Welcome 
Hi! My name is Margot. My blog is about the things I love to do. That could be what I'm reading, places we visit, my family, food, or whatever else is happening. I hope you'll stay and visit a while.
Contact me by email: joyfullyretired (at) gmail (dot) com. What I’m Reading  Cottage at Glass Beach
 Bury Your Dead
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 Diane at Bibliophile By the Sea asks us to share the first paragraph of a book we are reading. As you can see it’s called First Chapter, First Paragraph Tuesday Intros. As readers we are often captivated or turned away by that first paragraph or two. Let’s see what you think about the first paragraph of my current read.
 I’m reading Deadly Harvest by Michael Stanley. This is my second book in the Detective Kubu series. It’s a disturbing story of young girls missing and murdered in Botswana. Detective Kubu handle the case.
As she walks home, Lesego’s head was full of Christmas. She knew her sister would save some of her tips and buy her a small present. Lesego had no money, so she was making Dikeledi a doily from scraps of red material left over from her needlework class. She was trying to embroider “Dikeledi” across it in blue, but she’d made the first letters too big, and the whole word wouldn’t fit neatly. She frowned. She was going to have to start it again.
What do you think?
Would you keep reading?
 Author: Sue Grafton
Publisher: Penguin Audio
Genre: Audiobook, read by Judy Kaye
My Rating: B
Somewhere in the 1980s I started reading Sue Grafton’s Alphabet series. Right from the beginning with A is for Alibi, I liked the character of Kinsey Millhone. She is like no other fictional detective. Others have tried to copy her, but no one else has that understated grasp of a situation.
I read each one as they came out. Somewhere in the middle of the alphabet, like M or N, they started stacking up on my shelves. Life became busy and I gradually stopped reading them.
Kinsey and Me served as a nice reminder of why I enjoyed these books. The first half of this book features Kinsey. Sue Grafton has written some short stories featuring Kinsey Milhouse solving a variety of problems. Ms. Grafton is a superb crime writer and these short stories are very good.
The second half of Kinsey and Me is about Sue Grafton. The author wrote fictional stories based on her childhood and early adulthood. This half of the book is interesting and good fiction, but it has a sad tone to it. Ms. Grafton’s parents were both alcoholics and she was on her own a lot. If you’re like me, you’ll feel very sad for the young Grafton.
I know that some of you aren’t fond of short stories. I suggest you give this book a try anyway. It doesn’t have the same feel of a book of short stories, especially the first half about Kinsey. It “reads” as if someone has asked the question, “Tell me about Kinsey Millhone.” Then someone fills you in on her escapades. It’s the same thing in the second half. Someone asked, “Sue, tell me about your childhood” and she does.
Thanks to Penguin Audio for my copy of this audiobook. Now I want to catch up with the other books in the series.
 Thanks for stopping by to see what new words I discovered this week. I usually find new words wherever I happen to be reading, but this week I didn’t find any new words. Actually, I didn’t do much reading. (I spent the week getting to know my new grandson.) However, my ever-faithful Word-A-Day Calendar always supplies me with a couple of new ones. Here is what I learned this week:
1. legerity: “With legerity, the prefect noted that the suspect inadvertently referred to an aspect of the crime that had never been made public.”
Legerity means to be alert, facile, quickness of mind or body.
2. adumbrate: “The documentary’s incendiary title adumbrates the director’s controversial position on the subject.”
This word has a couple of definition bur in this sentence adumbrate means to overshadow or obscure.
That’s it for me. I hope you also ran into a few new words this week. Thanks, Kathy for creating Wondrous Words Wednesday. Visit Kathy at Bermuda Onion.
Diane at Bibliophile By the Sea asks us to share the first paragraph of a book we are reading. As you can see it’s called First Chapter, First Paragraph Tuesday Intros. As readers we are often captivated or turned away by that first paragraph or two. Let’s see what you think about the first paragraph of my current read.
 Debbie Macomber is one of my ‘go-to’ authors when I’ve read too many crime and detective stories. In Starting Now I have a chance to vist with a group of women who love to knit. It’s great to find out where their lives are taking them. Here’s the beginning paragraph:
This was it. Surely it must be.
The instant Libby Morgan heard her paralegal tell her “Hershel would like to see you in his office,” she knew. Oh, there’d been rumblings around the office about layoffs and early retirements. Such gossip simply verfied what she felt in her heart Hershel was sure to tell her. She’d waited for this moment for six very long years.
What do you think?
Do you feel the need to keep on reading?
I’m very excited to share the news that our son and his wife
welcomed a baby boy into our family this week.
He’s a healthy 8 pounder with a hint of red in his hair.
For purposes of my blog I’m calling him Tx.
Below is a picture of Tx with his mom just hours after his birth.
I love the smile on her face.
He is, of course, a very sweet baby who is already way above average.
It’s Wednesday and my day to focus on words.
This week something hit me in this World of Words. It occurred while watching Season 3 of West Wing. The story involves the fictional U.S. President’s campaign for reelection. His announcement speech uses the word torpor. Consultants hired from outside the normal staff want the word taken out of the speech.They say the voters won’t know what that word means. They want some other, simpler word used.
The discussion goes back and forth among the staff who, by the way, all know the definition of the word. Finally, the President (beautifully played by Martin Sheen) steps in and tells everyone that we will not “dumb down” our words for the American public. He’s convinced the public ia intelligent and should not be sold short.
 I love watching West Wing. Th whole seies is great escapism, especially when things get dismal in Washington D.C.. I know the show is primarily an idealistic world but I love all the characters. They seem so realistic. The little segment about torpor also makes an important statement in my mind. Most people aren’t dumb. When it comes to words, we certainly have the ability to look up new words whenever we come across them. Plus, most smart-phones these days have dictionary apps. It makes me feel good when I see someone looking up an unfamiliar word. And, I do see it a lot.
Anyway, do you know the meaning of torpor? It’s okay if you don’t. Torpor is a noun meaning lethargy or physical or mental inactivity. Example: After the 50 kilometer marathon Sue’s feelings of torpor lasted for weeks. Synonyms: sluggish, inertia, inactivity, lifelessness, listlessness, languor, lassitude, laziness, idleness indolence, sloth, and so on.
Wondrous Words Wednesday is the brain child of Kathy at Bermuda Onion. Please visit Kathy for more new words.
Diane at Bibliophile By the Sea asks us to share the first paragraph of a book we are reading. As you can see it’s called First Chapter, First Paragraph Tuesday Intros. As readers we are often captivated or turned away by that first paragraph or two. Let’s see what you think about the first paragraph of my current read.
I’m reading the sixth book in Louise Penny’s Inspector Gamache series. This book is Bury Your Dead. Although many of the same characters are in each hook, each novel is unique. The story begins with a traumatic event that plagues the Chief Inspector for quite some time. Here is that beginning:
Up the stairs they raced, taking them two at a time, trying to be as quiet as possible. Gamache struggle to keep his breathing steady, as though he was sitting at home, as though he had not a care in the world.
“Sir?” came the young voice over Gamache’s headphones.
“You must believe me, son. Nothing bad will happen to you.”
 He hoped the young agent couldn’t hear the strain in his voice, the flattening as the Chief Inspector fought to keep his voice authoritative, certain.
”I believe you.”
They reached the landing. Inspector Beauvoir stopped, staring at his Chief. Gamache looked at his watch.
47 secconds.
Still time.
In his headphones the agent was telling him about the sunshine and how good it felt on his face.
The rest of the team made the landing, tactical vests in place, automatic weapons drawn, eyes sharp. Trained on the Chief. Beside him Inspector Beauvoir was also waiting for a decision. Which way? They were close. Within feet of their quarry.
What do you think?
Would you keep reading?
 Author: Robert K. Lewis
Publisher: Midnight Ink, April 2013
Genre: Crime Fiction
My Rating: B+
Summary:
Mark Mallen had been a devoted cop, husband, father and friend. He lost it all while working undercover for the narcotics division of the San Francisco Police Department. He began using heroin because he thought he’d look more authentic to the drug world. Unfortunately, it hooked him.
As the story opens it’s now four and a half years later and he’s a hopeless drug addict. He’s disgusted with himself but can’t seem to stop. And then a couple of things happen serving as a wake-up call.
Mark learns of the murder of a very good friend who is also a former cop. This former cop, Eric, was also hooked on drugs but, supposedly, had quit and was turning his life around. Mark and Eric hadn’t seen each other in several years, but Eric had Mark’s name and address in his pocket when he was killed. Mark’s address wasn’t well known so he’s intrigued by that and wants some answers.
When Mark begins to investigate he gets sideways with a police officer. As he is taken in for booking he persuades a cop friend to leave him in “lock-up” for three days. Mark knows it’s a chance to get himself clean.
Although it’s agonizing, he makes it. When he gets out of “lock-up” he’s determined to stay clean. Keeping busy is part of his cure, so he keeps checking out inforaton about Eric’s murder.
My thoughts:
Last Tuesday I shared the first paragraph of this novel (here) with you. At the time I said it felt like the author was channeling Sam Spade. By the time I finished the book I was convinced of it. It has a real Sam Spade-ish feel to it. San Francisco’s streets are a part of the story and there’s quite a bit of the city’s unerbelly in there too. It’s just right for a good crime novel.
The character of Mark Mallen is key to the novel. At first I just felt sorry for him. That changed to admiration as I saw his inner strength grow as he determines to stay away from drugs. Mark is a well-rounded character.
As you know, I prefer to read novels where the characters are like-able – truly good people at their core. After all, reading requires spending a lot of time with these people.
I’d like to spend more time with Mark Mallen. I believe I’ll have a chance to do that. The author’s website, Robert K. Lewis, says he is the author of the Mark Mallen series. Since Untold Damages is the author’s first novel, it sounds to me like there are more Mark Mallen books coming. Yay! I’ll keep watching for the next one.
Recommend? Yes, definitely for all crime and thriller readers as well as those who love spending time in San Francisco.
Thanks to the author/publisher for my copy of the book and to TLC Book Tours for allowing me to be a part of it all.
Did you know they awarded Grammys to audiobooks? I learned that earlier this year. They are called the Grammy Awards for the Best Spoken Word Albums. I got the list and tried to listen to all of the nominees for 2013. Unfortunately, our library only had three of them. I listened to all three and can defintely say they are all winners.
The two books I missed are the winner, Society’s Child by Janis Ian, and Seriously. . .I’m Kidding by Ellen DeGeneres. Hopefully, the library will acquire them and I’ll have a chance to read them too.
In the meantime, here are the three I did listen to.
 Back To Work: Why We Need Smart Government For A Strong EconomyBill Clinton
Random House Audio/Books on Tape
Summary from the publisher:
President Bill Clinton gives us his views on the challenges facing the United States today and why government matters—presenting his ideas on restoring economic growth, job creation, financial responsibility, resolving the mortgage crisis, and pursuing a strategy to get us “back in the future business.” He explains how we got into the current economic crisis, and offers specific recommendations on how we can put people back to work, increase bank lending and corporate investment, double our exports, restore our manufacturing base, and create new businesses.
I liked listening to Bill Clinton’s voice and his common sense approach to our country’s economic and political problems. At times he talked too fast and I had to press pause and think about what he just said. But, overall, he made sense and I agreed with his suggestions. Even if you’re not a Bill Clinton fan, it’s worth listening to what he has to say.
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 Drift: The Unmooring Of American Military PowerRachel Maddow
Random House Audio/Books on Tape
Summary from the publisher:
Written with bracing wit and intelligence, Rachel Maddow’s Drift argues that we’ve drifted away from America’s original ideals and become a nation weirdly at peace with perpetual war. To understand how we’ve arrived at such a dangerous place, Maddow takes us from the Vietnam War to today’s war in Afghanistan, along the way exploring Reagan’s radical presidency, the disturbing rise of executive authority, the gradual outsourcing of our war-making capabilities to private companies, the plummeting percentage of American families whose children fight our constant wars for us, and even the changing fortunes of G.I. Joe. Ultimately, she shows us just how much we stand to lose by allowing the scope of American military power to overpower our political discourse.
Sensible yet provocative, dead serious yet seriously funny, Drift will reinvigorate a “loud and jangly” political debate about our vast and confounding national security state.
My thoughts:d
This is one I’m telling everyone to read. It’s a smart common sense look at our country’s penchant for constant war-making. I am already a Rachel Maddow fan so it was a pleasure to listen to her. No one does sarcastic humor better than Rachel does. She’s an extremely smart woman but she manages to speak and write so that ordinary people can understand. Well worth listening to.
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 American GrownMichelle Obama, Author / Scott Creswell and Dan Zitt, Readers
Random House Audio/Books on Tape
Summary from the publisher:
In her first-ever book, American Grown, Mrs. Obama invites you inside the White House Kitchen Garden and shares its inspiring story, from the first planting to the latest harvest. Hear about her worries as a novice gardener – would the new plants even grow? Learn about her struggles and her joys as lettuce, corn, tomatoes, collards and kale, sweet potatoes and rhubarb flourished in the freshly tilled soil. Get an unprecedented behind-the-scenes look at every season of the garden’s growth, with striking original photographs that bring its story to life. Try the unique recipes created by White House chefs and made with ingredients just picked from the White House garden. And learn from the White House Garden team about how you can help plant your own backyard, school or community garden.
My thoughts:
This was an excellent book but only an okay audio. I had to also check out the hardback book because I wanted to see all the great pictures and drawings of the garden. The book is organized according to the seasons and is easy to follow. Beginning gardeners and master gardeners alike will enjoy reading about Mrs. Obama’s first experience with a garden. There are plenty of practical ideas here as well.
If you are interested in seeing the list of Grammy Awards for Best Spoken Word, go HERE.
 Thanks for stopping by to see what new words I discovered this week. I usually find new words wherever I happen to be reading. New-to-me words are everywhere! I do notice that my eyes are better at catching new words than my ears. While listening to audiobooks, as I do more often now, I hardly ever hear a new word. I wonder why that is.
Anyway, here are the words I found this past week while reading on the internet.
On a New York Times article about the gun contro bill, I found this word:
imprimatur: “Further, while many members will still resist any new legislation, some Republicans may be harder pressed to stand against a measure with Mr. Toomey’s imprimatur.”
Imprimatur means a person’s acceptance or guarantee that something is of a good standard.
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While reading reviews for Kinsey and Me by Sue Grafton, I came across this word:
apercus: The same feisty voice and witty apercus readers fell in love with in A Is for Alibi permeate the Kinsey stories.
Apercus is a comment or brief reference that makes an illuminating or entertaining point.
Thanks Kathy forr our weekly meme celebrating Wondrous Words.
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A Favorite Quote "A peasant that reads is a prince in waiting.”
― Walter Mosley
Goal: 29/93  Goal: 19/36
What's In a Name?6
Goal: 1/6
My Perpetual Challenges  Goal: 33/87
Goal: 7/50
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