Tuesday, October 15, 2013

Kiddie Cuddling Time


Thought for the day:  If I can't "halp" a friend, what good am I?



If you're like me, you already have a HUGE stack of books waiting to be read, and every day, you hear about a couple more you'd like to add to your pile.

So, I'm gonna give a real quick shout-out about a few more (Gee thanks, Susan...) that I think you'd enjoy. Really. Quick. Because then I'm gonna toss a reworked rerun post your way.







 As a widow traveling alone to exotics places, Jo Carroll dared to face her fears and expand her horizons, and in the process, she proved quite handily that a gap year of travel isn't just for young college students. In this down-to-earth account of her adventures, this courageous British mum and grandmother takes her lucky readers along with her.













The latest book by Anne Gallagher is a terrific tale of the bonds forged between teachers in an orphanage during the Napoleonic Wars. Beautifully written as an auctioned prize for a fundraiser at her daughter's school, (neat idea, huh?) this tale is different from her usual regency and contemporary romances. What she offers here is  a touching, and sometimes humorous, account of sacrifice, duty, honor, and love.









 I didn't think I cared much for sci-fi. Not anymore. I read that when I was a kid. Then I bought this first book in Alex's trilogy. I liked it so much, I bought the other two books before I'd finished this one. Yeah. That good.


Um, this one's pretty good, too. (Sorry. I couldn't resist.)














Okay, I kept that short and sweet, but my enthusiasm for all three (okay, four) of those books is sky high. Check 'em out! Now, for that redone rerun I promised. Hope ya like it!

***********************

Thought for the day:  I never use the cell phone in the car. I like to keep my hands free for making gestures.  Maxine


With age comes wisdom. Or so they say. Sometimes it forgets the wisdom, and comes all by itself. And if we're very very lucky, the wrinkly years also  bring ... grandchildren.

Yep, it's that time again. Time for me to venture away from the computer for a couple weeks to spend quality time with some of our grandchildren. This time, I even get to meet our almost three-month-old grandson Atlas (Yes, my kids DO pick some unusual names!) for the first time. Woo HOO! So it'll be awhile before I do any new posting or commenting. But I'll be back, so please hold my spot in the blogosphere, okay?

Life is good. And, no doubt about it, we've been blessed with flipping good luck (many times over) when it comes to grandchildren.

Before I go, I thought I'd share a chuckle with you about another grandmother. This is a laugh-o-licious piece that's been around the Internet a time or two, but I'm hoping it'll be new to some of you. It's supposed to be a letter from an 88-year-old grandma to her granddaughter.




Dear Granddaughter,

The other day I went up to our local Christian book store and saw a "Honk if you love Jesus" bumper sticker. I was feeling particularly sassy that day because I had just come from a thrilling choir performance, followed by a thunderous prayer meeting. So, I bought the sticker and put it on my bumper. Boy, am I glad I did; what an uplifting experience that followed!

I was stopped at a red light at a busy intersection, just lost in thought about the Lord and how good He is, and I didn't notice that the light had changed. It's a good thing someone else loves Jesus, because if he hadn't honked, I'd never have noticed.

I found that lots of people love Jesus!

While I was sitting there, the guy behind me started honking like crazy, and then he leaned out of his window and screamed, "For the love of God, go! Go! Go! GO!" What an exuberant cheerleader he was for Jesus! 

Everyone started honking!

I just leaned out my window and started waving and smiling at all those loving people. I even honked my horn a few times to share in the love.

There must have been a man from Florida back there because I heard him yelling something about a sunny beach. I saw another guy waving in a funny way with only his middle finger stuck up in the air. I asked my young grandson in the back seat what that meant, and he said it was probably a Hawaiian good luck sign or something.
Well, I have never met anyone from Hawaii, so I leaned out the window and gave him the good luck sign right back. My grandson burst out laughing. Why, even he was enjoying this religious experience!

A couple of the people were so caught up in the joy of the moment they got out of their cars and started walking toward me. I bet they wanted to pray or ask what church I attended, but this is when I noticed the light had changed.

So, grinning, I waved at all my new brothers and sisters in Christ, and drove on through the intersection. I noticed I was the only car that got through the intersection before the light changed again, and felt kind of sad that I had to leave them after all the love we had shared.

So I slowed the car down, leaned out the window and gave them all the Hawaiian good luck sign one last time as I drove away. Praise the Lord for such wonderful folks!

Will write again soon.

Love, Grandma


And so I'm off to prepare for some serious kiddie cuddling. (As opposed to kitty cuddling. Alas, our kitties will NOT be amused.)

Until next time, take care of yourselves. And each other.






95 comments:

  1. Funny funny letter. I can see it happening. Haha
    Thanks for the book reviews. I don't dare even think about starting another book. I have no time. Help. I can't even get through your book. I'm past where she threw out the dishes and I think going to pick up her kids tux. You would think I could get through it because I love it and your writing is so descriptive that I think I'm there. All summer, I've lived with boxes and bins just like I moved in and now that I can't work in the yard, I need to get this indoor stuff done before it snows. At night, I'm too tired to read. Enjoy your grandkids and kiss all those little cheeks..... anywhere you find them.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. if I lived closer I'd be there in a flash. I love unpacking and storing.

      Delete
    2. River
      Oh boy, I'd take you up on that flash too.... in a heart beat. I place sentimental value on everything and yet I never miss it when I don't see it. I need someone to just come in and throw the dang stuff out!!!! Tell me to look the other way. LOL I wish you were my neighbor.

      Delete
    3. Manzie- Glad you liked that letter. It totally cracked me up, and I trust no one will be offended by it. You have got to be one of the busiest ladies in the blogosphere. Good luck getting all that pesky unpacking and organizing before old man winter kicks your keister. (I'm glad you're enjoying my book so far.) Take care.

      River- Lots of people would be willing to hire you to do those kinda jobs for them.Knowing how clever you are, I'll betcha you could come up with a real catchy name for your new business, too...

      Delete
  2. Have fun visiting the baby grands. My children 3 out of 4 of them, have unusual names too. :)

    LOL at the joke and the pic of the driving cat. :) Oh, and to Maxine, hahaha

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  3. You've chosen three very interesting books to pimp. I can attest to the fact that Jo Carroll is great. I haven't yet read Anne Gallagher but her book looks good.

    Much like you, I'm not a big science fiction fan (could this be because we were born on the same day??) but the Cavanaugh books are well worth looking into.

    I remember reading the Granny Letter aeons ago but I'd forgotten about it, so reading it again has provided me with lots of laughs. Hawaiian good luck sign, indeed........

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Glad ya liked the book choices. Jo is one brave lady, isn't she? I can't imagine myself traveling alone to some of the places she visited. (Traveling to them vicariously was great, though!)

      Aloha, cowboy!

      Delete
  4. Take your time--I'll save your seat. Enjoy your grandchildren!!

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  5. Hey Susan, Congratulations, you won an ebook copy of That Fatal Kiss and one of my books, either Murder, Madness & Love or Memories of Murder. Do you have a Kindle or a Nook? Let me know at yolandarenee@hotmail.com and I'll get the books right over. Thanks for your comments. See it pays to just say hello!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Woo HOO! Thanks. I'm looking forward to reading them.

      HELLO!!!!

      Delete
  6. Hi Susan .. great books you've selected and yours of course .. well not much time for reading .. when you're at the grandkids .. and the new one on the block - enjoy Atlas ... and the others as Atlas will be mostly sleeping I guess .. when he's not being canoodled over!

    Cheers and I love your stories .. the Hawaiian one is so funny! Happy days and see you soon .. space reserved ... Hilary

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi, Hilary. If you haven't read Jo's book yet, I think you'd really like it. With your sense of adventure, I can imagine you visiting some of those exotic places.

      Happy days to you, too. Thanks for holding a spot for me. Cheers!

      Delete
  7. Really cute story Susan... have an amazing time with the grand children... I wish I lived closer to my little one.. I always look forward to a new post from you when you have time;-)

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    Replies
    1. Thanks, Launna. I'm glad you liked it. We always have fun with the grands, and we'll even have a bonus baby to enjoy this time... so we'll surely have a... grand time. Take care of yourself, kiddo.

      Delete
  8. Drat you. And double drat you. I really, really don't need any more books.

    Love the Granny letter - and have a heap of fun with your grand babies. Bank as many cuddles as you can...
    And we will be waiting when you are able to tear yourself away.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. HA! Sorry, Sue. But youshould know better,.. with books, as with flowers, it's rarely a matter of "need." (You'd love Jo's book!)

      Glad ya liked the letter. Oh, I will. I'm gonna smother them with hugs and kisses. (so to speak) Seeya soon.

      Delete
  9. I've only just seen this (I've been away) - thank you so much for the link to my book and kind words.

    And Grandmas are simply the best!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Welcome back! My pleasure. I've been meaning to mention your book ever since I finished it.

      Yes, we are! (Grandfathers, too.)

      Delete
  10. I've met a few people who've been to that same Sunny Beach.

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  11. Alex J Cavanaugh: on my list now.
    I have no words for poor grandma..

    Enjoy your new grandson!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Cool. I think you'll enjoy his books.

      As for that grandmom, I guess she's one of the ones who got the age without the wisdom, eh?

      Thanks. I will!

      Delete
  12. Enjoy your time with the grands.

    ReplyDelete
  13. Love that letter :) I hope you have a good break but I selfishly hope you return very soon :)

    ReplyDelete
  14. KITTIES! I haven't read any of those books, but I should look into them. Have fun with the grandkids!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes... kitties and kiddies... two of my favorite things!

      Thanks. I will!

      Delete
  15. haha that is a letter full of fun
    Kitties don't like the kiddos under my sun
    They run away
    When ever any come near my bay
    Good reviews too
    At your zoo

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I guess our cats aren't much for thrills;
      When kids come in, they head for the hills.
      Actually, they hide under our bed,
      Peeking out with eyes full of dread.
      Not that the kids would ever hurt 'em,
      Just yell, and squeeze, and maybe squirt 'em.

      Delete
  16. Dear Susan,
    thank you for the book tips (I' especially interested in the Lemonade - will order it). I wish you a wonderful time with your grandchild!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dear Britta,

      My pleasure! I'm thrilled you're interested in my stormy glass of lemonade. Thank you, ma'am.

      Thanks! Gonna see eight of our grands this week. (Whew! My hubby sure is getting old...)

      Delete
    2. It's on my Kindle now - and I look forward to read it - the content-descrption sounded interesting!

      Delete
  17. Have a great time with your grandkids!

    ReplyDelete
  18. I'm glad you didn't resist. Great morning giggle. :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. HA! At my age, I don't resist nearly as much as I should.

      I'm glad you enjoyed the giggles.

      Delete
  19. I laughed at the old lady "Honk if You Love Jesus"!

    And Alex's Cassa-series IS fabulous, even though he's said he'll never write the volume I suggested: "CassaNova" -- the battle to determine greatest lover in space!"

    Have a wonderful time with the grandkids!!!!!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks. I'm glad it tickled your funny bone.

      HA! Love it. You're just gonna have to lean on him a littler harder. "CassaNova" sounds like a real winner.

      I will!!!!

      Delete
  20. In tonight's news, a woman known as "Grandma" to her family was chased down and clubbed to death by a New York motorcycle gang.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Man, you sure know how to kill a buzz, don't ya? Oh, wait! You're kidding, right? Right...?

      Delete
  21. Funny, funny letter. It was a first for me. Hawaiian good luck sign. ::snicker snicker::

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Glad you liked it. And now ya know... The one-fingered salute is actually a good luck sign.

      Delete
  22. Have a marvelous time with your grandkids! See you in a few weeks :)

    ReplyDelete
  23. Over the hill and far away sounds just like my brain! ;) Love the hilarious pics!

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  24. Yes, I'm like you. I have a stack of books always waiting for me. If they are not on my book shelf, they are at the library or inside my head.
    ( I need more than 24 hours a day to live. I can't get enough of life, you know what I mean).
    Enjoy your time with your grandchildren, have fun, Susan.
    We will wait for your return.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. We have so many books, our house has probably sunk a few inches from all that weight. But there is ALWAYS room for another book.

      Thanks. I will. Take care.

      Delete
  25. aw… love the get me down! kitty.. hahaa and the wide eyed Grandma doggy..

    I buy books at library sales and such ... years and years of such buying on shelves... I enjoying buying them .. ;)

    and you're off to see grandchildren…. nothing better!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yeah, with all the books I've bought or checked out of the library over the years, I suspect reading might be an addiction. But I refuse to go to rehab!

      Yes, nothing better than grandchildren. Nobody looks at us quite like they do.

      Delete
  26. Thanks for all the book recommendations! So many books, so little time...

    Hawaiian good luck sign Bwaaaaahhhhh!

    And now that you mentioned Schwarzenegger in your comments...my accent sounds very similar to his. Just sayin'. Except not quite as strong. :-p

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Whew! Finally ready to try to start catching up....

      It was AWESOME to meet you and your hubby in Florida. (And you don't sound like Arnie at all... more like Marlene Dietrich...)

      Delete
  27. I don't have much time for reading right now, but I will take note of your recommendations and check them out another day.

    Lucky you, another grandchild, and from his name, I gather that they expect great things from him.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes, lucky, lucky, lucky! He's adorable, and he laughed out loud for the first time while we were visiting. (I don't think there's a better sound in the world.)

      Delete
  28. Hi Susan,

    Oh, the TBR pile looms large, but I always want more!

    ReplyDelete
  29. The Alex J. Cavanaugh trilogy looks decent, thanks for recommending it.

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  30. LOL!

    Also, ACK! Too many good books to add to my already toppling pile!!!

    Oh, well. Better too many than too few, eh? I'll get to them all someday! :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hey, the way I figure it is we have to keep a lengthy ongoing to-do list and a never-ending list of books waiting to be read. That way, we can never take time to die. (Right?) (Right...???)

      Delete
  31. Cute stuff here, especially the last picture.

    On a different note, Susan, would you kindly email me Caryl's address? I'm sending my book to all of my giveaway nominees. I'm at Rawknrobyn@aol.com. Thank you kindly.

    Cheers,
    xoRobyn

    ReplyDelete
  32. SUSAN ~
    >>... Thought for the day: I never use the cell phone in the car. I like to keep my hands free for making gestures. ~ Maxine

    Just the other day, I was fingerprinted by my new employer. When they rolled my right hand's middle finger across the ink pad, I said, "Be careful with that finger... I can't drive without it." (The person never did catch my meaning. Only in "Airheadzona"!)

    The "letter from an 88-year-old grandma to her granddaughter" (which is obviously a contrived, long-running joke) would be funnier if I weren't dealing with those VERY SAME PEOPLE every single day of the week on these Airheadzona roads.

    Sorry, but come live here in Airheadzona for just one year and you'll realize that this is NO LAUGHING MATTER!

    When I lived in California, I thought "road rage" was pure insanity. Living in Airheadzona for the last 16 years, I now... "get it"!

    ~ D-FensDogg
    'Loyal American Underground'

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Well, phooey on that guy doing the fingerprinting job on you. No sense of humor at all. (I hope you didn't leave him a tip...)

      Yeah, annoying drivers are, well... annoying... but I can't imagine that the drivers are any worse there than they are in the Atlanta area. I just figure there are lots of rights worth dying for, but the right of way ain't one of them. I try not to let the maddeningly inconsiderate drivers get to me. (However, I MAY let slip a few rather unlady-like words from time to time...)

      Delete
  33. I'm drowning in books so what's a couple more-- I know I'll get to them! Thanks for the recommendations! Granny's a hoot! Hey, enjoy these precious moments with your grandkids.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Drowning in books? Yeah, me too, but what a way to go, huh?

      Thanks. We had a wonderful time with the kiddies.

      Delete
  34. Great book recommendations! Especially that last one. :D

    Enjoy your time with your grandkids. I hope you have a wonderful few weeks.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks! (How sweet!)

      We had a fantabulous time with the kids in hot-hot-hot Florida. Now it's catch-up time.

      Delete
  35. that granny on the elephant cover just steals the show today :) And methinks some kittehs would actually be better drivers than most humans :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. That picture of Jo atop the elephant is pretty neat, and in this case, you CAN judge a book by its cover. Some kitties, maybe, but not ours. They have an attention deficit disorder... and narcolepsy. They play hard, and sleep even harder.

      Delete
  36. I have been very much enjoying "Hot Flashes And Cold Lemonade". Had heard of the author before but forget where. Good writer!

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  37. I love the granny stories! Thanks for the book recommendations, too. And go enjoy those grandbabies!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Glad ya liked the granny tale, and I think you'd enjoy the books, too.

      Oh, I did! (Now we're in recovery mode.)

      Delete
  38. You've listed some wonderful books. Of course you know how I loved Hot Flashes and Cold Lemonade! Very funny granny story! Congrats on your new grandson! Have a terrific trip Susan!

    Julie

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    Replies
    1. Thanks. (You're so sweet!)

      We had a terrific time. Atlas is a little cutie, and he even laughed out loud for the first time while we were there. (Talk about great timing!)

      Delete
  39. First of all, I'm still cracking at the mobile phone quite. That last photo of the cat at the wheel is hilarious and thanks a lot for the shout-out. It's always good to be recommended new literature.

    Greetings from London.

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    Replies
    1. Glad this post made you quack up, ducky. (Sorry. I don't think my brain has fully returned from vacation yet.)

      Greetings back atcha from Georgia!

      Delete
  40. I recognize those authors—four awesome writers, four awesome books! Have an wonderful time with the grandkids, especially the new little guy. Congratulations!

    VR Barkowski

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. What an awesome thing to say!

      Thanks. I had a fantastic time with the grandkids, and the new little guy even graced us with his first full-blown belly laugh. Doesn't get much better than that!

      Delete
  41. I would love to read Jo Carroll's book. Thanks for the info!

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  42. I'm glad to hear Alex Cavanaugh is a good author. I've never read any of these books.

    http://joycelansky.blogspot.com

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    Replies
    1. Hi-ya, Joyce. For someone who never "intended" to be a writer, Alex sure has a natural talent for it.

      Delete
  43. From Diana -
    Can you send me your email? I need to ask you something and darned if I can find yours. I'm at beejayw1 at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  44. Great book recommendations! Have a great time!

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  45. Hope you had a great time. More books to add to my list. Looking forward to reading about Jo Carroll.

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    Replies
    1. We sure did! Thanks. I think you'll really enjoy Jo's story.

      Delete
  46. I'm a sci-fi convert thanks to Alex, too.
    And you're book is great. All SHOULD read it, and you SHOULD keep plugging it.

    Third, I love the cat who's giving the finger.

    xoRobyn

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  47. Between Alex and Mary Pax, I've been persuaded to read more sci-fi recently than I have in YEARS.

    Thanks. Sweet of you to say. There's a fine line between promoting a book just enough and overdoing it and becoming a royal pain in the patootie.

    Me, too. Our cats are much more polite than that, though. When they're ticked off, they very pointedly turn their backs on you and show you their butts.

    ReplyDelete