Category: Meanderings

Morning Meanderings… Late Start to BBAW, but a start :)

Published on by Sheila (Book Journey)16 Comments

 

Good morning.   Mondays are always hard for me to post anything beyond the Monday What Are You Reading meme because I really want that one to hold for the day… however there are occasional exceptions. 😀 

My plan was that when I came home yesterday afternoon I was going to write-up my Appreciation post.  Instead… I was at the library from 11- 2 building the Banned Book Week display, then I had a few errands to run, picked up my dog from the groomers, started making my dessert for book club that is tonight, whipped up a quick dinner for Al and went to a Friends Of The Library meeting. 

I never did get that post done.

This morning, I thought I would touch on it as my post this afternoon will be my interview swap with a new (and impressive!) book blogger to me, Benji from The Non Reluctant Reader (who in turn, is interviewing me and already has the post up!

 

So Appreciation.   It is always so hard to narrow down the blogs and bloggers I really appreciate.  For one, there are so many bloggers I love – they crack me up…. (Jill at Fizzy Thoughts, Trish from Love, Laughter, and a touch of Insanity, Jenners from Life With Books,… and those I like to read their thoughts on books ( and inevitably buy books off their recommendations) :  Kathy from Bermuda Onion, Alison from Alison’s BookMarks, Ryan from Wordsmithonia, Laurel from many book blogs :D, Reagan from Miss Remmers Review, Alyce from AT Home With Books…

Of course, inevitably I will be driving into work today and do the hand to the forehead thing and realize someone else I surely should have added to this list and how did I forget and *sigh*  Know that you are ALL LOVE and ALL APPRECIATED.

Truly – If you stop by Book Journey and read my nonsense, comment on my reviews, share in my work out woe’s, give advice, play along in the read-a-longs, meme’s, challenges…. I adore you and I thank you – because without you stopping in and making me smile when I open up my laptop and I see your comment…. I dont know if I would do this.  Seriously, the readers, make the experience.

Thank you again – and Happy BBAW to everyone.  To celebrate – here is my giveaway for today:

 

I have not read it yet… I know I need too, but I have two copies so one lucky winner will walk away with this baby this week (winner announced on Friday morning.  To enter, leave me a comment here telling me either of a blog/blogger you really enjoy OR what you love about either being a book blogger or a book blog reader.  😀 

 

Also – don’t forget I have the all week giveaway going on as well.  Click here to see how to win an Amazon Gift Card just be popping in all week-long and chatting with me about…. mmmm…. books and bloggers!  😀

 

Morning Meanderings… Sunday Stuff.

Published on by Sheila (Book Journey)4 Comments

Ok… so that is not my normal picture I put at the top of the Morning Meandering posts but I put this one up first and thought “eh” and moved on…

 

So what you are looking at are the books that have graced my doorstep this past week.  All but the top one 47, are sent for review.  47 I ordered for the “A More Diverse Universe” Blog Tour that will take place the end of this month, hosted by BookLust.

 

I am out of the house early today, setting up our churches tailgate party, I wont be home until late afternoon, and will probably be wiped out.  Hope everyone has a wonderful Sunday! 

Morning Menaderings…If You Are Looking For Ways to connect – the book bloggin world is BUZZING!

Published on by Sheila (Book Journey)14 Comments

 

You know I hate to admit it… but September is clearly here.  I have been fighting the rumors that summer is over even through the signs are here – my lawn has turned a little darker in color and no longer seems to be growing, the leaves are changing colors… and now – I see activities are multiplying across the blogosphere.

If you just want to chill into your fall with a good read and a cozy blanket, I recommend you join my Bel Canto read-a-long.  I am reading it now and really enjoying it. 

 

Next week is Book Blogger Appreciation Week (that snuck up on me!) Sept 10 -14 and that is so much fun – check it out here.

 

Is it time for that fall blog tune up?  Side bars neglected, links no longer working – or maybe you just do not have a clue how to do something?  Bloggiesta is for you – Sept. 28-30th

 

And I posted yesterday about Banned Book Week coming Sept 30 – Oct 6 and this will be my third year hosting a banned book week party here with daily book reviews and giveaways as well as inviting other blogs to participate and also have a chance to win! 

Judith over at Leeswammes blog has even more events posted so be sure to stop and see what she has to offer as well.

 

So now I am off to the YMCA.  I am already late but was so tired last night that I could not prep this post.  After work today I hope to come home and catch up on some bloggy stuff and some prep work I am doing for our librarys display for Banned Book Week. 

Have a super day! 😀

Morning Meanderings – Jill (Softdrink) Made Me Do It

Published on by Sheila (Book Journey)8 Comments

Good morning!  It doesn’t take me long to get back into town and then get involved in something.  It started with some innocent blog visiting (or so I thought) and then WHAM!  I go visit Jill at Fizzy Thoughts and read this:

I know your TBR list is huge. I know your commitments are many. I know that there are so many things on which you must take a stand, and it can be exhausting to make reading a political activity. But this is so important to me, and I really think it should be important to you, too. None of us lives in a monochromatic world, and yet the fact that terrifying hate crimes still occur makes it clear that we do not fully understand or trust each other. And maybe part of the reason is because the media we consume does not accurately reflect the diversity of our society. And books are such a massive part of the media we consume that we should demand and fight for those that do represent minorities and those that do present the world from a different perspective than the one we are used to. So please – participate. You may just discover a character or an author or a setting or a story that will completely change your life.

So of course… all of this “too much on my plate already” applies to me but now my curiosity is piqued so I follow the Bloggy trail to BookLust and learn more about this Diverse Universe Blog Tour that is important and informative and basically had me signing on the dotted line.   The basic plan?  Read one book written by a person of color between September 23 and 29.  If you are stumped at what to pick.. lists are provided.

So after reading all that I checked out the lists and set up to be a part of the tour and my book I will be reading is:

If you want to participate sign up here.   Thanks Jill for letting me know about this 😀

This morning I have hauled my sleepy self to the YMCA where I have committed to meeting my friend Trish for morning workouts.  I have not been to the YMCA in months, but fall is here and its time to commit to an exercise regimen so here I am trying to get started….  out plan was to meet at 6:30 am.  I am already tired just thinking about it…

Morning Meanderings… Back to the daily grind and kick off to September

Published on by Sheila (Book Journey)11 Comments

 

Good morning!  After 5 glorious days up North at our cabin, I am now home again, rested, and ready to jump into September.  This month is another busy one, work wise and life wise, every weekend has something.  You think after this summer I would be used to that kind of activity. 

Recapping the past week, I went to the cabin on Wednesday afternoon.  It is about a 3 1/2 hour drive from here.  I went with two of our three dogs, Bailey and Sam the small ones went with me, Mater had to go to a kennel, too big and too puppy yet to go and hang out with people.  Our friends Chad and Amy and their girls came on Thursday evening, my hubby Al, and out friends Dan and Key came on Friday afternoon. 

When I was alone, I read and watched a couple movies, even did some writing. 

 

There are quite a few awesome things coming up in September including my read a long of Bel Canto which we will be discussing and doing give aways for next Tuesday, and I will be putting together sign ups this week for participants for this years Banned Books Week which will start at the end of September going through the first part of October, and the Bloggiesta will also be at the end of September. 

So while fall is not my favorite season (mainly because I know what follows…..) there are some great events happening in the book world, and in activities that will keep me going. 😀 

How was everyones weekend?  Did you do anything fun?  Any fun plans for the week?

Morning Meanderings… Scraping in a North Shore Post

Published on by Sheila (Book Journey)8 Comments

 

 

Greetings from the North Shore.  More pointedly for those of you who know I do not have internet at the cabin *shudder*, greeting from the Finland Library. 

I arrived yesterday afternoon at the cabin after traveling the 3 1/2 hours in the jeep filled with my luggage, groceries, a new board game, two lawn chairs, a blanket, towels, books for the book shelf, movies, and two dogs… Bailey and Sam.  Yes…. this was a very FULL vehicle.  😛

 

So what does a person do at a cabin before everyone else gets there?  Well… first unpack, store food, and put the books on the shelf.  Then I walked the yard for firewood for our campfires this weekend.  I watched a movie, read a book and started another one.  I talked to the neighbor, walked the dogs and think I was in bed by 10.  Late tonight the first of our friends who are staying with us this weekend will arrive.  More will come tomorrow afternoon.  I am so excited!  😀

I drove the 6 miles into town today to pick up eggs, milk, and a few things for our dinners over the next few days.  I stopped at the library to check emails, write a review and hang out in civilization for a bit before I head back for the day.  😀  Today I will do a little cleaning, a little reading, and maybe watch another movie.  I cant remember the last time I was able to just sit down and read an entire book or watch an entire movie.  😀

 

 

Morning Meanderings… A Camping I Will Go!

Published on by Sheila (Book Journey)12 Comments

Good morning!  Anyone else have or having a whirlwind summer?  I think this is the busiest summer I have had…. maybe ever!  😀  I have been bike riding for miles and miles and running and mud ruckusing (my word), I have been hanging our with friends, at the cabin, in New York, I have been to a week long camp, the state fair… and now this weekend back to our cabin up North with friends. 

I am so looking forward to this.

I am actually leaving this afternoon, two days before anyone else.  Mater is going to a kennel, the other two small dogs are going with me.  I am almost packed, have a meeting at work this morning and then I am off…. 3+ hours to the cabin means audio all the way 😀  I am going to read, write, and watch movies.

When our friends and Al trickle in we will enjoy board games, camp fires, exploring the north shore, biking and probably more reading.  I really am excited as most of my activities throughout the summer have been highly active in the DOING mode.  This week I get to just BE.  😀  I will be on line off and on throughout the weekend.  I have to drive to internet service but I have reviews lined up and will pop in with the meandering when I can. 😀

September doesn’t really slow down much… the first weekend I am in charge of a tailgate party for about 250-300 people, 2nd weeekend is Al’s birthday and I am meeting author Sandra Brannan for dinner in the cities on the 15th (SSQQQUUUEEE), 3rd weekend I am doing a scavenger hunt in the cities with my friend Amy, and the 4th weekend I am having a family reunion here at our house.

Hmmmmm…. I should enjoy this quiet weeekend…LOL

Have a super rest of your week!

 

Morning Meanderings… Please Tell Me This Happens To You Too

Published on by Sheila (Book Journey)35 Comments

 

Good Morning.  Wow, it feels nice just to sit at my own kitchen table and type this.  It has been a while since I wrote a morning post from this spot. 😀

 

So on Sunday evening when I posted the It’s Monday What Are You Reading post, I posted that I was going to listen to Dean Koontz’ What The Night Knows.  I was in the mood for a little mystery and as I looked at my audio books yet to listen to that one called to me.   Yesterday afternoon while digging through my book piles for a book (yes digging because I emptied the room that holds my books for the new shelves and the shelves are not here yet *sigh*)  I started listening to it and the creep factor was just right….

and then…

it wasn’t.

While listening they got to a part where the detective keeps turning his ring on his finger.  How odd, I thought… I have read that before where someone is turning their ring on their finger.  Then I went to my laptop… to this site and types in the title.  Sure enough… I had listened to this in April of this year.

W O W.  😯

I used to do that all the time many years ago, start reading something and discovering I had already read it.  It is exactly what lead me to start journals of what I read which eventually lead to online journaling which was… the creation of Book Journey. 

So tell me, have you done that?  Started reading something only to discover you already had?

 

Now I have switched it up to There And Back Again by Sean Astin.  Sean is the actor who played Samwise (Frodo’s very good friend) in The Lord Of The Rings.  I am enjoying it. 😀

 

Today I work and then have some errands to run.  I am heading up to the cabin in the morning.  I am going a couple days earlier than the rest of the group going for a little down time and to prepare the groceries, etc.  More on that… tomorrow morning. 

 

Morning Meanderings… A Recap Of My Week At Camp Benedict

Published on by Sheila (Book Journey)39 Comments

This is my first morning since this past Monday that I will not be hearing “Good Morning Campers!” 

I cam home yesterday from my week at Camp Benedict, a camp for adults, children, and families dealing with AIDS.  Camp Benedict is in the bar just underneath my blog header year around.  If you click on that link, it will tell you my background story and connections to the camp.  This year was my second year at camp and I didn’t think I could be even more impressed on than last year…. but I was.  This week for the Saturday Snapshot (check out Saturday Snapshot at Alyce’s At Home With Books) , I am going to share with you a few pictures from this weeks camp experience:
The camp brings in people from around the state (occasionally beyond) for a week of connecting, sharing, and education.  My friend Connie who organizes the camp offers this week to the campers for free.  You read that right.  She does not want the cost to be a burden to anyone so the money we raise at the spring benefit dinner and then the summer CCB ride, all goes to support the camp and pay for the week.  And… it is a nice week.

 

 

The camp is beautiful – right on the lake with education each morning and evening, and afternoon free time activities like horse back riding, swimming, pontoon rides, tubing, and more. 

 

Morning Exercise and meditation with the ball

 

On Tuesday morning we were all lead in a group exercise session using the ball. This was a lot of fun and it was exciting to see everyone give it a try.  Some of the moves were basic stretches and some more advanced.  We ended the session with a time of meditation, relaxing laying back and reflecting.  Many people mentioned how much they enjoyed this.  I personally love working out on the ball and I picked up a few new tips to try at home.

 

Meal prayer

Before every meal we are led by Camp Staff (and occasionally a few bonus people) in a prayer.  The prayers are always set to a theme song… this one is said to the Superman tune.  😀

 

The education classes are wonderful, a speaker came in and talked to us about stigma, an emotional talk where people could share their stories.  We also had a repeat speaker, Bill, who does a wonderful job of sharing the latest information on medication, up and coming information, and the importance of being consistent on the meds.  Another speaker spoke on the companies that can assist you with getting the medication you need, and yet another doctor was there to answer any questions.  There may….. have been a few camp pranks played….. I am not at liberty to say.  😉

It is always a roller coaster of emotions during the week.  Some moments are sad, and other time we are laughing and on a pontoon on our way to get ice cream at the Dairy Queen.  It is definitely a week I will reflect on throughout the year.  Some of the people have been there before, and some are new… and for the new ones, it is amazing to watch them blossom throughout the week as they feel the acceptance of the camp and make connections to keep themselves healthy and to new friends as well.  In the past two years that I have went to this camp I have left with old friendships being stronger, and new ones being developed. 

 

Tailgate Party!

Mid week we have a tailgate party where people who live around the lake and the camp come and grill for us.  Our weather this week was perfect! 

Camp K staff doing their typical good bye at the end of the week!
Connie and I at the CCB Ride this year.

Of course… the final day is bitter-sweet.  It is always hard to say good-bye hoping you will see people next year.  The people who go to camp are amazing people.  If you want to know more about this amazing camp, please check out the website here:  Camp Benedict.org  and my original connection to the camp is posted here:  My connection to Camp Benedict.

The bus leaving at the end of the week.

Today hubby and I are heading to the Minnesota State Fair.  We have not been there in years so this should be an experience.  😀

Morning Meanderings…. I cant believe I forgot to post the MUCKRUCKUS Pics

Published on by Sheila (Book Journey)23 Comments

Good morning.  I am at camp this week and internet seems to be very S L O W here so we will see how this goes. 😀

As I was reviewing my posts from this past week I realized I never posted the pictures from two weekends ago of the Muckruckus.  “Doh!”  So,this morning, here is my recap of the Muckruckus.

First off – the Muckruckus ROCKED.  Second of all, the Muckruckus was HARD and it kicked my butt.  Note to self…. next year I need to actually train for that event.  😀

Before we were dirty: L: Amy, Me, and Wendy

Some of the things we did

Oh yeah.. thats me in the front in the blue

 

 

 

 

The two crazy girls sliding across the finish line are sadly.. not me. They are my friends Amy and Wendy and by the time we finished my feet hurt so bad from bring filled with mud and rocks I could hardly walk…. next year though… I am rocking this.

 

So there is my brief recap.  I have lots more pics but as I mentioned I am at camp and having a good time, doing a little writing and talking with a lot of people.  I will be around all week, should have a review up yet this afternoon.