Definitely Dead by Charlaine Harris - Just finished

I have been so into the True Blood series. I first found the story on HBO and I loved it.

But, when the season ended, being the true fanpire that I am, I had to do something since I went into immediate TB addiction withdrawal. I had to get my Sookie and Bill fix. But with the show on a hiatus until March, I couldn't wait THAT long.

Have I mentioned, "I'm not the most patient person in the world"?

So, without the weekly show to satisfy my thirst (he-he), I had to find another way to get my fill of True Blood and Sookie.

And, just to let you know, where there's a free will, there's a way.

So I ran right down to the bookstore and bought my first Harris novel: Dead Until Dark. But, that was just the beginning. From there, I read:

2) Living Dead in Dallas
3) Club Dead
4) Dead to the World; and,
5) Definitely Dead

Now, I'm on my way through number six. I've read the first chapter of All Together Dead, which was offered as a special preview at the end of Definitely Dead. And, I have the hardback copy of From Dead to Worse - waiting. . .

So, I'm here to say, if you love a good romance novel, with a little paranormal spice thrown in for good measure, Charlaine Harris' Southern Vampire Romance Series is well worth the read(s).

And, if you've read any of the books or, if you run out and get one and read it tonight, let me know. I love talking shop: books.

A Hot Toddy

I didn’t really drink at all - until my kids became teenagers – I just looked drunk, all the time: stumbling around in a sleep-deprived fog, bloodshot eyes, clothes all disheveled.

I even remember wearing two different shoes to work one morning, when I'd been up all night with one of the kids. That might not seem too horrible - if you're thinking one shoe was just a slightly different shade than the other, like blue and black. But that wasn't the case. This scene was much MUCH worse.

One shoe was a flat and one was a pump.

I hobbled in the door: up-and-down, up-and-down, all the way to my desk. Even that wouldn't be so bad, if I worked behind a counter where no one could see my feet. But, I work in a law office, where we are supposed to look professional.

Maybe it was then that I gave up all my hopes of being a perfect parent. I'm no longer a strict tea-tottaler and that's another word from my Mom.

On a hot summer night, and not all of them, I love a salty margarita. And on a cold winter’s night, I love a Kahlua and Coffee.

But there’s one drink I remember Mom talking about in the winter, when cold and flu season hit. She'd pull out the Brandy and Lemon juice. She said it was her cure for the common cold and I remember her giving us kids a mixture of the liquid - but only a tablespoon full, or so.

It was the Hot Toddy

I always thought Mom made up the name of THE HOT TODDY because my brother's name was Todd and Mom always played games with names, so it wouldn't have been such a stretch.

My name is Kimbra Fay - my little sister's name is Tambra Kay and that's just the beginning.

Did you know today is National Hot Toddy Day?

:) It brought back a lot of nearly forgotten memories for me.

A GREAT MOVIE - The Duchess - with Keira Knightley

Even if you don't like historical movies, you will love the costumes and hair. They couldn't have been done any better and Keira Knightley is one of the most beautiful women alive today. But, that is just the beginning.

This is the true story of the Duchess of Devonshire, who befriends Lady Spencer, played by Charlotte Rampling. Unfortunately, Lady Spencer betrays the Duchess in a tragic turn of events.

This is a heart wrenching story that will cause even the most cynical of viewers to have to hide a tear.

ANSWER(S) TO THOUGHT FOR THURSDAY AND EARTH-FRIENDLY FRIDAY

ANSWER(S) TO THOUGHT FOR THURSDAY: The fastest animal in the world...depends. In the water, it's the dolphin, in the air, it's the falcon, on land, it's the cheetah. So it depends. But you can read all about these amazing animals here.

Here's My Earth-Friendly Friday Post: My sustainability tip "Bike Bound" made it into the Oregonian, which is my local newspaper. It's the second clip on the right-hand side. So Yipee!!! I'm celebrating this one because it's more than a tiny little clip - it's my own little way of adding a little green(ery) to the world. (I had to cut and paste the article, to get it to fit on one page.) If you click on the article, it will enlarge. Hope you can read it. If not, you can see it here, the Oregonian posted an on-line article about the story - my tip is half way down the page.

THOUGHT FOR THURSDAY

THOUGHT FOR THURSDAY: What is the fastest animal in the world?

Check back tomorrow for the answer ;)

What Was Happening the Year You Were Born?

ANSWER TO WORD FOR WEDNESDAY: Here's the answer:

According to Dictionary.com: to render utterly perplexed; puzzle completely

To see what was happening the year you were born click on the year -

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WORD for Wednesday

Word for Wednesday: NONPLUSSED

It seems like such a simple word,
one that we have doubtless heard.
But, can you bring its meaning to mind?
Do you know..., is it to be rude or kind?

The diction is easy to assume,
but pondering can cause utter gloom,
for those of us who like to think
we wield words, and we shouldn't have to check a link
for a simple term we find in cyber space.
So take a guess - come on - be brave. Join this race...

(I'll post the answer later today along with another FUN post "What Happened the Year You Were Born". Let's celebrate the New Year - check back around 3:00 p.m. Pacific Standard Time PST)