What am I reading?

Another yet cold day here.  A bit warmer but still in the negatives.  -6°F, but we may now be in the clear and rise above zero this next week. I'm still crocheting a current blanket for ourselves (odd occurrence, as it's usually for donation).  I do need to check in my back ordered yarn.  It's the very last day of January today, and it was said to be shipped a week ago.  Then again, roads are not in good condition, and the temperatures are cold.  I think a new soup should be tried with more snow on the way (oh joy!).

I am getting caught up with crochet book blanket granny squares.  I'll try and remember take a photo of them.

 

Funny story to share.  One year I was so pumped for a new "thing" to do (a new venture with gusto), I decided to read all of Ernest Hemingway's books in one year.  I had them on my shelf of course (why wouldn't I? Ha ha ha!).

You can see the original post HERE and HERE if you need some winter time entertainment.  

The funny part?  After a few books, I ditched his books and said nope, not reading anymore.  He was either drinking, on the way to the bar, or with women, or both drinking and with women.  I soon disliked his writing, no matter how famous the author became.  I should have picked another author, but it is a funny story to share.  If you read his books, you know what I'm talking about.

Cheers to the blog poster who shared this book!  I love a good book that is not a romance, and just literally a good story overall.

Sigh.  I am embarrassed to admit, that I've had it for a while, but I am finally reading it and I love it so far!  Thank you to whomever it was, but I think it was Far Side of Fifty.

Winter time limits outdoor physical activity for us, but we do have some winter hikes on the agenda (weather permitted).  Do you try to get outside or get moving in the winter?  Do you do daily indoor exercise?  Daily stretching?  Do you weigh yourself weekly, or do you just have it checked at the doctor when you are there? The doctor cleared me for exercise, but I'm still waiting on more information from the doctor's suggestions (to see if they are better, different or more helpful).

Do you do anything intentional for your mental health over winter?  Herbal, uplifting teas, meeting with friends/family, or possibly journaling?  Make travel plans of some fashion?  Visit the library more often?

New word I learned for the month:  Parsimonious.  Overly stingy or frugal, unwilling to spend money/resources.

Ending the month with some thoughts to chew on so to speak.  I did absolutely nothing for a Christmas countdown for 2026.  I can say, that when I did this last year (countdown), it was a lot of fun trying new recipes for the holidays.

What am I reading?  ©  January 2026 by Kristina at Pioneer Woman at Heart

Reading Books

 

It was about the time Mom started to get worse, and rotated from Emergency room to the nursing home, to home and back around again, that I completely lost my reading mojo (2021)

I think more than half of the books Mom had, were from me.  I used to read so often.

I am just starting to get back to reading.  However, with all of the home repairs and renovations going on, I often put it off or completely off for the day.  I often feel guilty for sitting down to read, when I know there is a window trim that needs painted, or a counter full of dishes that need put away, or laundry that needs folded (but more so the home repairs/renovations).

How do you not feel guilty to sit and read on a daily basis?

I am currently reading a book I started back in December.  Seriously.

So....in light of all of that....

Ha!  Trying to squeeze in a few pages when I can.  I was waiting for the blanch water to boil.  

We shall see how this goes.  My one Grandma (Mom's Mom) used to have a book with her all of the time, and I was told she'd even read a book while standing in line (say at the bank or wherever).

We hit a high of 64°F yesterday, and it was warm enough to read on the porch for once.  Getting some fresh air was just a bonus.  We are to hit another 60-ish degree day today (winds as much as  35mph), but it will return to cold again.

Reading Books © Feb 2024 by Kristina at Pioneer Woman at Heart