So many books I want

Oh my goodness, how the internet tells me about so many books that really fit my interests.
If I had more time for reading and a bigger book buying budget, I could go on a book buying spree, bigger than what I already do.
Today I read my e-newsletter sent by Susan Wittig Albert. These newsletters are very welcome with all kinds of garden and herb information. She mentioned a book "The gardens of Emily Dickinson", so I went to Amazon and yes, that book looks like something I would like to read.
On that page of Amazon it listed another book about Emily Dickinson's garden, which also looks good, and then, horror of horrors another somewhat related book title appears titled "Garden Voices."
These all sound like I would enjoy reading them.
Help, I must escape these book suggestions, and go read the 50 books on my to be read stacks at home.

free copy of Night Watchman

Do you enjoy reading mysteries with characters you care about? Then I think the book "The Night Watchman" is for you.
The "night watchman" of the title is an Orlando homicide detective who was shot and almost killed in the line of duty, with his partner killed beside him.
The night watchman, Ray Quinn, is severely injured, in constant pain, and barely able to walk, and working as a night watchman, when a mystery presents itself to him and he couldn't refuse to help.
A young woman's beloved brother is dead and it looks like the brother killed a prostitute, but his sister insists that is entirely out of character and that he was framed.
I read many mysteries, and find that this author, Mark Mynheir, is very talented, creating a gripping plot and characters with depth. Putting his background as a homicide detective to great use, the author has written a book that compells readers to root for Ray Quinn.
At the end of this entertaining novel, I am happy to read that the main character will return in a sequel.
Leave a comment here, and one commenter will be selected using random.org to receive a free copy of this mystery book.



http://www.randomhouse.com/catalog/display.pperl?isbn=9781590529355

Donkey Sanctuary

Late Winter Donkey
Originally uploaded by pmarkham

On an artist's blog http://bumblebearies.blogspot.com I found out about a sanctuary for donkeys, miniature horses, a pig or two, a rescued dog and more.
The sanctuary blog is http://primrosedonkeysanctuary.com/Gallery.html
The photos are so nice, and each animal has a history and is a success story in being rescued.
There is an auction going on at the blog to raise money.

Radio flyer shaggy dog story

Daffodils in red wagon
Originally uploaded by larrybobsf

I saw something yesterday that touched my heart, and I want to share it with you.
While walking in my neighborhood I saw a man and a woman walking their two dogs. The woman had one dog on a leash and walked ahead, and the man was pulling a Radio Flyer wagon with a very old and shaggy looking large dog in the wagon.
It made me think about when they decided to take the older dog on the walk.
One day the older dog probably cried or looked so disappointed as they prepared to take a walk with the younger dog, that they got the brilliant idea to take him along in the red wagon.
How the older dog must enjoy those "walks", feeling the breeze ruffle his fur, seeing other dogs and people and having a change of scene.

Watering Can

Watering Can
Originally uploaded by jilliancyork

I spent part of my garden gift certificate and bought a lovely galvanized steel watering can, or sprinkling can.
My new can is shiny now, and at the plant store they told me it will develop a protective dull patina and last a long time; the clerk still has her grandma's old can and it hasn't even rusted.
Hand watering gets us to focus on the plant and really give it a look-see, vs. automated systems.
Seedlings especially do well with the gentle sprinkling of water, don't you agree?

Butterfly on my toe

(Hi All, no this is not the butterfly who sat on my toe. I found this photo on flickr.com Butterfly on Lantana
Originally uploaded by aussiegall)

I sat in my garden for half an hour today, to read a book in a mystery series I discovered recently. I heard a flutter of wings and looked up to see a brown bird taking a bath in our bird bath.
Then I noticed a pretty butterfly or moth, brown and orange, creating a display on a plant right near me. It attracted two others who came over, perhaps flirting. One of those two sat on my toe.
I was very honored to have such a winged friend sitting on my toe.
Oh the side benefits of taking a moment to sit in my garden.
Have you met any critters in your garden today?

"Feed my sheep"

IMG_5715toned.jpg
Originally uploaded by Julie Ann Peters

I am inspired by a favorite Bible verse, spoken by Jesus to his disciples: "Do you love Me? ... Feed my sheep." John 21:17

I chose this photo because it shows the Dome of the Rock in Jerusalem, and a gorgeous tray of bread. The location of Jerusalem and the bread lit by sunshine, in the old city road, take the viewer back in time and in place to the Holy Lands.

Flowers with fun names that you like

JUPITERS BEARD
Originally uploaded by the DesertSage

What flowers with fun names do you like?
I would love to hear from you.
One favorite I have is "Meet me by the gate" or "Jupiter's beard."
The flowers are white, pale pink or deep rosy pink and look a little like lilacs.
These are sturdy plants, once established.
When I lived on a farm, the neighboring farmer's wife told me that local people call this flower "Meet me by the gate."
This name is very friendly.
Do you have a favorite to share with us?

Happy Mothers Day to All

bleeding hearts
Originally uploaded by Darren.

My mom had a talent for growing flowers, and bleeding hearts is one she grew, that is so pretty.
Mom is in heaven now, and I am thinking of her up there, and maybe she is gardening with the angels.

review of In the Footsteps of Paul

I have a copy of a gorgeous photography book, and share here my review of it. Since I have visited that part of the world, the book is especially meaningful to me. Perhaps you have been there too? Or want to visit?

In his book, “In the Footsteps of Paul: Experience the Journey that Changed the World”, Ken Duncan’s luminous photographs invite readers to almost step in to his photographs of the ancient world.

Two maps are included to help readers trace Paul’s journey, and the text is short paragraphs by Duncan, Scripture about the places, and quotes by writers including C.S. Lewis, John Piper and Max Lucado. Cities like Antioch, Tarsus and Ephesus are pictured here, as Paul journeyed on foot and by boat, spreading the word about Jesus.
In Acts 9:15 we read “He [Paul] is a chosen vessel of mine to bear my name before Gentiles, Kings, and the children of Israel.”

The photos of glorious old mosaics and icons are of the highest quality, and photos of seaside cities and ports, and dusty streets and the Damascus Gate, will encourage you to read the whole book and keep turning pages, and to dream of visiting these historic lands.

I visited a few of these sites, including Jerusalem, Jericho and Petra, and the photos stir my enthusiasm to go again, to see more of these cities with fabled names like Tyre, Lebanon, Philippi, Greece and Attalia in Turkey, to name just a few. Turn to page 143 for a glimpse of the harbor and colorful fishing boats in Tyre, and you may want to book a flight to visit these lands.
“When we had sighted Cyprus … and landed at Tyre … and finding disciples, we stayed there seven days.” Acts 21:3-5

Once you have read it from cover to cover, this is an ideal book to keep nearby for spare moments, and to share with children and family and friends.

Stop You're Killing Me Mystery Book Website

I found a wonderful website for all of you who love to read mysteries, at http://www.stopyourekillingme.com

This website is very useful to mystery afficionados, and lists 2,800 authors and their works. My favorite feature here is that by author or main character you can find chronological lists of the titles. So since I am reading and buying books by Jim Butcher, Elizabeth Peters, Peter Robinson, Ian Rankin and Martha Grimes, among my favorites, I can find here the next few books in each series. This is helpful in my bookstore quests.

You will also find here intriguing lists by genre (diversity, paranormal, senior, pets, etc.) and by time period with their historical index (1500s, etc.)

If you love mysteries, or find a fiction topic like pets or seniors dear to your heart, I suggest a visit to "Stop, You're Killing Me."

50 Top Films about America, Field of Dreams

Field of Dreams, Kevin Costner 1989
Originally uploaded by Joan Thewlis

I found a list of "Fifty All-American Movies" that capture the American spirit.
There are lots of movies like Field of Dreams, which is number 9 on this list, worth watching or watching again, found in the book "The American Patriot's Almanac" by William J. Bennett and Joyn T.E. Cribb.
Number one is Apollo Thirteen, and number 50 is Yankee Doodle Dandy. Sea Biscuit, To Kill a Mockingbird and High Noon are all on this list.
These films remind me of what John Wayne once said about his work, that this is "a country whose immense beauty and grandeur are matched only by the greatness of her people."