Pam Webb

a writer's journey as a reader

Archive for the category “Books”

28 Jan 2025
5 Comments

A Bit of a Puzzle


January 29th is going to be a puzzling day. Literally.

It’s National Puzzle Day. And we are finding puzzles have found their way into our lives.

I grew up with puzzles. My dad had a special table set up and would spend hours piece by piece putting together some scenic masterpiece. I wasn’t too interested in doing puzzles then and barely acknowledged them over the years.

When my hubs sprang his knee skiing it looked liked the long winters were going to get a more tedious since heading up to the slope would no longer be a viable option.

Of course I brought him books from the library. On a whim I brought home a puzzle because why not? There is a free puzzle exchange on the lobby.

As Hemingway said “One puzzle leads to another.” Well, he kind of said that.

We have now been puzzling for several years and we have come to realize there are some etiquette aspects:

Borders first. Creating the perimeter makes it easier to get the picture in perspective.

Sort pieces. A half dozen plastic picnic plates do nicely in separating out the many pieces into a manageable order.

Clean Hands. Yeah, learned that one day while eating my almond butter with honey toast.

No Pets. Cat hair. Dog hair. Not good companions with puzzle pieces.

Track Pieces. Drop a piece. Oh, oh. Better find it. Or at least mark “piece missing” on the box. Don’t forget to circle the place.

No hogging. Sharing is caring. Set a timer if needed. *Oh no, honey. That a general comment—no worries*.

Break down. Just like the last person to use the milk replaces the milk, the last person to finish the puzzle breaks it down and puts it in the box.

Those are the basics. Did I miss any?

Happy puzzling.

Hometown are faves. Liking all that detail.
Ugh. Sky. An unspoken rule—leaving the sky last is, well, ugh.

Posted in creativity, humor, memories, Reflections, Relaxation and tagged , , ,
16 Jan 2025
4 Comments

Old Stats, New Start


I really like January. It’s the start of a new year, and like an Etch-A-Sketch, the slate is wiped clean, ready for fresh beginnings.

No batteries needed

That’s one reason why January 1st was the day my husband and I chose to get married. We wanted a day that signified a fresh beginning together. It’s also an easy day to remember.

This year marked 43 years together. It might be one of the only we have spent apart since I was in Okinawa helping out with our new grandson. FaceTime is handy in that regard, although my January 1st was my husband’s December 31st.

Another anniversary to celebrate is my time with WordPress: 13 years, so said the little pop up sent to my inbox. Wow! Really? That’s a long time, almost more impressive than being married over four decades, since a quick AI info grab indicates most blogs last about 2 years, and first marriages last roughly 21 years.

Surpassing the odds is an excellent way to start out 2025.

January is also when I begin anew my Goodreads reading challenge. I always plunk in 101 as my base goal with hopes of squeezing in twice that amount. The best I’ve achieved is 171.

As of today I have already read 8 books so using some quick math—8 books read in 15 days means the possibility of reading 8 more books in a month of 31 days which computes to an average of reading 16 books a month times 12 equals 192 books. Hmm, this could be the year of 200.

I’d finish this post but I have get down to the library to check out more books.

Later and Happy New Year!

Posted in blogs, Books, celebrations, Reflections and tagged , , ,
09 Jan 2025
7 Comments

National Word Nerd Day


January 9th is set aside for those, like myself, who relish, celebrate, expound the joys of discovering and knowing how words can make one’s day that much better.

It’s a delightful fact that Ted Geisel, aka Dr. Seuss, provided the term “nerd” in his 1950 book If I Ran the Zoo.

image: Tumblr

While “nerd” used to be considered a mildly derogatory label to describe a person who was a bit too devoted to something or operated outside more established social norms, “nerd” is now a means to attach a reference to someone possessing expertise or enthusiasm.

There is a vast number of lexiconical connoisseurs residing within the greater populace.

It’s a quiet existence for the most part. No Jimmy Fallon appearances nor competitive reality shows featuring celebrities enthusiastically endorsing their favorite vocabulary.

It is gratifying to have this one special day though.

I browsed through the internet and discovered a few Word Nerds and decided to give them momentum in their efforts to expand the awareness of appreciating words.

image: The Qwiet Muse
image: Wordnerdopolis
image: Scholastic Storyworks

And just in case you want to proclaim your devotion to the dictionary:

image: www.teepublic.com

So embrace the day with a word that you especially fancy.

My word of choice? Thanks for asking—yet, how to choose among so many?

Verisimilitude comes to mind.

Now it’s your turn.

Posted in authors, creativity, Reading, Reflections, Words and tagged ,
05 Dec 2024
8 Comments

A Surfeit of Bees


I’m an appreciator of bees. They are truly amazing in design and admirable in purpose. I keep bees in mind when landscaping my backyard by maintaining a dedicated mound of lavender, not only because I find lavender to be a fairly perfect plant, I know bees enjoy lavender as well.

Once spring arrives and the lavender starts flowering I watch for the bees to arrive. It’s a Capistrano moment for me.

image: Stockcake

Some years it’s the tiny golden bees that are dominant. Occasionally there is a variety of bee with a bit of red to them. My favorites are the big, black bumblebees. They remind me of teddy bears, yet I wisely refrain my urge to hold them and hug them.

image: Bumblebee Conservation Trust

My penchant for bees came forth when I realized I’m reading my third book, or is it my fourth, where bees are a main focus. I scampered to my Goodreads list to confirm this epiphany. Actually, make that seven books.

The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd
Lily is introduced to the world of bees when she find refuge with three beekeepers and she learns about the power of not only bees but of women.

image: Amazon

The Bees by Laline Paul
The Bees is a creative tale of one bee, Flora 717, who is almost put to death for her lack of physical conformity but is spared and readers follow her rise from humble hive janitor to respected forager.

image: Amazon

The Music of Bees by Eileen Graven
Three people with deep hurts are brought together through the caring of bees.

image: Amazon

He Should of Told the Bees by Amanda Cox
A daughter working with her beekeeper is devastated when he passes away since impacts their business, and the hurt is even more deep upon the discovery she has a half-sister who wants to sell her interest in the business.

image: Amazon

Hour of the Bees by Lindsay Eagar
This middle grade novel features twelve year old Carol who unexpectedly finds herself helping her parents care for her grandfather who is slipping into dementia. A touch of magical realism as he believes the drought will end when the bees return.

image: Amazon

The Beekeeper’s Apprentice by Laurie King
Sherlock Holmes has retired, passing his days with keeping bees. His interest in mystery is awakened upon the arrival of a young woman who rivals his intuition and maybe even his intellect.

image: Amazon

The Keeper of Bees by Gene Porter-Stratton
A classic that is as beautiful in prose as it is rife with politically incorrect references; however, ignoring those or at least placing them in the context of the era it was written, a reader will delight in how a physically, emotionally, and spiritually wrecked WWI soldier is healed through the unexpected experience of caring for an ailing man’s bees.

image: Amazon

Are you a bee lover as well or have you read a book or two about bees? Please share the title, as I aim to keep on beeing a beeliver.

Posted in Animals, Reflections and tagged , , , , ,
19 Nov 2024
1 Comment

Blatant Ballot Box Stuffing or This is for Mike


Mike Allegra is a funtastic writer, blogger, humorist. He and I both share an appreciation for mice and capybaras. But those are other books and this post is about pirates and penguins. My mother was a pirate once–that’s a different story.

I figure we have been bloggy pals for over ten years 😳. We have even traded opinions in a series of posts called Debatables.

We both write for children. Mike is more prolific than I am. His books are funnier too. Like his latest books that combine a salty vision-impaired pirate and his new companion, a penguin. No offense, Mike. A pirate who identifies a penguin as a parrot needs an eye exam.

Pirates. Penguins. Definitely a winning combination.

Anyway-

Mike is running a contest where one special entrant wins copies of his Pirate and Penguin books. I would like to win copies of these books. I’m sure you would too.

I can get another ticket in the drawing by posting a blog post about his contest which, of course means you can trot over to Mike’s blog and enter the contest thus reducing my odds of winning…

I see what you’ve done, Mike.

So—check out Mike’s blog, enter his contest, and check out my book as well.

C’mon, Mike. I’m sure you don’t mind me edging in with just a little self-promotion.

See, Mike–just a little self promotion
Posted in authors, creativity, Reading, Reflections and tagged , ,
21 Sep 2024
6 Comments

Library Credit Card–they are kind of like them, you know


September is Get A Library Card month. Considering getting a card at most libraries is as simple as verifying one’s address I’m surprised how many people don’t have one.

It was a grand moment when I first received my library card in elementary school. Sliding my card over on the librarian’s wooden desk in exchange for a couple of books to read seemed quite a wonder

Then the day arrived when I filled out the application and received my public library card. I felt that card provided freedom and a bit of power as I could select most anything I wanted to read and my card gave me access to other libraries in the system.

From there it an assortment of library cards found their way into my possession: college; new cards when I moved; donor status cards (gold—ooh); and key fob versions. These days I don’t even need a card since my photo is on file. I just show up at the counter with my selections.

So many people I know, including my progeny, buy their books, which is admirable, of course. I would go broke, easily spending my pension on my reading habit of two-three books a week. Thank goodness for my library (credit) card for that’s how I see its use, except there is no monthly bill.

In fact, I save money using my library card, my receipt tells me so every time I leave with my bag of selections.

I have more library cards than credit cards—that’s a good thing, right?
Posted in Books, celebrations, Libraries, Reading, Reflections and tagged , ,
12 Sep 2024
6 Comments

Word Nerds: Collective Nouns


Naming a group of something is a job I wouldn’t mind applying for. Someone gets to do it and the results are pretty fun, especially when it involves animals.

A Kindle of Kittens

A Congress of Baboons

A Prickle of Hedgehogs

A Bloat of Hippopotamuses

A Mischief of Mice

A Waddle of Penguins

A Memory of Elephants

A Whoop of Gorillas

A Raft of Otters

A Scurry of Squirrels

A Journey of Giraffe

A Crashof Rhinoceroses

Posted in Animals, Expressions, humor, Nature, Reflections and tagged , , ,
09 Jul 2024
2 Comments

How Now Cow?


Posted in America, Animals, celebrations, humor, Reflections and tagged ,
11 May 2024

Word Nerd: Baker’s Dozen


This month’s word list theme is all about those words that lead a person from a thought to the deed.

1. prevaricate: to speak falsely or misleadingly; deliberately misstate or create an incorrect impression; lie.
2. anamnesis: the recollection or remembrance of the past; reminiscence.
3. esperance: the feeling that what is wanted can be had or that events will turn out for the best.
4. plaudit: an enthusiastic expression of approval.
5. felicific: causing or tending to cause happiness.
6. perspicuity: clearness or lucidity, as of a statement.
7. insouciant: free from concern, worry, or anxiety; carefree; nonchalant.
8. susurrus: soft murmuring or rustling sound; whisper.

9. jannock: straightforward; fair.

10. cavil: to raise trivial and irritating objections; find fault unnecessarily.

11. valleity: wish or inclination not strong enough to lead to action.

12.risible: causing laughter; ludicrous.

13. taradiddle: a small lie.

*Just a side note: when compiling the list the words come straight from Dictionary.com—okay, then why does spellcheck not recognize most of them or insist on changing them into another word—like “velleity” morphs into “valley?” Are they not really words after all? Or is my spellcheck needing some tutor time in lexiconical studies?

Oh—what word caught your eye?

I’m leaning towards risible as it rhymes with laughter becoming visible.

Posted in blogs, creativity, Reflections, Words and tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment
08 Apr 2024
7 Comments

An anniversary is eclipsed…


Today’s focus is on the eclipse, which for some didn’t register as an event because of a)not being in the path of ta-dah or b)dealing with cloudy skies. There is also c)there was an eclipse?

For me the event of focus today was the four year anniversary of my debut picture book Someday We Will.

Yup, four years ago Beaming Books brought out my book in the beginning of April having postponed its publication from the previous fall. FYI: Grandparents Day is the first Sunday in September.

Instead of fall, the idea was Mother’s Day and the summer months of vacations when families visit. Good plan except four years ago about this time the pandemic showed up closing schools, libraries, bookstores, all those places where I might have personally promoted my book. A virtual book launch does not quite have the same impact.

Since then I have tried to make up for lost time and have done some story times with the library and have done a couple of bookstore appearances.

If you have yet to check out Someday We Will I hope you will. It’s a dandy little book for sharing just how special those family visits are, especially the grandparent ones.

As for the eclipse event? I hope your experience was satisfying. I ended tidying up the garage in hopes the clouds would part. They didn’t, but the garage looks better.

The perfect gift for grandparents as well as grandchildren anticipating a visit
Posted in authors, celebrations, children, Family, Nature, Reading, Reflections and tagged , ,

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