It has been so boring at work lately--very few orders. It is a combination of the economy and the slow time of year (in the best of times). So I ended up drawing on a scrap piece of matboard with crayons there today(there is a big box of them in a drawer, left there by a former employee). And instead of sticking it on the refrigerator, I am sticking my drawing on my blog. Little signs of spring everywhere today.
I saw an osprey's head in the nest on the pole by the beach when I drove past this morning. So...they're baaaack.
Kids on the fields playing lacrosse, baseball, soccer.....
Chalk drawings on the sidewalk.
Passed a house when walking the dog this afternoon and noticed a woman behind a fenced in garden, sitting in a lawn chair reading a book.
Sat in a lawn chair myself, later and read the mail, instead of a book.
I don't think I am going to continue with Ken Follet's "The Pillars Of The Earth". I read so many glowing reviews and it seemed like a book I was missing out on and should read. So....I get the nearly 1000 page book(for free from Paperback Swap), read a few chapters and find myself hating the writing style(very simplistic and not in a good way) and story. I am going to pass this one on or swap it for something else. I wonder why sometimes I end up clearly not liking a book that everyone else says "you must read this book--I couldn't put it down!" Like with the "Da Vinci Code"--I couldn't even finish the first chapter of that one.
12 comments:
I saw a sign of spring yesterday:
Four trumpeter swans flying low over our house! yay!
I don't know where they are hanging out because the river is still solid with ice, and there is a couple of feet of snow still on the ground and in the fields. Perhaps down by the river outlets on the lakes nearby, where the water is probably open.
Lovely and hopeful to see them, as well as the sunny, relatively warm weather today. We opened the windows in the trailer this afternoon to get some fresh air flowing, chill breeze and all.
You illustrate the coolest pictures, btw. :)
oooh, I have to tell you about another sign of spring I saw last Saturday while out walking and enjoying the 5*C, sunny day:
A shirtless guy shovelling snow off his walkway. *lol* That is a sure sign of spring up here. ;)
I love your crayon drawing. Playing with crayons is so much fun.
I am with you on the blockbuster books. I especially have difficulty with books that Oprah deems wonderful. But that one looked interesting to me... I am having a tough time settling on a novel these days.
I am signed up for Paperback Swap - I should go check it out.
Tina...I know exactly what you mean about not being able to get into a highly recommended book! Move on. Love your drawing and your spring observations. I read my mail at the post office and threw most of it in their trash can...after ripping off my address label! Keep those stories coming! Rosemary and Webster
Oh, I so recognize that!! I sometimes cannot be bothered with a famous book at all ;-). I guess people all have different tastes and so one cannot decide for everyone what is a great book or not! And there are still too many books too read, so just pick another one :-)).
Love your drawing!
i am in awe of your crayon drawing. truly. i love, love coloring w/ crayons, but your drawing is just fantastic! wow.
i have a hard time reading recommended books too, hence the reason i've never joined a book club.
WOW! Your drawing. If I could do that I'd just blog art every day (and everyone would live happily ever after)!
Hi Tina! I love your crayon drawing. I am so impressed with people who can draw people ("are the luckiest people in the world..."). :)
And yours are so individual and expressive. Plus, the striped top! Is this a trend? (BTW, thanks for the comment on mine the other day. Re: the doggies...they were really into the photo shoot that day.)
Now I sure know what you mean about books. Can't tell you how many times that's happened to me. Most recently I picked up Water for Elephants, and was so excited to read it...and I'm not going to read it. Her grammar isn't correct. Not trying to be snooty, but the writing just doesn't do it for me. Sigh.
I've never read any Ken Follett. I didn't read the Da Vinci code either. My fave recent book is The Hummingbird's Daughter.
Happy Thursday.
sallymandy
Hm. I loved Pillars of the Earth and I'm currently reading the sequel, World Without End. But there are different tastes! :)
Spring takes a break here, it rains and rains and it's cold... We had snow in Wuppertal yesterday. Ack!
Glad that you enjoyed your day with the first spring signs.;)) The new season will hopefully bring positive changes.;))
I like the drawing.;))) I used to draw a lot with crayons, perhaps it is time to get back to it.;))
Hope your Thursday is great.;))
~Kathy,
I can't get that image of the bare-torsoed man shovelling sbow out of my head--maybe that is the proper BC way of working on a tan? Start early?
Good to hear there are SOME encouraging signs of spring up your way. We have non-native Mute Swans(no trumpeting)who stay the entire year round here.
~Only,
The Follett book WAS an Oprah book--said so right on the cover.
I have been doing the Paperback Swap thing for over a year now. I have plenty of free pieces of brown paper at work--I just wrap the books in that and tape securely, so the packagng is cheap. And I have posted unwanted books and gotten requests for them the next day! It has worked out really well for me(and most of the books I have received are in like-new condition)
~Rosemary,
Yes, I suppose with books, just like with music, it is such a personal thing--we aren't all going to like the same kinds. I am moving on--looking for another Louise Erdrich book now.
~Marcelle,
I think we may have similar tastes in literature--I notice that I have either already read or want to read, books that you review!
~C.K.,
Gee, thanks(and thanks to everyone else you commented about the "bangs girl", too)about the crayon drawing--now if only I could do something a little more finished and substantial. I worry sometimes that all I am good at is the off-hand and sketchy....
As for a book club--I have been in one for three years. I have liked most of the books, and have been forced to read types of novels I would never choose on my own, too(only really disliked a couple of the books)
~Judy,
Thanks...I love to draw, but do it less and less(so maybe the downtime at work is a good thing, in a way). Maybe I WILL post a sketch a day, since lately my mind is mush and have a hard time coming up with anything too interesting to say here. :-)
~sallymandy,
You noticed the striped top, I see! Since I can't shop for one(Lent), I can draw them, at least.
I know what you mean about a small bothersome thing rubbing you the wrong way and not getting past it to read a book. However, I devoured "Water For Elephants"(and never picked up on any poor grammar)-one of my favorite books!! I'll have to keep in mind "The Hummingbird's Daughter"...
~Claudia,
I think I read in the introduction to the book that Pilars Of The Earth did best in Germany, actually. I wanted so much to enjoy this book, but on some personal level, it bothered me and turned out to not be the kind of book I like.
Your current weather sounds dreadful! I hope it changes for the better by the weekend for you. My parents just flew out to Berlin yesterday--I hope they'll get some milder weather when they are there(three weeks stay)
~Thanks, Zuzana,
I am looking forward to a GREAT Thursday--the sun is shining again and I am even looking forward to a little more crayon fun at work(it is like kindergarten!)if it turns out to be slow again.
~
It has happened to me also: someone highly recommends a book and for me it turns out to be really bad, in either the writing or the story. I haven't left any book though, and even if I don't like it, I go all the way and finish it, even it if takes me longer than other books. A matter of tastes I suppose :-)
Great drawing! For some reason, I like art that shows just part of a face: only eyes (like my blog avantar), only one eye, no eyes, just the nose, just the lips...it's very odd, I know :-)
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