Category Archives: Ruminations

Louise Penny

Well, my next stop is… Canada!  On September 1st I started reading the first of Louise Penny’s “Inspector Gamache” novels:  Still Life.  These books are set primarily in a small town near Montreal, Quebec.  And it’s the kind of town … Continue reading

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September

Busy, busy busy – I didn’t think I’d ever have a chance to do this month’s “31-Point-Plan” but here it is (not my favorite, but it’ll do): I was able to find a little bit of time – and I … Continue reading

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Chris Isaak

On August 18th, my sister and I went to see Chris Isaak perform at the Weill Hall & Lawn at the Green Music Center in Rohnert Park. Chris Isaak As entertaining as he is talented, Chris Isaak performs one of … Continue reading

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Lost for Words

So yes – I did stay in England; I am now reading Edward St. Aubyn’s Lost for Words. This story, however, takes place in modern England.  And Mr. St. Aubyn’s books are always a hoot – very clever and funny.  … Continue reading

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Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell

On July 11, I decided to re-read this wonderful book: Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell, by Susanna Clarke I had previously read this book years ago, but for some reason had absolutely no memory if it other than the fact … Continue reading

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August 2015

This month, I decided to do my “31-point-plan” illustration based on the things I’ve been reading about (and watching) – see “Jonathan Strange,” etc. – and on my coloring book, which is on a similar theme.  And while I’m on … Continue reading

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Coloring Books!

A few weeks go, after starting to see all of these “adult coloring books” advertised and talked about, I decided to buy one and check it out.  So I ordered this one: Enchanted Forest: An Inky Quest & Coloring Book, … Continue reading

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Nesbo

My first introduction to Jo Nesbo‘s books was back in 2012 where I listed the “Harry Hole” books I’d been reading.  I followed that up in March 2013 with a further book in the series that I found at the … Continue reading

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SCBWI: Steve Cotler

This past Saturday, my friend, Jennifer, and I headed over to Sebastopol to see this author: SCBWI Sonoma County North Bay Meeting Sat. June 27, Promoting Your Book with author Steve Cotler When Saturday June 27, 2015 from 2:00 PM … Continue reading

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JULY 2015

It’s HOT! Record Temperatures Worldwide: London, England – 98.1F Paris, France – 103.5F Maastricht, Netherlands – 99.7F Kleine Brogel, Belgium – 100.4F Dusseldorf, Germany – 98.6F Madrid, Spain – 103.5F Ashgabat, Turkmenistan – 116.96F Medford, Oregon – 108F Sacramento, California … Continue reading

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Patrick Rothfuss

Recently, I picked up a book by Patrick Rothfuss, The Slow Regard of Silent Things.  This is a side-story about one of the characters in his “Kingkiller Chronicles” and I had previously read the first of that series, The Name … Continue reading

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Classic Children’s Books

Sometime last month, I received an email from Copperfield’s about a sale on some classic, beautifully illustrated children’s books.  I browsed the email and decided I should go check it out, particularly when I saw this one: The Secret Garden … Continue reading

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June 2015

            Summertime has arrived.  Happy June!     31-Point-Plan  

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Immortality

I started reading Adam Leith Gollner’s The Book of Immortality: The Science, Belief, and Magic Behind Living Forever on April 17th and I finished it on about the 10th of May. This was also a very good book, full of … Continue reading

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Zen Notes…

I finished reading Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance, by Robert M. Pirsig, on April 15th. And this was an amazing book.  I clipped pages all through the book and then compiled my notes.  I thought about writing an … Continue reading

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May 2015

May arrived even quicker, I think, than did April!  But luckily I managed to get this month’s drawing done relatively quickly: “31-Point-Plan” I am, however, once again struggling to “catch up” on my blog posts.  So I will be back-posting … Continue reading

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Another SCBWI event

On Saturday, my friend Jennifer and I went to another writers meeting, this time in Napa County: Sat. April 25, 2 – 4pm, Napa County Meeting, Author Hillary Homzie, Submitting to Agents and Editors Date/Time Date(s) – 04/25/2015 2:00 pm … Continue reading

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Monkey Music (an earworm story)

Well here’s an interesting “earworm” story: One of my favorite bands has always been Steely Dan.  The other day, as I was listening to one of their albums (on CD) in the car, a song came on that triggered a … Continue reading

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Suburban Ducks

Now here’s something you don’t see every day:  After shopping for groceries at Safeway yesterday, right before I got to my car, I saw this: Now I wonder why on earth these Mallards would want to sit in a parking … Continue reading

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and now for something completely different…

Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance, by Robert M. Pirsig Here is a book that is, of course, a Classic; one that just about everyone has heard of – but one that I realized I had never read.  I … Continue reading

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BOING! (It’s April)

SPRING HAS SPRUNG! I was hard-pressed to create another 31-point-plan so soon after arriving back from vacation; so many things to do:  unpacking, laundry, grocery shopping, appointments, work – endless busyness.  And the only thing that kept coming to mind … Continue reading

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George R.R. Martin

My next choice of book to read was one of George R. R. Martin‘s stand-alone novels written back in 1982.  I have loved his Game of Thrones books, but haven’t ever read anything else by him.  So when I saw … Continue reading

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Spring Vacation

March 19 – 25, 2015 – we’re off to Los Angeles to spend time with my dad and for Dalton to attend his League of Legends weekend.  Our journey begins with a ride on the Airport Express bus. Arriving at … Continue reading

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Too Funny…

On March 16th I started reading a book that my sister had and recommended – I was in the mood for something light.  And this book was perfect – totally silly, really; but extremely enjoyable.  I laughed my ass off: … Continue reading

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031715

I have found that often I feel better with an afternoon nap.  To justify my fondness for napping, I then came across this piece that I’d like to share:  Unleash the Power of the Nap (From http:/www.artofmanliness.com/2011/02/07/unleash-the-power-of-the-nap/) Your Cat Knows … Continue reading

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