Books/Reading – Page 5 – Morning Glory Studio

unraveled wednesday | 1.16.2019

Published on January 16, 2019 by Honoré13 Comments

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Between Döstädning and Snow (D & S) these first couple weeks of 2019, both knitting and reading have gotten short-shrift:

I’m still reading (i.e. listening) Becoming, enjoying and savoring every word; however because of D & S, daily walks have been fewer, shorter … I have the print version because pictures – and also happens to be my preferred way to read. My next walking companion: Educated by Tara Westover.
I did not make as much progress with the stocking as I’d intended but, progress was indeed made! And soon to be finished! Quite a milestone after all these years! My plan for 2019 knitting falls under the category of finish ! More in a future post.

Joining Kat and friends for another week of Unraveled Wednesday!

Cheers~

PS. The clear library book bag in the photo was a birthday gift from friend MT – perfect for both books and knitting/quilting projects on the go!

3 on Thursday | 12.27.2018 …

Published on December 27, 2018 by Honoré5 Comments

1 -As I’ve engaged in döstädning today, taking a bit of a time out for a walk to enjoy the sun and tad warmer temps, I’ve listened to The Library Book, narrated by the author. As a former public librarian, there have been many passages that I find easily relatable: I wonder if the American public library culture is something we (library folk) created or if it’s the library customer… I am on chapter 7 – there are 33! Some chapters are as short as 7 – 10 min; others as long as 40+ minutes…I have about 9 hours left…but I may skip a few…or at least change the speed.

2 – I wish my mother were alive to hear/read the book : She was the manager of a branch library that was destroyed by a fire; it occurred the night she’d just returned from annual leave and a vacation to Oregon (she lived in Ohio). I’m sure the book would be very poignant and relatable.

3 – Tomorrow the weather forecast calls for rain, rain, rain! I hope not because our Thursday stitching group has plans to go to a quilt shop in the western end of the state of MD. According to Siri, the shop is about 55 miles away …or about 32 miles as the crow flies. And yes, that’s exactly how Siri said it!

Think it’s time now for me to wrap up döstädning and this post.

Cheers~

it’s tuesday | 12.18.18 …

Published on December 18, 2018December 18, 2018 by Honoré15 Comments

~blue sky blooms and love the menagerie of dogs all decked out for the holiday ~

Another day filled with blue sky and sunshine, tho’ a tad brisk out…but, who can or should complain? Certainly not I. A good day to run a couple errands: post office and a leisurely trip to Whole Foods. Feeling quite proud of myself for not buying any talenti gelato – t’wasn’t on the list and I did not even tempt myself by walking past the refrigerated section.

Home. After putting away the groceries and consulting with Norman’s son re: N’s IE Explorer acting up… somehow the browser’s image size got changed to a teeny tiny 10. Michelle (Obama; I’m still listening to Becoming) and I took a brisk walk. She’s a great walking companion and had it been a tad warmer, I might’ve walked and listened a little longer. I’m not in a rush to finish the book – I’ve just finished the chapter on the night of Nov 4, 2008, when Barack Obama won the election for POTUS 44. I have very vivid memories of that night! My plans to give my nieces and sister each a copy for Christmas have changed: my niece – grand niece’s mother – beat me to the punch! Haven’t a clue about what to substitute…but, I still have time.

I don’t have much holiday prep to do; however, it might help if I sat down and made a list…

Have you finished with holiday prep?

Cheers~

unraveled wednesday |12.5.18 …

Published on December 5, 2018 by Honoré9 Comments

Christmas, late ’90s: My mother bought the above book for me. In addition to being an alphabet, it is also an advent book, filled with wonderful paper sculptures and accompanying words.

Even tho’ this book has been a Christmas staple, easily 23 years, it still delights each day as I open the corresponding letter for the numerical date…and remember my mom. Always in my thoughts and with me.

Knitting the Christmas stocking is slow progress … but progress is being made! Chalk up a “win in the making…” TBC…and I’m still thoroughly enjoying Michelle Obama’s Becoming. For sure a keeper – I intend to also purchase the print version, for me and a few secret chosen people…

Joining Kat and friends for another Unraveled Wednesday. Read and Knit on!

Cheers~

a red bird …

Published on November 25, 2018 by Honoré7 Comments

At our last Recent Read gathering, my friend Margaret introduced me to Pulitzer Prize winner and thirteenth US Poet Laureate Ted Kooser. I find that I begin reading one poem and then the next and then the next…

Hoarfrost

Two days of an icy prairie fog and every blade of grass, and twig, and branch, and every stretch of wire, barb, post and staple, is a knot or a thread in a lace of the purest white. To walk is like finding your way through a wedding dress, the sky inside it cold and satiny; no past, no future, just the now all breathless. Then a red bird, like a pinprick, changes everything.

We didn’t have a hoarfrost this morning, but I did see a red bird … a cardinal.

currently …

Published on November 24, 2018 by Honoré7 Comments

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4:00 pm | saturday | 11. 24.2018

seeing: few leaves hanging on the trees; most are bare …

hearing: rain, beating on the windows, hard …

wondering: how the rain has impacted early holiday shopping …

eating: an oatmeal cookie and three grapes …

drinking: hot peach tea – warms my soul …

feeling: warm and cozy …

counting: 32 days til Christmas!

listening to : Michelle Obama’s Becoming …

loving : every word …

thinking: how grateful I am for this cozy warm house on a cold, rainy, saturday afternoon!

Cheers~

what to write?

Published on November 20, 2018 by Honoré10 Comments

I have great admiration for writers! Their craft is hard work! I appreciate the stories they tell, the wisdom they impart, the advice given to aspiring writers and the invitation to readers to learn, create and enjoy. I always visit the “writing” section in bookstores and libraries, looking for a new title to whet my appetite. I often revisit my own library, too, selecting a book to re-read, for there is always something new within to capture my attention and stir my soul.

Last month, I found the above book during a visit to Barnes & Noble. This little 154 page book is a gem – and a perfect match for me: mindful is my 2018 word – and because it is on my radar, most times when I see it on a magazine or as part of a book title or even a knitting pattern, my curiosity is piqued. Via 59 little essays, the author, a professor and director of creative writing at Ohio University, shares “quotations and brief responses to those quotations, illuminating how, in my view, writing and mindfulness can intersect in positive and productive ways.” (p.16)

~~Many~~ Most days, I resolve to post earlier in the day than I do. What to write? looms over my head. Today was one of those days and reading essay 23, page 70, these words: “the longest journey begins with a single step.” ~ Lao Tzu,” captured my attention. Dinty Moore reminds us that each writing project begins with the writing of one word.

I thought…Voila! Today I’ll share this delightful, very helpful little book. I wrote the first word and sentence! And then more words began to flow. Time now to hit publish and move on with the day: Off to the grocery store for Thanksgiving prep.

How do you jumpstart your writing?

Cheers~

unraveled wednesday | 11.7.18 …

Published on November 7, 2018 by Honoré9 Comments

In early October I found I’d Rather Be Reading on the B&N new books display table; took a quick look-thru and added to my stack of books and magazines to take home! What a find! Anne Bogel, the author, grew up, if not having arrived in this world, with the perpetual book in her hands. Her parents, siblings and children are all avid readers and they lived, literally next door to a library! Say no more.

Anne is known on the internet and among readers as “Modern Mrs. Darcy;” she has a very active website; hosts an online book club; and a weekly podcast “What Should I Read Next? (WSIRN?)” Widely read, Anne discusses with her guests their recent reads and then offers the guest 3-4 titles to “read next.” I’ve enjoyed listening to the podcasts – especially on my walks – and am delighted that there are about 150 in the queue…listening nirvana and a tremendous source for my own WSIRN? As if that’s a problem! I recently listened to Episode 155: guests are a father/daughter who share an Audible account; they began listening to one another’s choices – which were totally out of each’s comfort zone!

I’ve taken a slight break from my stitching projects – there are just not enough hours nor energy left at the end of the day to pick up any sort of the needle… learning the new blog platform takes a bit of my time and energy; that, coupled with the pesky c-a-r problems and general life demands: grocery shopping; doctors’ appointments; etc… have kept me pretty much occupied. However, the changing and upcoming seasons – not to mention the design wall in my stitching studio – are stirring the desire for me to return/resume. Any day now.

After a later than usual night, MSQT (morning solitude and quiet time) has lasted a tad longer this morning. I am grateful for this day: Hope is alive; the sun shines; leaves fall gently from this and other trees in my view. I think I best get a move on so I can take advantage of Mother Nature’s invitation .

What’s on your agenda? Would you rather be reading, too? Joining Kat and others here.

Cheers~