The Language of Hoofbeats by Catherine Ryan Hyde - A Book Review

Among the many interests and activities which author Catherine Ryan Hyde enjoys, is that of horses. She is an avid equestrian and often posts pictures online of her horses. In addition, Catherine has featured horses in several of her books. The Language of Hoofbeats is one such book. This is my review of this fascinating and interesting novel. 

Synopsis

Two of the main characters, Clementine and Jackie, each narrate the story, taking alternating chapters to tell their side of the events.

The Language of HoofbeatsCheck Price

The story begins when Jackie and her wife, Paula, looking for a quiet life for their kids - a young adopted son and two teenage foster children - move in across the street from Clementine. Paula is a veterinarian and this move has brought her to a remote country area in need of another vet. Jackie is a stay-at-home mom for the kids. 

Clementine is a terribly unhappy person who is so damaged by her daughter’s suicide that she cannot be civil to most people, including her husband. The husband finally cannot take her negativity any longer and he moves out about the time Paula & Jackie and the kids move in next door.

Clem has a horse named Comet who used to belong to the now-dead daughter. Comet is quite high-strung and has not been receiving very good care because Clementine is rather scared of the horse and the husband has moved out. When the foster teen Star, a quite unhappy girl herself, is drawn to and bonds with Comet, she attempts to begin a friendship with the horse. Clementine, in her usual horrid fashion, resents the friendship developing between Star and the horse and chases her away from her property several times. Clem is extremely nasty to Star and also to her foster mothers, Jackie and Paula. Finally, not being able to stand the way the horse is neglected, Star steals Comet and they become lost. The real action in the story begins as Jackie and Clementine join forces to search for both Star and Comet. 

Throughout the story, we also become acquainted with the other foster child, Mando, and the younger adopted son, and learn what happened to Clementine’s daughter. 

Summary

From the book jacket: 

When a troubled girl steals a horse, her foster moms are thrown together with their reluctant neighbor 

The Language of Hoofbeats shows us the complexity of human relationships and points out how very relatable characters can sometimes be intensely flawed. But, by facing the scars they carry and the choices they have made, along with forgiving the regrets, a diverse group of people often can be transformed into a family. An extremely good read! 

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*Book Review of “The Language of Hoofbeats” is written by Wednesday Elf

 

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Fabulous Hiking, Water-Resistant Cargo Pants for Women Reviewed

For those of us who hate carrying a purse, tote, or even a backpack, these cargo pants for women are awesome!

I get tired of having to keep up with any type of bag, especially if I am getting in and out of my car several times in one trip.  I also enjoy walking trails or in the woods with my camera.  Additional "baggage" is unwanted.  I have lamented several times how I wish they made lightweight cargo pants for women.  I admit, I have been rather covetous of my husband's cargo pants, but they are way to heavy to be comfortable for me to wear.

It has been really hot in our area this summer, which makes carrying anything extra more laborious.  Out of desperation, I went in search of lightweight cargo pants for women, truly expecting to find nothing.  Imagine my surprise when I found these fabulous hiking, water-resistant cargo pants.  I quickly ordered my first pair.  Yes, I did say first!  Now that I have experienced wearing them, I have ordered more in additional colors.  I doubt I will ever go back to wearing jeans and carrying a backpack for daily errands, walking, hiking, fishing, boating, or even in my own backyard.  Being able to put my cellphone, keys, ID, sunglasses, an extra camera battery, etc, in pockets on the side of my legs is like discovering a whole new way of living.  The are comfortable enough to wear indoors too, even when sitting at a desk or behind a computer.  They allow me to keep my cellphone on me at all times.

These pants might not be the height of fashion, but the are certainly the height of desirable clothing.

 

Outdoor Sports Cargo Pants for Women

This lightweight pair of water-resistant cargo pants for women is such a fantastic find.  There are so many reasons why these pants should be in every women's wardrobe, especially if they ever go outside.  The pockets side pockets with either a zipper or velcro closure, allow us to keep what we need close at hand.

One note, there are belt loops if you wish to wear a belt.  For me, the elastic waist band has been enough to hold my pants up, even when the pockets are fully loaded. 

•  Women's Hiking Pants Water Resistant Lightweight UV Protection Work Cargo PantsCheck Price6 pockets - 2 traditional slant hand pockets, 2 velcro fastened flap back pockets, 1 zipper side leg expandable pocket & 1 velcro fastened side leg expandable pocket 
• Lightweight
• Water Resistant
• Moisture Wicking & Quick Dry 
• UPF 50+ Material for Sun Protection 
• 4 way Stretch Fabric
• Zipper & Button Fly Front Closure
• Machine Washable, Hang Dry  
• Available in Several Colors 

  Note:  The linked listing states 5 pockets (1 back pocket instead of 2), but my pants have 6 pockets and this is the listing I used when purchasing my cargo pants.  

 

There are several sellers that offer the Outdoor Sports Cargo Pants for Women - Be sure to look for the Outdoor Sports brand logo on the side pocket flap

& 

 Rdruko Women's Waterproof Hiking Pants Lightweight Quick Dry Cargo Travel Pants with Pockets - Purple
(This is the seller link I used)Check Price YSENTO Women's Cargo Pants Lightweight Stretch Quick Drying UPF 50 - 6 Pockets BlackCheck Price TBMPOY Women's Hiking Cargo Pants Lightweight Water Resistant Quick Dry 6 Pockets - Army GreenCheck Price

 

 

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Reviewing Simple Green Smoothies Book

I hadn't been planning on buying a new smoothie book. I still had several from years past, and had even donated some of the ones I had to Goodwill.

However, I had been trying to improve my nutrition. I usually had a couple of eggs sauteed with fresh spinach on most weekday mornings. I decided to cut down my egg intake; I have been trying to become more vegan for sometime now.

I switched my egg ratio to one egg and upped my spinach amount. That first breakfast that I ate with my new ratio was transforming. Wow, I really enjoyed the extra taste of spinach compared to the egg. I wanted more spinach in my diet. And then the book, Simple Green Smoothies showed up on my radar.

My local bookstore showed that they had one in stock, so I purchased that one. I was impressed. Two women told about how drinking a green smoothie a day had been transformative for them. They felt more energized throughout their day, had less cravings, and dropped off weight relative easily, after having made the switch, even if they ate some of their old ways for the rest of the day.

It sounded too good to be true, but also hopeful.

I had already had a couple of days of green smoothies before buying the book. Just winging it on whatever I wanted to put in it. And I liked them. And I saw it as a way to more easily get more greens into my diet.

After I got the book, I started making some of the recipes from the book, Simple Green Smoothies. I liked that they were refreshing for the most part. I liked that the authors gave tips on how to switch things up; i.e. if you wanted them to be creamier, or have more protein, etc. I liked that this gave me more flexibility in how I wanted to approach my green smoothie making.

The authors, Jen Hansard and Jadah Sellner, also give tips on why certain foods were combined; i.e. the combination of spinach with pineapple, helped with the absorption of both vitamins, A and C.

I like how I have been progressing with my diet, since purchasing, reading, and practicing what I have read in this book, and recommend this book to anyone who is wanting to get more greens and or plants, or fresh plants into their diet.

Simple Green Smoothies book on Amazon. Check price.


The earlier smoothie books that I had purchased, were more dessert like than being focused on nutrition; I was in a different place when I purchased the earlier ones compared to this one. Also, not all smoothie recipe books are alike. There can be different types of ingredients, i.e. some books were heavy on using protein powder as a main ingredient. I prefer fresh whole foods.

Cheryl Paton

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Addie's Eyes ~ A Book Review

What draws someone to pick out a book?  I constantly ask myself that question.  Sometimes it's the cover and sometimes it's something else.  In this case it was the title that grabbed my attention.  I confess, I have a granddaughter named Addison, Addie for short and she does have the most beautiful eyes!  So when I saw the book titled Addie's Eyes, I  just knew I would have to read it!

Addie's Eyes is listed as a Historical Fantasy by Tim Landry.  It's not my usual genre of reading material, but I was committed to reading it!

Tim Landry did NOT disappoint me at all.  What a magical adventure set in the Victorian era. This tale follows the life of Addie Alexander, a young girl who happens to be blind.  

Her father, who runs the local theater/sideshow/entertainment venue, mistakes the friendship that his daughter Addie has formed with one of the sideshow headliners.

Fedor, is an "act" that uses his facial disfigurement to amuse the people of the time.  He would be considered a "freak"  because of his "appearance".  But Fedor also is human and has feelings that need some extra TLC, (tender loving care).

Addie does not see his disfigurement, just hears his calm voice.  Immediately a friendship with the young Fedor is formed  .  

Fedor tells her stories of magical lands where he is the Lost Prince and that his kingdom is doomed unless he is able to get back home!

Can a blind and sheltered young girl help Fedor get back to his kingdom?  Will she have the courage and strength of character to do what needs to be done in order to help Fedor?  

You will have to read the book to find out what happens and I'm sure that you will not regret picking this book up. It is a story that will resonate with children of all ages (I'm in my 70's and loved every word).

Addie's Eyes is a great book for anyone who has a child who is "different" or sees themselves as "different".  Different can be anything from blindness to ADHD, to a misshapen hand and anything in between.  These young people will see themselves in either Addie's character or Fedor's character.  It's how they handle their differences that will make life make sense and help them understand that different isn't bad or less than anyone else.

This fantasy adventure is a book that should be read by anyone and everyone ages 8 and up.  I loved the book from start to finish and wanted it to go on!  

Congratulations to Tim Landry the author and Nataliia Kretsu the Illustrator.  The book is wonderful and the words on the page are made even more magical by the illustrations found within the book!  If you love reading to your children or grandchildren, this book is definitely for you!

It rates a 5 out of 5 stars from me!  And I don't give up 5 stars that quickly!  Give Addie's Eyes a read and let me know if you loved it like I did.

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Fishing Lake Erie with Spooled Up Charters

 Suppose you're looking for a fishing experience that combines excitement, challenge, and a healthy dose of relaxation. In that case, Lake Erie walleye fishing delivers all three with Captain Dan Auria and Spooled Up Charters.

This is a special family memory with my grandsons that I will have forever. Our four-hour trip started at 3:30 p.m. from Barcelona Harbor, out of Westfield, New York. We caught our walleye limit in just over 3 hours in 80 to 90 feet of water, thanks to Captain Dan. 

Tyler landed the first fish of the day

Bobby got the biggest fish of the day. A 5-pounder.

Lake Erie is one of the most productive freshwater lakes in North America, and Captain Dan Auria of Spooled Up Charters knows where the fish are.

I got the 3rd fish of the day.

Everyone was a bit hungry when we got home. Jamie came over with some Shake-N-Bake and fried up some of our catch. 

Yes, we were eating fresh walleye at 9:00 PM.

After the trip, Captain Dan takes the time to fillet your fish and pack it in ice. So, bring a cooler with ice for after your trip to bring home your catch. You will also want to bring a small cooler with some snacks and drinks. 

About Captain Dan Auria of Spooled Up Charters:

Captain Dan Auria is a licensed and insured Coast Guard Captain with over 25 years of experience.

If you live in the Western New York area, or plan to travel here and want a fishing experience of your life, call Spooled Up Charters and Captain Dan to book your fishing trip.

Click any of the highlighted links for the Spooled Up Charters web page to get all the information to plan your fishing trip.

Check out my recipe for Broiled Walleye here:

Broiled Walleye Fillets

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