* BOOKS GALORE FROM THE DOLLAR STORE *

I did it again! I went to Dollar Tree for approximately five items, and came home with twenty eight...SEVEN of those being hardcover books! (I just blogged about this same topic on February 8th)

 

I just cannot resist books. I almost walked right past the aisle, but then noticed the book section seemed to have expanded since my last visit. So,  my cart was magnetically pulled to the left. What could I do but hang on and go with it?

 

I've never been one to completely "judge a book by its cover," but if it's obvious it's something gory, zombie-like, science fiction, etc....I know I won't read it. Out of these seven books, I'm aware of two authors and their genre: Bill Geist and William Least Heat Moon, but the other five I chose for either or all of the following reasons:

 

1) I liked the title

2) I read a few of the blurbs on the back covers

3) I read the first few sentences of Chapter One

4) The cover did catch my attention

 



 

So...which book to read first?? What a decision to make...although I knew if I didn't like it, I'd try another one. I chose One For The Books, by Joe Queenan. I mean....look at that cover! A book, about the love of books, with lots of colorful books on the cover! One of the reviews on Amazon, by the Minneapolis Star Tribune, says this: "A passionate, at times hilarious, account of a life spent reading and rereading."

 

Mr. Queenan is definitely a fabulous satirist and humorist, and a true bibliophile! I've read about the first 50 pages and I'm loving it. Some of his opinions and experiences pertaining to books are laugh-out-loud funny. A few I agree with...and others I don't.

 

I'll post my final thoughts when I finish reading it.

 

~~~

 

What about you? Do you buy books very often? Where have you found some of your best buys? Did any of these random purchases make a huge difference in your life? I have one that immediately comes to  mind:

 

 

I bought this at the Army PX in a small German town in the 1970s. It changed my life! 

 

 



* POOR VERN IS LOOKING SAD & WORRIED *

HEY, MOM AND DAD - PLEASE DON'T FORGET TO TAKE ME, TOO, WHEN YOU MOVE INTO YOUR NEW CONDO!

 

Poor Vern! He knows something is going on, and in fact probably remembers the same kinds of things happening two years ago when we moved from our house into this townhouse. Now, we're packing and getting ready to move again, into a darling little condo with a lakeside view.... and I swear, we are NOT moving again!

(I swear I did NOT coax him to do this. He just crawled into the packing paper and stayed there for quite a long time. He looks just too pitiful, doesn't he? Don't worry, though, The Ronald and I have been giving him heaps of love and telling him that he's definitely coming with us!)

Note: I just realized that four years ago TODAY, March 12th, we adopted Vern!! I knew it was sometime in March, but I swear I did not know what day until just now when I looked it up! What a wonderful gift he's been to us; so lovable and sweet.

I'll post more info about our move as soon as I can.

"Old dogs, like old shoes, are comfortable. They might be a bit out of shape and a little worn around the edges, but they fit well." -- Bonnie Wilcox 'Old Dogs, Old Friends'

"I have found that when you are deeply troubled, there are things you get from the silent devoted companionship of a dog that you can get from no other source." - Doris Day

Wandering Wednesday

As far as my rant yesterday, I really don't know what all the changes will be when all is said and done, and I decided to Go With The Flow and not waste [any more of] my time stressing over it! (But I can still be mad, right?!) AND, I googled Free Blogs, and found a couple that I messed around with yesterday. Also found a couple that weren't free, but were reasonable. I'm ready to just wait and see. And as Doris Day always sang  --  ♪♫ Que Sera, Sera. Whatever will be, will be.. ♪♫


* Also, I apologize for not responding to your comments lately. I honestly appreciate everyone who reads my blog, and especially those who take the time to leave a comment. AND, I've also been terrible about getting around to read all the blogs I love. I'm going to try to do much better on that. *

~~~~~

I won't be posting anything new until at least Sunday night. One of my cousins and her husband are coming to town. I'm SO excited because we've only seen each other twice since we were little girls, and I've never met her husband! She's bringing some old photos to share, too. ☺

  ~~~~~

(photo taken by Becky)

The Ronald and I are really enjoying bird watching. We have one bird feeder in our back yard (in above photo) and three in the front, all hanging from tree branches. My favorite is the cardinal. The males seem to have a particularly brilliant color this year. I have no idea if it's mating season, or what...but when I see and/or hear one, I must stop and revel in their charm and beauty!



Do you have any plans for the weekend? What brings you joy?




"In memory everything seems to happen to music." - Tennessee Williams

* Nostalgic Sundays *

Time for Another Nostalgic Sunday

Last year on November 30th, I wrote about Doris Day. It had to do with coming across a blogger's profile which said she loves Doris' movies. I have to admit I've probably watched every single movie of hers, numerous times. When I was growing up, I wished I looked like her, could sing like her, and be in movies like her. Well, we all know that didn't happen!

(Doris in the 1950s - courtesy Google)

BUT, as I also wrote in that November post, she did save my life!

(Doris in the 1960s - courtesy Google)

I actually wrote to Miss Day many years ago, telling her that reading her biography gave me the courage to get out of a bad marriage. A chapter in my memoir, Doris Day, A.E. Hotchner, and Me explains it all.

Would you believe I received a reply?? I sure did! She thanked me for writing. (I imagine she had a secretary who answered all her correspondence, but there was her signature.....as far as I know!) And can you also believe I have misplaced that note?? Yep. But, I know it is here, somewhere. I've looked in all the places I would keep something as important as that. I actually kept it in the same file for years. Why and how it got moved, I have no idea. Finding it is high on my List of Things to Do.

I'm writing about Doris again today because her 88th birthday is April 3rd. I have other blog posts already planned for the week, and where better to depict her than Nostalgic Sunday?

* Welcome to my newest follower, Gwen Buchanan. I hope you'll stop by often and always enjoy what you read and see! Thank you! * (A funny side note: I reached 300 Followers with Jessie, on Wednesday the 28th, and right away lovely Gwen became 301....until today, that is. Somewhere along the line, I lost somebody, so now I'm at 300 again. And that is perfectly OKAY. I understand those kinds of things. So, Gwen, if you'd like to receive a tiny gift for being my 2nd 300th Follower, please let me know!!

Que sera sera
Whatever will be will be
The future's not ours to see
Que sera sera



Doris Day Saved My Life

As I blog hopped the other day, I came across one that really intrigued me....but do I remember whose it was, or how I got there? Of course not. One of the things I liked about this particular blog was that in her Profile, she said she loved Doris Day movies. But it's not because of Doris or any of her leading men. I think it had something to do with the furniture decor in the 60s, and she may have mentioned Doris' costumes, too....but I'm not sure.



(Doris in the 1950s - courtesy Google)



When I first saw the name "Doris Day," I thought, OMG, another Doris Day fan! But it wasn't the case, and that's okay. I won't hold it against her! ☺



(Doris in the 1960s - courtesy Google)

Just last night I read an article about Doris releasing a CD this Friday. What a surprise, because she chose to walk away from the Hollywood lifestyle many years ago.

And as far as Doris saving my life.....I can honestly say that she did, in more ways than one. A chapter in my memoir explains it all.

Welcome to my newest followers, Laura Barnes & Cheryl. I hope you'll stop by often and always enjoy what you read and see! Thank you!


Que sera sera
Whatever will be will be
The future's not ours to see
Que sera sera