Cable Left, Cable Right by Judith Durant

This book is amazing. 

I have knit for many years and only once tried cables (and that was back in the 70s).  Having recently started knitting again after not knitting for about 30 years (so many different crafts, so little time), I really wanted to do something with cables, but I just had to get past my mental block.  I even set doing something with cables as a goal a couple of years ago, but just never followed through. 

Judith Durant's instruction book, Cable Left, Cable Right has not only given me the confidence to know that I can knit cables, but I can't wait to at least try some of the more intricate patterns. The instructions are concise and the pictures are perfect.  The author even makes graphs look and sound easy.  I cannot recommend this book more highly to people who want to learn how to knit with cables or for the more experienced knitter who wants to jazz up their projects.

I received this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Margeau Chapeau

I don't remember exactly when I started knitting, but it has been more years than I want to admit to. I've been knitting so long that I just frogged a sweater I started in 1977. I guess you could say I took a really long knitting break, about 30 years, to be exact.

Then I retired and moved away from the friends I'd made throughout my career. In an effort to make new friends, and because everywhere I went, people were talking about knitting and especially knitting socks. I'd never tackled socks, but I was intrigued and decided the best way to kill two birds with that one stone, was to take a class. I was hooked.

I started knitting socks, then graduated to hats too. I love knitting hats. They are quick to finish and people love them. They are also a good take along project and easy to donate to charity.

Margeau Soboti has written an excellent instruction manual/book. She has included some great patterns that I know my family will love and that I will enjoying knitting.

Charlie Chevron is definitely my favorite of the collection, but there are several patterns for every taste. Margeau Chapeau is a knitting book for all skill levels.

I received this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Letters for Scarlet by Julie C. Gardner

Letters for Scarlet will stick with me for some time.  It is the story of three friends who met in grade school, bonded as a trio, and tells what can happen when two of the three become a couple.

Scarlet is the one who is left out when Corie and Tucker fall in love.  On the night they graduate from high school Tucker and Corie tell Scarlet that they have fallen in love and also that Corie has decided not to go on to college with Scarlet.  Scarlet is, of course, devastated and they go their separate ways.

Ten years later Corie, who is unable to get pregnant, receives a letter a teacher makes them write to their 28 year old selves and also gets a call from Scarlet's (who is unmarried and pregnant) estranged mother who tells Corie that she needs to get Scarlet's letter to her.  Instead of getting Scarlet her letter, Corie starts to write Scarlet and pour out Corie's pain and sorrow, knowing that Scarlet will never get the letters.

This book touched me.  The characters are damaged and raw, they are all basically getting through life by putting one foot in front of the other and trying not to trip. I found tears in my eyes on several occasions as I was reading and it also brought back all those pains that most of us suffered with in high school.

There are many funny moments in the book, but for me it told mostly about how damaged people can be on the inside, while carrying on as if nothing is wrong on the outside.

I know these are characters in a book, but I can't help but wish them well. 

I received this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

All I Want by Natalie Ann

Once again Natalie Ann has added to the All Series with a great romance, but this one has a twist that will tear at your heart.

Sean felt an immediate reaction to Carly the first time he saw her. Carly, on the other hand, seemed to avoid him like he had a communicable disease. When Carly's best friend marries Sean's business partner (read All the Way, you won't be disappointed), Carly and Sean are thrown together and romance ensues.

This is such a great series. It started with The Road to Recovery and All I Want is book four in the second series about the same group of friends and relatives. I have read each book and enjoyed each and every one. You don't need to start at the beginning of the series to figure out what is going on, but I am glad I did. It's enjoyable to read how each couple is progressing.

I would have purchased this book no matter what because I like the series, but I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. These opinions are solely my own and I was not compensated in any way.

The Island Escape by Kerry Fisher

The Island Escape is the story of two women and how life can change with the blink of an eye.  It also has one of the best first lines ever written, "I was wearing the wrong bra to be sitting in a police cell".  I mean, is there really a right bra for jail?

Roberta comes from a rich, snooty family and Octavia was a free spirit scholarship student when they met in elementary school.  They became lifelong best friends, even though they are polar opposites.  When Roberta's husband has her arrested for (justifiably in my opinion) hitting him with a pan, the first person she calls is Octavia.

Octavia's husband is no prize either, but at least he's not an abusive bully.  As the book progresses we watch both women deal with their changing lives.

I really liked this book and found myself reading until very late, because I had to know what was going to happen nest.  It was interesting to read about people not so unlike every other middle-aged woman I know, who try to do the right thing, but aren't always successful.

The author billed this as a feel good romantic comedy, but I'm not sure that is how I would describe it.  There is a lot of hard time before either Roberta or Octavia get the happy ending they deserve.

I received this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. 

Sunday morning talk shows

I love the Sunday morning talk shows and have been watching them forever.  I am one of those people who still misses Tim Russert, Cokie Roberts, Sam Donaldson, and Tony Snow.  Maybe I'm the only one, hmmmm.  

Anyway, last Sunday I decided to post my interpretations on Facebook.  I got lots of comments, but my main purpose is to be just a little snarky, not take sides.  Except for Donald Trump, if you like Donald Trump, you might just want to stop reading now.  Here's my take, copied from Sunday's post on Facebook:

Listening to Face the Nation and trump is on complaining about how the other candidates are being mean to him. His second complaint is the IRS picks on him and no one else. Third point is he couldn't possibly hire American workers in Mara Lago (I really don't know how to spell that and don't care enough to look it up). because it was the hot season and they were temporary jobs. You know because all of us soon to be great again Americans are too lazy to work in hot weather or take temporary jobs, not because he refuses to pay minimum wage. 

What a great way to start Sunday. I'll be coming back with more funnies for y'all later as my Sunday news programs progress. Whether you like it or not, it seems.

Marco Rubio believes that the only reason trump is beating him is that the media wants Hillary Clinton to be president and he (Rubio) will win the delegates when you (the ungreat Americans) wake up and realize that trump is a con man. 

 I think Senator Sanders has gotten the younger generation involved and aware of the process. As for the kids in school, I wonder how high school teachers are dealing with this. I remember Senior American Government and cannot even imagine the poor teacher dealing with this election cycle.

Peggy Noonan's voice drives me BSCrazy. Usually I stop watching a program when she is on, but the mix on the panel is pretty good today.

Time for This Week with George Stephanopolis (I don't know to spell that, but is wife is funnier than all get out).   Great panel, good variety. Something for everyone.

TrusTed says the reason trump has not released his tax returns is that a) he's giving to Planned Parenthood or b) he's in the mob. Other than that, he was boing.

And Chris Christie is next. Is it too early for a stiff drink (10:15 a.m. here on the west coast).

Per Chris Christie, the media is just picking on trump by asking him questions about Social Security. Shame on the media.

 

Time for Meet the Press. Although I may take a break soon.

 

Governor Kascish is sounding just a bit snarky on State of the Union, which one of you told him he has no chance?

 

 Jeff Sessions is endorsing trumpy. hahahahaha just one more weird tool in the toolbox. Trump says we are the boss in America, I say "you're fired".