I don't want my readers thinking that I never read your comments.  I read every single one and I enjoy them.  Yes.....even the ones that I don't agree with.  Some of you had some questions, so today I'll answer those.

One of you had asked about Truthout.  Yes, you can read it daily and you can also sign up to have the updates sent to your email AT THIS LINK RIGHT HERE.

A few of you have mentioned how quickly I read books and asked how I manage to do that.  Well, I think like anything else.....if you love it, you FIND the time.  And since I was a child, finding time to read was never difficult for me.  My mom always encouraged and indulged my passion for reading.  As a young mom myself, I was very strict with my children's bedtime, because then it was MY time.  And yes, I chose to utilize that time reading.  And then when the kids were grown and gone and I was working full-time outside the home, I still set aside time in the evening for my reading.

And I still do.  Not a huge fan of prime time television, come 8:30 or so every evening, I sit down to read.  Therefore, I get in at least 2 hours each day.  And many days, if the book is super good, I'll read while I'm having breakfast and lunch.  So that's a LOT of hours of reading and that explains why I can so easily go through books so quickly.  Actually, right now........I finished one a few days ago (and as soon as I finish one, I immediately begin another one waiting in my stack.  I can't be without having a book going) picked up another one and finished that in one day.  Granted, it was only 212 pages.  So yesterday, I started reading a third one.  And I'll have some more book reviews coming up for you this week.  Boy, there's some terrific books out there right now!

My friend, Mary, in NC asked if I started packing for my France trip yet.  (She's the new friend that I'll be meeting in the south of France, because we're both staying in the same village)  Actually.....I haven't.  Not quite yet.  I'm kinda waiting to see how much the temp will drop over there in the next week or so.  It's still hovering at 80 during the day and 60's overnight.  So I want to be sure to pack correctly.  We fly to Paris 3 weeks from tonight, so I still have plenty of time.  Once I decide WHAT I'm taking, I'm a pretty fast packer.  I have it all in my head and then it's just a matter of doing it.

Another reason I've been hanging back on the packing is due to the writers contest.  I wanted to get that totally behind me.........then I can focus on our trip and all the things I need to do for that.  The contest is winding down very nicely now.  As of today, I'm waiting on just 13 returns from judges.  Last week I was able to order 24 of the awards and when these final scores come in, I'll order the rest.  Then I can forget about that and concentrate on France!

Ike........still not sure what that guy's gonna do.  But it looks like he's veering more and more west.  And for that, I'm grateful.  Although wherever he decides to land, I hope the damage is minimal.  Was glad to hear Hanna wasn't such a naughty girl.  

That's it for this time, folks.  Enjoy your Monday................