Half and Half.

The month is half done and then some. Where is it running to? Today includes some Mission Check. I'm slipping on a few. There may be a few surprises in store.
Let's see where we sail today, Saturday. Keep things simple and we're going to be just fine.

Let's Play #133.

C'mon! I know you want to play along.

1. __Something on the BBQ___ and __potatoes or salad___ make a quick and easy dinner.
2. __Tuesdays with Morrie___ is the book I'm reading right now.
3. July brings back memories of __you___
4. __Sincerity___ was obvious.
5. They say if you tell your dreams __you are opening yourself up to a whole new world___.
6. __Take time___ to think it over.
7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to __whoa! the night is almost over. where has it gone?___, tomorrow my plans include __housework___ and Sunday, I want to __party___!

Down with Another.

The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd is an absolute wonderful read. For the first time in a very long time, I am excited for the movie. I want to know that the two stories parallel. I want to know that the images in my head from reading can be transformed onto the screen seamlessly. I've watched the trailer and I can't wait to see it all!
My total pages read since June 20 is over 2100! That is awesome. I'm already into my next book. I'm fighting to get through it. I've set it aside a number of times already. I'll talk about it again some other day.

Let's Play #132.

Won't you play, too?

1. The last thing I ate was __a cherry strudel___ and __a gulp of nothing___.
2. ___Bananas__ is something I recently bought.
3. When it rains, it __is entertainment for my neighbors. In this evenings thunderstorm, I was the nut running around the neighbourhood chasing my recycling down!___
4. __Steven___ was the first person I talked to today.
5. Hugs are __extra important all the time___.
6. __Be greedy when you need___ extra comfort.
7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to __hip hop Bailey bug visiting___, tomorrow my plans include __a blank page___ and Sunday, I want to __fly like an eagle___!

Corny.

One of my all-time favorite jokes is this one:
Why was 6 scared of 7?............................because 7 eight 9!
My hubby has heard this one so many times that he laughs because I'm such a geek that each time I say it, I think it gets funnier.
Today happens to be 7-8-9!
What are your favorite jokes? You know, the ones you pull out in utter desperation.

Books and More Books.

I'm reconnecting with my reading self again. It's been no secret around here that I love to read. I don't always do enough of it. This translates into me doing as much of it as I can when I can. My imagination is very vivid. Ask anyone that knows me or anyone who has listened to me rant about some description or other. There are bizarre ideas that swirl around in this mind of mine many of which are odd combinations or concoctions of various literature that has nourished me.
War of the Roses by Warren Adler and Notes from the Universe by Mike Dooley are in the DONE pile now. The both of them were cool books. Warren Adler's story of a rancid divorce and the psychosis that can surround them was hilarious. Much more appreciated in print than in film for me. He has also wrote a follow up titled The Children of the Roses. From the few reviews I skimmed, it's not looking like anything I'm going to rush out to get.
I have the other two books in Mike Dooley's Notes series although I'm resting on them for a while. Notes was deep. There were pages that made me dig down into my soul and think. There were also ones that had me paying attention to the little whisper in the shadows of me. It was an adventure.
In addition to these, I'm in the last few pages of The Barefoot Girl by Catherine Munroe. This one has been a one-day read for me. At first I wasn't sure about this book. Something about it made me want to read it but also made me want to leave it for some other day. I'm liking the story. It's about a peasant girl who is married away to a wealthy merchant. While her father believed he was marrying her up, the truth about what happens behind closed doors is supposed to stay there. She is but property purchased for a purpose. It's an interesting read.
For now, it's off to finish reading this book.

Mission: July

Here we go again.

1. Paint the kitchen.
2. Read 10 books.
3. Scrapbook 4 layouts.
4. Fish 4 times.
5. Visit the cabin 2 times.
6. Move the craft stuff back to the craft station. (Oops!)
7. Start the Christmas planning.
8. Drop off clothing that needs to move along.
9. Think about my course strategy.
10. Get back on the photo taking train.

That's all for now. Let's see how I do ...
Simple enough.

Let's Play #131.

You can play, too! Go here.

1. When I heard __the news___ I __picked my jaw up off the floor___.
2. __Positive thoughts and prayers make up the___ best medicine.
3. It's late, but __there is always time for one more kiss___
4. __Laugh often; Love___ always.
5. My eyes have seen __beauty___.
6. ___My heart beats__ strongly.
7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to ___my book__, tomorrow my plans include __a meeting with nice ladies___ and Sunday, I want to __hit the highway to the cabin___!

Gone Fishin'.

We spent yesterday afternoon on the banks of the river with our rods in the water and the fish dining on our bait. It turns out I don't give fish as much credit as they deserve. I used to think when they bite the bait, you (I) got to catch the fish. Done deal. Reel them them, Sparky. Turns out these fish have gotten smarter. The ones yesterday had a technique. Nibble once to taste. Nibble twice to get my attention. Nibble a third time to tease me. Bite the bait and swim like mad to get away. Smart little suckers. I am happy to say that I did catch one big enough that it will make a meal.
My grandfather is my fishing hero, though. He is pro. Hand that man a fishing rod and watch his patience level increase to the sky. He calmly perches in his seat, intensely staring at the tip of the rod, waiting for the game to start. Suddenly in a flurry of activity his rod would be up and reeling in. He caught the most. Three that came home. Three that stayed. There is no "one that got away" story from this trip.

Another one done.

Another book, that is. The Fiction Class by Susan Breen was good. It's one that I'm going to keep for reference. If you aren't a reader, this one might not be your thing. That's about all I have to say.
I've moved on. I'm combo reading this week. War of the Roses by Warren Adler and Notes from the Universe by Mike Dooley. I know one of these is a movie and I have seen it but very few movies are ever the same as the books*. So far, I'm enjoying both of these. I'm also hoping neither of these books has dying or dead people in them. The last four that I've read have left me a bit weirded out. Of the stack of 20 some books I want to read, there is a bizarre trend. They seem to have someone that dies, is dying, or is dead. My mother might attribute this to me being morbid but THIS IS NOT THE CASE! Many of these books were recommended to me or random bargain finds. There is just a weird thread pulled through most of them.

*Flowers in the Attic by V.C. Andrews was identical in book and movie form. Perhaps one of my all-time favorites always!