Planned Reading

Every year in September, I wonder if Alexander McCall Smith has published a new No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency novel - and, if so, what the title is. The books come out in October.

Then I go online to our public library and put a hold on both the ebook and the large print versions. The books are listed in the library catalog, though they're only on order by then.

I don't expect to get the book for a while - there are usually a lot of holds. But the work is done and I can forget about it!

So I was surprised, a few days ago, to get an email notice from the library that the large print version of his latest was mine to pick up! Already?! 

So I have it - a delightful diversion! I read a few pages in the evening before I go to bed. It starts out slow - but after a few chapters, I usually find it hard to put down. It's become part of my winter tradition... (though it’s a great series to read any time of the year).

Every time I start to read one, I feel as if I'm visiting old friends.

Christmas Cactus Update

Christmas has come and gone... and I've almost given up on my Christmas cactus...

The little nubby buds have gotten a little larger - but not much...

Then I saw a friend's cactus... Is that what it's supposed to look like?!

At the rate mine is growing, I don't ever expect it to look like that - but I'm hoping to be surprised. 

In the meantime, I'd really like to know what I'm doing wrong.

The Year That Was

I remember once seeing a blog post - where the author/photographer posted the same view as it appeared at various times of the year.

I haven't purposely taken photos to show this - but I hunted for pictures in my collection that would give the same sense of change. The earliest I could find was this February 2024 sunset (above). There's snow on the ground - but it's hard to tell how much in the early dark.

The next picture I found was taken in March, 2024. It looks as if the snow is gone.

Spring is coming... This was April - no snow and the kids are playing outdoors. Winter jackets are on but NO WINTER HATS. It must be getting warm!

May! Spring is here! The winter dome next door is down! Grass is green.

Here's a June sunset. Leaves are on the trees.

July flowers...

In August, back to yard work: Terry and our grandson picking up pine cones. (They are our most abundant "crop"!)

October - trees changing colour ... and lots of pine needles on the ground.

Late November 2024 above. It looks so peaceful. I'm not sure why - like the calm before the storm.

Terry has tidied the yard for winter. Shadows are long in the low-lying sunlight.

On December 1, the first snow arrived - a light dusting.

Four days later, a bigger snowstorm.

Winter is here!