I know, it has been a while. 2025 was busy and it looks like 2026 will be the same, but I hope to write the occasional post to keep my poor blog alive. It sounds like you weren’t overly impressed by The Correspondent? Will still give it a try. Have a great week too!

I loved the Train Dreams movie and the book has recently come off hold so I hope to read it soooooooooooooooon.

Hi Tracy, it sounds like you are doing & planning a lot of spring cleaning in your yard outside and inside the house too. That’s great. It’ll look so nice when all is done. I can relate. I have been working on drawers & closets inside & took 6 bags to the thrift store recently. It feels good to unload a bit.
I look forward to your reviews of Mary Stewart and Iona Whishaw’s books. I’m curious of Whishaw and don’t know of her yet. Knowing more Canadian history would be good for me.
I’m glad you enjoyed The Correspondent. Train Dreams is sort of an odd story at times. He throws in some odd elements to it. And it could’ve been more developed — things are pretty short & I could’ve used more about his wife & daughter who are gone in Chapter 2. I can how it wouldn’t be for everyone.
Wishing much luck with your yard cleanup. Have a good week.

My favorite place for reading is in my bed at night. However I have to find a secondary favorite place because I cannot read on a tablet at night and I need to read some Kindle books. I have started The Ivy Tree by Mary Stewart on Kindle and hope to finish it by the end of the week. Also reading Death in the Darkening Mist by Iona Whishaw, a Canadian author; it is part of a series, set in British Columbia in 1946, with lots of interesting Canadian history I had not read about.

I did not enjoy Train Dreams as much as most other people who read it and I don’t know why; I read it in 2021 and maybe it just wasn’t the right book at the right time. On the other hand, I loved The Correspondent and I plan to read it again someday.

Hi Keira, I admit reading in bed is still hard to beat for me too … but it’s nice to try and make some daytime reading spots … like your former patio. I hope you find something nice with your move … with a bit more space … and a sunny patio, lol. Have a great week & happy spring.

Hi Sam, your back patio sounds like an ideal reading spot. And you probably get a few more colorful birds than we get here. … as we are without Cardinals & Orioles. What a nice spot to read. I’m trying to make our sun room comfortable for that and our deck is nice to hear the birds.
I will report back on Buckeye soon. It’s a drama that entangles two families, post-WWII. More to come. Have a great week & happy reading.

Thanks much Jeanie. Glad to hear you like the sun room. I’m waiting for another warm day so I can return to it. We are going to be putting a couch in there — when the new one for the living room comes in. Willow loves it in there, ha. Have a great week & happy spring.

Hi Joy, wow you’re doing good work on your spring cleaning. Way to go! I have tackled the bathrooms’ drawers and the towel/linen closet. I took 6 bags to the thrift store. But I haven’t tackled the office yet & need to paint the pantry still. You make me think – maybe I should tackle the kitchen drawers. Hmm. thx for the tip. Good luck & happy cleaning.

Hi Olivia, it seems Willow loves the warm sunroom, lol. I’m waiting (patiently) for another warm day.
I can imagine … that poor man who lost his passport in Albania. I think it would make me panic. The book is like that … terrifying. It sounds like you’ve met some nice expats there, which is great. Enjoy your week.

Hi Lux, we had a long winter here and it’s still going on! Can’t wait till spring. I think it felt longer too because I was recovering from a knee surgery all winter. But I’m almost ready. Not sure where you are located but it’s good it went quickly for you. Good luck with spring cleaning!