I'm Booking Today

I was always an avid reader and used to read 2-3 books a week. Although I've slowed down in my reading, it's still one of my favorite pastimes. Here are 3 questions on this old "Book Meme" and my answers. Feel free to copy the questions if you would like to use them on your blog. (P.S. Photo not mine 👩).

Most stories are about people. Some authors are better with descriptions of places or things or weaving a tale than they are with character development. Some authors make the characters really come alive, seem like flesh and blood individuals with wills of their own, not merely the creation of someone’s imagination.

1  What author that you remember having read does the best character development? What book/series do you think is that author’s shining work with regards to character development?
In my opinion there are many but I would say Agatha Christie in regards to character developments and stories.

2  What was (were) your favorite character(s) in that book or series?  I have two. First Hercule Poirot and second Miss Marple.
2a  Do you ever find yourself really liking a character in a book that you’re certain you would never be friends with in real life?  Absolutely NO. I think I would be friends with both of them in real life.
2b  Do you ever re-read a book to visit a character because you miss him/her?  All the time. I can't count how many times I've read both the Poirot and Miss Marple series. I own the books and I never tire of reading them. I even have their complete DVD series and have watched them on ROKU through the Britbox App.

3  When growing up did your family share your love of books? If so, did one person get you into reading? And, do you have any family-oriented memories with books and reading? (Family trips to bookstore, reading the same book as a sibling or parent, etc.)?  When I was a child, reading books was the way to go for enjoyment. I had no real influence as I just loved to read and at Christmas and my birthdays my aunts would always give me books. First and foremost was and is The Bible. I grew up with all the great classics like Dickens, Cristie, Austin, Tolkein, Lewis, Verne, Wells, Alcott, Montgomery, etc.. and I still enjoy reading them today. My father used to love anything science fiction and I remember sneaking his books at night and reading them in my room after everyone was sleeping. Besides getting books as gifts and sneaking my father's books, I was a regular at the school and neighborhood library. And when I had the money I would buy books for myself at the local book store.
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My Latest Book I'm Reading
Of Course It's A Mystery 😉

Short Discription: Lady Emily Hardcastle is an eccentric widow with a secret past. Florence Armstrong, her maid and confidante, is an expert in martial arts. The year is 1908 and they’ve just moved from London to the country, hoping for a quiet life. But it is not long before Lady Hardcastle is forced out of her self-imposed retirement. There’s a dead body in the woods, and the police are on the wrong scent. Lady Hardcastle makes some enquiries of her own, and it seems she knows a surprising amount about crime investigation....
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Quote Of The Day

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Do you read? What is your favorite book or books? Let me know what books you like to read if you do. And now until the next time dear family and friends have a day of blessings.

Saturday 9: Love Is All Around (1970)

Being it's Saturday I'm joining in on  *Saturday 9*  for today. Hope You join in too. It's a fun meme.

Saturday 9: Love Is All Around (1970)
Unfamiliar with this week's tune? Hear it Here.
1) This week's song is the theme from The Mary Tyler Moore Show, a sitcom that originally aired from 1970 to 1977. Were you a fan?  Yes. In fact I still watch it once in awhile on Hulu. Loved it from day one.

2) The song tells us that Mary Richards can turn the world on with her smile. Yet the real-life Mary Tyler Moore said she was uncomfortable with her "wide mouth." If you could improve on one of your facial features, which would you choose?  I think it would be my nose which isn't that large but I would have it smaller.

3) We also hear that Mary can "take a nothing day and suddenly make it all seem worthwhile." What do you think makes a day "a nothing day?  Absolutely doing that, nothing! 😊

4) Mary works in the newsroom at WJM. Her desk is neat as a pin. Are you neat? Or do you lean to the sloppy side?  Definitely neat. A place for everything and everything in it's place. I'm a known OCD person to my family.. 😏

5) Mary's best friend, Rhoda, worked as a window dresser at Hempel's department store. What department store did you most recently shop at? What did you buy?  I'm an online shopper and mostly buy from my Amazon Prime and sometimes QVC. The last thing I bought was a pair of soap dispensers for the bathroom from Amazon and Clark's sandals from QVC.

6) Mary Richards lived in Minneapolis. What city is nearest to where you are right now?  The closest would be Hudson, NY.

7) Originally the part of Mary Richards was written as a divorcee, but in 1970, there were no TV shows that centered around a divorced woman. Think about the women in your life. Are most of them married, divorced, single or widowed?  A mix in my family as for me I'm divorced since 1995 and never an urge to make the same mistake twice.

8) The MTM production company logo featured a mewing kitten. The cat was found in a Minneapolis shelter, and, after her sequence was shot, she was adopted by a crew member who named her Mimsie. What's the name of the last cat -- or dog or hamster or rabbit -- that you petted?  The last dog I petted was my niece's dog Harry.

9) Random question -- Would you rather have a job that kept you seated on your fanny or standing on your feet?  ~ I've had both as employee and employer/owner and now that I'm retired I prefer sitting on my fanny. 😇
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Keeping With The Subject, A Mary Tyler Moore Quote

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Until the next time dear family and friends, be blessed

Friday Foto Friends ~ City And Country Art

I was first introduced to the wonderful artist Abraham Hunter by our friend Debbie Friday Foto Friends creator.  I wanted to feature him this Friday. He says in part of his biography, "If there is one thing I want to capture in my work and be able to share it with my collectors, it would be the abundance and beauty that I enjoy from a close relationship with Jesus Christ and an awe for His marvelous creation."  To me his art is in the style of Thomas Kinkaid don't you think? Here are two of his paintings I chose to feature.

Titled City Lights

Titled Dogwood Cottage

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Quote Of The Day

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If you're interested in joining the Friday Foto Friends you can visit Debbie by clicking on her name. It's a wonderful photo meme and a wonderful bunch of ladies who join in. And now until next time dear family and friends have a lovely weekend.

Wednesday's Poetry Day ~ Fresh Made Muffins

I'm always looking for something to enjoy with my coffee. Every once in awhile I'll bake a six batch of peach muffins. I make them without the paper muffin cup liners as I don't usually have them. I love having my coffee with a warm muffin straight out of the oven and of course a poem to go with it. BTW, photos found on the web. My muffins are gone before I can photo them! 😋

Fresh Made Muffins

Just feel the warmth of the oven
Smell the muffins baking inside
Using the fruit of the season
Made with care and loving pride

With a cup of fresh made coffee
Muffins always taste the best
Especially straight from the oven
Warm and tasty and easy to digest

Yes, I also love to make and bake
Cakes and pies and other things
But something about a warm muffin
With a cup of coffee joy it brings

Yes! A cup of fresh made coffee
With a muffin does taste the best
Especially straight from the oven
Warm delicious and easy to digest.

Toni Taddeo ©
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Recipe Of The Day

Peach And Brown Sugar MuffinsIngredients    

• 4 cups flour
• 2/3 cup packed brown sugar
• 2 tablespoons baking powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4 teaspoon ground allspice
• 2 eggs
• 2 cups dairy sour cream
• 1/2 cup cooking oil
• 1 cup chopped fresh, frozen or canned peaches

Directions

In large mixing bowl stir together the flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, baking soda and allspice. Make a well in the center.
Combine the eggs, sour cream and oil; stir in peaches.
Add peach mixture all at once to the flour mixture. Stir just until moistened; batter should be lumpy. Spoon batter into greased or paper-bake-cup-lined muffin cups, filling each about 2/3 full.
Bake in a 400 degrees oven for 20 to 25 minutes or until golden. Remove from pans; serve warm. Makes about 20
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Until next time dear family and friends have a day of blessings.

His Works Of Art

As most who know me, know one of my favorite artists is Mark Shasha  an American artist, author, illustrator and educator. His subjects are often inspired by the textures and light found along the New England coast where he lives and works. Some of his paintings could pass for photos.

Titled, "Lobster Lane". Wonderful isn't it!

Titled, "Sun Splash". Majestic isn't it!

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Quote Of The Day

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Don't you just love this kind of stuff like I do? 😍. Hope you enjoyed seeing his paintings too. Until next time be blessed my family and friends.

Saturday 9: Gidget (1965)

Being it's Saturday I'm joining in on  *Saturday 9*  for today. Hope You join in too. It's a fun meme.

Saturday 9: Gidget (1965)

Unfamiliar with this week's tune? Hear it Here.
1) Gidget was a sitcom that ran only one season. Have you ever seen it?  Yes I did I thought Sally Field was adorable in the part of Gidget.

2) Gidget is a high school student who is more interested in surfing and boys than in the books. When you were Gidget's age, was your top priority getting good grades? Or were you more involved in the social side of student life?  I can not tell a lie 😃 I was interested in both.

3) Gidget's father was nearly always unflappable when it came to his daughter's high-spirited shenanigans. Who is the coolest, calmest person you know?  My son Louis who is a true gift from God to me. He is an identical mirror twin (his brother went home to the Lord at the age of 21).

4) Gidget spends as much time as she can at the beach, hanging out with her best friend Larue. Fair-skinned Larue doesn't share Gidget's passion for surfing and prefers to stay on the beach blanket, wearing a floppy hat that protects her from the sun. Are you a sun worshipper? Or, like Larue, are you careful about your exposure to the sun?  I can not stay out in the sun as I break out in hives and that is due to the blood pressure medicine I take.

5) Gidget, the quintessential California girl, was created by Freidrich Kohner, an Austrian-born screenwriter. Can you think of another Austrian import?  A few, Hedy Lamarr, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Maximilian Schell and too many more to name.

6) Howard Greenfield and Jack Keller wrote this week's Gidget theme. They also wrote the 1960 hit song, "Everybody's Somebody's Fool." When is the last time you felt foolish?  I feel foolish now talking about it! 😉

7) This is the show that introduced Sally Field. She went on to win two Oscars and four Emmy Awards. When you think of Sally, what role comes to mind?  I love her acting. Two off the top of my head are Places In The Heart and Forrest Gump.

8) Today Gidget is a grandmother. Sally reports that her grandchildren especially enjoy "sleepovers at Granny's." Where were you the last time you spent the night away from home?  In California with daughter in San Gabriel and then in San Jose with my brother and sister-in-law. I was there for 10 months from August 2005 to June 2006. I haven't left home since.

9) Random question -- Describe your perfect lazy afternoon.  ~ Enjoying a cup of coffee in my recliner with a book.
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Keeping With The Subject, A Sally Field Quote

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Until the next time dear family and friends, be blessed

Friday Foto Friends ~ Sunset Beauties

This past Tuesday we had rain and a heavy thunder and lightening storm. I spent the day catching up on a few things and in the afternoon I walked down two hallways to my youngest sister's apartment and spent a few hours visiting with two of my young beautiful great nieces Winter and Eva and great nephew Zach and later their mom my niece Christa and her adorable 2 year old daughter Bella came by and we watched a little TV and chatted. I came back to my apartment about 7 PM and after my dinner I relaxed until 8:30 when I looked out the window to a gorgeous sunset and snapped these three photos out my bedroom window.

Taken at 8:30 PM

Taken at 8:35 PM

Taken at 8:45 PM

These Two were taken at sunset at Yankee Stadium on July 3rd
No, I didn't take the photos, I just love them! 😊

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Keeping Up With The Sunset Subject

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If you're interested in joining the Friday Foto Friends you can visit Debbie by clicking on her name or her LOGO on the left side menu. It's a wonderful photo meme and a wonderful bunch of ladies who join in. And now until next time dear family and friends have a lovely weekend.

Wednesday's Poetry Day ~ Heat Blistering Heat

For those of us who have suffered the blistering heat of the dog days of summer and for those who are still suffering from them, I dedicate my poem. I know, I know, it's no fun. I for one break out in hives on those days if I venture outdoors. Anyway here you go.

Heat Blistering Heat

AC running day & night
Fans not giving us relief
No cooling soon in sight
Temps giving lots of grief

Heat, blistering heat
Humidity and hazy wet
Sidewalks burning feet
Bodies dripping sweat

Days like this are never fun
It's so hot in the shade
Triple digits in the sun
Hottest summer in a decade

Now home from the work place
It's time for a cold shower
Oh how great the water feels
Small relief from heat this hour

Days like this are never fun
For It's so hot in the shade
With triple digits in the sun
The hottest summer in a decade

Toni Taddeo ©
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(Yes I know ice tea for those non coffee drinkers)😅

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Until the next time dear family and friends, keep cool and have a day of blessings.

The Simple Woman's Daybook {July Edition}

I'm joining in on  Peggy's SWD  meme for today. The meme is monthly and I'll be posting it mostly on a Monday each month and not always the same Monday.

FOR TODAY

Outside my window... It's 10 pm and dark and very quiet. The only lights I see are the lights around the driveway. My apartment faces the parking lot in this building complex.
I am thinking... about having to walk down to the laundry room to do a wash of towels. I like washing late at night while everyone else in the building is either asleep or watching TV in their apartments.

I am thankful... for many things and yesterday being my son Louis' 53rd birthday. I still think of him as my baby.

One of my favorite things... right now is watching my favorite baseball team the New York Yankees play. They are doing great this year.

I am creating... not much right now as my mind is being lazy this month and not very creative.
I am wearing... the same old, same old, well not the same every night but a loose top and jeans.
I am reading... the July Daily Bread and Bible verses and not much of anything else.
I am hoping... or was hoping to play cards today with my sisters but both are busy this Monday.

I am learning... not much right now. 😉..This has been a lazy week for me. It's like my mind and body shut down..
In my kitchen... the only thing going on is the little light under the hood. After all it's after 10pm.

A Favorite Quote Of Mine... "If you're too lazy to start anything, you may get a reputation for patience". 😊
Post Script is right below🔻
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My Thought Of The Day

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Click on Peggy's name above, or click on her graphic on the left side menu to get to her site. Until the next time dear family and friends have a day of blessings

Saturday 9: I Love Lucy (1951)

Being it's Saturday I'm joining in on Saturday 9 for today. Hope You join in too. It's a fun meme.

Saturday 9: I Love Lucy (1951)

Unfamiliar with this week's tune? Hear it Here
1) Before today, did you know that the "I Love Lucy" theme had lyrics?  Imagine That! No I didn't know.

2) Since its premiere in 1951, I Love Lucy has never been off the air. Are you a fan?  I used to be a big fan and watched it when it first came on the air in 1951. Boy! Does that date me. As for now, no, I haven't watched it in years.

3) On the show, Ricky Riccardo supports his family by performing in a nightclub. Do you know anyone in show business?  No, not personally.

4) Lucy and Ricky's best friends are Fred and Ethel, their landlord and his wife. Are you friendly with your neighbors?   Living in a 50 apt. senior complex I'm friendly but not close with all my neighbors.

5) One of the most popular episodes has Lucy and Ethel working on the conveyor belt at a chocolate factory. When did you last have chocolate?  Just this morning I had chocolate chip waffles by Eggo 😄.

6) Another famous episode has Lucy promoting Vitametavegimin. This tonic is made with vitamins, meat, vegetables -- and 23% alcohol. Do you read the ingredients statement before you take an over-the-counter medication? Or do you trust that it's safe because it's on the store shelf?  Besides over the counter medication I always read the ingredients on anything I buy and never trust anything being safe.

7) I Love Lucy was filmed before a live audience. Desi Arnaz (Ricky) always maintained he could identify the chuckle of his mother-in-law, who attended every taping. Do you know anyone who has a distinctive laugh? Yes! My sister Phyllis has a great distinctive laugh and they probably would say the same about me.

8) The show ended when the Lucille Ball/Desi Arnaz marriage ended. Have you ever had to choose sides when a couple broke up? Yes! Just once..😉  My own after 36 years of marriage and that was in 1995.

9) Random question -- You must eat the same dinner, every day, between now and Labor Day. An identical menu, no deviation. What will you be having? The same dinner I have now. A fruit and veggie smoothie I make myself. Always the same except for a change of frozen fruits and spinach or kale with vanilla protein powder, ground cinnamon or cocoa powder, cashew milk, water and ground flaxseed.

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Keeping With The Subject Thought For The Day

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Until the next time dear family and friends, be blessed

Friday Foto Friends ~ Lighting Up My World

Thought I would feature the closest Lighthouses to me on The Hudson River for today's Friday Foto Friends. All are or may still be open to visitors either by boat or by land. Lighthouses have always fascinated me. The first four look like houses on the water. The fifth looks like a small lighthouse but it's not as small as it looks.

Saugerties Lighthouse across the Hudson from me

Hudson-Athens Lighthouse on the Hudson closest to me.
(I feature this one a lot on my blogs)

Roundout Lighthouse on the Hudson down the line from me.

Esopus Meadows near Kingston, on the Hudson.

The Stony Point Lighthouse, south of me (1-1/2 hrs. by car).
Built in 1826, it's the oldest lighthouse on the Hudson River.

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Thought For The Day

If you're interested in joining the Friday Foto Friends you can visit Debbie by clicking on her name or her ~Logo on the Left Side Menu~ . It's a wonderful group of ladies that participates. Until next time dear friends have a lovely weekend.