Reading in 2017

So last year and the year before, I took the Goodreads Reading Challenge, where you say how many books you will read in the coming year.   (Okay, so I just checked and I have been doing the Goodreads Reading Challenge since 2011).  I always read more than I commit to and doing the challenge has me record each book I read (or listen to).  I have enjoyed it.  As you may know, I love book lists.  And in the spirit of book lists and expanding my reading (not necessarily more, as I will be in school for portions of the year, but in diversity), I am taking on 3 other reading challenges.  Two are lists, well all 3 are lists, but one requires reviews to win.  I don't know if I care about winning, but if I am going to play, I might as well follow the rules and be eligible.

In no particular order...

The BookRiot Read Harder Challenge with #ReadHarder

The Popsugar Reading Challenge with #popsugarreadingchallenge

The 2017 Back to the Classics Challenge

So feel free to look here and see what I am reading.

Last year, I started posting pictures of the books I had read and listened to each week.  I posted them on Instagram and Facebook and usually tweeted them too with the hashtag #thisweeksbooks.  (I am @KathleenMK)  I will continue doing that and adding the appropriate hashtags from the challenges above if they apply.

I am not a book worm; I am a book dragon.
(yes, I am a dork)

If you are looking for a reading challenge and none of these speak to you, check out this list of 20 from BookRiot.

I have seen this quote several times on Facebook in the last few weeks, if not months.  Every time I've seen it, it brought to mind something that I really hoped I would not have to let go of and yet I knew on some level in my heart and in my head that I would and I should.  At least let go of how it was.

Today I let go.  It is sad.  I will probably go through many spaces of sad and mad for awhile.

I know I loved largely.  I hope I lived gently, albeit perhaps a bit too meekly.  And I hope I am letting go gracefully; not "nicely" but gracefully and truthfully.

I just found this unpublished.  It was written over a year ago.  

musings in the rain...

As I walked in the rain this evening, which in Southern California is a rare treat, I realized almost everything I was wearing had been given to me.  I felt very loved.  My hat was knit by my Grandmother.  My rain slicker was bought for me by my parents, right before I started college.  My sweater is a hand me down from my step-mom.  My jeans are hand me downs from my very tall friend, Cindy.  My socks were a gift from a student (I believe); and my rain boots were a Christmas gift from my sister.  The only other items, my underwear and my new Giants t-shirt, I bought.  I feel very blessed an thankful.

As I walked I passed the museum that currently has an exhibit from a famous tattoo parlor (I kind of assume it is pictures of the tattoos), I wondered if having images of things you love or art created by those you love all over your body creates the feeling of being engulfed in love.  My tattoos are small and not engulfing, so I don't know.

Then in that way that happened during walks, I wondered what other tattoos I would want.  The two that came to mind were the Blue Ghost (a symbol from my childhood) and the word "breathe." breathe would go on the side of my middle finger, serving the double purpose of reminding me to breathe if I ever got hotheaded enough to flip the bird.  I don't know where the blue ghost would go. Where does a blue ghost live on your body?

More August Thanks

Things I am thankful for yesterday and today...

Yesterday, I got to see one of my best friends from college.  I hadn't seen her in 6 years.  She has a beautiful family.  We didn't get to spend much time together, and I am grateful I got to meet her family and have lunch with them.

Today, I had lunch with another friend, whose body I had just worked on.  And I am still tankful for my crystal clear vision and the bookcase I built last week.  And I am thankful for a "yes."

I am thankful for the books I read the last 2 days and their refuge and escape.

I am grateful for the brainstorming ideas for marketing that Victoria came up with tonite on the phone.

I am grateful I took the little steps of action I made today.

I could keep going and it is time for bed.

Thanks

So August is about thanks.

As it is already the 6th, I have a bit of catching up to do.

8/1/13. I am thankful that I get to do massage for my wonderful dentist and her staff.

8/2/13. I am thankful for Bay Cities Deli and their Godmothers and that these sandwiches make people so happy.  I am also thankful for discovering a new (to me) really smooth, yummy, gin - Plymouth.

8/3/13. I am thankful for my wonderful students and how they are sinking into their bodies and their beauty.  I am thankful I got to share in a 3 year old's birthday celebration.  And I got to have a drink with a good friend and catch up on the spur of the moment.

8/4/13.  I am thankful for the Home Girls naming a style of chilaquiles after me (they way I always order it).  I am thankful, I got to celebrate, even in a wee way, my friend's upcoming birthday.

8/3 & 8/4/13.  I am thankful both mornings, I had wonderful breakfast company.

8/5/13.  I am thankful for my sight.  The plaque that was on the capsule that holds the lense was cleaned off with a laser and WOW is my long distance sight clear.  Truly a miracle.

8/6/13.  Thankful to wake up and not need my glasses to see!  Thankful that I have a new massage job coming up beginning in September and the people in the office are lovely.

(Have I ever said I like lists? ;))

Thankful #11

I am thankful for "my boys."  Mostly, I am thankful that last night I got to see them for the first time in a very, very long time (too long).  I am also thankful that I got to meet all of their children.

thankful #10

I am thankful for these little blondes that wake me up when I stay in San Francisco.  They have been know to sit next to my bed and watch a clock until it is time to wake me up.  Even if I want more sleep, I smile at the sight of them.