Saturday, August 11, 2012

A Rosy Weekly Link Round-Up



I haven't rounded up many links this week because I've been out enjoying myself, which may sound odd once I tell you what happened to me Thursday.

I had a follow-up appointment with my dermatologist during which he was declared a genius. When we were finished talking about his super powers, I said, "I'd like you to take a look at this spot that just showed up on my arm after my last appointment." It was a tiny little spot that just looked a bit rosy like I had a sunburn. But it was just that one tiny spot, and the rosy glow never went away.

When I moved here to the Sonoran Desert, Arizona was battling with Queensland, Australia to be the Skin Cancer Capital of the World. Not a battle tourism meccas would want to win, eh? I've always had fair skin, and this is the first place I've lived where I can actually get a tan-- not that I've actively sought one out. I read up on skin cancer way back then, and one of the facts mentioned was that, if a person had ever had a severe sunburn, that was a prime area for skin cancer to appear. Well, I have one of those areas: my right forearm. I call it my "passenger arm" because I've gotten severe sunburns a few times from forgetting sunscreen and having that arm stuck out the car window on long trips.

Well, that tiny rosy spot on my right forearm was precancerous skin cells, which the doctor immediately blasted with liquid nitrogen. I was right to be concerned about my arm. So my advice is twofold: (1) Don't forget your sunscreen! and (2) Get any suspicious-looking spots checked out. A small blast of liquid nitrogen is a darned sight better than the alternatives!

Roseate Skimmer dragonfly
My week has been rosy for more than one reason, however. It's been hotter than the hind hinges of Hell here-- temperatures hovering around 115°, higher humidity, and we're lucky if it cools off into the 90s by 5 AM. I feel sorry for the air conditioner!

Needless to say, my shady times in the pool continue to be my best way to chill out. I've been reading some excellent books, and a Roseate Skimmer dragonfly has been visiting me around 4 PM every afternoon. It flies in for a quick sip of pool water, then goes to a shady spot to relax. I haven't been able to get a photo of it, but I thought this one that I took at the Water Ranch in Gilbert would give you an idea of what it looks like. Now this is *my* kind of rosy!

One more thing before I round up those links. Denis and I went to see "Hope Springs" starring Meryl Streep and Tommy Lee Jones after my appointment with liquid nitrogen. The writing didn't let the stars down. There were things in the movie to make you laugh, things to make you cry, things to make you think.... But one of the things that got my attention was product placement. Yes, you heard correctly. Product placement! While in Maine, Meryl Streep's character goes into a small bookstore to look for a specific book (which is a hilarious scene all on its own), and the first book I saw as she walked in the door was Louise Penny's A Trick of the Light. I couldn't be more pleased that one of my favorite authors has a book so prominently displayed in a movie! However, I'm expecting sales to skyrocket on the book she was looking for: Sex Tips for Straight Women From a Gay Man. Streep's behavior as she was looking for the title (and then doing research from some of the pages later on) was priceless!

Enough rosy product placement. Where are those links?


Bookish Links & Other Interesting Stuff
  • An ancient Roman shipwreck is discovered with most of its 2,000-year-old cargo of containers still intact, sealed, and food-filled!
  • An edition of Gone With the Wind signed by the movie director, producer, and almost the entire cast sells for double the estimate.
  • I know some of you follow me on Facebook and know this already, but I thought I'd take the time to tell everybody. I've split my personal page from all the book "stuff" and now have a Facebook page just for Kittling: Books. All the blog goodies are there now, and so are other things that I don't make blog posts about: questions about books I'm looking for, book candy that I find (which will be good for those of you not on Pinterest), and anything book-related that I feel like including. It wouldn't hurt my feelings if you visited and liked me. (Just so I'd know how Sally Field felt on Oscar night.)

Social Media Tips

Kindle Deals & Steals
  • The first page and a half of this list contains several Poisoned Pen Press mysteries that are FREE for Kindle. Many of them are firsts in series that I've read and would recommend you snap up if you have a Kindle!
  • Also FREE for Kindle is the first Buryin' Barry mystery by Mark de Castrique, Dangerous Undertaking. Excellent mystery, characters, and some laugh-out-loud funny scenes. Don't miss it!

I  ♥  Lists

New to My Google Reader

That's it for this week. Don't forget to stop by next weekend when I'll have a freshly selected batch of links for your surfing pleasure!

14 comments:

  1. I'm going to see Hope Springs today so I'm glad to see y'all enjoyed ite!

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    1. Another friend went with her husband Friday on our recommendation and loved it. I hope you did, too!

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  2. Thanks for the tip about the Poisoned Pen mysteries Cathy!

    Shelleyrae @ Book'd out

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    1. You're very welcome, Shelleyrae. You know I'd hate it if any of us ever ran out of books to read! LOL

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  3. I'm glad you caught the "rosy" spot early! I don't know how I've missed this movie coming out. Tommy Lee Jones is one of my favorite actors (ever since the Lonesome Dove miniseries - a favorite). Thanks for informing me! :)

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    1. I came late to Tommy Lee Jones. It wasn't until he starred in "The Fugitive" with Harrison Ford that I learned to love him.

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  4. Cathy - How wise you were to mention that rosy spot so quickly! I'm glad you were able to get it taken care of. Thanks also as ever for these links. Stay cool!

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    1. I've got gardening that needs to be done, but as long as it's this hot, I figure I'm doing well as long as the plants get watered!

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  5. Thanks for the Amazon link. I had already read Buryin' Barry and enjoyed it a lot. I ordered three of the others which looked interesting to me. If I like any one of them I'll look up the author and buy further books.

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    1. Wonderful, Joe! I'm glad I could help out with the link!

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  6. You are so terrific! Now that I am back at school (insert sad face here) I think I love the Saturday Round Up twice as much. You keep me connected!!

    Thanks for the PP mysteries that were free on Amazon!! What a treat. Now I am set to fall in love with more authors.

    I loved the referral to Hope Springs. Thanks. Have you tried The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel? It was wonderful!!

    Stay cool....(not!)

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    1. Denis and I absolutely loved "The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel." I wouldn't be surprised if Denis orders a copy when it's out on DVD.

      I hope this is the start of a fantastic school year for you and your kids!

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  7. I'm glad you were able to catch the skin problem early. I hope that the weather cools off for you soon! I'm thinking I need to find a way to see Hope Springs sooner rather than later - it sounds good.

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    1. I honestly don't think about the weather as it pertains to me. I think more about Denis who works graveyard at the airport and has to deal with it. As long as he's okay, I'm okay. Having an unheated pool, I know these days of relaxing in the water and the shade are precious and not to be wasted. It could stay between 90 and 100° for much longer, and I'd be perfectly happy. (Yes, I know I'm weird!)

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