Sunday Salon: Happiness found

 Good morning friends!  So last week I was whining about everything, having just arrived home from two weeks at the farm.  I buzzed around and got my stuff done, called my newly beloved yard man and asked if he would help with my backyard vine problem, got my trees trimmed, and things started feeling better.

My daughter had three driving classes with the Florida Safety Council this week.  These are hired professionals that use THEIR car to teach them to drive on the insane interstates, and I get a discount on our insurance once she gets their license.  She did well, but there was some nausea going on with me while I was waiting it out.

My son also got a repeat Endoscopy this week to determine the status of his esophagus and stomach, after the identification of his dairy allergy back in April.  Things are looking good, but will get some hard data at an appointment in a couple of weeks after the biopsies are analyzed.

So apparently my dad arrived safely in Africa (ebola-free praise Jesus) and is happily enjoying his safari.  His endurance and capacity for discomfort aren't what they used to be, so I'll be happy when he gets home.

My husband came home early this week and declared he needed beach, and he needed it NOW.  So he found a place to rent on Siesta Key for three nights...these are actual Hyatt residences, so it is more like large condo, which works better than two hotel rooms when you have vampire-like teenagers that hide.  We've got access to bikes, kayaks, beach boys that will set up your umbrella.  I'm all over this.  After I finish up with this post, my butt is headed out there with my book, a cooler, and sunscreen.  This is exactly what we needed to get us through to the start of school.
  

Sunrise on our morning walk

Lightning storm off our balcony last night

On the reading front, I did read the graphic novels "Saga" and "Snowpiercer" pretty quickly.  I liked Saga...it was strange but good enough to prompt me to order the next two installments from the library.  Snowpiercer was a disappointment however, after seeing that movie.  I also read "Vengeance is Mine" by Reavis Wortham.  This is a mystery series I've been following since I met the author at a mystery writer's conference several years ago.  It is set in the '60's in Texas, and is something special...part coming of age, part nostalgia for that time period, and part messy gritty crimes.  I have started Liane Moriarty's "Big Little Lies" and will accompany me on the beach for the next few days.  I just LOVE her.  She gets women's dynamics like no other.  And this is not chick lit.  It is something much more than that.

On audio I'm still listening to "The Silkworm".  I keep saying this, and I probably won't stop any time soon...I love these audios, and I love the storytelling.  Listening to them are just pure delight.  That is all.  I also posted my Goodreads review of Ned Hayes' "Sinful Folk" audio, if you want a little more detail.  It is definitely going to be in my top listens for the year.

Well time is ticking, and the beach is calling.  Hope you all have a wonderful Sunday!