27 Aug What I’m Wearing, Reading, Watching, and Doing this August

Hello Friends!

Happy Friday!  This summer is whizzing by, and I have been keeping busy and interested in some new books, continued projects and am still wearing Summer clothes, as it’s as “Hot as Hades” here.

Wearing

It happens every year, about this time, as we lean into Fall Fashions. In North Carolina, we don’t really experience cooler days until November. We can get out of some of the summer wear by October, but it is still warm. Not like my memory of Pittsburgh, were it seemed every Halloween, I was dress in one of my mom’s creations, with a jacket or raincoat over top.

I’ll admit it. I get a little “crabby”. When it is too hot to go outside, irritability sets in. By September I am ready for Fall! ( I just need to be patient)

So, to start, lets talk about what I am wearing. I stick to cooler fabrics like cotton and linen for the most part in these Summer months ’cause there is no better feeling than keeping cool rather than pouring sweat down your chest once outside! Ladies, what is it, do we sweat or glow?

Denim shorts in a light wash and medium wash have become staples as do my sundresses in August.

Reading-

Well, I am a fan of writer, Kristin Hannah. My mom introduced the book, The Great Alone to me, and I was hooked from there!

“In Kristin Hannah’s The Great Alone, a desperate family seeks a new beginning in the near-isolated wilderness of Alaska only to find that their unpredictable environment is less threatening than the erratic behavior found in human nature” Amazon..

I also read The Four Winds about a family who move from the Midwest to California during the Great Depression, and how the image she had of how things would be , and what they really were developed.

Her characters are very dimensional and well developed, the story envelopes you.

This is just one of the reasons I discovered I enjoy reading historical fiction- an actual bringing to life the events and people of the times.

I recently finished The Nightingale, which was so gripping, I didn’t put it down ( much). I would read 100 pages at the pool. A story of two French sisters and her family during WWII, and the strength and courage they gained experiencing the events they did. Such an amazing book!

Currently, I have started “The Thursday Murder Club”, In a peaceful retirement village, four unlikely friends meet weekly in the Jigsaw Room to discuss unsolved crimes; together they call themselves the Thursday Murder Club.” Amazon-

Watching

Well, I did start 9 Perfect Strangers on Hulu. I didn’t  finish it. If you enjoyed it, don’t let me rain on your parade. I, myself, found it to be trite and the characters not very multi-dimensional, but rather  caricature like.  Cie la Vie, you win some you lose some!

I did love, however, really enjoy the French Series, based off of novelist, Harlen Coben’s novel- “Gone for Good.” It was a mystery and a bit of a thriller/lovestory. “Ten years after losing two loved ones, a man is plunged into another dizzying mystery when his girlfriend vanishes.”

I recommend this, as you do get involved with these characters!

These fabulous dancers on IG and Tik Tok are ones I watch daily. . I’d love to be able to dance like that! ( maybe a few moves:-)

Doing

Well, I already explained my health issues in earlier posts, but I have esophageal ulcers and Gastritis. Unfortunately, my glass of wine with dinner has been eliminated, however, just FYI Chardonnay and Viognier have lower acidity, if you choose to drink a bit with GERD.

I have been feeling better, but will have to get another EGD in 2 months to see how I am .

We went to the Immersive Van Gogh Exhibit here in Charlotte, with my sister and niece. It was brilliant, you must Gogh!

At first, you encounter many metal sunflowers indicative of his famous work, then are taken into a room with benches 6 feet apart with circles drawn. Van Gogh’s painting are surrounding you, all around the room, and each are animated as well. The music was wonderful and set the mood of the pieces.  It was hosted here in Charlotte, at an old Ford Bomb manufacturing plant. I knew many of his works but several I was not familiar with. It always amazes me that many artists become so much more popular after they die.

Buongiorno! I am starting to learn Italian on Duo Lingo. I need to know certain phrases when we travel there next year. 

Un Molto Importante- “Piu Vino Per Favore” and “Dove il Bagno?”( more wine please and Where is the bathroom?) 🙂

Since I have been feeling better, my hubby and I went paddleboarding/kayaking at a near by Lake. It was my first time to use an inflatable paddleboard, but I did enjoy it and had no trouble standing, once I got used to it. It is a good workout and very peaceful!

https://photos.google.com/photo/AF1QipNIjjFpigGjnbmIu-x8w0s07jh0mpeTufacet0m

I would love to hear what you have been up to the month of August.

Leave me a comment below.

Have a great weekend!
Jess xx