Are we in March 2023?

I can say this first day of March 2023 definitely feels like the middle December instead of closer to the spring season. Currently I am in the office hiding away all buddle up in 32 degrees attire from head to toe almost. I have the third blizzard making a mess of outside but I got a hot cup of coffee to my right which was brewed perfectly in my opinion. While I am slipping the hot cup slowly just to enjoy it, I have two out of three big shepherds laying on fluffy beds next to the office, guarding me as usual and yet they are completely lights out instead! What am I going to do with these to two? And Max went into another room to hide away with his toys. Then again if I was them, I would be curl up too sleeping the day away. They are quiet lucky pups in my opinion but don't tell them that.

I thought I would start the introduction to this blog post today on this winterly cozy day before I got distracted working on other blogs post even though you will see the other blogs post before this. Hello All !

It's been exactly nine days after I started this blog post, Let me tell you this time they weren't kidding when the blizzard arrived. There was so much snow that I have a shovel snow for a least three days in row just to make a little dent in making path ways for the dogs. The snow level was almost to my knees at some points and other areas it was practically at my hips. I still had snow until this morning when rain storm decided to melt the rest of the snow. I know mason had lots of zoomies for days after the blizzard, he easily got his cardio in each day. Maverick enjoy it when he could lay in the sun within the snow patches. Max just want to eat as much snow has possible before it goes away. They each have their own personalities when it comes to snow. I did get some fun content during the storm and the aftermath of it all. I haven't gotten around to post it all anywhere yet but of course I will when I have a moment. There's a few quite awesome time lapses I took during the snow, hail and everything else. I can confirm the pack I have knock down a tripod and sent my phone flying when they can, but mainly maverick with his tail . But don't worry the phone was not harmed in the process just sent flying repeatly throughout the day.

On another note I did mention in the nourishment post, I did enter in the winter photo contest locally again in the beginning of the year. And I won't keep you in suspense anymore than I have to. Well the turn out was good, there was quite different artists that took part in the contest. Like I have said previously my only aim is to beat my own work each show. And think the outcome was not too shabby this round. I didn't get best in show but Maybe next time, I will snag that one! My outcome was four out five entered which is pretty good in my opinion. The categories I entered in were People, Black and white, Transportation, animals of course. Each show I start out with rough fifty pictures that I think they are the best then from that fifty, I narrow it down to fifteen to print. Then I sat them to the side for a week before the show, to forget them for awhile for a days. After those few days pass I make a top eight with photo matts possible titles with fitted categories. And some how the day before the window closes to enter them I always end up with six in hand. Then I walk in the gallery on the last day with the six but walk out with one that my intuition told me to wait on. And I like to think it's my process of how I do it each time that make me successful each time. Now that I got that out of the way, on to what you really want to know; what were the photos that won. In order was in the first place was "Gang of Eight " in the animal category which was a group of eight giant Elk watching the hot air balloons flying. And trust me taking that photo particularly was interesting one to get at the time, last year.

We shall see if I get a better one this year. I also had a picture of an flying pelican over the blue ocean waves titled "Low Approach". That was different for me to enter in a contest and definitely hard to get clear shot when those guys fly across the waves. I won first place in transportation with one of my favorite captures from last year! I was secretly hoping that would place at least. It was a capture of a flying airplane in the sky and I titled that "Fly Girl Fly "because it was actually piloted by a female pilot that I saw at Edwards air force show.

Which I left made it in a septic color than printing it in regular color, I think in septic; it grasped the eye to know more about it. And it reminded of a old newspaper photograph.

I won second in the black and white category with birds flying off a cliff on a moody day by the ocean, I titled that one" Cast Ways". I titled that because it kind remined me of the ending of The Count of Monte Cristo. Lastly I had a photo place third in the people category of a parachute jumper flying out a jet and tilted that one, "Coming in Hot". That was also hard to get looking up in that hot sun in July at the base but I will say it was definitely worth looking up.

Looking at the set of photos from that I entered at the end of January. I definitely didn't notice the flying theme or the water elements either until now. I just thought they are all stand out as my best work for the year. And they each said something different to people looking at them in the gallery. Rather than that was the judges or just people looking at them during the show. I hope that I at least inspired one person to create their own beauty .Isn't funny when you reflect on something you did in the past that brings up another theme or meaning being brought in your present moment. And you think , "Oh wow I didn't see that one".

I hope you guys enjoyed this little read and my share of what I accomplished in the previous months. I just have been busy doing some things and living life that I have delayed lot of work but I keep my word; more things will be coming and things will be updated. I have been just a book worm just reading constantly and writing down my notes for the reviews. Currently I am in the world of Stephanie plum's. Lets say I have read three books back to back and I love every single second of it, when I open a novel by Janet Evanovich. I have just been happy in my own world, taking pictures, living life and reading novels. I hope you are happy and living your own little world to the fullest. Till then I will catch you in the next one since I am a little behind as always. X

See you soon !

love always , '

Misread

Summer lovin July

Well its July and it's summer! Upon writing this blog post, summer lovin popped in my mind and I thought it would be a great cheeky title to kick off this post.

I often think about a certain summer season that sticks out from the rest. Each summer that comes around it make me smile thinking about it. I take that back ,I often think of two that come to mind, one has a teenager and the summer where I fell in love with hot air balloons. The one that I remember has a teenager is the year I received a rose petal glass pendant. Which I don't wear often but I love it and the memory that comes with it . And the hot air balloons summer when I went up in the sky untethered and I was hooked on the experience within seconds. I never wanted to leave the ride, there's something about seeing a sunrise while you are in the sky. Who else has the best summer memory that you remember each year?

I hope this weekend of independence, that you all have a safe ,relaxing one. That there's lots laughs in the air, a little BBQ with all the fixings. Speaking of BBQ all I am thinking about the last few days is about Tri-tip, and ribs from Saltys. It's a must Barbecue place to go if you are craving barbecue. And of course I hope the weather is perfect to enjoy the summer days, summer nights with fireworks and love ones all around a campfire watching the stars. By that being said, Happy Birthday America and let's have better days ahead!

Picking up where I left on from the last month's blog post. You were wondering where I could went at 4 am and be home by noon. Let me tell you where I for twenty minutes in a different state. Woke up at 4 am and on the road by 4:30 am on May 7th 2022. And of course there was a Starbucks stop right before getting on the hwy. And before I get any further into the details of this mini trip, I was just the tag along to help drive halfway through to the destination. I learned two things that morning , one Starbucks opens at 4:30 am and two they sometimes forget to put actual coffee in your coffee cup. I know what are you thinking , "How is that possible?; And did you realize before leaving the drive through? ". Well firstly, I didn't realize because I was busy eating the bacon gouda sandwich first. Then after having a few slips of my Carmel macchiato, I realized something was wrong. And I asked to take a slip my Dad's PERFECT drink ,(his words, not mine) , upon taking a slip there was actual coffee in the cup! And upon further analysis on my coffee situation and it turned out to just be hot milk! Hot milk or warm milk just puts me to sleep in other words it's my version of alcohol, lights out. I am not one to just fall asleep once I am wake. Minus the fact that I was robbed of actual coffee, I got to see the most beautiful sunrise in a long time and it's hard to put into words the actual beauty of all. Other than it was like seeing a cotton candy sunset but in reverse. I only wish there was time to stop on the side of the road and fully enjoy the show.

Now I am sure you are wondering where we were heading to that early in the day. We were heading to las Vegas to place a single bet and for the record , I was just there to help drive and the possibility of a gyro sandwich being involved. By 8 am that morning, we were in the M Resort parking lot. The casino was nearly empty inside for the time being ,one us heading to the sports book and one us headed for Baby cakes bakery. Now it's the time to take a guess which way I went.. one .. two .. three. I went straight to the bakery and placed order for the same coffee. Let me make it clear, I was in heavenly. I couldn't thank the lady behind the counter in enough. Take my word for it , I have been to Vegas each year that I have been alive and baby cakes is one of the best places to have coffee! That was twenty mins in Vegas for coffee, bet made and bathroom break to turn around and hit the road all over again. Then somehow we ended up at Mad Greek and I couldn't be happier to have a Gyro, there's something to their meat and their Tzatziki Sause. I still can't pinpoint what all the flavors are in that sandwich! All I have to say is I wish they were closer to me, I would have one as often as I could ! There was quite a few sand storms on the way back home but we made it back before the Kentucky Derby. I had a quite Hangry pack of shepherds when I walked through the door but they ended up loving again after they were fed.

After that trip, a few weeks later, I got to see Top Gun 2 Maverick. I can quote the first movie like many others. I promised not to see the movie without my Dad because when I watched top gun for the first time it was with him. So obviously I had to see the second one with me. We ended up going to a early showing and sat in D-box seats. I mean it was an important movie to see in my lifetime and to experience D-Box while watching it was a whole another level ! I highly recommend the next adventure packed movie you want to see in theaters that you do sit in one. The overall movie in my opinion was worth the wait from the script to the casting. And don't tell anyone it kind made me want to get a pilots license that much more, It might sound crazy but I always wanted to learn how to fly in the skies! But this from a girl who has never flew on a airplane and if you are screaming "How?" ; it just hasn't happened that's why. But I have this little feeling that will all change sooner than later. If you missed seeing Top Gun Maverick in theaters, definitely put it on your watchlist when it hits on any streaming platforms! After watching the second movie by the time I got home, the first one was on tv and I had to watch it. Maverick watched first part of the movie up close and personal. Mason left the building to hide away from the loud sound and Mr. Max was lights out in the corner by the A/C vent. That's pretty much what happens when theirs a loud action packed move plays in my living room at least.

I know that I didn't post this blog post in July, life happens and things get pushed in different directions. I promise things will be all caught up and regular content will be back. But by the time you see this post it will be August and I will be working on that month's blog post. I do open the kick of your summer has been great and the hotter days have been enjoyable. And I hope maybe you found a little summer lovin or you will find a summer lovin. And summer lovin can mean so many things. For me I found summer lovin this year has been just full of happiness and being in the present moment. And you haven't seen my latest blog post and previous book reviews they will be linked down below. As always let me know what you think and follow me on the socials for more !

Love always,

Misread

Spring Edition Book Reviews

It's the Spring Season and my nose has been in multiple books that I have to share with you. In this edition of novels I have read lately, they are all Historical Fiction novels with their own unique story mixed between history. And no matter where I sat down with cup of coffee or tea and or even what city I was in, I was transported to another era of time. Let me tell you now, I love each one these three books individually and as whole set together if I inspire you read just one, I did my job right. Two of the three made me have a few outbursts of emotions without even realizing my own surroundings. I will get into that shortly but I do have to mention these novels are meant to be a slow burn kind of read. Meaning with novels like this, make you want to enjoy every word, every sentence that the author gave to each character and to step into the story yourself understand every detail about them.

But who's to say I am the expert here, I am just giving my little opinion. Let's get into these escapism novels.

The first novel that I finished back in February is by Laura Morelli called The Stolen lady.

Now the Stolen lady is a story behind the untold story of the Mona Lisa painted by Leonardo Di Vinci within the story of WW2 when works of art had to be hidden from the Germans who wanted the art or to destroy works of art. Throughout the novel you are be in-between five hundred years of history, two story lines and looking back at the novel ;I think that concept was the only understand the connections between the real Mona Lisa (Lisa Gherardini ), Bellina ( her ladies maid) and Anne Guichard ( archivist of the Louvre). Reading about each lady in their timeframe, I learned about each one of them more depth than what's just in our history books today. The feeling of losses what Lisa Gherardini had in her life. Bellina's character of taking care of Lisa deeply and yet yearning for love also the fight within her own beliefs. Then Anne's fight to help protect the works of art with everything she has and yet what's constantly on her mind is where her brother went. Which mind you when you find out where her brother was during the war. Things will come full circle. I found Anne's and Bellina's life's were the most similar in their own way. Protection over some very important secrets than what history books would never tells us at least. I loved learning about Leonardo Di Vinci's life and lifestyle while creating his famous art work pieces, architecture that we seen by millions every year to this day. I can honestly say I didn't know that much behind the story of the famous Mona Lisa and her own history of five hundred years of existing.

Upon finishing up the novel, I was captivated between the two worlds of France 1939 and Florence 1479 towards the end of the novel, I just didn't want the book to end. I only wanted more about these famous key people in history. And I also wanted to know more about the people behind the scenes that protected all the art in Anne's timeline. Can you imagine if it wasn't for the men and women whom saved all the art, how much we would have at all to admire, if they didn't save them? The only thing I would have to say for my as reader I felt there was some loose ends left unfinished in a way besides Vinci's and some of Bellina's story. I felt like Anne's story had more room for closure then what was given. Then again I just might be a lover of romanticism because I think Anne found her one and only. To also had once you discover Bellina's life after Lisa Gherardini will shock you to. And I going to stay tight lipped about all of that, you have to read to find out for more.

I did in fact give this novel a four and half stars, definitely a must read.

After I finished The Stolen lady, I started reading The Last Checkmate By Gabriella Saab in March.

Let me first tell before I get into some detail about this very special novel that it will take you on a roller-coaster of emotions from the beginning line of the novel to end. Once you learn about Maria Florkowska; a young polish daughter who was a skilled chess player and a underground resistance member in Warsaw against Germany, you want to know every detail of her life. If it wasn't for her mind and her one goal, she would have died in Auschwitz. She was beaten, burned, tortured but her goal was to win the end. Maria played her way through for her life against unbelievable evil. This particular novel, I loved how the story begins at the ending of her torment and at the beginning of her Success intertwined on the first page. You will understand how important that last moment is for her to have the last checkmate against Fritzsch. You will met the ones who became her family through her time in prison when she lost her own the day she arrived in that cruel place. I loved father Kolbe, the sweet gentle soul who was a real life person in history that no one mentions in history books. He saved so many lives to the day his ended. And that speaks to how much this novel pulls you in to each character. I came to love Irene in the end , trust me she was one character that made me question her personality here and there. But she did love Maria then what she really led on, I will tell you that. There are other key characters who played a key role in her life encampment and after her encampment.

There is one moment in the end about a certain box for Maria that threw me on the edge of emotions and once you read that part, get the whole box of tissues.

I loved how in the end this novel came in full circle for herself, for her family. That all the pain, suffering she went through worked out in the end and not only justice in her eyes but she learned more about her family that she never knew. This novel reminded me of Anne frank in her "own way" she had her writing and Maria had her chess. If you loved The Tattooist artist of Auschwitz and Queen's Gambit you would love this novel that much more.

I gave this novel a more than a five star review!

And my last and final book I would like to share is called I was Anastasia by Ariel Lawhon. Its not a historical fiction but a Fiction novel. I like to think It has a historical aspects to the novel in my opinion from the author and I encourage you all to read her authors note and acknowledgments for more information on her take of the real story of the Romanovs and her adaptation in the novel. I think this novel was written beautifully and in-depth as well, I will try my best to not give away anything because it makes you feel like you are apart of Anne's world, her friend in away. I felt so many emotions while reading to the point Anne did give the reader a "fair waring" at the beginning that the reader might end up feeling upset or mad at her. Which to be honest I did and I got so lost in the world created that the, "I told you so " got me. If you know the real story of the Romanov's legend, then you understand. I will say I was drawn to the others connect with the family, their stories and memories of their time together. I think Anne Anderson was Anastasia in so many ways the same person. I fell in love with Alexander and her mothers love for the family and keeping their family as protected as possible through every phase. I loved the idea of the daughters finding love through such tragedy that love exists in the darkest times of life. And I felt for little Alexey he went through so much is life time, besides falling ill and losing his favorite pets nearly broke is heart more. Each of Romanov's went through so much hurt, tragedy through the novel that it amazes me how much they continued to stay strong each day. And Anne was the fighter no matter much you had to control herself that family was first and any bruise was worth it. I would close with the opening quote from the novel ,"If history were taught in the form of stories, it would never be forgotten "-Rudyard Kipling (The Collected Works) An unsolved mystery of this family went on for decades and it should have a good outcome than a sad ending. I think the positive note should be that we still talk of them and remember then forget their story.

In closing these book reviews, I know a lot of you have been waiting on my next book reviews! And I am so sorry for the delay and here they are. I hope I have convinced you to read a novel or two. These novels are probably one of my favorite groups of reads in a row. When I tell you I love each one of them, I sat with these novels in my hands and in my heart. I see apart of each character in my real life and felt connected to them on so many levels. Please let me known if you decide to read one of them.

See you,

Misreaders.