Let's Talk Books

I have been very negligent on "reporting" about books I have read lately!  So I am going to devote this blog to just that!

I have very eclectic taste in literature...I usually prefer fiction to non-fiction, but I do like biographies and some fiction about historical issues.  I like fantasy, scifi, historical fiction, human interest, mysteries, the classics, poetry...the list goes on!

Recently I have read the following:

• The Leopard by Jo Nesbo...the almost good replacement author for Stieg Larson of "The Girl Who...." fame.  A good Nordic/Scandinavian author whose work I highly recommend.*****

• The Third Floor by Judi Loren Grace....a book that I read from my Kindle Fire (which I really love, not just for reading but for every thing else)  This book took me back to a period of time I could relate with....a story about a young girl who becomes pregnant in the late '50's/early'60's (not sure which) and goes to an "unwed" mothers' home to deliver and give the baby up for adoption...I am not sure if it is based on a true story, but it does read very realistically!  *****

• Sarah's Key by Tatiana de Rosnay.....a book I had picked up at my church's book trade table....a theme of great interest to me...the Holocaust.  Again, I highly recommend it!!*****

• And I am now reading Stephen King's 11/22/63...Yes, I am a Stephen King fan!  I have read almost all of his books...he is, as you know, a very prolific writer!! I am in awe of his ability to take  common, everyday events and "twist" them into tales of intrigue!!  This "little" novel is 845 pages long and I am on page 246 so I will have to report back on it in a few days!  The scariest thing about King's books, to me. is that they are physically dangerous!  I read in bed at night and usually get very sleepy before I am through.  I have been known to drop off and have the book fall on my face!  With books the size of his, that is a danger!!!!!

Challenge #67- Amanda/Earth Day

The Diva's #1 son decided the Earth needed a new name...so he calls her Amanda!  As we are all celebrating Earth Day this month, the Diva has selected "Amanda/Earth Day" the Challenge for week.  Laura had done her challenge in circle/mandala form which I thought was very appropriate.  My Zentangle took a kind of organic appearance...not too many standard "zentangle patterns"...but I like the effect...kind of became an "Earth, wind, water and fire" design!!

Amanda/Earth Day Challenge #67

After finishing...my husband and I got to looking at the center in various ways...and we can see a face! Can you?  I guess it is Mother Nature with a lion's mane!

Zentangle Challenge # 66-Aura

     Last week the Diva was unable to give us a zentangle challenge as she had a challenge of her own...her little guy who has so many health issues was in the hospital. But this week she was able to give us a Challenge!!  This time we are doing a Zentangle titled "Aura"...."Laura's Aura's" to be exact!

     And here is my "Aura":

Challenge # 66: Aura

There are several zentangles that can be used to create this challenge-river, ixorus, rain, web.... to name a few...actually about anything can use an "aura".  Fun design to do!

Race for the Cure 2012

Race for the Cure 2012

My daughter and I with Elsie the cow

     Today was the 18th Race for the Cure that I have done...My original goal was  to do this until age 70...well, that was last year so  now, at age 71, I have reset my goal for 75!  Every year my daughters, granddaughter and various friends have done the Race in Fort Worth, Tx.  It is always such an inspiring event to see all the women with the pink shirts (for survivors) with all the other participants...friends, family, men, women and children!  We have walked in rain, snow, heat and wind (today was pretty ideal...a little humid but overcast enough to be pleasant).

     The crowd picture is just half of the numbers...there were at least that many if not more behind us! My other daughter and my granddaughter weren't able to join us this time, but I know they'll be back!!!

A Fast Week!

      Last night I really panicked...my computer froze up and I couldn't unfreeze it...nothing would move...the cursor..couldn't even shut it down...So I plugged it in, put it to bed and went to bed myself!  In the middle of the night, I was up roaming around...I noticed that the little light went out on the computer so I opened up..it's a laptop...and bingo, it all came on again..still frozen.  So I tried pushing down on the "turn on" button and held it down for a long time..it went off!!  Today..all is well and operating.

    I am so glad because I had a very important email from Laura Farmer who mans my favorite blog with zentangle patterns.  She has developed a book of patterns which anyone can have with a donation to her blog.  She also sells supplies and has classes as well as all the patterns....EVER!  I thought it would be handy to have all the patterns easy to get to, especially if I could download it to my Kindle and be able to use it off line.  With lots of doctor visits, etc. lately,  I have totally loved my Kindle Fire...so with being able to download tutorials about anything from YouTube and being able to take my sketchbook everywhere, I am very well "self-entertained"!  Needless to say, I was thrilled to be able to download the "TanglesPatten" manual to my Kindle...so if I am caught somewhere with out access to Wifi, I can still have many things to keep me occupied.

      Yesterday, while we were at the Texas Oncology Infusion Center, I picked up this book "Lilly Oncology on Canvas".  It is an art book of various medias...pastels, watercolors, oils, photography, mixed media, and more.  The works of art are created by many persons who have had cancer of some form in their lives...either survivors, caretakers, friends, family and have been accumulated into a book and published by the Lilly Pharmaceutical company.  This beautiful book was created in  2010 and the company is preparing to publish another one.  If anyone is interested in participating, click on the above link for further information.  Even if not interested in doing a work of art for the book, the link will give you a lot of information about the  project and exhibit a lot of wonderful art work!

 

A Beautiful Spring Day!

The dive!

Free falling!

The landing!

Today, April 7, 2012, my daughter amazed me with doing a sky dive-tandem style with two of her friends.  They were going to go a few weeks ago but the weather was too windy to do it.  I am so proud of her!!  I am afraid I would never have the guts to do such an endeavor!!

I am quietly sitting at home, sewing on my granddaughter's T-shirt quilt for her high school graduation!  And working on this month's color challenge.

Color Palette Challenge for March

I am planning on doing a Bargello quilt with these fabric choices.  It will just be a mini quilt.  I had decided with these color challenges, I would attempt new techniques with each month...if they are successful, I have learned something to try again...if I do not care for them...donation for my guild's Silent Auction!!!

My excitement for the day was my mile walk with my BFF down our lane...and again, what a spring for the wildflowers!

One side of the road

And the other side

And this beauty went on for at least 1/2 mile on both sides!!

Challenge # 65-"Huggy Bear"-Stormy Weather

While I was working on my tile for this week, the Dallas/Fort Worth area was being pummeled by terrific storms!  I know the National News covered some of the freaky things that were happening throughout and I hope that none of my friends' homes were harmed!  We live Southwest of Fort Worth so, although we got rain, we were spared the devastation of the tornadoes!

The Challenge this week is from JJ LaBarbera...chosen by the Diva to use her zentangle for challenge #65.  Here is my tile and the directions to make the main tangle:

Challenge # 65-Huggy Bear

How to Make "Huggy Bears"