Our back yard redo is still in progress. That's a firepit under the black cover,
all ready for s'mores if it ever turns cold again!
Between soaring heat, drought, and eye surgeries, this summer has been pretty far down on my list of enjoyable summers. But there have been some perks, such as a new pergola in the back yard and reading! Today I am joining with Kathryn of The Book Date for a linkup called "It's Monday! What Are You Reading?" I find Kathryn's blog to be a good source of books I might like to read, and Kathryn offers concise and on-point reviews!
I am currently re-reading Tony Hillerman's series of books featuring Joe Leaphorn, a fictional Navajo Tribal Police Lieutenant in Window Rock, Arizona. Along with Leaphorn's murder investigations, Hillerman weaves his respect for Navajo culture in and out of vivid descriptions of Southwest landscapes, a bit of archaeology, and a good mystery. Hillerman shares my love of the mountains, canyons, and mesas of New Mexico and Arizona and makes them a part of the narrative in every chapter!
I am reading the second book of the series, Dance Hall of the Dead. I read most of the series years ago and recently started all over again. My reading is done on my iPad Kindle app in the afternoon with a glass of zinfandel! Although I miss the feel of a book in my hands, the adjustable brightness and font of the iPad makes it much easier for me to read.
Reading the following passage the other day literally gave me goosebumps! It takes place while Leaphorn is surveilling a commune in the cold light of the moon and sees a moving figure, and even Leaphorn "felt the hairs bristling at the back of his neck."
AND IN OTHER NEWS
I am sewing a little bit each day, as my eyes heal and adjust to increased light and clearer vision after cataract surgery! I have 8 rows sewn together, with 7 more to go and should have a finished flimsy this week for the Ruby Star Society Sew-along, and my Indiana Puzzle block pile has stopped growing as I wait for more background fabric to arrive.
During a recent trip to Home Depot, I coveted these plants for next spring!
As you can see from the photo at the top of this post, our back yard is undergoing some changes. We had a pergola installed, and we are in the process of redoing the flower beds behind our house. The plants in the above photo would look great out there!
That's about it for me - what is happening in your world this summer?
I am linking with It's Monday! What Are You Reading? and Melva's Sew and Tell
glad your surgeries are done and now your eyes just need time to recover. Yes the heat is ruining the summer isn't it. I sure hope the fall will be nice - this weekend we are to finally get rain - and I hate to complain as the temperatures will be in the 80's but we are going to a family gathering that will mainly be outside for the whole weekend and it is this weekend to rain -- oh well nothing to be done about it, it can't be rescheduled we have the patriarch of the family is coming to for his annual visit - my only uncle left of the Marlow clan (my side) he is 84 now and still driving from New Mexico every year and then goes on to Wisconsin from here to visit more family. - I guess we will just put up with the humidity and rain and be glad it is not 100 and outside trying to get the piece of shade available. I haven't read the book but will check it out - I had been using a kindle for years and have gone through 3 of them with problems - now I am on a amazon fire tablet about the same size as a kindle but have to get used to the changes. Love your pergola
ReplyDeleteOh what fun, a pergola, hope its not too hot to sit under it. Thank you for your kind words about my reading blog. I like how you talk about Tony Hillerman. Even though I live in NZ I like to read about the native Americans, they seem to get so little notice. My Dad for many years loved to get the Arizona Highways so we saw all the gorgeous landscapes. Ruby star is looking great.
ReplyDeleteOh my I am in love with your pergola!! We finally are having a great weather week here with upper 70's and 80's and low humidity for once. I am glad your eyes are healing and you can get in a bit of sewing time.
ReplyDeleteI'm sure the backyard will be gorgeous when it's all done. Congratulations on your successful cataract surgery!
ReplyDeleteThank you Cheriee! We'd just like a little rain to make the grass stop "crunching" when we walk on it. ;)
DeleteI need to get looped in to Kathryn's Monday linky - thanks for reminding me of that. Can you tell me the title of the first Hillerman book? I'd like to read that series. Glad your eyes are healing and you are able to sew! Your projects look great!
ReplyDeleteSo happy that you are finished with the eye surgeries! I knew you would be so happy! The drops and having to rest is the only bummer but well worth it! Is there another house in the mountains close to this one that is on the market? As soon as we win the Lottery we will be your neighbors! LOL. I love Tony Hillerman books! Enjoy your Kindle. I purchased Kindles on Amazon Prime Days - great sale!
ReplyDeleteYes we lost our Spring to Heat and can you imagine how August will be? We are averaging 105 to 116 every day here since May! Like walking in an oven from the House to the Studio!!! Hugs and do your resting! Hugs
That shady pergola area is just calling for someone to sit and read! Enjoy.
ReplyDeleteYour new pergola looks lovely! I love Tony Hillerman. I think I;ve read darn near all of his books. Your new plants are going to be lovely! I LOVE Crape Myrtle. And your projects look fabulous.
ReplyDeleteThanks Michelle! I am enjoying Hillerman even more this time around for some reason. Thanks for the nice compliments!
Deleteyour afternoons sound nice with reading while drinking...I use to love zinfadel until I found Moscato - my favorite and the only one I buy now. Love your back yard look....so nice. I seem to binge lately on detective and murder mystery shows. I don't get much reading done though.
ReplyDeleteI need to try Moscato! I have eyed it several times and never tried it. Thanks on the back yard - it's pretty crispy right now. We watch a lot of those shows too, sometimes worry I'll have nightmares we watch so many of them!
DeleteLinda your backyard looks like a perfect oasis to sit and read or do some handwork even if the grass is crunchy! 😉 The pergola will be great with the shade so you don’t have to wear sunglasses.
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