Happy New Year

Journal

January 1, 2022

It’s going to take a bit of time to get used to typing 2022. I didn’t make it to midnight yesterday although Pat did and I missed a fireworks display down by the pier. I hadn’t seen any announcements that it was happening and we don’t know who was setting them off. Maybe next year I’ll decide it is worth staying up for.

This morning I still had a few spots to fill in my 2022 Challenge list. Usually the group I follow don’t post on the weekends and holidays so I was surprised to see that first thing this morning they had already released the monthly number. I switched up a few things so I had three projects for the month and filled in the empty spots later in the morning. Last year I didn’t finish everything on my list but that didn’t stop me from adding extra challenges for this year! I have also added some cross stitching goals.

Deloise put it into my mind that I should have a new project start for New Year’s Day. I’d been looking at this desk online as I thought it would be good for cross stitching; I went out yesterday and bought it. Pat spent most of the afternoon putting it together and I was ready to get started right after breakfast.

New stitching station
New project

I have also joined a couple of decluttering groups – have they never heard of divesting I wonder? One is a 21-day challenge to clean up your sewing space and the other is one that provides a few ideas from time to time through e-mail. Today was the first day of the 21-day challenge and although it looks do-able I haven’t done anything yet. I’ll keep track of all the tasks and do them when they fit into my schedule.

We are expecting another storm tonight and the last two ferries from the Island are cancelled. I expected more snow today but so far all we’ve had is wind. Hopefully it will be rain that falls tonight and it will take away the snow we already have on the ground.

All the Devils Are Here

Books

Author: Louise Penny

This was the first book I borrowed from the library and read on my new iPad. I’ve read several by this author and loved them all; this is the 16th book in a series of 17. She has recently released another novel that was co-written with Hilary Clinton.

Most of Penny’s books take place in a small village in Quebec called Three Pines. This one though is set in Paris; all the family are there, as well as references to the villagers left at home.

Chief Inspector Gamache and his wife are in Paris awaiting the arrival of their newest granddaughter. Gamache’s son-in-law and former second-in-command at the Sûreté du Québec has left the force and moved to Paris to work in a multi-national corporation. His eldest son also lives in Paris and is involved in investment banking. When Gamache’s godfather is run down in the street the entire family gets involved in trying to solve the case.

Goodreads Rating: * * * * *

An Accidental Death

Books

Author: Peter Grainger

Set in England, this is the first in a series of nine books revolving around D.C. Smith. I loved the book; it was like watching a British TV show. I read it on my Kindle and this is an author I think I’ll read more of.

D.C. Smith is a long-standing member of the police force and has recently returned to work, at a lower rank, following an internal investigation that cleared his name. He is tasked with confirming that the death of a young man was an accident. But D.C. Smith is bothered by the case and takes his time making his final determination.

Goodreads Rating: * * * *

An Autistic Boy’s Ten-Year Romance with Snow White

Books

Author: Ron Miles

This was a relatively quick read on my Kindle. The book is well written and a testament to the Disney enterprise.

Benjamin, a nine-year old boy on the autism spectrum, takes his first trip to Disneyland with his parents. After seeing his reaction to one ride in particular – Snow White’s Scary Adventures – his parents decide to move to Orlando so that Benjamin can visit more often. After 3500 rides Disney shut the ride down but not before honouring Benjamin’s landmark rides.

Goodreads Rating: * * *