Here’s What’s Up – Happy Friday!

Hello hello! I’m going to keep this short and sweet, my version of all that. Lol. So here’s what’s up, Happy Friday!

I have been wanting desperately to keep up with blogs I follow, books I’m reading, and even writing for my own blog. But it’s difficult, as probably all of you know. And it’s likely a good thing that I’ve been so busy with all the other stuff I’ve got going on, including cleaning up and clearing out a lot of the less than useful stuff I have. It feels great to reclaim my life. For the sake of dropping in and letting you know I’m still around and not disappearing from the blogosphere again I’ve wanted to post a quick update, and here it is.

The point of this blog is to be a writer’s platform so people can get to know me as a person and a writer, although I don’t really post a whole lot about writing. I’ve decided that’s just fine, I don’t care. I like to talk and write about stuff I like and do as well. So what if vermicomposting isn’t writing, or photography isn’t writing, or talking about my garden isn’t writing, or reading and reviewing isn’t writing. I’m writing about it, and that’s what counts to me. When the urge strikes I write. I’m not going to beat myself up about my author blog not being about writing as much as the other stuff I write. My blog is like me, it’s a lot of things. 😉

Okay… here goes here’s what’s up happy Friday quick update…

I have added a lot of books to my TBR this summer and recently. I might do a TBR Additions post soon, comprehensive or abbreviated because sometimes they’re fun to do. I’ve added books thanks for bloggers, podcasts, Goodreads’ friends, and Audible. Admittedly, I am something of a sucker for Audible sales. I can’t help it if the daily deal is $0.99 and sounds interesting! In fact the last book I listened to – Far from the Tree by Robin Benway – was thanks to Audible and I’m glad it brought it to my attention!

I was listening to The Shack by Wm. Paul Young but I’m sorry I can’t do it. I have to agree with many other reviewers in saying the writing is…bad and the story is kind of dull among other things. Unfortunately I listened to it too long for an exchange. Ugh…but I tried.

Also I listened to The Beautiful Thing that Awaits Us All by Laird Barron, which I’d give 4 stars and say was creepy and good. I didn’t love it, probably pick a couple stories that I really like, but it was entertaining. On the other hand, Wild Seed (Patternmaster, #1) by Octavia Butler was really wild. Certainly a story I’d never heard before and my first Octavia Butler read (listen)! Loved it and will be continuing the series. Not as much my favorite but still really interesting was Girl, Woman, Other by Bernardine Evaristo (audible audio). I really enjoyed the journey through so many different woman’s lives and generations, even if fictional.

Now I’m listening to Talon (Talon, #1) by Julie Kagawa, a book that’s been on my TBR for a long time and turned out to be free to me as part of my Audible subscription. I like checking books off that have been there forever. And I’m close to finishing Akata Warrior (Akata Witch, #2) by Nnedi Okorafor, physical copy.

My novel is…in a slump in my brain, poking at me every day, begging me to make progress. Perhaps this weekend…

Worm composting/farming is going alright. I really need to insulate the bins in the basement as it’s getting cold but so far we’re still just above 65F, likely a bit warmer inside the bin. I plan on getting a cheap meat thermometer so I can monitor the temps of the material. Without a doubt this hobby takes balance and I’m still finding it, including how and when to save food scraps because my worms do not go through food as fast as I collect it. Many veterans of vermiculture advise not to hoard food. Probably best to listen. Today is feeding day though!

My garden is still alright even as Fall has arrived. The tomatoes still have tomatoes but they’re not really ripening, which isn’t terrible considering I have a surplus inside. In the last month I’ve canned salsa twice, although I only used my tomatoes once and only about a handful. However my second planting of green beans is producing and I’ve been harvesting greens quite a bit, which is AWESOME. I’m going to plant more and see how long they last with some cover when the frost comes.

So this has been my short but not so short update. I’m here, I’m working, dreaming, thinking, writing, listening, reading, walking, brainstorming, and improving.

How did your summer end? How has your Fall begun? Are you making any big changes as the seasons do?

Thanks for reading! Have a great weekend.