Merry Christmas! I am listening this audiobook while making chocolate baked oatmeal.

Who‘s watching The Muppet Christmas Carol tonight?

This is Arrow. I met her today at the Auburn Public Library. They‘ve partnered with a local shelter to help cats get adopted. Wish I could adopt Arrow, she‘s very sweet and friendly.

#CatsOfLitsy

I‘ve eaten 37 types of cookies from the cookie challenge list https://www.listchallenges.com/litsy-holiday-cookies

My favorites:
1. Snickerdoodle
2. Gingersnap
3. Sugar

I think everyone I would tag has already been tagged, haha!

#TLT
#ThreeListThursday

I‘m enjoying this steamy second chance romance.

Another one for #WeirdWordWednesday

Just discovered the Richard Marx Christmas album. I love his rendition of The Little Drummer Boy.

#TuesdayTunes

https://youtu.be/AOBbT9AA2xE?si=UsJm82gRbePHSIL_

This holiday romance novella features a stray kitten that the heroine adopts. It reminds me of this kitty I met in Belize. It was hard not to take it home!

#CatsOfLitsy

Switched my schedule this week & have to work later today. Wish I had the day off, but since I don‘t I‘m enjoying some holiday reading before my shift.

Just listened to this audiobook. Couldn‘t get into it.

Just started this lovely little novella. It has random definitions at the start of each chapter. Perfect for #WeirdWordWednesday.

I‘m listening to Kylie Minogue‘s Christmas album. I love her cover of The Pretenders “2000 Miles”.

#TuesdayTunes

https://music.youtube.com/watch?v=KtHJ84Nsz0o&si=zN6N8Xc5pvrStKQA

I‘m starting my day with Lemon Loaf tea. Happy #TrekTuesday!

#Tea #Cats

Holiday romance time! 🕎

“One of the wonderful things about fictional characters is that they can illustrate for us, in particularly memorable ways, aspects of the human experience that we might otherwise fail to appreciate.”

My cat Boots is not a fictional character, but here she is!

#CatsOfLitsy

Happy December! Christmas music is one of my favorite things about the holiday season. This is one of my favorite songs. Reminds me of when I was in choir in high school.

#TuesdayTunes

https://open.spotify.com/track/40yfixqIk7v9MW3wZ9w8J3?si=qWl58MMPT4-R403n3QLuOg&...

Read this cute book about a therapy dog. It‘s a quick read with one-liners and pictures.

This short murder mystery was cute.

I‘ve been listening to Tori Amos‘ 2002 Scarlet‘s Walk album the last few weeks. Any Tori fans here?

#TuesdayTunes

I bought this book when I was in Belize and looking for something to read. I‘ve enjoyed it so far. A small town romance with a dog 🐶

Five joys this week:
1. Went for a bike ride.
2. Snuggled with my kitties
3. Got out of work early tonight & got to spend extra time with my husband.
4. Read great books.
5. Started plans for Thanksgiving dinner.

#5JoysFriday

I‘ve been thinking about which social media platforms are best for my mental health post-election. Litsy is one of the best ones. Connecting with others through our love of books is wonderful. Thank you all for being awesome .

Happy Thursday from Lorelei. She looks grumpy because she just woke up.

#CatsOfLitsy

Current audiobook. I've listened to it twice this year.

Really enjoying this follow up to Forbidden. I‘m looking forward to learning more about Portia‘s story.

“When my grief was the hardest to face, I got busy again. I looked for ways to help others, and I did what I could.”

I voted early & then vacationed in Belize. I fly home today & my heart is grieving for my country. What keeps me going is thinking of small ways to help others who grieve, too. I hope this picture of a Caribbean sunset brings a small moment of joy.

I‘m heartbroken today. Hugs to anyone who feels the same. What a sad moment in history.

Haven‘t done a #TuesdayTunes post in a while. Just discovered this great singer from Belize. Melonie Gillett reminds me of Christina Aguilera.

https://open.spotify.com/track/1s7WrVhAoIrvjacweOJPsE?si=2ahYgxUkRhaCP6gLG5JT1A

I bought this book in 2020. It has light moisture damage thanks to being in my basement office. Rather than throw it out I have designated it as my go-to beach re-read. I‘m currently vacationing in Central America & re-read half of it at the airport. I‘m planning to read the rest by the pool & at the beach.

This historical romance includes a male protagonist who is on the city council in Virginia City, Nevada, USA. There‘s also discussion about the U.S. Presidential election of 1868.

#SundayFunday

“If you have a chance to be kind today, take it.”

A disappointing read. Most of the book is Bible quotes. It is a from Christian publisher so the religious angle was expected. I liked the 2-3 pages of tips to plan a pet memorial service/funeral. And I liked that it validated the pain of losing a pet. Otherwise, this book wasn‘t for me.

I could not get into this book. It's a shame because I love the Bee Gees. The way it was written didn't work for me. It felt very impersonal and dry. If you want to read a good book about the Gibb family I recommend Arrow Through the Heart: The Biography of Andy Gibb by Matthew Hild. That was much better.

#AllHailTheBail #HailTheBail

I‘ve slowly worked through this book. It pairs well with #TuesdayTunes. Many musicians are mentioned, including Ethel Merman. I‘m not a fan of her music. However, I learned she had a disco album & had to check it out. I‘m listening now & not sure what I think. Fans of disco & show tunes may like it.

https://open.spotify.com/track/4yWXewTlItowO15dgHZdxZ?si=VZjwOdJRT7GEhP5nU5zM2g&...

"Don't Give Up" by Peter Gabriel featuring Kate Bush was one of Matthew Perry's favorite songs. The video for the song is beautiful. I also love the live version with Paula Cole.

Kate Bush version: https://youtu.be/VjEq-r2agqc?si=rocN1MAflnXSqY00

Paula Cole live version: https://youtu.be/98lNKjwYtaU?si=QY0qUV2KCLcb13VE

Image from IMDB

#TuesdayTunes

“While it would be wonderful if all of us had a hero come along who would take an interest in us, sometimes we have to be our own hero.”

“It‘s critical to have people in your life who get you and let you be yourself.”

“If you keep your eyes and ears open, there are lots of other ways people say, ‘I love you,‘ without saying the words.”

I'm only two chapters into Matthew Perry's memoir and my heart is already breaking for him. I had no idea his childhood was so rough. It's hard to be a child who feels responsible for making adults happy.

A criticism I've read is that the book jumps back & forth between time periods. This doesn't bother me because that's how my ADHD brain works. It's always jumping back & forth between thoughts. I like books written this way.

I love Fleetwood Mac so much. I‘m blown away by their harmonies every time I listen to their Rumours album. “Go Your Own Way” is one of my favorite tracks.

#TuesdayTunes

https://youtu.be/oiosqtFLBBA?si=dNwIS6-c7tIFpYgY

Image by Alina Vilchenko on Pexels

My hold finally came in, just in time for #TuesdayTunes! Love the Bee Gees!

https://youtu.be/i6iBAuwBODA?si=Fgf7g1hrkmo81_3u

I don‘t like to listen to music when I read. I find it distracting. I haven‘t found music to fit this current book, however, the book introduced me to pianist Ruth Slenczynska. I enjoy sharing new artists & discoveries. I also enjoy pairing books with music for #TuesdayTunes. I like finding relevant titles to pair with the music.

"Thriving, a Manifesto: I will grow, flourish, prosper, and realize a goal despite—and because of—my circumstances."

Any Billy Joel fans here?

Just introduced this song to a coworker. It‘s an underrated gem.

https://youtu.be/LVlDSzbrH5M?si=Wa3hZeI_xDmHOtDa

#TuesdayTunes

I read through chapter 15 and decided to stop. The discussions of family trauma were too intense for me. I may finish the book someday. But not today.

Current audiobook.

I don't discuss politics much here, but this childless cat lady is not impressed with JD Vance. I'm debating whether I should read his book, however, because I want to be more informed about him & his views. I will borrow it from the library if I do. I'm not giving him my money.

Anyhoo, these are my cats. Lorelei (left) and Boots (right.) Love my girls. ❤️

#ChildlessCatLady

More French singers for #TuesdayTunes! Love this duet by Zaho & Indila. Zaho is Canadian-Algerian and Indila is from France.

https://youtu.be/PXXiMhJrPOk?si=JOVZq3YTYamaIaVw

I love Whitney Houston‘s & Kygo‘s version of Steve Winwood‘s “Higher Love.”

https://youtu.be/dTYOkcRH220?si=peCPj4EjQL0KDkTV

#TuesdayTunes

I love, love, love that Estelle Getty is mentioned in this book!