Hard to believe that I have not blogged since July 10. I have been busy reading and playing Bridge twice a week plus keeping myself fed and clean!! I have read 6 books since then. Another in the Falco series set in Rome.."Ode to a Banker" in which Falco takes us through ancient Rome in a search for the murderer of a publisher killed in his library. The next 3 are mysteries from the elibrary which I read on my Kindle. "The Technologists", which takes place in Boston, has the first graduating class from MIT involved in murder and mayhem. "Well-Offed in Vermont" just a short murder mystery but good quick read. "Faceles Killers" by Henning Mankell is I think the first Kurt Wallender mystery and is set in Finland. I seem to remember something similar on TV. I enjoyed the introduction to the character and the story was good. Will look for the next one in the series. The next two I got from my town library. "Stolen Prey" by John Sandford, a Lucas Davenport mystery set in Minnesota. It involves a brutal murder and some international finagling with gold. Sandford is a smooth story teller and I always enjoy his mysteries. Then I read a first novel by Charlotte Rogan which was really good. It is "The Lifeboat" which involves a ship sinking in 1914 and what happened in the lifeboat to the main character, Grace, whose new husband was also on board. I won't tell you any more but I think it is worth a read. Today I started "Wolf Hall" by Hilary Mantel. I got it because her new book "Bring Up the Bodies" is on the NY Times best seller list and mentioned that it was a sequel. I starts in 1500 with Thomas Cromwell being beaten by his father then gets quickly to 1528 and the time of Henry VII. It is about Cromwell but I think it will be a long slow read as there is much history involved but I like that kind of story so we'll see how it goes. Have won the last 2 Wed. at Bridge. Cannot go the next 2 as I have appointments...the group will probably be glad! Am now going to watch "Insp. Lewis" on TV.

Just finished making veg/macaroni salad for tonite. Earlier made egg salad for mid day sandwich. My tomatoes and cucumbers don't look very good .. don't know why...new containers and all new soil this year. My CA begonias are doing just fine many blossoming now. Even the callas have a few flowers. I always pick some cause I like to see them up close in the house. Missed a special birthday for my son who lives in CA. Wish I could have been there but I don't think I can face a flight crammed in with others and certainly can't stand in any long lines especially not for the bathroom. I might be able to tolerate the flight in first class but that is not in my budget right now...having just paid high NH property taxes. What I really would like to do some year is to take the train from coast to coast! I'd see a few states that I have never been to and I think it would be fun. That is on my "bucket list". Since I last posted, finished book set in WW2 and read another on my Kindle.."Helpless" by David Palmer. I enjoyed this book about revenge and having the past catch up with one of the characters. Fast read. Now reading 3rd library book on Kindle. This one is set in England in the late 1700s and is about a surgeon with an interest in anatomy. Of course, they knew nothing then so this explores that theme and involves, of course "Murder"!! The name of this one is "The Anatomist's Apprentice" by Tessa Harris.

     Finished reading "Canada" yesterday.  I liked it but it was about
the characters more than the plot.  I realized that I was out of library
books, usually just read a book I have at home.   Instead I went 
to the state lending library online  and looked at mysteries and picked
out 2 for my Kindle and got one of them immediately!  Amazing that
as I clicked on the red spot on line the entire book appeared in
seconds!!  I am reading "Mr. Churchill's Secretary"....takes place
during WW2 in England.  Always like books set in different time.
     My sister picked me up and took me to her place at the lake on
July 4th.  Played 3 handed/cut throat Pinochle until my daughter
and her husband got there.  They took boat ride and swam.  We
had delicious barbecued steak.. as well as veg/mac salad, cole slaw.
All in all another good day.

     I finished "Afraid to Die" by Lisa Gardiner today. Good
story...main characters are both female cops.  Grusome killings
get solved with an unexpected twist in the plot. Recommend
if you like mysteries.   Just started "Canada" which is narrated
by one of the twins whose parents become criminals.  Only on
page 40 but I like the writer's style.  The author is Richard
Ford, a Pulitzer Prize Winner.  He lives in Maine.
     Hot day here ...  hi 88 degrees and mostly sunny.  Went out
to water and it started to sprinkle so quit after only watering
the five plants by the fence and my wall baskets.  Of course it
did not rain enough ... only sprinkles!  Will have to go out in
the am and use the hose if no rain tonite. 
     Watched most of my political shows today and some of a
new series on netflix called "Damages" with Glenn Close.
Liked it.