so true

HANDS OF DARKNESS by Heather James

This is book 2 in the series, in book 1, Evelyn's young daughter is kidnapped and murdered.  Evelyn, a lawyer, gets disbarred when she kills a child molestor.

In Hands of Darkness, she gets a new job as a police consultant, working with a detective that had helped solve her daughter's case.

Someone is killing women, and he is  very violent in his attacks. 

Some aren't found for several days or weeks after he kills them.  

But when he accidentally lets one of his victims get away, and Evelyn finds that the woman is a friend and fellow lawyer, the case gets very personal.

If you like suspense, the kind that makes you stay awake to finish a book, you need to read this.

Heather James had done a magnificent job of setting the scene for an ending that will have you wanting more.

I'd give this book 5 stars just for the cover art alone.

I was given a copy of this book by Kregel Publications to read and review.  No other compensation was given.  All opinions expressed here are my own, I am not required to give a favorable review.

HOW TO CLEAN THE ICE MAKER

I'll rent him out.

Well, I did it

I've been thinking about getting a laptop for awhile.  I have found that many of the  publishers are only doing limited numbers of real books, most are now Ebooks, so if I want a certain book, I have to take it as ebooks.

Sitting in front of this computer for a long period of time isn't what I want to do, my legs stiffen up.

So on Wednesday, I started searching, and searching and searching.

I finally went to Dell Refurbished on Ebay and started bidding.

On Thursday afternoon, I won an auction, and

within a week, I'll be using my laptop.

I have had some flack, because I bought a vista instead of a windows 7,

but this is my computer, to do email, read, and whatever else I want to do, not to game on or run high energy programs.

It should serve me well for a long time.

I can also throw it in the car, and not have to worry about a $1,000.00

 computer getting stolen.

3 Childrens books by Callie Grant

Aren't the illustrations gorgous?

Every page is just as beautiful, 

and each is illustrated by a different person.

The dialog is simple, easy to understand, and targeted toward 

pre-scoolers.  

Jesus Saves Me

uses the story of Jesus as a shepard

and how we are his flock.

Close as a Breath

a little girl asks her father questions

as they gaze at the sky, and he explains that just because you can't see it, doesn't mean it isn't there. 

Little Seed: A Life

 A squirrel hides a seed in the ground, and

how life springs forth, when the conditions are right.

Published by Graham Blanchard Inc

all the books are heavy cardboard pages, should hold up to

little hands, as they bring them to you to read again and again.

I think these would make a beautiful baby shower gift, or a lovely addition to the children's nursery at church.

 I received copies of these books to read and review from Sheldon Interactive, no other compensation was given.  All opinions, and pictures posted here are my own.  I'm nrequired to give a favorable review.

The Quilted Heart Omnibus by Mona Hodgson

I love the Civil War Era in stories, so that brings a different prospective to this book.
All of these 3 stories could stand alone as a book, but all three combined in one book really was a pleasure to read, and follow what was happening.
Mona Hodgson's writing is a pleasure to read, looking forwart to more of her books.

All opinions expressed here are my own, no compensation, other than a free copy of the book was given for my review.  I'm not required to give a favorable review.

Can you see it?

Can you see it?

Do you know what it is?

and this is just outside the fence, and to the left

of the front door,

it the smaller 

of the Maples

Here is a better look, 

Yes, it is a nest,

can you guess what kind?

Doves, I'm not sure if it is the

Ringnecked Doves

or the
Mourning Doves.

I spotted them on the nest

 this morning as I was leaving

for water therapy.

I hope to watch the babies

hatch and grow, we'll see.

Here is a trip around the area close to us.

Our lane

about 3/4 mile from the house

And just as you pass our driveway, on to the south.

These are not far from us, about 4 miles.

Petit Jean Mountain, Couldn't get it all in one shot

These are just off the bank of the Arkansas River

A sand and gravel operation, the green in front, is farmland.

Signs of spring

Bush across the road.

Tulip tree with buds, it has yellow blooms

Red Maple

Planter where I planted the new

hollyhocks

Potty chair, lol, 

The root ball where the two trees uprooted and fell on the house, this will be

a new flower bed, we think.

And below, my dreams for summer this year.

Some of the trees damaged or down from that ice storm

I'm ready for spring, see my green.

I haven't done much photography since surgery, so I went out this morning and snapped a few things. 

Here is just some of the wood from the 2 trees that were taken down by the ice storm.  Wish I'd gotten some of them while they were still on the house.

Stump from the Hackberry tree,

the Cherry stump is behind that section

of fence that you can't see through, because of the propping job.

One of the Maples got a limb 

broken off, too, in that mess.

I'm sure glad it didn't take these two 

trees down, they are over 4 ft across at about

3 foot up from the base.  

Both are huge Red Oaks

that were probably standing

when Abe Lincoln was President.

I love the small cherry that is casting it's shadow on the largest of the oaks.

It will come down soon, as we are removing the

brush from around that area.

And here is Booger, trying to

catch the strap on my camera,  this morning.

He got a face washing right after this, which

he still says, doesn't seem like a real mom wash, I didn't use my tongue.

More photos from around the yard.

Where the most damage was done, right over our

bedroom. It reaches all the way across.

Brush in the back yard from the trees.

Cherry stump

3 ft high root and dirt ball where the roots lifted when the trees

tumbled onto the house.  The stump you see is the hackberry, the cherry was a bit closer to

the fence.

Just a tiny fungi, about 14 inches across, that is at the base of one of the Oaks.

6 Week surgery update

It has been 6 weeks since I came home from the hospital.  In that time, I've gone from walking with a walker to a cane, to now I am using just my own two feet.   I still have a bit of a limp, but that will eventually go away, when I get it in my head I don't need to limp anymore.  I'm still going to PT 3 times a week, and am now working on tightening and working all those muscles that haven't worked well in a long time.

I start on Tuesday on getting to where I can bend more than 90 degrees, with this new hip.  I know I can do it, I just know it may be one of the hardest things I've had to accomplish, since surgery.

I still plan on dancing in the streets on July 4th, if not before.

Last year at this time, these were blooming, this was taken on March 17, 2013

I haven't seen anything blooming here, yet, this year.

BEYOND THE SHADOW OFTHE BROWNSTONE by Valerie Lawrence

The characters in this story are all believable and very real feeling.  The story itself is very gripping, makes you want to slap some sense into a few of them, and to hug and comfort some of the others.

The story is about a family who grew up in a brownstone in NYC and how their lives changed, as they grew farther away from their 'old country'.  It is about struggles that a lot of families deal with over generations, and how this particular family deals with those struggles.

I'm saddened by the fact that this author was killed before she saw her book published, and that she will never know how hard her husband has worked to see that it was published.

It is a very good book, I'd give it 5 stars easily.  

I was given a copy of this book to read and review.  No other compensation was given.  All opinions expressed here are my own, I'm not required to give a favorable review.

Ryan's Father by June Foster

I had difficulty deciding how to rate this book, after reading it.  I've put off reviewing, and kept searching my concience, hoping that an idea would come to me.  
Finally, in desperation, I contacted a friend, and she gave me some great advice.
Ryan has an attraction to someone of the same sex, he's a christian, and he doesn't act on his feelings, but they are still there.  I think we all know someone who
doesn't quite fit the 'perfect mold' in fact a lot of someones, all of us. June Foster did a good job of telling this difficult story, without making you feel  bad, sorry, or angry, at any of the people involved. 
She made it believable and the characters all work together, to tell this story well.  So you don't like the subject matter, then you need to put your flaws in that place, where Ryan's flaws are placed.  Then sit down, open your Bible, and understand that  we are all sinners, working to become better people
I was given a copy of this book by the author, to read and review.  She knew she was treading on a subject that might disturb some people, but she didn't ask to read my review before I posted it.  All opinions expressed here are my own, and I was given no other compensation for my opinion

Poor Flash

He's become a wanderer, going here and there, since the fence is broken.  

Yesterday morning, as I was leaving for PT, he came up to me, and acted funny.

His tail was tucked under, and he was shaking.  Hubby came out, and messed with him, he didn't even want on the porch, he wanted in the garage.  We've determined that either he got in the way of a car, or made a neighbor upset, and they whacked him.  We can't find any real wounds or bad spots on him, but he sure isn't interested in running around.  He comes out of the garage, goes to bathroom, and wants back inside.  He will lay on porch for a bit, but not like before. 

Don't you wish they could talk, so you could know what has happened to them?

He is a good dog, he has his issues, like hating cats, and the UPS and FedX guys.

But they weren't here overnight, I'm sure.

The story of Bubba Gump

Bubba Gump disappeared yesterday, and with the fact that Flash was in the garage part of the time that he was missing, we figured that we'd never see him alive 

again.  But like the old song, The Cat Came Back, 

Bubba showed up this morning, bright eyed and busht tailed, in the garage.  

So here are the lyrics to

THE CAT CAME BACK

Well old Mr. Johnson
  had troubles all his own
He had an old yellow cat
   that wouldn't leave home
Tried everything he knew to do
   to get the cat to stay away
Even took him up to Canada
   and told him for to stay

   Chorus:
   But the cat came back, the very next day,
   Thought he was a goner, but the cat came back
   `Cause he wouldn't stay away

Well they give a boy a dollar
   for to set the cat afloat
And he took him up the river
   in a sack and a boat
Well the fishin' it was fine
   till the news got around
That the boat was missing
   and the boy was drowned...

   Chorus:

Well the farmer on the corner
   said he'd shoot him on sight
And he loaded up his gun
   full of rocks and dynamite
The gun went off,
   heard all over town
Little pieces of the man
   was all that they found...

   Chorus:

Well they finally found a way
   this cat for to fix
They put him in an orange crate
   on Route 66
Come a ten ton truck
   with a twenty ton load
Scattered pieces of the orange crate
   all down the road...

   Chorus:

Now they gave him to a man
   going up in the balloon
And they told him for to leave him
   with the man in the moon
Well the balloon got busted,
   back to earth it head,
And seven miles away
    they picked the man up dead...

   Chorus:

Well they took him to the shop
   where the meat was ground
And they dropped him in the hopper
   when the butcher wasn't 'round
Well the cat disappeared
   with a blood-curdling shriek
And the town's meat
   tasted furry for a week...

   Chorus:

Well, they took him to Cape Canaveral
   and they put him in a place
Shot him in a U.S. rocket
   going way out in space
Well they finally thought the cat
   was out a' human reach
Next day they got a call
   from Miami Beach and...

   Chorus:

Imaginary Brother

What you may not know about me, is I have 3, oh, make that 4 grave markers in my yard.  Several years ago, I had a chance to get them at a very good price, and I've set at least 12 over the years, at family graves I've located in cemeteries around our area that had no markers.  3 of these, I know the location, but haven't had anyone to help me get them there, and set.  The other marker is the original marker of my husband's grandfather, that was found under a house in a town about 20 miles away from the cemetery where he is buried.  His stone had been replaced, and I guess they had someone haul off the original, and they used it as a support under the house they were building.  It is dated August 1916, as his death date.
The picture is him, and his bride, taken shortly after their wedding. 


My grandson, James, turned 11 on the 9th.  He's stayed with us while his parents worked from the time he was about 8 weeks old, so he knows our place about as well as he knows his own home. 

When he was about 4, someone came up to the house on business while we were outside.  James was standing beside me, and suddenly he looked up at the guy and said that is my brother, buried there.  The guy said really...Yes, it's my brother....Just as serious as a toothache.  The guy grinned, because the marker has the date 1864 as the death date. (it is the marker for my great great great grandfather, Gamblin Weeks, who died in Cassville Missouri of pneumonia, during the Civil War).

THE VICAR'S WIFE by Katharine Swartz

When Natalie, the daughter of Andrew and Jane Hattan, got into a bit of trouble in the NYC school she attended, Andrew decided they needed to get away.  Little did Jane know that before long they would be living in England, where the weather was totally different, that she would have to give up her beloved job, and all her friends.  Andrew bought a huge cold vicarage on the coast and moved the whole family there.

Jane hates it, she keeps putting off doing any redecorating, or anything to the old house.  Finally she decides she has to do something, and starts in a small pantry, and the first thing she discovers is a scrap of paper with a shopping list.  She becomes quite curious about the woman who made this list, many years ago, and starts looking for information.

Being a curious person, myself, this book really was very interesting to me.  Some might say, a shopping list gets someone started searching?  Yes, or a scrap of paper of any kind can send us off into a search that can last years.
Ms Swartz blended the story of Jane perfectly with the story of Alice, who wrote the shopping list, shortly after she moved into the same house, before the war, with her new husband. 

Kregel publications sent me this book to read and review.  No other compensation was given.  All opinions are my own, I'm not required to give a favorable review
5 stars

2 weeks into Recovery

I'm doing well, it is still a bit sore, but that is to be expected. 
Hubby has been very good with this nursemaid  stuff, may have to milk it a bit longer, lol.
He's even admitted to our former minister that he's gotten used to the cats lol .  
We've had terrible weather, ice, snow, sleet, and freezing rain, for the past week.  Mother nature is sure mixed up.  This is the south for goodness sake.  We lost at least 2 trees, both of which ended up on our roof, so we now have a large skylight in our bedroom.

One was a large hackberry tree, and it hit right at the end of the original house, that is the one that did most of the damage. 

The other, a good sized cherry, hit the addition on the north end,

and as far as we know, didn't go through the roof, insurance guy and hubby were up there the next day, and found no damage other than the roof itself.

Bionic Woman is Home

Over the past 3 years, I've really developed a bad hip, was barely walking, and finally went to specialist.  One xray, that is all it took to tell him it was totally worn out.  So I got all my tests done, and on January 28th, I recieved a bionic hip.  no pain, finally after all this time.  He said the other won was worn flat in a spot, and socket had bone spurs all in it.  No wonder it sounded like an ungreased ball joint..  I came home on Jan 31st, after 2 untils of blood, and a lot of meds.  I don't think the doctor liked my statement the morning after surgery.  I grabbed my mouth with both hands and proceded to pitch about a gallon of wather out my mouth .  lol

I'm taking therapy, and hope that soon I have a normal gait, again.  Right now my nursemaid is not happy, I woke him at 6:20am to get up.  He's got me, 2 cats, and 2 dogs to care for, and he thinks that none of us appreciate him. lol.    He's stuck in the house with a wild crew, and rain outside.
Pray for him, and for all those who uncomplainingly care for a spouse who is down for a few days, I know it isn't fun, I've done the same for him, over the years.

Another Guitar, are you sick of them yet....

About two weeks before Christmas, the minister who was subbing at our church, told hubby that he wanted one of the lap steel guitars, and when his wife asked him why, he told her he was going to learn to play it.  He told me he couldn't sing or play a note, but his brother in law could.    

So Jerry started working on another guitar, and last Friday he finished it.  We had planned on taking it over on Saturday afternoon, to deliver it.  No, they couldn't wait, they came over on Saturday morning at 8:15am to pick it up. 

  Here are the photos

Front

Back.

Jimmy, the guy who bought it, sat right down and started playing it, said it was tuned perfectly.  I asked him if he had seen the back of it, I knew he hadn't.  When he turned it over, his grin got even bigger.  It is Walnut, Oak, Cherry and then Walnut again on the outer parts.

We plan on driving over to their church one Sunday, to hear him play it.  He is the first one that bought a guitar, who actually knows how to play it.  He plays several instruments.

Oh and by the way, speaking of guitars.  Friday, our son in law won an autographed guitar, signed by Willie Nelson.  

Our grandson entered the contest online, at  one of the radio stations websites.  Son in law presented it to grandson, when he got home from school.

The first photo is when he realized what his dad had hidden.

And then look at that sad expression as he holds guitar for the first time.

This makes him 4 guitars, now.

4 months and what a change

Here is Booger and his siblings at about 1 1/2 to two weeks old.  this was about 9-10-13

Booger is the one with the lightest ears.

Red Tabby is Bubba Gump

middle white with reddish ears has a Biblical name, but I can't remember it, but he is spoiled Rotten.

MiniMouse is the only girl, she is the top one with the pink leg.

Here is booger with his eyes barely open.

I ended up keeping Booger and Bubba Gump,

here they are at about 2 1/2  months old.

Bubba this week, stretched out about 4 ft off the ground, in front of the tv.

and here is Booger, that tiny thing being held by my 10 year old granddaughter, with only a head sticking out, 

4 months later

That is a pretty wide chair, and he stretches all the way across and still can't lay flat without curling around.

He is going to be a BIG boy, but he has the calmer disposition of the two.  Bubba thinks he can fly, and you never know where you'll find him.

Last week, he got out of the house into the garage without being seen.  It was a cold evening, so I put my big dog, Jumpinjackflash, into the garage to keep warm during the night.

He is not cat friendly and weighs about 75 pounds right now.

Bubba doesn't know what dogs are, he thinks they are just strange looking cats.  I heard Flash throwing a fit, looked out and Bubba was beside the wheel stretched out like he was relaxing.  I ran out, and with the help of my hubby, we rescued an unsuspecting Bubba from certain death.  Lets just say, he may only have aboutg 8 lives left.

Didn't teach him a lesson though, today, we were carrying groceries in, and he slipped out into the garage.  He got tired of being out there though, and jumped about 3 ft, clung to the window frame on the door, and told me he wanted back inside. 

Gonna have to watch that boy closely.