Sunday Post – 23 August 2020 @kimbacaffeinate @readingreality @Tynga

Posted August 23, 2020 by Anne - Books of My Heart in Sunday Post / 52 Comments

The Sunday Post is a weekly meme hosted by Kimberly  @ Caffeinated Reviewer. It’s a chance to share news~ A post to recap the past week, and showcase books and things we have received.

Stacking The Shelves is also a weekly meme hosted by  Tynga’s Reviews and Marlene from Reading Reality.  It’s all about sharing the books you are adding to your shelves, may it be physical or virtual. This means you can include books you buy in physical store or online, books you borrow from friends or the library, review books, gifts and of course ebooks!

Don’t forget to look at my giveaways on the right sidebar.

Sunday started off cooler with a misty rain.  I didn’t sleep much Saturday night but I did finish both my book and my audio book.  I finally picked the last of the chard and made my favorite chard recipe which took about 3 hours.  I didn’t want to do it time wise but the chard was starting to die with the heat.  I grilled steak and salmon to have with it for dinner.  I do love the roses and basil are doing so well.

My mom is in a nursing home in Iowa.  She doesn’t hear well, so phone calls are more for her to talk to us.  They are isolated and can’t have visitors.  So she is staying well.  Every week I take parts of this Sunday Heart-to-Heart  including photos to create a letter for her which my daughter and I hand-write notes on it also.    So at least she gets a weekly letter from us.  She called Monday morning and I confirmed she is getting them. She says my daughter is the only grandchild (of 4) who writes to her. When I was in college, I was the only grandchild (of 13) who wrote every week to my grandmother (Mom’s mother).  I know they appreciate it.

Monday was the first day of classes in the new college term for my daughter, online.  Another one of the daylilies I planted last month bloomed!   I was trying to do the garden design.  I needed to work on a grocery order for this week.  I called about my daughter’s Rx which needed a prior authorization. I spent way too long distracted on Facebook and Twitter.  I wanted to get out in the yard but then we had a downpour.  I went to pickup my daughter’s Rx and then worked out the garden design.  I wanted to go to bed early since Tuesday was supposed to be nice and I had a lot I want to do, but I accidentally read my whole book until 3 am.

Tuesday, I slept later than I wanted but got right to work.  It was a nicer day.  I prepped the garden areas for the new flowers, pulled weeds and mowed the back yard.  The package with another SDB iris and two daylilies was supposed to arrive Monday but hasn’t shown up yet.  I did plant the SDB iris that arrived last week and the bed is ready when the other items get here.

Wednesday, I had to go out to the pharmacy which isn’t drive through. Then I finally called to cancel my hotel for DragonCon in Atlanta. I made this reservation last November and normally don’t purchase travel insurance, but it was $600 so I did. Fortunately, I didn’t even have to file a claim, they just refunded it.  So sad, I went to DragonCon in 2017 and it is an amazing event. They are doing a virtual event this year.

Then since the plants didn’t arrive and it rained again.  I watched the first 2 nights of the Democratic convention, followed by the first full month of sleep I’ve had in months.  I haven’t watched any Dem convention before. I haven’t watched a Republican one in years.  What struck me is how it was diverse, inclusive and kind.  They weren’t Rah-Rah, we’re the best. They said hey not everything is great but we have solution plans, and they include all the people, even if you don’t vote for us.

Thursday I got my Aldi instacart.  It was a beautiful day with a north wind (finally). Another daylily bloomed.  It’s exciting because I didn’t expect ANY to bloom this year since they are just planted. I kept waiting and finally my plants arrived Friday night after dinner. Friday, I finished up some more of my desk organizing which had me do a quick project that has been ignored for a year.

I’m getting excited to listen to audio while I start setting up all my post shells for 2021 for ICYMI and Sunday posts at least, maybe Thrifty Thursday and Library Love also.   Right now, I’m working with Michelle at Limabean Designs ( well not me, I suck at graphics) on the graphics for Top 10 of 2020 which will run December 21 -26. I hope you will all join us in this annual meme, for as many days or as few as works for you. I’ll post more detail in November  but you can look at last year’s posts under Top 10 on the Features menu. I love to see everyone’s lists!

Saturday morning I planted the new plants but they sent me 5 daylilies instead of 2 so I may need to do some more preparation and expand the bed a little. They sent me 2 plants instead of 1 for the 2 daylilies I ordered and then added another daylily variety.   Both of the nurseries I got fall orders from sent me an extra plant so my garden design documentation had to be updated.   I was happy they sent me rebloomers.   I have a little space left in the south side bed between the house and patio.  I am considering Arabis caucasica “flore plena” (Rockcress), Iberis sempervirens (Evergreen Candytuft), Campanula Carpatica  (Carpathien Harebells) and Coreopsis Verticullata “Moonbeam”(Threadleaf Coreopsis). I have such a sunny yard here.   But for the shady back corner of the yard, I want to plant some rhododendrens or azaleas. I need to do some research on those.

 

Stacking the Shelves is hosted by Tynga’s Reviews and Reading Reality.  These are the exciting ARCs I received this week (If you click on the cover, it will take you to the Goodreads entry):

Thanks so much to Forever (Grand Central Publishing).

 

(If you click on the cover, it will take you to the Goodreads entry)

I decided I need this Audible Daily deal.    Then I found some I needed from the Audible 2-1 sale.

           

 

Now the really scary one. This is all the Kindle and Audible freebies I grabbed this past week. You can see why I need to do Thrifty Thursday to be sure I read a few at least one each month.

                 

                   

I really meant to cut back on freebies BUT  they are free so I guess that won’t be happening.

 

I’m not including things like reviews posted or upcoming as they are always in the right sidebar. And, my challenge status is also there.

If you like this and want to see me do the Sunday post, as often as I can manage, leave me a comment and let me know.

Anne

 

 

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Posted August 23, 2020 by Anne - Books of My Heart in Sunday Post / 52 Comments


52 responses to “Sunday Post – 23 August 2020

  1. That’s wonderful that you send your mom snippets of your Sunday posts along with notes/letters. I bet she really looks forward to them. I enjoyed what I saw of the Dem convention. I thought both of the Obama’s gave amazing speeches that struck the right chord. I hope you have a great week, Anne!

    Tanya @ Girl Plus Books recently posted: The Sunday Post #222
    • Thanks Tanya. I was surprised how much I enjoyed watching the convention. I have the final night yet to watch. I used to a lot of actual letters. I’m glad I can coordinate this with my daughter since she hasn’t really had this experience. I was glad to hear she was getting them with all the post office mess.

      Anne - Books of My Heart recently posted: Hidden by Laura Griffin
  2. Great to be able to catch up on projects. I found myself trimming some plants and putting together a shelf for my son’s toys. I really want to be able to make my apartment look more organized and I’m sure I’ll find the time to do it.

  3. Sounds like a great & busy week!

    Your flowers are so pretty and I know your fall garden will look just as nice. I still need to do some reading and planning for my fall balcony garden. This summer was unplanned and haphazard and I want to do better for the fall.

    It’s so nice that y’all write your mom letters, I’m sure she cherishes them. I can imagine a nursing home is lonely these days with all the COVID restrictions.

    I’ve added your top 10 to my calendar and will look forward to the prompts. I’m hoping to participate better this year. I think I got in 2 last year ?. The logo looks great (but no surprise Michelle always does great work)!

    I tried to listen in to the DNC Convention a little, but I really didn’t have much time. The little I caught was pretty good. I’m (obviously) voting for Biden-Harris, but I’m pretty disappointed with the DNC this year (and 4 years ago). They had so many better candidates and threw their weight behind the one the represented the least amount of change. And Biden’s attitude towards minorities and women feels like “Trump light” to me. Seems like one of our major parties could do a better job representing the people. *Sigh* at least Harris is a better representative of what the people wanted. Sorry to get political, I’m very disheartened by our system right now and hope major change will come eventually, starting with a dismantling of the Electoral College (which would free us from this restrictive 2 party system that continues to disempower the people). Anyway…

    Have a great week Anne! Stay safe ❤️

    • Thanks K. I can understand your frustration with government; it is why I don’t pay attention to politics. I have been reading and watching a lot about Biden and I’m much more impressed with him than I was previously. I really liked Elizabeth Warren because she has actual PLANS. I also like Kamala Harris I think it’s a matter of easing gradually into what is actually needed. Yes the presidential candidates are mostly old white men, but traditionally they have had the most experience. I think will more women in Congress and hopefully cabinet and as VP, things will move in the right direction. Obama was a good president but the backlash was terrible. From something I read Obama and (H) Clinton are more about plans and Biden is more about people and relationships. I see Biden / Harris as a good team just as Obama / Biden were. Sorry I rambled.

      Anne - Books of My Heart recently posted: Audio: Suicide House by Charlie Donlea
  4. I think it’s lovely that you make a point of keeping in touch – it’s so important for folks who haven’t much else to do… Gosh, your garden is going great guns – we have been disgracefully neglectful, recently. While Himself kept it watered during the heatwave, since it started raining, we have left the weeds to run wild. We MUST get out there and restore some order soon! Have a great reading week, Anne:)

    • Thank you Sarah. I wrote lots of letters in my early life. My daughter hasn’t had that experience so I’m trying to give her that as well as help Mom have more connection. I try to weed a bit every morning while Lulu is sniffing around, doing her business. I also am watering right now because of the new plants. The basil looks like it is pretty dried out. Today or soon, I need to do some weedkiller on the lawn.

      Anne - Books of My Heart recently posted: Hidden by Laura Griffin
  5. Sophie

    What are you saying Anne? That the democrats put you to sleep???? LOL Now about your mother, these times are really hard for the elderly residing in group home as they can’t see people so what you are doing must really lift her heart up!

    Have a great week!

  6. I love flowers although I don´t have much of a garden I can take care of. It is pretty hard for the elderly who live in care homes, even here where the restrictions got lifted and close family members are allowed back in for a short visit. Hope you mother is well and knows that this dark time will pass. Stay safe and well and stay strong!

    • Thank you Vi! I am planting easy perennial flowers that rebloom. So it’s worth a little effort to get them started well. Right now that means watering often when it is this hot. Mom isn’t allowed visitors even if we were there so it works out best to write and call for now.

      Anne - Books of My Heart recently posted: The Silence by Kendra Elliot
  7. My mother is in a care facility and they finally allowed her to have her cell phone brought in. We have set up conference calling and it’s such a relief to hear her voice. We used to talk every day. You make me feel like a sloth. LOL I work so much that my house and yard are suffering and I barely have time to get on the computer. Love your photos and thanks for sharing them, Anne:)

    • You’re certainly not a sloth Laura. We all do what we can. I hope when it cools down I can do more, but I always want to do more. We are doing very badly on routine these days. So having a few routines is good. I hope you can work slightly less at some point. Take care of you!

      Anne - Books of My Heart recently posted: Hidden by Laura Griffin
  8. I think it’s lovely that you and your daughter write to your mom every week! Letter writing is almost a forgotten art, but it’s so lovely to get a letter now and then. I should challenge myself to write some this fall.

    I’m also so impressed by all your gardening skills! I get overwhelmed by lack of knowledge and my dislike (or hatred) for heat and humidity, and end up doing almost nothing. Plus the deer eat everything. But I should still try. Perhaps as it gets cooler, I can tackle some of the weeding and put down some mulch (which would make everything look better), and maybe even plant some chrysanths and/or fall pansies. Plus, I’d like to order some bulbs to plant for next spring… if the moles and voles don’t eat them.

    Lark @ The Bookwyrm's Hoard recently posted: Sunday Post – 8/23/2020
    • I have lived places where deer, squirrels and rabbits did lots of garden damage. Luckily here with out fenced yard it seems to go pretty well. I have all those years in 4H growing up in Iowa to learn more about gardening. I love that the climate here gives me 3 growing seasons. My yard has lots of sunshine so I can do perennials which did poorly in other places I lived. I’m looking forward to the time in 2-3 weeks where it isn’t quite as hot to do more.

      I used to write so many letters and it’s been fun to do, even though we only do a paragraph or two each. I hope my daughter finds it interesting. She doesn’t complain anyway.

      Anne - Books of My Heart recently posted: Audio: Emerald Blaze by Ilona Andrews
  9. I’m sure your mom appreciates the love.
    My parents dropped by yesterday, just a brief visit because my son and I are sick with a cold. They gave my daughter a sweet good luck gift as she is currently mid exams, and borrowed a new batch of books from my ‘library’ 🙂
    My back yard is looking bare at the moment, we had to have three trees (2 firs and 1 jacaranda) removed. I hope your new plants grow well.

    Wishing you a great reading week

    Shelleyrae @ Book’d Out recently posted: It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? #SundaySalon #SundayPost
    • Thank you. It’s a process and not something that is all complete. I normally only put out the recycle, garbage and yard waste every other week but when the leaves start I’ll have to do it every week.

      My daughter and I are used to no visitors because we don’t live near any of our family. So this hasn’t been too weird for us.

      Anne - Books of My Heart recently posted: The Silence by Kendra Elliot
  10. Sounds like a pretty great week with the milder temps and the flowers showing up. I love that you guys send letters to your mom. I used to send letters and cards to my grandmas and my mom when I was at college, too. I found out when my grandparents died that they’d kept all those, too.
    I make big plans to get up and get started early on cooler days, too. Must have been a great book to keep you up until 3am. 🙂
    My peppers were ready so I’ve made up chili, fajitas, and hot dips to use up the first batch. 🙂 Glad you were able to make up the chard so it didn’t go to waste on you.
    You are so amazing the way you are working ahead on some of your 2021 post shells and the December meme. That was fun last year.
    Sorry about Dragon Con 🙁

    Have a good week, Anne!

    • Thanks Sophia! We don’t get up early much. lol so I end up out in the yard late in the day sometimes. I haven’t started yet but I did Blog Ahead October once and now it’s something I try to do myself to not have to do things at the last minute. That just makes it more stressful. On the Top 10 it’s your choice if you want to post here with us or if you are going to post elsewhere and link up. You have options.. I always love seeing everyone’s lists!

      Anne - Books of My Heart recently posted: Audio: Suicide House by Charlie Donlea
  11. It’s great that you are writing letters to your mom; isolation can be tough to handle!

    When my mom was getting up there in age, she was still at home, but couldn’t hear to talk on the phone. So I wrote e-mails that my brother and his wife read to her. I gather they were a hit.

    I love my Instacart orders! Something to look forward to each week.

    Enjoy your books, and thanks for visiting my blog.

    • Yes she doesn’t hear well so phone calls are more difficult. This way she gets something every week. Mom was in her own house and driving until she broke her hip at 91.. But Uncle George and Aunt Ann were at their farm, farming, driving and working the farm at 98/99 until Uncle George died. Aunt Ann lived to 104 in a nursing home after he died. They’d been married about 80 years! I really enjoyed my Great Aunt Velma who made 200 baby quilts a year until she was 98. I have lots of sturdy relatives.

      Anne - Books of My Heart recently posted: Audio: Emerald Blaze by Ilona Andrews
  12. Love that you were able to work in the garden more, and I can’t imagine how difficult it is for those in nursing homes, but happy that your mother is keeping her spirits up.

  13. I didn’t know DragonCon is planning an online event this year! I’ve never been but I was in Atlanta that weekend for something else quite a few years ago. We went to the DragonCon parade, which is free, and loved seeing all the cosplayers! Part of me would love to go to the convention and the part of me that hates crowds thinks that would be a bad idea. I did go to a couple of Walker Stalker cons with my best friend and didn’t care for those too much. It felt like the entrance fee was just the tip of the iceberg. If you wanted to meet any actors or see any good panels, you had to be willing to spend a lot of money. I don’t know if all Cons are the same, but that left a bad taste in my mouth.

    When you do make it to DragonCon, you should try to squeeze in time for the Decatur Book Festival as well! It’s free and happens the same weekend in an Atlanta suburb. They pull in some amazing authors!

    Enjoy your week!

    • Thanks for the info. The real cost for DragonCon is not the fee to get into the events. It is the hotel and meals but I guess you would have that anywhere you go. I chose last time to stay out in the burbs and take Marta in each day, which was cheaper than a downtown hotel. But it meant not really being able to take a short break for an hour or two because of that travel. DragonCon does not have the fees for autgraphs etc like some of the WalkerStalker Con type events do. But you do wait in line a long time to see popular guests or to get into popular panels. (Jim Butcher, for example)

      Anne - Books of My Heart recently posted: Audio: Suicide House by Charlie Donlea
  14. It is so great that your daughter writes to your mother. 🙂 That must be a bright spot in your mom’s week. 🙂

    I really want to plant fall bulbs this year! I need to get on that, I never get to it in time.

    Age of Witches looks good!

  15. Your garden is glorious, Anne? I continue to be impressed.

    Many blessings to you and your daughter for your letter writing to your mother!! I’ve no doubt it brightens her day when she receives one. It’s a lost art.

    I watched all four nights of the convention, following along with the Smart Girls. I’ve never done that before! Don’t think I can bear listening to the RNC so I’ll pass this year.

    Great post, Anne? I’m glad you got some sleep as it’s so restorative and important to good health. I was up most of last night so I’ve a nap in me today?

    Have a great week!

    Jonetta (Ejaygirl) | Blue Mood Café recently posted: Playing the Odds by Nora Roberts
    • Thank you Jonetta! I really enjoyed the convention although I still have the last night left to watch. I have to get out in the yard when the weather is best. There is no one I want to hear at the RNC, it’s mostly Trumps. We are enjoying the letter writing and I’m sure Mom does too. I am not a good napper; it’ great you can.

      Anne - Books of My Heart recently posted: Read A Series in a Month Challenge September 2020
  16. I love roses and that’s nice you send your mom weekly letters. The Top 10 wrap-up post sounds like a nice way to wrap up the blogging year.
    Happy gardening and enjoy your books!

    • Thank you! I am enjoying getting the garden set up better for next year. Top 10 posts are daily posts for a week with Best Books of 2020, Best Audiobooks, Best Characters, Books I want most in 2021, with linkups so everyone can link to their posts. It’s fun and a low effort week during the holidays / end of year. Well, less time than daily reviews.

      Anne - Books of My Heart recently posted: Hidden by Laura Griffin
  17. You’re getting so much yard work done I’m feeling like a huge slacker. We have so much to do outside and no desire to do it. I think we burned ourselves out with all the bookcase building in March and April. LOL Then the heat and now all the rain. Ugh. Hopefully Fall will be kinder.

  18. That’s nice that you and your daughter take the time to call and write to your mom. I’m sure it lifts her spirits! Your garden looks so nice. I love roses! Nice that you’re getting some rain and cooler weather too. I’m crossing my fingers for rain and cooler temps!

  19. I love that you’re sending your mom letters each week. I’m sure she really appreciates it, especially the hand written touches. I watched the Democratic convention last week too and came away from it feeling so much more hopeful for the future. You’re so right. It was kind, inclusive, and as Tammy mentioned, it was fantastic that the women really stole the show. I loved hearing Michelle Obama, Kamala Harris, and Dr. Jill Biden speak.

    • We are enjoying some of the new routines we have now. I still feel like I need to do more but certain things are harder to control these days. I am still worried about those who are taken in by Trump and his lies, or even voting 3rd party. I hope no one is complacent about what is happening in this country and that people vote.

      Anne - Books of My Heart recently posted: Audio: Emerald Blaze by Ilona Andrews
  20. vvb

    What wonderful treats you are getting from your garden. I have been experimenting growing a couple herbs indoors at my small kitchen window. Have a good week.

  21. Jen

    I love that you both send letters to your mom! That is wonderful. I too wrote letters to my “Granny” every week back when she was alive. I did start COVID by sending cards to friends, especially older ones, but I’ve not done it for a couple of months… I should take time to do it again. Hope you both are well.

    • Letters are something I have enjoyed for all of my life. I have all kinds of pretty stationary. My handwriting is horrible and I am more likely to type so I can use an easy-to-read font. So I don’t know when I will use all that stationary, but I do have some pretty laser paper and if I buy something it should be that not regular stationary. I like to make cards also.

      Anne - Books of My Heart recently posted: Audio: Suicide House by Charlie Donlea
  22. I love the idea of weekly letters to your mum! That’s really lovely. I hope your daughter enjoys her new classes and settles back into the college routine.
    I remember seeing your Top 10 of 2019 last year but I wasn’t organised enough to participate. Hopefully this year I’ll get myself in order and take part! 🙂