Procrastinating, Reading, and Mail Art

After 5 or 6 weeks of lack of interest in much of anything, I'm finally feeling energetic and involved again.  This has been a longer run of dullness than usual, and I never know just what causes these episodes.  My brain goes from enthusiastic, brimming with things I want to do -- to lazy and impassive and procrastinating -- then back again.  It isn't the same as with those fallow periods of creative ideas when I put my energy elsewhere, more like blah to everything.  

When that happens, I read.  A lot.  Sometimes a book a day or more.  And goodness, I'll never manage to catch up with all my reviews on my book blog.  Some books were excellent, most were OK, and some were just pretty bad.   My husband calls it an addiction.  It is, but one that I usually manage better!  :)

Because Carl's Once Upon a Time challenge has been in progress, 

I've read a lot of fantasy.

One right after another.  

And plenty of mystery and even some nonfiction.   

 The Golden Age of Murder is a nonfiction book about the age of detective fiction between the two world wars.  The three most well known writers from this period are Agatha Christie, Margery Allingham, and Dorothy L. Sayers, but there were dozens of others.  They formed The Detection Club and had a great deal of fun with annual dinners and more frequent casual meetings.  The book focuses mainly on the above three dames and their work, but the information about the individual members and the time period is simply fascinating!  


The Wicked Boy is a detailed account of a murder committed by a thirteen-year-old boy in 1895.  It covers the murder and the aftermath, but what is most interesting is the engrossing account of the justice system, the press, the school system, and the mental health system of the times.  I'm about 2/3 into it now.  At first, I wasn't sure what I thought--but the information about how the legal system and school system worked really engaged me.  I've just finished the portion about asylums.  Much of the information is surprising.  What the Victorians did poorly and unfairly and the efforts to improve by a few individuals (especially in the Broadmoor Asylum).  I will review the two together on my book blog when I finish The Wicked Boy.  

I have been keeping up with my correspondence, though.  Writing letters, sending postcards.  Here are some more examples of incoming and outgoing correspondence.

Incoming:

from Melody (bookish friend)--

we've been exchanging information about our

very different parts of the world  :)

from Mrs. Duffy,

of the lovely handwriting.

 from Connie an envelope that just

made the mailbox glow!

 from Wendy (another bookish friend) a wonderful bookmark.

AND her daughter Mouse made me a bookmark,

and I've shown both back and front

because

I LOVE it so much.

wonderful postcard from Suzie and Jazz Fest

Letter from Melody.

Because mail to and from Singapore takes so long,

we've been sending postcards in between.

New mail art pal, Emilie!

From Penne M.,

my friend for more years than I care to admit.

Love that birdie!

Outgoing:

To the talented Mrs. Duffy,

whose handwriting I envy.

But--

When I put this one in the mail, I failed to remove the washi tape

covering her address--and it came right back to me.

It is once again in the mail.

To Wendy 

To Melody

Hope everyone has had a good weekend!

April Fool's, Odds and Ends, Books

Bryce Eleanor bugged Amelia for several days about what pranks to pull on April Fool's Day, and Amelia gave this serious thought.  She did something to the faucet so when B.E. went to brush her teeth, the water was blue; Googly Eyes in fridge; a spider in her sandwich and a cotton ball in her cupcake.  School lunch was not what she was expecting.

 

I'm nearly through with fidget quilt #5--as usual, enjoying the process.  I've also taken time to play with scraps, making odds and ends to be used in future projects.

 Advanced Reading Copies that have arrived in the mail.

Read my first book for Carl's Once Upon a Time reading challenge (fantasy, fairy tales, myths, etc.).  This is year #9 for Once Upon a Time--I can hardly believe I've been participating in this challenge for nearly a decade. 

I have some possibilities on my Kindle and will check the library for more.  Love reading fantasy and fairy tales.  There are always great suggestions on other blogs that usually make my list longer than I can accomplish.

 I read  Thorn by Intisar Khanani last year, and it is on a flash sale for 99 cents at Amazon (today only through April 7).  Thorn is a wonderful re-telling of the Goose Girl fairy tale and the money will go to a great cause (more on Intisar's blog):

Nab YA Fantasy novel "Thorn" by Intisar Khanani for 99 cents April 1- 7 and help bring two young brothers home. (Links below.)

Described as "unflinching and exquisite," "Thorn" is a story of choice and betrayal, justice and compassion. Recommended for fans of Robin McKinley and Mercedes Lackey.

All proceeds from this sale will go towards helping a good friend cover the cost of international adoption of a pair of biological brothers with Saethre-Chotzen Syndrome--a condition that results in brain damage unless treated. Evan (age 7) and Raymond (age 9) were each given up at birth, and were unable to receive treatment for their condition. They have been in an orphanage in Eastern Europe since birth. You can find out more about the boys and Jamie, and link to their blog, here:http://reecesrainbow.org/83163/sponsorallison-3

Our goal is to raise $2,000 over the course of the week. International adoption is prohibitively expensive, so every dollar helps. Your help can make it happen! Share, tag, buy, and give "Thorn" as a gift to your loved ones! Anything you're able to do is deeply appreciated.

Thorn will be available at the following retailers:

Amazon (worldwide): http://viewbook.at/Thorn

Barnes & Noble US: http://bit.ly/1Hib5QW

Nook UK: http://bit.ly/1Imn4gN

Google Play: http://bit.ly/1FhcUgY

You can read my review here.  

Fairy Tales, Medieval Mysteries, and Hearts

It is once again time for Carl's Once Upon a Time Challenge:

  Friday, March 21st begins the eighth annual Once Upon a Time Challenge. This is a reading and viewing event that encompasses four broad categories: Fairy Tale, Folklore, Fantasy and Mythology, including the seemingly countless sub-genres and blending of genres that fall within this spectrum. The challenge continues through June 21st and allows for very minor (1 book only) participation as well as more immersion depending on your reading/viewing whims.

I've already read my first book for this challenge:  Snow in Summer by Jane Yolen.  The book is a retelling of the Snow White fairy tale, but set in Appalachia in the 1940's.  My review is scheduled for Sunday on my book blog. 

So...fairy tales, folklore, fantasy, and myth --  a reading itinerary.

 The only other circumscribed reading itinerary at the moment involves medieval mysteries.  I love mysteries and decided to do some concentrated reading of medieval mysteries.  It has been a pleasant and rewarding adventure so far as I wander through the 11th - 14th centuries.  If you are interested in some authors or titles in this sub genre search medieval mysteries at A Garden Carried in the Pocket.

A few more scrappy hearts and houses.

Have a great weekend!

Oh, and if you have authors or titles to recommend in either the 

fairy tale or medieval mystery category,

please share!