Current Project-which sound like wool gathering, but is to be finalized this summer- joint ownership of land with retirement dwellings- this may even be trailers- I know, but things have changed with this girl- whatever of value I have had, I gave to my daughter/ now my needs are few and honest- land to garden, books, maybe a local place for art?
Now we speak of five acres- in South Carolina or northern Florida- dogs, breweries, acess to gyms, colleges, and a warmer climate. Oh, and, as always,books!

My husband's birthday was Valentine's Day. I got him this:
http://www.amazon.com/Best-Willy-Deville/dp/B004SCH6NA/ref=sr_1_16?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1456943484&sr=1-16&keywords=willy+deville
That, and a chocolate fudge cake with chocolate fudge frosting was a perfect birthday for him. We both like quiet, small birthdays.
Well, back to the world of museum passes and comfortable shoes!


Gus did not like the hat he wore for Randy's birthday, but he did like the special cheese dog biscuit he got to celebrate.
Randy is 62 today, and I don't know where I'd be without him.
The adults had chocolate fudge cake with chocolate fudge frosting and ice cream.
Now, back to monotony. And dieting.
This is a photo of Elsie's mother, taken in the 1870s:

Here is another of Elsie's mother in a favorite purple dress:

Elsie liked me, and wanted me to try on the above dress- which I did. It did not hook up in the back. Elsie reminded me a lot of my own grandmother, even down to the snacks she liked- one was a concoction of a toasted marshmallow on a Ritz cracker and called a "Top Hat".
I was googling Elsie and found that her great, great, niece has a genealogy site - I was able to email her some great Elsie stories.
I have always loved the past.
Bats of the Republic, an illuminated novel by Zachary Thomas Dodson
...And the Ladies of the Club, by Helen Hooven Santmeyer
Dead Wake by Erik Larson
The Half-Crown House by Helen Ashton
The Children's Book by A.S.Byatt
My favorite was ...And the Ladies of the Club. This was a re-read, and I had forgotten what a good book it is. I ordered a copy of Ohio Town: a Portrait of Xenia, Ohio by Santmeyer, which tells the history of the real town on which Ladies of Club was based.
I took a knitting class with a friend at the local library. The instructor was wonderful. I am left-handed and my mother taught me how to crochet by standing side by side in a large bathroom mirror. I never learned to knit, and I have always wanted to. I was able to knit for three hours during class, then came home and forgot everything! I did find a YouTube video which is helpful, so will be watching and working on projects. One thing I would like to do is make mittens for elementary school children. I know a woman who does this, and they are really appreciated.
Hope everyone I doing well!

Not planning on much of a vegetable garden, but plan to do some more herbs.


The first I saw reviewed on a blog whose owner only reads pre- 1940 British women authors. That niche is one that a lot of my reading preferences fall into.
The second book is a new one, by a very entertaining author- sort of a whodunit with a modern Jesuit trying to determine if certain medieval relics are real.
I have such a great to be read pile, but that's fine with me.
I'm looking forward to watching Sherlock Holmes on Masterpiece tonight.
Hope you are all enjoying January!
So, without further explanation, are some photos of the books I was given or bought with Christmas money:

Well, I have two more piles, but LJ is being fussy about uploading my pictures. I will try to post more later.
Hope everyone had a great New Year!
Now debating retirement villages. The folks in the brochure look too old.
Maybe this will jolt me into blogging- it's not over, dammit!
- Current Location:home
- Current Mood:
nostalgic
- Current Music:Danko Manuel-Drive By Truckers