Still continuing with wet and wild weather, currently in a cool to cold pattern. We always get this setback going into Spring, but it’s annoying when you want to start the gardens. As if I didn’t already have enough, I’ve started a small water garden—really just a 26” bowl—should be deeper but couldn’t find one. At 26” though, I should be able to have a couple water lilies and an iris or two along with the free floaters. Preparing the water takes more time than expected. Once again, a big learning curve! I mentioned last month we were taking down the old tree in front of the kitchen window. This will fill in that void. (Too cold for the plants.)
Still going to our YMCA three times a week for exercise and to mark our insurance calendar. The Y continues to invent activities for us seniors—gotta keep us busy, I guess, but the cooking class was fun and now supplies me with fresh veggies once a month for several months, Bingo, a painting class for the CE, and my book club, of course. Hard to get our reading done, though, there are many opportunities for listening!
The CE and I read or listened to a total of fourteen books in April. As always, the major source of our books is the library (audiobooks and ebooks). (We still obtain ARCs from NetGalley (though not as often) and author and publisher requests.) The links on titles are to our reviews that include purchase information.
Iron Curtain by Russ Stone (CE review)
Murder on the Marlow Belle by Robert Thorogood
Brimstone Hollow by Archer Sullivan
Fool by Mary Lawrence (5*)
Midnight Patriots by Paul Levine (CE review-NG-5*)
And Now, Back to You by B K Borison
Audiobooks
The Astral Library by Kate Quinn
The Paris Wife by Paula McLain
Her Last Breath by Taylor Adams
The Last Word by Taylor Adams
Free Ride by Noraly Schoemaker
By Any Other Name by Jodi Picoult
Ask Again, Yes by Mary Beth Keane
Hidden Pictures by Jason Rekulak
Both the CE and I each had one five-star read in April, but I happen to know he felt a bit of slowing in the middle of his book. Therefore, the favorite book for April and my only five-star review is:
Favorite for April – Fool by Mary Lawrence
My Reading Challenges page…I keep hoping to catch up. My Goodreads count is still off, and the landing page shows 53 of a challenge of 175 with one book owing a review from April and four books behind schedule. Oops.
To all my dear readers and fellow bloggers, thank you so much for taking the time to check out my posts and reviews. I’m trying to up my bloghopping and hope to see yours soon.
©2026 V Williams
Rosepoint Publishing 
I took out a membership at the community center in April and am enjoying using it. I try and get to aquafit 4 times a week or more if I can. I’ve done a balance class and will be attending book club this Friday. I am registered for a chair yoga class later this week. You’re right, they need to keep us seniors busy. It looks like April was a good month for you and the CE. I hope you have a great May and are able to get your gardens planted.
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wonderful! so glad you are taking advantage of the opportunities at the community center. the CE and I are really enjoying, and they are working on new ideas for the seniors (hired a senior coordinator!) that is putting together different activites. the CE will be attending a painting class tomorrow. we do “slimnastics” twice a week and tai chi on Thursdays. love the tai chi, and both classes work on balance. a good thing! our aquafit class is always full and i’ve spoken to several ladies who do their chair yoga and love it. the CE and i tried a beginner yoga once and his (cardiac) loop went off. so that was the end of that. otherwise, it’s all good. now they are thinking about mahjong. love mahjong too, but i do the simple Vita Mahjong on my cell phone. another lady who is doing the “American” version said it’s complicated but fun. just what i need–something more to add to the list. yes, Mother’s Day is the date we look forward to for plants. will finally get my veggie garden going. ty for the comments, Carla, hope you have a good May as well.
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You have a lot more to choose from than we do, but this is new. I hope they continue to add more.
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yes, i hope they do too. our book club is next week–The Witch Sisters. again, one i’d have never chosen.
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