Book Review - Dangerous Beauty by Melissa Koslin

 

Dangerous Beauty by Melissa Koslin tackles a difficult but important subject - human trafficking.  Although there are some intense moments, the author portrays the depth and tragedy of the topic without graphic scenes.  I liked the main characters very much.  I did feel that Meric's character was not quite as developed as Liliana's, but I did like both and found both to be intriguing.  Liliana is a fighter, and I loved that about her character.  In some ways, the story line seemed to progress too quickly for real time, like how she so quickly master English.  The writing kept me interested throughout, and there was plenty of suspense.  I won't spoil, but look for the moment between Jess and Liliana.  That piece alone was so moving and memorable.  It was heartfelt, and I appreciated that scene more than any other.  

I received a copy of this book for the purpose of writing a review, but all opinions are my own.

Our "Barnyard"

 I haven't been on here to mention that my friends came and got me for a lovely birthday party on my birthday.  They thoroughly spoiled me, and we had a great time together.  This was the beautiful cake one of them made for the occasion:

It was a lavender lemon cake.  Another friend made a cherry cheese pie.  I'm telling you, I was treated royally.  

Around here, lots of flowers look amazing:

The bunny is as quirky as ever:

I'm now pretty certain that "Harriet" is "Harry".  He gobbles, and only male turkeys gobble.

Midnight has been a love bug:

And this guy is now king of the coop.  Nathaniel dispatched the other rooster yesterday.

Chickens and Harriet

 Gyunay and I went to visit the poultry yesterday morning.  It was a beautiful day.

Harriet puffed up for us:

We joke that she's a mini emu; she's so huge!  Her neck and waddles turn gray, red, and pink for no apparent reason.

Here is a close up of a Mexican sunflower:

And look!  A tiny egg:

This means that at least one of our pullets is now laying.  We are excited.

Visiting the Animals

 I finally made it across my yard on Wednesday to see my turkey!

She's so huge!  You can see some chickens in the background.  They are full-grown, but Harriet is a sight to behold!

After saying hi to Harriet and the chickens, Midnight yoweled at me until I petted her in the mulch.

She got lots of belly rubs.

I haven't seen her, either, because she doesn't come in the house.  It looks like she forgives me for being absent, though.

Malachi took the garage photos for me.  Panther comes into the house daily and gets lots of cuddles.

The View

 Two days before I ended up in the ER with massive blood clots, I took Lydia to her open house at her new cottage school.  She looks adorable in her uniform:

Gyunay tagged along with us:

Now, I am not going on any outings.  I do sit on the deck most days.  My Mexican sunflower is amazingly beautiful.  (There are a few pink zinnias to the left of it.  I love zinnias, too, and plant them all over.)

The Mexican sunflower attracts hummingbirds, butterflies, and even finches, sometimes all at once.

It is just one plant.  It makes me think of the mustard seed parable, in which faith the size of a mustard seed grows into a sturdy plant that can shelter birds.  I wonder how big a mustard plant actually gets.  I've never seen one, but this reminds me of that.

August Harvest, Sort of

 Since I spent some time in the hospital and have still not been able to get out to my gardens, all numbers are slightly off, but here goes:

Cabbage, green - 1

Chijimsai - 1 c

Cucumber, Edmondson - 4

Cucumber, Mexican Gherkin - 1

Eggs - 126 ?

Pepper, Bulgarian hot - 3

Pepper, Bulgarian sweet - 3

Tomatoes, Black Krim - 4

Tomatoes, Sophie - 7

It was truly an abysmal harvest before I ended up on bedrest, and now it's not much better, or at least as far as I can tell from the kids' reports.  Most of my fall garden seedlings died when I was in the hospital and no one watered them, so I don't think the numbers will be getting much better.  Maybe next year.