Like to read? Introducing Serena Jones

Posted on May 9, 2017 by dfolstad58

I have been reading it seems all my life, ever since I was knee high with comic books. It is both a pleasant pastime but also a useful skill.

I added the category of Reading/books so I could share my thoughts on authors.

A new author I have enjoyed is Sandra Orchard. She is an award winning author including being the five-time Canadian Christian Writing awards. Learn more about her books which include different series and characters at www.sandraorchard.com

The series that I started into is “Serena Jones mysteries” and the book was “Another Day Another Dali.”  I enjoyed it immensely, a fun book, not too serious, and not silly neither. Serena Jones is an FBI agent who specializes in art theft cases, and you won’t want to miss a single brushstroke.  

I suspect this author will be like grilled cheese sandwiches to me, a yummy treat from time to time.

I hope you check her out, Sandra Orchard, at your local library and let me know your thoughts. Toodles ! 

Posted in reading / books, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | 3 Comments

My Top 20 Inspirational Quotes

Posted on May 7, 2017 by dfolstad58

Which quote will you write down or memorize?

Posted in Uncategorized | 2 Comments

Can’t Take That Away from Me

Posted on May 6, 2017 by dfolstad58

blue sky Bruce walked down the path, just plain packed earth .  The path wound through a light forest,  absorbing his steps and so he moved silently.

Sunlight patches here and there were like stepping through hot wading pools at the ocean.  All around him, birds twittering and squirrels chirps but none of this smashed the peace and calm of his surroundings.

It was moments like these that Bruce recharged upon. The serene peace in the forest somehow lifting his spirits effortlessly, calming his thoughts. lifting up moments.

It had been three years since the funeral, all the stages of grief just speed bumps in his past. The memories of moments shared now had no sting, or not much.

Isn’t it nice that we have the moments tucked away inside us?

Life only has one direction but so many little things do trigger his memories.   Bruce felt deeply thankful for the memories, secure locked in his heart.

Funny the little moments that tweaked his face into a grin. When they had a flat tire in the rain and she defused the situation with a song and dance while he changed the tire.

Then there was the one time she came to his work in a gorilla suit and delivered flowers and sang “Dancing in the Rain” for his birthday.  He pretended to be embarrassed, but inside his heart sang – he loved her for it.

The way you wear your hat
The way you sip your tea
The memory of all that
No, no they can’t take that away from me
 
The way your smile just beams
The way you sing off key
The way you haunt my dreams
No, no they can’t take that away from me
 
 

Bruce left the path and sat down on a beach log to watch the waves, and ducks, always in pairs. With a deep sigh, after peeking around to check he was alone – he sang the Frank Sinatra”s Can’t Take that Away from Me.”

Recharged he rose and headed back to the car,  feeling refreshed and smiling.

A little laugh on his lips. She loved the oldies, and let him sing in the car, no matter how flat and off key he was.

Photo by Roxanne EarleyBut time to mosey forward, and so with a sigh, Bruce stood and paused to take a few breathes, and square his shoulders. 

He knew he can float through memory land again anytime because she is always right there,

always just a breath away,  

No, no he won’t forget the way she smiled just so.

No, no, They can’t take that away from me, 

Thanks for reading♥♥♥

Posted in family, FAVORITE POSTS - A Few of them ♥, music related, okanagan related, short stories, Thinking Out loud | Tagged , , , , , , | 17 Comments

Getting Back on the Horse

Posted on May 2, 2017 by dfolstad58

There are many enjoyable bloggers, and I am happy to “reblog” any post that I especially appreciate.

Has life been giving you a bumpy ride? Read on, Read on.

Colorado Cowboy's avatarShootin' the Breeze

I confess that I have been bucked off many horses, many times.  I have been bucked off other things as well.

There is a saying that gives me some comfort.  “Ain’t a horse that can’t be rode; ain’t a cowboy can’t be throwed.”

Unless it is a bronc at a rodeo, who bucks for a living, and you are not allowed to get back on, there are two important reasons to get back on after being bucked off.

One reason is very simple.   If you don’t get back on, the horse won and will think that it can get you off whenever it wants.  So, for training purposes, and for the horse’s own good, you want it to learn that it can’t get away with it.  You want it to learn that you are boss; that you are in control.

The second reason to get back on is for your…

View original post 380 more words

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

A Book can be a good place to visit

Posted on April 30, 2017 by dfolstad58

I have been known to read more than one book at a time, some books I read are not for entertainment, but instead for thoughtful absorption of the thoughts they share.

Not so with the book I just raced through and read overnight. The author, Alexander McCall Smith, I have spoken before praising his The No. 1 Ladies  Detective Agency series, which I still love and could reread and endorse it. Smith has a plethora of books and I stopped reading them because they didn’t live up to the No. 1 series. But this book of his, My Italian Bulldozer, was so fun and easy to read, I barely put it down.  It has different flow from the detective series and was light hearted in its own way, I loved it.

30236772THE STORY:    In the book, Paul is a food writer who after being heartbroken in Scotland, he turns to Italy for a working holiday in Tuscany to find inspiration for his latest book and his broken heart.

The only transportation he can find is, yes you know, A bulldozer.  You will see how the bulldozer opens doors and slows Paul down to enjoy his trip.

The bulldozer and Paul embark on a 3 week escape into the Tuscany way of life, you are welcome to do what I did, escape to Tuscany with Paul. 

Loved it, and I hope you do also.

 

Needing a laugh, but ending up with a song running through my mind all day – I watched this youtube video – Click here, for a video inspired by Flamingos !

Posted in music related, reading / books, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

Unexpected Benefits of Toastmasters

Posted on April 18, 2017 by dfolstad58

Why is Toastmasters worthwhile? beneficial, fun? The answers are varied. Suffice to say, the organization continues to grow more than 91 years after it’s birth, helping people be the best they are able and having fun doing exactly that. How many people? Right now over 345,000 members; over 15,900 clubs in 142 countries and millions over the decades! If you have never visited a club, maybe you should, guests are free to visit.

Bob Yewchuk's avatarThe Bob Angle

Back in the spring of 2006 I joined a local Toastmasters club, and in retrospect, this was probably one of the better decisions I’ve made in my life. I should have joined much sooner.

My dad first told me about Toastmasters when I was in my mid-20s. He said that he was a member when he was about my age, and found it tremendously helpful. I thought to myself: “Wow – when my dad was my age, I didn’t think that humans had even developed language – never mind organizing themselves into social groups and creating public speaking clubs!”. He went on to say that one of his first dates with my mom was a visit to his Toastmasters club during which he delivered a speech, and that she must have been impressed because they eventually got married. Therefore, I owe my very existence to Toastmasters!

He couldn’t recommend it…

View original post 1,145 more words

Posted in Uncategorized | 3 Comments