Friday, April 24, 2015

A Quiet Weekly Link Round-Up




A crime fiction author recently moved here to the Phoenix metro area, and I've been enjoying her getting used to the desert via her Facebook page.

Today she came across her first lizard, which surprised her a little bit. She admitted that the critters would take a little getting used to.

As you can see in the photo, I've already gotten used to them. That's a baby tree lizard on my little finger. Every once in a while I have to fish one out of the pool, but the one in the photo spent a good part of the afternoon one summer sitting on my shoulder while I read a book. I must admit that it did tickle when he decided to run up into my hair.

This week is touched with sadness. I mourn the loss of a friend-- Barbara of Views from the Countryside. She died peacefully in her sleep with her husband by her bedside. Barbara, I'm proud to have known you. You will be missed.

And now for the links...
 
 
►Books, Movies & Other Interesting Tidbits◄
  • Pulitzer Prize-winning author David McCullough on the importance of librarians.
  • What authors really think of publishers.
  • Just the sort of post I love to read: what books authors tend to read for fun while they're writing-- and don't forget to read the comments! 
  • An article about A Bone to Pick, the first Aurora Teagarden mystery movie recently televised on Hallmark Mystery & Movies. My opinion? Good production, but it certainly reminded me why I only read one book in that series!
  • Have you seen this Taylor Swift parody video for National Library Week
  • Thanks to Kathleen for making sure I saw this link about a Colorado haven for readers. There's more about the place on the Rocky Mountain Land Library blog.
  • Here's an infographic of the most common mistakes in the English language. 
  • The white woman who stood up for a Muslim couple was not showing a "white savior complex." (Whatever happened to just being a decent human being?)
  • Personally, I think Random House owes the Goebbels' estate some royalty fees. How about you? (I see when I mentioned this on Facebook, no one replied. I must not have a popular opinion!)
  • In the future, your veins could replace your passwords.
  • Dino lover that I am, I'm looking forward to seeing Jurassic World and thought I'd share the latest trailer for the film.
  • It can be a problem finding age-appropriate eBooks for readers with obstacles.

►Channeling My Inner Indiana Jones◄
  • Archaeologists in Egypt have discovered a chapel used by a pharaoh.
  • A record dive has rescued $50 million worth of wartime silver from the ocean floor.
  • All he wanted was to have a functioning toilet in his little restaurant. Instead he wound up uncovering centuries of Italian history.
  • One of the things I love most about history is finding out the nuts and bolts of how people actually lived way back when. Let's just say... personal hygiene standards have changed a bit over the centuries! 
  • A significant Pictish fort has been found off the coast of Aberdeenshire in Scotland. 
  • Archaeologists have found evidence of pre-Columbus trade in a house in Alaska. Photos of the dig.  
  • Another Brit with a metal detector. This time a Roman grave was found. Photos of the discoveries.
  • Here's a jaw-dropping link: what the pins on this map represent makes you wonder how London is still around today.

Channeling My Inner Elly Mae Clampett

►The Happy Wanderer◄
  • I wouldn't mind traveling aboard the Hermione. (No, it has nothing to do with Hermione Granger!)
  • 16 incredible library bars in London.
  • Out of eight of the world's most stunning bridges, I've been across two.
  • Hmmm... This job living in a haunted ghost town interests me!
  • I might buy this famous haunted Victorian mansion in Massachusetts if (1) I had the money, and (2) it didn't look like the house on the hill above the Bates Motel!

►I  ♥  Lists & Quizzes◄



That's all for now. Don't forget to stop by next Friday when I'll be sharing a freshly selected batch of links for your surfing pleasure!

Have a great weekend, and read something fabulous!


6 comments:

  1. I am very saddened by Barbara's loss, Cathy. As you say, she'll be missed. As to lizards, they are a part of life where I live too. The one in the 'photo you've shared certainly seems to have gotten comfortable with you. :-) - And now...on to dig into those great links. Have a good weekend!

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  2. Wow, what a great week for your regular links piece. I earmarked about a dozen I want to dig into when I have some extra time. I started on the publishing survey and quickly became engrossed in a number of the questions and responses, but will have to finish it a bit later. Kudos. You hit a lot of my hot buttons, probably ditto for many of your regulars. Ken in McLean, VA

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    1. I'm glad I found so many links that you're interested in, Ken!

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  3. So sorry for the loss of your friend Barbara. Love the lizard. You should take a look at what I dealt with a couple of days ago on my back porch. We did have a lizard that visited last year, but haven't seen him this year yet. But...this thing did visit. Ick. Oh, and love the Taylor Swift parody by the Topeka Library. Great!

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    1. Lizards are pretty much a 365-day treat here in Phoenix. Of course, sections of our property are a bit more "wild" than you usually find around here-- and with no children to put the scares in any critters.

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