Desert flowers and the monthly book roundup
I’ve been neglecting my blogging lately. I’ve now missed two weekly posts in the last month, though I have an excuse other than working: I’ve been having fun! My friend Laurel visited last week, and we hiked and explored and went to a concert, and now I’m collapsed in an exhausted heap, struggling to make my hands move enough to type.
Well, OK, I’m not quite that tired.
And I have enough pictures for at least a month of posts. I still need to sort through them all, so this week I’ll just share a few featuring one of my favorite photographic subjects: desert flowers. But before I get to that:
Welcome to the Weekend Coffee Share, hosted by Natalie the Explorer and What’s on Your Bookshelf, hosted by Sue, Donna, Jo and Deb. Grab a treat, have a seat, and let’s visit the Sonoran Desert in springtime.
Desert flowers!
Laurel and I visited both the east and west units of Saguaro National Park. Many of the cactuses are just starting to bloom, and judging from the number of buds on the plants, this year’s bloom season is going to be spectacular.
Cactus blooms
There were even a few (very few) saguaros starting to bloom:
Other desert blooms
I’m hoping to make another trip to Saguaro West in a week or so, when more buds will have opened. I expect it will look like a coral reef out there.
Books, baby!
I missed last month’s What’s On Your Bookshelf link-up, so I’ll cover 2 months this time. Yet again I’ve spent most of my time working, so I haven’t done much reading.
A new Deaver short story! The ending of this one didn’t quite work for me, but it was an entertaining read anyway.
This Deaver short story was better – I did not see the twist coming.
Another Deaver short, tightly plotted (of course, because Deaver) and wonderfully creepy.
I had to buy Laurie R. King’s latest when I was at Left Coast Crime, because 1) I really wanted to read it, and 2) I wanted to get it signed. Mission accomplished! This is a dual-timeline mystery involving a skeleton unearthed on the grounds of a mansion turned commune turned public garden. I didn’t want to put it down.
Another one I bought at Left Coast Crime in part to get it signed. Crime scene photographer Rita Todacheene can see ghosts. When the ghost of a recent murder victim demands that Rita help her get justice, Rita is pulled into a case that puts her life on the line. Shutter won the Lefty award this year for best debut novel–and with good reason. It’s rich with Navajo culture (the author is Navajo) and lushly written.
I keep telling myself there should be no guilty pleasures, just pleasures, but then I try to explain my love for the Twilight series. Yes, I know the writing isn’t great (especially in the first book). Yes, I know the Bella/Edward relationship is toxic, borderline abusive, and the bloodlust-as-standin-for-actual-lust is cringy as hell. And Bella is a doormat with all the personality of overcooked pasta. And Edward is an arrogant, controlling asshole, and Jacob is just as bad (I’m Team Dump ‘Em Both and Get a Life).
But I still like it and still reread (well, re-listen to) these books every few years. Why? Because in spite of my issues with the characters, Meyer made me care about them, dammit, so I have to revisit them every once in awhile. This month it was time to reread Midnight Sun, also known as Twilight from Edward’s point of view. It’s way too long, and the cover image looks like a half-eaten human heart, but… I still like it.
The Memery – Literary Edition
Let’s keep the book theme going with a literary meme theme.
And now if you’re of a certain age, you’ll have that song stuck in your head for the rest of the day. You’re welcome.
From now on, I shall refer to all Little Free Libraries as book shelters. Books, free to good home. Must adopt all of them.
I’ve decided to no longer be embarrassed by what I enjoy–in case my mini-dissertation about Midnight Sun didn’t make that point sufficiently clear. I’m currently rereading the gender-flipped version of Twilight, so you’ll get to hear about that next month. Apparently spring is sparkly vampire season here at Camp WTF.
And finally:
On that note… whatcha reading?
34 Comments
Writing Sparkle
Well after seeing those beautiful flower pictures I have flower envy. No blossoms here yet, and I would love to see some. Anyway, thanks for the virtual coffee, Janet. Have a nice weekend.
Janet Alcorn
Spring has definitely sprung here! But fear not–your blooms will come, and by the time they do, it’ll probably be 110F here, so you’ll have lots to gloat about 🙂
Joanne
I enjoy the Twilight series too; even though I swore it would not be something I’d ever be interested in. LOL. I mean a girl who encounters a werewolf that falls in love with her and then falls in love with a vampire? I thought that sounded like the worst fantasy sort of novel either and then I read the first book and was completely hooked! Back to the Garden sounds really good too!
Janet Alcorn
Yeah, not the most realistic plotline, though the over-the-top teen angst rang true. There’s something about the characters, though, that makes me care about them in spite of myself. That’s a gift I’d love to master as a writer, because as the Twilight series shows, getting people to care–really, really care–about characters makes up for lots of other issues.
Lydia C. Lee
They’re really beautiful flowers – and so many books! I’ve not heard of any of them! (The self help book to stop buying books added to the pile rings a little true…eek!)
Janet Alcorn
I have at least a couple of self-help books sitting in my TBR pile, but my favorite example of this meme in real life happened to me about a decade ago. I checked out a book from my public library on overcoming procrastination. A month or so later, I got an overdue notice for it. I’d forgotten I even had it and had to tear the house apart looking for it. I finally found it – under my bed.
I still haven’t read it.
Teresa
Those cactus are looking good!
Janet Alcorn
Yep! Some of them are rather… unattractive the rest of the year, but they can stop traffic when they bloom.
Debbie
Those flowers look so pretty Janet and what a lovely visit you’ve had with your friend! You’ve done well on the books too, despite being so busy, so well done! As always your memes made me smile 🙂
Janet Alcorn
Thanks! I love having friends visit, because then I actually get out and do things.
trent
Hiking and exploring and having fun is much, much more important than blogging!! As are friends and concerts… You were missed, but I’m glad you had a good time.
I’m sorry, geekysteven, but that is the Romanized version of the myth. He actually bled in the Iliad, but the Romans hated that the greatest warrior of all time was Greek, so the said he cheated… lol, I once studied our hero that the Romans thought was a heel 😉
Hope you are having a great weekend!
Janet Alcorn
Thanks! And I agree–we have to live life as well as write about it.
Now I need to go back and reread the Greek myth. That’s the one I was most familiar with when I was younger, but it’s been a long time. (I was way into Greek mythology when I was in middle school. Why yes, I was a nerd. Why do you ask?)
Natalie
Those cactus and saguaro blooms are gorgeous. Thank you for your weekend coffee share. Have a great week ahead!
Janet Alcorn
Thanks!
joylenebutler
All the flowers are so pretty. I can’t wait to get home and plant seeds. Happy Spring, Janet.
Janet Alcorn
Oh, I can’t pass a seed rack without feeling the urge to buy and plant. There’s something about all that potential bundled into a tiny envelope.
Happy spring!
leannelc
I love your dessert flowers Janet – it just shows how there’s beauty everywhere if we know where to look for it. Creation is so amazing isn’t it?
Janet Alcorn
It truly is amazing. I always say, with deserts, the beauty is in the details. You may have to look a little closer to find it, but it’s there. And during cactus blooming season, you don’t have to look all that closely. They’re pretty gaudy!
Bobbiem91
Glad I didn’t have something in my mouth at the last meme. That is me right down to the pile of books. Adore those blooming cactii. Ours are blooming yet. Still a bit cool here. Finally warming up. Ended up in Flagstaff yesterday–still has snow in spots. Brrr. ready for warmer temps.
Janet Alcorn
Snow… yuck. So glad I don’t have to deal with it anymore, though I do miss a good snow day when I don’t have to go anywhere or do anything.
Everything is blooming here. My roses are going crazy, the jasmine is about to bloom… it’s lovely.
Gary A Wilson
I love the blooming cactus shots.
Will I disappoint you if I just say I’m still working on “Free To Chose” by Milton Friedman?
Nuts – well, I am.
Janet Alcorn
Work away! I’m not a Friedman fan, but he’s certainly been hugely influential. I should make more of an effort to study economics, but until someone invents the 48-hour day, it’s not going to happen.
Jo
Those desert blooms! I hear you on the work front. Such a pity there are bills to be paid… Thanks for linking up!
Janet Alcorn
I know, right? Why can’t I be independently wealthy so I can write and read and travel and… yeah.
Sue from Women Living Well After 50
The desert can certainly put on a show when it wants to. Your photos are beautiful. My husband is a Jeffrey Deaver fan so I will ask if he has read the ones you have suggested. Thanks for joining us for What’s On Your Bookshelf? and I look forward to you joining us next month. x
Janet Alcorn
Thanks! And yes it really can out on quite a show. This is a gorgeous time of year here.
Elizabeth Seckman
I think one of the keys to my blogger longevity is that I often break away when life calls and make no apologies for it. Enjoy real life. It makes pretend life all that more interesting.
Janet Alcorn
Excellent point. I try to be consistent so I don’t end up abandoning my blog, but sometimes I really do need a break.
Kirstin Troyer
Sometimes we need to pause and enjoy the life outside our computers for sure. Sometimes I think I’d be so content just enjoying blogs and bloggin, etc…that I forget to be okay with NOT posting and do something else. I don’t rely on my blog for anything more than entertainment. Anyways…Love your photos of all the flowers. Gorgeous!! As always I love your memes. So funny!
Janet Alcorn
Thanks! And yeah, sometimes I have to remind myself to stop working and go outside. I’m always glad I did (except when it’s 108F outside).
Scribble and Scran
I’m working on my must read one day pile. Picked up a Dan Brown that I thought I hadn’t read, my wife said I had, read a chapter and started feeling familiar. Throughout the day I had flashbacks of how the story enfolds. So started on the next one….I know I haven’t read, I’m sure of it.
Janet Alcorn
I’d do the same thing if I didn’t keep track of my reading on Goodreads.
Karen
It’s fun to have fun. Your bloom pictures are spectacular. Thanks for sharing. #Weekendcoffeeshare
Janet Alcorn
Thanks!