June will not be melancholy if I have anything to do with it. Denis's birthday is Saturday, and the first anniversary of his death is toward the end of the month. I will admit that I have been having difficulties-- like swearing I just heard him call me from another room-- but I'd not be normal if I didn't. (Although I never have thought I was all that "normal.")
I haven't been getting out except for doctor appointments. I know I should get out and about-- force myself if necessary-- but I'm just not in the mood for solo outings. Okay-- enough of the Woe Is Me!
Let me share a Denis Photo with you that always makes me smile. The man never took himself too seriously, and it's a good thing he didn't. We were practically rolling on the floor laughing when he came home from running errands and took a look at the shoes he'd worn all over town...
Virtual hugs to you all! Enjoy the links!
►Books & Other Interesting Tidbits◄
- The rise of ragebait lit.
- What happened when a dumpster arrived behind a teacher's university library.
- How American toilets differ from British toilets.
- The fastest-growing target in America's book banning wave might surprise you.
- Why we still need book festivals.
- The violent history behind nutmeg.
►Channeling My Inner Indiana Jones◄
- The gouged-out testicles of this bull mosaic in Italy are just two more victims of tourists abusing monuments for luck.
- Bead net funerary shroud: A 2,500-year-old beaded veil from Egypt depicting the deceased's transformation into Osiris.
- The skeletal remains of Queen Elisenda, one of the most powerful rulers in medieval Europe, were unearthed in Barcelona-- along with several others who bore unexplained stab wounds.
- A 4,500-year-old Neolithic hall replica rises at Stonehenge as archaeologists and volunteers build with prehistoric tools and techniques.
- An underwater robot explores the hidden "Shipwreck City" beneath the surface of this popular urban lake in the Pacific Northwest.
- A 1,200-year-old gold hoard discovered in Saudi Arabia may have been buried by a medieval pilgrim.
►Channeling My Inner Elly May Clampett◄
- Could bug spray attract mosquitoes? Lab insects learned that the smell of DEET would lead them to a tasty treat. (My sandalwood skin lotion is excellent at keeping "skeeters" at bay.)
- Four rare Guam kingfisher chicks hatched at a facility in Virginia, making an "incredibly valuable" addition to the small population of extinct-in-the-wild birds.
- You're guaranteed to spot at least one gorgeous giraffe in each of these 15 images.
- Daddy Longlegs seem to hunt frogs in South America, revealing the gangly arachnids as overlooked predators.
- View Australia's wildlife, including kangaroos, koalas, and crocs, with these 15 photographs.
- Research suggests that these clownfish lose their baby stripes in response to peer pressure.
►The Wanderer◄
- An illuminating new museum hidden beneath the Lincoln Memorial is set to open to the public. Here's what you can expect.
- England's most famous naked giant will glow white again, thanks to help from hundreds of people performing a ritual of restoration.
- Art thieves steal paintings by Renoir, Cézanne, and Matisse worth more than $10 million, fleeing the scene in just three minutes.
- See the splendor of the majestic Rocky Mountains.
- Returning to Steinbeck's Sea of Cortez.
- Caste and culture in Kolkata's Chinese leather trade.
►Fascinating Folk◄
- Ona Judge escaped from slavery while George Washington was busy eating dinner inside Now, a new mural honors her legacy.
- Born and raised in Philadelphia, Loyalist Mattias Aspden fled to England during the American Revolution. In his absence, the patriots declared him a traitor and seized his property.
- The forgotten Untouchables of France.
- Sir David Attenborough has inspired countless scientists. To mark his 100th birthday, here are ten living things they've named after him.
- Requiem for a brilliant artist: On Tony Stella.
- Did Cleopatra really die from a snake bite? Here's what history tells us.
►I ♥ Lists◄
- 5 mysteries set in the Boston area.
- Your guide to Mignon Eberhart, America's Agatha Christie.
- 6 mystery and thriller books like Freida McFadden's The Housemaid.
- The top ten animal sleuths (plus honorable mentions).
- 5 brilliant, lesser-known cozy mysteries (plus one new novel).
- Top ten time travel books.
That's all for this week! No matter how busy you may be, don't forget that quality Me Time curled up with a good book!


You're on a journey nobody wants to take, Cathy, and there's no map or GPS to help you get through it. I hope it helps to know we care deeply about you and wish you well as you move along. Thanks for sharing that great photo. I think being able to laugh at yourself or in situations is so helpful to managing life. I'm glad you and Denis had those moments. Now, I'm off to look at that Neolithic hall replica. And I wish I could give a real tongue lashing to those *insert epithet here* who would deface a piece of history like that. Grrrr!
ReplyDeleteIt's hard for us introverts to get out and about on solo outings. Even harder when we are missing our favorite companion. Glad you are going easy on yourself. Denis' photo had me laughing! I'm in the mood for book lists and knew I could find some here. Sending you virtual hugs and wishes for a good weekend!
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