After the Halloween snow, it warmed up and December was lovely with above normal temps. It was also rather dreary with gray skies. If it rains, that little Pom rescue we acquired in October balks at going out. She is currently “blowing her coat” which would normally require us to brush her every day. Easier said than done when she still prefers her crate over human companionship and any gentle uninvited encouragement is met with canine obstinance. So, yes, little progress from last month and will soon be three months. It can be discouraging.
The big push to get everything ready for Christmas took any spare time. Despite the extra projects, I continued to try using the little treadmill as I don’t particularly like getting in my steps when it’s raining either. The CE doesn’t like the machine—he continues to walk outside.
First I tried reading while walking. That left me dizzy. Then I tried listening to my audiobooks while walking and that quickly clashed with the CE’s choice of TV programs. Then I discovered trail guides—the problem is that they don’t communicate with my health apps. If I could get everything to “shake hands” it’d be a boon, but not so far. Except for turning pages, how do you exercise in the winter? Gym membership?
Of course, those cloudy, cold gray days I’d prefer to just curl up with a good book and not do anything but read, but that’s still not an option either. Anyway, between everything else, we reviewed thirteen books in December. Those we managed to read are below, and as always, links on titles are to our reviews that include purchase or source info.
Mission Target by Mark Nolan (CE review)
Rivers of Wrath by Jean Grainger
None of This Is True by Lisa Jewell (5* audiobook)
Ghost Team by Paul Heatley (5* CE review)
Game Over at Guild Hall by Amy Patricia Meade
The Lost Recipe for Happiness by Barbara O’Neal (audiobook)
Six Truths and a Lie by Ream Shukairy (CE review)
The Twelve Dogs of Christmas by Susan Wiggs
Up on the Woof Top by Spencer Quinn (audiobook)
The Rumor Game by Thomas Mullen (CE review)
Cold Pursuit by Nancy Mehl
Dead West by Matt Goldman (audiobook)
Pirate Trap by Matt Cost (CE review)
The CE really enjoyed Ghost Team; I was blown away by Lisa Jewell’s None of This Is True. I listened to the audiobook beautifully narrated by a large cast of impressive artists seamlessly integrated. Well-developed MC manipulated in a dark, intense thriller.
Book of the Month for December—None of This Is True
My Reading Challenges page…I read 157 books of a goal of 145 in Goodreads and am still at a 97% feedback ratio in NetGalley. Unfortunately, I barely made 50/50 this year in my Challenges, making the goal in Goodreads and Netgalley, failing miserably both the audiobook and historical fiction challenges where I thought I had solid confidence. Obviously, I’ll have to look at those category goals a little harder next year.
I’m taking a harder look at the blog in general, however, disappointed with performance this year and looking for answers. I want to update the blog home page, try again to introduce a recurring feature, add a couple pages, enlarge the font size (is this better or worse?), and still have more time for blog hopping. Is it possible given I’ve never been able to learn how to manage the block editor? Looking at free templates on WP, all are now using the block editor and I’m still limping along with the Classic Editor. I’m open to any suggestions—thank you!
As always, welcome to my new subscribers! I love your likes and comments.
©2023 V Williams
Rosepoint Publishing 
Happy New Year! Wishing you good health and serenity.
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Thank you–appreciate the sentiments.
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It’s abysmal weather here too and is pouring with rain as I type. No doubt many of the roads will be flooded.
I can’t get on with the block editor either and am still using the Classic editor within the block options as well. I hope your little Pom comes round very soon.
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Oh, thank you! I was wondering if I was the last hold out or the block thing was just my age. Yes, I hope the little Pom comes around soon too. We are encouraged when she does something new but she is so inconsistent she keeps us guessing as to how to proceed.
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Thank you for taking in a pom rescue. As you know it sometimes takes a lot of time to come around fully. I’m sure he didn’t have the best home life previously. So glad to see you’re not giving up on him.
For getting my steps in in winter and rain I use Leslie Sansone walking workouts. They range from one mile to five miles and are compatible with your smart watch. Blogging is hard and time consuming no question about it. I’m fairly new myself so only know using the block editor. There are many tutorials on using them but truthfully I can’t be bothered . I do reading challenges every year but don’t get too upset if I don’t meet my goals. You read a large amount of books so that’s an accomplishment right there. 97 % feedback for netgalley is excellent, I may be a little bit envious . I certainly enjoy your blog and look forward to many more exciting posts.
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Thank you so much for the gracious comments. The Pom is a she and unfortunately used as a breeder. Not housebroken and the way she has reacted to a home life has us convinced it’s her first. As I’ve mentioned, she doesn’t appear to have been socialized at all.
I do appreciate your reading and commenting on the blog–sometimes feel as lost there as with the little dog. I have watched the tutorials and taken their WP schools that I thought would help, but still so ignorant of much of technology, it’s a struggle.
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