Readers, Welcome to my blog (formerly Birds, Blooms, Books, etc). I'm entering a new decade taking on the challenge of moving from Maryland after living there 46 years and learning about my new home here in New England in the Live Free or Die state - New Hampshire. Join me as a write this new chapter of my life.

Tuesday, January 14, 2025

Books

 I've read or listened to a total of three books in 2025 so far.  

The one I listened to, The Mystery Guest by Nita Prose, was not that great but I felt invested once I started. I particularly got tired of the narrator's voices.  If I had been reading it I would likely have skipped to the end to see who did it and then called it quits.



My second book was excellent: I Was Anastasia by Ariel Lawhon.  This is the third book by this author I have read and enjoyed.  And yes, it is about that Anastasia, the daughter of the Tsar of Russia. The author relates the story first from the present backward in third person and from the Russian Revolution, it's related in first person - Anastasia - forward in time.  Eventually the two stories meet up and you get your answer.  Now since this is a historical fiction I usually start with the author's historical notes in the back but she warns the reader off from reading them.  I heeded her advice.  It was worth the read.






The third book this year was The Twyford Code by Janice Hallett. What was interesting right away was a quoted recommendation on the cover from author Nita Prose (see book 1 above)!  This was quite the mystery told in a transcript of iPhone recordings by the principal character.  It's a bit confusing at first but the narration draws you in to try to figure it all out. I can't say anymore or I'll give it away.  Mystery lovers out there should look for this one.  It's not your typical "who dun it".

Got any book recommendations for me?






Sunday, January 12, 2025

Blue Sky Morning

Love this view from the front room. 

Enough snow yesterday to coat the grass. I’ll take it. 

Woodpeckers are constant visitors to suet. 

 

Saturday, January 11, 2025

It’s Snowing Finally

 Though it is very fine snowflakes and is not going to amount to lots of inches. We’ll take it though. We’ve been missing the snowstorms that hit south of here. 



Monday, January 6, 2025

A Delaware Water Gap Waterfall

 November is not the best time to be exploring nature in the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Center.  All the visitor centers were closed  but trails were open.  We opted for this one that was a board walk to a waterfall.  


Notice how low the water is.  Since September there had been drought conditions.


You can barely make out a trickle of water in the above photo.  It wasn't our destination waterfall.



Lots of rhododendron or mountain laurel along the way.  It would be beautiful in bloom.




Destination achieved: Dingmans Falls.





I'm sure it's spectacular when there has been more rain.