For What It's Worth


Tuesday, August 30, 2022

Long time no see.....


tall sunflower in bloom against a bright blue sky with puffy white clouds

Picture from our walk in Fort Vancouver Park 

I seem to have taken an unintentional break after thinking I got my reading/blogging mojo back - but I guess not lol

Really, it was just a series of life stuff that had me a little stressed. Kevin's parents both got covid, I had an area of concern on my mammogram and had to have a follow up ultrasound (I'm ok!), Kevin has tinnitus and final got into a specialist and needs an MRI so I was just...stressed and distracted. 

As for reading, I finished one book - Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow: A Novel by Gabrielle Zevin ~ Goodreads. You all asked me to make my WTF Reviews a regular feature when I did it last month and I thought...I don't read enough WTF books to do that. Well, this is a WTF book! So be on the lookout for that once I can formulate all my thoughts on that weirdness. 

I'm currently reading The History of the World in Fifty Dogs by Mackenzie Lee ~ Goodreads for La La in the Library Dog Days of Summer celebration and giveaway.


We've been binge watching the Orville on Hulu. I tried it a few times while it was on network tv but I didn't click with it but we love it now. I think you have to make it through the first few clunky, overly jokey episodes because it's a really well done show. It reminds me a lot of Star Trek: The Next Generation in the way that it portrays human (& alien) complexity. I also love how the topics are allowed to breath and take place over a season (or more).


bouquet of fall flowers in reds, orange, yellow. A mix of sunflowers, dahlia, zinnia and millet

Fall is just around the corner and I'll close with this GORGEOUS bouquet of flowers I got at the farmers market this past weekend. I love summer in the PNW, so I go kicking and screaming into fall but around August I can't help looking forward to soup and sweater and... of course...Halloween!


a round loaf of artisan bread on a wood table. Two slashes across the top

I also baked this loaf of no knead bread yesterday. Isn't it pretty??!!! I can hardly believe I did that lol


That's all I have for now! Maybe I'll catch up on a few TMST topics, write that WTF review, plus the dog book review and I have a fun post about a few vintage cookbook finds that I got from Powell's Bookstore. Just have to sit down and write them all lol

What's been happening with you?? Are you looking forward to fall? What are you reading/watching/doing??

28 comments:

  1. So, what was the verdict on your extremely photogenic bread? I am curious what Kevin learns at the doctor too. I have had tinnitus for decades. The sound of cicadas is always in my head. I hope the in-laws are doing well and thank goodness you're ok. Yeah, we talked about Tomorrow. A very WTF book. I feel like I am just not cut out for the literary fiction life

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    1. It was delicious! And sooooooo easy.

      They don't see anything obvious in his ear so he needs an MRI to rule out a tumor - it wild be non cancerous but it pushes and causes the ringing noise. Is yours in one ear or both? They're more concerned because it's only in one.
      Almost every book that is...Blah, Blah: A novel is weird for me lol

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  2. Sounds like a lot going on. I love fall and I bet it's beautiful in the PNW. I always thought it would be too rainy there but as I get older I can definitely see where it would be a great place to live.

    I love crusty bread. That and a nice bowl of soup for fall...

    I'm reading Nomadland and watching... not much. Kind of in between shows?

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    1. It's weird, the reality vs what people think the PNW is like regarding rain. It is almost completely dry from June-ish to Novemeber/December. And the rain is more of a constant mist than downpours. But it is gloomy and windy.

      My favorite fall/winter meal is chicken and dumplings in the instant pot. I have it at least once a week.

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  3. I've had to tinnitus in both ears for years. I hope they get it sorted out. That bread looks so good.

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    1. I guess the issue for him is that it's only in one so they have to do an MRI.
      The bread was so easy and delicious!

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  4. I'm sorry life has been so stressful. I'm glad that you're okay after your mammogram scare. I hope the specialist can help Kevin. I have low-grade tinnitus. So far, it isn't too big of a problem. I hope it doesn't get worse. Good luck to Kevin! Also, I hope his parents are feeling better. {{{hugs}}}

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    1. Life is gonna life lol
      They suspect a non cancerous tumor because it's only in one ear but it still requires either radiation or surgery so we'll see what the MRI shows.

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  5. SO many things! No wonder you were not present.

    I am still waiting for Orville 3 to show on DIsney!

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    1. That's sad. We have S3, we'll be watching the last episode tonight. It had a much bigger budget this year.

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  6. I love Gabrielle Zevin. Ha ha. I hope it was good weird. 🙃

    I've been meaning to try making some no knead bresd. It is pretty. 🍞

    I'm happy all your health scares are over, and I hope Kevin's ear problem is easily remedied. 🙌

    Yay for the dog book! And thanks for the shout out. 🐶✨

    I'll have to watch that show while I still have Hulu. 📺

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    1. Waves. 👋 I didn't want you to think I didn't comment on this. 😛

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  7. Sorry you've had to deal with a bunch of bad stuff. Glad your thing turned out ok at least. Those flowers are so pretty, and ooh that bread looks delicious!

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    1. It was both good and bad weird lol

      The bread was SOOOO easy! I'm going to make another one but leave it in the fridge for a few days. They say it develops even more flavor that way,

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  8. At least your mammogram scare turned out to be a false positive. All the rest...gah. I hope you can take a breath in between the bad stuff at least. Good luck to Kevin! Can I say "good luck"? I don't dare to send vibes of any kind since our last failures LOL.

    "You all asked me to make my WTF Reviews a regular feature when I did it last month and I thought...I don't read enough WTF books to do that. Well, this is a WTF book!"
    I saw your GR update about that book and thought "wow, another one? she's truly reading outside her confort zone LOL". Looking forward to seeing you rock that review! 👍

    The loaf looks perfect! Did it taste as good?

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    1. I was surprised they got me in so fast for the mammogram follow up. I did have to drive to the closest bigger city but still - next day.

      The bread was very good! I still can't believe it looked so pretty lol It was even better looking than the recipe book loaf. ha

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  9. I'm glad you and your family are okay and hopefully doing better *HUGS* I'm not on social media a lot, but if you ever want a buddy to chat with (serious or goofy), please message me! Like you, I go kicking and screaming out of summer. It's because we live in the far north corners of the country where winter means dark and cold. I loved August and September in Seattle.

    Do you watch Gumball? The cover of Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow reminds me of the show's opening. lol.

    I'm me...

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    1. Thanks Jen. Sometimes I do need to vent lol

      Summer started so late this year and then we had several heatwaves so I didn't get to do all the fun things we usually do. The summers are spectacular out here - especially after living in FL lol

      then the winters can be so long and dreary here, But they have their good side too like fireplaces and soup!

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    2. And yes! I've seen a few episodes of Gumball. The book is based on video games so I can see how it would have that vibe.

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  10. I just shared a comment elsewhere that it's funny seeing people online start prepping for Halloween reading and cozy books when I live in the tropics. It is hot and humid and sunny over here and seeing fall décor in the stores when I was away in Fort Lauderdale was so weird. Bath and Body works have all their fall candles out, Starbucks has their pumpkin spice lattes and I'm just sweating in the heat lol. I need to buy my Halloween and Christmas decorations now if I don't want to miss out again this year.

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  11. lol this was Sandy, I did not mean to be all Anonymous. Forgot to say glad you are OK and I hope Kevin's parents recover soon with no long covid symptoms and I hope Kevin gets that tinnitus sorted!

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    1. SANDY HIIIIIII!!!!!!

      Yes, I totally get the seasonal thing. When I lived in FL I looked forward to winter but because it cooled down - it never felt like fall or Christmas. I love Halloween so I always went all out but it didn't feeeel like fall.

      It's great out here during fall and the holidays though.

      Kevin's parent are both recovered from COVID. Still waiting on MRI for Kevin.

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  12. Beautiful flowers! And that bread looks amazing - well done! I am so ready for Fall. It's my absolute favorite, and I ADORE Halloween. :-) I'm glad you're okay and I hope your husband and in-laws are doing alright too!

    Lauren @ www.shootingstarsmag.net

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    1. My favorite bouquet of flowers ever. The bread was soooo damn easy. No kneading at all. Just mix it in a bowl and let it hang out. lol

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  13. Wow, that's a lot of health issues to deal with at once. I hope Kevin's parents are okay. And thank goodness your mammogram ended up okay. Your bread looks like something out of a magazine. Nice! I am ready for fall (not that any remotely fall-like weather will be coming soon).

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    1. They are both recovered and I'm so thankful for that.

      I am stunned that I made that bread lol I mean it was super easy. Just mix in a bowl. no kneading but I decided to attempt the slash and it looks gorgeous. *pats self on back* lol

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  14. I have been totally hiding out. Life is so crazy and then of course the dog had to have some kind of weird medical emergency. He's fine but I'm completely stressed out.

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