Twenty More Tubes of Pringles

Tesco are running a promotion where it's four for the price of three on a vast amount of cleaning products. Of course, it's the cheapest one that's free, so a certain amount of strategy needs to be used. Today I bought around a year's worth of stain removal power. I don't use it very often as we don't really get many stains, so four tubs - three general and one for coloureds - will almost certainly be fine. I also picked up four bottles of washing up liquid in a separate transaction. The Tesco own brand that I get are only 65p, but it all helps.

On Saturday I'm getting a delivery with four bottles of Ariel colour liquid for bear. I imagine that it will last him until university, but it won't go off in the time it takes to use it and I may as well save the £7.50. I'm going to call in probably on Monday and do a lot of small transactions because they have some cheap stuff included in the offer and it ends on Tuesday. 

Also in that delivery are lots of tubes of Pringles. I posted last time they were on sale and I bought twenty tubes as they were also on double points. Well, I'm down to the last tube and they're on offer again. Now I know that I need twenty tubes between offers. I may be able to get away with fewer once the summer holidays are over, but I don't need to go over. As it is, the saving is around £8 for something that is very much appreciated.

I think this is why the cleaning sale (which I think is every six months) is such a good deal for me. I rarely buy brands. Pringles are one brand that I buy and Ariel is another, but usually I just buy the less expensive own brand that never has coupons and doesn't go on offer. This offer includes a pack of their washing up sponges at 43p per pack. If I didn't use cloths, I'd buy enough to keep me going for six months. I may only be saving 43p or so, but it all counts. There's loads of their own brand stuff included and I'd be mad not to pick up a few bits. 

I'm also thinking about the driving in Methley. It was so demure compared to the usual mayhem. When bear was navigating, he confirmed that I was doing 28 mph in a 30 mph zone and cars were falling behind me like they needed to keep their distance from the maddened speed demon. People weren't cutting others up or failing to indicate or being so far up my tail that I'm surprised they didn't steal my dipstick. It was so easy. I was thinking about it when I fell asleep last night which may explain why it was the location of my nightmare where I was being menaced by an evil, scary plush giraffe-were-being. I may also need to be a bit more aware of what I eat last thing at night. 

Gladys continues to thrive.

And when I looked to find this, I also found this pic of me trying to take a pic of a scarf I'm allegedly knitting.

That's not one of my greatest attempts. Last night it looked like this.

The yarn has been sitting on my shelf for around five years, taunting me, and I just broke and started it. I've knitted a little more since then, and I'll try and take a pic later.

Hugs and good health to all. 

Fifty Miles

I drove fifty miles today. Much of that was manoeuvring around narrow country lanes looking for a place to turn around and another large slice was three point turns. My sat nav hates me. I had a quick run to Tesco before taking bear to help his friends out who were performing as a band in a free small festival. They have their own single here if anyone is interested and it's a very energetic, indie teenage song, very much aimed at youngsters. They wouldn't thank me for saying it, but it reminds me a lot of the punk stuff that I grew up with. I heard some of the set from a safe distance (when considering the possibility of embarassing bear) and I enjoyed it.

The problem was that the festival was in an area I didn't know at all, so when we were faced with things like closed roads and the inevitable 'take the next left' when I absolutely should not take that next left. Bear navigated for the outward journey, letting me know when the sat nav was lying and that I needed to take different turns. After I dropped him off, though, I was left looking for somewhere to park to wait the two hours before pick up. I ended up at the shopping outlet at Junction 32 where it took me twenty minutes to work out where the entrance was. I kept getting sent up and down Tomahawk Trail. My sat nav really hates me. I parked up next to a hedge that looked like autumn.

I had a little wander around and succumbed to some candles from the Yankee Candle outlet (which I didn't need but we are running a little low as we get into autumn). As the outlet shops were shutting, I took ten minutes to find my way out of the dratted car park then found a layby across from a rhubarb field, as it was right near the Rhubarb Triangle.

Bear had a good time, and I even managed to get some knitting done. 

Hugs and good health to all. 

More or Less Calmed Down.

It's been a quiet day. I had a delivery from Tesco this morning and watched the last episode of 'Welcome to Wrexham' with DH. Apart from that I've been taking it incredibly easy. Bear has been doing something with Skyrim that involves lots of downloading stuff. I smile, nod and let him get on with it. 

To be honest, I've been looking at maps as bear needs a lift on Monday to somewhere unfamiliar. I'd need to either go through Leeds centre, which is awash with road works and half the roads are shut, or past Tingley Roundabout which is known for being a little awkward if you are unsure. To be honest, whenever I've gone through Tingley Roundabout, I've been fine. But I've always known the exit I needed and I don't want to accidentally end up on the motorway, especially as I need to get bear to a particular place on time. I could end up in Durham if I'm not careful. I'll just allow plenty of time and see how it goes. 

At least I don't have to worry about uniform. I know that I'll have some expenses to come, including a stupidly expensive calculator, but at least I'm not looking at blazers and fancy school shoes anymore. I expect that we'll get the equipment list soon enough. 

Hugs and good health to all. 

Still Floating

I'm still thrilled by what bear has achieved. It's such an achievement and he worked so hard. 

As for the fancy maths college - it's very fancy. There is a government initiative to encourage the teaching of maths. Around the country, sixth form colleges (for students 16-18) have been set up as independent academies linked to universities (Wiki entry here). The government is throwing money at them, and there are colleges linked to places like Kings College London and the University of Liverpool. The Leeds Maths School is opening this year and bear will be one of the first pupils with a very small intake of around 80 pupils. 

Bear saw an advert for it on Instagram and looked into it further. It's insanely academic, but he's used to that, and it looks like it will encourage hard work and thorough study habits, and he's used to that as well. A lot of people, I think, have been hesitant because it's new, but it's being run by the former head of the Kings College London Maths School which has been pretty successful. 

It's not just the crazy amount of maths and science, but the lectures by university students and professors, fancy lecture theatres and facilities, and huge chunks of the second year being devoted to getting into a 'good' univerity. As the refurbishment of the building in the centre of Leeds isn't finished yet, the first half term will be taught at the University of Leeds. Bear is very happy at the thought of getting a chance to play in the Computer and Physics labs of a university. He is cautiously interested in the Duke of Edinburgh scheme which he has avoided so far but which is apparently almost compulsory, and the outreach. As he will be in the first year in a refurbished building on the medieval boundary of Leeds, I've insisted that he starts creating ghost stories. 

Being me, I'm worrying about him. I've always been aware that he could be pushed too hard and that he could get burned out. He wants to do four A levels, but the school prefer if he could concentrate on getting the best grades of three A levels. I'm worried that he'll bite off more than he can chew and insist on the fourth A level. He's talking about studying Latin in the lunch breaks. It could go badly wrong. On the other hand, it could be an amazing opportunity. DH and I are happy to keep supporting bear with whatever is required. 

About the 'not only wild but positively livid' garden, a self seeded runner bean is growing around the white roses. I may plant some deliberately next year as I think it looks beautiful.

It's a rubbish picture. I'll try and get a better one tomorrow. 

Hugs and good health to all. 

He Did It!

Bear got 10 lots of Grade 9 (top mark) and one of Grade 7 (English Lit). To get a Grade 9 you need to get a score in the top 5% of everyone who took that exam, all over the country.

He's gone into town to register with the fancy maths school. I'm at home and I'm feeling beyond thrilled. I am so proud of him. He not only put the work in but he also analysed the situation and targeted particular areas while prioritising different subjects depending on when the exams were. I told him that he can take all the credit for this as he put in all the work. 

So, so, so proud of him. 

(his head of year suggested that he request a re-mark for his English Lit, as there had been some oddities this year, and bear is considering it. However, it's still the equivalent of an A under the old scheme)

I picked a picture of fireworks from Unsplash, taken by Kristian Lovstad to try and express how absolutely thrilled and excited I was. 

Nervous Wreck

Bear gets his exam results tomorrow. Tonight, around 7pm, he texts me to say he may need a form of ID to pick up his results. This seems a little odd as he's been attending the school for five years and we have heard nothing from the school about this. I hope that he doesn't need it as he doesn't have a passport and I'm not sure where his birth certificate is. He's out tonight staying with a friend, so we are picking him up after he's collected his results. I will post as soon as I find out. I'm absolutely on pins. Bear is okay on the surface, but who knows underneath.

I've spent a lot of time today just hanging out with the men. Then after bear went out, DH had an early night and I called in at the supermarket. I caved and bought some things I've been craving for a while. Their official use is going to be fruit bowls. 

Bear is starting to eat fruit and I want to try and have it around and attractively presented. 

I have no idea what else has been going on, so I'll catch up tomorrow. I hope I can share good news. 

Hugs and good health to all. 

Another Quiet Day

I can't remember what I was doing yesterday. I think I spent most of it recovering from watching the football. Truly, the best team won, but it was a blow. Then I was picking bear up and I kept getting texts changing the time. 

I spent most of today watching 'Welcome to Wrexham' with DH who hadn't watched it. For those very few who are unaware, Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney bought Wrexham AFC football club a couple of years ago and were trying to get out of the National League and into League Two. It's a really good series, and it's not just about the football (or even the two owners), but it's about the community. I got married about six miles from there, and until uncle died, there had been a member of our family living there for over 150 years, so I was intrigued as I sort of know the area. Of course, it must be over a decade since I was last in Wrexham itself, but I have a few memories and I'm curious. Besides, I grew up with football, unlike DH. Poor DH didn't expect how human the programme was. He'll be a nervous wreck by the time we finish the series. 

I'm not sure about the fluffy blanket. I had a job trying to take a pic without showing my lamentable housekeeping skills, but here we are.

It's just over 36 inches wide but it's 72 inches long and far too skinny in proportion. I'm considering donating it because it doesn't shed the fluff while knitting and while I'm not sure that it will suit me, it's lovely and soft and warm to wrap around you on a sofa.

Gladys the fuchsia is continuing to recover.

There are a lot of flowers coming on, which is good.

Writing stuff - No, I've not been organised enough to get the story posted on my blog, but I've been accepted onto a team that will be writing regularly on a blog called Hazardous to Your Sanity which has a lot of writing stuff on it, with a mix of reviews, advice and a little fiction. I'll be sharing it regularly and I'll add it to the blog roll so if you're interested then you can spot when a post comes up. 

Hugs and good health to all. 

Things Have Happened

Yesterday we went to see The Importance of Being Ernest which was an outside production at Oakwell Hall. The weather forecast was ominous, but we decided to go for it anyway. I packed a couple of blankets to sit on and a stool and we had a few sandwiches from Tesco before the show. We ate them in the picnic benches by the hall.

We were one of the first people in, and grabbed one of the benches along the side. It looked like this around 6pm.

But it was full when it started at 7pm. We definitely were underequipped. There were fizzy wine corks popping. At one point I saw a cork fly from one side of the lawn to the other. Huge picnics were spread out and people had chairs and blankets and all sorts. I spread the picnic blanket on the bench. It felt very inadequate. 

There was a little rain but not enough to either stop the performance or dampen the crowd. It was a lot of fun. We've decided that if we do anything like this again that we will make more of an effort. We may even get some plastic wine glasses, but as none of us like wine we would be drinking lemonade out of them.

Today I went for may usual sit and knit time. The car got extremely leafed on.

I had the window open so it was almost as bad with all that blew in.

I was sick of seeing a ball of yarn on the shelf, and I'd found a decent pattern for a scarf and started knitting it up, but there was an issue with the needle.

So I concentrated on the fluffy blanket. I finished it when I got home, and I'll take some pics tomorrow. After the football, of course. I'm not sure what sort of state that I'll be in after the final. 

Hugs and good health to all.

I've Done Some Knitting

I meant to post yesterday but I was somewhat overwhelmed when England got through to the World Cup Final. I got quite a bit of knitting done yesterday during the match. I picked up the fluffy one as I didn't need to concentrate so much on the stitches (which was just as well). I still can't believe that we went through without even extra time! I've done a few rows more today and it looks like this.

It's probably two feet long and around six foot wide. I may have made an error of judgement when I cast on. Looking at the yarn that I have left, there's probably another 12 to 18 inches worth of yarn and then it will be a lovely throw to have on the sofa or wrap up in. 

Bear was out last night and most of today. He should have been home earlier and words have been said, but he's still not bad for a teenager. Which reminds me - I don't remember feeding him at any point. I'll really have to keep an eye on that.

I've done quite a bit of running around. I've got a man in to do a report on what needs doing in the bathroom, I've sorted out our house insurance (which was a saga) and checked our energy bills. We've been on a fixed rate for the last two years and it comes to an end in September. I'm so glad that we went with it, after all the upheaval, and we're reasonably careful, but it's still been a worry. I think we'll try and get onto another fixed rate. The money may go down, but I'd rather know where I stood. I've also chased up Halfords to try and get my dashcam sorted out, but I'm going to have to drive there. I can't speak to anyone on the phone at all, no matter what I try.

I've also had a putter around with some writing stuff and now I'm planning to relax for a little while before an early night. I have a lot to do tomorrow. I'm not sure if I'll be able to update. We've booked tickets for an outdoor performance of The Importance of Being Ernest tomorrow which is scheduled at roughly the same time as a band of rain is due to sweep through. I'm feeling a little unimpressed at the thought. 

Hugs and good health to all. 

Achieving Very Little

The bathroom has been cleaned within an inch of its life. This is because I'm getting someone in to do a report on what needs doing to put right all the problems left by the plumbers that put in the bathroom. As an anticlimax, they couldn't make it. They should be here tomorrow. Thank goodness that the bathroom will still be clean (though I'll be giving a good wipe over first thing, of course)

I've not got a lot achieved apart from that, although I did have a proper meal today instead of snacky junk, so that was good. And speaking of snacky junk, it's not that long ago that I bought twenty tubes of Pringles but between bear and DH (and bear taking them with him to his friends), they have almost entirely dwindled away. I shall have to sort out other stuff for him to take. 

The garden is completely overgrown. 

I need to get into it. And I need to get this harvested. I'm feeling somewhat better, so I need to get moving.

It's looking stressed compared to the lucious beauty it was at the weekend so I had better get it sorted and then give everything a good feed. 

A group of at least half a dozen magpies have set up opposite our house. DH is putting out extra peanuts in the hope that they won't pick on us too much.

Writing stuff - Chapter Twenty of Invitation Accepted is here. And that's another thing. I need to get more written. I feel in the middle of a very complicated junction with cars whizzing all around me and I have no idea in which direction I'm going. 

Hugs and good health to all. 

Fed Up With Myself

First thing this morning I had a Tesco Delivery, because I wasn't sure about what I would be doing. I had a whole list of things that needed doing and I've been having some dizzy spells so wasn't sure if I would be able to drive. The van arrived at the same time as a mini digger that took up station at the corner of the street. I got soaked getting everything in (and it included five bags of gluten free pasta as it was on offer), and then watched the poor Tesco driver make a 300 point turn trying to get out between the digger and the lorries. I'm not exactly sure what's going on, but they cleared a corner of the street. Some of it looked like really good topsoil, but I would have always hesitated as all sorts of stuff has been dumped there over the years. In fact, it's never been flat since we moved into the house in 1994 and it was covered with brambles and bindwide up to this morning. I had a rummage through my old photos and last November it looked like this.

And this is a distant view of what it was like in May, though it's grown a lot since. Today it looked like this after they had finished.

I think the tree behind it is dying, but I have no clue who I should talk to about it. I have no idea what is going on. Bear said he thought he may have heard a noise. He wandered downstairs for the first time mid afternoon and immediately tried to explain a rubics cube to me. There are worse things that he could do. 

And this evening a magpie flew into the window. DH took some peanuts out as a peace offering in the hope that the magpie won't take against us. I'm used to sparrows and pigeons, but this was somewhat unexpected. 

Otherwise all is normal. Hugs and good health to all. 

Nothing Much

Apart from an ongoing battle to evict a ladybird from the bathroom today (ladybirds are stupid) it's been pretty quiet. Tooth is calming down but I had some serious dizzyness and nausea this afternoon. I've managed to do some knitting. 

It is soooo soft and feels soooo warm. I really want to get it knitted for winter, but it's not a straightforward knit. The yarn is a little tricky to use. If there is any left over I'll make a scarf, but a shawl would be amazing to huddle down into. 

Bear had an amazing time. He carried things, helped set up and was generally part of it. He said that the bad were brilliant and had a really good reception from the (very small) band. He's helping out again next Friday with a gig in a smallish pub. Apparently there were a lot of people who had drunk 'not wisely but too well' and it was a great example 

I also found this video here. It has strong language and 'mature' themes at times but is as good a description of the way I process the world as anything and what my poor DH has to put up with. It's regrettably true about my lack of ability to finish things. I shared it with DH and he nearly fell off his chair because he laughed so much. 

Hugs and good health to all. 

Worrying

Bear has gone to the gig. Apparently he's helping to set up, which will no doubt be fun for him. When I asked if he was effectively a roadie, he gave me the Look.

When it comes down to it, bear is far more sensible than I ever was and I'm sure that he'll be fine. Of course I'm worrying. He's been told to text us when he gets back to his friend's house. DH and I are not actually expecting anything. We'll expect to get at least some of the story tomorrow.

I'm feeling better but still under the weather. I just hope I can stand the excitement of the England game tomorrow.

Hugs and good health to all. 

Ouch

I think I have an abcess in a tooth. I also have dental phobia and had a major panic attack when I was last due for a check up. I am taking painkillers and hoping it goes away.

Bear was out again last night. The quiz team is still hovering around last place, but he seems to be enjoying it. He got the bus home and it got extremely delayed so the poor lad came in shattered. He's out again tomorrow night as he's going to his first gig. As it's £6 entry on the door, I don't think that it's going to be that big or scary, and I have faith in him, but I will be worrying until he turns up the next day. 

Today we had the boiler serviced, so that is one thing off the list. I always try and get the boiler serviced in summer so it will be fine for winter and I don't have to worry about squeezing in an appointment.

Writing stuff - I posted the latest instalment of 'Research and the Author' here. This week I covered clothes in a fantasy setting, or, at least, Medieval Europe fantasy setting. To be honest, I think for fantasy you can just make stuff up, but I had fun.

Hugs and good health to all. 

Forgetting the Days

I keep meaning to post, but then I forget and lose all sense of time. I bought myself a planner, with some reservations, and I'm hoping that it will help keep me more on track. Besides, I spent most of yesterday recovering from the England game. Nigeria definitely deserved to win. 

There seems to be a lot of knitting going on here at the moment. The fluffy blanket has been put on hold as the yarn that I absolutely should not have got but have been lusting after for a while and eventually caved and bought finally came. I have a pattern suited to DK and I think that it's double knit. It's perhaps the most expensive yarn that I've bought in ages, at £3.22 for 100g. I know that it's not expensive in the grand scheme of things, but it's expensive for me. Mind you, I saw a yarn that tempted me which was over £10 for a single skein, which looked about 50g. It was 50% Tibetan Yak and 50% mulberry silk, so I suspect that it's fair enough. I can't justify getting that. Over £3 for polyester was hard, but it called to me. I've started knitting (please let me finish this!)

It isn't sparkling yarn and there's no glitter in it. It's just that the yarn is shiny. It may split like a [rude word] and be as tricky as [different rude word] to knit but it's so soft and warm and light that it's like knitting a cloud.

I've been doing a lot of micro housewifery. It's just little bits here and there that are making things easier going forward. I've also done a lot of writing stuff.

Writing stuff - I have finally got the next chapter out on Invitation Accepted here. I have almost finished the next instalment of the Research and the Author series for tomorrow. And  I got a mention in a newsletter belonging to The Authors Porch and CJ Ives Lopez who are amazing and encouraging for writers of all levels and backgrounds. 

Hugs and good health to all. 

Normal for Me

Today the weather forecast was for rain with extra rain and more rain added. I love knitting in the car in the rain and was so happy to get out and relax. It was drier than a very dry thing. But I did get to see a labrador being a very good labrador. It was a gorgeous large black dog, and had once been given an ice cream from the kiosk. If you saw this dog, with his immaculate coat and well muscled, not overweight build you would know that this was a dog that was loved and cared for. The dratted thing refused to move from the ice cream kiosk. It was soooo well behaved and didn't whine or bounce or nip. It did, however, lay down and refuse to move. His owners were obviously really wonderful, and so was the dog. 

On the way back, I called into IKEA for some veggie meatballs. They have gone up so much in price - I think they were around £3.95. Now they are £5.95. However I like them, they are not the most unhealthy, they are gluten free and they take two minutes in the microwave. IKEA is in the middle of refurbishment which is perhaps just as well.

And I raced through the kitchen section as anything could happen to me there. I paused to take a pic of all the glassware on display.

My first thought was - it must be the devil to keep it dusted. 

I picked up two 120 x 160cm (very approximately 48inches x 63 inches) fleece throws for £4 each. It's not very thick but I want it to line home made place mats for the dinner table and it will be fine for that and is a lot less expensive per metre than the fleece on eBay. 

I'm now thinking about fabric for the placemats. I've seen videos about making self binding place mats like this one, but any sort of padded placemat would work. Drink has been taken and I'm looking on eBay. Anything could happen. I'll share if it's fun. 

Hugs and good health to all. 

A Mix of Things

I didn't post yesterday. To be honest, I can't remember doing anything amazing, but I dithered around and got a few bits done. Wednesday night without bear was odd but we trundled on. Bear had an awesome time, came nowhere in the pub quiz and then had a great time wandering around Huddersfield. He was supposed to be coming home by bus (I offered to pick him up, but he wanted to be independent) but then the bus didn't go where he thought it would. I ended up picking the poor lad up outside Aldi in Dewsbury at seriously late o'clock. By the time I got home, I was shattered.

I had a delivery of Heinz beans today. I have them on a subscription. When I got the last delivery, bear couldn't get enough of them. He's eating hardly any of them at the moment, but I expect that to change once he's back at school. It means I have around forty cans that I expect will more than keep me going until the next delivery in October. I get good wrapping paper from it anyway. 

I nipped out early today and saw this.

It looked like an extremely large thrush and was completely unimpressed by me. It's not a great pic, but the best I could manage. I wish I could have got a pic when it was on the gate, bold as bass, watching me.

I picked up some bits and pieces for the men and some new place mats.

And that's what I did yesterday. I poached the turkey leg that I picked up on Monday with veggies in stock. Yesterday I had the veggies and stock as soup which was very pleasant and I would have been even happier if I hadn't spilt it all over the table and then it got into the cork place mats. I had some of the meat today for lunch and it wasn't particularly pleasant. If I get a turkey leg again, I'll cook it differently. 

Bear was tired but fine. I suspect that he's the sensible one of the group. 

Writing stuff - I've done a surprising amount of writing today, including a book review, here. I wasn't meaning to review it, but I read it in Kindle Unlimited almost by accident and enjoyed it so I thought I'd write a review. I'm still getting the hang of reviews. I want to make sure that it's fair and encouraging. 

Hugs and good health to all. 

Unexpectedly Quiet

Bear is spreading his wings. This afternoon he asked if it was okay if he could sleep over at a friend's house. He's at the pub quiz tonight and then out early tomorrow with friends in the area which is a good hour away in the car during busy times and even longer on the bus. 

Of course, we had to stop off at Tesco first because he didn't own a pair of pyjamas. It's not that I've refused to buy him any, it's just that he refused to wear them! I hope everything goes well. DH and I have been left unexpectedly at a loose end and it's very unnerving.

Writing stuff - I've spent most of the day rummaging around writing stuff. This includes my latest instalment of the Research and Authors series which is here. Did you know that Victorians wore dresses that were dyed green with a dye that contained arsenic? Eventually people realised the connection and the dresses were considered deadly, but how unnerving. I knew about the arsenic wallpaper and that, but I never thought that it extended to dresses. There was a pigment called Paris Green that was called that because the dye was used to poison rats in the Paris sewers. 

Hugs and good health to all. 

Happy Yorkshire Day

It's been a funny sort of day. Bear left the house around 7.45am this morning and I've just picked him up at 10pm. Between those times I've done a few loads of washing, some writing, cleared out a chest of drawers, stripped and remade my bed, watched England beat China 6-1 in a match that was surprisingly in England's favour, kntted, cooked all sorts but forgot the turkey, picked up salad for DH, sorted some emails, approached a publisher, written a review and just done a lot of little things. It's not made a dent in the state of the house, but it's perhaps made a few things a little easier. I also found a candle that I had forgotten. 

It is the height of a 500ml bottle of water and I need two hands to lift it. I'm looking forward to burning it. I'll probably save it until the first cold weather, though, as it's bound to heat up the room.

As for the review, well, it goes something like this... I signed up with Goodreads to read 52 books in a year. So far I've read dozens and dozens and dozens. However, I'm not entirely comfortable sharing all of what I've read. You see, I was wondering about writing spicy romances and whether they were a profitable way to publish. And so I started reading the spicy romances on Kindle Unlimited. I want to be clear that there is nothing wrong with reading spicy romances or even spicer romances. I don't know if lust lit is a term but there is nothing wrong with it. I'm not really the target market, though. I've read a lot of these over the last few months, starting off as research and then on for just the pleasure of it. Many are extremely well written and with excellent stories. It's just that I keep skipping the spicy bits and heading back to the plot. And most of the stuff I've published so far barely has kissing in it. I'm not saying what I do or do not do in my private life, but I'm not sure that I'm good at writing about spicy stuff. I'm definitely not comfortable sharing if I prefer vampires or werewolves. So while I've probably already hit the target for reading 52 books, I'm admitting to four of them. To keep it up, and to keep me honest, there will be a lot more reviews coming. I expect most of them to be extremely non-spicy. 

There has also been a side issue. Years ago I shared my kindle with DH. Last week he finally got around to checking it and then asked that I stopped sharing. He didn't mind me reading books with a certain sort of man on the front but he found it a little disconcerting and he didn't want me worrying about what he thought. Most of the covers are the same male model who has obviously spent a lot of time at the gym but isn't bothering with shirts and has been photoshopped onto more spicy covers than is reasonable for an unsuspecting husband to see. I can't say I blame him. Regardless, I'm getting a little bored with the spicy stuff now, and I have no idea what I'll end up reading next. The review is here, if you are interested. 

And it's Yorkshire Day, a day to celebrate all things Yorkshire. I created this on Canva and I'm quite proud of it.

Hugs and good health to all.