Friday, August 29, 2014

Satisfaction Brought Him Back

Thought for the day:  The cure for boredom is curiosity. There is no cure for curiosity. [Dorothy Parker]


I don't believe curiosity killed the cat, do you? (However, it might possibly have led him into some oopsie situations a time or two.)

How about you? Are you the curious sort? I am. Dorothy Parker was right. I'm rarely bored, and that's probably because I've been afflicted with a raging case of curiosity my entire life. What's more, the condition is still going as strong as ever. (Beats being bored...)

Curiosity was framed. Ignorance killed the cat.


Okay, before I share a current  curiosity with you... it's the last Friday of the month, and time for the monthly gathering of bibliophiles known as the Cephalopod Coffeehouse, hosted by the chief cephalopod himself,  the armchair squid. As usual, I'll post my bookish stuff near the end of this post, so those of you who don't give a good hoot what I've been reading can just read the first part of the post and ignore the rest. Those who wanta see even more of who's been reading what, pop over to the squid's blog and check out the linky link thing-a-ma-bob there.

Now then. Thing-a-ma-bob. That's what it is. Or possibly a doohickey. The truth is, we don't know what the heck it is. Smarticus found this thing... this very interesting thing...  in the bottom of a box of stuff he bought from a pawn shop before it went out of business. We don't know what it is. The other people we've asked don't know what it is, either.

Maybe one of you do. Ready to see it?


Here it is in profile. It's made of brass and has a sturdy feel to it. A fairly simple construction, but well-made.


Here it is, head on. (Or heck, maybe it's the back...) The black bulbous part is made of a rubber compound of some sort.




The other side features a shallow channel, which isn't as smooth as the rest of the... thing-a-ma-bob. 






When the handle is squeezed shut, the ends separate, as though it's intended to stretch something, maybe. Maybe not.

Whether this is part of something larger, or it's the whole deal, we don't know. Do you? Anybody know what this is?

(If not, any fun guesses...?)

Okay, moving on the the book part of this post. First up, my most recent book from
Unlike last month, I can't honestly say this was the best book I read this month, but it might be something y'all would enjoy...

 Before requesting Tantric Coconuts, I read the handful of reviews already written for it, and noted that they differed dramatically, with ratings ranging from one-star to five. Still, I was intrigued with the notion of a Nicholas Sparks-like novel with a spiritual element. Besides, the author has a "New York Times" bestselling track record. It HAD to be good, right?

Now then: reality. Say there are two Ferraris zipping down the road. Now imagine a head-on collision. Both are destroyed, and now neither is worth a plug nickel. That's kinda what I think happened to this book. On the one hand is a semi-sweet story laced with bits of humor, and on the other hand is the author's serious philosophy about life and spiritual growth. Either of these premises could have made a top-notch book, but when they're forced to collide and merge bumpers? Not so much. Then the book looses focus and identity, and in a well-meaning attempt to fulfill both roles, it fails to adequately fulfill either. Manufactured discussions between the characters as a means to teach the path to spiritual fulfillment came across as contrived and awkward. Stiff. The saddest part is that the message the author is trying to send is definitely one worth receiving. Unfortunately, I think most readers will give up on this book without finishing. I wish the author would write a straightforward non-fiction book about his thoughts on spiritual growth, rather than try to incorporate them artificially in a piece of fluff.

For more information about this book, please see here, and for more info about the author, this is the place right here. Just to make it clear, I received this book for free from Blogging for Books in exchange for an honest review. If you're interested in following suit, just check out their website.

Now, then, I thought I'd mention a few books I read this month which I highly recommend:

  • Deadly Lies, by Chris Patchell. Part of my review from Amazon and Goodreads: How well do we really know the people we love? Police detective Alex Shannon thought he knew his wife Jill very well, but now he's not so sure. Something's changed. As a sexually abused teenager, Jill vowed to never be a victim again, so when abuse rears its ugly head again and threatens to destroy everything she holds dear, she has to do something to take control of her life again. The problem is, that "something" is far from legal. When the detective's investigation uncovers clues leading right to his bride, what will he do about it? Uphold the law, let his wife go... or something else?  
I really enjoyed this book, which could be classified as a thriller, I suppose. Much to my surprise, after I posted my review for it, the author sent me a really nice box of chocolates. (Which in no way influenced the five stars I'd already given it...)

  • The Graveyard Shift, by Brandon Meyers & Bryan Pedas. These talented guys, who blog at A Beer for the Shower,  have already proven themselves to be off-the-chart funny and witty. In this collection of short stories, they also prove themselves to be a little... creepy. (Of course, I mean that in the nicest way...) One of the best things about reading a collection of short stories is the reader can read one story now, set the book down, do something else, and come back to read another one later, right? Kinda like having a lovely box of mixed chocolates next to your easy chair to select from at leisure. HA! I dare ya! TRY to read just one. Me? I read every single story in one sitting. (Which comes pretty close to my approach to eating boxes of chocolates, too, now that I think of it...) Anyhow, these stories are worthy of raising a couple goose bumps, and verrrry well-written. Imagination out the wazoo. Loved 'em! (Brandon also recently published a novel called Lovely Death, which I just purchased, but haven't yet read. Looking forward to it, though.)

  • Bombs and Butterflies, by Jo Carroll. Anyone who's ever daydreamed about visiting exotic places around the world would love this author's books. This lovely blogging grandma from London doesn't just daydream about traveling... she DOES it. To wonderful places, where this intrepid traveler experiences wondrous (and sometimes scary) things, and meets wonderful (and sometimes scary) people. Then, she goes back home and writes about it, so we lucky readers can benefit from her insights and experiences. This book is about her trip to Laos, but all of her books are terrific. Seeing the world through her eyes may not be the same as seeing them first-hand, but it's the next best thing.
And there ya have it. Now... I want you to put on your thinking caps. I'd like you to think about your favorite old broad... could be someone in your family, a friend, celebrity, whatever. But don't tell me now. Next Friday, I'm gonna be writing about MY favorite old broad, and I'll be asking you then about yours. So think about it, so you're prepared to give an answer...

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

110 comments:

  1. Your mystery object is probably made to STRETCH something. But what; I have no idea.

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    1. That's kinda what we thought, too, and we happily excluded it from having any medical purpose. (shudder)

      Delete
  2. Re...any fun guesses...? It behaves like a sissors clamp, but has that rubber fulcrum that won't damage woodwork when used as a lever. My first guess is it's an upholsterer's tool, for positioning and stretching fabric on furniture without gouging anything. It reminds me of a tool I used to stretch art canvases onto subframes when I worked indoors.

    ReplyDelete
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    1. Oooh, that's a terrific guess. Sounds plausible, anyway.

      Delete
  3. Hey, could you loan me your thing-a-ma-bob? I have a tooth I'd like to pull. Actually I have no clue what it is, but it looks like some sort of clamp. I'll bet Geo. will be able to figure it out. He knows everything.

    I always enjoy your book reviews - - they're right on target.
    Nobody ever sent me a box of chocolates for reviewing their book. That's sweet (no pun intended).

    I wrote a negative book review on Amazon once, and the author considered hiring a hit-man.......

    ReplyDelete
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    1. Susan, I confess myself baffled so far. When it comes to knowing what things are, you know everything that needs to be known, Jon knows all that can be known and I know the rest. I fixate upon enigmas and there are excellent ideas streaming in that are more than equal to mine --will return to learn more!

      Delete
    2. Pull a tooth, huh? Well, the tool IS kinda hefty, so you could probably knock out a tooth with it, but no guarantee about the roots coming out with it.

      Thanks. The chocolates were a first for me, too, although authors have sent me quite a few sweet emails and messages. No hit man threats. Yet.

      Delete
    3. It is kinda intriguing isn't it, Geo? Not quite of the enigma status, but pretty darned interesting. Someone told me there's a way to load an image into Google to do a search, and if we ever figure out how to do that, we may give it a try.

      Delete
  4. The book seems interesting. I would love to read it. Keep reading. Thanks.

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    1. As long as I'm still breathing, I plan to keep on reading. Thanks for stopping by, Sangay.

      Delete
  5. A glove stetcher? Isn't thinga-ma-bob a wonderful word. My partner refers to people whose name he cannot remember as whats-his(or her)-face which has much less charm.
    Loved your book reviews and am going away reciting times tables to distract me.

    ReplyDelete
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    1. Hmmm, I used to have some leather gloves that could have used a good finger-stretching after they got wet.

      Yes, I love the word thing-a-ma-bob, and my hubby has been known to say "what's-her-face" a time or two, too. But I forgive him, because he's awful with remembering names. As long as he doesn't refer to ME as "what's-her-face"...

      HA! Gotta keep up those math skills...

      Delete
  6. Four reviews for one. You are one fast reader.
    The Chocolate book sound quite interesting ! Love your reviews because they are short to the point and read so well. I would be still babbling on and on .

    cheers, parsnip

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    1. Yeah, it's a bit of an addiction. Ordinarily, I read about five books a week. (Beats watching TV!)

      Cheers back atcha. Happy weekend!

      Delete
  7. My favourite broad? at first I read bread and wondered why you'd want to know. I don't know if I know any broads. I do know plenty of ladies though.
    I think The Graveyard Shift sounds interesting.

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    1. HA! No offense intended. Ever since my doctor called me "a tough old broad," I've kinda liked the term. (shhhhh) The post is gonna be in conjunction with the release of a very cool book... "Old Broads Waxing Poetic." (And trust me... you DO know some of the old broads who wax poetic in the book.)

      Delete
  8. Hi Susan .. I thought it was going to be a nut cracker - still could be I guess in a strange way ... especially with Tantric Coconuts around .. so that's one book I don't need to read.

    The others look good reads .. and I really must get one of Jo's books ... she's developed a great idea for writing books ..

    Happy Labour Day weekend .. cheers Hilary

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    1. Hi, Hilary. Yep, it's definitely got enough heft to crack a nut or two. Maybe not a tantric coconut, though.

      Yes, yes, yes, you really must read Jo's books. You'll love them! (And they're very reasonably priced, too.)

      Happy Labor Day weekend to you, too. Cheers!

      Delete
  9. Goodness, I was busy deciding your thingy was for taking stones out of horses' hooves, and then I see you've mentioned my book. How very, very kind. You've made my day.

    And it's probably nothing to do with horses?

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    1. Super! I'm glad I made your day. I honestly love your books.

      As for the thingy? I don't know if it has anything to do with horses or not, but I don't think so.

      Delete
  10. If the thing-a-ma-bob is something that stretches material, I could use it to help me get into my jeans after I wash them (or could it be those cookies I was taste testing before serving the three that were left).

    ReplyDelete
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    1. HA! Battling the "amazing shrinking jeans" is almost enough to make ya want to forego washing them, isn't it?

      Delete
  11. Geo. could be spot on about the thinga-ma-bob. He is a man with a lot of logic in his thoughts.
    Interested to read book reviews and thanks.
    I applied for Blogging for Books, was (I thought) accepted and then nothing so perhaps another try to see what happens (or do you have to live in the US perhaps?).

    ReplyDelete
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    1. Could be, but with such a small off-set point of contact, I don't know how effective that thing would be at stretching fabric. But I do think that rubber piece is a protected fulcrum point of some kind.

      Huh. I don't know. I don't THINK it's limited to the U.S. After you were accepted, did you go to their website with your password to see what choices they were offering you in the genres you'd selected?

      Delete
  12. I have no idea what the item is... I will be curious to hear if anyone figures out what it is :)

    I like the sounds of that book you read about do we really know anyone and what they are capable of... the truth is we really don't know anyone that well...

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    1. If I ever find out definitively what it is, I'll be sure to do a follow up about it.

      I like to believe I know some people very well, but I suppose most people harbor some sort of secret inside...

      Delete
  13. Curiosity may have killed the cat but satisfaction brought him back. 9 lives and all lol Curious as can be at my sea many a time. Maybe thing thingy is some sort of nose picker?

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    1. A nose picker! Now there's a good one. It has the trough and everything... Maybe for a horse's nose...

      Delete
  14. It looks like it would clamp something without putting harsh pressure on one side. A conundrum in a box.

    Your booklist sounds interesting but I rarely read fiction. With the short time I have left, I prefer reading history and fact based books. I don't need anyone else's ideas of what they feel life should be, as I'm too busy experiencing my own right now. I have always been more interested in author's lives than in the fiction they create. I wish all the creative authors a huge success with their stories.

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    1. Yes, it is a conundrum. (Love that word!) It wouldn't make a very good clamp, though, because it's in the closed position when at rest, and it's a relaxed closed.

      I read a lot of non-fiction, too, but I'm an equal opportunity reader. Just about any kind of book will do.

      Delete
    2. Susan
      I did that most of my life too but now it's boiled down to a time-management thing. I'm discovering so many new activities that I overlooked. My list of "to do" is so long, I'll never get through it but it won't stop me from trying. Happy, happy world. LOL

      Delete
    3. The new things you're discovering, and your long "to do" list is what keeps life exciting. I hope to never get to the point where I say there isn't a single thing left in this world I want to do or to learn. (I'm pretty sure you never will!)

      Delete
  15. rather bizarre tool - I'm going to guess something for husking seashell type seafood. Happy Labor Day weekend

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    1. Another interesting guess.

      Happy Labor Day weekend to you, too. (It'll get better...)

      Delete
  16. I have no idea what it is but there is a site you can post a photo ...maybe someone there will know what it is. Nothing like a good mystery.
    http://www.collectorsweekly.com/tools-and-hardware/overview/stories

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  17. It's strange how some books are beloved by the masses while other masses of people despise them.
    I have Graveyard Shift on my Must Check This Out list.
    I have no idea about the tool. Looks good for smashing/opening/prying something though. The rubber part has me scratching my head though.

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    1. Isn't that the truth? It astonishes me to read reviews praising a book to heaven and back again when I find that same book to be horribly written and full of holes. Different strokes, I guess.

      Delete
  18. A shoe toe stretcher for bunions.

    Whatever a bunion is.

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  19. Deadly lies is going on my list and I'll be interested to find out what that thing is as I have no clue whatsoever!

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    1. That's a good book! (I can't promise she'll send you chocolates, though..)

      If I find out what it is, I'll let y'all know.

      Delete
  20. SUSAN ~

    >>... "Anyhow, these stories are worthy of raising a couple goose bumps, and verrrry well-written. Imagination out the wazoo."

    Yes, 'THE GRAVEYARD SHIFT' by Bryan and Brandon is an excellent collection of creepy and strange stories. I read my copy while working my graveyard shift... yeah, seriously.

    In fact, I enjoyed it so much that I even wrote an Amazon.scum review for their book despite the fact that Amazon.scum has been on my 'DOWN WITH ______' list since 2008, and I almost never post anything at that site anymore.

    And by the way, that thing you're referring to as a "Thing-a-ma-bob" or a "Doohickey", well, I am almost positive that it's actually a "Wazoo". (It's got your imagination going, doesn't it?)

    ~ D-FensDogg
    'Loyal American Underground'

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    1. I actually read "The Graveyard Shift" on YOUR recommendation. Thank you! I thoroughly enjoyed it. (But I wasn't working a graveyard shift while reading it... that would have certainly enhanced the creepiness factor a tad... especially if the wind were whistling and moaning...)

      A wazoo! Of course. Good logic, Stephen.

      Delete
  21. It's too bad "Tantric Coconuts" fell short because what a great title! And I'm boggled you got a box of chocolates from that author ... wow! As an author yourself, have you ever considered doing something like that?

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    1. Yeah, it is a neat title, isn't it? Some people might actually love the book. It's got some clever bits in it, but it just didn't work for me.

      No, I never thought of sending goodies to people who review my book. Maybe I should... as a bribe. HA!

      Delete
  22. No idea about your whatchamacallit. If you find out, I hope you'll post the answer. I'm the curious sort, too.

    ReplyDelete
  23. I see those beer for the shower guys all over the place, but I don't know them. Do you think you can set us up on a blind date? We can see how it goes, and maybe we can follow each other. That tool is a masterbater. Notice I misspelled it so I'm not saying something naughty. Not me. Oh, no. Never me.

    Love,
    Janie

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    1. Now I'm embarrassed because I misled you. It's really a master baiter, used for baiting certain fishing thing-a-ma-bobs.

      Delete
    2. Check out those beer in the shower dudes' blog. They're a real hoot. (You'll fit right in!)

      Oh, of course not. Our Janie is never naughty. Nope, uh-huh, not her... (And I believe it's a fishing thing-a-ma-bobber...)

      Delete
  24. There are some really imaginative guesses for your thing-a-ma-bob here! I agree with the person who mentioned upholstery. Not that your doohickey specifically was used for upholstery, but that it is a trade specific tool that probably only someone in that profession would recognize.

    Either that or the bunion thing.

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    1. Yeah, it could be a trade-specific doohicky. Or for bunions. Or nose-picking... don't forget the nose-picking!

      Delete
  25. The cure for boredom is curiosity. There is no cure for curiosity. [Dorothy Parker]

    Honestly, I have ended up like that cat more times than I want to talk about or can remember.

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  26. Bombs and Butterflies. You had me at exotic travel. :)

    No idea what the gadget is, maybe you could e-mail a pic to an antique dealer. I hope you'll let us know if you find out. I'm curious, hahahaha <--Really!

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    1. If you're intrigued by exotic travel, you'd love Jo's books.

      Oh, no... curiosity is contagious! If we find out what it is, I'll let ya know,

      Delete
  27. I've never been bored in my life because I'm a very curious person. And passionate. Life is all about passion and motivation to me...
    The book about the woman who travels is one I would love to read. Bombs and Butterflies! I love the title!

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    1. That's terrific! Armed with curiosity and passion, you're truly living life instead of just sleepwalking through it.

      If you read "Bombs and Butterflies", you'll see just how perfect that title is.

      Delete
  28. Tantric Coconuts is an intriguing title.

    I have no idea what that thing is for.

    I'm rarely bored.

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    1. Yeah, I really like that title, too.

      I'm not at all surprised to hear you're rarely bored. Not with all the reading and writing you do.

      Delete
  29. Bored? What's that?

    I'm really curious about that thingie...looking forward to you finding out and letting us know.

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    1. HA! Beats me!

      Me, too, but I was really hoping one of you guys would take one look at it and immediately say,"Oh, that's a..."If we find out, I'll let you know.

      Delete
  30. You have me totally curious about the thingy! What IS IT?

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  31. I'm rarely bored either, although some days I think it might be nice to try.

    The "utensil" has an interesting head on (or back) view. It looks like an art deco figure. the rubber ball must be to keep it from scratching the surface of…something. And the extended tip and channel? I got nuthin'.

    Okay, so I don't want to read Tantric Coconuts, I still like the title.

    VR Barkowski

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    1. I don't think you want to be... or would be... bored. Maybe you'd like some unscheduled time with nothing you "have" to do, but I'll bet you'd find a way to enjoy that time, even if it's spent taking a nap in a hammock.

      Maybe the utensil is an art deco thingie for performing exorcisms? If you squint, it kinda has a crucifix look about it... and if the shape doesn't do the trick, the gizmo has enough heft to beat the devil out of someone...

      Delete
  32. Our cat did that! In the middle of the night, scared the bejezzus out of us. And yes, I think he was quite embarrassed, though who knows? He's not the brightest bulb in the pack, probably gets into all sorts of similar situations we never even know about.

    I agree with Stephanie. Tantric Coconuts is a fantastic title, too bad the book didn't live up to it.

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    1. Our cats do all sorts of insane things like that, too. (And contrary to popular belief, not all cats are graceful!)

      Yeah, the book was a bit of a disappointment. Oh well. On to the next one...

      Delete
    2. Nope, definitely not all graceful. The boys are definitely dumber than the girls, too. We have a female who's 9 years younger but has a much better handle on life and the world around her.

      Delete
  33. Bombs and Butterflies is such a great title it makes me want to know more and as I will never travel to exotic places I can at least see it through someone else's eyes.

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    1. By all means, read that book... and Jo's other books, too. They're very entertaining and informative. And "Bombs and Butterflies" is the PERFECT title for this one.

      Delete
  34. I'm thoroughly intrigued by The Graveyard Shift stories. I do have a weakness for spooky tales, so I'm all in for that one. The Bombs and Butterflies sounds good too. I think I'll try them both! :)

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  35. I've so so missed your essays
    Apologies for being away for so long...
    Sometimes that happens in blog land
    Jxx

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    1. No need to apologize! I'm always happy to hear from you whenever you can make it. I know you're a busy busy man.

      Delete
  36. I love the 'Tantric Coconuts' title and it's too bad that the story didn't hold up. I really want to know what that tool is!

    ReplyDelete
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    1. I know. Kinda like going to the Greatest Show on Earth, and having it turn out to be a karaoke competition...

      Me, too!

      Delete
  37. If that thing kills mosquitoes, I'll buy it from you.

    I read a book like that once, where the author tried to do two different things at once and failed at both. It was unfortunate.

    You should check out ABftS' book, Lost and Found. That was a really good read.

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    Replies
    1. If that thing kills mosquitoes, we're KEEPING it!

      Okeydoke, will do. Thanks for the recommendation.

      Delete
  38. Hmm...it looks like some kind of twisted torture device! Great review of Tantric Coconuts! Well, not so much for the author, but I found it refreshingly honest. I just bought Brandon's new book too, and will have to check-out Graveyard Shift sometime. I'm still thinking about my favorite old broad. Looking forward to the big reveal!

    Julie

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    1. Hmm... that gizmo is certainly torturing US, making us try to figure out what the heck it IS!

      Tick-tock, tick-tock. It's gonna be next Friday before we know it...

      Delete
  39. I have no idea about what that might be ... unless it is a tool used to pull teeth? Great reviews. Lately it has been taking me so long to get through a book though I plug away daily. Maybe it is just the books that I am choosing. Right now I am reading Anne Rice, The Feast of All Saints. It is good, but has a lot of detail.

    Hugs,
    Kathy M.

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    Replies
    1. That gizmo might work pretty well to knock a tooth out, but I don't think it could grab hold of one to yank it.

      It's good to read a heavy ponderous book, but I like to mix it up with some lighter stuff, too. It's like letting the brain take a short vacation.

      Hugs back atcha.

      Delete
  40. You have listed some intriguing books. That's definitely a torture device!

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    1. Yeah, it's a little bit tortuous not knowing what that device IS!

      Delete
  41. It wouldn't be something a gynaecologist would use.... No? Oh well! And yay for Jo's book. I loved reading that book. She's amazing!

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    1. Geez, I HOPE that isn't a GYN tool... (brutal!)

      If I'm mistaken, I learned about Jo's books on YOUR blog... thank you! I've really enjoyed them.

      Delete
  42. Hi Susan,
    After a short break, I am catching with all my friends and yes, curiosity is definitely playing its role. I was curious to know how are you, how my friends are! That brass thing looks like a clutch. You really read some interesting books....Keep going!

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    1. Hi,Chirasee. Welcome back! I hope you enjoyed your break.

      Interesting guess,but it isn't a clutch. (My hubby is a car guy, and if it were anything to do with a car, he would've recognized it right away.)

      Always! Gotta keep on keeping on...

      Delete
  43. Is it a surgical clamp in a horror movie? Looks perfect for some crazy doctor to use as he's ripping a person's heart out...

    (Maybe we have too much horror on the brain)

    Thanks for the shout out and the positive review! If you liked Graveyard Shift then you'll love Lovely Death, and this is coming from the guy who DIDN'T write it (so, uh, slightly less biased I'd like to think).

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    1. I'll buy the "horror" part, but it wouldn't make much of a clamp.

      My pleasure. I'm sure I'll love "Lovely Death," too... and I'm not biased at all! Just basing it on how good all the short stories were.

      Delete
  44. Ah, I love the title Tantric Coconuts! Sooo disappointed that the book didn't live up to its potential! I like, too, how you set it up. Sad, sad, sad. If you had loved this one, I'd have picked it up for sure.

    Now, the doo-hickey. What in the whirled .... ???

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    1. Well, ya never know... you might LOVE "Tantric Coconuts." Some reviewers gave it five stars and high praise.

      I don't know...!!! It's a delightful doohicky.

      Delete
  45. My mother guessed Antique Shoe Button Tool. I looked that up online and discovered that it looks more like a hook. However, I think she might have the right idea, even though she didn't get it precisely correct. I did find this site with all manner of pictures of antiquey things. Maybe you can find yours there... http://www.collectorsweekly.com/tools-and-hardware/overview/stories

    It is always disappointing when a story with a good premise (or two good premises) turns into a disaster. I have been thinking about reading B&Bs books, but I don't much care for scary stories. I suppose I should just try one and see how it goes. Thanks for the review!

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    Replies
    1. Tell your mom thanks for offering a guess. Like you said, though, a button hook does have a hook-like appendage at its end, and this gizmo would be a little heavy for that sort of purpose. Thanks for mentioning that site. Delores also mentioned it, and I checked it out. Nuttin, honey.(sigh)

      You appreciate good writing, so I think you'd like the beer dudes' books. They're not scary in a Stephen King or Dean Koontz kinda way. More like Twilight Zone kinda stories.

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  46. I have no idea what that gadget is, but I bet you can find a use for it. Geo's idea above sounds very likely to me. :)

    Thank you for the book reviews! Wishing you a good week ahead.

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    1. Ha, I'll betcha we could find a use for it, too... but it might not be its "intended"use. (Like it would make a pretty good head-thwapper. (Yeah, I made that word up.)

      You have a terrific week, too.

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  47. Okay now I'm thinking about my favorite old broad. Very curious to read about yours. :D

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    1. Good... and I'm looking forward to hearing about yours, too.

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  48. What a cute book! I'm curious--I think writers have to be. It makes us ask that question "why?!"

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    1. Curiosity in a writer is definitely a good thing. If you don't know an answer, you can make one up!

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  49. Huh. I've no idea what the thing is for, but it makes me thing of a dragon head. Weird, right?

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    1. A dragon head, huh? No, that isn't weird, but it IS highly imaginative. No wonder you're a writer!

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  50. This week I read Kitty Kelly's biography of Nancy Reagan, Patty Davis' [the Reagan's older daughter together] entiled "The Way I See It", Nancy Reagan's autobiography "My Turn" and Barbara Bush's "A Memoir".

    All I can say is the Reagan family is about as dysfunctional as they come, Nancy rewrites her and Ronnie's history to the point who knows what to believe that she says, and?

    Barbara Bush is a lovely, caring woman who lives by the adage "If you can't say something nice, don't....well try not to. And if you have to point it out, try to say it in the nicest way possible."

    I have never been a Repub [big surprise] but it doesn't mean that I didn't start out admiring and respecting the men who held the office. That is the hardest job in the world imo - but Nancy Reagan? WoooHOO. Her husband was president by virtue of HER. He was always portrayed as a very nice and kind man, although cow towed by his wife.

    Next week? I will move on to something else. Time to go back to the library.

    I will say, also, Barbara Bush is FUNNY.

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    1. Interesting reading material, kiddo. I think of the whole Bush clan, Barbara is my favorite. A genuine steel magnolia... with a sense of humor. I might have to check out some of those books you mentioned. (Thanks!)

      12:34

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  51. I may have to try Deadly Lies. I love a good thriller!

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    1. It really is good, and she has another book, titled "In the Dark," about to be released, too, which I had the honor of pre-reading for her. It's even better!

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  52. I just stumbled across this post because of the image of the doohickey. It is a firefighter sprinkler shut off tool.

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