whatcha readin'? {2018::book 18 - goal 24}

July 2, 2018 Arlene Giddings

I am honestly not sure
what made me pick up this book.
The cover is not my usual "cover"...
I am very drawn to covers
and will typically pick up a book
just based on that.

But I am glad that I read it.
An interconnected web of stories
set over a period of time
that sees the Great Depression and World War II...
it makes you think about how
everyone has their own story
but sometimes, when you don't know
another person's story...
you assume you know it...
and you make it fit into your own
so that it's easier to comprehend.

It makes me wonder how much I do that in real life.

An interesting read...but it bogged me down a little...
I liked it, but didn't love it.

Maybe it's the cover.

3.5 out of 5 ♥♥♥♥♥'s

NEXT UP: THE GIRLS - EMMA CLINE

and then there were lupins...

June 28, 2018 Arlene Giddings

wordless wednesday...

June 27, 2018 Arlene Giddings

whatcha readin'? {2018::book 17 - goal 24}

June 25, 2018 Arlene Giddings

I have had this book
on my list of "books to read"
forever.

I have finally done it.

The book is heartbreaking and real.
Raw and poignant and brutally sharp.
There were many times that I found myself
identifying completely with her reasoning...
how in grief, you bargain, you deny, you pretend.
Or at least, I know that I have done so.

It's a story about loss but it's
also a story of coming back from that...
especially when you don't think you will ever
come out the other side...
of fighting your way through the emptiness.

I am so glad that this one finally made it
to the top of my reading pile.

5 out of 5 ♥♥♥♥♥'s

NEXT UP: MANHATTAN BEACH - JENNIFER EGAN

out and about...

June 23, 2018 Arlene Giddings

If you have been here before,
you know I like to try to get out and about
with my camera and some diet coke
every Friday...well...really...every chance I can get
when it's nice out, Friday or not.
I am definitely not limiting myself to Fridays
but they often work best.

A couple of weeks ago,
I had no plan in mind but wanted to
go on a trail.
I love trails...but have become slightly
nervous of coyotes after hearing a portion of a trail
that I have been on before had been closed
due to coyote behavior....
and I'm not going to lie....
my personality is naturally a little anxious
so this...well...it freaked me out a bit.

So I thought I would do the Cavendish Grove trail
because it seems to be pretty wide
and groomed and well traveled.
And I told myself coyotes don't go to Cavendish,
it's for the tourists.
I told myself coyotes don't go to the beach.
I told myself it would be ok.

And it was.
I walked part of the trail. I still haven't done the
"Homestead Trail" because I didn't bring any water,
or anything to eat, or most importantly, bug spray.
So I had to save that part for another day.

But I did stop at a bench that overlooked the dunes
and a shallow expanse of blue water.
There were ducks and geese just hanging out...
until suddenly, there was a loud ruckus
and everyone was flying and diving and quacking and honking
and I saw an eagle fly over the tops of the trees.

At least...I think it was an eagle. Hahaha.

It's funny how Cavendish Grove still reminds me
so strongly of Rainbow Valley.
It's a little bittersweet to visit that spot.
But, then, I am glad that at least we are still able to go there,
I am grateful for the park and trails it has been turned into.