'From sea to shining sea...' from the song America the Beautiful has been stuck in my mind these last few days. I've pulled a few of my fav coastal pics to include today---the beautiful blues of the ocean and jagged shorelines get me every time. #Halloween came and went, ushering in #November with a quiet, calm resolve. As the rest of the world goes into yet another COVID lockdown, here in the U.S. we're sheltering in place, preparing for the outcome of an election that has divided our country and left many stunned with the choices that were given. I'm pretty sure 5G didn't stand a chance handling the volume of prayers being whispered these past few weeks...
I decided with this new month to accept the things I cannot change and celebrate the beauty and promise of the world that continues with or without COVID, election outcomes and over-the-top tweets and newscasts. The #holidays are coming and I'm all in to celebrate the season I love best. The decorations are going up (how 'bout you, Brenda🎄?) and a #Thanksgiving road trip up the coast is being planned (following #California guidelines of course, even if I only get to munch on a single slice of turkey on a patio bench sitting 6 feet away from my grandkiddies and nieces, I'm doing it! (plus my SIL makes a mean martini😋🍸--one must keep those annoying germs at bay))
I don't know how the next few days will turn out--I'm hoping for the best and preparing for...well, whatever. What I do know is that the #promise of a joyful season and its blessings have arrived. Here's to a November filled with the promise of #hope and #peace of the season. It's Wednesday, time for #DearDiary:
My personal #NaNoWriMo challenge is on!
I have to admit my writing has been sidelined the past few weeks. I couldn't devote the attention focus needed to writing book six, so I decided not to push--the story would come when it was ready to be written. That's the curse and blessing of being a writer--it's a 24/7 job, for you never know when the words will start flowing, LOL. I'm glad to report my writing mojo has finally returned, it's amazing what the lights of a #Christmas tree🎄 can do...time to 'git 'er dun...' Twins in the City is my #NaNoWriMo2020 book challenge!
A classic whodunit from the writers of Twitter this week...
Author Richard Osman, The Thursday Murder Club: A Novel, 5 🌟
Life at the Coopers Chase Retirement Village is anything but dull. Set on the picturesque grounds of a former convent, there is plenty of room to roam and clubs to join covering numerous topics of interests. For The Thursday Murder Club members, the lazy days of cold case retirement take a back burner in their hunt to find a killer when the bodies start dropping on their cozy grounds.
Elizabeth, the leader of the club with a covert background; Joanne, the former nurse and kind observer who is rarely observed; Ibrahim, the psychiatrist with an impeccable nose for analysis and research; and Ron, the former trade union boss who loves a crowd are on the search for clues, sometimes helping and sometimes frustrating the local police. As secrets and cover-ups from the past emerge, the list of suspects grows, but who did what to whom?
I thoroughly enjoyed this classic whodunit by Author Osman--the characters and settings were a delight to get to know and the unraveling of clues well paced. There were bittersweet moments as the truths are revealed, but for me it made the storyline more endearing. This crew of senior sleuths still have a few tricks up their sleeves--I can't wait to see what they're up to next! The Thursday Murder Club, highly recommended!
Next up in the #reading queue:
#BOOKEM Ballot Break!
We're taking a ballot break this week in honor of the election. We'll be back November 11th!
Crowns and Kisses,
Veronica
P.S. The Crown for Castlewood Manor, where it all began...Gemma most definitely approves!
Pssst, loving my KIRKUS REVIEWS book easer by the fabulous Morgan Wright!
I love your photos, Veronica! Those coastal shots are incredible. I hope you're able to see some of those vistas while you travel to see the family. Cheers to turkey with the grandkids and martinis with the adults! xo