Invisible

Invisible is a song from Steve Earle's new album, The Low Highway, that will be available in April. I really like the video linked below.

http://www.cmt.com/videos/steve-earle/883098/invisible.jhtml#artist=400128

Scott and I have been Steve Earle fans since before we met. We drove to Knoxville and back in the snow to see him in concert years ago. Many of his songs are about current issues in society. His views aren't for everyone, but my Liberal friends would probably like him. He is famous here for his song Copperhead Road that mentions the Johnson County Sheriff's Department.

 

 

The Kitchen House was awesome. It is about an Irish indentured servant and the slaves she adopted as her family. It is a really incredible book that I recommend for everyone. I am anxious to see what Casey thinks(www.heelstohighchairs.com).

 

I purposely don't give many details about the books I read because I really hate it when someone spoils a book for me. I don't even read the jacket before I read the book if it has been recommended to me. I really like a surprise. I don't try to solve a mystery either. I just enjoy the story.

 

Everything is pretty much the same here. Spring allergies are in full force already. Tree pollen is not my friend.

 

 

 



Old Barns of Ashe: Along Came a Stranger by Peggy Poe Stern

Casey bought this book for Kindle and loaned it to me. Yes, this is legal because Peggy allows her books to be loaned. As I was reading I kept telling Casey it seems like I have read this before. It turns out that I had - this isn't Peggy's newest novel. It is a great story and was well worth a second read. If you like Bridges of Madison County, you will like this book.

 

Bentley spent some alone time with me today. Casey went to have her hair done so Bentley stayed with me. We had a great time watching birds, checking out the trucks that went up the street and just playing outside. He wants for me to carry him and I am just not strong enough. His 28 pounds feels like a ton to me. I gave him special treats that he doesn't get at home like Kool-Aid and bologna. His Mawmaw (his great grandmother) brought him home made cookies and apples.

 

Bentley wanted for me to go with him in the car and cried when I couldn't. It breaks my heart to see him leave.

 

I am having some well earned rest with my feet up. Casey text earlier to say Bentley was making salad dressing. That boy is a cook.

 



Outlander by Diana Gabaldon

This is book 6 of my 52 books in 52 weeks. I listened to this book from Audible. It was an excellent book - 5 star. The book is set in the Scottish Highlands and in England. There is a bit of time travel, but not enough sci-fi to turn me off. This book was almost 40 hours of audio, but you will want to listen every second you can. It was hard to turn it off when Scott wanted to talk. LOL

My next audio book will be The Kitchen House by Kathleen Grissom. Casey is going to read the print version. Mama listened to it and liked it, and a friend of Casey's gave her a copy. Join us and let us know what you think. Casey is at www.heelstohighchairs.com. I will also try to read a print book in between the audio books. There is something about actual reading that cannot be replaced.

Peggy Poe Stern has a new book out. It is available for Kindle now and in print next week. Her books are those that you just cannot put down. I have read everything she has published.

I have been working some on Bentley's scrapbook, knitting a sweater for myself out of my hand spun alpaca fleece, knitting a blanket for Kristen's baby, painting some huck towels for us, and reading/listening to books. The days are still very long here alone.

I have been feeling fairly well. I've been having a bit of trouble with my foot. but I have had issues off and on for years. If I stay fairly immobile I am feeling great. If I am pushing myself, I get chest pain and dizziness - nothing new. I am grateful for a little break in feeling like the Grim Reaper was waiting in the room.

We got a food processor with some of our tax refund. We have been having fun using it to slice, shred, mix, and knead. We have cut vegetables for soup. kneaded bread dough, shredded cheese, and chopped and mixed meatball ingredients. When I say we, it is mostly Scott. :)

I'm looking forward to Bentley staying with me while his mom is at the hairdresser this week. I am hoping for good weather so that he can play outside. He gets really excited when he sees the squirrels in the trees.

Officially...

I have sleep apnea like my Mama. Unfortunately they can't get me in to set up my machine for a month. I am hopeful that this will be the miracle that they say it will. It is supposed to make a dramatic difference in the way I feel.

I had an interesting early morning visitor. I got up around 4:30 and heard my bird feeder rattle. I looked out and thought a cat was trying to get into it. I pecked on the window and a raccoon was looking in at me. I took several pictures with my phone and it didn't scare it away. It must be really hungry. I wish Bentley had been here to see it.

Update

I had my CT scan on Tuesday. Since I haven't had a phone call, I imagine that there were no blood clots.

My sleep study was last night. I think they should schedule me for can't sleep studies. It was at least 2AM before I went to sleep. I can never sleep the first night in a new surrounding. The tech said my oxygen saturation started dropping at time to wake me so she let me sleep for a while longer so that she could be sure the doctor could see it. She said I would hear something by the end of next week.

Book 5 was Indecent Proposal. I know - trash again. We enjoyed the movie because it really caused us to think about what we would do for a million dollars. The movie was based on the book, but was different. I was fascinated that the husband was Israeli and the rich man was Arab in the book. I think the book was much better than the movie.

I am still listening to Outlander. Louann was right - I love it. She had been trying to get me to listen to it for years. I am not half way through and already looking forward to the next book.

For TV, we have been watching Sanford and Son. Last night I had cable at the sleep lab so I had a Food Network fix. I miss cable sometimes, but after a day or so watching I find there is "nothing on".

Book 4

I became fascinated with the Oregon Trail when Casey was young. We played the computer game, Oregon Trail. Oregon County was written by a person who did his thesis on the Oregon Trail.

I really enjoyed the book. There is a list of the actual settlers who made the first migration to Oregon. It was an educational and entertaining.

It was finally cold enough for Bentley to wear his snowman hat. I made it in 2010. He is such a cutie.

 

I have two tests coming up next week to search for a cause of my pulmonary hypertension. Hopefully they will find something they can treat.