A Tasty Smorgasblog Episode 1
So what the hell is a smorgasblog?? According to the Urban Dictionary defines a smorgasblog as….
In yesterday’s smorgasblog he wrote about everything from global warming to what he had for breakfast to how he hates golf to his travel plans for next summer.
In yesterday’s smorgasblog he wrote about everything from global warming to what he had for breakfast to how he hates golf to his travel plans for next summer
It seems that the word is perfect for a blogger whose thoughts and interests are all over the place! Uh, that would be me! So if you are here looking for a little bit of everything – Welcome!!
A Little Family Update
Now what’s been happening! Well, this week is the second week that I have not been babysitting my grandson Oliver at least one or to days a week. I have been doing that since he was he was four or five months old. (He is now 27 months old and is going to daycare now five days a week, and while it is a good change from the physical side, mentally I miss him! So my wife decided that we should pick him up early on Wednesday and spend the early evening with him, which we did yesterday and it worked out well! And before you think I’ve had a bunch of time on my hands over those two weeks, think again, because our babysitting duties with our granddaughter Zoe have increased now that he mommy’s job went from part to full-time and her great-grandmother’s sitting time has been limited. But babysitting for both of them is a joy!
The Books
Even with the increase in babysitting Zoe,, I have been able to finish three books over the last three weeks bringing the total of books read for the year to 28! So I am on pace to read 56 books in 2016.and while that is two books off of the pace to read 60 books, it is still ahead of last year’s pace. Last year’s total number of books read was 51. The last three books I have read are
Book 26. Small Move, Big Change: using microresolutions to transform your life permanently by Caroline I. Arnold/ – I thought that this was a really good book and one that I will need to go back and investigate more in-depth and try to implement some of Ms. Arnold’s ideas. I totally agree we her basic theory that small measurable resolutions are much better than big sweeping resolutions. It may be easier to say I will read five books a month than 60 in a year. The goal of reading 60 books seems so unreachable but five per month, well, maybe I can do that. Here is a good summation of the book.
‘I love this book! From page one, Small Move, Big Change is filled with wisdom. insight, and whip-smart “micro” suggestions that you can I actually implement to change your life” – Amy Chua, author of Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother
I am in total agreement with Ms Chua assessment of Small Move, Big Change. By the way all those who are familiar with Amy Chua, raise your hand. I know you can’t see them, but my hands never left the keyboard!! So I went to Amazon and then to the Burlington County Library and here’s what I found out about Amy ….
An awe-inspiring, often hilarious, and unerringly honest story of one mother’s exercise in extreme parenting, revealing the rewards-and the costs-of raising her children the Chinese way.
All decent parents want to do what’s best for their children. What Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother reveals is that the Chinese just have a totally different idea of how to do that. Western parents try to respect their children’s individuality, encouraging them to pursue their true passions and providing a nurturing environment. The Chinese believe that the best way to protect your children is by preparing them for the future and arming them with skills, strong work habits, and inner confidence. Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother chronicles Chua’s iron-willed decision to raise her daughters, Sophia and Lulu, her way-the Chinese way-and the remarkable results her choice inspires. Read More
Hmm, to late for thoughts about how to raise my kids…..but there’s always that grandchildren….I may have to check this book out!
Books number 27 and 28 were both thrillers. One from an author that is new to me Chris Carter and the second from one of my favorites James Rollins. I will write more about both books soon, but here are some initial though about each book
Book 27. An Evil Mind – Chris Carter – (Robert Hunter #6) This may be a 5-star book for me. I thought it was extremely well crafted. I loved it! From Amazon….
.A freak accident in rural Wyoming leads the Sheriff’s Department to arrest a man for a possible double homicide, but further investigations suggest a much more horrifying discovery – a serial killer who has been kidnapping, torturing and mutilating victims all over the United States for at least twenty-five years.
The suspect claims he is a pawn in a huge labyrinth of lies and deception – and he will now only speak to Robert Hunter of the LAPD.
Just a riveting read, that will certainly send me scampering to find other books in the series! Maybe Books 1 and 7 so I can stay current and also find out what has gone on before!
Book 28 War Hawk – James Rollins and Grant Blackwood. I am a big fan of James Rollins’ Sigma Force novels and this second installment of the Tucker Wayne series has all the makings of being just as good. Roliins and Blackwood offer the same blend of cutting edge science and technology with great characters (one of them in this series is a K-9) and action!
Former Army Ranger Tucker Wayne and his war dog Kane are thrust into a global conspiracy that threatens to shake the foundations of American democracy in this second exciting Sigma Force spinoff adventure from New York Times bestselling authors James Rollins and Grant Blackwood.
Tucker Wayne’s past and his present collide when a former army colleague comes to him for help. She’s on the run from brutal assassins hunting her and her son. To keep them safe, Tucker must discover who killed a brilliant young idealist—a crime that leads back to the most powerful figures in the U.S. government. Read more
Another winner!!
The Music
So to wrap up this first Smorgasblog how about some of the music I’ve been listening to….(music listing has been somewhat limited I am afraid I just have too much to do!) Two of the albums that I have really enjoyed over the last couple of days are the latest from Sherry Finzer, Darin Mahoney and Will Clipman Trialogue. A New Age tour-de force! You’ll be ready more about this album in the future! And the new album from jazz trumpeter Marquis Hill The Way We Play. So check them out!
Here’s the opening track from Trialogue
