Ellie@Home by Nicole Kapise-Perkins

     It's late August, and for, oh, a month now, the squash invasion has been going on full-force. I'm sure most of you know what I mean: you plant your lovely little garden plot with all kinds of luscious goodies, including zucchini plants. You're smart, you only plant 5 zucchini plants--you know from past experience what those little plants will do once they get going.      As you plant you are reminded of your grandparents' gorgeous gardens, either planted behind the big two-story farmhouse they once owned that had the attic that was kept just for you to play in, or the littler plots tucked in beside the smaller mobile homes they lived in once they decided to downsize. Always, there were zucchini. So much zucchini. Gramma's zucchini bread was a marvel; zucchini was served steamed and buttered, and there was always some to take home. At home, you would walk out the back door to climb your favorite tree and settle in with a book, only to trip over the mountain of

   Adjusting (still) to a new job; similar work but a much different facility, and the uncertainty that accompanies me each day is getting me down. (Not to mention the longer workweek. It's amazing the difference a day can make.)    Writing projects are on hold, though I have a couple things prepped for mailing--just need to buy some stamps. (Yes, in this age of electronic EVERYTHING publishers do still accept submissions by mail. Astounding.) I have another few planned projects, but finding the time, and, frankly, energy to do them is getting harder and harder. Really, once I get home from work all I want to do is crash on the couch and watch Robin of Sherwood . I'd make jokes about getting old, but my Gramma kept herself moving far longer and stronger than I have the wherewithal for.    Lately CNA students have been doing clinical hours at the facility I work at. I remember being like them: hopeful, interested, eager to help. Now? Jaded, disgusted, disgruntled. So full of a

Hypatia's Heritage by Margaret Alic   This was a very good read, slightly (okay, a lot) over my head as far as some of the information presented goes, but a book that focuses on brilliant women in science and mathematics in history? Outstanding. his is the kind of book I would pass on to my daughter if she enjoyed books as much as I do. Parents, or anyone with a special young lady in your life, especially one interested in the sciences, pass this book along to her. Farm to Factory: Women's Letters, 1830 to 1860 by Thomas Dublin    I love reading collections of letters and old diaries and journals; the authentic view of another place and time is fascinating to me, especially when it pertains to the time period that interests me most, i.e, the nineteenth century. The women that wrote these letters were educated as well as their time allowed, yet none of them come across as ignorant or uninformed. They are vibrant, lively, sparking with life and breath. Is the subject matter

a meaningful, vitally important message about suicide prevention from Melissa d'Arabian: Beyond Tears: Translating Our Grief Into Suicide Prevention By Everyday Health Guest Contributor Published Aug 15, 2014 By Melissa d’Arabian, Special to Everyday Health Losing Robin Williams is keeping me awake these days. On Monday, I sobbed deeply for a man and family I have never met. I cried alongside all of you, and scrolled slowly along the heartbreaking posts in my social media feeds: those who knew him well gave us a sneak peek into his incredible generosity, fans shared how Dead Poet’s Society made them want to become a teacher, or how Mork gave hope and smiles when watched from a hospital room years ago. I stayed up late, because going to bed that first night someone dies feels like an acknowledgement that the person is gone and that life will have to go on. Happiness Is an Inside Job I watched countless clips of his various roles, and reveled in his artistic g

Mrs. Robinson's Disgrace: The Private Diary of a Victorian Lady by Kate Summerscale 'The story of a true-life Madame Bovary and the scandalous trial that rocked Victorian England by the bestselling author Kate Summerscale.' Well, that got my attention. So.....all I can say is I'm glad 1: my husband doesn't read my PRIVATE journal, and 2: even if he did, and didn't like what he read, he COULDN'T DIVORCE ME. Yes, I am enthralled and enamored of the Victorian era, but there are many, many things that make me glad I didn't live there. That aside, Kate Summerscale's writing and research is stellar.

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