Chrissy

Doesn't the Space Station look diddly up against the moon? This is a shot of a Perigree Moon over Greece. The accompanying text on the NASA APOD site reads, I'll be popping out on Sunday night to catch that if the cloud cover allows.

Yowl ! Woof ! In other words - great photographs.

I hope you enjoy your Midsummer eve Emelee ~ Glad midsommar!

That's great about your granddaughter muggle. Glad that you and husband are ok Pontalba. We had a rather wonderful few days away last week. We headed north to Yorkshire on Thursday, visited the RSPB cliff top site at Bempton where we saw lots of nesting Gannets, Guillemots, Razorbills and ......PUFFINS! Neither hubby nor I have ever seen them in real life and it was wonderful. On Friday we had a wonderful trip on a diesel then a steam train on the North Yorkshire Moor Railway, travelling to Whitby (of Dracula fame). We had a wonderful lunch overlooking the harbour, then took a steam train ride back again. On Saturday we sailed (or chugged) from Bridlington Harbour with about 140 others to see the nesting cliffs from the sea. 3 hours and 20 minutes later we returned having had a fabulous trip, seeing all these wonderful birds up close, and even catching a glimpse of a seal! Wonderful, magical trip.

Raven , I think you're right......or we are both miss (or in my case Mrs) remembering!

No grief here! 1) My understanding with old Voldemort was that he didn't trust anyone completely, and it would have made sense to keep Pettigrew's betrayal quiet. Snape had given him the bits of the prophecy he had overheard and was more concerned with Lily's survival rather than any other matter. If I recall correctly, even Dumbledore hadn't known about PP's betrayal, and he knew the most about the Death Eaters and Moldy Voldy and their antics! 2) Elf lore. They have more understanding of magic, and history etc than they are given credit for - thus Dobby was able to perform acts of magic when required. Lucius couldn't have known that the diary was a Horcrux, nor do I believe he know that it would open the Chamber. I believe that all he thought was that the old Tom Riddle book imbibed with dark magic would cause mischief. Additionally, despite being a DE, Lucius could not be seen to be one by the none DE, and therefore would not necessarily want his son involved. Does that help at all?

I recently finished the last book in the Across The Universe trilogy by Beth Revis, and found the three books to be action and emotion packed reads. If you enjoy your supernatural fiction, then Cassandra Clare's Mortal Instruments series, and her Infernal Devices series are both really good. Angie Sage has written a wizard (very much NOT Harry Potter) series called Septimus Heap. I am also a huge fan of Jeffrey Deaver, so if you can cope with graphically described murders I would recommend Karin Slaughter. Hope these help.

Thanks ladies. I am so happy to have lost myself in a book again - it has been far too long. From years of prolific reading to nothing for 4 months was tough to endure, but it looks like things may be back on track. I am whispering this by the way, just so my snoozing mojo doesn't wake up and hear.....so sh! I have a couple of quick reads lined up to keep the flow going - a Jeffrey Deaver, a Karin Slaughter and a couple of Doctor Who books.

Fanks Frankie.

I have both started AND finished a book in the past couple of days! My first since February. I cannot even begin to describe the sense of loss I have felt in these long months, nor the sense of quiet (and not so quiet) joy at getting my mojo back. It was 'Shades Of Earth', the last book in the 'Across The Universe' trilogy by Beth Revis. A good and enjoyable read. So, I'm now off to choose my next book to read - you know, just like a normal person.

Well, having not read anything other than a few magazine / newspaper articles since February ( ) I was delighted when in the past few days I started and completed a book on my kindle. WOO HOO!!! 11) Across The Universe ~ Shades Of Earth by Beth Revis This is the third and final book in the 'Across The Universe' story. I have truly enjoyed this series, each book action packed, thought provoking and compelling. Each has told a very specific part of the story that leads on to the next. 'Shades Of Earth' starts with a new beginning, and the consequences of the actions that take place early on in the book. Without giving anything away (especially to those who are yet to read the earlier books), I can say that I felt as compelled to read on with SOE as I was with the earlier two books. Revis is a talented writer, with great descriptive powers. The people and scenes so vividly described you are there rather than merely reading of it. OK, now all I have to do is start reading another book before my mojo realises I have found a path back to reading. Joy returns to my little world.

Sorry to hear that Laura, it must be so tough. Perhaps you could organise some cheap but fun stuff for yourself, maybe a movie night in with friends - with a theme (chick flicks / action / comedy / Harry Potter / Twilight / Whatever! ), or perhaps a spa type evening getting out all those pampering lotions and potions that we all get for Christmas. And if you need some reading material just say the word, and I know MANY here will be more than happy to post a book out to you. Stay strong and take good care.

Your real name: Chrissy Your detective name: Elder August Your soap opera name: Mary Heather Your star wars name: Salmar Your Superhero name: Purple Cloud Your Rock star name: Green Otter I love 'Elder August' as a detective name- it conjures images of a down beat P.I. all cynicism and hard boiled. The other name that catches me is 'Mary Heather' , as I can hear it being pronounced in a US southern drawl.

Interesting article. Thanks for sharing Raven.

^ That sounds so yummy Miss Mabel. I had a stuffed 1/2 red pepper (filled with rice, veg and cheese) served with sliced baked potatoes. Incredibly filling, but delicious.

Death At A Funeral. Daft, absurd, funny and well observed.

I think they hit the mark with giving us Matt Smith, and he was unknown to me. I genuinely have no idea who would be good in the role, and none of the names proposed over the years have made me think "Ah yeah, he'd be / she'd be brilliant!". I had a feeling that Matt was leaving when I saw pics of him with a shaven head.

We had a lovely time with Mum and Dad, leaving just as Dad (84 this year) looked like he might be nodding off to sleep. Sorry to read that you and your boyfriend are splitting up, risingdawn. I hope you get another job sorted soon. I get the feeling you have posted on this before here Eleonora, but somehow I have missed it. So sorry that you are having such health troubles. I hope the new pills sort things out for you.

We are heading over to my parents place soon for lunch in the garden, which sounds a lot posher than it will actually be. They celebrated their 59th Wedding Anniversary this week, so we have some goodies to take with us (some edible, some not). Have a lovely weekend everyone.

Good Luck all you Read-A-Thonners! I hope to join you next time - zero mojo and a busy weekend already planned have prevented me this time around.