July Reading List

Dead, White and Blue by Carolyn Hart is the 23rd in her Death on Demand mystery series. These are entertaining, quickly read, little mysteries. It was coincidence on my part to choose a book set during the July holiday season, but probably intentional by the library staff to have it front and center on the New Books shelves even though it came out in 2013 and the library got this copy in March. There were plenty of misleading clues as to whodunnit, but I correctly guessed who it was.

Courting Trouble is Lisa Scottoline's 7th in her Rosato and Associates series. You many recall that I had just begun reading this author in March and planned to read my way in order through her titles. Then came the coronavirus and ended my library checkouts until now. Courting Trouble was the next in order of publication so it was entirely coincidental that this book is also set during a 4th of July weekend! Life imitating art? - Except there were no murders (that I know of) in our neighborhood. ☺
Scottoline's books are fast paced, well-written and in appropriate spots, funny. I really like her asides when the protaganist is making "a note to self". It was so obvious who the stalker/murderer was, that finally being read of him was a foregone conclusion. Or was it? Spoiler alert - I did not see that ending coming!

Doris Kearns Goodwin is a woman and author I admire very much. Her Leadership In Turbulent Times, which was published in 2028, was another book on my next to read list when the library closed due to Covid-19 in March. Again, coincidental that I began reading it on the 4th of July holiday weekend.
It is no wonder Ms. Goodwin has won the Pulitzer Prize for History.

Masked Prey is John Sandford's 30th book in his Lucas Davenport series. These never get old for me, always exciting and always different. This one is set in D.C. among the politicos - so up to the minute that I think Sandford must have some insider knowledge.

he said/she said by Erin Kelly was touted as a psychological thriller with a killer twist. It took some time for me to get into this story, it built so slowly. But there was an ending twist that I did not see coming.

The Shell Seekers was one of Rosamunde Pilcher's big hits back in the late 80's when I first read it. After re-reading and enjoying the two books of hers in my personal stash, I decided to get this one from the library to read again. And, again, I did not remember anything about it. I came so close to quitting after the first character was introduced - she was so insufferable - but I read on to the next character and was rewarded with a woman I could understand and admire. From there on through the rest of 530 pages, I was enchanted and so, so glad I read The Shell Seekers again.

When I took those first six books back, I got seven more including an old Pilcher title just bacause I had been enjoying her books so much.

Another View by Rosamunde Pilcher is one of her earliest books and one I hadn't read before. Like Shell Seekers, it is primarily set in Porthkerris, Cornwall. This was her third book. I can't help wondering if it was a trial for the later expanded Shell Seekers.

Ghost Town by Ed Gorman is an author I once knew in person. It was in the years I worked at Lariam Associates Recording Studio in Des Moines. Ed was in advertising/public relations in Cedar Rapids and a semi-regular at the studio,  overseeing some of his advertising spots for??? (Lost to my memory bank.)
I do remember that he talked about the novel he was writing. But at that time I was also dreaming about writing a novel, so I wasn't overly impressed. He did impress me as more than a little self-aggrandizing. I think if I impressed him at all it would have been the times he phoned in ad copy and I was able to keep type it just as fast as he was dictating it over the phone.
Still, I did think about him recently and was curious enough to Google him and find quite a list of books he wrote. Ghost Town was one of his westerns. His dialogue and characterizations were alright but the storyline was disjointed. I doubt I will read any more of his works, but I am glad I finally sampled one of them.

The Red Lotus by Chris Bohjalian has to be the most prescient book I've ever read. It is about scientists purposely developing a virus so virulent there is no known cure or vaccine, then exposing rats to it so they will become carriers in germ warfare.
Mr. Bohjalian is one of my favorite authors, but this was not the book to read during the current pandemic - too close to reality. The bizarre coincidence is that this book debuted on March 17, the day after our state imposed self-isolation, social distancing, limit groups to ten or fewer people and closing schools to help limit the spread of the coronavirus.
I can't help but wonder if this author had an inkling of what was coming or was it just chance that he wrote a pandemic novel now?

Excerpt from The Red Lotus: "Look, my justifications are irrelevant. I know that. I get it.
But Thomas Malthus understood the problem well before anyone: 'The power of population is infinitely greater that the power of the earth to produce subsistence for men.'
It's a fact that our species is destroying the planet, and the more of us there are, the faster the deterioration. The faster the climate change.
Did I actually want a nation ever to use the pathogen as a weapon? Of course not.
But, yes, I did tell myself that if one ever did, it wouldn't be the end of the world. It might, in a twisted sort of way, in fact save it."

I have had those same thoughts for several years now - that a war or pandemic, something, would happen to reduce the world population if our planet was going to survive. I just didn't think it would be in my time. I thought it was still a few decades away.

None of the other books I got and already have lined up for August reading have the subject of pandemics in their storylines. Thank goodness!

Out and About July 24-30

Early Friday a.m., the first blush of dawn.

It stayed in the low 70's all night so we were up and out early to get our walk in before it got any hotter.

I walked in our neighborhood but this time I took my camera along because I had noticed a couple things on previous walks.

Like the giant Hibiscus on the corner. Those flowers have to be 10 to 12 inches across and such a pretty deep red color.

The bush is much bigger than pictured, but I wanted to get the feather grass in the picture too because of the sunlight on it.

Across the road from the above is this Althouse-Wheeler vaneless windmill.


Isn't it a pretty picture with the cirrus clouds, white fence, the trees and a blush of pink on the horizon?

Back home catching up on social media posts and e-mails and found a tease from Family Search about a pioneer relative of mine.
Her maiden name was Jane Clotilda Marsh, married name was Pettingill. She and Elihu had 15 children. They left Kanesville, IA (now Council Bluffs) in a covered wagon in 1852 when she was 24. They were part of the James C. Snow Company headed to Utah.

So, while Jane was not a close relative, the John Richardson across from her was my gr-gr-grandfather. I followed the Marsh genealogy chart all the way back to my 8xgreat-grandfather Henry Marsh in Elham, Kent England.
I found this photo Elham and put it on FB along with the family connections which started a lengthy back in forth with my brother, daughter and cousin. I didn't get much else done this morning. 😍

But I did get a slightly better picture of the Carolina Wren than the one I shared in the July 9-16 blog post.

I'll keep trying!

Beginning in 2015, our family has celebrated Chirstmas the last of  July. This has been a wonderful new tradition for us.

Unfortunately this year our family get-together was just one more Covid casualty.

So on Saturday, July 25, daughter Kari had a mini celebration which she shared on FB.
Candlelight, greenery, red bow, twinkle lights, hot chocolate and the completed puzzle of Santa Clause that I had never worked and sent to her.

And because I have already shared some of the many photos I took on my walk this morning (A Bonus Out and About For Saturday), here is one from the close of the day.
Fireworks from McKinley Park were postponed this year, but there was still a McKinley Park Festival this evening. With a Fishing Derby for the kids, a special Farmer's Market, a meet and greet with the town police department, and music at the Bandshell, the evening wrapped with fireworks. I took this photo from our deck.
The sad ending to the park festivities was learning the next day that an 83-year old neighbor of ours had been charged with OWI after losing control of her vehicle and hitting and severely injuring a couple then striking a utility pole. Sad news for all of them.

Sunday morning an early morning walk before it gets any hotter.

Photo is of an old gas pump and Phillips 66 sign at the Visitor Center which features Creston's original Phillips 66 service station in.

This little roadside park is also the location of the Union County Freedom Rock with benches for quiet reflection as well as a covered picnic table.

Around 10:30 I noticed our cool front moving in. Earlier than forecast, yay! We ended up with 2.8" of much needed and appreciated rain.

Monday was not a good day for me. It was time to do some shopping which the whole Covid thing has made even more tiring and stressful.
In addition to going to the grocery stores, I decided as long as I was out I would also make a Wally run.
Fareway was fine. I got there early so it wasn't crowded. Got everything on my list and had the happy bonus of seeing my brother-in-law for the first time in months.
Things started going south at Wally, mostly because of customer service and that I was wearing out. Hy-Vee was okay except that when I got home I discovered I had gotten the wrong brand of something. I hate making little mistakes like that. It makes me wonder about how well I am, or am not, aging. Once I got home, got everything wiped down and put away and sat down for awhile, I was fine.

The good part of  the shopping expedition was getting this gorgeous Boston Fern for half price. I just love these hanging along the patio.

All was well by day's end when grandson-in-law Evan posted this photo of great-grandchildren Lily and Maverick.

He had it labeled "Target Practice".

These two are so darned cute.

He also shared a bunch of photos showing the clearing of trees and brush from behind their house. Once they get the bridge built, they'll have easier access to their property on the other side of the creek.

They are going to have so much more useable yard and garden space.

This was the summer we were going to make the trip to MN to see their new home. Oh well, hopefully next year.

The most eventful thing about Tuesday was putting up the new room-darkening blind and drapes I got yesterday.
The afternoon sun heats this room so much even when I had the old blind and curtains closed.

This gives a better idea of  the color of the blind.

The drapes are slightly more pink than they look here. I worried about them being too coral and clashing with the pale pink walls, but I think they contrast okay.

This is how dark they make the room.

I may start referring to this as 'the cave' instead of  'the office'.

And this is how rosy the room is with the blind and drapes closed.

After Bud got the blind put up I said "Where's the cord to lower it?"
Turns out they have eliminated those cords that were so dangerous for children. To lower and raise these you just grip and pull down and push up to raise.

Such a pretty sky Wednesday morning. This was taken at six a.m.

After I got back from my walk I pulled a few weeds.

A neighbor gave me a selection of tomatoes.

And I made a Seafood Pasta salad with imitation crab.
The last time I made this was for one of our Christmas in July family get-togethers. I should have halved the recipe. I may be eating this for breakfast, lunch and dinner as HD doesn't eat any.

My first tomato is getting ripe, though it didn't get very big.

This was the sky early Thursday a.m. I said it was my reward for taking the garbage out early.

And this was the sky over Lake McKinley not quite an hour later when I went there for my walk.

There was a chance for rain so I wanted to "get 'er done".

The clover hay field on the west side of the lake is full of blooming Queen Anne's Lace, with some yellow Birdsfoot Trefoil here and there. So pretty.

What do you think? Alien eyewear? Part of a storm trooper's face mask? Whatever it was it washed over the spillway.

When I was trying to identify the 'spiky plant with purple flowers' Saturday, Purple Loosestrife came coming up which it was not. (Finally found the correct name, Hoary Vervain.)

 This is Purple Loosestrife and some Broadleaf Arrowhead plants along the dam of the lake.

On the way back home I passed the area where our neighbor had her accident Saturday night.

I see now why her car was totaled. She hit a power pole and one of the stone pillars at a park entrance before striking the couple who were injured. They said she was driving without her headlights on. I wonder how fast she was going?

The power pole has been replaced. I don't know what they will do about the pillar.

It was two weeks ago today that older brother Ron called to tell me about the write up in the Adams County Free Press for younger brother Les.
I don't think I could be any more proud of him. Writing one book would be an accomplishment, but writing a series of five? That's a major achievement.

When I awoke at 4:44 a.m. I was dreaming I was in Des Moines searching for a cookbook by Carol Wright. It was the latest 'must have' and its primary subject matter was olives.
Being curious, I Googled Carol Wright books and found her website Eat Your Books. The site has indexed recipes from leading cookbooks and magazines as well as recipes from food websites and blogs. You can become a member and create your own personal 'Bookshelf'. I wasn't interested enough to see what a membership cost. But once again, I wonder what causes us to dream the dreams we dream?

Stay curious and attentive.

A Bonus Out and About For Saturday

I've been thinking about and wanting to go out to Green Valley State Park early some morning to take sunrise photos and get my morning walk in. When I saw this sky, I knew today was the day.

I hurriedly got ready and out the door - stopping along the road only long enough to take a couple snaps of the sky over a cornfield.

Only twenty minutes between the first photo taken at home and this first photo taken at Green Valley Lake.
I *might have* sped through town a teensy bit.
But the sky changes in seconds, I needed to hurry.

The sights were magical and so were the birdsongs.

A sigh of delight as I realized I was getting not only what I came for, but more, oh so much more.

I had the path all to myself but there was at least one fishing boat in every cove within sight.

A hand lifted in silent acknowledgement of another presence as I passed by.

I have so many pictures of the moon on the water and sunsets on the water, but when was the last time I had photos of the sunrise on the water?

I don't even remember.

Muted mauves and gray greens of the milkweed plants.
Soon the Monarch Butterflies will be visiting if they haven't already.
And I will return - to walk and to photograph the butterflies.

Nature has always been my refuge.

Perhaps my love of sunrises now is a link to the girl I was when upon waking I looked out my east bedroom window and watched the sunrise over the barn.

Another new day open to whatever I wanted it to be, unless, of course, Mom had plans for me to help in the garden.

But still there was always time for my daydreaming sunlit pursuits woven in among the chores.

Why a picture of a plucked and drying weed on the path?

Because of its lacy, gray-green leaves.

And because I stay open to possibility.

When I got my pictures imported to the computer I was disappointed that the top spikes of the lavendar Hoary Vervain were out of focus.

But I have decided that against the darkness of the evergreens their glowing purple tops take on almost a mystical attribute.

Oh little bird perched on the bluebird house, what are you with your pip, pip pips? 

It is still too dark for me to tell.

Ah, now that you've flown to the sycamore and you're facing the sunrise I see, you're a beautiful Indigo Bunting.

There is a whole field of Monarda here. It is more lavendar than the two or three plants of deep purple at Lake McKinley.

Headed back to the car now and the clouds have given the sunrise more of a sunset look.

Hopefully they will stick around and keep the heat down today.

One last little bird in the top of a dead tree. Oh my gosh, that looks like a rust throat. Could it it be a bluebird?

Oh, I hope so. That would be the perfect end to my perfect walk.

Zooming in and I see that its chest isn't rust, it's yellow.
And it has a black throat.

This little grassland bunting looks like a miniature meadowlark.

It has been awhile since I've seen one. I remember first sighting them when I lived on the farm and took my morning walks along the same gravel road I had trod to school and back as a child.

Really, when I first saw them I thought they were small meadowlarks. It was awhile before I identified them. I had never heard of a Dickcissel.






I could not have asked for a more perfect morning walk. It was 75° and humid but there was a lovely south breeze.

                                          "What you remember saves you." (W.S. Merwin)