If I thought I could clean up both the house and the yard in two weeks, I was sadly mistaken. Granted, I took on a lot more yard projects than I’d originally intended. (I’m one of those who’d rather work outside than in.) Clean a house, it just needs it again the next day or two. Fix up a veggie, flower bed, or fairy garden and it’s something you can enjoy for…maybe the whole summer?
I got my veggie garden all set, hopefully protected from bunnies, possums, and deer. Right now it’s looking a little rough with bird netting and chicken wire around everything, but give it a month. I’ve been cleaning up and doing some redesign in the fairy garden. Really wanted a little all-weather bench down there, but haven’t seen anything affordable so I decided to “make” a bench from the downed trees.
Trying to install a water barrel for the veggie bed, but can’t find proper fittings. The projects I bestowed on the CE are languishing in their original shipping boxes. Had hoped to have at least the kitchen ceiling fan light up in time for the escalating temps set to hit us next week. So, yes, will need more time, hopefully, to get to the house and those clean-up projects.
And it doesn’t help that we are trying to do the Y three times a week. The classes are only 45 minutes but with travel and then lunch and clean up, it ends up a good portion of the day, not to say that the classes don’t wear us out. Now they’ve added a summer challenge which we are going to try—adding one more class–yoga.
Yeah, I know—gluttons for punishment, huh?!
We did manage eight reviews along with a couple topical posts in May, and I’m mildly surprised it was that many with everything going on. The CE provided two and I managed four audiobooks (one for my new book club at the Y). I enjoyed two new authors and will be looking for more from both Alex Kava and Archer Sullivan. With those names, what are the odds they are women authors? (Apparently pretty good as both are.)
I source our books through the library, NetGalley, and author and publisher requests. As always, the links on titles are to our reviews that include purchase information.
Parents Weekend by Alex Finlay (CE review)
Sincerely, Grace by Jean Grainger
Silent Creed and Reckless Creed by Alex Kava (audiobooks)
Once Upon a River by Bonnie Jo Campbell (bookclubs) (audiobook)
Nightshade by Michael Connelly (CE review)
The Witch’s Orchard by Archer Sullivan
One False Move by Alex Kava (audiobook)
The five-star review in May goes to Michael Connelly for Nightshade, reviewed by the CE. Hard to beat Connelly and I thoroughly enjoyed the latest in the Knocknashee series by Jean Grainger for her atmospheric and gripping Irish tales.
Favorite for May – Nightshade by Michael Connelly
My Reading Challenges page…having caught up through April, now one month behind.
The Goodreads landing page may be correct at 77 of a goal of 150 or 51%, but the book count widget is still off at 62—worse than before. Right now, I’m too busy and tired to work on that too. Maybe later.
Love my new subscribers! I hope you found a book or two that appealed to you and I always appreciate your comments! Have a warm, but wonderful June!
©2025 V Williams
Graphic courtesy Freepik
Rosepoint Publishing 
Beautiful yard and veggie garden. We are currently trying to get rid of some stubborn crab grass in our front yard.
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oh groan…crab grass is the worst–sorry about that!
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I planted some hens and chics plants in hope of getting a cute fairy garden started, but something is digging them up! 🤦🏾♀️ Gardening can be so tough. Its a fight to coexist! 🤣 Beautiful pics!
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It certainly is–tough. Hens and chicks should be safe. I have something digging in one of my pots–literally pushing up the plants. I think a squirrel looking for nuts he’s buried. Today went out and found five of my marigolds eaten (yeah–marigolds! thought they were safe too!), five bean plants, and two pea plants. I have them covered in white bird netting. Somehow they managed to get in under the netting–now that’s a bunny–I think. Thank you for the comment–yes, it is pretty back there. In the upper midwest, many (or most?) people do not have fences. So all the back yards are open and make it look like a park. I do enjoy that.
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