Early morning coffee, a book, & Em & King Poe. #libraryfind #coffeeandbooks #catsoflitsy

#WeDoNotCareWednesday
#WDNCW
We do not care that the temperatures will be in the high 80s & humid while we cheer our soccer team on to victory in the Conference semi-finals. We are used to sweating rivers while cheering no matter how uncomfortable! This team is a tough competitor. ⚽️🏆#HartfordCityFootballClub #HCFC

https://youtu.be/ph-Gkj0P9dg
This team READS! People cheering are members of our support group- #Agents of Hale We love each other!

A day late but here I am joining in! #Tuesday #Scavengerhunt #Ocean #youreit

@marleed your it!

My perennials that are blooming now. 🪏🌸🌼 such a healing space for me. Digging, planting, watering, observing,feeling its bounty & beauty. A place for comtemplation. It is bordered by my front porch railing so I sit with my coffee & wonder. We all need this connection to our earth, especially now, in this moment in time.

What shall I read this morning?! #coffeeandbooks #porchlife #birdsong
Hummingbird visit again today. 😀

The author explains her commitment to unpacking the found photograph detailing the murder (at first glance) of a young boy & a woman,both Jewish in Miropol, Ukraine, 10/13/1941. @Amiable Thank you so much for reviewing this! Once I read your review I knew i had to read it. #blameitonlitsy

In 2009,the author was searching in the archives of the US Holocaust Memorial Museum for Nazi documentation that might result in the prosecution of the notorious Bernhard Frank,(Himmler protege)known to be alive in Germany.Two Prague journalists interrupted her to show her this photograph taken on 10/13/1941, in Miropol,Ukraine.This find prompted her to undertake a quest to answer the questions this photograph seemed to be asking of her.

After reading ch. 1, which focuses on Twain‘s parents & his early life, this statement struck me as quite poignant. His father was undemonstrative, stoic, grave, was a failure in supporting his family until they moved to Hannibal where he was appointed Justice of the Peace.
We are loving the language & at times, fun, ironic tone to the book. Our reading will pick now that our lives have somewhat settled down. #MarkTwain #familyread

“My” sweet hummingbird, loves my garden‘s bee balm. I have a perfect view of him from my porch. The hummingbird‘s presence is reminding me of the tagged book which I started long ago. Now I feel a pull to return to it. #porchlife #hummingbird

Early morning breakfast on the porch before the predicted humidity & heat chases me indoors for the day. Such a quiet, peaceful way to start my day! There are birds, hummingbirds, & bees with an occasional rooster crow -music to my ears. #coffeeandbooks #porchlife #birdsong #Camplitsy25

#JulyJazz #day7 #peaceful #July8 #forgiveness

#weeklyforecast
#Camplitsy25 #ThematicCozies #festival #sundaybuddyread #poetry #deadlyseries #audiobook #readyourkindle #nonfiction

Enjoying this historical fiction set during WWII before the blitz. #readyourkindle #porchlife #birdsong

Predicted another hot day in 90s. I can feel the humidity now, at 9:15 a.m.

#Hyggehour #Readathon #Midsummersolace

Plan to be on my couch with my kitties- if Poe will get off his box, that is.He is rather partial to it.That‘s fine, Em is already there.A cozy mystery to read for #ThematicCozies2025 #festival #July
Topping the hour off with fresh raspberries & whipped cream. Heaven. Relaxation. Bliss.

#DCIBanksMystery #InsAnnieCabbotMystery #literarypoliceprocedural
The case of a murder & a linked suicide is closed.But Banks is not satisfied.He is convinced he is dealing with a murder & a suicide that is a result of Shakespeare‘s Othello-like manipulations by Wyman,an English HS teacher.Currently the teacher voluntarily directs plays at a local amateur theatre.But a local theatre works man is seeking funding to transform the theatre into a ⬇️

Here are my picks for the best books I read of 2025, its first 6 months.

Beethoven‘s Ode to Joy has galvanized people worldwide wide since it was written, and of course resulted in making joy contagious. I included a YouTube recording of a flash mob to emphasis how one voice ( girl on recorder) can start a fire of voices. #readingisoitical #overcomingevilempires #antifabookclub #rant

https://youtu.be/a23945btJYw

https://www.themarginalian.org/2022/05/17/beethoven-ode-to-joy/

Think of subscribing to Maria Popova‘s newsletter, where this is from. She is such a gift. #readingispolitical #overcomingevilempires #antifabookclub #rant

Please let me know if you do not want to be tagged- I have no problem with that! Below is link to Maria reading this poem.

https://youtu.be/zGi2skojQEc

Elie Wiesel describes his journey of unexpected open heart by pass surgery with honesty and eloquence. His words are spare but compelling; lyrical and wise. As always, he gifts to the world his “open heart“.

A little late, but my #weeklyfavorites for June.

Just starting this today. I am behind #sundaybuddyread but plan to catch up. My husband is healing, so I have catch up time today. #porchlife #Lazysunday #coffeeandbooks

#BookReport **dates are wrong June 29-July 5

Currently Reading:
#Camplitsy25 #sundaybuddyread #adventuresinphilosophy #readyourkindle #audiobook #DeadlyMysterySeries
Finished: #nonfiction #memoir #MissUnderlyMystery #DeadlyMystetySeries

#readingispolitical #overcomingevilempires #antifabookclub #ElieWiesel

I love that the sun sets later now. It‘s 7:30 p.m. & I am on my porch reading the tagged book. #libraryhold ##porchlife #birdsong

This memoir highlights the growth that life transitions demand of us, if we dare to take a leap into the unknown, as Melinda French Gates did when she decided to divorce her husband, Bill Gates.This is her story,about moving forward in her life.She credits her parents,especially her aerospace engineer father for instilling her with the confidence she needed as a female expecting to work in the science,math,or computer fields.She writes candidly⬇️

Late morning coffee & a book. #porchlife #birdsong

Welcoming the cool air, lightly clouded sky & bird song this morning with coffee & a book. The occasional crow of a rooster breaks the quiet.
This day‘s musical pick adds to the sacred feel of the morning. #porchlife

https://youtu.be/cBZj_kMhjRI

#readingispolitical #overcomingevilempires #antifabookclub #IndependenceDay

It‘s almost midnight. Going to clear my head with a a little Langston Hughes poetry before bed.

#DCIBanks #literarypoliceprocedural #serieslove2025
This series has constant allusions, mentioning of novels, poetry, eclectic music which has led me to new discoveries. It‘s an added bonus to the understanding/enjoyment of DCI Banks, his moods, his emotional/spiritual life, his connections to his sense of” home”. Helen Keller is an enduring gift to us all. Hoping to start this tonight.

Sipping a Sam Adams Summer Ale, listening to “ Carry On” playlist in this broken world, preparing to charcoal grill cheeseburgers on this 4th of July afternoon. ❤️🤍💙🇺🇸🌎✌🏻🍔🍺🎶

#JohnMaddenMystery #6 A closed room,post WWII mystery.Retired DCI.Angus Sinclair,who is feeling his age, is prominently featured.Due to varying circumstances, several people,including Sinclair,are snowed in an English country villa for days when a blizzard hits the countryside.The villa is a residence of the risk taking,high spirited, wheelchair bound,ex-world renowned skier,Julia.1 person goes missing,then another.When Madden braves the snow ⬇️

#staycationintimeswap #staycation #Ireland
Thank you so much Anne Landgraf for your generosity! The care & thought you put into my box is so evident! Apologies- I lost your Litsy handle. Maybe @Chrissyreadit or @DinoMom can tag you for me?

#5JoysFriday
1) double rainbows in sky last night.
2) my porch
3) NYC, Anne Frank exhibit & Pride parade/rally
4) my garden
5) drinking coffee out of teacups in honor of my Mom
Any Litten please join in if you wish to. I love doing this- helps my mindset & fills me with gratitude.💕💕

#JulyJazz #StarsandStripes #porchlife
Happy July 4th everyone!
After spending 5 hours( could have worse! Of course I had a book with me)in the ER late last night with my husband, I am happy to be home.He was diagnosed with facial cellulitis. His pain level had become increasingly worse daily.Now with the right diagnosis & meds, he should start healing.We are barbecuing today & enjoying the cool breezes that are keeping the heat at bay.

Went to pick up my library holds, that of course came in all at once. July‘s Book Page was available- featuring “Sleuths of Every Sort”. What fun I had perusing its pages! 🫆🕵🏻‍♀️🔎📝

#coffeeandbooks
Have a wonderful Thursday!

#Naturalitsy This will take me more than this month to read, but that‘s ok. Fascinated!

Such a soothing listen to start my day.

https://youtu.be/2WfaotSK3mI

Starting my #July cozy for #ThematicCozies2025 #festival

#JuneStats
Read: 25 books: 16 mysteries (surprise!!!!😂); 7 fiction, of the 7, 2 Historical Fiction; 1 Poetry; 1 Non-Fiction of memoir type-family history.
I got out of work for the summer on 6/17. Reading marathon, especially in the HEAT!

I am just reading the Preface & this pertinent quote popped out at me. #foodforthought #14books14weeks

Received my #staycation box today! @Chrissyreadit or @DinoMom can you send me Anne‘s litsy handle? Thanks!

Last book mail of June 2025. On a perfectly sunny day, no less. #bookmail #blameitonlitsy

#bookreport
Top 2 shelves: currently reading. #adventuresinphilosophy #14books14weeks #audiobook #DeadlySeries #
Last row: Finished books. #readyourkindle #DCILoganMystery #Camplitsy25

Just finished viewing this mesmerizing PBS documentary- if you have access to PBS it‘s well-worth viewing! Parallels to our existing executive branch are glaring. #adventuresinphilosophy

Mid-morning coffee. Slept in late; rare for me! #coffeeandbooks

1) reading Mark Twain with my family
2) My porch!
3) Now that I am experiencing leisurely mornings,I am using my tea cups-memories of tea or coffee with my Mom
4) Survived 98+ degree day last weekend at our Hartford City Football game was worth it!! We won 4-nil.
5) My library is giving out all kinds of bookmarks & historical buttons for Pride month. Love them!!!
Here‘s a song to reflect my feelings as I post this:
https://youtu.be/uTUJjHwMn6E

This morning‘s bird song, courtesy of Merlin Bird ID.

Coffee & my kindle book this morning after an invigorating walk. It‘s peaceful at this hour, the only “noise”is bird song, interrupted by an occasional car going by. #coffeeandbooks #birdsong #porchlife