Saturday Farmer's Market - Indoor Gardening

Created by Heather at Capricious Reader, and now hosted by Chris at Stuff as Dreams are Made on.

The plants in my Terrarium have grown quite a bit over the past year.





I have only had access to familiar house plants so far, and have been working on finding ones that will flourish in a humid environment.

So far, only two have made the cut: Spathiphyllum or Peace Lily, and F. Benjamina or Ficus, but they are both doing well. 

My Peace Lily is blooming for the second time right now. 
 
The first flower was tiny, but this one is almost the size of my hand.

An issue that I will soon be facing is that both of these plants grow large.

In fact, the Ficus wants to top out at about 98 feet. 

I'm thinking that it will be an issue quickly, as I only have a 55 gallon terrarium.

I found a few sources online for plants meant for small humid situations like closed terrariums.

Oh, I also have a couple of Tillandsia or Air Plants.

I started with four,
but two of them didn't make it.

The other two, however, have doubled in size.

 If you look real close you can see pollen from the Peace Lilly on the leaf below the flower.

 

Peace Lilies

- Cathy Smith Bowers

I collect them now, it seems. Like

sea-shells or old

thimbles. One for

Father. One for

Mother. Two for my sweet brothers.

Odd how little

they require of

me. Unlike the

ones they were sent in memory

of. No sudden

shrilling of the

phone. No harried

midnight flights. Only a little

water now and

then. Scant food and

light. See how I’ve

brought them all together here in

this shaded space

beyond the stairs.

Even when they

thirst, they summon me with nothing

more than a soft,

indifferent furl-

ing of their leaves.

from: A Book of Minutes. Copyright 2004.

I Know Some of You May Not Have Seen the Sun in a While, So I Thought I'd Send a Little Bit Your Way. Can't You Just Hear the Waves?

My Book is Falling Apart . . .

I'm Considering A National Tour

Work without Hope

- Samuel Taylor Coleridge

                     Lines Composed 21st February 1825

All Nature seems at work. Slugs leave their lair—

The bees are stirring—birds are on the wing—

And Winter slumbering in the open air,

Wears on his smiling face a dream of Spring!

And I the while, the sole unbusy thing,

Nor honey make, nor pair, nor build, nor sing.

         Yet well I ken the banks where amaranths blow,

Have traced the fount whence streams of nectar flow.

Bloom, O ye amaranths! bloom for whom ye may,

For me ye bloom not! Glide, rich streams, away!

With lips unbrightened, wreathless brow, I stroll:

And would you learn the spells that drowse my soul?

Work without Hope draws nectar in a sieve,

And Hope without an object cannot live.

Kilt Monday! (Oops! Dont you Hate it When You Forget to Push the Button?)

'Cause let's face it,

Mondays can be so rough, hard, difficult.

What Work Is

- Philip Levine

We stand in the rain in a long line

waiting at Ford Highland Park. For work.

You know what work is—if you’re

old enough to read this you know what

work is, although you may not do it.

Forget you. This is about waiting,

shifting from one foot to another.

Feeling the light rain falling like mist

into your hair, blurring your vision

until you think you see your own brother

ahead of you, maybe ten places.

You rub your glasses with your fingers,

and of course it’s someone else’s brother,

narrower across the shoulders than

yours but with the same sad slouch, the grin

that does not hide the stubbornness,

the sad refusal to give in to

rain, to the hours of wasted waiting,

to the knowledge that somewhere ahead

a man is waiting who will say, “No,

we’re not hiring today,” for any

reason he wants. You love your brother,

now suddenly you can hardly stand

the love flooding you for your brother,

who’s not beside you or behind or

ahead because he’s home trying to   

sleep off a miserable night shift

at Cadillac so he can get up

before noon to study his German.

Works eight hours a night so he can sing

Wagner, the opera you hate most,

the worst music ever invented.

How long has it been since you told him

you loved him, held his wide shoulders,

opened your eyes wide and said those words,

and maybe kissed his cheek? You’ve never

done something so simple, so obvious,

not because you’re too young or too dumb,

not because you’re jealous or even mean

or incapable of crying in

the presence of another man, no,   

just because you don’t know what work is.


from: What Work Is. Copyright 1992.

Saturday Farmer's Market - A Little Mid-Winter Whining

Created by Heather at Capricious Reader, and now hosted by Chris at Stuff as Dreams are Made on.

Autumn color and Summer blossoms grace the same garden.

Frost damage and Spring greenery also share space.

Out of this chaos, regardless of my actions, will come beauty and fruit for all, human and otherwise.

I lost about three months this year and am way behind with the garden work. Being physically weakened and lacking stamina I don't see myself catching up anytime soon.

My Garden rejuvenates both Body and Soul, and I never realized how much I needed it until I was kept away from it this year.

"Ancient poetry and mythology suggest, at least, that husbandry was once a sacred art."

- Henry David Thoreau, Walden.

I Don't Know About You, but I Try to Stay As Far Away from Those Things As Possible.

Homeric Hymn to Demeter

When grief strikes a mother,
there is no end to it.
The earth parches, its
glittering waters gone.
Everything is barren. Cattle starve
for lack of grain. Nothing grows.
Even the gods are destitute,
even the altar flames blow out.
such is a mother's grief; bitter
and endless, for her lost child.

Quick!

Howdy Neighbor!

Kilt Monday!

'Cause let's face it,

Mondays can be so rough, hard, difficult.

Song: to Celia

[Drink to me only with thine eyes]
- Ben Jonson

Drink to me only with thine eyes,

         And I will pledge with mine;

Or leave a kiss but in the cup,

         And I’ll not look for wine.

The thirst that from the soul doth rise

         Doth ask a drink divine;

But might I of Jove’s nectar sup,

         I would not change for thine.

I sent thee late a rosy wreath,

         Not so much honouring thee

As giving it a hope, that there

         It could not withered be.

But thou thereon didst only breathe,

         And sent’st it back to me;

Since when it grows, and smells, I swear,

         Not of itself, but thee.

God's Funeral

- Thomas Hardy

I
I saw a slowly-stepping train --
Lined on the brows, scoop-eyed and bent and hoar --
Following in files across a twilit plain
A strange and mystic form the foremost bore.

II
And by contagious throbs of thought
Or latent knowledge that within me lay
And had already stirred me, I was wrought
To consciousness of sorrow even as they.

III
The fore-borne shape, to my blurred eyes,
At first seemed man-like, and anon to change
To an amorphous cloud of marvellous size,
At times endowed with wings of glorious range.

IV
And this phantasmal variousness
Ever possessed it as they drew along:
Yet throughout all it symboled none the less
Potency vast and loving-kindness strong.

V
Almost before I knew I bent
Towards the moving columns without a word;
They, growing in bulk and numbers as they went,
Struck out sick thoughts that could be overheard: --

VI
'O man-projected Figure, of late
Imaged as we, thy knell who shall survive?
Whence came it we were tempted to create
One whom we can no longer keep alive?

VII
'Framing him jealous, fierce, at first,
We gave him justice as the ages rolled,
Will to bless those by circumstance accurst,
And longsuffering, and mercies manifold.

VIII
'And, tricked by our own early dream
And need of solace, we grew self-deceived,
Our making soon our maker did we deem,
And what we had imagined we believed,

IX
'Till, in Time's stayless stealthy swing,
Uncompromising rude reality
Mangled the Monarch of our fashioning,
Who quavered, sank; and now has ceased to be.

X
'So, toward our myth's oblivion,
Darkling, and languid-lipped, we creep and grope
Sadlier than those who wept in Babylon,
Whose Zion was a still abiding hope.

XI
'How sweet it was in years far hied
To start the wheels of day with trustful prayer,
To lie down liegely at the eventide
And feel a blest assurance he was there!

XII
'And who or what shall fill his place?
Whither will wanderers turn distracted eyes
For some fixed star to stimulate their pace
Towards the goal of their enterprise?'...

XIII
Some in the background then I saw,
Sweet women, youths, men, all incredulous,
Who chimed as one: 'This is figure is of straw,
This requiem mockery! Still he lives to us!'

XIV
I could not prop their faith: and yet
Many I had known: with all I sympathized;
And though struck speechless, I did not forget
That what was mourned for, I, too, once had prized.

XV
Still, how to bear such loss I deemed
The insistent question for each animate mind,
And gazing, to my growing sight there seemed
A pale yet positive gleam low down behind,

XVI
Whereof, to lift the general night,
A certain few who stood aloof had said,
'See you upon the horizon that small light --
Swelling somewhat?' Each mourner shook his head.

XVII
And they composed a crowd of whom
Some were right good, and many nigh the best....
Thus dazed and puzzled 'twixt the gleam and gloom
Mechanically I followed with the rest.

Here's An Old Favorite . . .

Hope is the thing with feathers
- Emily Dickinson

“Hope” is the thing with feathers -

That perches in the soul -

And sings the tune without the words -

And never stops - at all -

And sweetest - in the Gale - is heard -

And sore must be the storm -

That could abash the little Bird

That kept so many warm -

I’ve heard it in the chillest land -

And on the strangest Sea -

Yet - never - in Extremity,

It asked a crumb - of me.


from: The Poems of Emily Dickinson, Copyright 1999.

The Obligation to Be Happy

- Linda Pastan

It is more onerous

than the rites of beauty

or housework, harder than love.

But you expect it of me casually,

the way you expect the sun

to come up, not in spite of rain

or clouds but because of them.

And so I smile, as if my own fidelity

to sadness were a hidden vice—

that downward tug on my mouth,

my old suspicion that health

and love are brief irrelevancies,

no more than laughter in the warm dark

strangled at dawn.

Happiness. I try to hoist it

on my narrow shoulders again—

a knapsack heavy with gold coins.

I stumble around the house,   

bump into things.

Only Midas himself

would understand.


from Carnival Evening: New and Selected Poems 1968-1998. Copyright 1998.

Got To Make Sure I've Warmed Up Before I Start My Work Out

Kilt Monday!

'Cause let's face it,

Mondays can be so rough, hard, difficult.

Hi There. Whatcha Thinkin' Bout?

Saturday Farmer's Market - Blooming Chaos!

Created by Heather at Capricious Reader, and now hosted by Chris at Stuff as Dreams are Made on.

It is definitely winter, and much of the country is seeing white and gray right now. I hope this post brings back some warm memories.

Believe it or not, my Roses are still blooming. 

Florabundas (below) and Granifloras (above) are hardy, determined little plants.

Blooming Rosemary!

Oops! I really should have cleaned up the garden better.

These lovelies are my companions all winter long.

The Mint is still going like crazy. 

I need to cut it again. It's desperately in need of repotting and I finally found affordable pots the size I need.

The Agave is really happy. 

Of course, they come from the high desert where it routinely freezes, so this weather is nothing.

And finally, my Pussy Willow is putting out its catkins. I'm not sure if that's good or bad.

On the whole, my garden looks abandoned and overgrown, but there is a lot of life in the chaos. I think I like it that way. 

Keep warm every one, and take care.

I Think the World needs Some Milk and Cookies and a Nap.

After I wrote that, I realized that the only time I bake cookies is at Christmas for the grandkids to decorate.

How about a nice coffee cake instead?

I've been making this recipe for centuries. The ladies in my parish back in the 'old country' put together cookbooks as fund raisers for the local parochial school, and the book this recipe comes from is older than my children.

OLD FASHIONED CRUMB CAKE

2 C brown sugar
3 C flour
1/2 C butter (cold, cut in pieces)

Crumble the above mixture into a course meal. (The recipe says with your fingers, but my stand mixer does a bang up job & doesn't warm the butter.) Save 1C of mixture for topping.

To the remainder, add 1C buttermilk with 1 tsp. of baking soda added. Mix. (If you don't happen to have buttermilk on hand, 1 T of vinegar or lemon juice in the milk will do the trick.)

Divide between two greased 8" pans, cover with portion of mixture you set aside, sprinkle generously with cinnamon, and dot with chunks of butter.

Bake at 375 degrees for 30 - 40 minutes.

Come to think of it, I drink tea with my coffee cake - while I read.

I guess the title of the post should have been:

"I Think the World Needs Some Tea and Coffee Cake and a Good Book."

It just doesn't have the same ring, does it?

(By the way, this isn't a picture of my coffee cake. It doesn't last long enough to actually get a picture of it.)

Hug O'War

- Shel Silverstein

I will not play at tug o' war.
I'd rather play at hug o' war,
Where everyone hugs
Instead of tugs,
Where everyone giggles
And rolls on the rug,
Where everyone kisses,
And everyone grins,
And everyone cuddles,
And everyone wins.


 from: Where the Sidewalk Ends, Copyright 1974.

I Know I Forgot to Schedule the Post, but My Laps Were So Awesome this Morning, Morgan Freeman Should Have Been Narrating!

Mottled Tuesday

- John Ashbery

Something was about to go laughably wrong,
whether directly at home or here,
on this random shoal pleading with its eyes
till it too breaks loose, caught in a hail of references.
I’ll add one more scoop
to the pile of retail.

Hey, you’re doing it, like I didn’t tell you
to, my sinking laundry boat, point of departure,
my white pomegranate, my swizzle stick.
We’re leaving again of our own volition
for bogus patterned plains streaked by canals,
maybe. Amorous ghosts will pursue us
for a time, but sometimes they get, you know, confused and
forget to stop when we do, as they continue to populate this
fertile land with their own bizarre self-imaginings.
Here’s hoping the referral goes tidily, O brother.
Chime authoritatively with the pop-ups and extras.
Keep your units pliable and folded,
the recourse a mere specter, like you have it coming to you,
awash with the new day and its abominable antithesis,
OK? Don’t be able to make that distinction.


from: A Worldly Country. Copyright 2007.
Possibly of interest: How to Read John Ashbery.

Kilt Monday!

'Cause let's face it,

Mondays can be so rough, hard, difficult.

Reading Challenges for 2015

I'm getting ready for the next Olympic games.

I know, I'm late. 

If my reading challenge posts are any indication, this is going to be a rough year - and it's only the third day.

New Year's Resolution Challenge 2015 - Short term, through January 31
(Hosted by Joy's book blog)

{My link}

Mental Illness Advocacy Reading Challenge 2015
(hosted by: Opinions of a Wolf)

{My link}

~  ~  ~  ~  ~  ~  ~  ~  ~

2015 Outdo Yourself Reading Challenge (hosted by: The Book Vixen)

Simple goal: read more books in 2015 than in 2014. The four Levels are still: Getting My Heart Rate Up: read 1–5 more books Out of Breath: read 6–10 more books  Breaking a Sweat: read 11–15 more books I’m on Fire!: read 16+ more books



I read 153 books in 2014, which was way up from the 87 I read in 2013. I was On Fire! While I'd like to reach the I'm On Fire level again, I don't know if I will be able. So I will aim to Get My Heart Rate Up, and hope for more.

{FINAL UPDATE 12/29/15} I fell short of my goal this year. It felt like I was on track, but ... nope.  There are reasons, but they are unimportant. I will try to do better next year.

1. The Silkworm  (audiobook) - Robert Galbraith 
2. Cuckoo's Calling (audiobook) - Robert Galbraith
3. The Golden Notebook (audiobook) - Doris Lessing
4. The Caves of Steel (audiobook) - Isaac Asimov
5. There Was An Old Woman (audiobook) - Ellery Queen
6. Double Sin and Other Stories (audiobook) - Agatha Christie
7. The Halloween Tree (audiobook) - Ray Bradbury
8. The Cat Who Blew the Whistle (audiobook) - Lilian Jackson Braun
9. The Cat Who Came to Breakfast (audiobook) - Lilian Jackson Braun
10. The Cat Who Said Cheese (audiobook) - Lilian Jackson Braun
11. The Cat Who Tailed a Thief (audiobook) - Lilian Jackson Braun
12. The Cat Who Wasn't There - (audiobook) - Lilian Jackson Braun
13. The Cat Who Went Into the Closet - (audiobook) - Lilian Jackson Braun
14. The Cat Who Knew a Cardinal - (audiobook) - Lilian Jackson Braun
15. The Cat Who Moved a Mountain - (audiobook) - Lilian Jackson Braun
16. The adventure of the Sinister Stranger (audiobook) - Agatha Christie
17. Voluntary Committal (audiobook) - Joe Hill
18. The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar (audiobook) - Roald Dahl
19. The Case of the Middle Aged Wife (audiobook) - Agatha Christie
20. The Case of the Discontented Soldier (audiobook) - Agatha Christie
21. Suicide Run (audiobook) - Michael Connelly
22. Demolition Angel (ebook) - Robert Crais
23. The Garden of Eden and Other Criminal Delights (ebook) - Faye Kellerman
24. Critical Mass (ebook) - Sara Paretsky
25. Chasing Darkness (ebook) - Robert Crais
26. Blacklist (ebook) - Sara Paretsky
27. The Watchman (ebook) - Robert Crais 
28. The American Gun Mystery - (audiobook) - Ellery Queen 
29. Angle of Investigation (ebook) - Michael Connelly 
30. Switchblade (ebook) - Michael Connelly 
31. Windy City Blues (ebook) - Sara Paretsky 
32. Bitter Medicine (ebook) - Sara Paretsky 
33. The First Rule (ebook) - Robert Crais 
34. Blacklist - Sara Paretsky 
35. Serpent's Tooth (ebook) - Faye Kellerman 
36. The Beige Man (ebook) - Helene Tursten 
37. Total Recall (ebook) - Sara Paretsky 
38. The Safe Man (ebook) - Michael Connelly 
39. The Burning Room (ebook) - Michael Connelly 
40. Killing Orders (ebook) - Sara Paretsky 
41. Death on Retreat - Sister Carol Anne O'Marie 
42. The Golem of Hollywood - Jonathan Kellerman & Jesse Kellerman 
43. How to Have a Green Thumb Without an Aching Back - Ruth Stout 
44. Raging Heat - Richard Castle 
45. Motive - Jonathan Kellerman 
46. Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children - Ransom Riggs 
47. The Brief History of the Dead - Kevin Brockmeier 
48. Dark Tower IV: Wizard And Glass - Stephen King 
49. Night (audiobook) - Elie Wiesel
50. At Risk (ebook) - Patricia Cornwell 
51. The Front - (ebook) - Patricia Cornwell 
52. Hornet's Nest (ebook) - Patricia Cornwell 
53. The Book of Lost Things - John Connolly 
54. Flesh and Blood - Patricia Cornwell 
55. Death of an Angel - Sister Carol Anne O'Marie 
56. Death Takes Up A Collection - Sister Carol Anne O'Marie 
57. Requiem At the Refuge - Sister Carol Anne O'Marie 
58. The Corporal Works of Murder - Sister Carol Anne O'Marie 
59. The Good Man Jesus and the Scoundrel Christ (audiobook) - Philip Pullman 
60. One For the Money (audiobook) - Janet Evanovich 
61. Life's Missing Instruction Manual (audiobook) - Joe Vitale 
62. Deja Dead (audiobook) - Kathy Reichs 
63. An Appointment With Death (audiobook) - Agatha Christie 
64. The Eagle Catcher (audiobook) - Margaret Coel 
65. The Ghost Walker (audiobook) - Margaret Coel 
66. The Hanging in the Hotel (audiobook) - Simon Brett 
67. The Dream Stalker (audiobook) - Margaret Coel 
68. The Spirit Woman (audiobook) - Margaret Coel 
69. The Thunder Keeper (audiobook) - Margaret Coel 
70. The Shadow Dancer (audiobook) - Margaret Coel
71. Killing Raven (audiobook) - Margaret Coel
72. Wife of Moon (audiobook) - Margaret Coel 
73. The Girl With the Braided Hair (audiobook) - Margaret Coel 
74. The Story Teller (audiobook) - Margaret Coel 
75. The Lost Bird (audiobook) - Margaret Coel 
76. The Eye of the Wolf (audiobook) - Margaret Coel 
77. The Clockwork Scarab (audiobook) - Colleen Gleason 
78. Death du Jour (audiobook) - Kathy Reichs 
79. Break No Bones (audiobook) - Kathy Reichs 
80. Cross Bones (audiobook) - Kathy Reichs 
81. Bones To Ashes (audiobook) - Kathy Reichs 
82. Bare Bones (audiobook) - Kathy Reichs 
83. Wolves of the Calla (audiobook) - Stephen King 
84. On the Move (audiobook) - Oliver Sacks 
85. Two For the Dough (audiobook) - Janet Evanovich 
86. Song of Susanna (audiobook) - Stephen King 
87. The Dark Tower: The Dark Tower VII (audiobook) - Stephen King 
88. The Twits (ebook) - Roald Dahl 
89. Devil Bones (ebook) - Kathy Reichs 
90. Depraved Heart (ebook) - Patricia Cornwell 
91. The Crossing (ebook) - Michael Connelly 
92. The Promise (ebook) - Robert Crais 
93. Brush Back (ebook) - Sara Paretsky 
94. Bones In Her Pocket (ebook) - Kathy Reichs 
95. Swamp Bones (ebook) - Kathy Reichs 
96. Bones On Ice (ebook) - Kathy Reichs 
97. Murder At the Monk's Table - Sister Carol Anne O'Marie 
98. Brain On Fire - Susannah Cahalan 
99. Deadly Decisions - Kathy Reichs 
100. Fatal Voyage - Kathy Reichs 
101. Grave Secrets - Kathy Reichs 
102. Monday Mourning - Kathy Reichs 
103. 206 Bones - Kathy Reichs 
104. Spider Bones - Kathy Reichs 
105. Flash and Bones - Kathy Reichs 
106. Bones Are Forever - Kathy Reichs 
107. Bones of the lost - Kathy Reichs 
108. Bones Never Lie - Kathy Reichs

Snagged @ the Library Reading Challenge
(hosted by: Geeky Bloggers & The Book Nympho)

Support your local Library and take pressure off your budget.

The four levels are:  
      Dewey Decimal (read 12 books)
      Thrifty Reader (read 24 books)  
      Overdrive Junkie: (read 36 books)  
      Library Card on Fire: (read 50+ books)



I'm going to aim at setting my Library Card On Fire this year.



{FINAL UPDATE 12/29/15} Well, my library card is certainly on fire this year.

1. The Silkworm  (audiobook) - Robert Galbraith
2. Cuckoo's Calling (audiobook) - Robert Galbraith
3. The Golden Notebook (audiobook) - Doris Lessing
4. The Caves of Steel (audiobook) - Isaac Asimov
5. There Was An Old Woman (audiobook) - Ellery Queen
6. Double Sin and Other Stories (audiobook) - Agatha Christie
7. The Halloween Tree (audiobook) - Ray Bradbury
8. The Cat Who Blew the Whistle (audiobook) - Lilian Jackson Braun
9. The Cat Who Came to Breakfast (audiobook) - Lilian Jackson Braun
10. The Cat Who Said Cheese (audiobook) - Lilian Jackson Braun
11. The Cat Who Tailed a Thief (audiobook) - Lilian Jackson Braun
12. The Cat Who Wasn't There - (audiobook) - Lilian Jackson Braun
13. The Cat Who Went Into the Closet - (audiobook) - Lilian Jackson Braun
14. The Cat Who Knew a Cardinal - (audiobook) - Lilian Jackson Braun
15. The Cat Who Moved a Mountain - (audiobook) - Lilian Jackson Braun
16. The adventure of the Sinister Stranger (audiobook) - Agatha Christie
17. Voluntary Committal (audiobook) - Joe Hill
18. The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar (audiobook) - Roald Dahl
19. The Case of the Middle Aged Wife (audiobook) - Agatha Christie
20. The Case of the Discontented Soldier (audiobook) - Agatha Christie
21. Suicide Run (audiobook) - Michael Connelly
22. Demolition Angel (ebook) - Robert Crais
23. The Garden of Eden and Other Criminal Delights (ebook) - Faye Kellerman
24. Critical Mass (ebook) - Sara Paretsky
25. Chasing Darkness (ebook) - Robert Crais
26. Blacklist (ebook) - Sara Paretsky
27. The Watchman (ebook) - Robert Crais
28. The American Gun Mystery - (audiobook) - Ellery Queen 
29. Angle of Investigation (ebook) - Michael Connelly 
30. Switchblade (ebook) - Michael Connelly 
31. Windy City Blues (ebook) - Sara Paretsky 
32. Bitter Medicine (ebook) - Sara Paretsky 
33. The First Rule (ebook) - Robert Crais 
34. Blacklist - Sara Paretsky 
35. Serpent's Tooth (ebook) - Faye Kellerman 
36. The Beige Man (ebook) - Helene Tursten 
37. Total Recall (ebook) - Sara Paretsky 
38. The Safe Man (ebook) - Michael Connelly 
39. The Burning Room (ebook) - Michael Connelly 
40. Killing Orders (ebook) - Sara Paretsky 
41. Night (audiobook) - Elie Wiesel 
42. At Risk (ebook) - Patricia Cornwell 
43. The Front - (ebook) - Patricia Cornwell 
44. Hornet's Nest (ebook) - Patricia Cornwell
45. One For the Money (audiobook) - Janet Evanovich 
46. Life's Missing Instruction Manual (audiobook) - Joe Vitale 
47. Deja Dead (audiobook) - Kathy Reichs 
48. An Appointment With Death (audiobook) - Agatha Christie 
49. The Eagle Catcher (audiobook) - Margaret Coel 
50. The Ghost Walker (audiobook) - Margaret Coel 
51. The Hanging in the Hotel (audiobook) - Simon Brett 
52. The Dream Stalker (audiobook) - Margaret Coel 
53. The Spirit Woman (audiobook) - Margaret Coel 
54. The Thunder Keeper (audiobook) - Margaret Coel 
55. The Shadow Dancer (audiobook) - Margaret Coel
56. Killing Raven (audiobook) - Margaret Coel
57. Wife of Moon (audiobook) - Margaret Coel 
58. The Girl With the Braided Hair (audiobook) - Margaret Coel 
59. The Story Teller (audiobook) - Margaret Coel 
60. The Lost Bird (audiobook) - Margaret Coel 
61. The Eye of the Wolf (audiobook) - Margaret Coel 
62. The Clockwork Scarab (audiobook) - Colleen Gleason 
63. Death du Jour (audiobook) - Kathy Reichs 
64. Break No Bones (audiobook) - Kathy Reichs 
65. Cross Bones (audiobook) - Kathy Reichsones To Ashes (audiobook) - Kathy Reichs 
66. Bare Bones (audiobook) - Kathy Reichs 
67. Wolves of the Calla (audiobook) - Stephen King 
68. On the Move (audiobook) - Oliver Sacks 
69. Two For the Dough (audiobook) - Janet Evanovich 
70. Song of Susanna (audiobook) - Stephen King 
71. The Dark Tower: The Dark Tower VII (audiobook) - Stephen King 
72. The Twits (ebook) - Roald Dahl 
73. Devil Bones (ebook) - Kathy Reichs 
74. Depraved Heart (ebook) - Patricia Cornwell 
75. The Crossing (ebook) - Michael Connelly 
76. The Promise (ebook) - Robert Crais 
77. Brush Back (ebook) - Sara Paretsky 
78. Bones In Her Pocket (ebook) - Kathy Reichs 
79. Swamp Bones (ebook) - Kathy Reichs 
80. Bones On Ice (ebook) - Kathy Reichs 
81. Brain On Fire - Susannah Cahalan 

2015 Audiobook challenge
(The Book Nympho & Hot Listens)

"Audiobooks are great for those times you want to read but can’t for some reason like driving, doing chores, working out, ...

Listening is never been better; thanks to the popularity of Audiobooks just about everything is being published on audio…YAY!"






There are seven levels from which to choose:

Newbie (I’ll give it a try) 1-5  Weekend Warrior (I’m getting the hang of this) 5-10 
Stenographer (can listen while multi-tasking) 10-15   Socially Awkward (Don’t talk to me) 15-20
Binge Listener (Why read when someone can do it for you) 20-30   

My Precious (I had my earbuds surgically implanted) 30+
Marathoner (Look Ma No Hands) 50+

I'm aiming for Socially Awkward (15-20) books this year. (Somehow, I just feel drawn to the category.)

{FINAL UPDATE 12/26/15} Wow! I just missed the Marathoner level, way past my goal. Audiobooks are great for when I am working in the garden or sewing.

1. The Silkworm  (audiobook) - Robert Galbraith
2. Cuckoo's Calling (audiobook) - Robert Galbraith
3. The Golden Notebook (audiobook) - Doris Lessing
4. The Caves of Steel (audiobook) - Isaac Asimov
5. There Was An Old Woman (audiobook) - Ellery Queen
6. Double Sin and Other Stories (audiobook) - Agatha Christie
7. The Halloween Tree (audiobook) - Ray Bradbury
8. The Cat Who Blew the Whistle (audiobook) - Lilian Jackson Braun
9. The Cat Who Came to Breakfast (audiobook) - Lilian Jackson Braun
10. The Cat Who Said Cheese (audiobook) - Lilian Jackson Braun
11. The Cat Who Tailed a Thief (audiobook) - Lilian Jackson Braun
12. The Cat Who Wasn't There - (audiobook) - Lilian Jackson Braun
13. The Cat Who Went Into the Closet - (audiobook) - Lilian Jackson Braun
14. The Cat Who Knew a Cardinal - (audiobook) - Lilian Jackson Braun
15. The Cat Who Moved a Mountain - (audiobook) - Lilian Jackson Braun
16. The adventure of the Sinister Stranger (audiobook) - Agatha Christie
17. Voluntary Committal (audiobook) - Joe Hill
18. The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar (audiobook) - Roald Dahl
19. The Case of the Middle Aged Wife (audiobook) - Agatha Christie
20. The Case of the Discontented Soldier (audiobook) - Agatha Christie
21. Suicide Run (audiobook) - Michael Connelly 
22. Night (audiobook) - Elie Wiesel
23.  The Good Man Jesus and the Scoundrel Christ (audiobook) - Philip Pullman 
24. One For the Money (audiobook) - Janet Evanovich 
25. Life's Missing Instruction Manual (audiobook) - Joe Vitale 
26. Deja Dead (audiobook) - Kathy Reichs 
27. An Appointment With Death (audiobook) - Agatha Christie 
28. The Eagle Catcher (audiobook) - Margaret Coel 
29. The Ghost Walker (audiobook) - Margaret Coel 
30. The Hanging in the Hotel (audiobook) - Simon Brett 
31. The Dream Stalker (audiobook) - Margaret Coel 
32. The Spirit Woman (audiobook) - Margaret Coel 
33. The Thunder Keeper (audiobook) - Margaret Coel 
34. The Shadow Dancer (audiobook) - Margaret Coel
35. Killing Raven (audiobook) - Margaret Coel
36. Wife of Moon (audiobook) - Margaret Coel 
37. The Girl With the Braided Hair (audiobook) - Margaret Coel 
38. The Story Teller (audiobook) - Margaret Coel 
39. The Lost Bird (audiobook) - Margaret Coel 
40. The Eye of the Wolf (audiobook) - Margaret Coel 
41. The Clockwork Scarab (audiobook) - Colleen Gleason 
42. Death du Jour (audiobook) - Kathy Reichs 
43. Break No Bones (audiobook) - Kathy Reichs 
44. Cross Bones (audiobook) - Kathy Reichsones To Ashes (audiobook) - Kathy Reichs 
45. Bare Bones (audiobook) - Kathy Reichs 
46. Wolves of the Calla (audiobook) - Stephen King 
47. On the Move (audiobook) - Oliver Sacks 
48. Two For the Dough (audiobook) - Janet Evanovich 
49. Song of Susanna (audiobook) - Stephen King 

2015 Poetry Reading Challenge
(hosted by: Serena @ Savvy Verse and Wit)

The goal for this challenge is to read at least 1 book of poetry or 20 poems this year. Easy. Peasy. (A link is offered for reviews.)




{FINAL UPDATE 12/29/15} I just realized that I need to read more poetry.  

1. Dog Songs - Mary Oliver
2. Spoon River Poetry Review 39.2 (Winter 2014) Journal

2015 Cloak & Dagger Mystery Reading Challenge
(hosted by: Amy @ Bookish Girl)

"So this reading challenge is not just for all of you but for me to so that I can really get back into my favorite genre!"

5 books = Inspector Lestrade 10 books = Amelia Peabody 15 books = Flavia de Luce 25 books = Detective Simon Ziele 30 books = Miss Marple 35 books = Hercule Poirot 40+ books = Sherlock Holmes

Since my murder mysteries are my favorite genre, I'm hoping to ace this challenge at the Sherlock Holmes level.

{FINAL UPDATE 12/29/15} Just call me Sherlock!

1. The Silkworm  (audiobook) - Robert Galbraith
2. Cuckoo's Calling (audiobook) - Robert Galbraith
3. The Caves of Steel (audiobook) - Isaac Asimov
4. There Was An Old Woman (audiobook) - Ellery Queen
5. Double Sin and Other Stories (audiobook) - Agatha Christie
6. The Cat Who Blew the Whistle (audiobook) - Lilian Jackson Braun
7. The Cat Who Came to Breakfast (audiobook) - Lilian Jackson Braun
8. The Cat Who Said Cheese (audiobook) - Lilian Jackson Braun
9. The Cat Who Tailed a Thief (audiobook) - Lilian Jackson Braun
10. The Cat Who Wasn't There - (audiobook) - Lilian Jackson Braun
11. The Cat Who Went Into the Closet - (audiobook) - Lilian Jackson Braun
12. The Cat Who Knew a Cardinal - (audiobook) - Lilian Jackson Braun
13. The Cat Who Moved a Mountain - (audiobook) - Lilian Jackson Braun
14. The adventure of the Sinister Stranger (audiobook) - Agatha Christie
15. Voluntary Committal (audiobook) - Joe Hill
16. The Case of the Discontented Soldier (audiobook) - Agatha Christie
17. Suicide Run (audiobook) - Michael Connelly
18. Demolition Angel (ebook) - Robert Crais
19. The Garden of Eden and Other Criminal Delights (ebook) - Faye Kellerman
20. Critical Mass (ebook) - Sara Paretsky
21. Chasing Darkness (ebook) - Robert Crais
22. Blacklist (ebook) - Sara Paretsky
23. The Watchman (ebook) - Robert Crais
24. The American Gun Mystery - (audiobook) - Ellery Queen 
25. Angle of Investigation (ebook) - Michael Connelly 
26. Switchblade (ebook) - Michael Connelly 
27. Windy City Blues (ebook) - Sara Paretsky 
28. Bitter Medicine (ebook) - Sara Paretsky 
29. The First Rule (ebook) - Robert Crais 
30. Blacklist - Sara Paretsky 
31. Serpent's Tooth (ebook) - Faye Kellerman 
32. The Beige Man (ebook) - Helene Tursten 
33. Total Recall (ebook) - Sara Paretsky 
34. The Burning Room (ebook) - Michael Connelly 
35. Killing Orders (ebook) - Sara Paretsky 
36. Death on Retreat - Sister Carol Anne O'Marie 
37. The Golem of Hollywood - Jonathan Kellerman & Jesse Kellerman 
38. Raging Heat - Richard Castle 
39. Motive - Jonathan Kellerman 
40. At Risk (ebook) - Patricia Cornwell 
41. The Front - (ebook) - Patricia Cornwell 
42. Hornet's Nest (ebook) - Patricia Cornwell 
43. The Book of Lost Things - John Connolly 
44. Flesh and Blood - Patricia Cornwell 
45. Death of an Angel - Sister Carol Anne O'Marie 
46. Death Takes Up A Collection - Sister Carol Anne O'Marie 
47. Requiem At the Refuge - Sister Carol Anne O'Marie 
48. The Corporal Works of Murder - Sister Carol Anne O'Marie
49. One For the Money (audiobook) - Janet Evanovich 
50. Deja Dead (audiobook) - Kathy Reichs 
51. An Appointment With Death (audiobook) - Agatha Christie 
52. The Eagle Catcher (audiobook) - Margaret Coel 
53. The Ghost Walker (audiobook) - Margaret Coel 
54. The Hanging in the Hotel (audiobook) - Simon Brett 
55. The Dream Stalker (audiobook) - Margaret Coel 
56. The Spirit Woman (audiobook) - Margaret Coel 
57. The Thunder Keeper (audiobook) - Margaret Coel 
58. The Shadow Dancer (audiobook) - Margaret Coel
59. Killing Raven (audiobook) - Margaret Coel
60. Wife of Moon (audiobook) - Margaret Coel 
61. The Girl With the Braided Hair (audiobook) - Margaret Coel 
62. The Story Teller (audiobook) - Margaret Coel 
63. The Lost Bird (audiobook) - Margaret Coel 
64. The Eye of the Wolf (audiobook) - Margaret Coel 
65. The Clockwork Scarab (audiobook) - Colleen Gleason 
66. Death du Jour (audiobook) - Kathy Reichs 
67. Break No Bones (audiobook) - Kathy Reichs 
68. Cross Bones (audiobook) - Kathy Reichsones To Ashes (audiobook) - Kathy Reichs 
69. Bare Bones (audiobook) - Kathy Reichs 
70. On the Move (audiobook) - Oliver Sacks 
71. Two For the Dough (audiobook) - Janet Evanovich 
72. Devil Bones (ebook) - Kathy Reichs 
73. Depraved Heart (ebook) - Patricia Cornwell 
74. The Crossing (ebook) - Michael Connelly 
75. The Promise (ebook) - Robert Crais 
76. Brush Back (ebook) - Sara Paretsky 
77. Bones In Her Pocket (ebook) - Kathy Reichs 
78. Swamp Bones (ebook) - Kathy Reichs 
79. Bones On Ice (ebook) - Kathy Reichs 
80. Murder At the Monk's Table - Sister Carol Anne O'Marie 
81. Deadly Decisions - Kathy Reichs 
82. Fatal Voyage - Kathy Reichs 
83. Grave Secrets - Kathy Reichs 
84. Monday Mourning - Kathy Reichs 
85. 206 Bones - Kathy Reichs 
86. Spider Bones - Kathy Reichs 
87. Flash and Bones - Kathy Reichs 
88. Bones Are Forever - Kathy Reichs 
89. Bones of the lost - Kathy Reichs 
90. Bones Never Lie - Kathy Reichs

2015 Women Challenge
(hosted by: Peek-A-Boo)

"This challenge will make us want to read more books of any kind written by women, so choose whatever you like and get involved!"

The Levels are:   
       1: BABY GIRL - read 5 books
       2: GIRLS POWER - read 6 to 15 books
       3: SUPER GIRL - read 16 to 20 books
       4: WONDER WOMAN - read 20+ books






Just call me Wonder Woman. I make it a habit to try and read as many books written by women as I am able, and I'm aiming for the top level again this year.

{FINAL UPDATE 12/29/15} I think this is my easiest challenge every year. I think I just need to focus on finding newer authors.

1. The Silkworm  (audiobook) - Robert Galbraith
2. Cuckoo's Calling (audiobook) - Robert Galbraith
3. The Golden Notebook (audiobook) - Doris Lessing
4. Double Sin and Other Stories (audiobook) - Agatha Christie
5. The Cat Who Blew the Whistle (audiobook) - Lilian Jackson Braun
6. The Cat Who Came to Breakfast (audiobook) - Lilian Jackson Braun
7. The Cat Who Said Cheese (audiobook) - Lilian Jackson Braun
8. The Cat Who Tailed a Thief (audiobook) - Lilian Jackson Braun
9. The Cat Who Wasn't There - (audiobook) - Lilian Jackson Braun
10. The Cat Who Went Into the Closet - (audiobook) - Lilian Jackson Braun
11. The Cat Who Knew a Cardinal - (audiobook) - Lilian Jackson Braun
12. The Cat Who Moved a Mountain - (audiobook) - Lilian Jackson Braun
13. The adventure of the Sinister Stranger (audiobook) - Agatha Christie
14. The Case of the Middle Aged Wife (audiobook) - Agatha Christie
15. The Case of the Discontented Soldier (audiobook) - Agatha Christie
16. The Garden of Eden and Other Criminal Delights (ebook) - Faye Kellerman
17. Critical Mass (ebook) - Sara Paretsky
18. Blacklist (ebook) - Sara Paretsky
19. Windy City Blues (ebook) - Sara Paretsky 
20. Bitter Medicine (ebook) - Sara Paretsky 
21. Blacklist - Sara Paretsky 
22. Serpent's Tooth (ebook) - Faye Kellerman 
23. The Beige Man (ebook) - Helene Tursten 
24. Total Recall (ebook) - Sara Paretsky 
25. Killing Orders (ebook) - Sara Paretsky 
26. Death on Retreat - Sister Carol Anne O'Marie 
27. How to Have a Green Thumb Without an Aching Back - Ruth Stout 
28. At Risk (ebook) - Patricia Cornwell 
29. The Front - (ebook) - Patricia Cornwell 
30. Hornet's Nest (ebook) - Patricia Cornwell 
31. Flesh and Blood - Patricia Cornwell 
32. Death of an Angel - Sister Carol Anne O'Marie 
33. Death Takes Up A Collection - Sister Carol Anne O'Marie 
34. Requiem At the Refuge - Sister Carol Anne O'Marie 
35. The Corporal Works of Murder - Sister Carol Anne O'Marie
36. One For the Money (audiobook) - Janet Evanovich 
37. Deja Dead (audiobook) - Kathy Reichs 
38. An Appointment With Death (audiobook) - Agatha Christie 
39. The Eagle Catcher (audiobook) - Margaret Coel 
40. The Ghost Walker (audiobook) - Margaret Coel 
41. The Dream Stalker (audiobook) - Margaret Coel 
42. The Spirit Woman (audiobook) - Margaret Coel 
43. The Thunder Keeper (audiobook) - Margaret Coel 
44. The Shadow Dancer (audiobook) - Margaret Coel
45. Killing Raven (audiobook) - Margaret Coel
46. Wife of Moon (audiobook) - Margaret Coel 
47. The Girl With the Braided Hair (audiobook) - Margaret Coel 
48. The Story Teller (audiobook) - Margaret Coel 
49. The Lost Bird (audiobook) - Margaret Coel 
50. The Eye of the Wolf (audiobook) - Margaret Coel 
51. The Clockwork Scarab (audiobook) - Colleen Gleason 
52. Death du Jour (audiobook) - Kathy Reichs 
53. Break No Bones (audiobook) - Kathy Reichs 
54. Cross Bones (audiobook) - Kathy Reichs 
55. Bones To Ashes (audiobook) - Kathy Reichs 
56. Bare Bones (audiobook) - Kathy Reichs 
57. Wolves of the Calla (audiobook) - Stephen King 
58. Two For the Dough (audiobook) - Janet Evanovich 
59. Devil Bones (ebook) - Kathy Reichs 
60. Depraved Heart (ebook) - Patricia Cornwell 
61. Brush Back (ebook) - Sara Paretsky 
62. Bones In Her Pocket (ebook) - Kathy Reichs 
63. Swamp Bones (ebook) - Kathy Reichs 
64. Bones On Ice (ebook) - Kathy Reichs 
65. Murder At the Monk's Table - Sister Carol Anne O'Marie 
66. Brain On Fire - Susannah Cahalan 
67. Deadly Decisions - Kathy Reichs 
68. Fatal Voyage - Kathy Reichs 
69. Grave Secrets - Kathy Reichs 
70. Monday Mourning - Kathy Reichs 
71. 206 Bones - Kathy Reichs 
72. Spider Bones - Kathy Reichs 
73. Flash and Bones - Kathy Reichs 
74. Bones Are Forever - Kathy Reichs 
75. Bones of the lost - Kathy Reichs 
76. Bones Never Lie - Kathy Reichs

PERPETUAL READING CHALLENGES:

Kinsey Millhone Reading Challenge (hosted by: Darlene's Book Nook)

Begun in 2012 {My Link}

The Stephen King Challenge: A Perpetual Reading Challenge (hosted by: Michelle & Kate)

Begun in 2014 {My Link}

The Nero Wolfe Not-so-Mini Challenge (hosted by: Becky's Book Reviews)

Begun in 2014 {My Link}

Yeah, the CHALLENGE is LONG OVER, but I'LL KEEP PLUGGING AWAY!

The Dark Tower Reading Challenge. {My Link}

 
~  ~  ~  ~  ~  ~  ~  ~  ~ 
If you'd like to find a challenge or twenty for yourself, try:
~ A Novel Challenge ~