Suzie's roses and more favorite things.

When you enter the front door of friend Suzie's house the sublime scent of roses envelopes you....

She has vases of the most spectacular blooms throughout the house, and she grew them all herself.  (Please note the friendly fellow peeking out from behind the vases in the photo above.)

Suzie (above) and Bill had friend Nancy and myself over for dinner and bridge tonight and it was a real treat.

First of all what a soul-satisfying experience to sit in their patio on a balmy spring evening, play cards and gaze up at the Catalina mountains--and all while smelling the roses. (Are all the northern friends and relatives green with envy yet?  However, we are now less than a month from 100 + degree weather that will last for months and months so my gloating is about to come to an uncomfortable end.)

But in the meantime, gaze upon these beauties while I expound on my utterly painful week.  Last weekend I managed to 'throw my back out'.  (Isn't that a strange phrase?)  I don't know why or how--I was just sitting in a chair and when I tried to stand up my back refused to obey.  

Standing, sitting, sleeping, walking were all painful in the extreme.  So I did nothing for days except gorge on Ibuprofen, read, surf the Internet, doze, and cuddle with Sigh Me.

No sightseeing, no traveling, no exploring--so boring!  But I thought I would pass on some of the better stuff I indulged in while propped up in the recliner.

 Re Books:

There are several book sites on the Internet that arrive each day in  my email and they usually offer a few free ebooks.  ('Free' is always good!)  Most of the books are not worth even the 'free' price tag but there are occasionally one or two that are exciting.  I have at least a hundred now of DIY, mysteries, biographies, some bestsellers, travel books and my favorite,  a book of poetry written by cats entitled,  "I Could Pee on This". The cats' mistress is named Francesco Marciuliano and her feline friends are definitely talented poets.  

I don't have a Kindle but I have the Kindle App on my IPad and I am rapidly filling it up with some great reading.  I am hoping to eliminate several hundred pounds of books from the RV when I finally take off again.  It took a while for me to adjust to reading on the IPad but it is getting easier all the time.

If you would like to check out the websites for the free books the following are the addresses of the three that come to me daily...

Bookbub.com

Pixelofink.com

Ereadernewstoday.com

If you know of any others then please share.

(Note:  Why do romance novels feature headless men who are embracing helpless maidens  while posing,  shirtless, bronzed and ridiculously well-muscled?  Ladies, we really must stop 'objectifying' these men...it's so demeaning.)

Websites that I check on daily....

Wimp.com (cuz I love the animal videos but the other stuff is good too.  Definitely look at the wedding ceremony where the priest sings "Hallelujah" to the new couple.)

Upworthy.com--If these 5 minute videos don't have you crying or out changing the world then check your pulse--you are a walking Zombie.

Poorasfolk.com--A resource for people who need to feed themselves and live with little money.  Also,  examining the political and social climate regarding poverty and hunger.  (Caution--this sight has language that some may find offensive, and political statements that may rub the wrong way, but there are some really interesting ideas about a subject that needs more attention)

 Prankitfwd.com--This website is just too fun.  Please sit back and enjoy the soup kitchen for the homeless that a group of neat folks turned into a 5-star restaurant.  Note: have Kleenex handy.

delanceyplace.com--Daily this site highlights a small excerpt from a book or some article covering history, science, sports, biographies, inventions, or what-have-you.  Great for trivia buffs.

(Petunias--Our winter gardens are the best.  By mid-summer everything will revert to desert brown but the winters make up for it.)

I made it this far on the blog last night when everything stopped.  The computer would not respond to anything at all.  Even my swearing.   Ohh, I hate machines, electronics, motors!  And they all hate me back.  So I turned it off and went to bed only to discover that everything was working this morning.  Well, Maybe 'HATE' is too strong a word.

Finally, the cactus are blooming! And my back is better so I may go for a walk.

The real estate agent had another open house yesterday and a couple of lookers strolled through, but otherwise, nothing at all. 

I will post again next Sunday if this computer is not acting cranky.  

FYI, Ron is in England this week (for work) and will be going to Norway the following week to meet the Larson Clan.  I am so jealous but I am hoping he is getting photos and will do a posting in the blog when he gets back.