Hi Friend! What a joy this week has been. I joined a book club, and the first meeting was this week. I have never been in a book club before, and I was curious about how discussions would unfold. In fact, it has only been the last few years that I have been reading or listening to books faithfully. It’s been fun so far, and connecting with fellow book lovers has made the experience even more enriching. We read The Book Women of Troublesome Creek by Kim Michele Richardson, a heartfelt story that tackles themes of prejudice, resilience, and courage. I give it four stars, as I found it both moving and thought-provoking. The next book we are reading is Between Shades of Gray by Ruta Sepetys. This powerful narrative follows Stalin’s repressions of the mid-20th century, telling the heart-wrenching story through the life of Lina, a teenage girl deported from her native Lithuania. The emotional depth and historical context captivated me, earning it another four stars from me. I can’t wait to see how our discussions evolve and to dive deep into the thoughts and insights each member brings to our next meeting.

I told you last time about weeding my garden. Well, it has rained, and guess what popped up in the garden. Yep, you guessed it, those pesky weeds. Ugh! Why is it that when you try to grow something, it can be such a struggle, but when you don’t want something to grow, it does and multiplies by the thousands? It’s as if the ground has a sense of humor, endlessly challenging my gardening efforts. The good news is we have pumpkin plants. Mr. Handsome went to burn the leaf pile, and growing on both ends of it are pumpkin plants that are thriving. He put stakes by them so the guy who cuts our grass doesn’t cut them up. That is so exciting, as I’ve always dreamed of having pumpkins.

I have been working on a few paintings lately. I showed you the apple painting on Wednesday. Yesterday, I delved into creating a summer-themed painting. I’m planning to add some more things, while layering additional paint to enhance its depth and texture. After it’s finished, I think I will turn it into a tea towel, brightening up kitchens and reminding everyone of the warmth of summer.

I hope you have a great weekend.

As always, I’m glad you’re here.

Best,

Amy