The two R's

Not three, but just two. :)

Reading
I've finally got back in to reading! It's something that I've wanted to get back in to for a long time. I've picked up a book or two here and there but have not been able to sustain reading. I just can't quite seem to get in to reading or realistically make the time for it. I remember growing up and being an avid reader. I remember our Mum reading ferociously too...many hard-earned weekend afternoons turned in to evenings as our Mum would turn page after page, not moving unless she needed more light. It's one of my favorite memories from my youth! I remember my Mum belonging to a local library that was in a quaint little building crammed pack full of books! They used a paper tag method to check in and out...it was fabulous. :) Now a days the libraries are all automated and involve scanning bar codes in. It's just not the same!

Anyway, back to today, I picked up a book called Signora da Vinci by Robin Maxwell (author of Mademoiselle Boleyn) whilst at Powell's Bookstore in Portland and I can't stop reading! It is such a terrific feeling! Rich said to me yesterday...'that must be a really good book'...because whenever he turns around, there I am...face in book. haha! The book is set in the 1400's and follows the journey of a Mother who is willing to do anything to be close to her son - Leonardo da Vinci.



Prior to this I read Clean House Clean Planet which is a great guide for making your own non-toxic cleaners. It was a fast read but very interesting. It surprised me to find out how much cheaper it is to make your own cleaners than to purchase them!

I am also in the process of very slowly reading Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle. Given that Signora da Vinci is so good, my Eckhart has been collecting a bit of dust. Ooops! But I highly recommend it to folks. It teaches you how to be able to strategically use your mind and your emotions vs. letting them use you.

So what about you? What are you reading right now? Any good recommendations?

Writing
Remember the good ol' days when we used to write letters to our friends and family? And no not through facebook or email or goodness, text messages! We used to sit down with a blank piece of paper and just start writing. And we wouldn't stop until there was nothing left to say. And the letters would be about everything that was going on - all inclusive. :) I remember we had pads of letter writing paper at our house - I think it was called something like onion paper? I remember having a baby pink pad and an light olive green writing pad. And the paper was crispy thin - almost like tissue paper. Ahhhh....memories...

So after taking a 15 year or so break from letter writing, my friend Lizzie and I have been letter writing for probably the last year. Now I'll be honest and say that I do type the letters on the laptop. I'm a bit lazy that way but it has been fun to bring back this lost art with a dear friend! I take forever to write back (sorry Lizzie!) but when I eventually get round to it, I have a ton of fun just simply writing a letter! And need I even say that it's a great way to keep in touch without succumbing to email.

One of the best things about letter writing is the excitement of receiving a letter in the snail mail. Rich knows when I've received a letter from Lizzie as I generally take a small leap in the air, grab the letter and run to the bedroom without the dogs to read it in peace and quiet. Sometimes I even save it up....I'll take a shower, eat dinner and then nestle in to bed with Lizzie's letter. Pure joy!

So if you haven't written a letter in a while, pick somebody who you perhaps haven't spoken to in a while (because that's how life goes sometimes!) and write them a letter and snail mail it. It's just such an awesome gift to give somebody and I almost guarantee that they'll love it so much, they'll return the favor. :)