savoring {february 2020}

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My theme for 2020 is Savor.  I have found that generally I’m not fully present to enjoy anything (and I do mean anything) that happens to me.  I am seeking to make some major improvement this year in that area. Life is too short not to. Here on the blog, this translates to a monthly blog post that I have entitled Savoring;  curated content that I’ve enjoyed recently and that you might enjoy too. Here are some quotes, pics, and an ad that I slowed down and noticed.  I had to. I have to have something to share with you guys. Lol

Savor by Shauna Niequist

  • While walking in Barnes & Noble last year, after choosing my theme for 2020, I saw this book, Savor by Shauna Niequist. Well, you know I had to get it.  I have really enjoyed the daily readings.  You might to.
  • For those of us who have already dropped the ball on our New Year’s Resolutions, NPR has a poem about it. It’s quite good. Check it out.
  • One of the highlights of 2019 was being a part of the inaugural Modern Mrs. Darcy Book Retreat and meeting my tribe. One of them, @jamie.of.all.trades, mentioned that she received James Clear’s newsletter, 3-2-1. Clear is the author of the book, Atomic Habits, which is on my TBR list.  I can’t remember Jamie’s exact words but it was something along the lines of “the most useful newsletter I read”. I subscribed and I am inclined to agree. Here’s one of his quotes: “The fastest way to raise your level of performance: Cut your number of commitments in half.” – James Clear

Never Arrive. Lisa CogdonSpeaking of newsletters, Mary Laura Philpott is a writer and author of I Miss You When I Blink, my 2019 favorite non-fiction book of the year. I subscribe to her monthly(ish) newsletter, A Book, a Link, a Song, and a Picture and the January pic was by Lisa Congdon. Lisa is an artist, illustrator and the author of eight books. Another artist/writer to fuel my current fascination with artist/writers.

 

  • Finally, the funniest Super Bowl ad, to me. My mom disagreed.  I have often wondered what I did before tech. What do you think?

enjoy life…

quick lit – next page, please {january 2020}

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Happy Valentine’s Day.  I love and adore my Valentines, the Hubby and the Buddy Man. They both know I love books and loved them before either of them came along. LOL

So, with that in mind, here’s a recap of the nine books that I read in January.  I am well-ahead of my goal to read 40 this year. These picks also contributed my sanity last month.

Read

  • Still Life by Louise Penny. Over in ModernMrsDarcy land, people LOVE the Inspector Gamache series. I have never read any of them – and there are currently 23. For the MMD Reading Challenge this year, one of the categories is three books by a single author so I thought that now would be as good as time as any. These seem to start off a bit slow but I have been told numerous times that these take a while to get going and that the series really picks up in book 4.  Don’t know if I will make it that far but I am enjoying Penny’s writing style so, we will see.
  • Old in Art School: A Memoir of Starting Over by Nell Irvin Painter. I can’t remember who recommended this book to me but my interest in it might have had something to do with my turning 40 and wondering if there is life to be had over the hill. LOL.  It might also have started an interest in reading about creatives in memoirs and fiction.
  • A Fatal Grace by Louise Penny. This is the second book about Inspector Armand Gamache series. I am chugging along.
  • Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens. This was January’s Rocket City Mom Virtual Book Club pick for January.  I had avoided reading it until now but I am glad that I did. My full review is here.
  • The Principles of Uncertainty by Maira Kalman. Nell Painter sent me down a rabbit hole of writer/artists: artists who write or writers who draw and paint perhaps because I might want to do that one day.  Who knows.  Anyway, Maira Kalman, an artist who has illustrated for the New Yorker was in the rabbit hole so I picked a copy of this from the library to see more. It was a brief read. I liked it.*
  • Two Girls Down by Louisa Luna. This is the first book about PI Alice Vega. I read this because I’m interested in Luna’s second book about Vega, The Janes, released January 21, which Anne Bogel previewed in her Winter Preview. She said that she was hooked from the first line.  Plus, this is my fourth crime mystery (not a genre I usually read) this month and I might be a bit over it. I have placed The Janes on hold at my local library.  We will see what kind of headspace I am in when it comes in.
  • Undercover Bromance by Lyssa Kay Adams. This is the second book in the Bromance Book Series and it was AWESOME!!!! My first 5-star read of the year. It releases on March 10th so thanks to @WhatKariReads for sending the ARC my way.  Romance is a great genre for when things are dreary and bleak. The story always ends well.  This one did and I loved it.
  • The Painter by Peter Heller. Last year, the Modern Mrs. Darcy book club read Celine also by Heller which I thoroughly enjoyed. I adore Heller’s writing style. And since I have this new inclination to read about artists and creatives and the book is about a painter, it was a no-brainer to pick this up from the library. I’m glad that I did.
  • The Proposal by Jasmine Guillory. The second book in The Wedding Date series and my second romance of the month. Yep, January was that kind of month.

Currently Reading

 Abandoned Reading

My theme/word of 2020 is Savor so I really do want to relish everything that I read. I am not going to say that this has happened with everything that I have read this year but it definitely means that I am not going to be upset if I don’t finish books that I start this year. To that end, here’s what I have abandoned so far.

So, whatcha’ readin’?

Per usual, I am linking up with Modern Mrs. Darcy’s Quick Lit post.  As you can see, she is an excellent resource when you can’t figure out what to read.  And if you are here, because of her, I can’t thank her, and you, enough.

enjoy life…

*I also discovered that Maira Kalman had illustrated an edition of Strunk and White’s The Elements of Style – the quintessential book on writing with clarity.  Yeah! I bought it.

what i’m into – keeping me sane {January 2020}

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For a number of reasons, January seemed to inch along like a dirt worm struggling over concrete.  It was long and tiring, and very daunting at times.  My son had oral surgery (I was a nervous wreck – but he’s fine), my husband and his car had a run-in with a deer (he’s fine- the deer’s fine – the car isn’t fine – and I am still a nervous wreck). January is generally very difficult for me – dreary, rainy days where the sun is hesitant to shine.

January is also my birthday month. And this year I turned 40 – another thing to increase my anxiety. I know that only way to halt the aging process entirely is to retire from this life.  Some people do it voluntarily.  Others don’t (RIP Kobe – that hurt somewhat as well). And I know, realistically that gratitude is the most appropriate expression of being a year older.  But 40 bears that weight of what feels like a mid-life – half of my life is over.  What will I make out of the (hopefully) second half?

So, what’s been keeping me sane this month? Here’s list from the mind-blown to the mundane.

  1. That practice of gratitude that I am slowly but steadily cultivating.
  2. Hot drinks in bookstore cafes surrounded by books and the possibilities that are contained between each and every page.
  3. My Hubby and the Buddy Man and their continual belief in me and my abilities. Playing Candyland and Uno with them have been highlights of the month.
  4. My boss and the team that I am so grateful to be a part of and their belief that I am a valued member of that team.
  5. My mom calling and texting and telling me “Happy Birthday” multiple times – I counted at least 5. And all the other birthday messages I received via calls, texts, Instagram and Facebook.
  6. The nine books that I read last month – and my first 5-star read of the year. My Quick-Lit recap will be up on Friday, the 14th.
  7. Electricity – we had a power outage for six hours one day this month. Heat and hot water are very necessary elements that keep me sane. And Wifi doesn’t hurt either.

What about you? What’s keeping you sane this January? Post your ways in the comments below and give me some ideas.

If you have a monthly recap post, please link it below. We do this every month and we will do it again on Monday, March 2.

I am also linking this post to Anne Bogel’s “What’s Saving My Life Right Now” – a special post that she does this time-of-year to help get us all through these dreary months of winter.  There are loads of ideas over there.  Check it out. And if you are here because of her, a sincere welcome. Until next time…

enjoy life…