Litsy

Flat Broke with Two Goats: A Memoir | Jennifer McGaha

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Whoa. That was A LOT. A lot more than I thought it was going to be. I'm sure part of that's on me for browsing available non-fiction audiobooks and choosing one based on title alone. But even within the realm of 'economic crisis leads to more rustic accommodations', that was a lot. 1/2

Robotswithpersonality 2/? I appreciated how the author reflected on the circumstances leading to the dire financial situation, it always feels like a good time to remind oneself of the importance of fiscal responsibility and the perils of a too cavalier approach to credit and loans, the danger in investing in real estate you can't really afford, though I did not see the 'didn't pay taxes, owe back taxes' part coming. Which kind of leads into a fairly major point 3w

Robotswithpersonality 3/? I didn't see coming.
McGaha appears to be a bit more clear-eyed at the time of writing this account, but the level to which she ceded financial matters to her husband (even if he is an accountant) sent a chill down my spine. Especially in light of the harrowing details related of her experience with domestic abuse by her first husband. 3w

Robotswithpersonality 4/? The interval where she basically went off to try out a better paying job in the Midwest and seemed to have the first time to explore her own interests as an adult (first husband in college, first child soon after), the fact that it seemed more like the land and heritage of Appalachia called her back than the idea of her husband and the burgeoning farm, part of me wonders if a woman from a different generation, 3w

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Robotswithpersonality 5/? less strongly connected to heteronormative relationship standards and generations of her family history would not have been happier elsewhere. Where the book ends doesn't leave me all that certain that she's happy, more like content with her lot, relieved it's not worse. It was a fascinating read for all that Gaha shared, the details of foreclosure, owing that much tax, the familiar tragedy of being underemployed 3w

Robotswithpersonality 6/? because full positions in chosen field are not offered but low paying temporary ones are, learning to acknowledge how much she may have been relying on someone else to make choices, look after things for her, how her husband was actually fairing, figuring out caring for farm animals, and making at least some of your own essential foods, but I'm still getting 'has not grasped the consequences of acting without thinking' off of some of her 3w

Robotswithpersonality 7/? behaviour and it's a little exhausting.
As a vegan reader the animal passages were rarely endearing. The attempted mental distancing from animals which are supposed to be primarily a source of food, even if they are not killed for meat, the effort to be philosophical about death and illness, the open admission of where McGaha and her husband mis-stepped and the animals paid for it, it meant that there weren't really any idyllic moments in the 3w

Robotswithpersonality 8/8 Am I too naive for hoping for a better ending from a 'making the best of it' book? Perhaps. But as much as I can admire McGaha's writing, reflections, vulnerability, her connection to her family, I cannot see making the choices she made, even if I can fully empathize with the mistakes that led to a limited number of choices available.
⚠️Domestic abuse, animal death, recounting experience of seizure 3w

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mandarchy

A Home for Goddesses and Dogs | Leslie Connor

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Forgive me for the blurry pic of Montie Sunshine, but the pet sitter sent me that. The tree is really where he sleeps. We might set it up somewhere else next year.
The book is about as sweet as this dog. Some difficulty with grief and animal cruelty, but in true Leslie Connor fashion, the book will leave you better.

dabbe 🖤🐾🖤 2mo

DogMomIrene Sweet pup🐶🐾❤️ 2mo

36 likes2 comments

JessieKB

Happy Medium | Sarah Adler

@Graciouswarriorprincess I don‘t even know where to start!!!!! I am literally going to be covered from head to toe…cute nails, bracelets, socks, so many sweets🎉, and how have I missed these cute book bags?! A cup for each of my daily drinks and of course TBR‘s. Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!! A wonderful box💜🖤🧡 #HHS

Graciouswarriorprincess @JessieKB I am so happy that you love everything! Honestly, it was a lot of fun for me! Happy Halloween and reading-enjoy! 😊 4mo

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CrowCAH

Happy Medium | Sarah Adler

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This was way more deeply emotional than I first thought this story would be. Had me in tears 😭 at several passages. It‘s a moving story of letting go of the past, being true to yourself, and fully opening up so one can love and be loved 🥰

Very well written and a page turner! 📖

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CrowCAH

Happy Medium | Sarah Adler

Love it when one of my interests shows up in books. In this case tall ship sailing. The character Charlie used to sail on a windjammer - super cool!

A goal of mine is to set sail on one of those week long cruises and get first hand experience of nautical life. Though, I‘m not sure my motion sickness will allow such fun lol

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