A Month in Summary - April 2026

Little Whale Cove

Depoe Bay, Oregon

April 2026

April was a busy month with all sorts of appointments and socializing. With the longer days, I'm getting out to catch the sunset, which is now occurring around 8:30. By early July, it will set around 9:00, which is so great. I love this time of year so much!

I had a pretty nice month of reading with all five books earning four stars. Three of the authors were new to me, and I look forward to reading more by each of them. I also continued with my reading of The Winds of War, which is quite long. And, I spent three weeks reading The Lacuna! I finally finished that door stopper today, so it will go on May's summary.

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

The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller (4/5)

Culpability by Bruce Holsinger (4/5)

Celestial Lights by Cecile Pin (4/5)

The Bletchley Riddle by Ruta Sepetys and Steve Sheinkin (4/5)

Raising Hare by Chloe Dalton (4/5)

Movies & TV Series:

The Pitt (Season 2) - This is such an outstanding series. The writing and acting are terrific. I'm tempted to watch the first season again before the third drops.

Maigret (Seasons 1 & 2) - We watched the original series (starring Rowan Atkinson) in early 2025. This updated version is just as good!

Person of Interest (Season 2) - We watched 9 episodes of this second season and called it quits.

Adolescence - 4 part series. Very disturbing, but excellent acting. Can't say I'd recommend it, though.

Shrinking (Season Three) - I keep coming back to this show in order to watch Harrison Ford, who is very good in his role. Without him, I doubt I'd bother to watch anymore.

The Morning Show (Season Four) - Not sure why I keep watching this one either. Brain candy.

Young Wallander (Season 1 & 2) - I've never watched the original Wallander series, but now I'd like to. I enjoyed the mysteries of this updated series, but didn't care for Adam Palsson as Wallander.

Puzzlemania:

Sparks Joy:

I loved watching the return of Artemis II on April 10th. There are lots of great photos here on NASA's website.

Spring Colors in My Neighborhood:

Happy reading!

A Month in Summary - March 2026

Little Whale Cove

Depoe Bay, Oregon

Hooray for spring! I love this time of year. Longer days and more sunshine always makes me happy. Other than various medical appointments (for me, my husband, and my mom), it was a fairly quiet month, as my reading reflects. Looking back at last March, I see that I read two more books this month than in 2025. I also see that I learned how to play American Mah Jong in March 2025. The 2026 cards were recently mailed out and I'm enjoying the challenge of learning the new hands. What a great way to exercise your brain! No trips in April, but we're excited about a two-week RV trip in late May. 

My reading was pretty good in March. I had one re-read, which was very entertaining. I finished the Dalton series, and am eager to see what Shannon Bowring comes up with next. Only one of the four new releases was a winner, so it's back to my backlist TBR stacks. I am determined to read the books that were on my fall reading list. (I'm looking at you The Lacuna!)

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

Theo of Golden by Allen Levi (3/5)

Where the Forest Meets the River by Shannon Bowring (4.5/5)

In a Distant Valley by Shannon Bowring (4/5)

Heartwood by Amity Gaige (3/5)

The Likeness by Tana French (4.5/5)

Before I Forget by Tory Henwood Hoen (3/5)

A Family Matter by Claire Lynch (4/5)

Gave Up On:

The Emperor of All Maladies by Siddhartha Mukherjee

Flesh by David Szalay

Movies & TV Series:

The Bear (Season Four) - Gloomy. Morose. 

The Pitt (Season Two) - Love this show! Great cast and writing.

Shrinking (Season Three) - I probably wouldn't continue with this show if it weren't for Harrison Ford. The tender moments are very good, but the humor falls short.

Miracle: The Boys of '80 - We enjoyed watching this documentary after the 2026 Olympics. I always thought the U.S. team beat the Russians for the gold, but it was Finland they beat in the final game. 

Puzzlemania:

Family News:

Mom came home after almost two weeks in rehab after hip replacement surgery (due to a broken hip). We are so happy to have her back home with us!

Ladder:

I joined Ladder at the beginning of the year and am so pleased with Team Elevate. Coach Elise keeps me motivated, and I've been getting in 4-6 workouts every week. I especially love that I can workout from home with my own equipment (weights, bench, Peloton, and yoga mat). Let me know if you're interested and I'll send you a link for a free week.

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 - February 2025

Little Whale Cove

Depoe Bay, Oregon

February 2025

So how is everyone? Spring is just around the corner and while many dislike Daylight Savings Time, I am looking forward to longer days, if only to get outside for a second walk after dinner. We are beginning to have warmer temps, and hopefully the nasty wind and rain that we had last week (we lost power for a few hours) is now behind us.

In an effort to keep my sanity, yet remain informed, I'm cutting back on my social media feeds, only glancing at headlines and trying not to dive too deeply into Substack articles. I do still follow a couple of medical writers since I don't trust the media to keep us informed about any potential health issues, but other than that, Instagram and Facebook are not going to drain my mental health. More reading. More walking. More jigsaw puzzles. Maybe even more baking, which will make my husband and mother very happy. :)

I had a very good month of reading, although I didn't get much read in the way of audiobooks. My concentration was lacking, I listened to NPR too much, and the rainy weather kept me from walking outside. We'll see how it goes in March. But I read an outstanding novel for book club and can't wait to discuss it. It's one that I'd love to listen to on audio for a second reading. 

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

 

Iron Lake by William Kent Krueger (4/5)

The Sequel by Jean Hanff Korelitz (4/5)

The Stolen Child by Ann Hood (3/5)

All the Colors of the Dark by Chris Whitaker (5/5)

Abide with Me by Elizabeth Strout (3.5/5)

The Distance Between Us by Maggie O'Farrell (4/5)

Movies & TV Series:

Maigret - "This [2016] crime drama is based on Georges Simenon's world-renowned fictional French detective Jules Maigret. Rowan Atkinson plays the legendary detective who features in 75 books written by Simenon." We loved this series!

Moonflower Murders - "... an adaptation of the 2020 mystery novel of the same name by British author Anthony Horowitz and the second novel in the Susan Ryeland series." We enjoyed watching The Magpie Murders series, but this one fell short of our expectations.

Deadwind (Season 3) - Meh. Dark, depressing, and probably one we won't remember in another week or so. 

McDonald & Dodds (Season 3) - We enjoy this lighter mystery series and plan to watch the next season later in the month.

The Bear (Season 3) - Definitely not as good as the previous seasons, but I'll tune in for the fourth season. Gotta see what happens! 

Puzzlemania:

Getting back to the occasional puzzle to ease my anxious mind!

Family:

My beautiful Auntie Sue passed away after a tough fight with cancer on February 17th. She was my dad's younger sister, and after moving to Oregon, Rod and I were fortunate enough to travel down to Santa Rosa on numerous occasions to spend time with both Sue and her husband Rob. Sue was such a smart, funny, kind-hearted woman and we will miss her beyond measure.