Fortnightly Update #30: Renewing the Minion Army

Well, this time I've actually read some books, which is always a good thing to have in a Fortnightly Update, especially when you happen to run a book blog. I think I've been a bit stymied by my lack of medical progress and the fact that they still are a bit puzzled about me. As I've told some of my non- University of Utah doctors- I hope my problems can be resolved non-surgically. However, it's looking more and more like there won't be much resolution as much as a stop in progression if they find out what's wrong- the syrinx, or something else entirely.

Recent Acquisitions (or the Piling of the-Piles):

the-pile Additions:

None!

the-invisible-pile Additions:

Many!

The Emperor's Blades (Chronicle of the Unhewn Throne #1) by Brian Staveley
I think I read the first few chapters of this way back when it came out. I hope it's as good as it's average Goodreads rating touts it to be.

Fool's Assassin (The Fitz and The Fool Trilogy #1) by Robin Hobb
I won't read this for a while, as I'd like to read through all the other trilogies Robin Hobb has published first. I currently have Fool's Errand on my nightstand, though that doesn't mean much as I've kind of had it there for quite some time. I'm afraid I'm a bit of a nightstand book hoarder.

Violet (V #6) by Jane Feather
I'm a sucker for romances where the heroine is non-traditional, even if the story borders on fantasy. The heroine of this one is supposed to be a bandit.

Sickened: The Memoir of a Munchausen by Proxy Childhood by Julie Gregory
This memoir interests me because of my own history- when I got sick at 14, most doctors looked at my mom suspiciously due to the possibility of my case being one of Munchausen by Proxy. Of course, since I was actually sick, most of the male doctors immediately honed in thereafter on my own mental health illnesses being the cause, but it later turned out to be a sensitivity to certain foods, some of which I still haven't precisely discovered yet. Anyway, I find medical memoirs interesting, especially when the person receiving treatment (in Julie's case, unneeded treatment) is younger.

A House Without Windows by Nadia Hashimi
Even though I haven't really enrolled in any challenges this year, I still love to Travel the World in Books, and this book is set in Afghanistan.

Currently Reading:

The Long Dark Tea-Time of the Soul (Dirk Gently #2) by Douglas Adams

I put this book aside for a while because I wasn't in a satire mood, but I've restarted it. Something about Douglas Adams's writing just makes me grin.

Finished These Books:

Because I love the rejected cover on the right

Burn for Me (Hidden Legacy #1) by Ilona Andrews (Links to my review)
This was a reread for me, as the next two in the series are coming out in just a few months (White Hot is expected May 30th, and Wildfire ironically during wildfire season- July 25th). While not as much my thing as the Edge series or better yet, the Kate Daniels series, the Hidden Legacy series has a lot of what I love about Ilona Andrews' books- excellent characters and fun worldbuilding.

Never Kiss a Rake (Scandal at the House of Russell #1) by Anne Stuart

The more I read traditionally published romance, the less hope I have for any of them to be all that original. I should just stick to indie romance, because at least the authors I've found there do something(s) different.

Windhaven by George R.R. Martin and Lisa Tuttle (Links to my review)

I read the first half of this in one sitting, and paced myself with the rest. Luckily, this turned out to be an excellent read for me, which was just what I needed after Never Kiss a Rake.

In My Life: (Renewing the Minion Army)

Most of my seeds. Ed Hume Seeds are the best.

On March 7th, I started most of my seeds, along with an old packet of Swan River Daisy seeds I had from last year (for whatever reason, the store didn't have them this year). Yesterday I finished filling up my other Jiffy Seed Starter Kit with soil and planted the rest. Today I noticed the ol' Swan River Daisies were already popping up, despite the seeds being on the older end of things, so I guess most of my old seeds are still good. I was surprised how well I managed to do everything, considering my balance and walking are way off, but it did take me longer than usual to get everything together. I think the hardest part will be watering them all when they're finally planted outside- we have built in sprinklers, but they don't cover the porch area, and some of the pots I put out need watered daily.

Some of my minion army results from last year

The appointment for my CT myelogram is less than two weeks away, and I'm a bit nervous because I have to stop all blood-thinning pain relievers five days prior. Ibuprofen has helped me through many a rough day, so I'm not excited at all about that. I'm not sure how well I'll keep up with the blog during that time so I've been trying to keep up with posts and comments as much as I can right now.

Is there anything you're looking forward to this spring?