Be Careful What You Ask For…

Posted on July 10, 2013 by Diane

A while back I asked for book titles to add to my Summer Reading List…

hoping to add maybe a dozen books I might not have found my own.

Books

All I can say is “Wow”! Did I ever get some great ideas!!!

First of all, “thanks” to everyone who sent in suggestions. I’ll be good for the next 5 or 6 years, let alone summers. The best part of seeing the suggestions was the diversity. There were kid books, biographies, fiction, non-fiction…well you know the categories.  Second, I have to tell you I won’t be promising to read all the titles. Seriously, the biography of Knute Rockne just isn’t my cup of tea (sorry TK).  Third, it was never my intention to discuss or otherwise dissect any of the books in this blog. I wasn’t looking to start an on-line book club, (sorry Jennifer). Selfishly, I was just curious about what you were reading. Finally, I’m wondering how to handle all the information.

headscratcher-550x340

So here’s what I’m thinking…

You don’t want the whole list all at once, it’s long (cool & again Thanks!) & would take up too much time & space. I’ve already added a book list to this page (on the right) so I’ll share some of the titles there & update it at least once a month. Feel free to enjoy any or all. You’re also still free to add to the list anytime you run across something fabulous!

Along with the book titles you sent, there were several questions. I’m taking a moment to answer them…

Yes

Sometimes

Always with chocolate

Yesterday

22

Once…I swear!

Harris & Me by Gary Paulsen

Not since last week

Every chance I get!!!

Thanks for asking.

Whatever the rest of the week holds for you, find a few moments or hours to indulge your reading self. Read to yourself or  with a friend. Read to escape or learn. Read to laugh or cry. Do yourself a huge favor & find a kid to read to, you will both win!

cartoon courtesy of missmooresclass@wordpress.com

cartoon courtesy of missmooresclass@wordpress.com

Me…I’m off the read with a friend!

Picture 014-1

Posted in Turquoise Life | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Summertime…& the livin’ is easy!

Posted on July 7, 2013 by Diane

The calendar says it’s summer…

the hoopla of the 4th is almost over. You’ve been swimming, you’ve been kayaking & sailing, watched fireworks, played horseshoes or badminton, eaten lord only knows how much great food, & visited with friends, neighbors, & family. You’ve picked up the leftover sparklers, hosed off the patio, & rearranged the lawn chairs. You’ve mowed the lawn, weeded the garden, cleaned up after the last picnic, & there’s nothing on the immediate horizon.

So I’m thinking it’s the perfect time for a nap.

Everyone knows the perfect place for a nap in the summer up here, is the hammock.

DSC00160

Scientists have proven that the urge for a nap can occur at any time & further, that these urges should not be taken lightly. However, there are several things to consider before falling blissfully into the hammock.

The ABC’s of Hammock Napping

A – Alone or together???      Do you need your nap to be solitary or would you like company? On the one hand, rocking gently, swaying in the breeze, & daydreaming your way into a lovely snooze can’t be over-rated. It’s cathartic, restorative, & your own personal slice of Nirvana. On the other, the fun of cuddling with your favorite person or pet should not be overlooked. You may not get quite as much rest, but the conversation or the laughter can provide just as much rejuvenation as those ZZZZ’s.

images

B- Be intentional!   What will make your nap perfect? Do you need some lemonade or iced-tea first? Will a book settle you mind? Did you go to the bathroom? Did you turn off your cellphone? Depending on your family or neighbors, you may need to consider posting some kind of “Do Not Disturb” sign!

C – Comfort…comfort….comfort.  Where will you nap? Do you need sunshine or shade? Are you in comfortable clothes? PJ’s??? How about a blanket? Would you like music or the sounds of Mother Nature?

Once you’ve settled the terms & conditions for you nap just ease  back, gaze up at the blue sky & clouds, let your mind wander, & ….ZZZZZZ.

imagesCAF1OJHL

Whether it’s 5 minutes or 5 hours, your hammock nap will leave you refreshed, relaxed, & ready for you next fun adventure.

Me…I’m off to see if my dog wants to join me in the hammock!

Especially the little ones....

Posted in Turquoise Life | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Fourth Forecast!?!

Posted on July 3, 2013 by Diane

Here’s your weather forecast for the 4th…

as near as I can figure it.

Weather-150x150

Thursday is supposed to be sunny unless its cloudy. There could be shower or it could be a thundershower if its in the area. The high temperature will be 80 but it will feel like 85. The winds will be  4 mph or possibly 8 mph. Winds will come out of the south, the south-southwest, the southwest, or the west. Theres a 40% chance of rain but only for an hour.

I’m not taking a cheap shot at the meteorologists in the area. I think it must be difficult to forecast the weather up here with all the water that surrounds us, but it does make it hard to plan for the 4th.

picture courtesy of blog.galveston.com

picture courtesy of blog.galveston.com

Here’s what I think…Go ahead & do whatever it is you planned…

Watch a parade, picnic, wave lots of flags, party & laugh, apply sunscreen & bugscreen, spit watermelon seeds, build a campfire (safely of course), pick corn-on-the-cob out of your teeth, swim, sunbathe (see sunscreen above), do whatever the Fourth of July spirits move you to do.

But just in case the weather gets in the way, here are the top 5 rainy Fourth of July activities to keep things festive..

*  Watch a parade – unless it thunderstorms, the parade participants will be out there strutting their stuff & they need an audience.

* Picnic – go ahead, you bought all that food didn’t you? It won’t matter where you have to eat it, you can still call it a picnic!

Picture 020-1

* Wave lots of flags – it’s still all about the holiday after all & flags won’t melt if it rains, so wave away…in fact maybe you should go out in the rain & dance while you wave them!

* Party & laugh – again, it’s still a holiday, you probably aren’t working, & why waste a good excuse to be with friends & family. If you get desperate for a laugh, find a kid who knows some really awful “Knock-knock” jokes.

Examples:

* Knock knock.
– Who’s there?
* Lettuce.
-Lettuce Who?
* Lettuce in! It is raining out here!

* Knock knock.
– Who’s there?
* Butter.
– Butter who?
* Butter let me in real quick! Its raining really hard!

* If it does end up raining, you can skip the sunscreen, bugscreen, campfire, & sunbathing, but don’t worry about swimming, (you’ll be wet anyway), watermelon & corn-on-the-cob. These are time-tested elements of any good summer celebration, with or without the rain.

imagesCADCDPMQWatermelon

Picture 006-1

If all else fails & the weather truly crashes…

just put everything away & try again Friday! I’m sure the Founding Fathers wouldn’t mind.

Me…I’m off to find my spot for the parade!!!

Picture 013-2

                           Happy 4th!!!

Posted in Turquoise Life | Tagged , , , , , , , | 1 Comment