Almost Spring in the NW

I saw my first tree with pink buds on it today!!! So exciting. Spring is almost here. Here are a few pictures (unfortunately didn't get one of the beautiful tree) I've taken in the last couple of weeks. As you can see, they don't look too springlike.

Slightly Tempted - Mary Balogh

Slightly Tempted by Mary Balogh

My review

rating: 3 of 5 stars
Another silly romance novel about the Bedwyn family. Strangely addicting, but predictable.


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30 Year HS Reunion

It's hard to believe that it's been 30 years since I graduated from Gladstone High School. Recently, I've been connecting with old friends as I help the reunion committee organize a fun event. I'll be posting our progress as we go along.

So far, we've started contacting classmates to give them the details. Surprisingly, after 30 years we have fairly recently information on many people. It's amazing how friendships from one's childhood make for easy reconnection. I can't wait to see everyone.

The Lazarus Project - Aleksandar Hemon

The Lazarus Project by Aleksandar Hemon

My review

rating: 3 of 5 stars
This was a book group selection. Unfortunately, I didn't care for the characters, nor the story. It is the story of a man who is shot as an anarchist in 1908 alternating with the story of the man writing the story. There are many other books to read, no reason to pick this one up. It was just ok.


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Team of Rivals - Doris Kearns Goodwin (audio)

Team of Rivals: The Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln by Doris Kearns Goodwin

My review

rating: 5 of 5 stars
I listened to this on audiobook and realized too late that it was abridged. Nonetheless, it was fantastic and enlightening about how Lincoln selected is cabinet and how he cleverly executed his election as President.


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The Reader - Bernard Schlink

The Reader by Bernhard Schlink

My review

rating: 4 of 5 stars
I could have sworn I read this book when it first came out; I was familiar with the plot and everything. But...I found it at the library sale and bought it for $.50 and realized that I didn't remember actually reading it, although I may have listened to the audio book.



It was great and I look forward to the movie. The main character's 'secrect' was pretty easy to figure out early in the book, but that didn't detract from the interesting story.


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Love Walked In - Marisa de los Santos

Love Walked In by Marisa de los Santos

My review

rating: 3 of 5 stars
This was an Xmas gift from my honey and was pretty good. I gave it only 3 stars because I really liked the first 1/2, but then I couldn't wait to finish it. That's not a good sign.


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Skinny Cables Scarf

Easy, but entertaining scarf pattern. Love the yarn: Tonalita by Trendsetter.

What to do when you don't have wrapping paper

...and when you're supposed to stop at the mall to pick up Proactive. Especially when you have a memory disorder ;).

My Stroke of Insight - Jill Bolte Taylor (audiobook)

My Stroke of Insight: A Brain Scientist's Personal Journey by Jill Bolte Taylor

My review

rating: 4 of 5 stars
This was a fascinating read. The author, a neuroanatomist suffers a massive stroke at age 37 basically shutting down the left side of her brain. How she recovers and retrains her brain is fascinating. Much of the information she shares is applicable to all. Especially, chosing the personality traits which are allowed to exhibit themselves.


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