There are some guaranteed ways to make me a happy camper. One-- of course-- is to let me curl up with a good book. Right up there with a good book is letting me wander around a critter-rich environment with my camera in hand and a like-minded soul for companionship. That's exactly what Denis and I did today after driving over to the Water Ranch (AKA Gilbert Riparian Preserve).
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| Egret at the Water Ranch |
Another guaranteed way to make me a happy camper is to set me down in the middle of a huge craft store, and after wandering around the Water Ranch, Denis and I decided to stop at a nearby Hobby Lobby. The place is huge, and I only had time to check on a couple of essentials. Since it's so close to the Water Ranch, I can see Denis and I planning a trip to both in the near future-- especially since I didn't get a chance to look at all their Christmas merchandise!
Forget about the Christmas merchandise... I have a feeling y'all want to take a look at these links I'm always talking about. I'll get right on it!
Bookish News & Other Interesting Stuff
- The folks at Book Riot talked about Bookish Conversations We Never Want to Have Again. I have to say that I agree with them.
- Who has the better book covers: US or UK?
- Perhaps it's my perverse sense of humor, but this made me laugh: George Bush Accidentally Votes for Obama.
- The cable channel Starz is developing a series adaptation of Diana Gabaldon's Outlander.
- Why is Amazon deleting writers' reviews of other authors' books?
- Kleenex Alert: Video of sea otter jumping on a boat to escape killer whales. (No, the otter does not die.)
eBooks
- A new prototype display for eReaders and tablets allows video playback.
- Which publishers do best at eBook sales?
- How HTML5-based books will disrupt digital publishing.
Book Candy
- I definitely wouldn't mind browsing in this bookstore in Portugal.
- Everything About Secret Bookcase Doors.
I ♥ Lists & Quizzes
- The top 10 cities in literature.
- How much do you know about Great American Novels?
- Happy reads to help you through a tough time.
- 10 "unfilmable" books that made it to the big screen.
- 40 things to say before you die.
- 7 literary characters sociopathic enough to run for president.
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!
Cathy - Know what makes me a happy camper? Visiting your blog. Know what else does? Checking out new links. Thanks :-)
ReplyDeleteNo... thank *you*, Margot.
DeleteMy panacea for bad moods and bad days is reading wonderful readers' blogs, especially focusing on crime fiction -- and seeing photos of charming birds and other animals -- and reading fun books, including Nero Wolfe mysteries.
ReplyDeleteHowever, the most wonderful book, and perfect for you as a bird lover, is Enslaved by Ducks, by Bob Tarte. He and his spouse, Linda Tarte, move to rural Michigan. There, they start adopting fowl of all kinds, parakeets, doves, parrots, ducks, geese, turkeys. The guy down the road who sells ducks and geese is named Rupert Murdock. (I kid you not.)
Bob and Linda fall in love with the birds. He builds pens for them, sets up a pool (even in the winter ducks love the pool), takes care of an injured turkey. And they get outsmarted by very smart parrots.
Every bird lover, every animal lover should read this book. Bob has a self-deprecating sense of humor. He is hilarious. I laughed out loud at this book many times.
I bought it for a friend, then bought a copy to loan out, then a copy for me, others. Everyone hoots and howls about it.
Thanks so much for the recommendation, Kathy!!
DeleteCathy : is that link really true that Bush accidentally voted for Obama? I am still laughing .... !
ReplyDeleteYes, it is true-- and I have to admit that it's still making me smile!
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