September is a month that is full of lots of activities, usually focused around going back to school.
A man with a mysterious past must find a missing teenage girl in this shocking thriller by Harlan Coben
A high school girl who was relentlessly bullied, disappears. No one seems to take it seriously, but a classmate is worried. When Matthew asks his grandmother (the well-known television criminal attorney, Hester Crimstein) for help in finding her, Hester asks Wilde to use his unique skills to help find Naomi.
Thirty years ago, Wilde was found as a boy living feral in the woods, with no memory of his past, not even that of his name. But his unique tracking abilities and knowledge of the woods give him an advantage in looking for Naomi.
To do this, Wilde must also go back into the community where he has never fit in and confront the powerful whose wealth and fame protect them even when they harbor secrets that could destroy the lives of millions. Wilde must uncover these secrets before it is too late.
"The Boy from the Woods is as much an action as a psychological thriller, as much a riveting read as a superb character study in which Coben challenges himself by taking his story outside his suburban comfort zone. A must-read for any mystery or thriller fan."―Providence Journal
"The crafty Coben knows how to weave a compelling story with intriguing characters, and Wilde is one of his best . . . The narrative veers into such unexpected directions that even a true thriller aficionado will not see the multiple surprises the ending delivers." ―Associated Press
"There may be no other thriller writer alive today who has mastered that fundamental trick of the genre. When you start a new Coben novel, or just pick one up and read the jacket copy, you know that nothing will unfold as it seems. You can be assured that surprises will keep appearing until the final page."―BookTrib
Available on Amazon |
More Book Reviews by Harlan Coben:
*Book Review of The Boy From the Woods written by
Wednesday Elf
What? You Can Choose Happiness? |
Can you force yourself to be happy? Is that even possible?
We've seen it written all over the internet, "happiness is a choice."
Is Happiness a Choice?
I think it is a choice. Stress, problems, situations, difficulties ... let's face it; we will ALWAYS have those to deal with.
So, where does the choice come in?
For me, it's deciding that no matter what living nightmare is going in my world, I'll find a way and moments to speak positively or to simply remember to speak with a smile on my face.
Just because I'm writing an article on "Ways to be Happy" does not mean my life is perfect. Far, far from it! I have issues coming at me daily, but I refuse to be sucked into the pits of dark energy, or as some see it, "hell."
Ten Personal Ways to Be Happy:
1. Wear Happiness and Hope
I'm speaking literally right now, wear a piece of clothing or jewelry that says "Happy" or "Hope" on it. You don't have to wear it every day, but on the days you feel you need a pick-me-up, dress up with happiness and hope. Check out what I'm wearing today. My Hope necklace was a gift from a friend. The word hope is my personal word. What's a personal word? It's your go-to repetitive word you call upon to clear your mind. To yourself, repeat your word over and over until you've forgotten what you wanted to forget!
Wearing "Happy" and "Hope" |
This is the perfect holiday to top off a summer vacation. It is held each year on August 30, so enjoy an end-of-summer vacation by taking a camping trip or having a backyard bonfire (perhaps around your fire pit or outdoor fireplace) and toast marshmallows.
The marshmallow is a type of confectionery made from sugar, water, and gelatin (whipped to a solid, but soft, consistency) then coated with corn starch. It is used as a filling in baking. It is also molded into shapes. You can buy marshmallows by the bag or make your own with this recipe here on the Food Network.
The most popular way to eat a marshmallow is in a S'mores! Nothing better than a night around a campfire, singing songs, enjoying the outdoors, and topping it off with this sweet treat.
S'mores Recipe:
Source: Pixabay |
Ingredients:
Chocolate candy bar
Honey Graham Crackers
Marshmallows
Instructions:
Break off a square of Graham cracker
Add a piece of Chocolate.
Toast a big marshmallow over the campfire.
Add the hot marshmallow.
Top it with another graham Cracker.
Eat , savor and enjoy!
Note: For wintertime or anytime you cannot go camping, you can make S'mores in the microwave. Just put them together and pop them into the microwave on high for 15 to 20 seconds.
Recipe Credit: Holiday Insights dot com.
Source: Pixabay |
Top off a cup of hot chocolate on a cold winter day.
Source: Pixabay |
Savor marshmallow filling in a yummy candy
Source: Pixabay |
Mix up a batch of marshmallow Rice Krispie treats.
Source: Pixabay |
Decorate a gingerbread house using marshmallows for the snow.
Source: Pixabay |
A favorite as a marshmallow 'peep' in an Easter Basket
Available on Amazon |
*Holiday review of Toasted Marshmallow Day written by Wednesday Elf
For those who love Winnie-the-Pooh, there is a Lego set just for us!
When I discovered the Winnie-the-Pooh Lego set, I got really excited. I adore Pooh & Eeyore and they are both in this set. I know there are many Tigger fans out there who will be thrilled to know Tigger is also included.
The entire Lego scene is set around the Pooh's house in Hundred Acre Wood. Like so many of the Lego castles and marketplace stores, the treehouse opens in the back to reveal Pooh's kitchen and bedroom. Truly awesome!
This would be a great Lego set for parents to help their young children assemble. Lego states the set is for 18+. Due to the intricacy and small pieces, I agree. But, children will love the set for decor and play, therefore I would recommend parents make a fun activity to share with their child and build it together.
This is a set Lego lovers of any age will enjoy building, and certainly one we will all enjoy displaying. We never truly outgrow Pooh and his friends!
LEGO Ideas Disney Winnie The Pooh 21326
New 2021 (1,265 Pieces)Check PriceThis set has 1265 pieces. When complete, the tree house measures approximately 9" high, 7" wide and 8" deep. There is a beehive with honeybees included so you can delight your Pooh with his own food source up in his treehouse.
Pooh can invite his favorite friends into his home for tea (tea cups are included) or perhaps he can entertain them by reading from his storybook.
Winnie-the-Pooh and his friends can go exploring. After all, they aren't confined to the treehouse. In our home, they could even take a ride in a Starfighter or visit Jabba Palace. With Lego, the adventures are endless.
For adults, like myself, who simply love Pooh & Lego, we might prefer a display case. You really don't have to tell everyone that you secretly take your Legos out and play. Whoever said imagination and playtime ends at the age of 21? Not me!
LEGO Ideas Disney Winnie The Pooh 21326 Building and Display Model for Adults, New 2021 (1,265 Pieces)Check Price Naconmlet Clear Display Case for Disney Winnie The Pooh 21326,Acrylic Display Box with Mirror Dustproof Showcase Organizer for Protect Action Your Figures Collections(11.8*9.8*11.8inch)Check Price
Fields of Sunflowers |
However, last year we bought a manual lawnmower. I am not really sure why we decided to do that, but I know we were fed up with our electric ones breaking down or cutting the cord accidentally and the whole hassle of fixing up extension leads inside the house as we have no outside power. The one petrol lawnmower we had was very heavy and noisy and really too big for us and our lawn and neither of us liked it.
The electric one had just given up, more expensive to fix than to buy another one and of course, it was at peak mowing time so we needed another one quickly.
We started trawling Amazon for lawnmowers. We did not want a petrol mower as we do not have a massive amount of lawn and it would have been too much. We were fed up with electric lawnmowers and all the issues we had found with them.
So we decided to hone in on manual lawnmowers. At first, I was not sure this was a good idea. My husband has health issues and I need to be careful with my back having a history of severe back problems. I wasn't sure we would be able to push it without added power.
I also wasn't sure if it would cut effectively. It felt in this age of technology, powered appliances and high specifications to be a step backward. Yet in a way also felt completely appropriate for our nature-friendly, wildlife garden and for the more power-saving, environmentally aware times we live in.
The manual lawnmower we found had an appealing price point and looked very sturdy and we were fed up replacing lawnmowers too often. So we bought a Bosch manual lawn mower.
Bosch Manual Lawn Mower |
When it arrived I was pleasantly surprised that it was sturdy looking but not too heavy.
Set up was easy with only the long handles to fix to the frame which even for us was easy. We never fitted the grassbox as we intended to cut the lawn often and have always found a grassbox to be an encumbrance. However, the grassbox is there if we ever need it.
Hubby was the first to try to in the garden. We set the blades on high and he simply pushed it and it cut cleanly and efficiently. After a few laps he stopped and said it was really easy to push and no more work than our previous electric mowers! In fact, he seemed to be rather enjoying it!
So then I tried it and to my joy, it was indeed easy to push and did not hurt my back that time or any other time I have mowed the lawn.
For some reason I have yet to pin down it always seems more fun to use than our powered ones ever did!
So after using this manual lawnmower for nearly a year now we have found clear benefits and drawbacks as we see it from our personal experience.
Manual Lawn Mower Is Easy To Use |
It is easier to push than we expected and no more physical strength is required than with our previous powered mowers
Much quieter than our electric or petrol mowers and it has quite a soothing muted sound
There are no electricity costs and no petrol costs. So we can mow to our heart's content knowing we are not incurring any ongoing financial costs at all! This is great for us as power costs are due to rise by a significant amount, so any savings are good.
Regarding the environment, there are no emissions from a manual lawn mower so this is all good for our planet.
There is the joy of knowing that never again will we cut through an electric cable!
With no trailing wires, no extension leads required, no outdoor power needed and no wires trailing from the house into the garden, it is an easy-use tool.
Fewer components mean there is less to go wrong
The manual lawn mower is ready to go as soon as you are! We now have no worries that it won't start or that a component will suddenly go wrong.
Close Up Of Bosch Manual Lawnmower, blades, wheels and roller |
Even with battery lawnmowers you have the battery life or recharging to concern yourself with, while with a totally manual machine none such concerns.
Significantly better for wildlife. We don't disturb any more wildlife using our manual lawnmower than we would with our presence walking down the garden.
The frogs, toads, hedgehogs and birds -especially fledglings - have plenty of time to move away from it and there's no risk if any of them getting caught up by the blades.
Fledgling Baby Robin |
To us, it does appear to give a better cleaner cut rather than tearing the grass.
It was less expensive than other powered mowers we have purchased in the past.
As it has a smaller footprint than most powered mowers it is easier to store and takes up less space.
We can carry it easily as it is not too heavy, though it is sturdy.
The manual lawnmower feels safer around wildlife, pets and children as there are no wires for them to get caught up in or trip over. There is no electricity to worry about and no fast-moving blades. We do take all the usual safety precautions of course.
Hedgehog In Our Garden |
I do think that if you have a very large lawn a manual lawnmower will take more time to achieve the task. While it is perfectly possible to cut a large lawn with a manual lawn mower you will need to decide if you wish to do that.
We find you need to cut a little more often than with a powered mower as it is much easier to cut shorter grass than longer grass with it.
If you attach the grassbox you may need to empty it more often, but I think if you cut more often this would not be an issue.
Long grass will be more difficult to cut and certainly take more effort. Little and often is easier to cut than letting the grass grow longer which makes it harder to cut and then does require more physical power.
It is not so good at cutting wet grass as it does take more effort and seems to clog up more easily, but we rarely try to cut wet grass anyway even with our powered mowers, preferring to cut it when it is dry.
We will need to sharpen the blades every few years with our size lawn, but given the saving in electricity, this will not be a cost issue.
Ours does have a roller but many manual mowers won't have rollers, so stripes will be more difficult to achieve. If this is important to you check that you can achieve stripes with it. If you want one with a roller function do check all the specifications.
If you are considering a manual lawn mower do research properly what is important to you in a lawnmower. We bought a Bosch Manual Lawnmower and there are many more choices that are equally suitable.
Here are a few available on Amazon to browse. Do consider what you need in a manual lawn mower and read all the specifications carefully.
Great States lawnmower
In summary, we are both really happy with our Bosch manual lawn mower. We have owned it for nearly a year now with no issues at all and are very content that we never need to worry about it breaking down or not starting.
We don't worry about wires or electricity costs. We have no need to worry about safety with wildlife or pets or children getting caught up in the wires or blades. Obviously, the blades are sharp so you would take all the usual precautions regarding children and any type of machinery.
We find it a gentle, easy, quiet way to mow our smallish lawn that is environmentally and wildlife-friendly and does not annoy us or the neighbours.
Bosch Manual Lawnmower |
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