#Read2025

Finished last night for #SundayBuddyRead this is a fictionalized look at Francis Perkins, the 4th U.S. Secretary of Labor, 1st woman to serve in a Presidential cabinet & the developer & champion of Social Security & definitely someone we all should celebrate & know more about. The writing is a little uneven but overall, I enjoyed this book-it‘s especially timely given today‘s political climate with many of these programs in jeopardy. ⬇️

#Read2025

I got behind in my #AuthorAMonth September reading of Kurt Vonnegut. I originally was going to read Cat‘s Cradle but had to return the ebook to the library so I ended up with the tagged story from Libby (interesting dystopia satire) & Slice of Life, a slightly longer science fiction story, not listed on Litsy free on Audible. I‘m also still listening to his essays/college speeches, If This Isn‘t Nice, What Is? that I‘ll finish today ⬇️

#Read2025 #SeriesLove2025

Finished last week for #BobWhiteBuddies this is the 17th book of the series & takes place right after the last book where there is a wedding to plan & all the Bob-Whites & their families are involved in some way. Trixie is Maid of Honor & Honey & Di are bridesmaids which means there are dresses to make & a wedding to plan, thanks to Mrs. Trask mostly. There‘s also a new Belden in town, Trixie‘s cousin Hallie who she ⬇️

#Read2025 #SeriesLove2025

I went to write my review of book 17 for #BobWhiteBuddies & realized I never reviewed #16 last month. Book 16 is a favorite of mine, I liked the mystery (even though it was pretty easy to solve) & how everyone got involved with determining poor “Janey‘s” identity. And any time we get to visit with Mrs. Vanderpoel, I‘m happy & want her to make me cookies.🍪This book marks the end of my hardback Trixie books so a bit sad.

#Read2025 #SeriesLove2025

Finished this week for September‘s #Roll100 #95 Any Mystery. I‘m a fan of the author‘s other books, especially her Jane Austen Muslim retellings set in Toronto‘s Golden Crescent. This is her first foray into cozy mysteries & I really enjoyed it. Kausar is a 50-something widow who heads back to Toronto after almost 20 years after her daughter is accused of murder. Loved the characters & the way this one had me guessing.⬇️

#HaikuADay #HaikuHive

Budy Saturday, running errands, going to the “Mom Makers Mart” at the mall before running in for an eye appointment & to pick out new glasses. I stopped for a bowl of fish dumpling ramen & lemon tea to revive myself & got a little reading done for tomorrow‘s #SundayBuddyRead over lunch.

Soul in a Bowl

Ramen‘s gentle steam
Revives with each tender slurp
Brothy noodle joy 🍜

Not my first ramen haiku & it won‘t be my last.

Getting my #5JoysFriday actually posted on Friday is a joy & here‘s the rest:

1. The fact that it is Aloha Friday brings me joy! 🌺

2. I had my two favorite poke bowls for lunch this week. Comfort food joy. 😋💛

3. These black bean mochi crackers have become a favorite snack—savory umami joy.😋

4. These dill pickle peanuts are addicting—tangy mouth joy!

5. I love Uzma Jalaluddin‘s Muslim retellings of Pride and Prejudice & other classics &⬇️

#HaikuADay #HaikuHive

Today‘s haiku is inspired by a long, busy work week& having to seek comfort in multiple poke bowls. 😉😋

For sure it was a
Two poke bowl kind of week
Aloha, Friday! 🌺

I‘m using aloha 2 ways here—hello is one of its many meanings so I‘m welcoming Friday & Aloha Friday is a Hawaii vibe, celebrating the end of the week. People will say “Happy Aloha Friday!” as a greeting on Fridays. 🌺 I‘ve linked a write up on it ⬇️

#HaikuADay #HaikuHive

Catching up with Wednesday‘s haiku, inspired by the mass of fluffy whipped cream clouds viewed out my plane window on Wednesday‘s Hilo trip. This picture doesn‘t do their puffy grandeur justice. ☁️☁️☁️

White Horizons

Cumulus towers
Rising higher with each breath
Endless waves of white

It‘s almost Friday again & time to list those five things big or small that brought you joy this week! 💛💛💛

To join in the fun, make your post & tag it with the #5JoysFriday hashtag. Tag me & anyone you want to share joy with.

EVERYONE is welcome to the joy party! 💛🤗💛

#HaikuADay #HaikuHive

I‘m behind on haikus but posting today‘s inspired by my dinner of 2 tuna onigiri, called musubi at the place I picked them up from. I looked & found that both are a rice ball but onigiri is the general Japanese term & musubi is a Hawaiian adaptation. So, all onigiri can be called musubi, but not all musubi are onigiri. 🤷🏻‍♀️

Rice Ball Riddle

All onigiri
Can wear the name musubi,
But not the reverse.

An oddly specific ⬇️

#HaikuADay #HaikuHive

Today‘s haiku is inspired by me going outside tonight to pick up my mail & take out my trash. A pretty night, very breezy. I didn‘t take this picture but it suites it well.🌙

windy night, sliver
of pale moon shyly peeking
palm fronds wave goodnight

#HaikuADay #HaikuHive

Had a manic, not great Monday yesterday with some meetings I didn‘t want to have but it did inspire yesterday‘s haiku (even if I didn‘t get it posted). 😉😬

Another Monday
Came in like a wrecking ball
Smashing weekend calm

#Naturalitsy #HyggeHourReadathon

Spending tonight‘s #HyggeHour with Trixie & the gang for #BobWhiteBuddies This is Book 17 & where my collection transitions to paperback.

Drinking Hint BlackBerry Water & noshing on Green Apple Peelerz gummy candies.🍏💚(The green matches the green on the book.) My mood is as usual, tired & I‘m not looking forward to Monday at all or the meetings I have to have. Weekends are just not long enough.😣

#HaikuADay #HaikuHive

A make up haiku inspired by my breakfast yesterday. I stopped by a local market & it was raining & I was craving turnip cakes so I ducked into the nearby dim sum restaurant & just ordered what I wanted, knowing I‘d have plenty to enjoy later. Consumed leisurely with a current read.

Dim Sum for One 🥟💙🥟

Dim sum for myself
Too much for one sitting means
Leftovers to love

P.S. This is my second dim sum haiku! 😉😋

#HaikuADay #HaikuHive

Today‘s haiku (I still have a couple to catch up on) is inspired by the bird I was listening to this morning on the Merlin app. One of my favorites. I didn‘t get a picture this morning, so this one‘s from online.

Backyard Dandy

Red-whiskered Bulbul
Such a dapper little guy
Mohawk with a blush

#HaikuADay #HaikuHive

Today‘s haiku is inspired by restless nights & the anxiety that creeps its way in.

Photo courtesy of the internet.

Night Monsters

Night whispers of doubt
Racing thoughts and pounding heart
Sleep drifts far away

#Read2025 #SeriesLove2025

Finished this one on the plane yesterday for #ThematicCozies September #Books This bookish cozy had been in my TBR for ages & I love the author‘s gardening & bird-related series, so it‘s no wonder I enjoyed this one. Set in Bath, the MC, Haley, curates a library foundation dedicated to the Golden Age of Mysteries even though her literary preferences & studies were not about mysteries. When the leader of a group of ⬇️

A day late for #5JoysFriday & another not great week but here goes…

1 -2. Sunset out the airplane window brings me joy, plus getting upgraded & uninterrupted reading time. Probably my most joyful moment on the plane was it was about 30 min delayed leaving Hilo & the pilot got on the radio & apologized and said “Folks, we‘re going to fly it like we stole it and get you there as soon as possible.” It cracked me up & laughter is joy!🤣💛

3. I had⬇️

#HaikuADay #HaikuHive

Catching up on haikus. This one is inspired by these macarons I bought at a little cupcake/dessert place in Hilo. I like looking at them almost as much as eating them.

Eat the Rainbow 🌈

Bright little jewels
Macarons in rainbow hues
Always bring a smile

#HaikuADay HaikuHive

Behind on my daily haikus, I‘m not sure what day we‘ll call this one but it is the view from my skylight yesterday before sunset. I love the color of the clouds.

Skylight Frame

Sky in soft pastels
Fluffy pink and golden clouds
Greeting the sunset

Friday has snuck up on us yet again 🫣 so it‘s time to make your #5JoysFriday list of those 5 things big or small that brought you joy this week. 💛💛💛

Make your post, tag it with the #5JoysFriday & tag me & anyone else you want to share joy with. Use the background if & as you please.

EVERYONE is welcome to join in! 💛🤗💛

#HaikuADay #HaikuHive

I‘ve been MIA from Litsy this week. Just a lot going on at work & I‘m headed to Hilo tomorrow. I have 4 days of haikus to make up but today‘s is first & easy thanks to a little #SundayBuddyRead joy from @TheBookHippie in a bright orange envelope. I didn‘t want to show what all was in it in case others haven‘t opened it, but it made my day. Thanks, Christine! 🧡🤗🧡

Envelope full of
Reading camaraderie
Joy between pages 🧡

#Naturalitsy #HyggeHourReadathon

For tonight‘s #HyggeHour I‘m reading the latest Encyclopedia Brown book for #EBBR & then catching up on a cozy mystery with my remaining time. I‘m hydrating (it‘s humid) with Hint watermelon water & noshing on this cute Neko Pan (bread with strawberry cream filling).

Mood is tired. Shoulder is still sore & I‘m not ready for Monday. 😵‍💫

#HaikuADay #HaikuHive

Lots of thoughts & shoulder pain (maybe sympathy pain for @dabbe 😉) had me wide awake most of the night & slow going today but it did inspire today‘s haiku.

A night without rest
Sunday draped in heavy eyes
Dreams still call to me

#Read2025

This apocalyptic horror novella caught my eye on the library shelf & it was a good creepy quick read. (I finished it in about an hour-ish at Silent Book Club). An unreliable narrator makes it hard to tell what was “real” & what was in Riley‘s head & the tension & crazy ratcheted up with each page turn. A Bird Box vibe (at least the movie, I didn‘t read the book) & a good fast book if you are in the mood for somewhat graphic horror.

My #WeekendReads this weekend include the tagged book & books for #ThematicCozies #SheSaid #EBBR & #SundayBuddyReads & whatever else strikes my mood.

#Read2025 #SeriesLove2025

Finished earlier in the week for #NancyDrewBR
This one did not seem familiar to me, so is it a reread or not? Hmmm… 🤔 Anyway, not my favorite book, but still a pick for nostalgia. This one (I read the 1973 version) is set in a little seaside town, drivable from River Heights. Again, where is River Heights because I keep reading Midwest? Maybe it‘s a lake beach town?🤷🏻‍♀️ Anyway Nanners & her girls are there to ⬇️

#HaikuADay #HaikuHive

Today‘s haiku is inspired by having to work for a few hours on Saturday, but doing it out of the coffee shop with reading breaks makes it a bit better.

Work on Saturday,
Coffee, breakfast wrap in hand,
Plenty breaks to read

#HaikuADay #HaikuHive

Today‘s haiku is inspired by last night at Silent Book Club. This was the second time I joined in & once again, I enjoyed it. There‘s something nice about seeing different people of all kinds & ages reading together.

Silent Company

Sometimes it‘s nice to
Sit and read, surrounded by
Kindred minds with books

Woot! Got my #5JoysFriday posted on Friday so much better than last week. This one is mostly food again, but week take joy where we find it! 💛💛💛

1.Last Saturday I went to the makers market & my favorite Laotian/ Peruvian food truck was there & I got my favorite plate the Peruvian Pesto Paste with Lemongrass Short Ribs & Potatoes. So joyful! 😋

2. My power went out Monday afternoon & rather that sit & sweat & stress, I took myself out for ⬇️

#HaikuADay #HaikuHive

Catch up—I wrote this haiku yesterday in the quarterly Conscious Leadership class taught by our CEO, but didn‘t get it posted last night. We sit still in silence at the beginning & end of each session & some times are harder than others to control my restless thoughts. 🧘🏻‍♀️☮️

Being

Sitting in stillness
Thoughts, emotions battle peace
My inward journey

Hi Friends, how is it Friday again so soon? I have been at a training class most of the day & then doubled-down on the peopling & went to my second Silent Book Club tonight!🫣🤭So if it‘s Friday where you are, it‘s time to make your list of the 5 things big or small that brought you joy this week.

Make your post & tag it with #5JoysFriday & tag me & anyone else you‘d like to share joy with. Use the background if/as you wish.

All are welcome!🤗

#HaikuADay #HaikuHive

Today‘s haiku was inspired by my morning commute to Hilo which looks pretty much the same each week so that it feels like I‘m doing it by rote.

Muscle Memory

Autopilot drive
TSA, Starbucks, lounge, fly…
Weekly sky commute

#HaikuADay #HaikuHive

Today‘s haiku is inspired by a small rainstorm this afternoon that really made me want to read or take a nap, but alas, there was too much work to do to give into the temptation.🌧️

Afternoon rain storm
Soft strikes against the skylight
Rest calls, I resist

#Read100

My first finished book of September, I finished this one for #FictionalTraveler #September #EnglishSpeaking & September #Roll100 #77 #AnyBOTM Overall, I enjoyed this one, although it drug in parts. The unique premise of an unmarried British woman who comes home after her friend‘s hen party to find she‘s married & her attic keeps “replacing” husbands with no end in site. Lauren made some choices I judged & thought over-the-top but ⬇️

#HaikuADay #HaikuHive

I was awake early this morning mainly due to random work & Monday thoughts, but also due to the noisy multi-bird concert in my backyard that inspired today‘s haiku. (Note: photo borrowed from online)

Backyard Cacophony

Spotted dove begins
Finches form the Greek chorus
Mynah drowns them out

P.S. cacophony is a favorite word. 😉

#Naturalitsy #HyggeHourReadathon

Tonight‘s #HyggeHour is being spent with Nancy Drew for #NancyDrewBR I feel like Nancy looks pretty disheveled on this cover, so here‘s hoping her head is okay!😉#NNK

I‘m drinking blueberry lemonade because it‘s been overly muggy this weekend & I‘m trying Dubai chocolate for the first time because I finally saw it in small bars that don‘t cost $15.

Mood is sad the weekend is over & it‘s a full workweek. 😵‍💫

I‘ll probably never get reviews posted for August, I‘m still behind for July but I managed to read 20 books, which surprised me given my schedule & energy level for the month. Many were short books & I made 8 day trips in the month which gives me about 90 minutes per trip of reading + airport commute time.

Finished books for #SundayBuddyRead #SheSaid #NancyDrewBR #BobWhiteBuddies #EBBR #CampLitsy2025 #ChildrensClassicRead2025 #AuthorAMonth ⬇️

#HaikuADay #HaikuHive

Today‘s haiku is inspired by Sunday & the fact that as slow & casual as I can make Sunday, Monday‘s crazy is just around the corner.

Sunday drifts along,
Clock hands slow but Monday comes,
Would that I could stay…

A day late for #5JoysFriday & it was kind of a sucky week to be honest, but still there was joy. 💛

1. I worked a partial day Monday but it was from the coffeeshop so it was joyful that Friday came sooner. 💛💛💛

2. I don‘t like regular Oreos but these 🍋 ones give my mouth joy.😋

3. Last weekend I got Lamb Bhuna & garlic naan from a favorite Indian place & it gave me several days of joyful eating.😋

4. I caved at B&N last Friday & bought ⬇️

#HaikuADay #HaikuHive

Decided to combine my Friday‘s haiku with this week‘s #SereneSaturdays prompt about favorite warm drink zen. Give me hot apple cider & other apple tea & coffee drinks as I despise pumpkin spice & of course it‘s everywhere right now. (Although it‘s too muggy today for me to truly crave something warm!)

Team Apple 🍎

Autumnal feelings,
Apple cinnamon girl in
A pumpkin spice world🍎✨🎃

#HaikuADay #HaikuHive

Missed posting yesterday‘s haiku & #5JoysFriday so I‘ll catch up, but I‘m going ahead & posting today‘s haiku inspired by my monthly maker‘s market visit & this banana bread latte (called the Nanner Bread Latte) that was perfect for an extremely muggy morning. 🥲☀️⛅️

Nanner Bread Latte

Sweet banana buzz,
Coffee fuel for market day,
Joy in every sip

Well look it‘s Friday already-how did that happen? Time to share those 5 things (big or small) that brought you joy this week. 💛💛💛

To join in, make your post (you can use the background any way you want or use your own), use the #5JoysFriday tag & tag me & anyone else you want to share the joy with.

EVERYONE is welcome to join in! 💛🤗💛

#HaikuADay #HaikuHive

My friend & I have this thing where when it‘s been a tough day/week/whatever, I tell her I‘m laying on the couch “contemplating my life choices.” That‘s today‘s haiku inspiration because today‘s chaos felt like a Monday. 😳😵‍💫 TGIF! (almost!)

Sometimes I stop and
Contemplate my life choices,
Chaos pays the bills

#HaikuADay #HaikuHive

Today‘s haiku was inspired by a group of house finch chattering away in my backyard this morning. It sounded like a good gossip session. (Note—picture is not my yard or my particular finch—I wasn‘t dressed to go take one myself!)

Tea Time in the Trees

House finch chatterings,
Backyard gossip in the trees,
Spilling all the tea.

#HaikuADay #HaikuHive

Today‘s haiku takes its inspiration from my Tuesday which was a Monday with literal back-to-back meetings from 7:30 AM to 5:30 pm with one 39 minute break in between. It also plays homage to a favorite scene in 1987‘s Overboard…

Back-to-back meetings,
All day long with one short break
“Buh-buh-buh-buh-buh”

#HaikuADay #HaikuHive

Here is Friday‘s haiku, inspired by the little book of creepy stickers I bought because they made me laugh.

Haunted dolls, eerie,
Delightful on paper, just
Not beside my bed

#Read2025 #SeriesLove2025

Finished this yesterday for #ThematicCozies August #Travel & found it a solid cozy. Set on a upscale European river boat cruise (in this first one it starts in Budapest), where the MC, London Rose has just been named Social Director (sort of the cruise director) & one of the passengers dies on an outing under mysterious circumstances. Overall, I liked London & the mystery wasn‘t bad. I‘d read the next one in the series.

#Read2025

Finished in August & read this #BOTM novel for #FictionalTraveler August #Hot (it‘s set in a desert compound in the summer).

I am a sucker for reality television drama even though I rarely watch it these days so I quite enjoyed this dystopian version. For a debut novel, it was well done & I liked the elements of reality tv & looking at what is truth versus fiction. It had both dark humor & a few mild thrills & twists thrown in.