Brain Dump

I shared Memorial Day lunch with my neighborhood. Some understood the meaning of the day. I overheard a comment that reminded me why too many Americans don't appreciate what they have. "Why do they get a whole day?" What? Dying so you are free to ask stupid questions isn't enough? No, I didn't say it, realizing that my comment wouldn't enlighten only antagonize. "Why don't those who worked have a whole day? What about the manufacturers?" What? Secretary's Day, Boss's Day, and Labor Day aren't enough? Again. I knew I was far to antagonistic to make a polite observation. I won't miss seeing them. I also gained a deeper respect for a holiday that isn't about celebrating but mourning. We are so bent on being happy, feeling good, indulging in fun, finding a sale, playing that we won't even allow ourselves one day a year for mourning. Sad.

TBR 2025

56.  The Liar's Love Song (Hobby Run series Book 8) by Arlene James Christian romance. Redemption stories are my favorite. This one took several unexpected twists. 

57. A Forbidden Love Song (Hobby Run series Book 9) by Arlene James Christian romance. No hedging about avoiding evil, acknowledging demons and angels exist. Turn away from evil in all its forms. I love redemption process. 

58.  The Sinner's Love Song (Hobby Run series Book 10) by Arlene James Christian romance. What a joy to watch someone weak in their faith choose to leave sin behind and commit themselves to God. A power series. A keeper series for me.

59. Just Add Romance (Everly Falls series Book 1) by Heather B. Moore contemporary romance. The interaction between the heroine and the hero's daughter is adorable. 

60.  Just Add Mischief (Everly Falls series Book 2) by Heather B. Moore contemporary romance. Always love the dog. Delved into dealing with narcissistic relationships.

Remember

Memorial Day

Among those who serve their country in the military, all gave some. On this day, we remember those who gave all. We pray for their families and loved ones who have an empty place at the table. As long as there are those who choose power above life, evil over goodness, we need those who value freedom above power, goodness over evil. God bless those, now and forever, willing to fight and die for life and liberty. I'm grateful for those who gave their today for our tomorrows.

Thank Goodness It's Sunday

~ A little cooler weather for a few days

~ Gentle breezes that brush my wind chimes

~ Dear Friends

~ Air conditioning and fans

~ God's grace  

Brain Dump

Earth Day - A holiday promoted by a man who murdered and composted his girlfriend. Why would anyone want to celebrate something associated with someone like that?

TBR 2025

51.  A Healer's Love Song (Hobby Run series Book 3) by Arlene James Christian romance. Redemption stories speak to my soul.

52. Honor's Love Song (Hobby Run series Book 4) by Arlene James Christian romance. Love and redemption. Putting this one on my read at Easter list, which of course means re-reading the series. 

53.  Fidelity's Love Song (Hobby Run series Book 5) by Arlene James Christian romance. Heartbreaking and heart mending. 

54. A Courageous Love Song (Hobby Run series Book 6) by Arlene James Christian romance. I saw so much of myself and maybe some ways to choose God more fully than I have. 

55.  A Love Song in Quarantine (Hobby Run series Book 7) by Arlene James Christian romance. Fascinating to see this tackled. Not easy. A lovely story.

REAL 2025 May 19

Walking is still a challenge, with an occasional twinge in my knee. Patience. Not a strength. Making a "casserole" to last several meals works better with curbing my snacking that sandwiches alone. A simple blending of mac and cheese, chicken, and peas and carrots, provides satisfaction. It's warming up and an occasional fruit smoothie is also welcome now but not every day. Sleep...ah, sleep. Yeah. No. Sometimes okay and sometimes definitely not okay. I'm still having nightmares all the time. I went years without them, and now... Giving it to God.

Brain Dump

Recent headline warned of the danger of the collapsing bird numbers. Easy fix: Tear down all the bird killing windmills. Oh, wait, can't blame the "Green Energy" for anything bad because it's good, except it isn't. Gaslighting is an ugly trait. Doesn't provide clean energy either.

TBR 2025

46.  12 Days Mistletoe (Christmas Holiday Extravaganza) by Stacy Weeks  contemporary short story romance. I want to visit Mistletoe Meadows

47. Mistletoe Meadows Anthology  (Christmas Holiday Extravaganza) by Stacy Weeks  contemporary Christian romance, including Mistletoe Melody, Mistletoe Mission, and Mistletoe Movie Star. I want to visit Mistletoe Meadows! It reminds me of Holiday, USA. Keepers. I want to add the Mistletoe series to my Christmas re-reading list.

48.  A Rebel's Beacon (Alaska Rebels series Book 2) by Sara Blackard Christian romance. 

49. A Familiar Love Song (Hobby Run series Book 1) by Arlene James Inspirational romance. I read this long ago and re-read it to decide if I wanted to remove it from my Kindle to make space for other books. I enjoyed it so much I bought the next book in the series. 

50.  A Hero's Love Song (Hobby Run series Book 2) by Arlene James Inspirational romance. Two difficult subjects are tackled. Heartwarming. This is a keeper. 

REAL 2025 May 12

Knee is not quite back to normal yet, still twinges and slight buckling. Physical therapy is a challenge to re-establish. Sleep is a little more regular, but I'm tired all the time. Eating is improving.

Thank Goodness It's Sunday

~ Air conditioning and fans

~ A blessedly cool few days

~ Leaving the door open all day

~ Blessed rain

~ God's grace 

Brain Dump

People have suffered from the "Green" programs cutting electricity access. Now, the leash is being removed in order to produce enough electricity for AI. Read that again. 

TBR 2025

41.  Crashing Into Jake (Stryker Security Force Book 4) by Sara Blackard suspense romance. 

42. The Bridesmaid's Hero (Snowgum Creek series Book 1.5) by Narelle Atkins inspirational romance. As an American reader, it's a fun escape to Australia. I enjoyed visiting unfamiliar places, and the animals were delightful. An enjoyable stand-alone novella.

43.  A Dangerous Nativity  (Dangerous series) by Caroline Warfield Regency romance. 

44. Under the Summer Mistletoe (Christmas Holiday Extravaganza) by Stacy Weeks  contemporary short story romance. Fun short read and piqued my interest in reading the other books.

45.  Only a Heartbeat Away by Julianna Desmond and JoAnn Durgin contemporary Christian romance. Sweet story.

REAL 2025 May 5

Knee is almost back to normal. This coming week, I want to start with short walks again. I got off track with physical therapy and am picking it up again. Eating healthy has been a bit sporadic. I want to do better this week. Sleep is erratic. I start in my recliner, where it's cooler, and then move to my bed to raise my feet, which helps with feet swelling. I'm sleeping better in the recliner now that I use a rice bag as a brace for my neck. 

Thank Goodness It's Sunday

~ Still cool enough to leave the door open sometimes.

~ Reading new favorites

~ Gospel study with friends

~ Reliable electricity 

~ God's grace  

Brain Dump

Dear Environmentalist that are complaining about animals going extinct, button it. Scientist just brought back the Direwolf, which has been extinct for 13,000 years, give or take. If they can do that, why not the Dodo bird, spotted owl, smelt. After all, they're bringing back the wooly mammoth next. Put your favorite on the list. And the question no one is asking: There really isn't anything more worthwhile to spend that money on? Like: Why isn't that money being used to find cures for cancer? You know, so that people with cancer don't go extinct.