Fighting Frustration and Being Unsatisfied With Better Than Last Year

Tags

books, free-writing, goals, reading, write28dayschallenge

Each year I set a reading goal of 100 books – this includes books of any length, genre, or media. When I tell people about my number, I always feel the need to clarify that I include audiobooks in this total. Between illness early in the year and the increase of time spent at home in 2020, I exceeded the goal. I crushed it. I worked the last week of the year to bring my total up to 100 PRINT books read.

Share Four Somethings: A Look at March’s Best Moments

Tags

books, fiction, goodreads, share four somethings, spring

Well hello there Easter, you’ve snuck up on us quickly! As we finish up March, I’m joining the Share Four Somethings party Heather hosts each month. These highlights – loved, said, learned, read – are a small look at how I spent Chapter 3 of 2021.

Book Review: Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy

Tags

audio books, books, motivation, working out

The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


I’m a bit late to the party but I loved this book! The narrator did a great job on the audio version, so I’m a bit concerned that book #2 has someone different. I used this book to encourage myself to workout. I loved the story but only “allowed” myself to listen during a cardio session.

The technology is surprisingly spot-on for a book written in the 1970s (before I was born). I laughed out loud on several occasions. Given that I typically listened while doing stair repeats, that’s no small feat.

Ford Prefect: Its (the jump into hyperspace) is about as pleasant as being drunk.
Arthur: What’s so bad about being drunk?
Ford: Ask a glass of water

Also? Marvin FTW!!!!

View all my reviews

Somethings to Love about February

Tags

camp fradd, february, Monthly Review, moving, share four somethings, Valentine’s Day, write28dayschallenge

Valentine’s Day and Mardis Gras decorations have been taken down and we’re starting to see spring-like weather, at least here in East Tennessee. That means it’s time to take a look back at February and Share Four Somethings with Heather.

Loved

The Glorious Table published an article I wrote, which was prompted by a show my darling and I binged last year. The particular episode I reference in my post haunted me, a profound takeaway for reality television. Writing through my emotions helped me pin down exactly why his heartbreak stuck with me, and I loved being able to share it with others.

Starting the New Year Off Right

Tags

books, cabin rental, Cabins, family, holiday, reading, travel

Looking back at my 2020 entries in my gratitude and bullet journals, I discovered how much of the year had gone right. While its important to acknowledge the difficulties, and grieve where necessary, I want to call out the good when possible. Once again for 2021, I’ll be joining Heather’s Share Four Somethings link-up.

Here are just a few special things about the first month of the new year.

Loved

Ringing in the new year with family

Last year, Jay and I had to forego our New Year’s Eve tradition of counting down to the new year with my sister and her family. We had “the flu” (or a reasonable facsimile which resulted in complications wildly similar to the Rona, but I digress), and kept our germs at home. At the stroke of midnight, we did a toast with Nyquil and felt grateful to not believe the superstition that what you’re doing at midnight is what you’ll be doing the rest of the year. AHEM.

Somethings About September

Tags

books, hiking, Monthly Review, national park

Loved

National Parks

Jay and I traveled west for two weeks to visit Yellowstone and the Grand Tetons. I’m still writing in my travel journal, based on notes I took of our daily activities. Almost a month later, and I’ve only completed day 10 of 16.

Once I’m finished with the journal, I hope to take those memories and turn them into posts to share here. So far I’m kicking around ideas about perspective, enjoying the journey, controlling anxiety, and making sure ‘experts’ are trustworthy.

Something Good: August Edition

Tags

books, concerts, covid-19, family, fiction, hiking, non-fiction, planning, reading, travel

As the month of August winds to a close, I’m once again joining Heather as she hosts her Share Four Somethings monthly link-up. We’re plugging through 2020, one month at a time. As the saying goes:

How to Save Your Sanity

Be a genius about the things that matter and lazy about the things that don’t.

Kendra Adachi, each week on her podcast

The Lazy Genius Way: Embrace What Matters, Ditch What Doesn’t, and Get Stuff Done by Kendra Adachi

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Long time listener, first-time reader.

January – Four Somethings

Tags

books, family, illness, january

January has been a tough year, but we made it!
Just kidding, but seriously.

At the end of each month, Heather Gerwing hosts the Share Four Somethings link-up. While January felt heavy and smelled strongly of Lysol, I wanted to challenge myself to do a monthly recap. By writing about something I loved, read, treasured, and something ahead, I can remember this month for more than just “Camp Fradd got the flu – and then some.”

After all, I turn 40 this year. I’m determined to squeeze every bit of happiness I can out of 2020.

Here’s to October

Tags

books, concerts, fun, halloween, holiday, learning, monthiversaries, my darling love, reading

The leaves are finally starting to turn here in my corner of the Smoky Mountains. As we wrap up the month of October, I wanted to share a few of my favorites this month.