The second week of #The 100 Days Project has passed and I’ve created and written every day. I haven’t written much each day, but I have written. I’ve been using prompts and have actually gotten a couple of beginnings to stories.
I am creating small joy or positivity cards each day and they are a quick, fun project.
My joy cards this week:
My positivity cards:
It’s time once again for Connect Five Friday, hosted at Book Date by Kathryn – the meme where we share five book/reading things that connect in some way.
This month has been Black History Month – a time to celebrate and honour the legacy of Black people and their communities across North America. There are so many wonderful authors and books about black people- I have only read a few. So many more I’d love to read.
Here are 5 books I read and enjoyed by Black authors or about black people.:
Becoming by Michelle Obama. I finally read this memoir this month and was so glad I did. What an amazing woman.
Long Way Down by Jason Reynolds. An exceptional YA book, that highlights stark issues effecting so many.
Children of Blood and Bone by Tomi Adeyemi. What a fascinating fantasy, the first in a series I aim to finish reading.
I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou. This is a searing memoir by an exceptional woman.
The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot. This NF was riveting – a look at what happened to this poor woman and how she influenced science every after.
March brings a new challenge – Can You Read a Series in a Month? – hosted at Because Reading is Better Than Real Life, with Michelle and Berls.
Since I do read a lot each month, I am sure than I can read a series in a month, so I am challenging myself to read 2 series in March – m1 of a series by a favourite author (Nalini Singh) and one by a new-to-me author (Kelly Armstrong)
Here are the 2 series:
I plan to read the first 3 books (of 5):
Silver Silence Ocean Light Wolf Rain
2. Darkest Powers series by Kelley Armstrong
The Summoning The Awakening The Reckoning
Here are the Rules for this challenge. Check it out here.
Lisa (of LisaNotes) has provided a place to share our experiences with our OLW (One Little Word)– to be accountable, to keep it front and centre in our lives. This is our second check-in:
My One Word February Update:
JOY is my OLW – a word that is needed greatly this year.
January started with my hubby in hospital for two weeks, the second time in two months due to an infection. Then last week, the infection returned, even after 6 weeks of antibiotics. He has been there a week and the doctors are still unable to find the source of the infection. We face-time throughout the day. So, I try to find small bits of joy where I can.
I was so very fortunate to have won this lovely wooden tray with my word on it last month. It was created by Randy Flowersl Thank you so much!
Follow Randy on Instagram @woodshopmade to see more of his amazing work.
What I am doing:
I continue to keep my JOY canvas in a conspicuous spot so that I see it often each day.
I continue to list 3-5 things I am grateful for every day.
I continue to add to my JOY journal quotes, inspiring stories, and pictures that spark joy.
I am creating several JOY cards each week, using my hubby’s old business cards. They are fun to do.
I am starting a book study of Joyful by Ingrid Fetell Lee with a writing friend- a chapter or two a week, to study it in depth.
I am also trying to find joy in small things – playing wordle every day and sharing results with my hubby; reading; listening to music; talking to my kids or friends; enjoying a special treat (like French toast with real maple syrup or warm apple crisp)l
Here is a lovely joy quote from Alexandra Stoddsrd:
When joy enters your life, celebrate it and live as fully as you can.
When sorrow comes, remember that you have experienced joy and will again.
I also discovered two beautiful poems about joy. :
Joy by Clarissa Scott Delaney (1926) (Check here)
Joy and Sorrow by Kahlil Gibran (check here. )
I am trying every day, to feel that joy, to be filled with joy. Some days more than others it is a challenge. I will keep trying – It is well worth the pursuit.
It’s time once again for Kathryn’s weekly meme, “It’s Monday! What are You Reading?”, hosted at Book Date, where we share what we’re reading and have read over the past week.
So much snow this week – 2 downfalls of at least a foot each time. Both times, neighbours stepped in to help clear the driveway and sidewalk. I made a sign of Thanks to hang in the window.
It was also another trip to the hospital for my hubby. After 6 weeks of antibiotics after last time, the infection returned. He has been there since Tues and the doctors still have no idea where the infection is. He’s had test and bloodwork every day. Tomorrow is a holiday here in Ontario (Family Day) so not sure what will get done. Hopefully he will be out for good soon.
What I Read Last Week
I read 4 books –a woman’s fiction, a Christian fiction, an historical romance and a fantasy.
The Stranger in the Lifeboat by Mitch Albom. This was a powerful, spiritual read.
The Lady Most Likely by Julia Quinn and 2 others. This regency historical romance was an enjoyable read.
On Mystic Lake by Kristin Hannah. This was one of her older books but so enjoyable.
Written in Red by Anne Bishop. Another comfort reread of this first book in Bishop’s fantasy series The Others.
What I’m Reading Now
City of Time and Magic by Paula Brackston
Becoming Mrs. Lewis by Paula Brackston
What’s Up Next
The Bridge by Bill Konigsberg
Finishing the Vampire Midnight Detective series – Fang and Metal
The first week of #The 100 Days Project has passed and I’ve created and written every day. It feels good to say that and to have done that. I wasn’t consistent with when I wrote or created, but I did follow through.
Here are the first small cards I created this week – small collage cards with quotes, with old business cards as the base. JOY is my OLW for 2022 and I added to my JOY cards.
It’s time once again for Connect Five Friday hosted at Book Date by Kathryn – the meme where we share five book/reading things that connect in some way.
If read a recommendation of the YA fantasy novel Midnight in Everwood by M.A. Kuzniar and I thought about several books with “midnight” in the title:
2 I have read:
he Midnight Library by Matt Haig – my favourite book of last year
Midnight at the Bright Ideas Bookstore by Matthew J. Sullivan
As well as one I own:
Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil by John Berendt
I wondered how many books there were with midnight in the title and I discovered there were sooo many. Here are 5, written by some of my favourite authors, that I want to read:
Mine Till Midnight by Lisa Kleypas
Lady Midnight by Cassandra Clare
Crown of Midnight by Sarah J. Maas
The Midnight Witch by Paula Brackston
Midnight Crossroad by Charlaine Harris
(I have to apologize. WordPress has once again changed how to create a post and after trying to add 2 pix, I just don’t have the energy to add more, or even add more detail about the books. Sorry.
My hubby is back in hospital – since Tuesday – with the same infection he has had, with the same inability of the doctors to find the infection. So I am a wee bit stressed – and not up for learning a new way of creating a post.
It’s time once again for Kathryn’s weekly meme, “It’s Monday! What are You Reading?”, hosted at Book Date, where we share what we’re reading and have read over the past week.
A cold week, some snow and now icy sidewalks. I’m back to physio for my knees – hoping this will ease some of the pain. As it is now, I can hardly stand for any length of time and walking is painful. My knee replacement has been moved back again, possibly not til May. Any suggestions to relieve pain, increase use?
What I Read Last Week
I read 4 books – 2 romances, a memoir, and a woman’s fiction.
Becoming by Michelle Obama. This has been on my TBR for at least 2 years. Finally finished and really enjoyed it. What an amazing woman.
The Christmas Wedding Guest by Susan Mallery. I finally got this from the library – it has so many holds! A delightful romance, worth the wait.
Heard it in a Love Song by Tracey Garvis Graves. Needed a book with Love in the4 title and it had been recommended. So enjoyed it, especially with the dual timeline.
The Wedding Photo by Laurie Baxter. This weas a free novella and a surprisingly good read.
What I’m Reading Now
The Stranger in the Lifeboat by Mitch Albom
The lady Most Likely by Julia Quinn and 2 others
What’s Up Next
City of Time and Magic by Paula Brackston
Day 1 of the 100 Days Project
I have started several of these projects – all with lots of enthusiasm, only to peter out before the finish.
I need to get back to a regular practice of daily writing and creating, so decoded I’d join in once again.
I’ve chosen a theme of JOY (my OLW for 2022) for my creating – making small joy cards, just having fun with my art and finishing other projects I have started.
I plan to write daily as well, starting with a prompt a day for the 100 days and work on short stories and editing existing novellas.
I also plan to post every Saturday as summary of the week, sharing what I have created.
Here is my first JOY card for the start of this project (using my hubby’s old business cards)
Here is a journal page I completed as well – I will be using using quotes that resonate with me.
Check here for info on #The 199 Days Project
It’s time once again for Connect Five Friday, hosted at Book Date by Kathryn – the meme where we share five book/reading things that connect in some way.
Monday is Valentine’s Day so I thought I’d list 5 romance books that I read in the past 4 months, really enjoyed and had LOVE in the title (blurbs from Goodreads):
Heard it in a Love Song by Tracey Garvis Graves.
“Equally cautious and confused about dating in a world that favors apps over meeting organically, Layla and Josh decide to be friends with the potential for something more. Sounds sensible and way too simple—but when two people are on the rebound, is it heartbreak or happiness that’s a love song away?”
For the Love of the Dame by Miriam Allenson
“Italian opera singer Sofia de’ Medici wants one thing: to sing Carmen in a first-rate New York opera house. … Major League baseball star Car Bradford wants one thing: to get his son away from his unfit ex-wife. In order to do that, he needs the help of her dad (and his boss) who demands a strange ransom — pretend to be having an affair with a beautiful, curvy opera singer to get her the media attention she needs to nab the part of a lifetime.”
Must Love Babies by Kelly Hunter
“Single mom Mardie Griffin has a run-down old house in need of fixing and a memory of Jett Casey as her savior in a time of great need. So when her friends acquire Jett’s services at a bachelor auction and send him to fix up her house, she sets aside her mistrust of men and lets him in.”
Love Me Forever by Johanna Lindsey
“Still mourning her mother’s death, Kimberly Richards is incensed by the determination of her father, the Earl of Amburough, to marry her off as quickly as possible—just to please the jealous lover he plans to wed. And since Kimberly harbors a deep-seated dislike of gold-diggers and the whole distasteful state of affairs, the feisty young heiress already despises the “worthy suitor” she encounters at Sherring Cross Estate: Lachlan MacGregor, the dashing, newly impoverished Laird of Clan MacGregor.”
Love Everlasting by Tracey Alverez
“Can a fun-loving cancer survivor and a man whose heart is hardened by loss ever find their Happy Ever After?“
Beverley A Baird 