CAUGHT UP ON
Swing It Sunny by Jennifer Holm and Matthew Holm, a graphic novel. I will not review this thanks to spending time at Dewey’s, but it deals with Sunny’s summer before middle school begins and how she misses her brother, Dale, who has been sent to Military School after troubles with drugs and unsavory friends. Can Sunny remain sunny-side up?
TIME FOR SOME
AND, THE READING CONTINUES…
I took a break for lunch and a quick trip to the post office. When I arrived downtown, I realized it was Frontier Day, sponsored by the Rotary, and National Oak Park was full of vendors. I had to park about a quarter of a mile away, then walked through the many rows of booths. (Ok, so I made a couple of purchases!) It was over 85 degrees. Thank goodness I had my walking stick and the Living Stones Church was handing out free bottles of water. (I spent all the cash I had in my wallet except for $1.50 in quarters.) When I arrived home around three-ish, I was exhausted and very warm.
What better way than to sit down under a fan and rest than reading a book? I finished the first book, of this year’s Read-a-thon:
I have marked several places to copy for “future use,” and I will place it in my Little Free Library this evening when people are out walking after supper.
In answering messages, my friend (former student) in Boston sent an image created by her artistic daughter to help me celebrate the Read-a-thon. Unfortunately it is not re-printable for “security reasons” (whatever that means). Their intentions were good, so thanks Jian and Juliana for the good thoughts.
WhenI checked my Literary Calendar this morning, I discovered that today is National Independent Bookstore day.
Brazos Bookstore in Houston is my favorite independent bookstore. They have amazing Zoom events by well-known authors that are feee to anyone who cares to watch. I have been to the bookstore once (It was on my bucket-list after years of reading about it in the Houston Chronicle.) and did my part to support independent bookstores financially. LOL
I read for a while on this novel,
and am enjoying it immensely. I hope to finish it before I quit reading for the day.
My Better Half has taken a break from reading to accomplish something on his Honey-Do List, plant a large plant that spreads in a spot where we had to remove a pittosporum the Big Freeze took out. I plan to give him a really nice supper as a reward.
BACK TO READING!
It has been a busy, productive morning. I started with a light breakfast
Then I caught up on my daily devotionals which National Poetry Month and end-of-semester grading caused me to put on the back burner for a few days.
I wrote an entry in my reading log (to use in a future post) of a book I recently finished.
The morning paper was next, something I usually don’t get to before afternoon. Yes, we are dinosaurs that still get a paper paper daily.
My Better Half decided to join me in the Readathon when he got up.
I then took care of messages, and visited blogging friends’ posts for the day. Two others were doing Dewey’s this year.
So far today, I have finished one book, read several chapters in a novel, and read several poems in a collection.
AND THE READING CONTINUES…
,
I didn’t have to set an alarm to wake up this morning, April 24, 2021; it is the day of the READATHON.
It is raining this morning, so I think I’ll wear this shirt:
Next order of business is to select some books to read:
Most of these I have started, so I will tackle them first; after all, my primary goal is to finish books currently “in progress.”
READY TO ROLL!
Tomorrow is the big day! It’s time for Dewey’s 24 Hour Read-a thon. I have only participated in two others (and the read-a-thon was established in 2007), so I am really getting serious about tomorrow.
It’s important to have books on hand, snacks and made ahead-meals, and maybe some goals.
I hope to finish the several books that are “in progress.”
I also want to read any library books around the house that need to be returned to the library.
Finally, I want to at least begin the Secret Garden, which was the slip I chose from the bowl for the Classic Club; I need to finish the book before April is over.
TOMORROW IS THE BIG DAY! I can hardly wait!
We know the most famous English poet, William Shakespeare, was born in April, 1564, but the exact day is unknown. It is most celebrated by English speakers on April 23rd.
Shakespeare also died on the 23rd of April, in 1616 at the age of 52.
“Some are born great, some achieve greatness, and some have greatness thrust upon ’em.”
(Twelfth Night, Act 2, Scene 5)
“Being Understood”
“I am ok if someone understands me and then
chooses to reject my thoughts.
It’s being misunderstood
that I am uncomfortable with.”
“A Puzzle”
“You woman, who are you?
Why are you known to all as a puzzle?
Why do they find you so mysterious?
Why are you still such a riddle?
Why are there still
So many pieces missing?
And those that are found
Do they really mark your tracing?
Is it because you hide yourself well
Or has no one ever tried harder
To see the moon behind the stars
To go a little deeper or a little farther
Is it because of countless roles you play
For everyone in your life
Or is it because you…
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Melinda Gates’ message, “If you want to lift a society up, you need to stop keeping women down,” is more important than ever. The title comes from the “moment the plane wheels lift off the runway and the wings ” take over. She shares with her readers “lessons learned from inspiring people” during her amazing careers. Gates tells of “remarkable women” and explains the power of women connecting with other women. She investigates child marriage, gender inequality in the workplace, and other “women’s issues” addressed during her travels and experiences in the U.S. and in many other countries.
Gates is an “author, philanthropist, businesswoman, and global advocate for women and girls.” The author is “a force to be reckoned with on her own. She believes women can change the world, and she will definitely change how you think about women and girls and their power or lack of it globally.
I chose this book to align with my 2021 reading goal to read more non-fiction, but I read it because I was impressed with the author and her credibility. I highly recommend this book.
Hey, see the Mountain of Success, way over there? The only way to get to it is through the Valley of Failure. There is no other way.
It’s a peculiarity of this job that it’s the reader who gets to sit on that mountain, in the sunshine, reading a perfect, finished piece. The writer at no point has that experience. The writer is, always, down in the valley, struggling with imperfect draft after imperfect draft.
Julian Gough (click to read a brilliant essay on how to self-edit)
Photo Credit: Jonny Gios on Unsplash
For National Poetry Month, Day 20, a poem by two of my young blogging friends.
I am me
Authenticity is freedom’s key
I am me
No matter the occasion or day
Because love lets my heart splay
All you need is love and acceptance
So find joy in yourself
Even though the world has many angels
Your presence makes a difference
Wouldn’t you rather be free than caged?
Don’t do it for someone else’s praise
Be the energy that lets love’s magic raise
And you’ll shine brighter than you can ever pray
Light illuminates all our sides
This journey is up and down in all its rides
With bravery I can dream
And with confidence I can gleam
Just be who you are, you are enough
Bind yourself with joy and trust
Love others but let yourself be loved too
You are your best friend through and through
– Ace & Rishika
It was so fun doing this collaboration with Ace!! If you haven’t already…
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powerfulwomenreaders 