Stuff -

So - its been a busy spring

Life here is STILL busy, but things are looking up.

For the first time in four years we are NOT planning another major medical procedure, set of tests, or surgery. We are scaled back to seeing ONE doctor every few weeks. Tom isn't entirely healed up from the last one - but we're starting to believe that this trying chapter in our lives may finally be coming to an end, Praise God. We have now heard we will have help with the remaining bills from it all too. BIG relief there! Tom still needs a lot of pricey meds but these too have been covered thus far. Praise God for His daily blessings! We depend on Him so very much! Praise God even for the trials that made us focus so much on our walk with Him, and so much more concerned on what is pleasing to Him and what isn't. His Peace has made many days that should have been rough, comparatively easy. He has weeded out of our lives many things that evidently needed to go - and we've found that life is a lot more peaceful choosing to live Jesus' way. Praise God that as we have committed more and more to Him in prayer He has been faithful to come through for us, and so our faith has only grown in these times - and so we trust Him for tomorrow, and that He will lead us in good paths as the next chapter of our lives begins. We thank God also for all those daily blessings that have made our existence more pleasant of late. Even the septic system & well repairs have improved our daily life more than we would have thought. Our yard finally has its azaleas again, though they are still pretty small. We just put some new-to-us chairs around ye olde picnic table, because the weather has been so nice we've been outside rather a lot. We didn't really have a winter this year. Its been mild temps most days since early last fall. That doesn't always happen.

& No, we were not especially affected by storm that did all that tornado damage in Suffolk, though we appreciate the concern from family & friends who checked on us. Suffolk is wwaayy on the other side of the metroplex. We didn't even lose power for more than 20 minutes. Worst reports from our area from that overly energetic storm affected a rich guy who had his barn roof fly away, another reasonably well-off dude that had 3 classic cars damaged by a collapsing carport, and a lady who had tree damage on her house. Even in Suffolk, most had good insurance, though this is a traumatic event just the same. May God have mercy on all those who suffered loss.

Praying God's help for all those affected by the continuing storms that have slapped at one state after another in the center of our country. This was the first time one of those really strong storms reached our part of the coast. Definitely praying for some relief for those who have gone through one string of tornadoes & flooding rain storm after another. Praying also that these storms at least break the drought that has plagued so many places in our country.

I was disappointed that Huckabee didn't get farther, but maybe we can see him as VP? Whether I'd vote for McCain still depends on that and - whether Obama gets his chance to run against him - and - now -I'd like to hear some solid assurances from Obama now that he respects the rights of people of faith, including those relating to homeschooling. I guess if Obama really feels that gun rights & religious convictions are merely a fallback for the down & out, it was good he slipped up in those comments in Pennsylvania, but I was sorely disappointed by that- and by the way he equated these positions with small town xenophobias. The continuing coverage on the ungracious views of his long time religious leader haven't helped either. Glenn Beck is right. There's no way Obama knew this guy for 20 years and didn't know where Rev. Wright was coming from. Just the same, there are so many good things he has had to say- even in his bad speech, Obama was addressing a real need. We DO need jobs to come back to all these little towns...

Hubby doesn't understand why Hilary has done so well so far. Everybody ought to know what she has stood for, right? Moore's latest film "Sicko" reminded us of some of the good & bad of her health plans. Certainly something needs to be done and she's got a rep for trying to do something about it. Just the same, her latest comments about (en)forcing everyone into universal coverage concerned many folks. But not everybody remembers, or followed the scandals all that closely back in the day. All anybody mentions now is Lewinski- which is Bill alone. To be fair, if I hadn't read so much about the Clintons during their reign, and hadn't been so shocked by the Vince Foster's death and the shredding of documents she was accused of having done right afterward (even the official answer, which could be real, didn't make her look good) - and also about the Whitewater scandals - Well, she might sound pretty good to me too. She certainly knows how to present herself. She might answer that none of her competitors is any better - and she might be right, or not. All we poor voters can do is make a limited choice and hope for the best candidate to represent our current concerns and let us keep our cherished freedoms. At this point it isn't incredibly clear who that would be. Guess we'll just keep following developments.

On a slightly lighter note. We DID get to see "Expelled: No Intelligence Allowed." Hubby saw it twice, as my Mom wanted to go after hearing our report and he volunteered to drive seeing as the movie theater was a new one. It took a little finding for those unfamiliar with the new development. Its a very good movie! We'll be sure to get the dvd when it comes available. Ben Stein was about as fair-minded as he could be, but its an awful thing when one clique becomes so intolerant of any theory or worldview not their own that they will persecute the 'heretics' - as Stein's documentary clearly shows them doing - and still claims to be open to all truth. The hypocrisy was just stunning. None of this was news to me, as my earlier blogs can attest, but its different to see it on film. The hope is that this will curb the mindless animosity that has plagued the dialogue process thus far. Hearing Dawkins admit that he could accept a 'seeded'/terraformed Earth - or some other form of ID was a bigger opening than I had hoped to hear at this juncture.

You see, the Intelligent Design paradigm doesn't get into WHO put the completed forms on Earth or WHEN - just that that the primordial- soup- to- dinosaur evolution insisted upon by the establishment hasn't truly been supported by the evidence - at least on THIS planet. Many ID scientists are not Christians, nor are they Creation Scientists. The big scape-goating thing is to say that only people of faith would argue the world view enshrined in museums, and then imply that faith destroys their thinking process. Actually only people who have strong convictions of some kind would take the risk of arguing with Powers That Be. Not many people dared to argue with the Nazis to their face either. There were consequences for that kind of courage long before the death camps were built. This is what people need to understand.

Now, I DO believe in God as the Maker of all things. I am a Creationist, but I've known from the beginning that God Himself hasn't been big on making our faith pointless by proving His Might & Power & Glory to all men - just yet. Just getting a fair playing field where people can believe what they want but understand that our faith isn't DISproved by the evidence is a major step forward - and all I ever asked to see until Christ's return. That may sound minimalist, but I think I understand why God hasn't removed more of the wool off evolutionist eyes. He wants them to want Him for His own sake.

God imputed much righteousness to Abraham for his faith in God - that gift of salvation, purchased by Christ, has been available to all those on Earth who would love to believe in doing right, and who want to know Him. Once all is known beyond a shadow of any doubt, what value would our acquiescence to God's Omnipotence and Omniscience grant us? Not much.


On a MUCH lighter note, I just have to show you the worst purchase I have made in awhile - half price or not. This is the new 'Intuition" razor - whose writeup- in French & English said something about wetting the razor and then 'pushing the buttons' while you shaved to release a gentle lather...

The buttons on it don't do anything. The big handle, which does look like it was designed to be a reservoir, is empty. Instead the 'shaving soap' consists of a small cut-out bar that surrounds the cartridge. The single backup cartridge also has its own soap bar. I tried it and found that the soap didn't lather, but the whole process did make me rinse the tested area several times to get all the residue off. I felt very clean afterward... So it does work - after a fashion.

& Delightful Nonsense

The second SkyOne adaptation of Pratchett's terrifically funny Discworld novels came out this Easter and its absolutely wonderful! Sadly, we in the states will have to wait to see its full glory on our tvs and on dvd (but thank you very much to the folks who slipped us unofficial previews)

"The Colour of Magic" Movie


Before SkyOne made Hogfather & Colour of Magic, the best effort was a cartoon version of Wyrd Sisters

End of the Line...

The Traveling Wilburys turned me Inside Out from the first time I heard the music. The first & third albums are classic, 2nd not so much. If you've never heard this impromptu gathering of music legends that became a band, then you have been seriously missing out. True- there are a few I always omit due to language issues - and a few that too good not to play - but only with headphones as they aren't appropriate for the kids (I won't put any of those videos on this blog), but even so - the Wilburys made unforgettable music together.

The solo albums for each artist from this period were usually done with the other Wilburys' - so they sorta count too. They even appear in many of each other's videos - plus Ringo Starr and/or Jeff Keltner (on drums).

This is the first one I heard. I'd have remembered them forever even if I had only heard this song...
Handle Me With Care

Even a New Blue Moon is unlikely to form anything like the Wilburys ever again. Especially with Roy Orbison AND George Harrison gone. They are still missed. You can listen to a few more from the Wilburys if the sound has Rattled your cage.

Not Alone Anymore

Wibury Twist (PG warning for the one word - doesn't mean a donkey)

She's a Mystery to Me Orbison (PG topic) Written by Bono of U2

You Got It - Orbison

Outtakes 1
includes::
1st Where Were You Last Night?
2nd song Inside Out, always reminded me of the movie Labyrinth
3rd song is Cool, Dry Place - another fav) ::

Outtakes 2 ::
includes::
1.Maxine (lovely Mexican/Latin sound)
2. Like a Ship (very cool!)
3. She's My Baby

Jeff Lynne remembers Roy Orbison & the Wilburys

Jeff Lynne & Tom Petty 2007 interview Part 1 Part 2

The recent Wilburys documentary:: Part 1 Part 2 Part 3

Congratulations, Margarita - if you watch all these, you'll know as much about them as I do (aside from refs in a Harrison bio I read recently. I am so glad he finally got his dream - the ultimate friends remaining friends throughout the recording session. :)

I liked some songs from Tom Petty, Bob Dylan, Jeff Lynne , & Roy Orbison since my teen years, but I'd admired George Harrison since I was a little kid. That's actually a little odd when you realize how few albums he made, and how few of those had songs on it I truly loved, but those few - those were unforgettable! Remember Here Comes the Sun? My Sweet Lord ? Give Me Love? While My Guitar Gently Weeps? Then there was that last album before the Wilburys, Cloud Nine. Got My Mind Set on You (still think of my daughter when I hear it as she was new to us when it was a hit), Fish on the Sand, When We Was Fab, Devil's Radio (about gossip), Someplace Else

When We Was Fab was George's memorial to the fickleness of fame & dangers of believing your own publicity. Loved how he made himself back into a 'street musician' for the video. Showed some real humility. It had been decades since he or Ringo actually had to sing for their suppers. Just one of those touches that made George's work so memorable.



I've liked ELO songs for a long time. I love Moody Blues music even more, but thinking back on it, I'd have to admit to being a sort of a Jeff Lynne fan. I enjoyed the ELO song "Don't Walk Away" so much I bought the goofy soundtrack it came on (trivia question. Do you know what movie that was?) - a fairly rare occurrence for me. My favorite from Jeff Lynne (& another contender for fav of favs) is Hold On Tight to Your Dream (with ELO) . [Added just because I love this song so much.]



& Lift Me Up from the Wilbury era -Armchair Theater album-
(yep, another fav!)




Tom Petty's best ever IMHO (with the Wilburys, anyway) from the Full Moon Fever album.

No, Tom Won't Back Down

This song has long been close to my heart, has whispered comfort to me on my journey. We're all heading for the End of the Line - but it's all right - When you live right with Christ it doesn't matter if "everyday is Judgment day." I think of this song every time someone I have cared about passes away. It was the last thing Roy Orbison ever did. What a great parting message!

As for me - I'm Heading for the Light

Free Ebooks on History of Public Education

From Dawn ~ & worth passing on ~

Charlotte Thomson Ierbyt's 'History of Education' bestseller "The Dumbing Down of America" is available free to download right now.

and you can still read John Taylor Gatto's classic "Underground History of American Education" for free online.

Just me sharing a bit of light on a scary subject.
Course you can always choose to walk in the dark if you want..


Thanks, Dawn!

Ben Stein & RC Sproul

Stein interviews Dawkins

Sunshine Returns!

And how glad everyone here is to see it!

We've had a wind/rainstorm the last few days equal to a small tropical storm! Cable & power winked on and off ....and on....and off...and (after some hours/repair) back on...

So I spent my weekend doing some reading. Sailing right through the "Cat Who''" series now. I thought I had read one before, when given a stack of names to try years ago. Now I know that I must never have gotten to it, as I didn't enjoy the first few books I tried and simply returned the whole lot to my friend's shelf. I didn't remember the first story when I got to it this winter (my memory is rather good). Whats more, "The Cat Who Read Backwards" is exactly the kind of cozy mystery I enjoy most. I'm reading on of Braun's short story collections at the moment, waiting for the next installment (Cat Who Went Underground) to come in to the local bookstore. Thankfully, I have most of the series on loan (or waiting - found in the thrifts or 2ndhand shops) so my newest fascination doesn't cost too much. I could go on now, but I prefer to read series in order.

Now that I've found other 'cozy mystery' fans, I'm getting plenty more recommendations! Glad of that, because I've just about caught up with Donna Andrew's works to date. Trying Dead Canaries Don't Sing this weekend. Its pretty good thus far. Already have a few of the later books lined up for later. :-)

Serious books I finish more slowly, because I spend some time thinking about them - and when I get short of sleep or much in demand, it can be difficult for me to concentrate the way I'd like.

Been debating adding some of the books I finished back when I was going through 'other phases' to my Shelfari list, but I'm still leaning against it. Seems like no matter how people rate them, its hard for folks not to think all books listed as a recommendation and a reflection of what you like right now. I did decide to add Modesitt. His books weren't that naughty, after all. He's a bit new age-y but he writes reasonably well. I enjoyed the Recluce series well enough to read several in a row before losing track/interest.

I used to read Anne Rice's Lestat stories too, but I haven't added her. I'm not that big into vampires, I just appreciated Rice's skill with the written word & got stuck a few times where there was nothing better to read. Her novels were incredibly memorable, and probably inspired the whole genre. But - while I admire Anne Rice- I can't honestly recommend her to the usual people I talk to now, so there's not much point in mentioning which of her books I read. There are other authors too, that didn't seem 'that bad' to me once upon a time, but I probably wouldn't pick up now. I've been meaning to recheck Rice & Lovecraft, sometime - but I've never been that big on horror anyway, so its not high on my list. I did read this stuff way back when, and liked it, but that was 20+ years ago? Anyway, that's the kind of thing that's staying off 'my shelf' for now, though an honest list of all I've ever read would certainly include quite a bit more than I've got up.

There was a watershed moment over ten years ago when I agreed with my hubby that we should purge all the 'doubtful' influences from our lives. This included - not just cable, but many books, cds, movies, and games that I had once enjoyed very much, but wasn't sure rated highly on the 'if there be any good, think of these things' list. Some we gave away, some we agreed to pack for the time being, and some we simply didn't try to replace. Our 'library' at the time was a hand-built office in an old garage which, oddly enough, was severely damaged about a week or so after we made that pact by a tropical system. Comparatively few things were left afterward, and as we continued to have financial strains, I couldn't look for that many Christian 'alternatives.' I still had my mother's library of classics, of course. I was & am very glad of that! Definitely went through an Auld Lang Syne 'withdrawal' phase that was probably the cause of my misremembering the aforementioned games. (& I got Very Annoyed with hubby for continuing to watch new 'action' films & play darker games at other people's houses & on 'traveling' jobs. He'd come back and tell me how awful it all still was. Cheat! Cheat! LOL).

But I don't regret now that we chose to live through that deliberate period of purification. It has changed me for life for the better. I spent much more time in reflection and prayer than I would have done otherwise, and we're much closer as a family with the changes we've made. It has had a lingering effect, of course. We still have this debate over every book, game, artist, and general influence that comes into our lives. What good is 'good enough' to be listed? Where do we draw those lines?

And -while we've felt released to reclaim many old favorites - which ones would it be better to leave in the past forever?

Found out how much my tastes had changed over time when I blindly offered/recommended old adventure games I'd once enjoyed to somebody (stuck with an old compy) without replaying them first. What I remembered was funny. I'd mentally edited the naughty bits and was rather mortified when I replayed one or two of them later. Dear, oh dear. Its quite easy, when you include 'old favs' you haven't checked in years (and barely remember) to present yourself - as you are now - in the wrong light. At best, newer acquaintances & friends may rate your current comfort level with bad language etc as higher or lower than it currently is. This is why I've gotten a bit shy of listing books I'm no longer sure I'd read now.

We found ourselves uncomfortable even with what now passes for 'mild' bad language in the chat rooms and web boards when we came online. Regular discussion in church and homeschool circles tends toward dictionary English - KWIM? (The exception being my hubby who was exposed on the job as often as ever, and simply appreciated the respite at home from 'worldliness' he found at work.) The rest of the family here had been re-sensitized by our time away from popular culture, and we're not really wanting to be 'dull' again. I like how I am now, so I try to be a bit careful what I watch/read/hear. Cable doesn't tempt me like it used to years ago. I mostly watch news, documentaries, & old films on cable - when I have it on at all. I've found this viewpoint can't even be understood by many of those who revel in flirtation, graphic violence et al - let alone respected. They usually believe that you just haven't been tempted enough, teased enough with popular culture (or gotten enough spam). How wrong they are. Its like assuming someone raised on quality bakery bread, farm-fresh food and cider would give it up for tic-tacs, dehydrated cracker packs, and Koolaid 'if they only had the chance.' Not hardly! Clean living is like a bracing walk in the beautiful sunshine. It may not seem exciting at first, but there's a wholesome, healing, refreshment in it that the gaudiest 'night' district will never match.

In Like a Lion

I always related to that lion & lamb thing people mention every year as March comes around, knowing I have a bit of both in my makeup. I confuse the heck out of the 'label-minded.' Sometimes I come in like a lion - ready to right those horrible wrongs- and find out the situation wasn't so bad after all - I may even stick around then, gamboling cheerfully around the landscape. Sometimes I have gone in to a group as a happy sheepy, looking like a 'follower' (because of my respect for genuine authority figures, my willingness to support what I value, and my great concern for friends), only to reveal my strong personality and sharp disagreement with what crosses my lines - faithlessness, arrogance, malice, bigotry, selfishness...

I like being around people but I also enjoy quiet meditative time. I love God, and put what I can glean of His opinions first in my life. I love most people too, but I don't need outsiders to define my personal worth. So am I more lion or lamb? Well - actually - the answer to that isn't up to you, so its unfair of me to ask that out loud. Forget it. Wonder which way St Patrick thought of himself. He loved people too. St Patrick's prayers included ones that asked that Jesus be mediator in how he saw others and how they saw him, but he is also said to have had quite a temper. Maybe we are all called to be lion AND lamb. Jesus himself is described both ways.

I love March as a month too. Here the weather is usually mildly cool, with few insects to disturb outings. As soon as DH is a bit better, we can hope to make the rounds again at the various parks & museums. We could do more museums in bad weather, I know, but it seems like we hardly ever do. This year, Becka will get to do more of the driving involved, as she needs more practice to be really comfortable with moving around the cities and such. Thankfully, she's got the potential to be an excellent driver. She is already very careful in her habits.

This first March weekend the sun is shining and the birds are singing so loudly you can't hear much from the frogs, whose sssllloowww croaking enlivened our evening. (Its a bit chilly for our amphibious neighbors). We have a few things we need to handle today, including more softener salt & coping with a roast that should have gone in the crockpot last night. Yesterday was busy too, but went well enough that its now part of the gentle rhythm of the weekend, the gentle sudsy retreat of an outgoing wave on the sands of life.

Slow Progress

Hello :)

There's been a bit of progress since my last report. Tom's had the drains & stitches out, and has stopped using the major pain med. He doesn't seem to need the antibiotics now or much bandaging. Even better, no one has gotten that rotten bug back that induces major headaches (literally!). William's health has also stabilized. If this holds, I won't need to spend so much time living like a home-care nurse. (Yay!)

Hopefully this will be the week I start 'taking stock' and getting life back on some kind of even keel - hopefully. Yeah, seems like I live on hope sometimes. But should that be odd for a Christian? We are supposed to live by faith in God - which is the way we receive what is not seen. I've had plenty of practice over the years, and - since I have been walking in faith, hope, and charity/generosity, my own life has gotten steadily better in many ways - though not all. I find have plenty to thank God for at the end of every day, and a heart to enjoy the blessings in my life, though I shouldn't mind seeing an expansion of things & people for (& to) which I can show gratitude. I wish I could thank some people I wanted to feel grateful to and happy with - but right now even attempting it would be sarcastic in the extreme - which is a bummer every time I think of them. Several keep coming to mind, which probably means they've been thinking of me too. But never mind. That's enough grousing from someone whose day started pretty decently. They aren't all that's been in my life.

Been very blessed lately to receive a collection of Ravi Zacharias lectures/sermons. I have read several of his books and thought highly of them. Its very cool to finally hear his voice. & It was especially uplifting to be blessed by another believer.

Main thought on my mind this morning was how uneven my reading habits have become. I've always read more than one book at time - something light, something non-fiction/serious, something with short bits, something Christian etc. for the different moods and times I have to read. I usually read short, happy books at a gulp. All others are in danger of being lost before I finish them. Shelfari gives me a way to keep track of the book titles I set aside midway - but does not, of course, give me any hints as to where I sat them down. I can't find the Neil Gaiman short story collection I was reading, for example. I was sure I sat on my end table a month or two ago, but it isn't there now.

On a brighter note, I have rarely had so many fun, light books to enjoy at a go. So thank you, Lord for today's sunshine!

Grey, quiet dusky day

Which is still much nicer than the forecast said it would be. The 'severe thunderstorm' missed us entirely, the bit of rain was fairly light, and the winds are only up a little bit this time. OTOH The warm temps and heavy clouds have kept us company all day. Been listening to the frogs singing away into the wind's accompaniment, an orchestra of peace.

Too bad its supposed to be chilly again for the next few days. They won't like that.

Happy Valentine's Day Everybody!

Can't stay on long, but I wanted to mention Becka's cute homemade Valentine card on her blog & wish you all the wonder your heart can hold.

Note:: Some security suites may need to have the 'ad protection' lowered temporarily to see the image on her page.

Blessings,
Susan

And now for something completely different...

or so I hope.

Its been a busy month since I blogged - longer still since I *really* blogged. Just as well, the youtube links seem to slow loading this page rather badly- and I had several more bands to share with you! Best wait until a few of them scroll off the page methinks.

The news has been crazy lately, hasn't it? Very grieved to hear of all the tornado and flooding victims in recent weeks. Also puzzled to hear caucus/primary results for locations where the polling places were reported as destroyed on the same day. Rooting for Huckabee & Obama here. Have to see if one of our favorite candidates makes it. [McCain & Clinton are a little too experienced imho ] Honestly, though, we've been too busy to do more than follow the updates.

Tom has finally had that last surgery and it went very well - though it took every bit as long as the Doctor guessed to even to be able to come home from the hospital. Tom was in at 5:30 am, and spent as long waking up as he did in the surgery itself (3-5 hours) - didn't even get in his room until nearly 10pm on the day of surgery though that was partly do to a last minute change of rooms. He had good roomies this time, with similar tv interests - which does make life a little better. The hospital set was on documentaries, funny videos, or news almost the whole time. Sure hope Orlando and Garrett both heal well. They'd had a rough time with traffic accidents. Hope the nurses have gotten over their colds by now. We felt for them. He had nice ones, fantastic care the first couple of days especially. Was very glad we remembered the jar of individually wrapped treats for those giving him care. They earned them, though we were just thinking how this was only a few weeks from Valentine's Day - and how nice a few of them had been before.

Now that my beloved is home again, he's still healing slowly but steadily.



We'll go in for another checkup next week. He's finally at that breakpoint where the surgery hurts less than the condition that sent him in. If he continues to do well, the last tubes get removed and then he's done! We may finally be at the end of waiting from one appointment for him to another.

We had some happy moments prior to surgery itself. Tom had a series of checkups and this meant we had time to see a couple more museums before the day. We worked in the Valentine Museum/Wickham House, and the Edgar Allen Poe museum (finally! been trying to get there awhile now). We ate a delicious lamb giro platter for one lunch, and even a light Chinese buffet. Almost made up for eating soup for the rest of the week ;-) Thanks to volunteers who brought soup lunches I more or less kept Tom company in that bill of fare for awhile. They were good though. I especially enjoyed the potato/veg.

Both before and after the surgery weeks, we had to tend to our son's health as well. We've not had severe trouble with colds this winter, though small ones assailed us often (the last one triggered headaches in everyone who had it - along with the usual messiness. yucka) No reason it should be too bad. Its been fairly mild around our the house, staying in the 50's-70's most days for weeks. It was in the 60's today. Its like we just skipped from late fall to early spring after a week or so. We've had exactly one snowfall of 2-3 inches- and, who knows, maybe the extra pollen is part of it- but Wm's at that age when we were warned some of his babyhood problems might flare again - and one did. Thankfully all he has needed to deal with it is a little medicine, and everyone is quite hopeful this too may soon prove unnecessary- but we'll remain vigilant for awhile. Had to reorganize several rooms since I've gotten back, replacing flattened pillows, passing out the clementines (we've eaten a ton of them this winter) and doling out the vitamin C 'just to be sure.' I've definitely felt like 'mom to the rescue' of late. (whether they need it or not- lol)

Add in a need to both prepare for and recover from the latest hospital adventure, as well as the usual paperwork and studies, and you now know why you haven't heard much from me lately, but its been good. I haven't done much with computers, but I'm cross-stitching a pillowcase and I've read a few more of the fun mysteries I received as Christmas presents. Its now official - Donna Andrews is a new favorite. I love humorous mysteries - and you'll hardly find better than Murder with Peacocks or We'll Always Have Parrots. I just received "The Penguin Who Knew Too Much" as an early Valentine's Day present. With a name like that, I'm loving it already. Yay! Penguins! :-D

So that's all the good news from me for now, but here's a another free ebook site or two or three or four or even five (but thats the limit) to brighten your day.