THE FIRST SWING OF THE SEASON!

One of the things I enjoy doing is playing golf and even though I don't get to actually play very often, I do like going to the driving range with my buddy, Joyce. Joyce is working full time so she doesn't get out as often as she would like.

So, here it was, a beautiful Thursday morning in April and she was off and I was able to join her at the driving range.

Joyce - watching to see if her ball was going exactly where she wanted it to go! Me - taking my first swing of the season. I smacked that little ball a good one and it felt good! We hit balls for about an hour and then it was time for lunch so we headed out to find some pizza. Can't wait to actually play a game at our favorite 9-hole course.

BOOK BLURB FRIDAY

This is Friday's Book Blurb where Lisa Ricard Claro presents a picture for us to write a blurb for the back of our book that you just would not be able to put back on the shelf! Write a blurb in 150 words or less - and go to Writing in the Buff.

When her captors slipped off the blindfold, Tula Fancy just stared. A gorge in the valley of the Bittersly Mountains opened out before her and she sucked in her breath with the beauty of the place. But, who were these people, a woman and two men, who had taken her from her workplace just hours ago? She had asked over and over where she was being taken and why. Only silence and the ring of the horses' hooves on stone was her answer. Now, she turned to the one who seemed to be the leader and asked again. "Who are you and what do you want from me?" "Best not to ask questions girl," the woman said cryptically. The reason for Tula's abduction will be made clear when Manny Dunn takes conrol of the investigation. Seventh mystery in the Manny Dunn series. (143)

SIMPLE PLEASURES

This week we had one day (only one day!) that reached 70 degrees and I decided that the blossoms on my pear tree indicated there would be more blossoms to see on a walk around the block. So,

off I went walking...with my iTouch. I've never walked to Paul Simon's "Kodachrome" before and it was a lot of fun - you could say it was a Simple Pleasure! So come on over to Dayle's at A Collection of This and That where we all meet and tell of our Simple Pleasures - which is a chance to slow down and really see the little things we don't usually notice.

SPRING IS SPRUNG!

I love these pictures of my backyard just beginning to wake up after the long dreary winter. The Daffodils are so vibrant - so YELLOW I peek out my sliding glass doors every once in awhile just to get a boost from their vivid color!

Here is a zoom picture of the woods in back of my townhouse which is the common ground of the development. I'm lucky, though, as there are no sidewalks and no one ever usually comes back here. My own private wooded area! I've planted some daffodils back here too they just haven't come into bloom yet. I've planted a small azalea here also - just in front of the two trees. That white speck is a little angel statue that I've put in the crook of the tree. It is so wonderful to know that in a month or so we'll be able to plant other flowers and shrubs.

BOOK BLURB FRIDAY

Welcome once again to BookBlurb Friday hosted by Lisa Ricard Claro at Writing in the Buff. It is loads of fun and she will provide the picture prompt and you write a book jacket blurb that would make you want to read the book on the spot! Keep it within the 150 word limit and that is all there is to it! Here is my lame attempt for this weeks Blurb: When Jim Browning graduates college, he decides to take time off by backpacking through Europe. Arriving in a small Italian village he is immediately struck by the beauty of the Dome of the Illusion of Saint Gregory. He steps inside the sacristy and is at once involved in a world of intrigue and a fight for his life and reputation when a priest accuses Jim of stealing a priceless relic of the Saint. He is taken to a very ancient jail cell unaware of the shadowy figures who want the relic for themselves. Soon a young woman comes and claims she is Jim's lawyer and tells him to cooperate with his captors. Does Jim go against his natural instincts and follow the lovely woman's advice or can he reach a long, lost relative in the nearby town of San Verde who may or may not be able to help? (148)

SIMPLE PLEASURES

Homeowners work is never done! When my old outside fixture finally gave out the other day, (and I'm not even remotely handy when it comes to electrical repairs) I had to stop and think about what I should do. I knew I could call an electrician ($$$$$$), but quickly decided that was not an option. My Son in laws are very willing to give a helping hand when they can, but, they live in other states and have their own families to care for.

I decided to go to our local Home Depot and get a replacement fixture. It was very inexpensive and should be very easy to hook up. Hehe, but NOT for me!

Over the years, I have collected a few cards from handy persons who have helped me from time to time. Not all of the cards I have collected are from people that I know and have used for work around my house, but I have them just in case! The card in the forefront is an example...I just picked up this card and have not used them for anything so I would have to ask for references. Anyway, my simple pleasure today is knowing that I can call someone I KNOW and TRUST, which, for me, is the most important aspect of hiring anyone.

Come join Dayle as she hosts Simple Pleasures at A Collection of This and That.

"A GRACEFUL CELEBRATION"

Getting the table ready

A few weeks ago I said that I would be going to my daughter's home in Pennsylvania for what she and her sister were calling, "A Graceful Celebration" in honor of my Mom (her name was Grace) who had passed away in February. They decided to go "all out Italian" also in honor of Mom or Grandma as they called her who was of Sicilian ancestry and first generation in this country. Here is Jillian, who blogs at Bella Rose Antiques Look at that smile! We were making meatballs with a recipe in our heads (unfortunately we never wrote it down) and not on paper!

Here is the Tomato sauce simmering on the stove ready for the browned meatballs. By the way, they turned out wonderfully tasty but we know now that some of the spices and a different type of Italian cheese were missing. Oh well, next time will be closer to the "real thing."

The day was filled with laughter and tears - that was to be expected for such an occasion. We knew that Mom would have loved all of it.