Tag: books

What I’ve Read Recently

I have been reflecting on what I’m reading. I recently decided that one of my past strengths had disappeared. I vowed to rectify this. That strength was an insatiable appetite for books. Not digital, actual, real books. The book’s smell and the pages’ feel had been lost. This loss occurred over the past few decades.

I started slowly. I picked up a copy of The New Spring by Robert Jordan as a test. It ticked a few boxes based on my past interests, and I wanted to see how it went. It took a while to make it a habit, and now I am diving headfirst.

Book 1 of 14

Moved on to the 14, yes 14, novels in the series by Jordan, The Wheel of Time. It is a daunting task. I am setting a pattern for myself to continue with this task. I will complete 1 of the 14. Then, I’ll read a classic off my reading list. Next, I’ll tackle a modern novel. After that, I will return to the next in the Jordan series. Wish me luck.

Also, note to myself, add Goodreads to the main page.

Scenes From A Hike – September 4, 2021

Went for a nice hike on a forestry road that led us to the shore of Monroe Lake in the East Kootenays of British Columbia. The trek was 3.21 miles or 5.2 km. A screenshot of the route is below, in and out via the same route.

The scene below is indicative of the scenery along the road.

Once we reached the lake, there was a footbridge and an old dam, now in various stages of deterioration.

It is also the mouth of a creek, pretty much dried up as we are at the end of the season. Most creeks and rivers out here are snow and rain-fed, meaning they tend to dry up, or they are spring-fed, which this one is not. We have seen this creek higher up in the mountain in the past, but it was late October and there was runoff.

We continued to the right on the map and discovered some well-worn elk trails that we will explore later. We turned back and took the left spur to some amazing scenery. We have done this path before this and knew what we were in for. We have also kayaked through the meadow, a post I will put up once I finish playing with the video.

We also know about how to relax. A conveniently placed bench to look at the landscape.

And of course, it is not all about the scenery, let’s not forget the foliage and critters. In this case an interesting mushroom and some pretty butterflies.

An Evening With C. C. Benison

An old friend of mine dropped in to Calgary to do a book signing.  Yes, the only person I know who has entry in Wikipedia was in Calgary promoting his new book.  C. C. Benison is the nom-de-plume for Doug Whiteway, author and former Canada Post Part Time Letter Sorter.  We worked together at Canada Post in Winnipeg in the 70’s putting letter sized letters (remember them) into slots, occasionally the right ones, so the Queen’s mail would arrive at it’s correct destination, eventually.  At least when we weren’t on strike.  Doug has come a long way from these humble beginnings and I am very happy for him as he gets to do what he loves, and is good at.  Also it was great to see him after 30 odd years or so.

By the way, if I have slighted any of my friends reading this by not acknowledging their wikiness, I apologize and you must correct me so that I can make amends.

The book that he was in town for is part of a new series of mystery novels, set in England and is based on the 12 days of Christmas.  The first is titled, appropriately, Twelve Drummers Drumming.  I am now the proud owner of a signed copy and I am enjoying the read.  If you are looking for a Christmas gift, it is available at Amazon and at bookstores throughout Canada and the USA.  I apologize for the shameless plug, but, hey, what are friends for.