Month: November 2017

#TBT Review: The Muse Asylum

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TBT ReviewBook Title: The Muse Asylum

Author: David Czuchlewski

Genre: Literary fiction

Published Date: May 21, 2001

Rating: 4 stars

Back in January 2008, after The Nixie’s Song, I really needed to pick up and read something that would get the bad taste out of my mouth and I certainly did with The Muse Asylum. Recommended to me by my friend, Jill, who knows my taste in books so well, I quickly immersed myself in the words of this first-time author who had been mentored  by Joyce Carol Oates (although I personally don’t care for her writing, I knew that the writing had to be top notch). The telling of the story alternates between journalist Jake Burnett and the writings of Andrew Wallace who just happens to be the resident of a psychiatric hospital. Continue reading “#TBT Review: The Muse Asylum” →

WIP It Wednesday

Contemplative WIP IT Wednesday

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Even though I purchased yarn last Friday with the intent to use for Andrea Mowry’s Comfort Fade Cardi, the skeins were not speaking to me. I knew that at this juncture before I even cast on, if I was just meh about the yarn, the cardi was not going to ever make it to cast off, soak and block. Continue reading “Contemplative WIP IT Wednesday” →

birchbox

My Birchbox Dilemma

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I discovered Birchbox and thus the concept of subscription boxes back in April 2016. I attended a digital marketing conference in NYC, and met Rachel Silver who was the former head of Birchbox’s social media presence. Rachel spoke about the power of using Facebook Live (before it took off like wildfire) by demonstrating how Birchbox used this video tool  to unbox their monthly boxes. Tips were provided on how to maximize each item in the box to its full potential.  Continue reading “My Birchbox Dilemma” →

Time Once Again for Some Purloining

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Once again on this fine Monday, I am purloining a little Monday Q&A from Kathy B at Compassionknit in Wisconsin. Here goes:

*Do you prefer an analog or digital clock?

I prefer a digital clock and the reason is a bit unusual. I used to wear very, very thick glasses (thicker than coke bottles) and then of course, graduated to contact lenses. Hard to believe but it is now 18 years ago since I had Lasik done. The morning after the procedure when I woke up and could look across the entire bedroom and see—really see—the clock display on the cable box was like a miracle. I felt like I had bionic eyes! Continue reading “Time Once Again for Some Purloining” →

The Things We Wish Were True Review

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Book Title:  The Things We Wish Were True

Author:  Marybeth Mayhew Whalen

Genres:  Mystery, Adult Fiction

Pub Date: 9/1/16

3 STARS

In an idyllic small-town neighborhood, a near tragedy triggers a series of dark revelations.

From the outside, Sycamore Glen, North Carolina, might look like the perfect all-American neighborhood. But behind the white picket fences lies a web of secrets that reach from house to house. Continue reading “The Things We Wish Were True Review” →

Finito Friday

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Finally! A finished knitted object and it only took the ride to and from Sarasota to A Good Yarn to make it happen. It’s The Prophet’s second Lightning Flame Hot Rod hat. Unfortunately, the first one (after of course saying too many times to count not to wash it in the washing machine and dry in the dryer) went through the washer and dryer and shrunk and felted. So knitted version 2 with superwash…combo of Cascade 220 Superwash and Cascade Pacific. Continue reading “Finito Friday” →

#TBT Thoughts: The Nixie’s Song

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Book Title: The Nixie’s Song: Beyond the Spiderwick Chronicles

Author: Tony diTerlizzi and Holly Black

Genre: Children

Rating: 2.5 stars

“The Spiderwick Chronicles” leave the old-fashioned charm of New England far behind and head south for some fiendish faerie fun in the hot Florida sun. Eleven-year-old Nicholas Vargas only thinks his life has been turned upside down after his developer father remarries and moves his new wife and daughter into the soon-to-be completed Mangrove Hollow.  Continue reading “#TBT Thoughts: The Nixie’s Song” →