A Month in Summary - June 2026

Little Whale Cove

June 2026

We rarely see hot temps on the coast, but the above photo was taken on June 14th when we hit 80 degrees. We grabbed some cold drinks and headed out to the back deck before the sun disappeared behind the trees. It was wonderful to sit outside, soaking up the warmth of the sun, listening to the birds sing. Fortunately, the sunny weather stuck around for a family gathering later that week. My three brothers and some of their family members, as well as our granddaughter, came to visit over the course of a week. Good times!

My reading didn't seem to suffer from the busy month, and there were a few winners in the bunch. I'm eager to read more by Sally Hepworth and Liz Moore. I have one more of John Boyne's in my stacks for this summer's reading challenge, but I'll wait until August to start that one.

Books Read (click on the title for my review):

The House of Special Purpose by John Boyne (4/5)

Long Bright River by Liz Moore (4.5/5)

Mad Mabel by Sally Hepworth (4.5/5)

Upgrade by Blake Crouch (4/5)

The Safekeep by Yael van der Wouden (4/5)

Gave up on:

Looking for Alaska by John Green

Mink River by Brian Doyle

One Italian Summer by Rebecca Serle

Happiness Falls by Angie Kim

Within Arm's Reach by Ann Napolitano

I'm sure these books have their merits, but I've grown too impatient to stick with a book that doesn't grab me early on.

Movies & TV Series:

Unfamiliar - We enjoyed this series about two former spies living in Berlin with their teenage daughter.

Sherlock - We decided to re-watch this series, but stopped after a few episodes because they were so familiar.

Project Hail Mary - Watched this with my husband and my mom. We all read the book and agreed it was so much better than the movie. I liked how Rocky was portrayed, but overall this was a disappointment.

Oppenheimer - Very, very good.

Lee - Also very, very good. I wasn't prepared to be so moved by the story. Kate Winslet is outstanding as Lee Miller.

 

Visitors:

My heart is full!

A Month in Summary - January 2026

Depoe Bay, Oregon

January 2026

Hello, friends. I can't write this summary without bringing attention to the current state of affairs in our country. My heart is heavy. In a single year, there have been countless attacks on our history, our livelihoods, our communities, and our citizens. With each loss of life, each senseless detainment, each deportation, I grow more angry with our government, angry with those who think that this is right, and angry with those who could turn the tide but lack the spine. My way of coping is to escape into books and nature. I am fortunate to be here, on the Oregon coast, and am well aware of my privilege to feel safe, sheltered, and fed. There are so many who aren't. If you feel as I do, and want to help Minnesotans specifically, take a look at this site and this one. 

In addition to going for long walks in our neighborhood and on the ocean path, I've taken up an new exercise program (Ladder) and am enjoying the guided programs, which include strength training and conditioning. Feeling stronger every day!

We had visitors in the middle of the month, and the weather cooperated for a change. January was very dry and it looks like February won't be any better. Personally, I don't miss the rain, but I know it's not good going into the summer months. I'm just thankful we didn't get the frigid temps and snow/ice that others experienced last month. Yuck!

With regards to my favorite pastime, I read eight new books and re-read an old favorite that stood the test of time. Of all of these books, all were new-to-me authors except two! I also have a couple of books that I'm reading little by little since they're both quite long (The Emperor of All Maladies and The Winds of War). I have stacks of new books (thanks to my mom and Santa!) that I'm eager to get to over the next few months.

Books Read (click on the title for my review):

When the Cranes Fly South by Lisa Ridzen (3.5/5)

The Maid by Nita Prose (3.5/5)

Finding Grace by Loretta Rothschild (4.5/5)

Durable Goods by Elizabeth Berg (4/5)

The Eights by Joanna Miller (4/5)

The Story of a Heart by Dr. Rachel Clarke (3.5/5)

You Are Here by David Nicholls (4/5)

Pete and Alice in Maine by Caitlin Shetterly (4.5/5)

The Grey Wolf by Louise Penny (3.5/5)

Movies & TV Series:

The Game - We enjoyed this suspenseful, cat-and-mouse series. Jason Watkins is a favorite from McDonald & Dodds. (Britbox)

Seven Dials - Another entertaining series with a great cast. Mia McKenna-Bruce, Helena Bonham Carter, and Martin Freeman are all outstanding. Kept me guessing! (Netflix)

Bookish - I enjoyed this quaint British series, but not quite as much as my husband or my mom. It reminded me a bit of Moonflower Murders. (PBS)

Life of Crime - Not a memorable series, but we were entertained. (Britbox & Prime)

Good Night, and Good Luck (on Broadway) - Outstanding!! I was blown away by this show. I had tears in my eyes and a lump in my throat during Clooney's final monologue, which is very timely. Highly recommend! (Netflix)

Quirke - I forgot to include this in my December wrap-up. Based on John Banville's (Benjamin Black) novels, starring Gabriel Byrne and Michael Gambon. Very good! (Britbox)

Lynley - Another series that I forgot to include last month. Based on Elizabeth George's mysteries. I hope there's another season. This one was good! (Britbox)

Puzzlemania:

Visitors:

Mom, Mark and Ana 

We are fortunate to get so many relatives visiting us here on the coast! My brother and sister-in-law came up from San Diego for a few days. We're looking forward to seeing them again this summer.

Wishing you all peace and love.

A Month in Summary - November 2025

Depoe Bay, Oregon

November 2025

So, who has their Christmas tree up and decorated?? With Thanksgiving falling so late in the month, I decided to put our tree up right after our guests went home. We're hosting a small Christmas party for friends on the 9th, so I want to have the house decorated in time for that event. 

November was a pretty busy month for me. A few trips over to Salem and Corvallis (90 minutes each way), visitors at the beginning and end of the month, our anniversary, various doctor appointments, and a trip to the ER. (Rod has Bell's Palsy, which isn't great, but at least it wasn't a stroke!) In spite of all of that, I managed to get quite a bit of reading in. Focusing on the Nonfiction November Challenge, I knocked off seven books from my list. Most were exceptional, but there are a couple that I won't hang onto for a second reading. 

Books Read (click on the title for my review):

Encyclopedia of an Ordinary Life by Amy Krouse Rosenthal (4/5)

Safekeeping: Some True Stories From a Life by Abigail Thomas (3.5/5)

Altitude Adjustment: A Quest for Love, Home, and Meaning in the Tetons by Mary Beth Baptiste (3.5/5)

The Next Day: Transitions, Change, and Moving Forward by Melinda French Gates (4.5/5)

Memorial Days by Geraldine Brooks (4.5/5)

I Am I Am I Am: Seventeen Brushes with Death by Maggie O'Farrell (4.5/5)

Truth & Beauty: A Friendship by Ann Patchett (3/5)

Movies & TV Series:

Black Bag - Fun espionage movie starring Cate Blanchett and Michael Fassbender. We enjoyed it!

The Beast in Me - A gripping thriller, but very disappointing performance by Claire Danes. Her exaggerated grimaces grew very tiresome, but Matthew Rhys manages to save the show with his stellar portrayal of a sociopath. Fun fact: Matthew Rhys is married to Keri Russell (of The Diplomat). 

Visitors:

My aunt, uncle and cousin came out in early November, visiting from Durham, North Carolina. It's always great to see them!

Thanksgiving was also very enjoyable with two of my three brothers here with their families. Our next door neighbors were also included for dinner that evening.

Happy Anniversary, Baby!

Rod & I celebrated 37 years this month. Twu wuv! 💕 (Poor guy is suffering from Bell's Palsy. He really was smiling on the inside!)

Wishing you all a calm and joyful December!

A Month in Summary - September 2025

Little Whale Cove

Depoe Bay, Oregon

September 2025

Didn't I just post August's summary?! Time truly does seem to speed up the older we get, doesn't it? Since it doesn't really get hot here, summer feels nonexistent (other than the longer days), so when the rainy season arrives, it seems like the year is much shorter. Whatever. Time for another wrap-up.

The first half of the month was spent traveling down and back to the Santa Rosa/Bodega Bay area for my Auntie Sue's memorial. It was nice to spend time with family & friends, as well as a brief visit with our granddaughter. We didn't go on a long road trip this year, so it was good to get out to some of our favorite campgrounds for a couple of weeks.

With that two-week long road trip, and another week of catching up around the house with errands and appointments, it's no wonder I didn't read very many books in September. I also blame my current book which has taken me over two weeks to read. I should have called it quits, but I held out hope that it would improve. Nope. But at this point, I will finish since I'm stubborn. Once I finish that book, I'm on to my fall reading selections (which I shared here). 

Books Read (click on the title for my review):

The Rose Code by Kate Quinn (4.5/5)

The Ride of Her Life by Elizabeth Letts (3.5/5)

Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir (4.5/5)

Movies & TV Series:

Person of Interest (Season One) -  We finished the first season and will take a break before watching more of this show. It's good, but each season has close to two dozen episodes!

The Thursday Murder Club - I haven't read any of the books in this series, so I didn't know what to expect from the movie. We thought it was entertaining and worthwhile.

Unforgotten (Season Six) - This series is ok, and we were kept guessing, but it's not as good as the earlier seasons. I miss Nicola Walker!

I Am a Noise - I would have liked more about her music and career and less about her therapy and the possibility of sexual abuse by her father. Too much navel-gazing.

Travels:

As mentioned above, we were in Bodega Bay for my aunt's memorial. It was great to spend time with family, as well as some of her friends, whom we had met on previous visits.

A bunch of Jacksons

Sue's immediate family

And then we had lunch with our beautiful granddaughter, Shaylyn!

Health News:

I was thrilled that not only did I not need a prescription from my doctor, but I could get my Covid booster even though I'm not 65. Whoohoo. Got my flu shot, too. #itrustscience

R.I.P.:

September ended with sad news of the passing of a dear friend and fellow blogger. You can read my post about Nan here.

Be well, friends. 💕