Wednesday Word Skills

I have new words from two books this week.

“Visions of Sugar Plums” by Janet Evanovich

Bilious = bad-tempered, cross
Cheroot = a cigar with both ends cut square

“I Smile Back” by Amy Koppelman

Apoplectic = on the verge of a severe hemorrhage or stroke
Bris = the Jewish rite of circumcision
Existentialist = believing humans are totally free and responsible for their acts and that this responsibility is the source of their feelings of dread and anguish
Garmento = someone active in the garment industry, especially in New York
Jonesing = the act of needing something badly; usually related to chemical dependency
Mohel = a person qualified to perform a circumcision
Nova = a star that suddenly increases its light output tremendously and then fades away to its former obscurity in a few months or years
Rugelah = a Jewish pastry with a fruit and nut filling

Monday Mail Call

I’m going to be very busy reading because I made quite a haul this week. These books all came in the same box:

1. Dream in Color by Linda and Loretta Sánchez

2. Work in Progress by Kristin Armstrong

3. Kiss Off: Poems to Set You Free edited by Mary D. Esselman and Elizabeth Ash Vélez

4. My Little Red Book by Rachel Kauder Nalebuff

5. See Jane Lead by Lois P. Frankel, PhD

6. Mrs. Meyer’s Clean Home by Mrs. Thelma A. Meyer

7. No Matter What by Lisa Nichols

8. Mistress Bradstreet by Charlotte Gordon

9. The Power to Change Today by Gregory Dickow

10. Galway Bay by Mary Pat Kelly

11. Put Your Dreams First by Thembisa S. Mshaka

12. Undress Me in the Temple of Heaven by Susan Jane Gilman

I also received:

13. Savvy by Ingrid Law (a young reader book)

14. CD of C.M. Mayo nonfiction book From Mexico to Miramar

Plus, bookmarks from Allison Brennan and a newsletter from Debbie Macomber, which included a bookmark and knitting pattern (yes, I do knit!), also showed up in my mailbox!

Sunday Surfing

Welcome to another edition of Sunday Surfing. This weekly posts takes you to new and interesting sites I've found on the Internet!

This week, I want to introduce you to the site Cool Pictures/ Cool Stuff/ Cool Videos. Everything from simple quotes to pictures of the northern lights, this sight will keep you entertained for hours.

If you scroll down to the very bottom of any page, you'll find out how to submit your own artistic photos and videos.

These are some of examples of what you'll find:

Sunsets

Vintage Tattoos

Tree Houses

Pencil Art

There are lots of other categories. Be sure to check out the archives, which go back to Februaary 2008.

The newest posting is iPhone Drink Coasters. I didn't include any samples because I want you to check them out yourself! I think they are really "cool."

Saturday Sightseeing

Welcome to Saturday Sightseeing.

Each week, I'm going to take you on a journey around the area where I live - the Pacific Northwest!

These tidbits will include a variety of places. Some are very common and well-known, like this week's entry.

Other posts will be what's often referred to as "off the beaten path."

Grand Coulee Dam

The economy of the area where I live (Columbia Basin of Washington state) is dependent on this massive concrete structure, which was a Public Works Adminstation project. Construction began in the 1930s, but it wasn't until 1951 water was used for irrigation. That original purpose had to wait for World War II to end, as electric demands took precedence.

Laser Light Show

During the summer months, one of the largest laser light shows graces the spillway. Beginning as soon as it is dark enough, the show tells the history and story of the area. It is free and there are many vantage points to get a clear view.
Grand Coulee Dam is about 100 miles north of my home.

Visions of Sugar Plums

This book by Janet Evanovich was so hilarious! There were times I wanted to roll on the floor (but I knew I wouldn't be able to get back up).

Janet's popular character Stephanie Plum is trying to track down Sandy Claws, who didn't show up for his court date. She finds out he's running a toy shop and a bunch of midgets are building the toys. But these are cranky midgets and every time she shows up at the shop looking for Sandy, they try to beat the crap out of her. To top it off, she's being assisted by some man who showed up in her kitchen. He came from out of nowhere and has some kind of power, so he's able to jump from one place to another whenever he needs to. Plus, it's only a few days until Christmas and she hasn't bought a tree or presents.

This book is just too, too funny!

Friday Fill-Ins

This meme is hosted @ http://fridayfillins.blogspot.com/


And...here we go!

1. Apparently there's some sort of block in my brain about this fill-in.

2. I love a sunny day.

3. 2009 has been too short so far.

4. I don't think that was it.

5. For too long I've been trying to think of answers to the first fill in.

6. I am not obsessed with chocolate; I am not!

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to reading my book, tomorrow my plans include working, working, working and Sunday, I want to crash!

No. 1 sure stumped me. I just couldn't think of a good answer. Any suggestion?

Friday Firsts

To join in on Friday Firsts, visit Wendy. She’s got today’s topic and a puzzle for you.

Reach out and pick up the nearest book to you right now (don’t go the bookshelf and pull off War and Peace). What’s the first line…

Here's mine from the prologue of "That Went Well" by Terrell Harris Dougan:

"It's Christmastime, and in a bright supermarket, with 'Joy to the World' spilling out of the overhead speaker, I am ducking a flying package of chicken that is sailing past my head, thrown at me by my furious sister."

My First Award!

What a surprise! Kristi at Books and Needlepoint gave me this wonderful award. She has a great blog I visit often and I hope you will all check out what she's written.

Now that I have accepted the award, there are certain rules to follow:

1) Accept the award, post it on your blog together with the name of the person who granted the award and their blog link.

2) Pass the award on to 15 other blogs you've newly discovered. Remember to contact the bloggers to let them know they have been chosen for this award.

These are my choices for the award in no particular order:

1. Maryann at It's Not All Gravy
2. Delia at The Melody Within
3. Joy at Joystory
4. S. Krishna at S. Krishna's Books
5. Wendy at Wendy's Minding Spot
6. Mo at Unmainstream Mom Reads
7. Wendi at Wendi's Book Corner
8. Dawn at She Is Too Fond Of Books
9 Lori at Lori's Reading Corner
10. Bermudaonion at Bermudaonion's Weblog
11. JM at The Book Stacks
12. Katrina at Stone SouP
13. J. Kaye at J.Kaye's Book Blog
14. Drey at Drey's Library
15. Mishel at Mis(h)takes

I can think of lots and lots of people I'd love to give this award to, including Kristi. Thanks, everyone, for supporting my blog. Keep visiting because I plan to add more features in the near future.

Earth Day

If a man walks in the woods
for love of them half of each day,
he is in danger of being regarded as a loafer.
But if he spends his days as a speculator,
shearing off those woods and
making the earth bald before her time,
he is deemed an industrious
and enterprising citizen.

Henry David Thoreau

Wednesday Word Skills

“Book of the Dead,” by Patricia Cornwell, had lots of new words to look up for this week.

Castigated = to punish or rebuke severely, especially by harsh public criticism

Dorsolateral = of, relating to, or involving both the back and the sides

Enigmatic = perplexing, baffling

Lividity = grayish blue, lead-colored, sometimes taken to mean pale, white or red

Palliative = excusing, extenuating

Pathognomonic = indicative or typical of a particular disease

Petechiae = a small hemorrhagic spot in the skin, mucous membrane, etc.

Pittosporum = any of a genus of evergreen trees and shrubs of the pittosporum family from Japan, Australia, etc.

Priapism = a pathological condition characterized by persistent erection of the penis, especially without sexual excitement

Trattoria = a small, inexpensive restaurant in Italy

Travertine = a light-colored limestone deposited around lakes, streams or springs

Monday Mail Call

Two books this week, along with some author goodies!

1. A Worthy Legacy by Tomi Akinyanmi (Tomi will visiting my blog on July 9.)
2. Kiss of Darkness by Jennifer St. Giles

I also received a package from Beth Williamson with bookmarks, a cover flat of her book “Redemption of Micah” and can coolers.