30 Days of Beauty-Day 25: The Written Word

My very favorite thing to do is to read.  There is nothing as relaxing as sitting down with a good book, a cup of coffee, and a biscotti to immerse myself into a story.  I am fairly eclectic in my book selection.  However, I tend to go with science fiction, fantasy, romance if well written or with an interesting twist, and mystery.  Once in a while, I will pick up a biography or thriller.  I like books with good character development that move the story forward quickly.  I am not into detailed descriptions of backgrounds and scenery.  Good dialog, interesting people, and a bit of unpredictability will always draw me into a book.

I have a particular admiration for authors who are skilled crafters of the written word.  There is a certain beauty in words; especially when a story is so well written that the reader is lost in the book's world.  Have you ever read a book where you were so involved in the world that you felt bereft when it was done?  There is a lingering sadness that this world is over.  This is a sign of a great author who knows how to use the written word to maximum effect.

I am always reading a book.  Sometimes I am even reading 2 at a time.  I have some books that I read on my Kindle; others that I read in actual book form.  This is because I have collections of books by some authors that I continue to buy the physical book so that I can add to my collection.  I also have a lot of ebooks on my Kindle.  I often try new authors when they offer their ebooks on specials.  These are usually books that are interesting and enjoyable but not books that I necessarily love.  Once in a great while, I stumble across a new author or series that become favorites.  I love it when this happens!

I hope that you have an opportunity in the near future to sit down with a good book, a beverage of your choice, and discover the joy of reading and the beauty of the written word delivered by a great author.  If you have any reading suggestions, please comment on this post.  I am always looking for new recommendations for books.

Have you found your joy today?

30 Days of Beauty-Day 9: Role Play

For several weeks, we have been preparing to play Dungeons and Dragons.  My younger son, Dane, has been preparing the story as Dungeon Master.  He purchased a mat and tokens for game play and did a lot of research into the new rules of the game.  The rest of us have been preparing our characters.  We needed to choose our race, our class, and all of the character information that goes with each one.  We also chose our own set of game dice.  This has been a lengthy and painstaking process.

The Cleric

The Half Elf

Tonight we finally were ready to begin playing.  Dane was a great Dungeon Master.  We all had a wonderful time trading quips in character.  It was a lot of fun.  However, my daughter-in-law, Claire, was the pro in the role playing game!

The Halfling Assassin

The High Elf Wizard

Claire plays a halfling assassin.  Her weapons of choice are her knitting needles.  If you know Claire and her wonderful talent as a knitter, you will agree that this is a stroke of genius.  She had a phenomenal costume.  She wore all of her various knitted items and brought her latest knitting project which she wielded as needed.  It was a beautiful role play!




We had lots of fun and many laughs.  I know we can't wait until the next time we play!

Have you found your joy today?