It’s Cinco de Mayo, which is a holiday that celebrates the date of the Mexican army’s May 5, 1862 victory over France at the Battle of Puebla during the Franco-Mexican War. It’s also a rainy Wednesday, up here, in the Great Green North.
It’s been raining for most of the past week and I don’t want to hear anything more about what the rains bring. 🙂 Besides, it’s May, not April, so the little rhyme no longer applies. Anyhow, just thought I bring out some of these photos with captions, to hopefully brighten the day.
When someone asks, “Are you still working on your book?”
Here we are, Friday before the rescheduled Spring Break. The kiddos will be off next week, but we are under a ‘stay at home’ order from the government. They don’t call them ‘lockdowns’ anymore. Probably sounds too negative, and morale is not exactly pie in the sky, these days.
Well, how about some photos with captions, to lift your spirits.
Spring has sprung, the robins are hopping about our yard in search of food and nesting materials and the lawn is beginning to green and grow. That means I’ll soon have to pull the lawn mower from winter hibernation. I love this time of year, a time of new beginnings.
Speaking of which, as of late, I’ve been delving into the genre of romance, something I’ve never done before.
Today, I present my review of Hanging Stars on Big Willow Creek, by Sarah Hill.
Here’s what Amazon says:
Rylie Johnson is living her dream as a best-selling author in New York with her husband, Spencer and their imaginative little boy, Alex. As she prepares for the release of her newest book and upcoming book tour, her world is turned upside down when she receives a phone call from home. She must return to Idaho, the place she left twenty years ago and help care for the woman who raised her. Rylie comes face to face with the past she worked so hard to forget and learns things aren’t always as they seem.
My Turn:
The story speaks volumes about the human condition. How we perceive our world, based on childhood experiences.
Sarah does an excellent job of creating characters that are realistically human and are easy to become emotionally invested in. There are no true villains in this book, but that makes them all the more relatable.
Rylie grows up in a home that is both materially and emotionally impoverished. The object of ridicule and bullying, she understandably grows defensive and cynical of those she deems to be, ‘one of them.’
This story speaks to anyone who’s ever felt isolated, unworthy, and unloved. It reminds the reader that there are still good and caring souls out there and that everyone has potential, despite their circumstance.
A gently rolling plot, with a down home feeling, that will appeal to those who enjoy a good heart tugging read.
I give this, FOUR STARS!
Meet Sarah:
SARAH HILL, lives in Idaho with her husband, 3 dogs and cat. When she isn’t feeding, playing or doctoring one of her fur babies, you can find her watching a chick flick or favorite Hallmark movie, hanging with family and friends, reading or taking pictures (because photos are important!) Some of her favorite things include the world of Harry Potter, Mexican food, camping, playing pranks, laughing and kissing her husband.
Sarah is also the author of Call of the Blue Heron, her debut novel, which was published in November of 2019. She continues to listen to the characters who find her and whisper their stories in her ear and plans to get their stories out to the world.
It’s hard to believe that we’ve arrived at March 3, already. Seems like a blink since we were in our homes, ringing in 2021, COVID style. As vaccinations roll out and the most vulnerable are innoculated, we cling to the hope of showing this pandemic the back door.
While you wait, here’s a few photos and captions that I hope will take your mind off things. Enjoy!
I’m hiring them to build our addition. It’s going to cost large, in worms and dryer lint, but so worth it!
There’s nothing wrong with the occassional ‘Dad Joke’. 🙂
Very proud of my daughter, as she learns different forms of art.
Around here, there’s always something to photograph and comment on. Most of these were taken on ‘walk abouts’ not far from home. I’ve spiced them up with some homegrown humor and thoughts. Enjoy.
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