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What I Just Finished Reading: Since last Wednesday I have read/finished reading: The Woman Who Would Be King: Hatshepsut's Rise to Power in Ancient Egypt by Kara Cooney.

What I am Currently Reading: The Golden One (An Amelia Peabody Mystery) by Elizabeth Peters. I’m also still slowly working on my re-read of An Archer's Awakening (Of Crowns & Quills) by Casey Morales.

What I Plan to Read Next: Probably another library book as I’ve already had to renew them all at least once because Hatshepsut took me so long to finish.

Book 94 of 2025: The Woman Who Would Be King: Hatshepsut's Rise to Power in Ancient Egypt (Kara Cooney)

I finally finished this! It was really interesting. I didn't know anything about Hatshepsut or Egyptian politics of the day, so I learned a lot. One of the things that peaked my interest was something that the author said about women in power in the cover blurb and preface. It's not spoilery, since it's in the cover blurb and preface, but I'll put it behind a cut just in case

( spoilers )

I really enjoyed this book (even though it took me forever to read; that's the way of non-fiction for me) and would recommend it if you're interested in the subject. I'm giving it five hearts.

♥♥♥♥♥

I hit Price Chopper and the Pharmacy while I was downtown and got in a walk around the park. I had to be to mom’s by 10am because her generator guy was coming to do the annual maintenance.

I did two loads of laundry (both washed, dried AND folded), hand-washed dishes, went on three short-ish walks with Pip and the dogs, baked and cut up chicken for the dogs' meals, swept/swiffered/mopped the hallway/laundry area (getting a new throw rug for in front of the door will do wonders for my motivation), scooped kitty litter, and showered.

I started the next Amelia Peabody, watched some HGTV programs, and added ~600 more words on my SFBB fic!! I rarely break 10,000 steps these days, but today I got over 11,700!

Temps started out at 53.8(F) and reached 75.0. It was mostly sunny with quite a breeze. It was lovely until the sun went behind a cloud.

Mom Update:

There’s good news, and bad news. ( more back here )

I hit Walmart while I was downtown and got in a walk around the park. I hit Stewart’s (for milk, finally) on the way home.

I did two loads of laundry (both washed, dried AND folded), hand-washed dishes and emptied the dishwasher, went on a couple of walks with Pip and the dogs, cut up chicken for the dogs' meals, placed a couple of online orders, scooped kitty litter, and shaved.

Pip finished up the bbq chicken quarters for supper (I haven’t cooked a new meal all weekend! I love it!). And there are still enough leftovers for him to take to the garage tomorrow.

Pip had to release the dogs to save Smokey from a buck! Smokey was out hunting at the edge of our lawn/where the high grass in the field begins. Two deer were heading up to the bird feeder through the high grass. The buck realized there was ~something there and turned to check it out/stomp it to death. I called out the window to Smokey, but he just turned to look at me PUTTING HIS BACK TO THE DANGER. What a hunter. *shakes head* So the dogs chased the deer away and Smokey was saved, but he probably had no idea what the deal was.

I finally finished Hatshepsut and watched some HGTV programs. And I handwrote ~800 words on a new fic! I’m hoping that it will be my entry for

smallfandombang. If you guessed, based on the fact that I recently re-watched the movie (to take notes) that it’s in the Olympus Has Fallen fandom, you’d be right!

Temps started out at 60.4(F) and reached 81.3. It was only supposed to be 70 today! Needless to say, I changed my morning capris for shorts when I got home from downtown. We got a teeny bit of rain later on, but not much.

ETA: I forgot to say, Thank You to

kat_lair for my birthday fic! It's Primeval (Nick/Stephen) and you can read it here: Celebrate Tonight by MistressKat

Mom Update:

Mom was doing about the same today. ( more back here )

I did four loads of laundry (two of which were mom’s; all got washed, dried AND folded!), hand-washed dishes and ran a load in the dishwasher, went for a couple of walks, cut up chicken for the dogs' meals, changed kitty litter, and showered.

I visited mom (and called her later in the evening) and watched some HGTV programs. (No reading got done today because of visiting with my siblings, who visited mom.)

Temps started out at 66.4(F) and reached 75.2. It was cloudy almost all day even though we barely got any rain, but there were a few times the sun peeked through.

Mom Update:

Mom was very weak today. ( more back here )

It’s a little later than usual, but

fandomgiftbasket sign ups are open HERE!!!

I hit the Bakery while I was downtown and got in a walk around the park. I filled my gas tank on the way home.

(The original plan was to get gas AND milk, but they were so busy when I stopped in that I had to move away from the gas pump so someone else could have it and then I couldn’t get back around to a parking spot because cars were lined up all over the place. I could barely get ~out of the parking lot. Milk will have to wait for another day.)

I did a load of laundry (yes, washed, dried AND folded!!), hand-washed dishes, went for a couple of walks, cut up chicken for the dogs' meals, and scooped kitty litter. Pip had leftover chicken for supper, so another day I didn’t have to cook!! (Leftovers are my friend. *g*) I decided to have Cheerios and a banana.

I visited mom; read more in Hatshepsut (2 chapters today, which is a miracle because sometimes reading just half a chapter makes me fall asleep); watched some HGTV programs and re-watched Olympus Has Fallen to take notes.

Temps started out at 54.5(F) and reached 86.2. It was stupidly lovely out. But that's going to change. The rain forecast for the next couple of days keeps changing, so not sure if we're going to get any rain, but the temps are going to drop for a few days.

Mom Update:

Mom was doing a bit better today. ( more back here )

I finally have this all typed in and can share it! I hope you enjoy it. *g*

Title: Mission: Retrieve Coulson Redux
Author: Spikedluv
Fandom: Murder, She Wrote (tv)/The Avengers (2012)
Rating: PG13/Gen(/Het/Slash)
Pairing/Characters: Jessica Fletcher & the Avengers (Cameo by Michael Hagarty; appearances by Pepper, Nick Fury and Maria Hill; background Clint/Coulson and Tony/Pepper)
Length: 13,760 words
Spoilers: Complete AU for Murder, She Wrote; takes place post-The Avengers.
Summary: Steve Rogers is pulled out of the ice and aliens attack Manhattan. And Jessica’s nephew, fellow agent of SHIELD Philip J. Coulson, is killed by Loki. Or is he?
Author’s Notes: Team fic. Tower fic. Fix-it fic. This fic is part of my Jessica Fletcher, Agent of SHIELD series and takes place several years after Mission: Retrieve Coulson.
Feedback: Would be greatly appreciated.
Disclaimer: None of these characters belong to me.
Posted: August 23, 2025

Read Fic @ AO3: https://archiveofourown.org/works/69680196

I hit Price Chopper and the Pharmacy while I was downtown and got in a walk around the park. I also went to the lab for blood work as I have an appointment with my PCP next week.

I did a load of laundry (washed, dried AND folded), hand-washed dishes, took Grant for a short walk, cut up chicken for the dogs' meals, scooped kitty litter, paid some bills online, placed an online order, hard boiled some eggs, and showered.

I also went for a walk with Pip and the dogs when he got home. I'm trying to get more walks in because I've been slacking even though I haven't been spending entire days with mom. Today I managed just over a mile, so I'm hoping to increase that before winter hits and my walks also take a hit. o_O

We had BBQ chicken quarters for dinner! This time I picked them up. I made sure it was okay with Pip to have it again and he agreed. I like chicken and I'm happy to not have to cook, so win-win for me! *g*

I visited mom, read more in Hatshepsut, and watched some HGTV programs.

Temps started out at 48.9(F) and reached 82.3. It turned out so nice!! However, the TWC app is calling for ~80 today and tomorrow, then mid-70s for two days, then mid-60s for two days, then temps in the 70s, slowly moving from 71 to 78. Except for two days when the overnight low will reach 60, it will be ~50. I don’t like this. (TBF, I love the temps of fall, but not at the expense of summer, and also, I’m sorry fall, but you get a bad rap because you lead right into winter.)

Mom Update:

Mom did not feel well at all today. ( more back here, including the mention of vomiting, though no details )

I managed a no-shopping day, but I did get in a walk around the park while I was downtown. I visited my aunt, hand-washed dishes, went on a couple short walks with the dog/s, cut up chicken for the dogs' meals, placed an online order, and scooped kitty litter.

I visited mom, read more in Hatshepsut (and a little in the Kindle fantasy I’m re-reading), watched some HGTV programs, and typed in the last of my fic, another ~3,100 words! I apparently underestimated that pretty badly. o_O

Temps started out at 54.5(F). I didn’t realize it was misty until I left the house. Also foggy. And still so dark out. I’m already hating how it’s darker in the mornings, and it’s only August! It was only 59 when I got home mid-morning and it seemed like there was no way it was going to reach the forecasted 70. But it did! It warmed up, the sun came out, there was a nice breeze. Perfect! Temps reached 73.6.

Mom Update:

Mom was still very weak, but was doing better. ( more back here )

Blackberries! I think it's cool that you can see the entire progression here, from green to red to black.

( 15 more back here )

Between Midnight and my bladder, I was up before 4am this morning, over an hour before the alarm went off. The original plan was to go back to bed, but I didn’t think I’d get back to sleep so I just stayed up and fed the cat. (So if you saw an early post and/or comments from me, that’s why.)

I had chiropractic and dental appointments this morning. I hit the Pharmacy while I was downtown, but decided not to walk around the park in the rain. Because I might melt. *g*

I did two loads of laundry (both washed, dried AND folded!), hand-washed dishes and emptied the dishwasher, baked chicken for the dogs’ meals and cut up some of said chicken for said meals, scooped kitty litter, and showered. I made cornbread to go with the chili. I also did some banking for mom.

I visited mom, read more in Hatshepsut, watched some HGTV programs, and got ~3,500 more words typed in! I had some extra time between appointments this morning, so I spent it typing. Based on the number of hand-written pages left, I’m estimating ~2,000 more words need to be typed in. I can see the light at the end of the tunnel!

Temps started out at 57.6(F) (and according to TWC app, the high today is supposed to be 57, so not only is it going to be cool, it’s not going to get any warmer!). It started raining about 4am and rained most of the day. The heavier rain was in the morning while the afternoon was mostly sprinkles and drizzles. Despite the all day rain we only got about an inch. Temps topped out at 54.5. Yep, the temps just went down from the morning. I actually turned on the furnace for a short time to get rid of the chill/damp in the house. (Pip even turned on the oil burner at work!)

Mom Update:

Mom was a bit better today.( more back here )

What I Just Finished Reading: Since last Wednesday I have read/finished reading: Answers in the Ashes (The Inn at Holiday Bay) by Kathi Daley, Once Upon a Mystery (The Bookstore at Holiday Bay) by Kathi Daley, Halloween Moon & Thanksgiving Past (The Cottage on Goosberry Bay) by Kathi Daley, Opera and Old Lace (The Bistro at Holiday Bay) by Kathi Daley, and some fanfic.

What I am Currently Reading: Still working on The Woman Who Would Be King: Hatshepsut's Rise to Power in Ancient Egypt by Kara Cooney. I also started An Archer's Awakening (Of Crowns & Quills) by Casey Morales as my ‘light’ reading to go with the heavier reading of Hatshepsut.

(Funny thing, I didn’t remember the book when I read the blurb, but apparently I’ve already read it. o_O Some of it came back to me when I started reading it, but not enough for me to feel comfortable going on to the second book. So I’m actually re-reading this one. So many books, too little brain.)

What I Plan to Read Next: I have some library books out, so one of those. Probably the next Amelia Peabody.

I hit Price Chopper while I was downtown and got in a walk around the park.

I did a load of laundry (washed, dried AND folded, though I had to make myself complete the task), hand-washed dishes and did a load in the dishwasher, took Grant for a short walk, cut up chicken for the dogs' meals, and scooped kitty litter.

I also hit the bank on my way home from mom's and browned ground beef to put together chili for tomorrow’s supper. Tonight, at Pip’s suggestion, was sausage and eggs.

I visited mom, read fanfic, and typed in ~1,200 more words on my fic! Finally! It’s been a while since I’ve typed in anything.

Temps started out at 48.9(F) and reached 75.4. Today was not nearly as nice as yesterday because it was very cloudy all day. There was some spots of blue sky and hints of sun, but overall, clouds. We’re supposed to get rain starting at midnight and lasting all day tomorrow through to 8am Thursday morning. We’ll see.

Mom Update:

Mom was doing okay today. ( more back here )

Bidding at

sunflower_auction, to benefit Ukraine, is open!

My offer is HERE.

(There are only 10 offers, so it's very easy to scroll down to see them. Some are offering fic, and some art. Please go check them out!)

I hit Walmart and the Dollar Tree while I was downtown. (I also stopped in at the Shoe Department to see if sneaker companies had magically started making women’s 10 1/2 or non-ugly men’s sneakers. They had not.) (Later on I stopped at Sunnycrest to see if they had the beef sticks Pip likes; they did not.)

I did two loads of laundry (including bed sheets, so also stripped and re-made the bed; both loads got washed, dried AND folded), hand-washed dishes and emptied the dishwasher, took the dogs for a couple walks, cut up chicken for the dogs' meals, scooped kitty litter, and shaved.

I read more Hapshetsut and watched some HGTV programs.

Temps started out at 48.6(F) and reached 73.2. It was sunny with a light breeze, which was perfect. Needless to say, I did not wear the shorts and tank top I had laid out last night. This morning definitely called for capris and a t-shirt. And a sweatshirt, natch.

Since the high for today was only supposed to be 70, I turned off the AC (we only have one in the bedroom) and opened windows to get some of that cooler air inside the house in the morning. Hopefully we won’t have to turn the AC back on for a while. That would be nice. While I appreciate the cold temps the AC provides when it’s 90+ out, I really do prefer a nice fresh breeze if I can get one.

Mom Update:

Mom was not doing great. ( more back here )

Another Photo Flashback post. I posted a couple lilac photos back in May, but didn't continue, even though I took several photos every day or every couple of days. I decided to choose one photo from each day to show the progression.

Seeing them here I'm remembering how wonderful they smelled and the times I'd go outside and bury my face in them (after checking for bees first o_O).

( 9 more back here )

I went down to mom’s earlier today than usual because Pip needed to use my car in the middle of the day (he took his dad to a local annual “antique power days”, basically an antique tractor show). I only stayed for about an hour and a half, with plans to return later in the afternoon to check on her again. (More about my visit below.)

I did a load of laundry (Pip’s uniforms, so washed, dried and hung up), hand-washed dishes and ran a load in the dishwasher, baked chicken for the dogs’ meals, changed kitty litter, and showered.

Pip brought home chicken dinners that we had for supper, lol!!

I read fanfic and more in Hatshepsut.

Thank you to

cornerofmadenss and

tinny for the birthday wishes!

Temps started out at 61.5(F) and reached 92.3. So much for low 80s. Again, no rain, unless it eventually came in after we went to bed.

Mom Update:

Mom was about the same today. ( more back here )

Posting this now for two reasons. A) so the book meme isn't overflowing with books and B) because I'm hoping to read something by an author who is not Kathi Daley next as my light reads along side Hatshepsut.

Book 89 of 2025: Answers in the Ashes (The Inn at Holiday Bay) (Kathi Daley)

I mostly enjoyed this book. ( spoilers )

This book was pretty good; I’m giving it four hearts.

♥♥♥♥

(There are two more books in this series listed on Amazon, but they aren’t due to come out until September and October.)

Book 90 of 2025: Once Upon a Mystery (The Bookstore at Holiday Bay) (Kathi Daley)

This book is the first in a series that spins off from the above series. I wasn’t sure how I was going to like reading about another main character. It was alright. ( spoilers )

The thing that interested me about this series is that they eventually form a group that solves murders/cold cases, and that sounded good. Also, the bookstore showcases some cats from a cat rescue, how cute is that?!! But I didn't enjoy this book enough to continue with this spin-off series. I’m giving this one three hearts.

♥♥♥

Book 91 of 2025: Halloween Moon (The Cottage on Gooseberry Bay) (Kathi Daley)

I enjoyed this book. I had forgotten that we met the main character in the Inn at Holiday Bay series, so this is also a spin-off. ( spoilers )

This book was pretty good; I’m giving it four hearts.

♥♥♥♥

Book 92 of 2025: Thanksgiving Past (The Cottage on Gooseberry Bay) (Kathi Daley)

I enjoyed this. ( spoilers )

This book was good; I’m giving it four hearts.

♥♥♥♥

Book 93 of 2025: Opera and Old Lace (The Bistro at Holiday Bay) (Kathi Daley)

This is another spin-off from the original Inn at Holiday Bay series I read. It was pretty good. ( spoilers )

This book was okay, but I’m starting to wonder how many murders (aka, spin-off series) a small town like Holiday Bay really needs? I’m giving it four hearts, but I don’t expect I’ll read more in this series.

♥♥♥♥

I hit the Bakery and Agway while I was downtown and got in a walk around the park. I stopped at the bank on the way home and at the library on the way to mom’s. (I also stopped at the garage on the way home because someone brought in eggs. Even though the price has dropped substantially (and I just bought an 18-pack this week), you don’t turn down free eggs these days!)

I did two loads of laundry, hand-washed dishes, took the dogs for a short walk (where I got more pumpkin photos!), cut up chicken for the dogs’ meals, and scooped kitty litter.

ETA: I forgot to mention that I grilled burgers last night to have with the macaroni salad I made. Yum!

I visited mom and read more (some in Hapshetsup and some in two different Kindle cozies).

Temps started out at 62.7(F) and reached 90.5. So much for cooler temps. It was overcast on the way downtown, so I checked the weather app. Forecast now called for a chance of rain today and tomorrow. Whether we actually get it or not is a different story. Check back later. *g* Later: In shocking news, we did not get any rain today.

Mom Update:

Mom was still feeling weak today. ( more back here )

Here are the garage cats (who have moved to the deck for the summer, almost like snowbirds heading to Florida) making themselves comfy on the deck. They're very brave, but the dogs mostly leave them alone now that they're getting used to them.

( 10 more back here )

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