Brain Dump

You don't know the details of what you're protesting but protesting anyway. You claim you deserve free speech, but you actually have no idea what you're saying. Repeating talking points without knowing what they mean is willful ignorance. 

TBR 2024

66. Whiskey River Rockstar (Whiskey River series book 3) by Justine Davis contemporary romance. A courageous heroine who applied my Rule #1: Stop lying, especially to yourself. The hero struggled with a problem I understand, especially right now. 

67. The Minstrel's Tale (Minstrel's Tale Trilogy Book 1) by Anna Questerly children's European Historical Fiction. Delightful myths and fairytales told in fourteenth century France, by a minstrel with his own tale to tell. 

68. The Wonder of His Love (Fostered by Love series Book 1) by Kimberly Rae Jordan contemporary Christian romance. 

69. The Tenderness of His Love (Fostered by Love series Book 3 In Cherish Box Set) by Kimberly Rae Jordan contemporary Christian romance. Sweet series.

70. A Heart Reclaimed (Peacock Hill series Book 2 Cherish Box Set) by Elizabeth Maddrey contemporary Christian romance. I really enjoyed the entire Peacock Hill series. In this story, Michie Tavern, an actual place, was mentioned, and I wish I lived on the other side to the country so I could visit.

REAL May 20-25

REAL - Reduce stress Exercise Adequate sleep Lower caloric intake

The weather is heating up, making long walks more difficult. I'm increasing my physical therapy, learning to do several reps while watching television. Sleep is pretty good some nights, not so good others. Eating pretty much the same, though I've discovered I still prefer Zesty Ranch Veggie Straws to Munchems; more to crunch for few calories. Water intake is still on the too low side, though I'm drinking more, but the fan really does dry me out.

Thank Goodness It's Sunday

~ Sharing meals with friends

~ A/C and fans

~ Catching sight of a pair of quail and their four littles

~ The opportunity to help place flags along the main roads of my little community

~ God's grace

Memorial Day

This Monday is Memorial Day. The day on which we remember those service members who gave their lives in defense of our country. God bless them and their families.

TBR 2024

61. The Last Wish (Magic and Miracles: A Multi-Author Charity Anthology) by Jo Perry, early 1900s story with a touch of magic. I enjoyed this one and wouldn't mind reading more from this author.  

62. Just a Bit of Magic (Magic and Miracles: A Multi-Author Charity Anthology) by Mindy Burbidge Strunk Regency romance. Another enjoyable read and another author I'd like to read again.

63. Forever Fair: A Modern-Day Snow White (Magic and Miracles: A Multi-Author Charity Anthology) by Julie Wright contemporary romance. Worth the time to read. 

64. Whiskey River Rescue (Whiskey River series book 1) by Justine Davis contemporary romance. She rescues horses, something I wish I could do, and he does what I do but better and reveals a darker version of my past. 

65. Whiskey River Runaway (Whiskey River series book 2) by Justine Davis contemporary romance. An admirable hero, and heroine I want to be more like. 

REAL May 13-18

REAL - Reduce stress Exercise Adequate sleep Lower caloric intake

Accomplished two 1-mile walks. Trimmed trees and added rocks to my plastic trees so they won't fall over when the wind blows. Eating healthier: Zesty Ranch Veggie Straws are delicious. Don't even need a full serving to feel satisfied. Add a little pecan coconut frosting to a chocolate muffin and it's close enough to German chocolate cake to not make any difference. 

Thank Goodness It's Sunday

~ Maple Bacon Cinnamon roll from Rise Up bakery

~ A/C and fans

~ Working Internet

~ Good books

~ God's grace

Brain Dump

Here's a conundrum to consider: You aren't supposed to keep your phone in your pocket, jeans or shirt, men or women, but it's okay to sit in an electric car, including while it's charging. It's the same electricity. How does that work? 

TBR 2024

56. The Emperor's Armor (Magic and Miracles: A Multi-Author Charity Anthology) by Adam Berg. A darker, more magical variation on the Emperor's new clothes. 

57. The Rumpled Gentleman: A Retelling of Rumpelstiltskin  (Magic and Miracles: A Multi-Author Charity Anthology) by Sally B. Horn. Paranormal, with magic, elves, fey creatures set in Regency England.

58. Making Magic (Magic and Miracles: A Multi-Author Charity Anthology) by Rebecca Connolly contemporary romance in first person. I'm not a fan of first person, but the end was satisfying. I like other stories by this author.

59. On Broken Glass (Magic and Miracles: A Multi-Author Charity Anthology) by Serene Heiner contemporary romance with a little bit of magic. Delightful fun. I'd like to try another story by this author.

60. Carter Goodwyn's  Fairy Godmother (Magic and Miracles: A Multi-Author Charity Anthology) by Krista Jensen fantasy with a touch of romance. Difficult start as the villains are truly villainous, but it didn't take long for me to not be able to put it down. 

REAL May 6-11

REAL - Reduce stress Exercise Adequate sleep Lower caloric intake

Only made one 1-mile walk, on Saturday, but did walk other days. No water one day, dead car battery the next, and the ever difficult Mother's Day, for so many reasons. Ate better this week. Also slept better. Still waking with nightmares, every time I wake up, sometimes three times in the night. Trying to adjust to the coming summer heat. 

Thank Goodness It's Sunday

~ Still cool at night. 

~ Brother in law changing out a dead car battery

~ Chatting with friends

~ Charing good food with friends

~ God's grace

Brain Dump

If you're okay with destroying the earth to mine for the minerals needed for electric cars, maybe you'll have a problem with not being able to recycle the battery in your electric car. Or maybe the fact that your electric car goes through tires faster, a lot faster, because your car is heavier, a lot heavier. Recycling a gas car is easier, a lot easier, and the tires last longer, a lot longer. Learn the facts not the hype. 

Rule #1: Stop lying, especially to yourself. 

TBR 2024

51. Operation Hero's Watch (Cutter's Code series book 10) by Justine Davis suspense romance. Yes, I've read it before. The author posted an old interview with the hero, and I couldn't resist rereading the story. 

52. Spiritual Wholeness by Staci Stallings nonfiction. 

53. Manor for Sale, Baron Included (Romance of Rank series Book 1) by Esther Hatch historical rom-com. Amusing.

54. An Unexpected Miracle (Magic and Miracles: A Multi-Author Charity Anthology) by Traci Hunter Abramson contemporary. A Senior on the swim team is off the team because of academic ineligibility, but his coach is determined to help him, if he's willing to do the work. Loved it. 

55. Worth the Wait (Magic and Miracles: A Multi-Author Charity Anthology) by Nancy Campbell Allen Steampunk romance. I can count on one hand the number of Steampunk I've read. I enjoyed this one. 

REAL Apr 29-May 4

REAL - Reduce stress Exercise Adequate sleep Lower caloric intake

2 1-mile walks, physical therapy, eating healthier, going to bed earlier. Having my protein drink for dinner helps me stay cooler. Working to exercise self-discipline eating my snacks, cutting them in half. 

Thank Goodness It's Sunday

~ A/C

~ Cool days that don't need A/C

~ Visiting with friends

~ Seeing the neighborhood quail

~ God's grace

Brain Dump

What kind of insanity demands buying an electric car and not using A/C during summer to ease the burden on the electric grid? Please, trying living in a desert, with temperatures soaring into the 110+ range and then say that A/C is a luxury. Hypocrisy: Demanding tolerance while refusing to offer it. 

TBR 2024

46. Among Heroes: A U.S. Navy SEAL's True Story of Friendship, Heroism, and the Ultimate Sacrifice by Brandon Webb with John David Mann nonfiction. Some of the stories I knew from following the events at the time. Others, I've read in other books. Adding this book to my keeper list. 

47. Chances Are (Chances series Book 1) by Traci Hunter Abramson contemporary romance. 

48. Chance for Home (Chances series Book 2) by Traci Hunter Abramson contemporary romance. 

49. A Change of Fortune by Traci Hunter Abramson contemporary romance. This is a truly a stand alone. However, if you've read the Chances series, you'll be familiar with some of the locations. This books changed my perspective on my finances. 

50. The Host by Stephenie Meyer romance. It's been a few years since I read this.  I'm not a fan of first person, but this story could be told no other way. I still enjoyed it.