A Ripe Weekly Link Round-Up

After 119 days with no measurable rainfall (I think it was sometime back in the dim mists of March that the phenomenon occurred), monsoon season finally decided to make an appearance in Phoenix. In typical fashion, the storm tried to rip apart a few neighborhoods in the East Valley, but all we got here at Casa Kittling was some very welcome pounding rain.

In other news, when my eye doctor dilated my eyes, then shone a light into them, looked closely, and said, "Oh yes, they're ripe," I was not thrilled. What's ripe? My cataracts and I've been referred to a specialist who will evaluate them Tuesday, and then I'll undoubtedly be scheduled for surgery.

Surprisingly, this has opened up a huge can of emotional worms for me. When my doctor explained the procedure to me, my logical brain was fully functioning, and I (literally) didn't bat an eye. I had to take my grandfather in for cataract surgery, and it was really No. Big. Deal. And this was way back in the 1990s. I really do know the score.

But when I got home, my irrational brain reared its ugly head. The whole idea of having someone poking around in my EYES-- my most cherished body parts!-- makes me shudder. Moreover, I've had a "thing" about doctors since I was five-years-old. Don't ask me how (because no one's ever been able to figure it out), but I got the ring finger of my left hand shut and locked in a car door. I was taken to the local doctor, who bandaged me up and gave me back to Mom. Then-- even though she questioned him repeatedly-- the doctor would not change the bandage. (Things have changed since 1960.) My finger began to rot. Okay, technically gangrene set in. I had to be taken to the big city doctors, be admitted to the hospital, and take my word for it, the cleanup was not fun or pretty. So...I've had trust issues with doctors ever since.

But you know what? I also like to see properly. So I'll deal with this like I've dealt with every other time I've had to have doctors poke around my anatomy. Inside, I may be screaming, but it's got to be done. I want to see clearly. My books and my camera will thank me for it because I certainly don't intend to give them up!

Time to mosey out to the corral. Those links are telling me I've shot off my mouth enough and it's their turn. Head 'em up! Moooooooooooove 'em out!
 

►Books & Other Interesting Tidbits◄

• Let's have a little fun: How to name your crime novel. (Mine? The Unknown Covetous Handcuffs.)
• Are you part Dutch, or a serial killer? Police use of DNA genealogy sites.
• In praise of an afternoon at the movies. 
• Rediscovering lost literary treasures of the American Midwest. 
• Discover the plot of your post-apocalyptic novel with Electric Lit's handy chart.
• Dealing with a Little Free Library book thief: a North Chicago case study.
• The Stephen King Library debuts for smart speakers. ("Alexa, tell me a story...")

►Channeling My Inner Indiana Jones◄

• Divers have discovered a 334-year-old shipwreck with $10 million in treasure.
• Gold coins worth $117,000 were discovered in an abandoned house. 
• An engraved rock could unlock America's oldest mystery.
• Construction workers in Rome found a rare intact Roman tomb.
• A priceless Revolutionary War medal has gone on display.
• $2 million in World War II-Era cash was found under the floor of Winston Churchill's tailor. 
• Where did the Aztecs get their turquoise?

►Channeling My Inner Elly Mae Clampett◄

• A trio of javelinas was found on the fourth floor of a Fountain Hills condo under construction. Try before you buy?
• Like birds, some bats warble to woo their mates. 
• Introducing a hairy-footed shrimp named after Bilbo Baggins.
• Fear of humans is forcing daytime animals into night mode. 
• The UK's hedgehogs (and other mammals) are in danger.

►I ♥ Lists◄

• The top ten working-class heroes in books. 
• The top ten books to help you survive the digital age.
• Nine internet scams we're still falling for in 2018. 
• Forty of the best villains in literature.
• Nine classic thrillers that tap into the mysteries of the natural world.
• Eight non-cookbook food books to read this summer. 
• Five literary mysteries that have never been solved but are seriously fascinating.
• The fifteen best food movies ever made.

That's all for this week! 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!