My Head Is Full of Books: Sunday Salon -- October 17, 2026

"Outside a dog a book is man's best friend, inside a dog it is too dark to read!" -Groucho Marx========="The person, be it gentleman or lady, who has not pleasure in a good novel, must be intolerably stupid." -Jane Austen========="I don’t believe in the kind of magic in my books. But I do believe something very magical can happen when you read a good book."-JK Rowling========"I spend a lot of time reading." -Bill Gates=========“Ahhh. Bed, book, kitten, sandwich. All one needed in life, really.” -Jacqueline Kelly=========

Saturday, October 17, 2026

Sunday Salon -- October 17, 2026

Our Purple Autumn Ash finished dropping all its leaves this week. Here is Bingley showing off the colors.

Weather: Yesterday it was almost 80 degrees. It felt good but it is also worrisome. It shouldn't be 80 in October. The weather person on the news assured us the temperature was coming down today and it may even rain a bit.

Today is No Kings Day of Action, October 17th -- If you can't attend an event in your area, like I can't, at least vote early!!! Don and I spent an hour yesterday filling out our ballots and then drove to drop them off at one of several drop-off spots in our area. We are lucky we don't have to rely on the mail.

A friend visited from afar: My best friend from my hometown visited us this past week from Singapore, where she lives now. Being with a long time friend was such a comfort. Know what I mean? Talking about things without having to to fill in the backstory or to explain oneself. Unfortunately, though we sat and visited for hours, we didn't take a photo of two old-ish ladies who have known each other for almost 55 years. Thanks for the visit, Rita. I love you!

Reading is finally picking up: With the trip and then the jet-lag, reading has really fallen off lately. But I finally seem to have my reading mojo back.

Currently reading:

Homestead by Melinda Moustakis -- set in Alaska prior to statehood. A book club selection for Tuesday's meeting. Audiobook. 40%
The Things We Never Say by Elizabeth Strout -- Another book by a favorite author. 36%
Crook Manifesto by Colson Whitehead -- the second book in the Harlem Shuffle trilogy. Audiobook with Don. Just started.

Recently completed and reviewed:

Good Poems edited by Garrison Keillor -- I've been reading this poetry collection all summer. Review pending.
Dungeon Crawler Carl by Matt Dinniman -- I finished this audiobook sitting in the back of the rented car while we sped toward Scotland.
Anything is Possible by Elizabeth Strout -- I finally finished the Amgash series now that I've read this, the second book!
The Sun Also Rises by Ernest Hemingway -- This classic is 100 years old this month. I've finally read it!
Mad Mabel by Sally Hepworth -- Someone told me this book was funny. I didn't think so. It was really very sad with moments of hope. Another book club selection. Review pending.

Blogging: I scheduled several posts to hit while we were on the trip, so this is essentially a month of blogging: