Rain Kissed

Reading All Over the Place

It's not unusual for me to have several books going at once but I realized today that I was reading all over the place.  

The giant tome of Ursula LeGuin's collected Earthsea books is too heavy to read except at a table. So I read a few pages every morning as I eat breakfast. This has its advantages, as the books deserve slow and thoughtful perusal rather than the rapid skim that is my default reading style. 

I'm listening my way (again) through the Aubrey/Maturin books by Patrick O'Brian.  I'm nearing the end of the series with The Yellow Admiral -- which I consume in 15 (sometimes 30) minute bits as I fall asleep at night. O'Brian keeps me company in the kitchen too when I have tedious food prep to do.

But . . .

I took a notion to watch Good Omens again -- I binge watched the whole thing in one long night when it first came out -- and I'm ready to see it again -- in smaller doses, So, watching on my Kindle at night is supplanting Aubrey/Maturin for the nonce.

And there's my continuing fascination with Aunt Jane's Nieces -- the early 1900's series written under a pseudonym by Baum -- the author of the Oz books. Yes, they're formulaic and silly but they're a fascinating look at the life and prejudices of the times. From dealing with bandits in Italy to motoring cross-country in a touring car that doubles as a camper (with a chauffeur named Wampus, ) I just can't quit these spunky girls and their millionaire uncle. 

If I need a change of scenery, there's Robert Graves's I, Claudius - the 1937 edition I found on my parents' bookshelf and read (with some amazement) when I was in eighth grade. There is much in this tale of imperial depravity, nepotism, and political maneuvering that reminds me of our current situation.  This book is so dense with characters and poisonings and betrayals that a little bit at a time is the way to read it. 

And of course there are the books I read to Josie -- Ladybug Girl and Skippyjon Jones, and Wait Till the Moon is Full, to name a few.

But wait, there's more! I'm also reading the submissions for my upcoming class at Wildacres.  Just finished the opening pages of a cozy set at a B&B and am embarked on the adventures of a badass female hacker. Who knows what awaits in the other six submissions?

Variety is the spice of reading. It's nice to have lots of choices  -- to match whatever I'm in the mood for.

What are you reading/listening to now? Are you reading all over the place?

At Random

Volunteer poppy, still producing blooms.

Justin's Father's Day socks from Claui and Josie.

Great Mullein -- another volunteer.

Josie rescued her hat from its original purpose as a toilet tissue cover.

A Scarlet Tanager -- they don't come to the feeders so they're not easy to photograph. I was elated to capture this much.

Basil

Josie is fashion forward with hat and button necklace.

And flower sex happens.

Josie Is Back -- and Catching Up

Daylily Time

The Diminished Garden

Down to this -- after last year's blight-ridden, critter devoured garden, we decided to let the tiers lie fallow this year and not plant anything except in containers on the porch. 

Then, when all my containers were full,  Nancy gave me some tomato and cucumber plants.  So, before I went to John C. Campbell, I set them out in the little small box garden. 

They look healthy BUT some vandal has munched on some ot the tomato tops.

I still have hopes for the cucumbers -- nothing ate them last year but us.

So far, the porch garden is looking good.

The tomatoes are setting fruit . . .

The lavender is blooming . . .

 The basil, parsley, and rosemary are flourishing. As are some pepper plants on the steps, lettuce and beets on another small deck, along with a few artichoke plants.

And one lonely eggplant -- which I wanted because I think it's pretty but it's making a nice little eggplant and there are more blossoms.

Not much of a garden but I'm trying to use the freed up time to work on long-neglected ornamental plantings around the house.

And maybe sit and gaze at the view.

Oh, Magnolia!

 Oh, Magnolia -- beautiful from beginning to end  . . .

These are blooms from a tree I planted thirty-some years ago.