Fun Photos

 These photos were taken at McGovern Centennial Gardens in Houston, Texas.

Centennial Green with The Mount in the background

A side view of The Mount

Bronze sculpture of Gandhi.
I wish my photo had turned out better.

Stone Lantern Sculpture

Friendship Pavillion, a gift from Taipei
Again, I wish I had a better angle.

Part of the ceiling of The Friendship Pavillion

I'm just an amateur photographer, but if you want to see some other great photos, visit Image-in-ing and Wordless Wednesday.

Another Week, Another Tuesday

 Hello!  I can hardly believe another week has gone by already.

I sometimes feel like I have ADD.  I start on one project and before I finish, I start another.  For example, I'm working on a sewing project and trying to organize my scrapbook room at the same time!  Same thing when I'm doing things on the computer.  Before I finish one task, I'm starting another (organizing photos, paying bills, checking my emails, looking up my orders, looking at bank statements, researching, and so on). 

I support my sister from a distance since she is immuno-compromised.  I see my mom several times a week and talk to her on the phone almost daily.  I try to keep her finances, appointments, and medical issues in order (as well as my own!). It is getting harder and harder to understand her due to aphasia/dementia.  This website explains Primary Progressive Aphasia almost exactly like our experience.  

Maybe it's not ADD. Maybe I just have too many irons in the fire.  And speaking of that phrase... It dates back to the 1500's and the blacksmithing trade.  If a blacksmith had too many pieces of iron in his fire at the same time, the fire would cool, and none of the pieces would heat properly.  The takeaway is you may be trying to do many things and not giving enough attention to what's important. (Thanks, Grammarist)

Moving on. This is an interesting idea!

Makes sense, right?

Cracks me up!

And last, but not least...

Visit Stacy Uncorked and Comedy Plus/Happy Tuesday for more fun!

Have a great week!

Sunday Synopsis-The Law of Innocence by Michael Connelly

 

The Law of Innocence by Michael Connelly
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This was soooo much better than the last few books I've read! I love coming back to a series and finding it as good if not better than before. I've watched the new Lincoln Lawyer series, but I still picture Matthew McConaughey as Haller. I probably always will even though the series has gone in a somewhat different direction with the character. I also still picture Bosch in my head the way I always have rather than as the character on the Prime series. Anyway...

Mickey Haller is in jail, arrested for the murder of a con man he had defended several time. Sam Scales was found shot to death in the trunk of Haller's Lincoln during a routine traffic stop. The bullet is found in Haller's garage where police say the murder took place. And Mickey was at home at the time of the murder. How is he going to prove his innocence, which we know he is, and so do his ex-wives, daughter, half-brother Bosch, investigator Cisco, and office manager Lorna. They, however, are in the minority. In order to prove his innocence to a bulldog prosecutor, they will have to figure out who is really guilty. Mickey Haller won't settle for just a "not guilty." He wants to prove his innocence: two very different concepts. Then the prosecution throws in a special circumstance, crime for financial gain, and the death penalty is now on the table.

The plot is spaghetti, a tangled mess involving a con man, a convict, a criminal, a corporation, a real-estate-developer-turned-mobster, a former client seeking revenge, prison guards, a former lover, and even the FBI.

Haller is mostly on his own in his cell for much of the time leading up to his trial which he insists will not be delayed. Therefore, there is a lot of narration, reflection, and inner dialogue. There are, however, some action scenes as well. In addition, Connelly incorporates current issues in biofuel production, the messiness of our American judicial system, social justice, and even COVID-19, and these issues are woven seamlessly into the story.

This book is suspenseful and hard to put down, and it's probably the best book I've read this year.

View all my reviews

Fun Photos - Favorites from Austin

 We visit Austin (the capital city of Texas) more than the average Texan since one of our daughters lives there, and these are a few of my favorite sights.

Mural (where other people wouldn't get out of the way.

The Capitol Building

Barton Creek Greenbelt

Best Breakfast Tacos

The bat bridge

Bat Watching - it's a thing!

For more fun photos visit Image-in-ing and Wordless Wednesday.

Is it Really Tuesday?

 It doesn't feel like Tuesday already!  Since I retired, I have a hard time keeping up with the date, the day of the week, and so on.  Anyone else?

We hit a high of 100 yesterday, and the upcoming forecast basically looks the same.  We got a short burst of rain, but we are in what they call a moderate to severe drought, so we need more. I hope this rain really comes through!

Something I've been thinking about for a few days... When is the last time you wrote something, not types but actually wrote it with your hand?  Other than just a signature or quick grocery list (which I usually make on my phone now.)  I have a writing journal with prompts that I think I'm going to start using again so I can practice the art of handwriting.

Research shows there is a benefit to writing by hand. A professor of developmental psychology says, 

“Handwriting is a complex task which requires various skills – feeling the pen and paper, moving the writing implement, and directing movement by thought,” says Edouard Gentaz.

Additionally, research shows that hand writing improves the following:

• Memory
• Critical Thinking
• Writing Ability
• Relationship with the Reader
• Sleep
• Eyesight
• Focus
• Motor Skills

So let's start writing again!  I'm in!  Are you up for it?

And about that heat...

So true!!!!!!

And I do believe they have started, and not just Walmart!

You, too, right?

And speaking of Facebook... this happens all the time on Facebook when people argue!

And last, but not least...

Awww.  Poor kitty!

Have a great week and don't forget to visit Random Tuesday Thoughts and Happy Tuesday!