Took a drive last week up a back country road to catch the sunset. These shots are from that drive. I had my mom along and we found a great spot to take photos. There were quite a few other people there that had the same idea so it was fun visiting with them while waiting for the sun to set.
Spotted this deer in a wheat field on the way up. (Random)
Shot of the valley and fields as the sun was just starting to set. Used this photo for 52 Frames: Golden Hour shot.
Another view of a farm/vineyard.
The sun just before it set completely. (Good)
The night sky with the faintest hint of a moon. - Note I took this while waiting for my hubby to rescue me. - See I ended up with a dead car battery and no jumper cables. None of the people that were there to watch the sunset had any either. Thank goodness I had cell reception and was able to get ahold of him and he came to my rescue. - Always an adventure when I go out to take photos! - (Fun?)
We took a drive this week up Tollgate to the lake where my hubby is doing some work on a cabin up there. Today's photos are from that trip.
1. First up, a view of the Blue Mountains from the E.J. Haney Viewpoint. Notice the crows in the trees on the right.
2. We stopped at the Tollgate Store to get some snacks and outside the store was this (weird) metal sculpture.
It's a badger catching salmon. After researching I'm not sure if this was a Bear or a Wolverine but it's not a Badger as they are much cuter that that. It looks really ferocious and scary.
3. One of the fancier cabins on the lake.
You have to be a member to use the lake and there is a gate with a code that you need to get inside as people actually live there year round.
4. We didn't see any deer on the way up (except for some horses which I made the mistake of saying, "Look at those big deer" before I realized they were horses) now I'll never live that one down. Yes I do know the difference! - Anyway while we were looking at the lake this lovely deer was just walking by and munching on grass.
It seemed almost "tame" and hubby says it's there almost everyday.
5. Some pretty wildflowers growing by a post on the ground.
6. Can't leave hubby out since he's the reason we took the drive. Here he is hard at work.
7. On our way out we spotted this little family happily swimming on the lake. I'm not sure what kind of birds these were but I'm "guessing" perhaps some type of a Loon.
Today we have, Speedy G just lounging around. I love how he lays with his paws spread out in front like that. He has to sometimes because he has such a big fat belly...see the next shot.
We call him, "Sumo Kitty" because of that belly!
He has such a sweet little face that I just couldn't resist sharing this shot too.
Leaving you today with a lovely musical selection to enjoy
One of my favorite songs by the Eagles....I hope we all have a Peaceful Easy feeling type of weekend.
Today I'm reviewing the upcoming novel, Street Freaks by Terry Brooks.
The book is available HERE for pre-order. I received a ARC in exchange for my honest review. - Let me first say I have long been a Fan of Terry Brooks fantasy novels so I was super excited to read his new book, Street Freaks. - This book however is a Sci-Fi book and I wasn't exactly sure if I would enjoy a departure from his Fantasy series.
Overview from Amazon:
It begins with a dire call-right before his father disappears and his skyscraper home's doors explode inward. It is the kind of thrilling futuristic story only Terry Brooks can tell.
"Go into the Red Zone. Go to Street Freaks." his father directs Ashton Collins before the vid feed goes suddenly silent. The Red Zone is the dangerous heart of the mega-city of Los Angeles; it is a world Ash is forbidden from and one he knows little about. But if he can find Street Freaks, the strangest of aid awaits-human and barely human alike. As Ash is hunted, he must unravel the mystery left behind by his father and discover his role in this new world.
My thoughts: Right from the start I got caught up in this book and wanted to keep reading and reading until I finished it. I had to force myself to put it down and get some sleep.
The main character, Ash is a 17 year old teenager who suddenly finds his home broken into and fearing for his life he barely manages to escape and from there he sets out to find, Street Freaks. When he does he is at first astounded by the other kids he meets who are known as, "Street Freaks" because each of them has some modification known as "tweeking" that sets them apart from normal teenagers. They run a business of building fantastic racing machines and even racing them. Ash finds himself to be in grave danger but he isn't entirely sure who is pursuing him and what they want him for. He soon becomes a part of the Street Freaks and together they discover his secrets and why he is being hunted.
For some reason this book reminded me a little of Blade Runner and also Mad Max all rolled into one but in a unique way that made me root for the Street Freaks and kept me on the edge of my seat so to speak until I finished the last page.
Which I might add gave "hint" to the possibility of a sequel which I would certainly enjoy reading if that happens.
I would give this book 5 Stars because it just was a super fun and faced pace read that kept you guessing as to how it would all end.
Thank you Terry Brooks and Net Galley for the opportunity to read and review this book.
Yikes! Summer is going by so quickly and I've not posted much about it. Seems like I'm so busy trying to keep up with yard work, housework, taking care of my mom etc..that I barely have time to breath much less blog. I miss it, so every now & then I manage to do a post just to let you all know I'm still alive.
1. June was a nice cool month and we had a nice surprise on June 29th with a tiny rainshower and a rainbow. This is the best shot I could manage of the rainbow....
Others were much luckier. You can view their shots HERE and HERE
That same evening the sunset was just wonderful and I snapped this shot of it:
2. Drove up to Bennington Lake one evening and spotted these colorful kayaks out on the lake.
3. I also found some Queen Anne's lace to photograph.
Here is an "artsy" edit of the same photo.
4. On the way out of the lake I spotted a Quail sitting on a fence post. I quickly pulled into a nearby turnout and quietly got out of the car and got as close as I could without spooking the quail. I've always wanted to get a shot of a quail like this. Sadly I didn't quite get the quail in good focus but it's not a bad shot and I'll keep working on getting just the perfect shot of a quail.
5. We didn't go out of town over the 4th of July but we did manage a picnic at one of the local parks. Below are shots of us having a good time.
6. Bonus shot of one of the many hanging baskets in our down town.
Now for FELINE FRIDAY....
A shot of Bandit watching one of the other cats. He has such gorgeous eyes.
It's a HOT one here this week. The high today is expected to be 102 so I'm leaving you with this musical selection.
Have a great weekend. For those of you in the "Heat Wave" areas stay cool and safe.
In Peppermint Peril is the debut book in Joy Avon new series: A Book Tea Shop Mystery.
The book takes place in a charming little town in Maine called, Hearts Harbor. The main character of the story, Calliope (Callie) returns to Hearts Harbor to spend Christmas with her Great Aunt Iphigenia, (affectionately referred to as Aunt Iphy). Aunt Iphy runs a Book Tea Shop that serves up loads of yummy treats all with a "book clue" in them.
As you get into the book you discover that a special Tea Party has been set up at Haywood Hall where Callie spent many happy times as a child. Callie is now a Travel Tour Guide but is spending the Christmas Holiday with her Great Aunt.
As the town all gathers at Haywood Hall for what they believe to be the reading of the owner's new will a murder takes place.
Callie takes it upon herself to help solve this crime because it involves people she cares about. She meets up with the town Deputy Sheriff Falk , whom at first she isn't even sure he's qualified to solve a murder. As the story unfolds they end up more or less working together to put the pieces of puzzle together to solve the murder.
There are a couple of "subplots" in the story that tie into the story line without distracting the reader from the main plot.
After the inital confusion of trying to figure out what a Book Tea Shop actually was I started to really get into the story. The characters were easy to follow and relatable. There seemed to be a hint of a "romance" to possibly follow between Callie and the Deputy in future books in this series.
It's an, easy to read book free from foul language and explicit sexual situations. If you are looking for a charming read with a bit of mystery I would recommend trying this new series. Available here on Amazon for Pre-Order.
Thank you to Net Galley and Joy Avon for an ARC in exchange for an honest review of this book. - I can't wait for the next book in the series to come out. I give this book a 4 Star Rating.
