Review - Peter and the Starcatchers

Yesterday I also finished Peter and the Starcatchers, by Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson. But I didn't really read the book, I listened to it. Does that count?

I loved this book. The story is how Peter Pan came to be. A group of orphans, let by Peter, are being shipped overseas on the ship Never Land to become servants to King Zarboff the Third (don't forget the third) but are caught in the middle of a quest of pirates (led by Captain 'Stash) to take possession of a magical trunk that is being guarded by Molly Astor, a 14-year-old Starcatcher. This trunk has mysterious things in it, including star dust which can make people fly, turns fish into mermaids, and allows porpoises to talk to humans.

It's fun to imagine the background of some classics, such as Wicked did for the Wizard of Oz. Barry and Pearson have written three books in this series. they are good, clean fun.

Review - First Family

Yesterday morning I finished First Family by David Baldacci. It was a fun and good book.

The premise of the book is that the President and First Lady's niece is kidnapped. She hires Sean King and Michelle Maxwell to find her. In the process they discover secrets that could undermine the Presidency.

The version I read was large print, so the pages moved faster than normal. Even if it had not been large print, the dialogue and plot keep moving, making this a real page turner. This is certainly a book I am willing to recommend. But it des have a little bad language in it, but that is about all there is that could be offensive.

Now I am working on Fablehaven by Brandon Mull.

Lexie the Waterdog

Or is that wonderdog...



Lexie's latest obsession is to to try to catch the water coming out of the hose. It makes watering spots of the lawn hard!

Cement Job

We have been adding a cement pad along the west side of the house. We are including all the connections (except sewer) for the RV so I can live in it when I am in trouble and room for the shed. The pets have been very helpful in this project!

Lexie checking out the pathway. She's probably thinking "Oh goodie, more walks for Daddy to shovel this winter."

Lexie helping the excavators prepare the area.

My favorite picture, Abby checks out the other "cat."

Contractors preparing the area, putting down a layer of gravel and laying the water and electrical lines to the other side.

Sidewalk prepared with the gravel.

New driveway prepared with the gravel. Electrical and water lines all ready for installation.

Freshly poured sidewalk.

New driveway for the RV.

Sidewalk curing nicely.

Driveway and room for the shed.

This morning included cutting joints in the concrete and washing down the side of the house. They return tonight to remove the forms and drill holes for the gate. I imagine it will be next week when they return to move the shed, install the electrical outlets, and finish the landcaping (backfill some of the ruts in the front yard created by the work trucks). Our neighbor is paying for an extension of his driveway so we will have a driveway cut on the street.

This will help not only for the RV but will give us a little more peace of mind. Last night Chester got out of the yard and came back bleeding. Needless to say we are worried sick over him, but he seems to be doing well today. I've checked on him constantly and he seems to be fine.