Jessica Haight's Blog

Marvelous Middle Grade Monday # MMGM Book Review: The Carrefour Curse by Dianne Salerni

 

Twelve-year-old Garnet and her mother, Emerald, run a small shop far away from family. Garnet wishes she could meet her relatives and see the family house where her mom grew up, but her mom won't allow it. Then one day, they get summoned to the family home. Even then, her mother tries to resist the magic, using every counterspell, alas they had no choice but to go once Garnet started spitting up frogs. When they entered the Carrefour family house, they learned that Garnet's great-grandfather would soon be passing. He's been the connection from the family magic to the house's magic for years. There are all kinds of magical rules that surround the house, and the house won't let Garnet and Emerald leave until the magic has switched hands. It’s a lot for Garnet to take in! She is learning about the house that she’s always heard so much about but has never been allowed to visit. Then there are the relatives whose names she doesn’t know and relationships she doesn't understand. She feels lucky to have cousins her age, and it helps her to have people who can fill her in on some of the family dynamics. Her knowledge about stones and magic didn't prepare her for the strange visit she has with her great-grandfather in the middle of the night. Although Garnet is told she must stay away from a dangerous section of the house where a visitor died years ago, the house seems to want her to go there. Strange occurrences keep happening, but Garnet doesn’t get the chance to talk to her mother about them due to the family drama. Is the house going to do something bad to Garnet? Will her magic be able to ward off any evil? What happened to the girl who disappeared at the house in 1998? You'll have to read this page turner to find out!

I read the Eighth Day series by Dianne Salerni years ago and loved it. I was only disappointed
that there weren’t more books in the series! So, when I saw that she had a new book, I knew I had to pick it up. I absolutely loved The Carrefour Curse. It was so interesting to learn about the different gems and earth materials at the top of each chapter, along with how to recharge them, and what they’re used for. I liked the way Garnet and her cousin Ash became friends, and I liked getting to see all the different personalities in Garnet's family. I could really picture the things that were happening to Garnet and loved that there were surprises along the way. I’d love to be friends with her- we both have experiences with houses that have a mind of their own! I recommend this book to anyone in 4th grade and up who enjoys spooky books, ghosts, and other supernatural stories. This was scary, without being too scary. Although there was danger, nothing was gory. It is perfect for the spooky season! 
Has anyone else read The Carrefour Curse? Or have you read another book by Dianne Salerni? We'd love to hear your thoughts.

Happy Reading!
~L


For other MMGM posts, please visit Greg Pattridge's blog.FEAR NOT THE UNEXPECTED

Answer to Fairday's Riddle: Force of Nature!

"Providence"

Excellent guessing, Riddlers! Feeling the force? Wind is a force of nature, just like you. Wise words to remember; nothing can force nature to do anything.  

I am that which moves it all. Invisible whether I rise or fall. I'll tug and twist, push things around; only to nature am I eternally bound.

What am I? Force 

Brink of Fall Falling leaf, never lands, dangling by invisible strands. Breath of wind, you’ll dance around.Will you ever touch the ground?Falling leaf, in mid-air, wondering if you care?Pushed and pulled by unknown force.Stuck in webs with no recourse.Falling leaf, do I dare, pluck you from this spider’s snare?Or will I leave you free to flow?Only I shall ever know.
Stone Dream #5: Color Cornucopia Ambient art media mix capturing the essence of whirring frequencies in the field.

Featured in this video: Nature photography: ConnecticutMicroscopic Modern Art: Morning Glory, Sunflower, Echinacea Original artwork: "Twilight" acrylic painting Soundscape compilation mix: "Wake"*The poem was inspired by a dangling leaf spinning in the wind, caught mid-air by invisible threads cast from an unseen force.
Original artwork, words, photos, and vibes by Jess Haight CottageFive.com FEAR NOT THE UNEXPECTED

Fairday's Riddle: Push & Pull

Hello, Riddlers! Time for another puzzle to ponder. Can you guess the answer? I can't make you of course, that's up to you. ;) ~F

I am that which moves it all. Invisible whether I rise or fall. I'll tug and twist, push things around; only to nature am I eternally bound.

What am I? Stop by Friday for the answer!

I gave you a clue!

FEAR NOT THE UNEXPECTED

Answer to Fairday's Riddle: Whoa, Whoa, Whoa, Feelings!

 

Excellent guessing, Riddlers! Feelings can only be felt. How do you feel? ~F

Sense me now in your space, I'll cast a look upon your face. Nothing mass, I shake or groove, entangled in your every move. Pattern plays want and wane, swinging moods twist in twain. Mark your gut and do take note, I'm the root you inner wrote.

What am I? Feelings!

FEAR NOT THE UNEXPECTED

Fairday's Riddles: Making Sense

Hello, Riddlers! Welcome back to another riddle. We all have them and know what they're about. Can you guess the answer? 

Sense me now in your space, I'll cast a look upon your face. Nothing mass, I shake or groove, entangled in your every move. Pattern plays want and wane, swinging moods twist in twain. Mark your gut and do take note, I'm the root you inner wrote.

What am I? Stop by Friday for the answer

I gave you a clue!

FEAR NOT THE UNEXPECTED

Views From the Pond: June and July 2025

Summer is going by fast! I am happy to still be on track and able to post a 2 month pond update! Yay!  It has been fun filled and busy- with time spent traveling and with family. I was lucky to get to see so many animals this summer while I sipped on my coffee or relaxed with some wine. Mostly, I just loved having some time to soak in the sights and relax.

Sit back, relax, and I hope you enjoy the views too! 

June 2025

So much green!

Morning streaks of light before work. So hard to drive away!

If you zoom in you can see the woodchuck by the pond!



Love this red! 

The moon just as night was beginning.

Morning sunlight

A pop of color!

Dinnertime and the light changes again!

Love the reflections!

Such soft light in the morning!



A baby deer learning to walk. 

Momma wasn't far behind! 

July 2025
For the first couple weeks of July, I was away on a trip to Spain and Poland with my husband. We saw family and attended a family reunion (maybe I will put up a travel post at some point). So, I missed the pond views for a couple weeks, but when I came back there were lots of exciting visits!

So many wildflowers!

I went outside to take a picture of a bunny and couldn't believe my eyes! It was close to 95F for the third day in a row. I guess the bear needed to cool off! 

I was so surprised I didn't get a great video, but you can see the bear getting out of the pond. (I was standing in a safe place right at my door.)


A fox looking for a snack! Hard to see him in the picture- but he is right under the tree.

A little dreary out, but no rain- which we could use!

The heron was back- multiple times a day, many days in a row. So lucky to see it take off a couple times.
A fox on a mission. Looks like it has a meal!

One of the many bunnies that enjoys snacking on my yard.

The sky has such an interesting texture in this picture!





The Quackerly Family looks like it has expanded! Love them! They saw me and took off for safety. 


Goodbye July- Hello August!

What a beautiful two months! We could use some rain, so hopefully when I post the August/September Views From the Pond- I have some rain to report.  Thanks for stopping by for a visit. ~S

FEAR NOT THE UNEXPECTED

Marvelous Middle Grade Monday # MMGM Book Review: Greenwild: The World Beyond the Door by Pari Thomson

 

Daisy Thistledown is only eleven years old, but she has traveled all over the world with her mother, a famous journalist. Daisy joins her everywhere. But one day her mother tells her she must go to the Amazon for a story, and it is far too dangerous, so Daisy can't go with her. Instead, for the first time, Daisy must attend a boarding school for the two weeks her mother will be gone. Before she leaves, her mother gives her some special items- one is a unique paperweight. It isn't long before Daisy realizes someone is after her and wants the paperweight ma gave her. When she finds out ma is missing, she knows she's in danger, so she escapes the school. But it’s hard to know who to trust. When people she trusted start chasing her, she accidentally makes her way into a greenhouse and goes through a magical portal. Daisy has arrived in a new land! Greenwild! It’s filled with Botanists who are able to achieve the most amazing magic. Daisy meets some kids her age and they become fast friends. It's also the key to where ma might be, if she is still alive. But there is someone who wants to see Greenwild destroyed. Will Daisy be able to piece together the clues about her mom and her possible whereabouts? Who wants to destroy Greenwild? Can they be stopped? Does Daisy have the magic of a Botanist? You'll have to read this fast-paced fantasy to find out!

I randomly found Greenwild: The World Beyond the Door by Pari Thomson, and boy am I glad that I did! What a fun world I was taken into. I love Daisy and the friends that she made in Greenwild. The magical flowers and plants were beautifully described, and they added so much to the story.  Learning about Botanists and their goals to help coax nature to be its best, was done in a way that I could easily imagine the new world Daisy was in. It sounded so wonderful, I just wish I could visit! I also enjoyed the mystery and trying to figure out what was happening in this world and who exactly was involved in trying to destroy Greenwild. I recommend this book to anybody in third grade and up who loves fantasy, friendship stories, plants, nature, and magic. It was so good that I can’t wait to read the next book in the series and see what happens! One of my favorite books this year! 

Has anyone else read Greenwild: The World Beyond the Door? Or have you read another book by Pari Thomson?

We’d love to hear your thoughts. Happy reading!
~L

For other MMGM posts, please visit Greg Pattridge's blog.FEAR NOT THE UNEXPECTED

Answer to Fairday's Riddle: Play with Patterns

Excellent guessing, Riddlers! Recognizing repeating patterns gives you the freedom to keep them or let them go. It's one of the great powers of awareness, and though eternally fun to play with patterns, don't let them play with you. Remember, truth lies betwixt the lines. ;)

I am that which comes and goes, known too well from head to toes. Circular styles kept in pace, until recognition marks my place. Seen clearly for what I show, you are free to let me go. 

What am I? Patterns 

 "Blustery"  Microscopic Modern Art
PLAY WITH PATTERNS: STONE DREAMS
Stone Dream #3: Twilight Flower Garden"Twilight flower garden, on the edge of eternity, Dawn and Eve conspire, and they stir ~@~"Ambient art media mix by Jess Haight
"Love Dots" "Twilight Boots"
FEAR NOT THE UNEXPECTED

Fairday's Riddles: Repeat, Again, and Again...

Hello, Riddlers! It's been ages. Here's a riddle to ponder. They are all around us, on every possible level of awareness- some I like, some not so much. It's a good thing to see them clearly, then you can decide which ones you want to play with, and those you'd rather not entertain. 

I am that which comes and goes, known too well from head to toes. Circular styles kept in pace, until recognition marks my place. Seen clearly for what I show, you are free to let me go. 

What am I?

I gave you a clue!

Microscopic Modern Art

FEAR NOT THE UNEXPECTED

Views From the Pond: April and May 2025

 Spring was wet here in New England- but there was lots of beauty to enjoy. Loved seeing a little more daylight every day and the temperatures losing their chill was a delight.  We had so much rain that we actually got rain in our basement. Our sump pump broke because it rained so much in such a short time and it got clogged. Luckily, we had another one we were able to install. We were thankful we don't have a lot of boxes in our basement!

Thanks for stopping by and sitting with me for a while! Enjoy!

April 2025

Ducks in a tree! 

What a blue!


Lord and Lady Quackerly in the rain.


The snow wasn't done yet!

But it melted quickly. 


Our Red-Tailed Hawk searching...

Magnolias starting to bloom.


Love when Lord and Lady visit before school.


A rainbow around the moon!

A fox running near the edge of the backyard.

Can you find Lord and Lady?




The soothing sound of the brook. 

Before work! 



Can you see Lord and Lady?





Lord and Lady swimming about the pond.










May 2025
The pond is full thanks to all the rain! 

Looks like a secret entrance!



We had dandelions galore! The bees were happy!







The yellow lilies were glorious!






The light looks so different in the morning. 


Spring was so pretty- and I tried to soak up the colors before the rain washed away the petals. Can't wait to enjoy more coffee by the pond now that school is out and I don't have to hurry to work each morning. I will share June and July photos before the end of summer!

Thanks for stopping by!

FEAR NOT THE UNEXPECTED