy, Jingle-Bell Baby by Linda Goodnight romance. A sweet story I enjoy every year.

155. Christmas Cinderella (A Sprinkling of Christmas Magic anthology) by Elizabeth Rolls Regency romance novella. This is a follow up to Rolls' story A Soldier's Tale. Yes, I read them out of order, only because A Soldier's Tale is one of my favorites and I save it. The last few pages aren't necessary to the story but give the requisite bedroom scene for this particular genre and publisher.

REAL 2024 Dec 9

Walked to the post office a couple times. Increased my physical therapy. Did not do as well with eating. It didn't help that I made fudge, a weakness. LOL! Sleeping hasn't been great with nightmares almost every night. I don't know what's up with that. 

Thank Goodness It's Sunday

~ Gorgeous days

~ Visiting with friends

~ Yummy Grill Night

~ Early Christmas presents

~ God's grace 

Brain Dump

If a fetus - baby - is a clump of cells, then you are a clump of cells. 

TBR 2024

146. All I Want For Christmas is a Marine (Holiday Op collection) by Tara Nina contemporary romance. I enjoyed the story, but a couple scenes would be rated PG-13. 

147. Mission Mistletoe (Holiday Op collection) by Lori Avocato contemporary romance.

148. Christmas with Tiffany by Carolyn Carey contemporary romance.

149. A Christmas Collection: Classic Cookies and Fudge by Catherine Leigh e cookbook.

150. Heirs of Falcon Point (Falcon Point series Prologue) by Traci Hunter Abramson, Sian Ann Bessey, Paige Edwards, A. L. Sowards suspense. Happiness is the first book in a nail-biting series. 

REAL 2024 Dec 2

I'm increasing my physical therapy, doing more leg lifts to help my knees, and walking more. It feels good. Another walker complimented me on my T-shirt: Working to restore God's original factory settings. LOL! I think I'm sleeping better. I'm eating better now that I'm trying to cut out highly processed food, and I think it's helping. Time will tell.

Thank Goodness It's Sunday

~ House maintaining a pretty consistent temperature

~ Electric fireplace, including a heater to warm things up just a little

~ Thanksgiving

~ Lunch at Kneaders with sibs and spouses 

~ God's grace 

Music to start the Christmas Season

...with some of my favorite songs that I listen to all year long...

The first one is simply totally fun.

All I want for Christmas by The Piano Guys

https://youtu.be/c16dH9QezyE 

Little Drummer Boy for King and Country

https://youtu.be/NzEX3QMuVPM 

 

Stille Nacht (Silent Night) by Manheim Steamroller on their Christmas album.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=anv4FIQ4tbo 

Believe Again: O Come All Ye Faithful by David Osmond
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aF__6qGtwSc 

Angels We Have Heard On High by The Piano Guys
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PrLoWt2tfqg 

Baby, What You Goin' to Be by Trinity HS Alumni Choir
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TsoB7mmdmFg 

Mary, did you know? by Donny Osmond
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VtLCCrEVqPA 

Believe by Josh Grobin on the Polar Express album.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nZ19mW-TMRk 

Merry Christmas Darling by the Carpenters.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YR1ujXx2p-I 

Silent Night by David Osmond 
https://youtu.be/PkVATabHBqc 

The Gift by Aselin Debison
https://youtu.be/YeQt6S2O0Qk 

Gentri's O Holy Night
https://youtu.be/g4fvMgNfN0I

A Soldier's Silent Night
https://youtu.be/e29nKH4DCFQ 

A Christmas dedication to our men and women in uniform. A Soldier's Silent Night was originally titled 'Merry Christmas My Friend' and written by Lance Corporal James M. Schmidt in 1987. 

Find something to be thankful for today.

 

Tomorrow is Thanksgiving.

Celebrate with a story:

Giving Thanks

The eleventh novella in the series.

Welcome back to Holiday, USA, small town America, where nothing happens, except holidays... and a little romance, if the hero and heroine trust God.

Eight years ago, Michelle Bronson ran away. Returning Thanksgiving Eve will allow her to settle before anyone knows she's home. Accepting Jesus made her new, but the past won't stay buried. She's strong enough to face it. She must, if she wants to embrace life. Maybe assistant baker at Holiday Sweets is the open door she's seeking.

Theodore Williams III lived his life as Mr. Straight as an Arrow. He remembers Michelle, along with his harsh judgment of her, but she's not what he expected. The choice is his to hold to what he knew or to embrace the new. Perhaps God is opening a door to the future.

Placing God first opens doors never imagined...

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B071W5C2T6/ref=sr_1_1

If you prefer paperback, Holiday, USA Anthology 2016-17

All four novellas, 9-12, are available in their entirety in paperback, including the covers on the back, for those who enjoy collecting a series.

http://a.co/5ETTtmt 

Ready for Thanksgiving?

 

Thanks to Donna Keevers Driver for sharing her creative time and talent.

Thank Goodness It's Sunday

~ Lovely days

~ Warm enough to leave the door open

~ Opportunities to share gratitude 

~ Serving others

~ God's grace 

Brain Dump

Rule #1: Stop lying, especially to yourself.

Before baby became a word, the term was fetus, in Latin.

Fetus = Baby

It's a baby.

Important Reminder

REAL 2024 Nov 18

I tried continuing to take care of myself without the weekly followup here; it didn't work. I forget. I need weekly written accountability. I'll take a break during the holidays. I'm learning that simply creating accountability once in a while helps with maintaining consistency.

Within the first three days of making this decision, and following through, my knee is doing better and so is my back.

I remembered to do physical therapy every day and took some short walks. 

Eating healthier is becoming a fascinating priority instead of a drudgery. 

Sleep is also improving. For the first time in years, without being sick, I slept 7-1/2 hours straight. Thanks God! 

One step at a time.

Thank Goodness It's Sunday

~ Dinner with my younger brother

~ Beautiful days perfect for leaving the door open

~ Gospel study with friends

~ Lunch with a friend

~ God's grace 

Brain Dump

Don't let those who think they're smarter than you fool you or scare you.

Those "archaic" laws that banned abortion did NOT include proper medical treatment for miscarriages, ectopic pregnancies, saving the life of the mother, etc. 

The propaganda machine lied.

Shocker.

TBR 2024

141. A Mustard Seed Life: What happens when ordinary people put their faith in an Extraordinary God? by Jill McIlreavy. Daily devotional. 

142. SEAL of God: The Path is narrow...but the reward is great by Chad Williams with David Thomas autobiography. From a Christian in name only to all in. Reading his journey inspired and uplifted. 

143. The Stocking (Holiday Op collection) by DC DeVane contemporary romance. Some language.

144. Tied With a Bow (Holiday Op collection) by Anne Elizabeth contemporary romance.

145. Christmas to the Rescue (Holiday Op collection) by Liz DeAngelo contemporary romance. Some language. 

Veterans Day

 

To our service men and women who sign a blank check that includes everything up to an including their lives. Thank you to all who served honorable and to those who love them.

Thank Goodness It's Sunday

~ Blessed rain

~ Cooler weather

~ Electric fireplace/heater

~ Sister visit

~ God's grace 

Brain Dump

Watching "Gifted Hands: The Ben Carson Story" drove home the absolute stupidity of prejudice. What a remarkable man. Martin Luther King was right: Judge a man by his character.   

Exactly

 

Humorous Perspective

Thank Goodness It's Sunday

~ Cooler weather

~ Breaking bread with friends

~ Visiting a friend

~ Inspiration 

~ God's grace 

Brain Dump

A woman who is pregnant is not having a baby; she HAS a baby. It's just easier to contain until it's born. 

Halloween or Samhain

Why I celebrate Halloween: It's the one holiday we encourage ourselves to look into the darkness and drag our fears into the light and hopefully see them for what they are: An opportunity to be brave and reclaim our power over them.

Shelley's "Frankenstein" explores the folly of men pretending to be God. Stoker's "Dracula" reveals the horror of those who live by taking from others. I can't imagine a world without Poe, and his willingness to expose the monsters within. We prevail when we choose good over evil.

The early history of Samhain, what would later become Halloween, was a celebration of the end of the harvest and the end of the year as well as the beginning of a new year. Leave in the past what no longer brings life and love. Welcome the opportunity to start fresh with the old and withered swept away, making room for the new. A time to seek God's protection in the coming winter.

For the record, I don't do scary. Growing up in it means it isn't entertainment for me. Dress up is fun. I've always had a fondness for jack-o-lanterns, the cheerful flame flickering inside. Not to mention my love of pumpkin, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and cloves. The promise of cooler weather, a definite bonus in the desert. The changing color of the leaves, which people generously share through pictures. The prelude to the coming triad holidays of Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year (gratitude, giving, and starting anew). Enjoy the day. Indulge in a treat. Laugh.

Some of my favorites to fit a Halloween mood:

Most people will recognize this piece of music but may not know the name. From Carmina Burana ~ O Fortuna by Carl Orff performed by André Rieu:

https://youtu.be/EJC-_j3SnXk 

Ride of the Valkyries by Richard Wagner

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XRU1AJsXN1g

Gustav Holst's Mars from The Planets

https://youtu.be/Jmk5frp6-3Q

Hall of the Mountain King (Peer Gynt) by Edvard Grieg

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kLp_Hh6DKWc

Toccata and Fugue in D Minor by J. S. Bach needs to be heard as an organ piece.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ho9rZjlsyYY

Night on Bald Mountain by Mussorgsky:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iCEDfZgDPS8

Samhain is coming

Celebrate with a story.

Secondhand Samhain 

The seventh novella in the series.

Welcome back to Holiday, USA, small town America, where nothing happens, except holidays... and a little romance, if the hero and heroine trust God.

Jan Connor, the new manager of the secondhand shop Vintage Holiday, loves her job, her town, and her life. She doesn't need anything except a little bit of help. Her annual Halloween birthday party isn't coming together, and her antiquated computer system is only making it worse.

Trent McDonald, computer guru extraordinaire, is looking for a place to call home. His brother, Cowboy, suggested Holiday might offer what he needs but never mentioned Vintage Holiday's pretty shop manager.

Between one breath and the next, God changes everything...

http://www.amazon.com/Secondhand-Samhain-Holiday-USA-Book-ebook/dp/B01A0IBBQI/ref=sr_1_1

If you prefer paperback, Holiday, USA Anthology 2015

All four novellas published in 2015 are available in their entirety in paperback, including the covers on the back, for those who enjoy collecting a series.

https://www.amazon.com/Holiday-USA-Anthology-2015-2/dp/153018617X/ref=sr_1_22

Ready for Samhain?

Thank Goodness It's Sunday

~ Night temperatures are lovely. Fall is coming.

~ Gospel study with friends

~ Good food

~ Fun TV shows and movies

~ God's grace 

Brain Dump

For the first time, vaccine ads advise that if you're allergic to the process used to make vaccines DO NOT TAKE IT. Oh, that's me! All these years, and this is the first time I've seen this warning. Wow. Way to stay on top of things. If my eyes rolled any further back, they'd roll right out of my head. 

Despite the high temps this week...

Thanks to the cute puppy widget:

Rings of Power Season 2 Episodes 8

You can't drop lanterns like that and have them still burning. I wanted to like this series. Each season, each episode gives glimmers but overall is a disappointment. Over and over they steal from LOTR, without a proper storyline. It's more like they patched together a bunch of scenes that they either cut and paste from Tolkien or made up from other Sci-Fi-/Fantasy stories, with a nonsensical progression. They've pulled bits of the future and attempted to plug it into the past where it doesn't belong and fails to create any rhyme or reason. It's like a committee wrote it, each writing what they thought the story should be and then they glommed it altogether, like a modern artist throwing paint against the canvas and calling it art. The fan fiction writers clearly don't comprehend Sauron or his nature. Not a prisoner of the rings but a slave. Sauron's tears are crocodile tears. Sauron wanted to destroy not save. Tolkien clearly separated evil and good. He wrote characters that chose evil to the point of moving beyond redemption. Violence, as much as they could cram in. The writers give the feeling that they are so caught up in the world of surface living today that they have no comprehension of what Tolkien and those of his time endured, the depth of his understanding and insights, hard won. They want the easy way, and it shows. The sets and CGI is impressive. This is not Lord of the Rings. Only borrowed names and places for a story unworthy of Tolkien. Perhaps I would have enjoyed it more if they hadn't advertised it as LOTR. False advertising leaves a bad taste in my mouth. 

Men of the West, on YouTube, reviewed the show with more leniency and more details.

Thank Goodness It's Sunday

~ Blessed rain

~ Dinner and conversation with my younger brother

~ Successful unexpected adventure

~ Cooler temperatures: Fall is here.

~ God's grace 

Brain Dump

AI treats all information the same; it is incapable of making judgement calls. What does this mean? Fiction and nonfiction carry the same weight; neither is more important or valid than the other. Let that sink in. 

TBR 2024

136. The Secret Baby Rescue (Texas Hotline Series Book 2) by Jo Grafford romance. While each story is complete for the central couple, an underlying story threads through the series. 

137. Making a Texas Cowboy (Home at Last Texas Series Book 1 of 2) by Justine Davis contemporary romance. A return visit to Last Stand, Texas, an earlier series. Good to see old friends. Honor, courage, living life to the fullest, self-analyzing to become a better person, loved it. While it has a little premarital bedroom action, it is leading to marriage. 

138. Guardian Hero (Born in Texas Series Book 7) by Jo Grafford romance.

139. The Princess and the Goblin by George MacDonald. I read the books out of order; the next book is The Princess and Curdie. Fascinating to learn that Tolkien admits to using MacDonald's goblins. Other elements of the story also made their way into Tolkien's work. Back when authors borrowed from each other as freely as composers did. 

140. Christmas in Love (Greenback Romances Series Book 1) by Karen Thornell sweet rom-com. I've read this before but don't remember, so reading again. 

Rings of Power Season 2 Episodes 7

Episode 7 starts with more gaslighting. Too often it's difficult to hear what's being said. I turn up the sound to hear the words, and then have to turn it down for the sound effects. Frustrating. A lot of telling when showing would be more effective and actually easier. Disappointingly, when they show they also tell, redundant. The "sets" are amazing. Gratuitous violence. Not nearly enough of the music score. Elrond! Do not kiss your mother-in-law! as Men of the West declared. I agree. It's creepy. Were the horse stunts real or CGI? Shades of Snow Mane. I hate when they kill the animals. RoP is incapable of creating a story truly its own and only presents a corruption of the original. Galadriel is a pathetic pale shadow of her namesake.  And out of the mess comes a blaze of truth: "It is not strength that overcomes darkness but light." And then we're back to weak, unclear stories. Why should I care about Rian? Great shot, but when did she become important? Not enough time to learn about characters to care about them. Sorry, but I could almost hear "They have a cave troll." That isn't what Elrond would do, just stand by while others fight. Disappointing. One high point: Reported by someone else, when the horse does the capriole, it wasn't CGI but an actual horses performing the actual maneuver. AWESOME. 

Thank Goodness It's Sunday

~ Chat with my sister

~ Yummy treats. Thanks, Sis! 

~ A/C and fans. Weather is cooling.

~ Gospel study with friends

~ God's grace

Brain Dump

Books are not being banned; they are being removed from school libraries because they contain p*rn*graphic material. They are stories that depict pictures in cartoon form of how to give a bl*w j*b and how to have an*l s*x. Those seeking to remove the books from school libraries, where parents are excluded, are seeking to protect the innocence of children rather than forcing them to deal with adult material before they are ready. 

TBR 2024

126. Royal Duty (Royal Series Book 5) by Traci Hunter Abramson suspense romance. An excellent addition to the series. Well worth the wait. 

127. For Real (Real Series Book 3) by Staci Stallings audio romance on YouTube. This is a link to the epilogue: https://youtu.be/maJ_wALPbvw?si=OOUSzJ3tABB--qti 

128. Mr. Not Right for Her (Cowboy Confessions Book 1) by Jo Grafford contemporary western romance. Several laughs out loud moments.

129. Her Pretend Billionaire Boyfriend (Her Billionaire Romance Book 1) by Bree Livingston contemporary romance. 

130. The Plus One Rescue (Texas Hotline Series Book 1) by Jo Grafford romance. Cried and laughed.

Rings of Power Season 2 Episodes 6

Gaslighting is insidious and evil. Considering all the times it was used on me, I dislike it exceedingly, which is appropriate for the character Sauron. I'm mystified by how people don't see it, but then I learned the lessons the hard way. Galadriel is among the wisest but is treated like she's stupid and too often acts that way, which fits the current writers but not the original character. Bombadil still reminds me too much of Hagrid. And "The Stranger" annoys me because he seems to be a shadow of Gandalf, but the story is all wrong if it's Gandalf, unless they've created a wizard for their own purposes. Quoting Tolkien out of context and so very un-Tom-like, gloomy instead of merry. The Balrog or at least a hint. What I disliked from the beginning: By and large, the women are strong and the men are weak. Tolkien created strong men and women. "Faith is not faith if it is not lived." Well done. Good enough to keep me watching, out of curiosity if nothing else. Ugh: orc are NOT peaceful! Some were elves once but tortured beyond their original nature forever unable to return to what they were. Tolkien recognized that as long as good remained there was hope, but if all good was gone, then evil must be destroyed. Still love the music most.

Thank Goodness It's Sunday

~ Gospel study with friends

~ Potato Bar with friends

~ Serving God's children

~ A/C and fans

~ God's grace

Brain Dump

Someone mocked the selling of items by a certain candidate for an outrageous price, complaining that said candidate couldn't fix inflation with those prices. Maybe the person complaining is unfamiliar with fund raising products. Maybe this will help jog their memory: Girl Scout Cookies and school fund raising products like popcorn, candy bars, etc. The prices are insanely high and yet people choose to buy them. Fund raising products are always priced ridiculously high because the product is the gold star to thank you for helping to fund whatever is raising money for other things. Inflation, on the other hand, is not my choice but forced on me by those who are spending ridiculous amounts of money on things not required by the Constitution and expecting me to pay for it. To clarify: The fund raising products I may choose to buy or not buy. Inflation gives me no choice whatsoever. 

TBR 2024

121. Cowboy Foreman in Love for Christmas (A Very Country Christmas Wish Book 2) by Jo Grafford contemporary romance.

122. Royal Target (Royal Series Book 1) by Traci Hunter Abramson suspense romance. Rereading the series in preparation for the release of the newest story in the series, book 5.

123. Royal Secrets (Royal Series Book 2) by Traci Hunter Abramson suspense romance. Funny how it doesn't matter that I've read it before. It's been long enough, I don't remember all the details. A challenge to put down. 

124. Royal Brides (Royal Series Book 3) by Traci Hunter Abramson suspense romance. Page turner!

125. Royal Heir (Royal Series Book 4) by Traci Hunter Abramson suspense romance. I'm ready to read the newest story in the series. 

REAL Sep 23-28

REAL - Reduce stress Exercise Adequate sleep Lower caloric intake

Still too hot to walk. Physical therapy makes a difference. Sleep is erratic. Eating healthier; an ongoing challenge to not overeat. I'm not buying Halloween candy; definite progress. Creating healthier coping skills. Reading instead of eating or letting the mice in my head run wild.

After this, I'm taking a break from tracking.

Thank Goodness It's Sunday

~ Unfortunately, while the east is being drenched, we are being scorched, but it doesn't last.

~ Gospel study with friends

~ Good food

~ A/C and fans

~ God's grace

Brain Dump

Nowhere in the Bible does God command us to save the planet. Nowhere. That's His job. Not ours. We're responsible for living His commandments and helping each other through today; that whole love God and love your neighbor as yourself thing. I don't see the planet in that directive. Do you? 

TBR 2024

116. Begin Again (All Regency Collection: Timeless Romance Anthology Book 10) by Jose S. Kilpack Regency romance. Heartbreaking and blessedly HEA.

117. The Affair at Wildemoore (All Regency Collection: Timeless Romance Anthology Book 10) by Annette Lyon Regency romance. Sad and hopeful and a look at an all too common difficult as couples grow accustomed to routine and too often forget to turn to each other. 

118. The Duke's Brother (All Regency Collection: Timeless Romance Anthology Book 10) by Heather B. Moore Regency romance. Delightfully fun.

119. A Walk With Jesus Down Hope Road: Traveling From Brokenness to Hope on the Road to Emmaus by Michael Murray nonfiction. A short inspirational read.

120. Cowboy Angel in Disguise for Christmas (A Very Country Christmas Wish Book 1) by Jo Grafford contemporary romance.

REAL Sep 16-21

REAL - Reduce stress Exercise Adequate sleep Lower caloric intake

Trimmed bushes. Physical therapy. Eating healthier, kind of. Sleep is up and down. 

Thank Goodness It's Sunday

~ Cool enough to open the door for a few hours in the early morning.

~ Fall is coming.

~ A/C and fans continue to keep the house cool otherwise.

~ Happy Birthday Bilbo and Frodo. Thank you JRR Tolkien.

~ God's grace 

Brain Dump

The insanity knows no bounds. Despite my best efforts, the news can't be wholly avoided. Reports are everywhere, demeaning and condemning all those who refuse to bow to the climate religion. It screams the world is heating up, and it's all man's fault. If we'd just do what they advise, we could save the planet. Never mind that pesky fact about Hannibal taking elephants over the Alps, which he couldn't do now because it's too cold. Then a couple months ago, I saw this article headline: "We've been accidentally cooling the planet - and it's about to stop." Wait...what? My cynicism just reached new depths. 

Rings of Power Season 2 Episodes 4 and 5

Well, we stepped into Harry Potter with Tom Bombadill, who sounds and talks like Hagrid. The storytellers seem to have completely forgotten that the whole purpose of The Lord of the Rings was to write a mythology for England, Middle Earth. Galadriel is among the wisest and yet she is treated like a silly woman. Tolkien empowered, while modern writers fail to understand how it's done without creating shrews. Early introduction to the Watcher in the Water - or tribute? - and Barrow-wights. I learned more DuckDuckGo-ing than I did in the show. Ents from Lord of the Rings, even an Entwife, nice touch. Good fight scenes. That is the frustration: Bits and pieces are great, but awkwardly strung together, disjointed. I agree with the Men of the West podcast that it would be better advertised as fan fiction than as actual Lord of the Rings. The music is awesome.

I'm having too much trouble following the storylines, which frustrates me. It isn't like I'm a novice to fantasy and sci-fi story format. I take comfort in knowing other fans struggle too. The Elves have been made more villainous, dark instead of bearers of light. Perhaps the writers are attempting to incorporate the stories of the light and dark elves. Trying to find a bright spot. Reminds me more of Game of Thrones, which I never watched but heard about. Quotes from Tolkien are cut and pasted in like heavy seasoning, whether they make sense where they're put or not; adding dill to chocolate mousse both good in their place but not together. I miss the light I found in LOTR.

REAL Sep 9-14

REAL - Reduce stress Exercise Adequate sleep Lower caloric intake

Trimmed queen palm, pygmy palms, and started on oleanders. Physical therapy. Eating healthier, a little bit. I seem to do better with a rollercoaster sleeping pattern, short one night, 4-5 hours, and long the next, 8-9 hours, or maybe just not forcing myself to stay awake and not forcing myself to try and sleep when I'm too restless. I've also discovered Daystar's music television station with worship music, mostly instrumental, and photos and videos of nature. It's a good way to end the day. I'm also discovering I sleep better at night if I don't have the radio on because my ears don't always correctly process what I'm hearing. However, sometimes it helps to go to sleep with the radio on because I think my A/C is too loud but it's really several A/Cs running (neighbors'). When I wake in the middle of the night I turn off the radio. Learning.

Thank Goodness It's Sunday

~ Temperatures are dropping. Fall is coming.

~ Studying the gospel with friends

~ Service opportunities

~ Pruning started

~ God's grace

Brain Dump

If you aren't willing to accept responsibility for your actions, do NOT do it, whatever it is. 

Never Forget

REAL Sep 2-7

REAL - Reduce stress Exercise Adequate sleep Lower caloric intake

Short walks. Trimmed bushes. Eating: some days are better than others. Sleep: Oh, dear, not good this week, 4-6 hours of sleep a night. I'm tired. I'll endeavor to do better this week.

Thank Goodness It's Sunday

~ Visiting with friends

~ While we had a jump in temp for a few days, overnight is cooler.

~ Fresh fruit, delicious food

~ Truth frees 

~ God's grace

Rings of Power Season 2

It isn't Tolkien. It's fan fiction, borrowing Tolkien's words and names but telling a story not in harmony with Tolkien's creation. It reminds me more of Gene Roddenberry or Hubbard's Dune. The story not so much, leaning more toward darkness than light. Orcs don't breed but are created from mud, and they definitely do not long for peace. They are bred for war and chaos and destruction, not creating. Sometimes, the storyline jumps around so much, back in time and forward and place to place, it can be a bit confusing, even for someone used to the Sci-Fi jumping about. The sets and costumes are incredible. 

TBR 2024

111. Lord Edmund's Dilemma (A Holiday in Bath: Timeless Regency Collection Book 7) by Caroline Warfield Regency romance. Charming, enjoyable read. 

112. The Art of Kissing in the Park (A Holiday in Bath: Timeless Regency Collection Book 7) by Jamie Fixsen Regency romance.

113. The Wedding Gift (All Regency Collection: Timeless Romance Anthology Book 10) by Anna Elliott Regency romance.

114. Dreams of a Glorious Season (All Regency Collection: Timeless Romance Anthology Book 10) by Sarah M. Eden Regency romance. I enjoyed the novella of Elizabeth and Julian's story. I'm curious about the stories of other characters. 

115. The Mender (All Regency Collection: Timeless Romance Anthology Book 10) by Carla Kelly Regency romance. Unexpected. Loved it.

Labor Day

Celebrate with a story.

Faith's Labor

At long last, the fifth novella in the series.

Welcome back to Holiday, USA, small town America, where nothing happens, except holidays... and maybe a little romance, if the hero and heroine trust God.

Organic herb farmer Faith Walker regrets many things in her life, none as much as marrying a man who divorced her after their wedding night, leaving her pregnant and alone.

Horse trainer Dusty Harper crushed on Faith all his life. What is he supposed to do when she drops back into his life and turns his world upside down?

God provides unexpected answers to those who seek His will...

http://www.amazon.com/Faiths-Labor-Holiday-USA-Book-ebook/dp/B00X5XJLMM/ref=sr_1_2

For those who prefer paperback, Holiday, USA Anthology 2015

All four novellas published in 2015 are available in their entirety in paperback, including the covers on the back, for those who enjoy collecting a series.

https://www.amazon.com/Holiday-USA-Anthology-2015-2/dp/153018617X/ref=sr_1_2 

Thank Goodness It's Sunday

~ Dear friends

~ Uplifting conversations 

~ Cooler weather

~ Choosing healthier

~ God's grace

Brain Dump

They can put a Rover on Mars but can't move water from water logged parts of the country to drought ridden parts of the country...things that make you go hmmmm.... 

Labor Day is coming

Created by Donna Keevers Driver, who made all the Laurel Hawkes quote posters:

REAL Aug 19-24

REAL - Reduce stress Exercise Adequate sleep Lower caloric intake

A few short walks. Tree/bush trimming. Physical therapy. Ate well some days and not so much other days. Sleep is improving since turning down the A/C from 83 to 82; amazing what a difference a degree can make. Drinking water, some days only the minimum but better about doing a little bit more. 

Thank Goodness It's Sunday

~ Blessed rain

~ Visit with friends

~ Cooler weather, no longer above 110.

~ A/C and fans

~ God's grace

Brain Dump

A couple months ago, the "Science" personification declared his science of social distancing wasn't really science, and I'm still supposed to take him seriously. Really? Give me a break.

TBR 2024

106. Enemy Waters by Justine Davis contemporary suspense romance. A rare stand alone. 

107. A Colton Kidnapping (Coltons of Owl Creek series Book 6 of 12) by Justine Davis contemporary suspense romance. A multi-author series with a new book every month after the 20th. Fair warning, the book ends on a cliffhanger leading into the next book in the series. Greg and Briony's story is complete, quite satisfyingly. 

108. Jax (Guardian Group Security Team Book 3) by Bree Livingston suspense romance. A page turner. Bree writes clean stories, as in no steamy scenes. She has plenty of action and tension. 

109. The Long Way Home by Staci Stallings Christian romance. I read the eformat and found it in paperback. Yes, read again and enjoyed it all over again. I saw myself in so many aspects. I need to remember that it isn't about the fish. 

110. Trial of the Heart (A Holiday in Bath: Timeless Regency Collection Book 7) by multi-author Regency romance, by Julie Daines.

REAL Aug 12-17

REAL - Reduce stress Exercise Adequate sleep Lower caloric intake 

Too hot to walk. More housework. Physical therapy, including trying to increase my hand strength. Ate healthy some days and not so much other days. Trying to let go of old habits is overlapping with the effort to create new healthier habits. Sleep was good some nights and not so much other nights.