Time Flies---An Update

It's hard to believe, but it has been a full month since I've written a blog post. I couldn't think of anything to write about. I had nothing to say. I know, I know, you're probably all wondering how a chatterbox like myself could keep quiet for so long.

I've seen a few blog posts, such as Miss Snark's "When Words Run Dry" and also an article in Writer's Magazine about Blogger's Block. I have to wonder if a strange planetary alignment, some tidal phenomenon, or the warmer weather had an effect on some of us.

I've been more inside myself lately, unable to articulate my feelings and thoughts. All of my thoughts have been jumbled inside my head. In any case, even though I have been quiet, I haven't been idle. When my mind is working overtime and ready to rupture and implode, I look for ways to release some of that pent up disquiet.

I spent a lot of hours watching BBC movies and television shows on Netflix because it helped drown out the questioning and analytic voices in my head. I'm a fan girl for anything British.

I got a little bit crafty and made some fairy houses to tuck into the landscaping around our home. Aren't they cute?

(Pay no attention to the piles of stuff in my spare room...) A friend of mine found this chair on the street. For FREE!!! I've never seen a chair like this before, have you? With some shampoo and a little furniture polish, it will be good as new.

I finished reading A CLASH OF KINGS.

And started reading THE TWO LIVES OF ERROL FLYNN. (which I just noticed has one 1-star review. I haven't given up on it yet.)

I spent some quality time with Caleb. 

I started planning out my friend's daughter's Halloween costume. (No. It's not a fairy princess costume.)

We took a four-day road trip from NJ to Florida. And back again.

And of course we stopped in Pennsylvania at hubby's favorite place.

I even submitted a short story when I got home. 

I HAVE been busy. I guess I needed to wait until I had enough photos to make a semi-interesting blog post. 

What have you all been up to?

In Over My Head (Book Thoughts)

There was a time when I could read three novels a week, but lately I've noticed that my 'To be read' pile is multiplying like stink bugs on a sunny window in Autumn. Sorry, that was a regional joke--okay--multiplying like rabbits.

I love to read! No, really I do! I bumped up my Booksfree membership a few years ago to have six books at a time at home. That way I never have to wait for a book shipment. When Amanda moved back home for awhile, she brought home three boxes of books. Friends of ours boxed up all of their books, and I grabbed a whole box full of those golden nuggets for myself. After weeding through all of those boxes, and keeping only what I really wanted to read, this is what I have:

Over six feet of books! (Definitely over my head!) That's almost 7,200,000 words! This pile includes the last three books in Diana Gabaldon's Outlander series, the last three books in the Harry Potter series, and that's right, the Twilight boxed set is in there. I said I'd read it, but I don't know when I'll get to it.

That pile doesn't include my fairy books, books on Egyptology, Stonehenge, the 'What Life Was Like In...' series, my reference books, and of course--

my magazines! In this pile are my Writer's Digest, The Writer, Poets & Writers, Good Housekeeping, O, National Geographic, Time, MotorAge (I also need to stay on top of the automotive repair industry) AARP, and a few NY Times Magazines.

I also have about 30 books loaded onto my Kindle Fire. I stopped scrambling for the freebies that were offered because I felt guilty about not doing a timely review after the download. But aside from completing an adorable short story, The Imaginary Friend by Kelly Hashway (Psst...click through to get your free copy!) I haven't had a chance to read them, let alone post a review.

Reading is such an important part of being a writer, and I know I have to carve out time for it. So, I am actually making a conscious effort to read more--a magazine a day (they keep coming!) and at least an hour each night on the books. I'll have to alternate between the Kindle books and the monster pile.  I never thought I'd have to reprimand myself about not reading enough but there just doesn't seem to be enough hours in the day. I can barely get my laundry done!

I would love to take a sabbatical from work until my pile is cleared up, but I don't think John would appreciate that. Nor the mortgage company. Now, if could just win the lottery...you never know, but during the next couple of weeks, I promise to have read a book that I can talk about in next month's 'Book Thoughts' post.

What about you? Do you read enough? How tall is your 'To be read' pile?