Milestones

There are many milestones in life if we live long enough – first day of school, graduation, first job, marriage, children, their marriage and grandchildren, and retirement are just some of them. My husband has been lucky to reach one of those milestones today. He retired after working at the same job at Grip-Tite Manufacturing for 40 years, 3 months and 3 days. His job varied but for the most part he ran a metal press. The company he worked for was small. At the most over the years, they employed less than 20 people in the shop, running two shifts for a time. These days it’s down to 7 with Jim gone and that many more in the office. Funny how it now takes as many to run things as to actually put out production. It used to be president, vice-president and secretary/bookkeeper. Now they also have an engineer, an internet/computer specialist and separate secretary and bookkeeper. The company makes parts for basement stabilization repairs and also in-ground anchors for big poles. They also hold on-site training seminars for companies who want to use Grip-Tite’s products.

Jim just came home with a load of things out of his locker; just like a kid on the last day of school. His 66th birthday is tomorrow so it’s quite a week for him. Guess I’ll have to start a list of things to keep him busy. ☺

Bumblebee Products Prize Win!

I was lucky enough to win a contest earlier this month on The Bargain Shopper Lady's blog and the prize arrived yesterday. It's a box of Bumblebee Tuna and Salmon products, an apron, and a cute inkpen. I'm looking forward to trying the different tunas - Spicy Thai Chile, Sundried Tomato and Basil, and Lemon Pepper. I've never tasted seasoned tuna before. If you're looking for coupons, bargains, and ways to save money, make sure you stop by The Bargain Shopper Lady.

Lonely Deceptions by D. R. Willis

©2011 Published by iUniverse
ISBN: 978-1-4502-8133-1
193 pp.

From the book cover: “When Nick Davis, a forty-something small town machinist, spots an intruder’s shadow through the mist of an early morning storm, he is oblivious that the seemingly random occurrence will lead him on a path that will change his life forever.

After Nick accidentally overhears a conversation between Lou Evans – his boss and the owner of Lou-Paul Machine Shop – and a mysterious person, he unwittingly becomes a pawn in a game of international proportions. When Lou gruffly asks him to take possession of prototype blueprints, Nick has no idea that the blueprints contain a dark secret – a secret with the potential to kill. Combined with unwanted attention from a local police officer as well as a skeletal, dangerous former FBI agent, Nick’s normal life is suddenly not that at all, and no one can guarantee his safety – not even the beautiful FBI agent who has been assigned to the case.

Lou may not be who he says he is, and unfortunately for Nick, his downfall may be that he is the best machinist around and the only one Lou can count on to help him carry out a perilous mission.”

The author of this book, D. R. Willis, is former machinist who is now a full-time Chocolatier who writes during the summer months. I’m glad because I really enjoyed Lonely Deceptions. Nick Davis is a very likeable character who is proud of the work he does and who loves his father and sister. He unexpectedly gets drawn into a deadly game of international intrigue and falls for the lovely FBI agent who helps him. The chapters are short and I loved the way almost every one had unexpected plot twists. The story kept me guessing who was the ‘good guy’ which made it very interesting.

I was provided with a copy of the book to read and review.



What makes a good blogger?

I took a LONG vacation from blogging and I apologize to anyone who missed me.  I'll try and make fairly frequent posts now that I'm back. I don't have any weekly posts or certain things that mean I have to keep a schedule but I know I have to post to keep someone's attention.  I appreciate any feedback and try to answer any comments.  Speaking of that, I wanted to mention a blog that I follow.  It's a 'foodie' blog and I enjoy reading about dining experiences and other recipes. One blogger in particular posts almost every day.  She's quite popular evidently because she gets free trips to conventions, has get-togethers with other bloggers which are sometimes video broadcast, and she quite often gets free products to try.  Sounds great, huh?  So why doesn't she ever respond when people post comments on her blog? I and others have asked her out-right questions and she never answers.  I don't think this is good blogging.  What do you think?  If you have any suggestions to make MY blog better, please don't hesitate to let me know.

That Certain Summer by Mary Verdick

©2011, Published by AuthorHouse 
ISBN 978-1-4520-4744-7
164 pp.

From the book cover: “That Certain Summer” tells the story of Sally Grimes, a feisty girl from Iowa, who gets a dream job writing the life story of famous actress, Diane Fenwick. She moves to a Gatsby-esque community in Connecticut and meets the actress’s adorable twins, Megan and Alec, and Rufus, a special dog, who is more intuitive than a lot of humans. She also falls in love with Ricardo, the handsome hunk next door, who is an honest-to-god count and a Princeton graduate, but is working as a handyman for the reclusive millionaire Morley-Watts, who suspects Diane is hiding something he desperately wants. What is Ricardo’s connection to Diane, and why is Sally suddenly plunged into danger by a situation she has no control over?"

This book is good for a summer read. It’s not too long, has romance, intrigue and a goofy dog who likes to stick his nose in where it’s not wanted. Sally falls for Ricardo but is he too good to be true? If he’s a count and a Princeton grad, why is he wasting his time as a handyman? Something suspicious is going on at the millionaire’s home next door and Sally hopes Ricardo isn’t involved. Then someone turns up dead……is Sally in danger, too?

This is the second book I’ve read and reviewed by Mary Verdick. My first review was for “As Long as He Needs Me” and you can read it here .  Mary is also the author of the young adult series, Pal Paperbacks, several children's stories and 3 other novels.

I received my copy of That Certain Summer directly from the author to read and give my unbiased review.