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Thursday, February 1, 2024

Randomness...

Where did January go? I feel like it went by fast. But I have to admit I'm always glad when February arrives because it means the end of winter is at last in sight. Here in Utah, we still get snowstorms throughout February, but we also get more days with sunshine, blue skies, and warmer temps. And that makes me happy. 

I finally got around to reading Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt.


And it's as good as everyone has said. Mostly because of Marcellus--who's a Giant Pacific Octopus. He just might be my most favorite character this year. I'll never look at an octopus in an aquarium the same way again.  


Other things that have made me glad recently:
  • Downy woodpeckers at my feeder.
  • Hearing a favorite song on the radio on my way to work.
  • Playing Skip-bo, Bananagrams, and 10 Days in Asia with some friends last weekend.
  • Not having to shovel any snow the past few weeks. (While we've been getting a lot of snow up at the ski resorts, down where I live it's been mostly rain.)
  • Finding lots of good books at my library to check out. (Of course, I once again checked out way too many, but at least I'm not in danger of running out of things to read any time soon.)





I hope you find many things to be glad about this month! 


44 comments:

  1. So pleased you liked Remarkably Bright Creatures. Yes, Marcellus is definitely one of my all-time favourite characters, along with Rocky from Project Hail Mary. 😁 I love your lists of things that have made you glad.

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    1. Rocky was so great! Definitely another unexpected favorite character. :D

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  2. I knew you'd love Marcellus! He is, indeed, a great character.

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    1. He's the best! I'm glad he got to go home to the ocean at the end.

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  3. I have read a bit of Remarkably Bright Creatures to know that I am really going to like Marcellus.

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    1. Marcellus is the reason I loved Remarkably Bright Creatures. He made the book. :D

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  4. I haven't read Remarkably Bright Creatures, but I've had several friends that have enjoyed it. Maybe at some point. Hope you have a good week to come, Lark!

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  5. January flew by - you are so right! Thankfully February is here to lead us into brighter days :) I've heard so many great things about Remarkably Bright Creatures - so glad you enjoyed it so much. I love when you put on the radio and a favorite song is playing - that is best! I love that quote you shared - thank you! Hope you have a wonderful weekend!

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    1. Thank you, Nadia! I hope your weekend is relaxing and enjoyable, too. :D

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  6. I have read enough praise for Remarkably Bright Creatures to think that I would enjoy it, so someday I will read it. That is a good quote. I will go into February with an optimistic mindset and look for good things in each day.

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    1. Somedays I find it really easy to spot the good things in my life, other days not so much. So I'm practicing positivity this year hoping I'll get better at it. :D

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  7. You reminded me how much I want to read Remarkably Bright Creatures and that I still haven't managed to snag a copy from my library. That one's popularity just keeps on growing. The line was so long the first time that I looked, that I decided to hold off for a while before bothering with it...and the line just keeps getting longer, and longer, and longer. Can't believe the momentum of this book.

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    1. It is a really popular book. I just checked my library system, and there are still 59 holds for it. I know when I checked it out I only had three weeks to read it because it was on hold for other people then, too.

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  8. January flew by so fast! And yes octopi (octopuses? Octopi? Not sure) are fascinating, aren't they? I saw someone talking about a book where they said they're almost alien intelligences...

    Skip Bo was a favorite of my grandma.

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    1. I'd forgotten how much fun Skip-Bo is to play. And I think you can say either octopi or octopuses...though both sound strange to me. But they are fascinating animals...and so smart. I like to watch them figure out puzzles to get their food. :D

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  9. Those are nice things to be glad about! Our winter's been warm, which is nice, but no snow, which I miss a little bit. (But not a lot!)

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    1. I miss the snow a little bit, too...but I so don't miss shoveling it! ;D

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  10. That octopus reminds me of the one in Finding Dorie. Probably nothing alike. How exciting to see a Downy Woodpecker on your feeder. I looked it up and it resemble the Nuttall's Woodpecker we get here, but I've only seen one once. Love playing Skip-Bo with my grandson! Sounds like you had more card playing fun! :)

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    1. My family does a game night once a month, and my friends and I get together occasionally for some game-playing, too, and it's always fun. And I have never seen a Nuttall's Woodpecker, but I'd really like to sometime. :D

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  11. Remarkably Bright Creatures sounds great. I don't think I've read a book about an octopus before. I love that quote too - thanks!

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    1. Marcellus is so great! His POV was my favorite to read in Remarkably Bright Creatures, though the humans in the book are also pretty likable. :D

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  12. I've heard such good things about Remarkably Bright Creatures! It's near the top of my TBR, so this year, hopefully!

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    1. I hope you get a chance to read it. It's a really fun novel. Very heartwarming.

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  13. I'm so glad you liked Remarkably Bright Creatures. I have it on my TBR but keep stalling on reading it. I need to fix that! I love a good library wander and it's so fun to have a stack of good books sitting waiting for you. For some reason I always have more fun shopping the library than shopping my shelves!

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    1. I definitely do that, too, which is why the books on my own shelves just sit there gathering dust. ;D

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  14. I still need to read Remarkably Bright Creatures. I keep hearing how awesome it is, which just makes me want to read it even more. We've been having spring-like temps for a couple of weeks now. It's been nice! :D

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    1. I love spring weather! We got a bit of snow today, but it's already melted away. And I think you would really like Remarkably Bright Creatures. It's a very heartwarming novel.

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  15. I have heard lots of great things about this book. Glad you enjoyed it.

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  16. LOL, I am never in danger of running out of things to read either! I hope you have a great weekend!

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    1. Thanks, Cindy! If I can catch up on some sleep this weekend it'll be awesome. :D

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  17. I am glad I got a copy of Remarkably Bright Creatures. I can't wait to meet Marcellus. I hope you have a great week!

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    1. Thanks. You, too! (And you will love Marcellus; he's awesome.)

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  18. It only took me seven times before Google would let me sign in, but I'm nothing if not stubborn!

    I had a feeling you'd love Marcellus. What a wonderful character and a wonderful book. You're right-- if anyone reads this book, they'll never look at another octopus in the same way.

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    1. I'm so sorry Google was being so stupid! There are days I really hate technology. But I did really love Marcellus. He was so fun. :D

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  19. I love seeing Downies at our feeder--they don't visit a lot, but they are always special. I've heard such good things about Remarkably Bright Creatures--I started it a few months ago but wrong book for my mood at the time. I will try it again one of these days.

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    1. You do have to be in the right mood to enjoy certain books! And I love watching Downies. We get a few at our feeder every year along with Northern Flickers. :D

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  20. EVERYONE seems to love this book. I need to pick it up sometime. And yay for spring-like weather!!

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    1. Today it's snowing ... so much for spring being on the horizon. ;D

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  21. I like to watch the downy woodpeckers too. There's a feeder right outside the window and they love the suet. I thought Marcellus and his escapes were the best parts of the book!

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    1. Marcellus was by far the best part of that book. I loved him.

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  22. I'm adding this onto my wishlist. Thanks for sharing your thoughts, Lark!

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