Gentle Reads

 

Those of us who read love the escape we achieve with our books.

Right now I'm very interested in escapes of a gentle nature.

If you're of a similar mind and need some time in a kinder, more gentle world,  I've just finished one that I heartily recommend.

Gentle, but not so twee it hurts your teeth.

I received it through NetGalley.  It will hit the shelves in August, and worth the wait.  And available for pre-ordering.

i loved this book.

Mrs Endicott’ Splendid Adventure by Rhys Bowen

Description:

Blindsided by betrayal in pre-WWII England, a woman charts a daring new course in this captivating tale of resilience, friendship, and new love by the bestselling author of The Rose Arbor and The Venice Sketchbook.

Surrey, England, 1938. After thirty devoted years of marriage, Ellie Endicott is blindsided by her husband’s appeal for divorce. It’s Ellie’s opportunity for change too. The unfaithful cad can have the house. She’s taking the Bentley. Ellie, her housekeeper Mavis, and her elderly friend Dora—each needing escape—impulsively head for parts unknown in the South of France.

With the Rhône surging beside them, they have nowhere to be and everywhere to go. Until the Bentley breaks down in the inviting fishing hamlet of Saint Benet. Here, Ellie rents an abandoned villa in the hills, makes wonderful friends among the villagers, and finds herself drawn to Nico, a handsome and enigmatic fisherman. As for unexpected destinations, the simple paradis of Saint Benet is perfect. But fates soon change when the threat of war encroaches.

Ellie’s second act in life is just beginning—and becoming an adventure she never expected.

And,

While I'm sharing gentle reads I love, let me add author Pamela Terry.

Again, gentle, but not too sweet.

Through an Open Window will be available in August.  It's also available for pre-ordering.

Description

A charming, heartfelt novel about the bonds of family, whether found or foretold, from the author of The Sweet Taste of Muscadines.

In the small Southern town of Wesleyan, Georgia, where the air smells of red clay and sea salt, Margaret Elliot has lived a seemingly charmed life—until the recent loss of her beloved husband. Since then, Margaret has been seeing visions of her aunt Edith, the indomitable woman who raised her after her parents died when she was a baby. As these mysterious and undeniable visitations continue, Margaret becomes convinced that Aunt Edith is trying to tell her something important. As she follows the clues that almost magically present themselves, it becomes clear there is a secret from Margaret’s past waiting to be uncovered.

As Margaret grapples with each new revelation, she also worries about her three grown children. Her stoic and inscrutable eldest daughter, Mouse, continues to struggle with the grief of losing her father. Her son Lawrie, always his mother’s favorite, faces life-altering changes that he both longs for and fears—while Tom, Lawrie’s twin, must wrestle with the consequences of a work decision that has blown up his entire life. Despite the tensions among the siblings as they argue about how best to support their mother, the whole family is soon embroiled in uncovering the truth the ghost of Aunt Edith is striving to expose.

Through an Open Window invites us to see the grace that is so often there in the background, just waiting to be revealed. And reminds us that not even death can keep love from winning out in the end.

While you're waiting for these, please give Ms. Terry's earlier novels a try.

Happy Reading!

Note:  Regarding review copies of books obtained for this blog. No other compensation is accepted beyond review copies of books - ever. When I do write a review, or opinion, the source of the book cited will be disclosed in the post in which the review/opinon appears. If you have questions, please feel free to contact me.

Just a few things this administration has done that I find disgusting. Some things you won't hear on Fox

I'm with Dan

How 'bout you?

Attempts at rewriting history bother you?

Are you bothered by these personal slaps and attacks?

Mean, petty, childish but dangerous.

Find them to be vile and disgusting?

And scary?

The Revenge Tour has only just begun.

 J.F.K.’s Grandson Slams File Release, and the News Media’s Reaction

In a series of social media posts, Jack Schlossberg, a frequent critic of the Trump administration, said his family was not given a “heads up” about the release

Confirmation:  https://www.nytimes.com/2025/03/19/us/jack-schlossberg-jfk-files.html?smid=url-share

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food destined for USAID overseas stacked on docks rotting

Confirmation:  https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/usaid-inspector-fired-trump-freeze-b2696917.html

* * * * *

"After a recent change by the Trump administration, the federal government no longer explicitly prohibits contractors from having segregated restaurants, waiting rooms and drinking fountains.

The segregation clause is one of several identified in a public memo issued by the General Services Administration last month, affecting all civil federal agencies. The memo explains that it is making changes prompted by President Trump's executive order on diversity, equity and inclusion, which repealed an executive order signed by President Lyndon B. Johnson in 1965 regarding federal contractors and nondiscrimination. The memo also addresses Trump's executive order on gender identity."

Confirmation:  https://www.npr.org/sections/shots-health-news/2025/03/18/nx-s1-5326118/segregation-federal-contracts-far-regulation-trump

* * * * *

Removal of Colin Powell and all other Black service members names from the Pentagon website, and from the Arlington National Cemetery list of those interred.

Confirmation:   https://www.snopes.com/fact-check/arlington-national-cemetery-veterans/ Black service members names from the Pentagon website Using archive.org's Wayback Machine, a website that archives pages from across the web, we verified the removal of links that Task & Purpose reported. The removed links included three pages from the "Notable Graves" section, six education "themes," two pages from the "History of Arlington National Cemetery" subsection and one page from the website's "Explore" tab. Therefore, we rate this claim true.

According to Task & Purpose, cemetery officials confirmed that they "unpublished" the pages in question in compliance with a Trump administration executive order on diversity, equity and inclusion and a resulting directive from U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth "targeting race and gender-related language and policies in the military."

* * * * *

Massive purge of Pentagon websites includes content on Holocaust remembrance, sexual assault and suicide prevention

Confirmation:  https://www.cnn.com/2025/03/19/politics/pentagon-website-purge/index.html

* * * * *

 Today they took down Jackie Robinson's service record.

Confirmation:  https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/webpage-detailing-jackie-robinson-s-military-service-removed-by-pentagon-in-latest-dei-purge/ar-AA1Bflpo?ocid=BingNewsSerp

The Pentagon has defended removing a webpage about legendary baseball player and civil rights leader Jackie Robinson by proclaiming “DEI is dead.”

* * * * *

Amid ‘DEI’ purge, Pentagon removes webpage on Iwo Jima flag-raiser

Confirmation: https://www.msn.com/en-us/society-culture-and-history/social-issues/amid-dei-purge-pentagon-removes-web-page-on-iwo-jima-flag-raiser/ar-AA1B78a9

* * * * *

Confirmation:  https://www.lemonde.fr/international/article/2025/03/19/etats-unis-un-chercheur-francais-refoule-pour-avoir-exprime-une-opinion-personnelle-sur-la-politique-menee-par-l-administration-trump_6583618_3210.html?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR3S9PWXQpRWnwgyl_4JvYs76MZcHhH6KHqAYm1wgROs6cuLqdeKQZ30_ds_aem_2rZQ-KuBIvXvNWVR082fZw

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Germany updates US travel advice after citizens detained

Confirmation:  https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/germany-updates-us-travel-advice-after-citizens-detained-2025-03-19/

* * * * *

The recent detention of Canadian actress and entrepreneur Jasmine Mooney by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has raised concerns among immigration attorneys regarding the increasing challenges Canadians may face when entering the United States.

Mooney, who is known for her role in American Pie Presents: The Book of Love and as co-founder of the wellness brand Holy! Water, was detained for 12 days after attempting to renew her work visa at the U.S.-Mexico border on March 3.

Confirmation:  https://www.newsweek.com/jasmine-mooney-immigration-lawyer-2046328

* * * * *

Trump to sign order to shut down Department of Education, White House says

Confirmation:  https://www.reuters.com/world/us/trump-sign-order-shut-down-department-education-white-house-says-2025-03-19/

* * * * *

The Trump administration has deported hundreds of migrants while refusing to reveal their identities or the evidence against them, prompting complaints from the migrants’ families and from critics who say the administration is trampling on civil liberties.

Confirmation:  https://abcnews.go.com/US/noncitizens-deported-alien-enemies-act-criminal-records-ice/story?id=119912375

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More for your reading displeasure -

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/other/all-the-insane-and-dangerous-things-donald-trump-has-done-after-50-days-in-white-house/ar-AA1ABOFo

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In the kitchen

 

Some days I just need to be in the kitchen (with Don Barley)

Today's efforts produced Quiche.

Gruyere Cheese (grated by Don Barley)

Mild Italian Sausage

Carmelized onions (sliced by Don Barley)

Little vanilla

Pinch of nutmeg

Little bit of sweet basil and paprika sprinkled on top

I played around ('cause I can't help myself) with my friend Vickie's recipe.

We haven't tasted it yet, so I hope I didn't mess it up.

I used frozen deep dish pie crust which i put in the oven for about 5 minutes at 415 degrees, then took it out to let it cool.

After cooling for awhile and turning the oven down to 350

I layered into the crust some cooked mild Italian sausage, a layer of sliced carmelized sweet onion, a layer of grated gruyere cheese (5.3 oz. block) 

I mixed 4 eggs, a cup and a half heavy whipping cream, teaspoon of vanilla extract, a pinch of nutmeg, salt and pepper and poured over my layers.

I baked the quiche at 350 degrees for about 45 minutes. 

I'm not a good "measurer" and I'm not positive about the time or temp, truth be told.  I tend to fiddle.

That said - use this recipe only as a loose guide.

Your quiche is done when the end of a knife come out clean.  It will still be jiggly, but will sit up while cooling.

It's not politics UPDATED

 

More than once I have stated here, and at Facebook, that if you're still supporting Trump (which means you're also supporting a guy I believe to be a Nazi.  His name is Elon Musk), then you should stop visiting my FB page AND my blog.  I was raised to believe Nazis were bad.  I still believe that.  It makes me beyond uncomfortable seeing a man closely aligned with the president of this country slinging his arm enthusiastically into a nazi salute, and if there are people in my life who think nazi salutes are "okay," I don't want them in my life another minute.

IF you choose to support those monsters you are not someone I can respect.

Keep visiting and I promise you're going to see something that will upset you. 

No doubt, my opinions will upset you.

But bless your hearts.  Many of you cannot handle the facts.   Facts.  Ugly, but true.  They realllly seem to upset trump supporters.

After I originally made my stance known regarding trump and his minions, there were some folks who paid attention and stopped visiting my social media accounts.  And there were some FB  "friends"  I stopped following, or unfriended, and a few I blocked.

All good.

Disagreements about things are to be expected.  Things we do like to do vs. things we don't like to do.  Donald loves to hike and camp.  I do not.  We order different pizza toppings.  He likes TV.  Me, not so much.  I read constantly.  Him, not as much.  And yet, here we are.  40 years together and still loving, liking, and respecting one another.  Imagine that.

We are each owners of strong opinions. Do they occasionally clash?  Pfft . . . oh yeah.

So, we argue sometimes.

So??

So . . .

here we are.  40 years together and still loving, liking, and respecting one another.  

When someone tells me they don't argue with their spouse i feel two things.  One is that they must be lying.  Two is that one of those people in that particular relationship is nothing more than a doormat.

 

If Don and I were to have different viewpoints when it comes to our convictions and the most  basic values - such as Donald Felon Trump, I'm not sure we'd make it.

Morals.  

It's about morals.

It's not politics.

It's MORALS

Anyone thinking it is simply politics and that I don't particularly want them in my life because of my political beliefs just doesn't get it.

And some of those people would dare to say to me, "you don't understand."  Ohhh, do not do that.   Do NOT . . .

 I understand.

                     < Oh, those condescending trumpers . . . >

I understand.

I understand that this administration is comprised of people who are the worst of us.

Otherwise, we wouldn't be experiencing an unprecedented outbreak of measles (from which, so far, two people have died - one child, one adult).  Y'all?  Vaccines are not an instrument of The Devil.  They keep people, especially children, alive.  But, oh, I forgot!  This is SCIENCE.  Trumpers don't really believe in science . . . not that science cares . . .   UPDATE here

While we're on the subject of science, let's mention climate change - it's real too.  Check in to see what NASA thinks - https://science.nasa.gov/climate-change/evidence/

While we even sill have a NASA.

We wouldn't have this shamefulness: "Guided by billionaire Elon Musk and his Department Of Government Efficiency aides, the Trump administration has already laid off tens of thousands of federal employees across the country including the National Park Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Veterans Affairs, Internal Revenue Service, and the National Institutes of Health." AND now, The Dept of Education can be added to this list.  These federal employees are people.  People who are doing service to this country.  People who have rent or mortgages to pay.  Families.  People  who have bills to pay, food to buy.  PEOPLE

Or THIS:  Trump pulls more than $1 billion in federal spending that gives schools and food banks money to buy food from local farms and ranchers. Proving once again that in Trump's America, life begins at conception and ends at birth.

We wouldn't be facing the loss of our forests.  This loss (UNREGULATED ) is not a small thing.  What do you want to see there instead of trees??  Mansions?  High rise buildings (when so many are sitting empty?) Casinos (we already know how that went).  

Social Security.  If you're not worried about Social Security, you haven't been paying attention.  Or, you're one of he lucky few who don't have to rely on Social Security.  Lucky you.  You'll get along fine.  Just avert your eyes when passing the newly homeless.   

When a friend or relative can no longer join you for dinner out on Saturday night  because they don't have the money, give a quick little thought to people missing meals at home because they don't have the same level of income they had a month ago.  Or are sitting in a cold house because they can't afford the heating, even though they've done okay in that regard in years past. Many years past.

Of course, Trump supporters don't believe this.

Even after all the lies about how he's going to lower the cost of living yada yada yada, they continue to believe he loves this country.  That he cares about  "us."

Bless their hearts.

Let me share with you just a few of the things that so many of us are concerned about.  And wondering why trumpers are not concerned in the least.  

Keep in mind, this is only a partial list

 Even before all this, there were other things.

Disgusting things.

Trump supporters seem to rely on Fox News and ONLY Fox News.  Otherwise, had they only been aware, they might have stopped worshiping him after witnessing him mocking journalist Serge Kovaleski who suffers from arthrogryposis.

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Did no trump supporting person see or read about this?

From BBC - 

US election: Full transcript of Donald Trump's obscene videotape

Excerpt:

Trump: "Yeah that's her with the gold. I better use some Tic Tacs just in case I start kissing her. You know I'm automatically attracted to beautiful... I just start kissing them. It's like a magnet. Just kiss. I don't even wait. And when you're a star they let you do it. You can do anything."

Bush: "Whatever you want."

Trump: "Grab them by the pussy. You can do anything."

-  -  -  -  -  - -  -  -  -  -  -

No trump supporter was embarrassed by the constant demeaning and denigration from him towards people he just didn't like?  A grown man?  The leader of this country? 

Now, just because this is "old news," that doesn't make it "fake news."

 And just because you're sick of hearing about it, doesn't make it less true.

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Oh my gosh, there's so much more.  How 'bout this, it's pretty disgusting -

Once again.  Fox watchers may not have even heard of this.  They don't want you to know the dirty stuff.  But the facts behind this are out there - https://apnews.com/general-news-united-states-government-7b8d0f5ce9cb4cadad948c2c414afd57

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Need more?

Here's some pretty scary stuff for you.

Revenge.

Trump loves revenge.

Here's one example out of many.

He's not crazy about the clients represented by a particular law firm.  So.  What's he do?  Why what any US President would do, right?  Pfft.  Hardly.  He signed yet another Excutive Order.

Here it is in a nutshell - "The executive order directed executive branch agencies to terminate contracts with Perkins Coie “to the extent permitted by law,” to limit the firm’s approximately 1,200 lawyers’ access to federal buildings and federal employees, and to end security clearances for employees at the firm. Government agencies are forbidden to hire any Perkins Coie employees, which includes paralegals, staff, IT, and others, without obtaining permission from the highest levels of government."

Want the whole ugly story?  Here 'tis

If that doesn't scare you, there's no hope.

But oh, there's more . . . so much more.  Do a little research.  You probably won't find it on Fox, but there ARE other avenues.

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Okay.  That's enough.

I'm getting sick to my stomach giving all this thought to a man hell bent on destroying all that is beautiful, and good, and decent in our country.

His supporters will continue to support him no matter what.  I mean, they voted for a felon . . .

So.

Let me just end this by saying - if you're a trump supporter, please just go away.  

If, however, you and I are of the same mind and you're concerned about living under an autocracy, then please join me in looking for beauty

And hug and smooch your loved ones

And don't forget to breathe

Note:  Just to be clear.  I am speaking only for myself here.  Just me.  (and well, maybe, Annabelle).  Don is more than capable of speaking for himself, so don't assume anything about him or his beliefs or feelings on any of this. If you have a question for him - ask him.