Week Ending 6/28/14

Reading;

The Tooth Tattoo by Peter Lovesey—Peter Diamond series.

Source: Local Library Ebook

British police procedural

*************************************

Chopping Spree – Diane Mott Davidson

Source: Local Library E Book

Cozy Mystery – Claire Malloy series

*************************************

Invisible by James Patterson & David Ellis

Source: Local Library Ebook

Crime – Stand-alone

***************************************

The Wilderness Road by James Reasoner

Source: Amazon Ebook Bargain

Historical Fiction –

***************************************

Circle in the Snow by Patrick F. McManus

Source: Local Library Ebook

Present Day Western Lawman Mystery—Bo Tully Series

**************************************

Listening:

Vacations Can Be Murder by Connie Shelton

Source: Local Library Audio Book

Female Private Investigator – Charlie Parker

Watching:

“Ladyhawke” with Rutger Hauer and Michelle Pfieffer

Source: My Video Collection – Fantasy

****************************************

“Vera” – A British  crime television series

Source: Netflix

***************************************

“Rosemary & Thyme” – British cozy mystery television series

Source: YouTube

**************************************

“New Tricks” – British crime television series

Source: YouTube

The Last Dance

This weekend Owen participated in a Nationals dance competition in Charleston. It will probably be his last one. He has decided to take up another past-time—soccer. His soccer ball accompanies him everywhere; it seem to be invisibly tethered to his body.

The dance competition is being streamed live on the internet. I’m so pleased that we can see his last performance. Well, it may be his last performance. Since his teachers found out that he was not going to continue, they have been trying to change his mind.

He is doing so well this weekend. He looks as if he’s having the time of his life. His group had two routines yesterday, and both qualified for the “Best of the Best” competition today.

He’s a born entertainer!                                                                                                                                                                                                           

Old Dog. . .New Tricks

I’m almost 69 years old, and I did something today that I’ve never done before. I had never mowed the yard on the riding lawnmower. My mowing the yard has never been needed before, but I figured it’s time I learned.

Today is cloudy and it’s not too hot. I suggested that Mr. Fixit show me how to the operate the mower. He wasn’t too thrilled with the idea. But I was not to be deterred.

The first thing I learned was that I needed sturdier shoes that the sandals I had on. The one-pedal-does-everything is hard to depress completely. I found out it is makes it go, and it is the brake  and clutch. Some designer in his wisdom put it on the left side of the machine; I seem to be right-footed. After he told me how to start, stop, and control the blades, I was ready to ride."Born to Be Wild" suddenly popped into my mind.

He said to put it on “1.” That is the slowest it will go. You would think after 48 years of marriage he would know that I like the feel of the wind in my face. I drove it about ten feet and told him I wanted to go faster. He said I could move it to “2.” Another ten feet--not fast enough. I wanted to try “3.” Okay, that was more like it. (But when I’m allowed to mow without supervision, I may get it up to the “5” level. I could probably finish mowing in 20 minutes.)

I put the blades down and started to mow. The first thing he told me that I was going in the wrong direction. The clippings-spitter- outer thing should always spit back into the yard so that is no danger of hitting passing cars or the neighbor’s car in his driveway. I began mowing in a clockwise direction.

I discover that our yard has lots of holes and dips that scared me a little. I didn’t want to flip the mower on my first try.

I also need a picker-upper for the bigger twigs and stuff that shouldn’t mowed over. I’ve seen Mr. Fixit just bend over and pick stuff up while seated, but I’m too short. I would probably tumble butt over tea kettle and do myself grievous bodily harm.

When I mowed for a bit, I wanted to try reverse. That worked out quite well after receiving detailed instructions.

The whole time I was mowing I could see him inwardly cringing when I ran over a twig or missed a spot. He also told me not to mow under the trees where the roots are protruding. I was glad to oblige on that one. When I headed to the back of the house to put the mower away, I think I heard his sigh of relief over the roar of the engine.

But Hot Damn! I mowed the yard! The next project is the small leak under the sink in the upstairs bathroom.

How Did This Happen?

Now that summer is upon us it’s time to bring out my favorite movies to while away the long, hot afternoons.

Yesterday I was in the mood for a little fantasy so I went in search of “Excalibur.” I love that movie. I couldn’t find it. I’ll be the first to admit that I have no organized system for our DVD’s. I’ve often said that I should organize the movies as I organize my books. I just never got around to it.

Okay, no “Excalibur.” Another movie I like in that line is “Ladyhawke.”  I found that one. After watching I decided to pull some of my other favorite movies to watch later on. “Cape Fear,” “The Maltese Falcon,” “Casa Blanca,” “Sleepers,” “To Kill a Mockingbird,” and “Tombstone” were my first choices, but they are nowhere to be found. These are movies I watch at least one a year.

I can find no trace. I went through every shelf, stack, and drawer where I store videos. There are more than 30 missing titles. I have no clue what happened to them. (While I’m not organized I do try to keep a current listing.)

I must have done something with them. Mr. Fixit’s movies are all accounted for; only mine are missing.

I am so p.o.ed!

Week of 6/21/14

Reading:

Sidewinders #4: Mankiller, Colorado by William Johnstone

Source: Local Library Ebook

Western – New genre for me. Colorful language, high body count.

Trust Your Eyes by Linwood Barclay

Source: Local Library Ebook

Suspense: Okay read

Lowcountry Punch by Boo Walker

Source: Local Library Ebook

Crime: Okay, but gets off to a dull start

 

Little Girl Lost by Brian McGilloway

Source: Amazon E Book

Irish Police Precedural: Okay

Listening:

Deader Homes and Gardens by Joan Hess

Source: Local Library Audio Book

Cozy Mystery: Good – Hess is one of my         favorites

Watching:

“New Tricks”

“Rosemary and Thyme” - British mystery featuring lady gardeners, luscious gardens and cozy mystery plots.

Source: YouTube

“Vera” – British Mystery set in North Umberland. Based on Books authored by Ann Cleeves. Vera is a bit bad-tempered and a tad unconventional in her garb, but she is a brilliant detective. Nice scenery.

Source: Netflix

What a Great Kid!

Sunday evening our sons and their families came for their Father’s Day visit with Mr. Fixit. They bought carry-out dinners, and Ben and his wife brought a watermelon for dessert.

The younger grandchildren had theirs outside and disposed of the rinds in the yard. Cole, our oldest grandson, was telling me about what they did, and I said I thought maybe it would have been better to bring the garbage inside. I was busy at the time putting things away in the kitchen. Cole asked me where I keep the plastic garbage bags. I assumed that he was going out to pick up the refuse. I didn’t pay that much attention to what he was doing.

Later in the middle of the night I was lying in bed thinking about the evening, and I realized what Cole actually did. Without my asking him, he removed the trash bag from the kitchen trash container and put in the trash outside. I was so surprised and pleased. No one has ever taken care of my garbage before with a direct request from me.

Cole is one sweet kid! I made sure to thank him when he and Noah came yesterday to mow the yard so Mr. Fixit doesn’t worry about it. All of our grandchildren are outstanding!

Explanation: When we were first married, Mr. Fixit would take the garbage cans to the street, but it was my job to get the trash into the cans. After we moved here and I stopped working, I just naturally started doing it myself since he worked such long hours, and the boys were either at school or working. That how the garbage became my purview.

A Day Brightener

The Google Doodle that greeted me this morning was celebrating the World Cup as it has been for the last few days. Today doodle shows the “fans” in the bleachers performing the wave.

It is cute. It gave me Google giggle!

Reading, Listening, Watching Week Ending 6/13/14

Reading:

Source: Local Library Ebook

I like this series. I don’t buy Mr. Patterson’s books because I wonder how he shares the writing and the profits. I’m a suspicious sort of a person. I hope all of his co-authors are fairly compensated.

Source: Purchase from Amazon

This is one of those book that I don’t like to admit that I read—romantic suspense—how embarrassing! What can I say? I like them if there is good writing and interesting plots. This is one of Amazon’s “bargain” books. While I can’t decide why I didn’t care for it, I probably won’t purchase the others in the series.

 

Source: Local Library – Ebook

I found the Phryne Fisher television series on Netflix, and I liked it very much. I happened upon this book while browsing my local library download section. The book was fun; I hope I can find some others in nearby library systems.

Listening:

Source: Local Library – Audio MP3 format

The Agatha Raisin series is fun. I look forward to each new release. This one is one I missed when it was first published.

Source: Local Library – Audio WMA format

Ms. Gerritsen writes some dandy crime novels, but I won’t finish this one. I don’t like spy stories. It may be a good book, but it’s not my cup of tea. I must find another audio book for tonight’s wakeful hours.

Watching:

On “YouTube” I found a very good British television series, “New Tricks.” Three retired detectives are recalled to staff the Unsolved Crime and Open Case Squad of the Metropolitan Police headed by a woman detective superintendent. The retirees are just quirky enough to be funny and interesting. Of course, they always close the case one way or the other each episode. I’ve watched Season 1 and I’m working on Season 2.

This is Mr. Fixit’s week for old, old Westerns from Netflix. I have been watching A & E’s “Longmire” based on the books of Craig Johnson which are even better than the TV series. I finished the new Longmire book last week—another winner! Next week is my turn for another British mystery—my favorites!

Around the Fixit Household

It’s been a busy couple of weeks. We’ve had several doctors’ appointments and logistical problems. It’s wearing us  out.

Things have changed a little for the better for Mr. Fixit. His chemo medication has been cut in half. It seems that some of the side effects are easing.

I have been having problems with my knees and have been spending a great deal of time stretched out on the bed. Our house is three levels and not one level has everything one needs to get through the day. The steps make it tough. Just sitting at the computer hurts. It’s getting better though.

I’ve been trying to add tabs to the top of my blog page, but I don’t understand the instructions at all. It’s so frustrating!

I’ve been reading a lot. Thank goodness for ebooks from my libraries. There’s not much to do in a doctor’s waiting room or coddling one’s knee.

I want all this to go away and for things to get back to normal.