Reading, Gardening, Mailing, and Fighting Mosquitoes

Books/Reading
I've discovered a new author (for me).  Dana Stabenow writes the Kate Shugak books set in Alaska.  The setting and characters are so vivid, I feel as if I have been there and met them.  I've already finished the second in this series, and I've enjoyed them both.  I've only reviewed the first one.  

While Stabenow's Kate Shugak in an Aleut and concentrates on investigations and the indigenous culture of Alaska, Saumya Dave provides a look at Indian culture (from India) in America.  Well-Behaved Indian Women examines the cultural differences between those born in India and their children born in America.  The main plot premise focuses on arranged marriages.  I found it interesting as our American culture is so different.  My daughter went to high school at the Louisiana School of Math, Sciences, and the Arts, and many of her friends were from different cultures--Korean, Thai, Filipina (another Jen),and Indian students.   And yes, some of the Indian girls had arranged marriages.

I've been reading so much that I can't keep up with reviews on my book blog, but reading keeps me from dwelling on things I can't control.


Garden

Cosmos

Honey Bell Cuphea

Supposed to be a hummingbird plant,

but I've yet to seem them visit here.

What do they like?  Milkweed, Lantana, and the Basil!

Crepe Myrtle flowers on Japanese Maple

When crepe myrtle confetti falls, it looks

like neon pink flowers everywhere.

Mail
I've been enjoying playing upstairs lately.  Made some more Art Deco postcards on watercolor paper.     

Outgoing Mail

postcard to a care home resident

 to Connie, using one of the vintage envelopes 

she sent me and attaching it to an envelope for mailing.

Seeing how the watercolor works on the vintage envelopes has been interesting.  The envelopes are approximately 80 years old, faded, and stained.  The watercolor adapts to this patina and is much less bright than on watercolor postcards.  

When my husband and I sit outside, he will not get a single bite;

mosquitoes invariably choose me.  

But on a positive note:  Adding a new weapon to the fight against insect-borne illnesses like Lyme disease and malaria, the Environmental Protection Agency on Monday approved a new chemical that both repels and kills ticks and mosquitoes. The E.P.A. has approved nootkatone, which is found in cedars and grapefruit. It repels ticks, mosquitoes and other dangerous bugs for hours, but is safe enough to eat.

What have you been doing,

reading, making, thinking lately?