Again, life gets in the way of things!!!

How's everyone doing here?! What are ya's reading and doing these days?!

I'm reading the current Elm Creek Quilt series novel The Windind Ways Quilt by Jennifer Chiaverini ~ I stopped reading Little Women to read it!

Summer's winding down and Fall is nearly upon us! I've started my Fall "spring" cleaning this week! (I "spring" clean with each season!) and things are coming along nicely in the gardens! (LOTS of tomato's!)

Stopped at AC Moore and walked into their summer yarn clearance! I left with 12 skeins at $27 which would've cost me about $70 regular price!!! (I'm going to need a closet soon for all of my yarn!!!)

I'm trying to get the house straitened out and in order not only for the upcoming holidays but also for my father in law who's arriving from FL on 8/31 and staying through 9/13!

So much to do!!!

Hello Jo and Everyone in Southern Lit Lovers,

Currently I am reading "The House Next Door"
by Anne Rivers Siddons. This book is written by the same author who wrote "Nora, Nora" but it is totally different from that book. So far it is interesting.

School starts here next week, so we have been busy getting ready for that. I'll be glad to have the first week through so the major stress is pretty well done.

I wish I were the creative type but alas I am not. My cross stitch has a bit to be desired, but I like to do that sometimes.

We planted tomatoes too and are having a nice harvest as well:)

Have a great weekend everyone!!!

I've been reading a lot of fluff lately, but currently am reading true-crime. "Perfect Murder, Perfect Town" about the JonBenet Ramsey case. One of my dear friends LOVES this type of book, loaned it to me at least 3 years ago, and now she's moving so I HAVE to read it and get it back to her. It's slow going right now. Hoping to read "Saving Grace" by Lee Smith next.

I've done a bit of crocheting here and there. Small things like bookmarks and potholders. It's been too hot for blankets and bigger projects.

Also waiting for my tomatoes to ripen. I've got a couple of big ones, but they are still very green. Blasted cool Wisconsin summers... I love em... but I want my tomatoes already!

Lately I can't stop reading books about King Henry. I don't know what has gotten into me. I realize itis a phase, but since there were so many people back in the English Court, there are a gazillion books to read. Henry, his wives, his children, people that lived in his court, etc. It just goes on and on.

I recently read "A Good Yarn", although it wasn't set technically in the south, I felt it had that type of feel to it.

I finally watched Ya-Ya's movie, I didn't think it was anywhere close to as good as the book. I would have rated it 2 stars, it was ok. I wish they would have stuck closer to the book version which was great.

Haha, scratch the post where I'd send you the video since you've seen it, lol! I like the movie, but you're right, it doesn't come close to the book.

I LOVED "A Good Yarn" (by Debbie Macomber) and it does have that southern novel type feel to it. The newest in that series ("Twenty Wishes") is wonderful too! I never finished the first, ("A Shop on Blossom Street") and I didn't like the 3rd ("Back on Blossom Street") because I thought it was a wee bit far fetched! I loved her book "Thursdays at Eight" too.

I'm finishing up "Under The Tuscan Sun" and "A Pig in Provence" right now.

LeOta are you reading King Henry fiction or non or both? I have read a few and recently read the 6 wives of Henry by Starky I think. It was nonfiction but it read like Philippa Gregory books with a few hidden details.

I just started Salt A Novel. It's set in the mountains of NC. It's a little early for me to say what I think yet.

I'm having a hard time focusing on anything I try to read lately! Anyone else having this problem?

It is hard because the outdoors are calling me. I have had rain the last three days and then the sun shines when I am at work so I feel if the sun comes out I have to kick it in gear and get out there. Da Da DA...like the Royal Caribbean commercials...get out there! :)

I have spent the day researching and working in the library! This is the first day I haven't had concentration problems lately. I am do readings for a couple of other groups -- one of which is the Jane Austen group. I am reading through Sanditon -- one of her unfinished works -- believed to be her last writing before her death. It is only a fragment, but to me it is still very Austen. Talk about brilliant people who we only wish could have lived to write more! (sigh)

Sounds wonderful Sarah! And a day without concentration problems is a day to cherish, lol!

I picked up a little book by Kaye Gibbons called 'Ellen Foster' at the used book store today. It takes place in North Carolina and is told by an 11 yr old little girl wise beyond her years.

I'm also reading John Hart's new novel 'The Last Child' to be released May 12th.

Have you read Ellen Foster yet, Lisa? I think it's a great little book.

JG wrote: "Have you read Ellen Foster yet, Lisa? I think it's a great little book."

I just started reading it last night and I'm loving it. Karen Harrington (author of Janeology) recommended it and I was intrigued. It's a different kind of book and it doesn't appeal to everyone but I like it. I'm glad to hear you did too. I also picked up the sequel to it yesterday, The Life All Around Me By Ellen Foster.

I'm re-reading The Wednesday Sisters A Novel, a wonderful book!

I have The Wednesday Sisters but haven't read it yet. I'm glad you're enjoying it.

Just finished reading the Color of Lightning by Paulette Jiles - not for the faint of heart but fiction based on historical fact - what women faced in Texas following the Civil War.

Judy wrote: "Just finished reading the Color of Lightning by Paulette Jiles - not for the faint of heart but fiction based on historical fact - what women faced in Texas following the Civil War."

I think I'd like that book. I'll have to check it out.

Pretty violent

I have at last finished up The Outlander series and am trying to catch up on reading that has been piling up (as if there isn't always reading piling up). I devoured The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by Steig Larsson--loved it! I've also read two YA books, Crank and its sequel, Glass by Ellen Hopkins. These two fiction books are base on Hopkins' real life daughter who becomes addicted to meth at the young age of 17--great insight to the addictive power of meth. I'm currently reading Linda Fairstein's latest Alex Cooper novel, Lethal Legacy A Novel, always a good, reliable read.

Judy wrote: "Just finished reading the Color of Lightning by Paulette Jiles - not for the faint of heart but fiction based on historical fact - what women faced in Texas following the Civil War."

I'm putting it on my to read list, thanks for mentioning it.

Judy wrote: "Just finished reading the Color of Lightning by Paulette Jiles - not for the faint of heart but fiction based on historical fact - what women faced in Texas following the Civil War."

Her book, Enemy Women A Novel is really good too. It's about a female POW in the Civil War.

I just bought Twenty Wishes at Target yesterday, they had the paperback for $5.99 (down from $7.99). I also read A Good Yarn so I thought this would be good one too.

I did add both Color of Lightning and Enemy Women A Novel to my to read listing too, they both sound interesting.

Twenty Wishes is a good book! A Good Yarn is my fav of that series so far. She has a new one out now, Summer On Blossom Street which I can't wait to read!

I have Twenty Wishes on my shelf, too. I hope to get to it soon.

I was hoping that Twenty Wishes was going to be as good as A Good Yarn :) I enjoyed that one as well.

I finished a good nonfiction book called Undress Me in the Temple of Heaven. It's about two college grads who traveled to China back in the '80s, when China had just opened its doors to tourists and the world didn't have email or cell phones. I normally don't like travelogues, but I couldn't put this book down.

It's been raining like cats & dogs here! My three day weekend was a wash. I've got some painting projects I'd like to get to.

Our weekend had some bouts of chilly fog, a few thunder storms, a little humidity and lots of comfy sunshine - today it's in the 50's, WINDY and raining off & on and I'm FREEZING! I wanted to start staining the fence & gate (new section went up Sat) and finish re-potting a few perennials - instead I'm in sweats, huddled under a blanket on the couch watching an ancient Tom Petty concert!

LOL. You could be doing worse things on a cold Tuesday afternoon. I love Tom Petty!

It's in the 80s here now, but dang this rain. Last year we had a drought, and I'm thankful for all the rain, but I get so moody and depressed when the sun stays hidden for so many days.

I love Tom Petty too. It was a good day to be in considering I felt like muck because of the weather. I did spend a little time out in the yard after dinner but not long enough to start shivering again! Now I'm in bed & feeling bleah again. We're supposed to have this weather for the next few days w/gradual increased temps - and humidity.

I'm reading Grave Goods by Ariana Franklin, the 3rd and latest in her Adelia Aguilar series that I love. I just finished Dead and Gone by Charliane Harris, the latest Sookie Stackhouse adventure in her Southern Vampire series that I also love, love, love. After I finished it the other day, I went and rented the first 6 episodes of True Blood, the HBO show based on the Sookie books, and I am loving those, too. I might have to break down and get HBO next season just for True Blood.

I'm reading Mater Biscuit. Pretty cute so far.

I found a copy of To Kill a Mockingbird read by Sissy Spacick so I am going to listen in June. I love the book and it will be fun to listen to I think.

I think you'll like it, Kris. She does a marvelous job.

I've got a blister on my foot from planting seven rows of onions, jalapeno, pablano and bell peppers, zuchini and yellow squash, and tomatoes. My yard is so shady so we decided to plant a huge garden at my MIL's house. It was me and my SIL doing the planting today. Someone else is going to have to finish the watermelon, lettuces, cantaloupes, pumpkins, and whatever else they bought seeds for.

My son fell asleep the moment we got in the car and turned onto the highway. He played in the hose but also helped water the plants. He was a good boy today.

I am reading I Capture the Castle. It is a decent book so far. I had my last day of physical therapy on Friday. My shoulder still hurts, but not nearly as bad. The PT gave me a lot of at home exercises to do, and I am actually going to do them. My sister came to town from out-of-state for the Memorial Day weekend. It was great to see her. We are very close and it's hard for us to get together very often.

Camerandi wrote: "I am reading I Capture the Castle. It is a decent book so far. I had my last day of physical therapy on Friday. My shoulder still hurts, but not nearly as bad. The PT gave me a lot of at home e..."

Glad you're on the mend & feeling better (even if it's only a little bit)!

Tressa, sounds like a wonderful time and a great garden! So exciting to watch the seeds grow. I've got them sprouting up all over but I've lost track of what I scattered where so I can't wait to see how things turn up! (Lots of herbs, tomato's, tomatilo's, zucchini, and soon pumpkins because I forgot to buy the seeds & saw it on your list!)

I'm reading Orange Mint and Honey A Novel ~ it's different and I'm really liking it so far!

Camerandi, sorry about your shoulder. My husband has a bad backache and is supposed to see a PT for the first time ever this afternoon. He tried doing the exercises his GP gave him, but he ended up hurting himself more! What we think is a popped disc the doctor thinks is a muscle problem. So, he has to take this route before he can get an MRI. Hope you feel better soon!

The muscles on my back legs are killing me! Not used to bending over. I tried not to get in the dirt, lol.

Thank s for your concern, Tressa. I hope your husband will be helped by the PT. It helped my shoulder some.

Tressa wrote: "Camerandi, sorry about your shoulder. My husband has a bad backache and is supposed to see a PT for the first time ever this afternoon. He tried doing the exercises his GP gave him, but he ended up..."

Be careful! Don't let him go to any more PT without seeing an Orthopedic and getting xrays and an MRI! He can definately do more damage since no one knows what's wrong - how can the PT (or GP) even give him appropriate exercises without a diagnosis?! I cannot understand the medical industry's move towards sending a patient for PT before knowing what's wrong with them! Hubby's primary tried that with my husband when he hurt his back in November and we both refused until he had an MRI and xrays so he went to my Ortho, who agreed 100% that no one should get PT without a diagnosis. And it was a good thing he didn't go, he herniated a disk and tore a muscle and some tendons in his shoulder and had they not had time to heal before PT, he would've done extensive damage & needed surgery. It's dangerous! It also happened with my sister in law but she went to PT and ended up needing knee surgery because she did more damage!

Thanks for the warning, Jo. I'm going to show this to my husband when he gets home tonight. The doctor did an x-ray and saw no signs of a herniated disk. He thinks it's just tense muscles. But he has to do a month of PT to see if there's any improvement, and then he can get an MRI if he needs one.

Tressa I hope your hubby gets to feeling better. Tendons take a long long time to heal and PT could make them much worse.
I'm just finishing a southern lit book and I hated to see it end. The grandmother character reminded me so much of my gran. From the way she talks to her bluntness. Moon Women

Luckily the PT seems to be helping my husband. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that this could be his road to recovery. At the least it's making him take a second look at how beneficial exercise can be.

I love Pamela Duncan's voice. Every book is a delight!

Back from vacation in Gettysburg (too soon) and now feel like I need another vacation already! Hope everyone's been doing well!

Jo did you go to any of the major historical sites there? How far is that from you?

I did not like I Capture the Castle at all. It took me 3 1/2 weeks to finish it. I am now reading A Curse Dark as Gold and it is a good book. I have been doing a lot of writing lately (my main love, reading is second).

Jo, hope you enjoyed your vacation. Right now I'm at the Hampton Inn in Hammond, LA, just got back from a hot, humid side trip to New Orleans. Ate a shrimp po boy and had the world's best banana daquiri. Can't wait to get home, though. I'm a homebody and HATE hotels.

Tressa, but you gotta love a Po boy! I do!
Jo, what did you all do in Gettysburg?