"Gather ye rose-buds while ye may." Robert Herrick

"Gather ye rose-buds while ye may." Robert Herrick

Hello Friends!

Friends, Romans, countrymen...y'all. Foodies, gardeners, artists and collectors - let's gather together to share and possibly learn a thing or two in the mix.

Donna Baker

Sunday, October 30, 2016

Sunday Sunday




What a fall we've had.  Warm and dry.  Very few leaves have started to turn as evidenced by this weeping willow over the  lake.  I certainly hope it doesn't bode for a hard winter.  When I got up this morning, it was clear, then a fog rolled in.  Unusual.  It is cooler though today.




I planted a small pencil holly this morning. I love that they keep their tall narrow shape and do so without any pampering.  The glass wind chimes I hung this summer were taken down and packed away for next spring.  This wreath on the patio was coming down too, but I spied Jenny Wren perched on it - checking it out.  They love to overnight in little pockets and just as I expected, she hopped right into the middle hole, so I'll probably leave it up for her this winter.




I can't remember if I showed you this book.  I ordered it from Barnes and Noble.  Supposed to be a southern novel, in the vein of Faulkner and others.  The author is from Montana??  How can you be a southern writer from Montana?  It was worth the read, which for me is a thumbs up.  I think you know from past reviews, I like books you can't put down - want my head to explode and I'm more often than not disappointed.



Since I have found so few books of fiction that take my breath away, I've been looking for more non-fiction books.  I hope some of these will take me down a new path.  Does anyone know a good biography of Eleanor Roosevelt and also Theodore Roosevelt?  

I just finished binge watching House Of Cards last night.  Boy, can I pick em - and at the same time of the coming election. Will have to find another series to start watching.  Any suggestions?

18 comments:

Joanne Noragon said...

I quit being selective about authors of biographies. I read every one I can find. There are so many about Theodore Roosevelt, and he was such an interesting man. Have you read Franklin and Winston? Those are the sorts of places one gets tidbits about Eleanor that fit into the big picture. I could write an entire chapter here of biographies of great men and unknown people. Sadly or not, they comprise the bulk of my reading.

donna baker said...

I think we are like minded Joanne. They don't make them like that anymore. No, I haven't read that book. Times have sure changed, haven't they?

Elephant's Child said...

How nice to find other biography hounds. They are also often stranger than fiction. I am fond of letters and diaries too.

donna baker said...

Me too Child. My problem is I just can't pick them with any regularity. I'll show you a diary I found with a historic incident recorded in it. Next time.

Frances said...

I agree that we have been experiencing a strange sort of autumn. Really warm here today, with lots of accompanying rain tonight.

Tomatoes still available at the farmers markets, and lots of bees flying around some produce and flowers. I have more books I want to read than I can find time to read them. Think I have read all of the MFK Fishers books...interesting woman. Not sure I would have enjoyed meeting her, but I do like her writing.

This afternoon while painting my Christmas tea cup cards, I was listening to BBC London via the laptop and heard a great program focused on the new Booker Prize winner The Selloff. Now I really want to read this book ... it's quite timely for our upcoming Nov. 8.

Shall I close with saying that ...you cannot make this stuff up? xo

Michelle said...

I have enjoyed Alan Bradley's series of young, Flavia de Luce. The first book is, The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie.

angryparsnip said...

Try "The Big Burn" Teddy Roosevelt and the fire that Saved America. The huge fire of 1919 that destroyed much of Montana, Washington and Idaho. Also the plans of Gifford Pinchot and Teddy Roosevelt and the idea of conservation, public lands and the making of National Parks System (that sadly have been left to crumble down. ) Brother worked for the USFS so this was even more interesting to me and my family.
I love the book but only got half way because of the eyes and brain problems. I had to stop reading. I am thinking of getting a book on tape so I can finish it.
We are having a warm Fall but a beautiful one.

cheers, parsnip

donna baker said...

Hmmm Frances, you have peaked my interest. I have several more of MFK's books to read. It is all too much, isn't it??

donna baker said...

Thank you so much Michelle. I'll look into that.

donna baker said...

Then truly a gift to enjoy Parsnip. My college roommate retired from the USFS. She went to set up camps for the forest firefighters; logistics and stuff. I will look that one up. Thank you.

elaine said...

Love the picture of the misty pond Donna, very atmospheric. Thanks for sharing your book list I am always on the lookout for a good book myself, and am often disappointed with some that have good reviews. Perhaps like you I should turn to a good biography.

donna baker said...

The reviews are the worst part. They make every book sound like the best book ever written and I end up thinking, what in the world did I miss???? I know they wouldn't sell if they said, perhaps you wouldn't want to waste your time and money, but I don't remember reading bad reviews anywhere on the books I've been reading. Maybe modern fiction is the culprit as I seem to remember liking short stories and essays from my school days more than today's books. Thank you for the picture comment.

La Table De Nana said...

Your photos are lovely Donna..the reflection..and how pretty is that Wreath?
I love it.
We watched House Of Cards..I have actually enjoyed a few series..
Homeland..
Bloodline..dark
Friday Night Light..very light..
The Killing..dark
Grace and Frankie..light

AS you can see I am all over the place.:)

Chef's Table

I enjoyed Sweetness In The Belly too..the book.

Summer said...

Love the beautiful misty photo♥

The Weaver of Grass said...

Whenever we have been in the US on holiday we have always looked for a Barnes and Noble - they are wonderful. I usually buy one book and write in the front which B and N shop it came from. I have such happy memories of them.

donna baker said...

Homeland is my favorite and I can't wait until the new season starts. Thank you for the recommendations. I remember you watching Friday Night Lights and that you loved it. I'll have to try that. My kids wanted me to watch Sons of Anarchy. I told them I'm not interested in bikers, but watched two episodes of the series first season, and I still don't like it.

donna baker said...

Thank you Summer. Nice to hear from you.

donna baker said...

My favorite store.