Ketchup-Day

 

 

How are you?  

I'm pleased to say we've had over five and a half inches of rain in the past week or so. The plants are happy.

AND speaking of plants.  I got a honey mandarin orange tree for Mother's Day. My daughter grew a lemon tree from seed and I said I wanted to try that, though possibly with orange seeds. She pointed out that all things consider, i.e. age, maybe I should get a sapling. 😆-

AND There's all kinds of blackberries on the bush this year.  Looks like the birds and I will be going toe to toe when they ripen.  

 Frank had the guy-sprawl thing going and took up his piece of the couch as well as half of Callie's.

 Oh by the way, if you haven't read this post, I highly recommend it. It's got an unexpected twist that I just loved and sure didn't see coming.

 https://cowboykisses.blogspot.com/2025/05/the-stories-we-share-d-k-deters.html 

That's it for now, Blogger Buds. Enjoy the rest of your week. 

Addendum 

Whoops. I didn't preset my date when I did my Wed and Thursday post, shown below.  I should be back on track Friday. 

Writerly Wednesday AND Did You Know Thursday

 What's your sentence, example or synonym for:

 Example: Most folks fudgel at work at one time or another.

* This is an old 18th century English word and if it's not obsolete, it's the next thing to it. But I like it:)

 

AND

 

* Spoiler alert. If you don't live in the United States, this may be of absolutely no interest to you.

Did you know that Jefferson Davis served as the 14th President's (Franklin Pierce) Secretary of War. I found this to be so very ironic. 

 

Jefferson Davis (1853–1857) | Miller Center

Weekend Wishes

 

AND

 

 

Can be read here: Cowboy Kisses

Writerly Wednesday and Did You Know

Greetings.  What's your synonym, definition or example for:

 

 

Example: She was recovering from the flu and still looked a bit peely-wally.

 AND

 Did you know, that like many of us, cut flowers have a sweet tooth?  They remain healthy longer if soaked in sugary water.

 

 

40 Mind-Blowing Facts About Flowers That Make Them Truly Amazing | TheFragrantGarden

 

Ketch-Up Day

 If you're a mom or stand-in mom, did you have a grand Mother's Day? I trust so. The HH and I went to the movies and saw Accountant II.  We haven't been to a theater since pre-covid. Would you care to take a guess at what the cost of two senior tickets, 1 popcorn and 2 drinks were?  If you guessed $55 and change, you would be correct.  I have to admit I did enjoy seeing Ben Affleck line dancing:) 

AND

In the garden

Well, to my way of thinking Momma Fox Sparrow is a helicopter parent, I saw her out there feeding that baby who looked perfectly capable of doing so himself.  Even saw that little head bobbing at the ground a time or two. Even though Dad is helping out, she looks awfully worn down.

 A little bit of a head scratcher.

 

My purple-blue hydrangeas

 

Now look like this.  The only thing I can think of is that the pine needles we put down may have changed the acidity of the soil.

 

In Hawaii

 

Thanks, Denise.

In Florida

 

Thanks, Shane.

 Denise was kind enough to share her cyber action figure.  Have you made yours yet?

That's it for now, Blogger Buds.

Weekend Wishes

 

To all the women who have given their love and thrown their heart into being someone's (or several someones') mother.

 

 

IWSG Wednesday and Did You Know

 

 

The first Wednesday of every month is officially IWSG day. IWSG was formed by Ninja Captain Alex Cavanaugh. Members post about their doubts and fears, discuss struggles and triumphs, and offer words of encouragement to others who are struggling.

 

Twitter handle: @TheIWSG  

Hashtag: #IWSG 

 

April/May Reviews in no particular order.

* Disclaimer. If I run into an occasional typo, I ignore them and don't factor them into my review.

 

BADLANDS by Jacqui Murray

BADLANDS is the second in Ms. Murray’s Savage Lands Trilogy. In it, prehistoric man takes on nature in all her fury and survives.

While Yu’ung’s tribe led by B’o, Yu’ung’s hunting partner, and Shanadar, a rather unique young man😊, journey to a safer land, Yu’ung and Ocha, the proto-wolf, accompany Old One, the tribal elder, on his final journey.

Danger is faced on all fronts by the split tribe. Stalked by predators both two-legged and four-legged, they race to stay ahead of nature, whose rumblings are loud, long, and life-threatening.

Once again, the author delivers a fascinating fictionalized version of man’s history, wrapped in fact. A must read for Jacqui Murray fans—of which I am one—and for those who love prehistoric fiction or just enjoy a good tale.

Available at Amazon

 

 

TAXMAN by MK Alexander

This is a short fiction about the dangers of trying to improve on democracy, especially where money, politicians and special interests are concerned. The author takes a simple idea for revising the tax code and leaves the reader wondering, what if….

A well-written, thought-provoking read that I thoroughly enjoyed.  

Available at Amazon

 

 

 

 

 

 

MILLARD FILLMORE: AMERICA’S 13^TH PRESIDENT (ENCYCLOPEDIA OF PRESIDENTS SECOND SERIES) by Dan Santow

I enjoyed learning about our 13th President. I knew very little about him. Let me rephrase. I knew nothing about him. 😊

My take aways: He grew up very poor, had little schooling, and pulled himself up by the bootstraps. He read everything he could get his hands on and bought himself a dictionary to familiarize himself with every word he came across that he didn't know. AND he belonged to the Unitarian church, which I didn't realize had been established in the 1800s.

To summarize, I found the book well-written, interesting and salient.

Available at Amazon

 

MURDER SHE GLAMPED by April Nunn Coker

This is book 34 of 34 in the Magnolia Bluff Crime Chronicles and take place at a camp resort near Magnolia Bluff. As frequently happens in the Magnolia Bluff vicinity, people are getting murdered and it’s happening on Mamie’s watch while she temporarily manages the campsite.

There are plenty of interesting characters to go round in this latest addition of the Chronicles, including two cute dogs and a hedgehog. Christian Cozy Mystery Readers and Christian Romance Readers will especially enjoy this one.

Available at Amazon 

 

 

 

SCANDAL BROTH, M’LADY RIDES FOR A FALL, FORTUNES OF THE HEART, LADY HARRIET TAKES CHARGE, SIR SHAM, ESCAPADE, GEORGIANA, MISS OSBORNE MISBEHAVES by Marian Devon

I had a Marian Devon reading fest. In my humble opinion, no one wrote Regency Romance like Marian Devon. The best in her genre, bar none. When I’m depressed or have jangling nerves from reading too many thrillers, I turn to these old friends. They are light, frothy, humorous and always well-written. Highly recommended if you are looking for fun escapism.

On a personal note, I always love to hear about authors who taught at community colleges. This one taught at Central Piedmont.

Available at  Amazon

 

SAND CITY MURDERS by MK Alexander

This is the first of the Tractus Fynn Mystery Series

Tractus is a polite, well-spoken, time-traveling detective who soft and hard jumps back and forth through time in pursuit of the murderous Mortimer.  He makes friends with Patrick Jardel (again), a small-time reporter with an excellent memory, and enlists his aid in the hunt for Mortimer.

Solving the murders hinge on shoes…or lack thereof.

Besides creating distinctive and well-developed characters, the author excels at world building, making the reader feel they are strolling down the streets of Sand City right beside its citizenry. The mystery is woven into Jardel’s daily life as he tries to solve multiple murders in a timeline that keeps changing. 

Recommended for folks that like their mysteries intertwined with small town goings-on or just enjoy a well-told tale.

Available at Amazon

 

And

 

Are you journaling or writing poetry on the back of a motorcycle like Denise does? There's all sorts of uses for this beautiful notebook. You can find it at the Gratitude Store.

And

Did you know, the term green-eyed monster came from Shakespeare?

150 Interesting Facts About Our Favorite Authors [Infographic]

 

 

 

 

Ketch-Up Day

 

How was your weekend and first day of the week?

Not too much going on here. We currently have Fox Sparrow hatchlings  in the garden area. They are not impressed when I try to water or weed.

This was their nest:

 I just don't understand the appeal of building your home in a thorny rosebush, but I guess it keeps predators away.

 

We now have pathways strewn with rose petals. Grin.

 AND

Berries coming:)

 I fixed sixteen bean soup for the first time in the crock pot. Wasn't too bad.

These are such a hoot. One of my bro's, SIL, and I had the digital concept on line action figures made. Have you done that yet? We did ours at ChatGPT.  I was very relieved when the HH said that my action figure didn't look like me. Heh.  Mine is not particularly attractive but fun. 

 That's it here, blogger buds. 

Have you had your online action figures done yet? Fixed bean soup lately?  How's your garden?  And last but not least, YOU have a grand week.