Monthly Archives: September 2011
Adventures With Used Books
Are you a book collector or do you read them once and pass them along? In either case…why?
Yesterday I reluctantly parted with thirty books. It was a difficult thing for me to do, but I’ve been working up to it for a while now. It began with general cleaning and sorting for a garage sale. I had to search through the rows and rows of books throughout the house and say “Will I ever read this again?” or, more importantly, “Did I like this enough to read the whole series (or more by this author)?” When I answered these questions honestly I came up with two boxes of books that fell into that mediocre state and I decided they would better serve by making me some money and would be happier themselves finding a new home with someone who will love them.
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Apiculture
Definition: The raising and care of bees. Author Commentary: Not only is this a new word in my vocabulary, it is a new experience in my life. My husband and I have recently started our own apiary!
A Dance With Dragons by George R.R. Martin
It’s George R.R. Martin, what else do I need to say?
The Land of Enchantment
My son and I had the pleasure of spending six amazing days in New Mexico with my Mother-in-law this past week. We have been to visit before, yet each time there is something new to see. It is a breathtakingly beautiful place. I can easily see why so many artists and creative-minded people choose to settle there. The landscape and the feeling of being a part of something vast and ancient is inspiring. Continue reading
Untamed
Cheeks flushed by bright sunlight
Pulsing in a turquoise sky,
And the constant caress
Of vanilla-scented wind.
Clouds of red-clay dust
Collect around my feet,
Lungs strain for oxygen Continue reading
I Love Winter
As the first few flakes of snow dusted the dry fields of Illinois, I breathed a sigh of relief; winter was here. The garden was done, the fruits and vegetables canned or frozen for the season. The pigs, a quarter of a cow, and dozens of chickens were processed, bagged, and waiting in the freezer for us to enjoy. No more fence lines to clear, no more chicken pens to move, no more playing hide and seek with the cows; everything was buttoned down for the few brief but lovely months of snow. Continue reading
Pecans
One of our unexpected blessings when we moved to our new farm was the presence of mature and healthy pecan trees in the front yard. Our first year here was not a good year for pecans we were told, and we were a bit preoccupied with moving in, unpacking, and starting a new job; so we did not attempt to harvest. The second year we waited with eager anticipation for our first fall harvest of deliciousness. Continue reading
