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. 💕

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.

A Month in Summary - October 2024

Oxbow Bend

Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming

October 2024

How is everyone doing? Are you avoiding the news and headlines? More importantly, did you vote? This is such an anxious time for everyone in our country, and I'm trying to stay positive, trying (but failing) to stay away from the news. It helped to have the World Series as a distraction, but that's over now*, and although November 5th is election day, we may not feel relief for a very long time, no matter who we voted for.

My reading has fallen by the wayside this past week, but I'm hoping to get back to it soon. I have a book group discussion to lead and need to finish the book!

October's reading wasn't too bad, although my audiobook failed to hold my attention. It took me almost two full months to finish, and that was at a speed of 1.5. I did complete one novel that was fantastic (thank you, Stephen King!), one other that was very good (albeit disturbing for someone living on the Cascadia faultline), and another that was good, but easily forgotten. 

We got home from our big adventure to the Tetons in early October, got caught up on appointments and various things around the house for a couple of weeks, and then headed out for a trip down to Santa Rosa to visit my aunt. We will be home on Election Day, not that we expect any clear results by that night, but we don't really want to be traveling...

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

Watch Us Shine by Marisa de los Santos (3/5)

Tilt by Emma Pattee (4/5)

Holly by Stephen King (4.5/5)

Say Nothing by Patrick Radden Keefe (2/5)

Movies & TV Series:

Slow Horses (Season 4) - Such a great show. I'm glad there is more in store for us with at least one or two more seasons.

Shrinking (Season 1) - I love this show. It's funny and touching, and the acting is very good. I'm glad I have another season to watch. It's always a good thing to laugh out loud.

L.A. Dodgers - We watched a lot of baseball in October. We saw them beat the Mets in Game Six to win the NL pennant, and then the New York Yankees in Game Five to win the World Series Championship. What a thrilling season!!

Travel:

As I mentioned above, we are currently on another trip, visiting my aunt in Santa Rosa. We love traveling down Hwy 101, and we especially love spending time with Sue (and her dog, Cooper).

Wildlife:

Last month I shared some landscape photos from our great adventure to Wyoming. This month, I'll leave you with some of the birds & waterfowl we spotted along the way.

Bluebird

Clark's Nutcracker

Bottoms Up!

Ruffed Grouse in hiding

California Quail

Take care of yourselves. Get outside and go for a walk. Read a book. Listen to music. Watch a comedy that will make you laugh. 

*Pitchers and catchers report for Spring Training on February 12th!