June 2024 Potpourri

The potpourri posts have evolved into a monthly chitchat around what we’ve been doing, what I’ve been reading and an interesting recipe.

So that will be my format for potpourri and I hope that interests you. Here’s what has been going in on June.

The month seemed busy but in fact, I have had a bit of a sinus infection and I’ve been laying  pretty low.  It’s messed with my fitness routine most of all.

But in addition to the fantastic Lake Arrowhead visit (which was before I felt ick) we celebrated our anniversary this week and made a spontaneous and quick trip to Sedona.

I have shared a number of Sedona posts over the years so I’ll only tell you this time that we stayed at the Villas at Poco Diablo.  It is my general practice to avoid places with “devil” in the name, but we made the exception here.

Here is a pic of the cute way they styled the TP. Fancy!

Being honest, the rooms and the facility are dated.  But the grounds.  Oh my!  The grounds are abutted to the neighboring Poco Diablo Hotel and between the two properties, it is just what the doctor ordered.

Did I mention the mountain views?  And that the creek borders one side?  The history of the immediate area is that John Wayne and Orson Wells owned neighboring properties.

Our “villa” overlooked the ponds and the views were spectacular.

What I’m Reading

A children’s book, but not a simple book, is the delightful The Abandoned by Paul Gallico.  Gallico wrote Mrs. ‘Arris Goes to Paris and strangely, The Poseidon Adventure.  Quite an eclectic body of work.  If you’re looking for a quick, entertaining and uplifting read, get this.

I was reading one of the blogs I enjoy following and her post gave a warning about violence in one of the books she was recommending.  I thought, “Oh, my!”  I read and recommend very little other than violence. 

If I have led you down any dark reading paths, my apologies!  I do like a rough book.

On audio I listened to Lone Wolf, an Orphan X.  I read this book a couple months ago, but listening again so soon was no problem.  I loved it and it is as violent as all get out.  Warning issued.  I enjoying reading Orphan X better than listening, but still. . .

The Bad Weather Friend by Dean Koontz narrated by Ray Chase was also on my June list.  I listened to this on audio (when I couldn’t sleep) and it was pretty entertaining.  I think the narrator made the book. You cannot convince me in a hundred years that Koontz is still writing his own material.  But someone is following his recipe.

What I’m Eating

I’m still experimenting with cold drinks based on LMNT.  This time I did a “Refresher” recipe based on mango.

Using frozen mango, fresh strawberries and a packet of Citrus LMNT I made a nice frozen drink.  Here is what I did:

I will say that it is very salty and that comes from somebody (me) who loves salt.  It takes a bit of getting used to.  Also, I’m not sure why, but it seems like the brain freeze was more intense and lasted longer.  This most certainly is not a drink to consume too quickly.

Wrap Up

As we finish up June and head into the Fourth of July week, I’m guessing many of you have plans for travel or entertaining or just viewing a parade.  Please let the rest of us know how you’re enjoying the holiday.

 Thanks for being here with me today and enjoy the weekend!