DESERT BIRD OF PARADISE BLOOMING AT BRIAR COTTAGE SPRING 2024
It seems I have taken an unannounced and unplanned break from posting on my blog. I slowed down for the holidays and then continued to coast along happily reading blogs I follow. Then suddenly it is past spring and past the total eclipse that raced across Texas. Hurricane season before I know it.
TOTAL ECLIPSE: It was too cloudy here to see it but I am more of a moon watcher. Give me a full moon rising to watch and I am enchanted. No glasses required.
TAXES: I volunteered again for Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) through United Way of the Coastal Bend one morning a week during tax season. Most of the returns are uncomplicated with income limitations, but there is always some new change in a tax law or a circumstance I have not seen before to challenge me.
ONE BOOK LEADS TO ANOTHER BOOK: While searching for a fiction book to download, I found The Library of Burned Books set in WWII involving three women whose stories intertwine. That lead to a non-fiction book, When Books Went to War: the Stories That Helped Us Win WWII. I think I will read the non-fiction first ; it will require a trip to the library.
BANNED BOOKS: I support and join librarians and those who are against banning books. May we remember what happened when books were burned in Germany under Hitler.
I will close with a quote from Mary Oliver’s poem, “The Summer Day”.
“Tell me, what is it you plan to do
with this wild and precious life?”
THE COASTAL CRONE 
Good to see you! Beautiful flowers!
Banning books is so wrong. I can’t believe it’s still happening.
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Thanks! Yes, book banning is happening today in schools and libraries. Unbelievable! Thanks for the visit.
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I think I need to find The Library of Burned Books! When I wear my Read Banned Books sweatshirt, I get a lot of interesting (supportive) comments from those who agree.
Your Bird of Paradise plants are gorgeous!
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I love your sweatshirt! If it is banned, I want to read it. Glad your comments were supportive.
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Thanks–I was prepared for some negativity, but have not received any thus far. A number of people in stores where I routinely trade and they know me have personally commented positively on it when I was checking out. My favorite was the day a woman yelled across the dairy aisle in Walmart, which is pretty wide, “I love your sweatshirt and I totally agree!”
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such a gorgeous picture…the books o sound very interesting….good to hear from you!
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Thanks, Carolyn. My mother had one out at Freer by our old house. A few years ago I managed to order some seeds. I hope you are doing well in Alice and settling in!
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well, it is complicated…i am selling the house back to the realtor. i just was not cut out at this the stage of life to be a landlady and/or home owner of an older duplex. It just threw me into anxiety mode…..i am renting from my realtor at this time. Who knows what happens next….i do miss my friends and doctors in Kerrville. It is hard to go into CC for most medical stuff. i guess i was spoiled…
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Thanks for checking in, Jo! While you weren’t posting, we were still busy. For the eclipse, we drove about 50 minutes to be in totality figuring it will be the last time we get the opportunity. Definitely a unique experience. Cheers to your volunteer work and for supporting the librarians. Keep smiling.
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I am glad you could experience the eclipse – opportunities don’t come around often. You are always busy posting or you tell us when you will take a break. Smiles back at you, Frank!
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Thank … but busy posting was as my days as A Frank Angle …. these days I’m happy with once a week. That’s plenty! 🙂
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Thanks for the catch-up Jo. I have to applaud your Tax work. There is no better way to help others.
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Not much to catch-up, John, but my days seem to be full and content. Volunteering is rewarding. Have a good weekend! Say hi to the girls for me.
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I will say Hi. I hope you have a great weekend, Jo.
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Hi. I agree with you about the Moon. It can look spectacular. I’m glad I saw the eclipse, though. It was pretty cool.
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You grow this! I see it so often in the desert. Now I know what it is. Lovely.
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I could have used you during tax season! I think I got everything right, but I must say, every time I come across the phrase “paperwork reduction act” I laugh. The number of schedules that take two page and require entering only one figure… Well.
Like you, I’m a moon lover — I often moon over the moon!
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Good to hear from you! The support of the library is important. I admire your volunteer efforts.
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Welcome back! The eclipse was a bust in my town, too. Totally cloudy.
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That is one of my favorite quotes! And good for you for helping people with their taxes. Those can be very confusing.
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Jo, I am always taking short blog breaks, and feel refreshed after them.. I am in full agreement with you on books.. I do not use Kindle as my eyes just cannot cope on the screen, same on the computer for long spells… Give me a solid book in my hand to read.. Those libraries of burned books sound interesting 🙂
Sending you some hugs and I hope those Hurricanes pass you by.. ❤ xxx ❤
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❤ ❤ ❤
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Time passes very quickly Jo and a break is often rejuvenating 🙂
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Welcome back Jo. I too, have taken an unplanned break from blogging and I have read several books about librarians and books. There are many set in WW11. And many others. A favourite is the Personal Librarian, the remarkable story of Belle da Costa Greene, J. P. Morgan’s personal librarian She was a coloured woman living as white in a time of so much racial hatred. She became one of the most powerful women in New York despite the dangerous secret she kept in order to make her dreams come true,
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