Challenge - Day 24

Post a picture of something you wish you could change.

Answer: my weight.

Challenge - Day 23

Post a picture of your favorite book.

I haven't read a book all the way through in I don't know when. I used to sit down and read a book cover to cover in a day or two. Now, I just have amassed a collection because I think I'm going to be in the mood to read. I enjoy reading, or used to. I think I still do. It's just the ADD or business of life that gets in the way. Like Rebecca, I'm going to post 2 pictures. 1 represents the so-called trash novels I mostly prefer. The other was a college assignment that I fell in love with.

Deceptions by Judith Michael. Classic novel about twin sisters who switch lives and then things go awry. Good junk, typical of what I read (when I do read). I have reread it several times. Favorite trash author, though, would have to be the deceased Sidney Sheldon. I've been reading his books since before I was a teenager. I just don't enjoy reading BOOKS for social or political reasons. However, I do like quicker reads like magazines or articles on the more valuable, poignant, topical topics.

Richard Wright's Native Son. The main character reminded me of a friend. This read was required in some upper level English course in college, and I just got/understood this book. (Richard Wright is also responsible for penning Black Boy, if that book sounds more familiar.) Maybe growing up in rural Arkansas helped put me in Wright's shoes (with race issues); maybe I just enjoyed his knack for writing. Whatever the case, I currently own a copy of the book with the intention to reread it someday.

I would be remiss if I didn't mention that I also enjoy a good Edgar Allan Poe story. However, I can't stand Shakespeare. I just DON'T get him. I'm amazed I passed high school English where his writings made an appearance. I distinctly remember skipping the read of Hamlet (required over a long weekend, which is a ridiculously short time allotted to read that play) and opting for the Mel Gibson movie instead. Hey, I still made an 80 on the test.

Challenge - Day 22

Post a picture of something you wish you were better at.

Oh so many things!

For example, bike riding, standing on one foot, standing still, walking in a straight line. (I have balance issues, apparently.) But one thing that stands out as something I wish I was better at is playing baseball or softball. I did play a season or 2 when I was a youngster; but ever since I got hit in the eye with a softball during elementary recess, I've been scared of it. Scared that I'll swing and miss. Scared that I'll get hit. Not knowing how to slide. Just worried about looking funny whether I actually hit the ball or strike out. That's a general issue with me ... worrying what other people think about me. But I digress. Somewhat short and sweet today, peeps.

Challenge - Day 21

Post a picture of something you wish you could forget.

1. I plead the fifth.
2. If I must post a picture of something, I think it would be pregnancy. I was a hormonal mess and my face looked like a teenage boy's worst nightmare (I had a lot of acne), just to name two of my issues. Yes, some women glow; I didn't. Some women embrace pregnancy; I didn't. And I was impatient, all three times. You'd think I would have learned what to expect, but those damn hormones did a number on me.

Here I am pregnant with number 3, a.k.a. Hudson, almost nine years ago. I may be smiling, but don't let that fake grin fool you. I love my boys, but their journey here was definitely an uphill battle.

Challenge - Day 20

Post a picture of somewhere you'd like to travel.

How do you narrow your dreams down to one picture? I guess that's part of this month-long photo challenge. So I suppose I'll just lay it all out here for you. Like Rebecca said, I'd love to visit Australia. I can't wait to embark upon an Alaskan cruise someday. I've already posted a picture of the South Pacific islands. I've been to Italy; it was awesome. I do want to return someday. I would love to go to Greece. More locally, I have never been to our nation's capitol (is that capitol with an O or an A?). I'd like to go in springtime when the cherry blossom trees are in bloom. And, lastly, I've never seen the leaves change during fall in the Northeast.

I think I've decided, however. The first, and longest, dream travel location of mine is ... New England. I wanted to get married in the month of October so we could honeymoon during the fall in Vermont or New Hampshire. (Logistically this didn't work out; we got married in August.) I've just ALWAYS wanted to go up there, stay in little B&Bs like on the Newhart show from the 80s, and just drive around to antique shops, without a care in the world, apple picking with other couples. Yes, I've seen the leaves change in the Ozark Mountains. I've seen the color of North Carolina in the fall, and it's probably similar. But NOT in my mind. So New England it is.

Real maple syrup. Hot apple cider. Curling up by the fire. It's giving me the itch to book a trip (sans kids) on Expedia.

Challenge - Day 19

Post a picture and a letter.

Well, now that's pretty vague. What immediately jumps to mind is that "this post is brought to you by the letter K."

Kim.
Kooky.
Kind.
Kraft-y (as in cheesy).
Karma.
Kids.
Keen (in more than one way).
Kick (used to do that in Tae Kwon Do).
Kayak (a palindrome).
Kodak (I like taking pictures).

And, finally, my picture of the day. Of course, it's the letter K, more commonly known as potassium. It's also the 19th element on the periodic table. And it does not react well with water. Danger, Will Robinson, danger.

Challenge - Day 18

Post a picture of your biggest insecurity.

This one is serious. I'm scared to death of being alone. Period. No further explanation needed.