Ha, ha. That would have been a good one. No April Fooling here, my darlings. I'm too tired to even try and fool anyone. We decided on a strange whim to move from our condo on the bay to a single-story house a couple of miles down the road. It happened rather quickly but now that we are in our new home, I'm happy to be here. (And so is Big Daddy.) My new office has a view of the front yard and my potted palm tree and a view of the backyard and the little wooded area that we hope to cultivate into some sort of inviting park like area.
Here is my view now:
I can see through the house and the kitchen and into the back yard. I have a window to my right where a nice lot across the street is complete with palmetto palms and tall pines. It's quiet here and more spread out. Something a country girl loves. I will miss the beautiful water view I have enjoyed over the last few years but I'm still close to the ocean and the bay so the water is nearby. Our new home is a little more private and a bit more roomy. You should all come and visit!!
But this big move has allowed me to go through my books and get them organized again. I have so many that I've kept for years. Early Penny Richards aka Bay Matthews, and those of my dear friends who've passed on--Suzannah Davis and Sandra Canfield and Kathy Burton. I have a big selection of Winnie Griggs, Marta Perry, Lyn Cote, Valarie Hansen and so many other Love Inspired writers, I can't name all of them here. But I have decided to take some time each day to read the books I have. Right now I'm reading a really good Regency from my friend Janet Justiss and a great LI suspense by Laura Scott. Am I blessed or what? Books have always made me feel safe and content. Now I have a room that is fast becoming a library. It's sunny and has big glass doors out onto a porch. I plan to read in that room a lot. Or work out there, too.
I posted this picture online but it shows some of the many paperbacks I've collected through the years. I gave away a lot of books and my heart hurt a little each time a box went out the door. But I hope they will bring joy to someone else now.
So no matter where I live, I will always have books around me. Reading a good book is like having a friend with you. How can you ever be lonely or sad when you can get lost in the past or look toward the future through words? I hope wherever you are, you have books with you. No fooling!!!
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I have enough books so that if I read a book a day and lived to be a hundred, I'd still have books left over.
ReplyDeleteI hear that, Pamela. Same here!!
DeleteI'm the same as you Pamela! :)
ReplyDeleteI need to box up some like you did, Lenora. I plan to donate them to Friends of the Library. But it's hard to take that first step.
Missy, it is hard to let them go. I have paperbacks dating back to the early eighties!! Like bell bottoms!!
DeleteLoved your post, Elnora (ooops - - LEnora - - I still want to type your "other name" LOL). ;)
ReplyDeleteSo happy that you've gotten moved into your new home - - it sounds lovely and I'm glad you're still close to the water. :)
I am also very blessed with many books (I've always said a girl can't have too many books....or cats, hehehe...). I'm sure some folks would disagree, but books and cats make me happy!
Your post has reminded me that I need to give more away, though (the books, not the cats). ;) I've given many to our local women's shelter, which gives me a smile to think of some of those pitiful ladies finding joy reading Christian fiction. But I need to part with some more of my books, because I'll still have a LOT!
Hugs, Patti Jo
What a good idea, CatMom!! I read somewhere that sweet romance novels are sometimes used as therapy for how men should act. Doesn't always happen in real life.
DeleteLove your new house, Lenora!
ReplyDeleteYour post reminded me that my bookshelves need some serious weeding this summer. Gulp.
I've started a trend!!
DeleteI purged my books. It was hard. Just do it though one box at a time-15 minutes a day then remember to get a tax deduction slip;)
ReplyDeleteGood idea!!
DeleteLenora, I feel your pain. Every time we've moved, and that's been numerous times, I've had to purge my book collection. Now I'm just collecting them on my e-reader. No future purges for me. :)
ReplyDeleteI'm trying to do that more, Merrillee. But I love having them with me!! I'm holding on to the old ways!!
DeleteI have kindle app on my phone so i got hooked on ebooks couple of years ago otherwise i having to give away books every 6 months as only had one bookshelve. Now with my kindle i take my books with me where ever i go
ReplyDeleteHi Lenora! Since I rarely re-read (if ever!), I tend to donate my books to friends or our local library. Even then, I have a TBR the size of the leaning tower of Pisa....HA!! And don't even mention my Kindle....OY!
ReplyDeleteI guess if I had to have a habit, it would be reading, much better then some......
P.S. I'm loving your new place, looks so sunny & bright :-) A perfect place to write more books that can go on my shelves!
Your new home looks lovely, Lenora.
ReplyDeleteI trimmed down my bookshelves as part of my recent downsizing project and carted boxes of books to our local library. Now others can enjoy the same stories I have.
Scraproni, modern technology is amazing. Yes, having books on our phones and electronic pads is really a saving grace for booklovers :)
ReplyDeleteTrixi, donating is always a good idea. Books are the best pass-around items in the world. They never go out of style :)
ReplyDeleteThank you, Keli. We are settling in and loving it. We've lived with two-story houses for close to fifteen years so having everything on one level is nice :)
ReplyDelete