Hey there, book friends! Hope you are doing well in your part of the world and enjoying some good reading and maybe a bit of spring. I'm going to try to be back posting again. Thought I would do a short catch-up and then get back to maybe once-a-week what I've been reading or doing. Also want to begin sharing my 'Waiting on Wednesday' posts beginning next week.
I had said when I took my break that I would try to share some wildflower pictures soon. Well, there are wildflowers around in our part of the world, but honestly, this year's pollen, both winter and spring, has been pretty awful. We had temps that seemed very warm for February and so the winter pollen continued. Spring stuff came right along though and the seasons have overlapped more than usual. For pollen sufferers, it's not been fun at all. They are still being able to get cedar pollen counts here in April and those normally end in early March. So, that means I have been having allergy issues weeks beyond what I usually experience. No spending much time outside for me yet.
The flowers I am sharing above were from a visit my husband and I took to the Desert Botanical Garden in the Phoenix, Arizona area in March. We spent at week in Scottdale and enjoyed the Garden, golf, walking, and two events at the Poisoned Pen Bookstore. It was a really nice trip and we had a great time. The picture that will be at the end of my post was one I took as I set off to walk each morning around that lake area with plenty of sidewalks, fresh air, and books to listen to.
I was able to attend two book events at the Poisoned Pen. I saw Sujata Massey and Naomi Hirahawa and loved hearing about their new books. Sujata's was The Star From Calcutta, the 5th book in her Perveen Mistry series. Naomi's book was Crown City, 3rd in her Japantown mysteries. I really enjoyed hearing both of those authors. And I was lucky enough to get to see Sandra Brown as well. Her new book is Bloodlust. Sandra has been writing for many, many years and it has been a really long time since I read one of her stories. However, she's from Texas and I took advantage of the opportunity to hear her speak. No pictures from the events unfortunately. I kind of forgot to take any - ha!
Otherwise, life has been busy with some family events and volunteering. Also had some annual doctor check-ups. Stuff like that. My reading has been a bit slow all the way around this year, but I'm hoping it will improve. I've had to miss some book groups because of travelling or other things. However, I'm hoping to not miss more of them in upcoming days.
Guess that's all I'll share today. I've been trying to keep up with reading your blogs and commenting a bit. As I said, I plan to be back fulltime next week. Hope you all have a great reading week and will have some beautiful spring flowers in your area. Take care!!
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Glad you're doing well. My allergies have really kicked up this spring because of the warm winter and all the extra pollen in the air. I'm either sneezing or coughing or sleepy from allergy meds. ;D Wishing you lots of good books to read this spring!
ReplyDeleteLark, sounds like you do understand my allergy woes! Sorry about yours! And thanks for the good wishes!
DeleteMy husband complains every day about the pollen this year. For us, it's oak pollen that seems to be causing all the problems.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you will be back to once a week posting. I was out-of-town for much of March, too, and I'm glad to be home this month.
Deb, yes, so many here have the oak pollen issues too. Mostly, there is just a lot of pollen of all kinds, right? I'm going to definitely work on at least one post a week. Hope I'm successful! Thanks for coming by!
DeleteFingers crossed that you will get back to posting at least once a week soon.
DeleteThanks, Deb!
DeleteHappy spring, Kay! Glad to hear you've been doing some fun stuff! Author events are always great!
ReplyDeleteI do enjoy author events. If I lived in that AZ area, I'd be going to that bookstore almost daily. They have lots and lots of events. Happy spring back at you, Angela!
DeleteWelcome back, Kay! You've been missed here in the blogisphere. So sorry the pollen/allergies have been such an issue this year. I wonder if this is the new normal? I'm glad you had such a good time in Arizona. Not too hot yet, right? We have had a bit of rain this month. Above average numbers for April, which is good since fire season is looking bad for the PNW. Take care!
ReplyDeleteLes, it was funny. AZ was having a 'heat wave' or higher than normal temps for them, but the humidity is so low, it always seems to get cool overnight. Hope you guys get more rain and can avoid the fires. They are saying that this awful pollen season may become the norm. I do hope not!
DeleteGood to see you back, Kay! Allergy sufferers have had it rough here in FL, too. Our daughter was relieved to fly back to NY where it wasn't quite as bad yet. Sounds like you've enjoyed your travels and bookish adventures. I'm looking forward to attending author events again when we get back to CT... haven't been to any so far this year!
ReplyDeleteJoAnn, I understand your daughter's issues. Sigh. Have had these all my life so it's nothing new, but still. Hope you get to attend some author events later in the year. There are some in our area too, but they don't always work out for my schedule.
DeleteI'm so jealous about the Poisoned Pen events! That's on my bucket list of bookstores. I'm glad to see you're back and love the garden pictures. The pollen has been pretty terrible here. I'm on a full Allegra in the morning/Zyrtec at night with Benadryl as needed schedule. I always enjoy seeing your Wednesday posts as well as seeing what you're up to!
ReplyDeleteKatherine, I do hope you get to go to the Poisoned Pen at some point in your life. You would love it! I know you have allergy issues too and I definitely feel your 'pain'. There are worse things, but still - ha!
DeleteMy husband wants to visit Arizona so much! Not sure if we will ever get out there! LOL! Take care. xx
ReplyDeleteKay, I hope you guys get to visit AZ one day. It's a lovely state with lots to see and do. Thanks for stopping by!
DeleteSorry to hear about your allergies being so prolonged, Kay. Nice photos, our spring flowers have been lovely, but it's rained an awful lot here this spring. I would lve to visit the Poisoned Pen bookshop, I've heard so much about it over the years.
ReplyDeleteCath, thanks for the nice words. Yes, spring flowers do love some rain and moisture don't they? And, yes, you would indeed love the Poisoned Pen. I'll keep sharing any visits I get lucky enough to have there. Take care!
DeleteGlad that you are back for a while, Kay. It looks like my husband and I are not the only ones experiencing bad allergies lately. It goes on all year here but it seem worse in the last year.
ReplyDeleteI love the photos from the Desert Botanical Garden. We have been working hard to clean up weeds and overgrown plants in front of our condiminium. Pretty much starting over with a lot of new plants to pot. That and other things we have been working on have slowed down my blogging although I don't think it has had much affect on my reading.
Tracy, it does seem like allergies crop up everywhere. Just different things in different places. That Desert Botanical Garden is really lovely and the plants are not ones that most people see every day. The desert climate produces some great things, even though it is dry and very hot. Hope you guys enjoy your new plants!
DeleteNice to see your post, Kay. The Scotsdale trip sounded so nice. I haven't been to a book event in a few years so I'm a little jealous. I hope the allergy issues go away soon and you can spend time outdoors. Enjoy your reading!
ReplyDeleteMary @Bookfan
Mary, thanks for coming by! Yes, we did have a good time in Scottsdale. Book events are fun, aren't they? Not sure everyone would love them, but I think hearing authors talk about their works is great for us. As to the allergies, one day they will improve.
DeleteI went to Poisoned Pen once - what a great store! Many years ago, when I first lived in NYC and was working in publishing, my roommate was the editorial assistant on Sandra Brown's books. She snuck home the manuscript of Mirror Image and we devoured it! I have not been impressed with her recent books but I did see that Bloodlust got a good review so I put it on hold at the library.
ReplyDeleteOh, how nice that you've gotten to visit the Poisoned Pen! I know that so many of my book friends would love a visit there and also love to attend a book event or two. What a fun story about the Sandra Brown book! I know I read a couple of her books way, way back, but it had been years. I did enjoy hearing her talk and will hopefully enjoy Bloodlust when I get it read. Thanks so much for stopping by!
DeleteGlad you are back Kay! Sorry about all the dreadful pollen and I hope it will leave soon. I'm impressed by the authors you saw and heard speak, especially Massey. I have long wanted to read her India books. Why haven't I tried her yet? She seems quite good. My reading could improve too. Good luck with yours.
ReplyDeleteSusan, I have definitely enjoyed Massey's books set in India. She also has an earlier series that is set in Japan. Haven't read that one yet, but may try it. Well, the pollen is improving for me - not so sure about the people who struggle with the spring pollen. It's raining today (which we need) so that also helps. Thanks for coming by!
DeleteI'm glad you had a fun trip to Arizona. I haven't been to the botanical garden in years. One of these days! I've been hearing people say that they have never had trouble with allergies until this year. Even I have been sniffling a little bit and I never have trouble with allergies.
ReplyDeleteWe had not visited the botanical garden in a long time either. It was very nice and there were a lot of people there. I agree that allergies seem to be worse this year in many places than usual. Mine are better though, so I'm glad.
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