My Grama's Soul

A wonderful book of poetry by a young poet. Not complicated, easy to understand, written for today's sensibilities.  EXAMPLE: Transfiguration I dreamt myself into a mother but when I became her, I had to dream her back into a woman, back into a woman, back into a woman, again. FABULOUS!!! Jo

I don't recommend many books on my blog, although I am a voracious reader. This is one book that I felt should be shared with all of you in blog land. THE UNTETHERED SOUL.....by Michael A Singer...this small book  takes you right to the heart of mindfulness and the yoga of the mind.   Because our world is getting more complicated all the time and all of us just trying to cope with this;  I feel each of us  is searching for that place inside where peace and calm resides.   We aren't looking for a temporary fix....but a permanent solution.  The message delivered in this book can provide that if you are just willing to open your heart to the wisdom that is shared here. Managing our thoughts is difficult in the best of times...but by attempting to put some of the ideas into practice as explained here each of us will be building mental muscle that will carry us for a lifetime. It is a simple read and right to the point. I th...

Even though it is the Holiday Season, I have not been deterred from purging and getting a little more organized. It is always such a treat to unearth small books with a great message. This particular book was found many years ago and while once again looking at it made me realize that each of us is drawn to a particular kind of writer or writing.  Personally...I want to be entertained when I read.  Character development and description is just as important as the story line. The quirkier ...... the better.  Oh, I read the occasional non-ficton ... but fiction is the real clincher for me.  Hopefully there will be a moral when done, but it is not a necessity in my case. With this recent move I have been able to give five big boxes of books to our local library. Holding  a book  in my hands is still a must for me. Even though I use my I-Pad often when we travel....there is still such a thrill discovering an old book that has obvi...

Here is a photo of the new book that just arrived at my door.  DECORATING WITH STYLE by Abigail Ahern.  She lives in London and absolutely pushes color to the max!  This look is not for the faint of heart.  LOL LOL She loves to paint walls dark inky hues and mixes anything she can find to make her style statement. Here is one picture of her fabulous home.....she is careful to not OVERDO ....but has just the right amount of color to make a room pop. She always seems to have something a little quirky in her design as well. Every page is a delight and it gives those of us who like pushing the envelope some great decorating ideas.  I still love decorating my home and probably will until I breathe my last breath.  It is always an adventure and as I have said before......I always prefer something handmade over something store bought. ~~ Here is my attempt at using one of her ideas.....An old mirror that was antique gold....covered ...

Have you ever considered the fact whether you were an extrovert or introvert?  I have....and I am so pleased that some kind soul finally wrote a book comparing the two styles. I have always considered myself....shy.....or in other words an introvert.  Oh....don't get me wrong....I can carry on lengthy conversations if required....but I much prefer listening to talking.  By doing so, I can interject comments occasionally if appropriate...or keep quite if I so desire. Often, if we are attending a social gathering I will size up our companions and decide which one, I believe, will carry the evening so to speak.  Or, I will ask my wonderful soul mate if he is in a "chatty" mood....his comment usually is we are going to see "so and so" so he doesn't need to be.  LOL LOL I always believed there was something wrong with me because I was not more of a "chatty Kathy"....but now....I realize there probably are a lot more folks out there...

Today I wanted to share with you some of the wonderful roses from my rose gardens.  I have more than I know what to do with and deadheading and cutting is keeping me busy. I bring in as many as I can and make arrangements....because once the heat starts they don't last long on the bush. April and very early May is the short season for roses here.....at least that is how it is at our house. I may get one more batch of beautiful blooms depending on the heat here....but I always enjoy them no matter how few or how many bloom. ~~~~~ In closing....I want to share information on a book I have been reading and enjoying to the fullest. This book, by Diane Ackerman, is a gardner's dream book.  It is not a how to book about gardening...but it is rather a book about all the sensual delights she derives from her gardens during each season of the year. It is beautifully written and her descriptions make you feel as though you are part of her magi...

I don't know about you.....but the weekends have ALWAYS been special to me....whether working or not....the whole atmosphere in my surroundings seems to change. Beautiful music playing......flowers from my garden......and softly lit candles seem to set an atmosphere that just says RELAX. Don't know whether we will take in a movie or go to the farmer's market in Carefree...but we will leave that decision for later. In the meantime I'm going to pull up a favorite chair in my favorite corner and have myself a little cup of tea.....and simply BE....... Have a wonderful weekend dear friends. hugs, Jo

"Books are the quietest and most constant of friends; they are the most accessible and wisest of counselors, and the most patient of teachers." Charles W. Eliot See the four small red books on the stack of these little books.....found them while antiquing with a friend a few weeks back.  She saw them in a stack and we both fell in love with the size, the feel and the color.   They only measure 3" by 4" and are nicely weathered inside. Each one was written by a famous author during the 1800's....I can only imagine how many hands have held these delicate little tomes. What a different time it was then with books only available to the chosen few.... and such small sizes.   As more advanced methods of book publication became available larger books came into being...but still very small compared to those we read today. These hardcover books are approximately 4" by 6"...small enough to still be carried in a pocket...

I am indeed on a little holiday break from my blog....but I wanted to share this great idea with you. The wonderful blog La Porterouge  has begun an on -line book club....with JUST the classics.....right up my alley. Each month we will read a new book and post about the read by either making a recipe that would relate to the book ...or clothing from the era...or anything else related to the read.  This sounds like so much fun and very interesting ........ I might add. Hope to see you there. See you after the holidays, Jo

During part of the summer... I live in a very SMALL town in Northwest Montana.  Simple pleasures are a must here. Sailing on the lake ....... buying yourself beautiful flowers .... reading a great book,  you get the picture. Which brings me to the point of this post...I'm sure all of you know about all the Borders Stores that are closing.  Well.....ours in a little town north of us is one of the ones closing.  I'm so sad over this.... I was there yesterday with a multitude of other people picking up things that were being marked down 50 to 75 percent. Don't get me wrong, I love a bargain as much as anyone...but I would have much preferred not getting any bargain and having Borders REMAIN OPEN. With the Kindle, Nook, I-Pad, etc...I am truly afraid books will be put on the shelf along with the typewriter and rotary dial phone...just to name a few of the things that are now obsolete in this world of ours. I love being able to hold a book, mark the p...

I am an avid reader.....it wasn't always so....in times past it seems I could not calm down enough to read a magazine  article let alone a complete book.  But I found this great magazine at WHOLE FOODS; I have not seen it before and it looked like a wealth of information.  It provides information on various paths of Spirituality...and well-being.  Thought you might enjoy it if you can find it in your area. ~~~***~~~ On another note...here is my latest book find.  I know the title is a little strange...but that is exactly why I choose it. First of all..I have had many an accident with a kitchen knife while slicing and dicing....so this title was right up my alley.   In reality though..it is about the life of the Chef who owns PRUNE in New York, city.  Now I ask you, who would name their restaurant PRUNE...might as well be called BRUSEL SPROUTS for those of us that are foodies.  (O: Anyway this is her tale of how she became a Chef...all the tr...