I am linking up with Deb at Readerbuzz, Kathryn at Book Date, and Kimba the Caffeinated Book Reviewer.
Hello everyone! It was another weirdo week of summer around here! This week we had the smoke from the wildfires jacking our air quality into astronomic numbers, and so I kept Wyatt and I inside until they came down to more normal levels. To occupy ourselves we read a lot and painted, and I also hit the emergency stash of activity kits in the closet, which produced some DIY build it remote control trucks, and air dry pottery projects. I still have the volcano kit and mosaic kit waiting here in case it continues until next week.
Books:
I read Sad Cypress, then started in on Murder at the Beacon Bakeshop. Sad Cypress was a quick little mystery and I enjoyed it. Beacon Bakeshop is not too bad either, and I like that it takes place in Michigan. So many cozy mysteries seem to take place in my little state!
When I finish that one up, I am going to start a nonfiction book, I think.
If I don’t read this one, the next up would be Paper Ghosts by Sarah Addison Allen, whom I love!
Screens:
Billy and I have been really locked in on The Artful Dodger. We both really are enjoying it, and I had to laugh at a scene the other day, of Jack running and dodging guards on his way to the woman he loved – so very reminiscent of his role in Love Actually when he was a little boy. I swear he even made the same face at the end of his run! It is a very well-acted show, and now I want to read Oliver Twist. I have never ever really wanted to read this book, so I guess thank you to this tv show for inspiring that. Maybe this winter I will tackle it.
We are watching Holes this week with Wyatt as part of our nostalgic movies of the 80s and 90s summer.
I also posted a few times last week.
Top Ten Tuesday: Books by New to Me Authors
Halfway Through Our Frog and Toad Summer
What Wyatt’s Reading: Summer Reading Edition
I am cohosts with Lisa at Boondock Ramblings and Cat at Cat’s Wire, of the linkup A Good Book and a Cup of Tea for all things books -not just books read or reviews, but bookstore visits or author visits or whatever else bookish you can think of!
Here is the link for July’s link up!
In-Betweens:
On Tuesday, Wyatt had a big day! He graduated from physical therapy! We have been going for ten years, and the only time he has had a break has been for medical reasons. But the work doesn’t stop here. The visits to his therapists might be over, but our work at home continues. Stretches and exercises, time in the stander, using the gait trainer to keep his momentum. His knee immobilizers at night, his braces during the day. But we can do it. He can do it.
He has had so many amazing therapists over the years and we learned something from them all. 
The training wheels are off now and while it feels kind of scary, I have faith.
I am so proud of this kid.
He gets so bashful from attention!
And that is it from me today. I hope that whatever you do, you do something that makes you smile!
Congratulations Wyatt! So happy to hear this. I’m sorry about the wildfire smoke – it’s been a bad summer for wildfires here in Canada. Take care and have a wonderful week ahead.
I know, I feel so bad for all of those directly affected by the fires. The smoke is inconvenient but at least I am not losing everything to a fire. 🙁 And thank you Jodie!
Congratulations to Wyatt! I love that photo of him with that shy smile! Let’s hope the smoke clears soon.
Thank you Deb! It is starting to dissipate thank goodness!
The Artful Dodger sounds appealing as does that Sarah Addison Allen book. Can;t wait to hear your thoughts on the book.
Fantastic news for Wyatt! He is always so upbeat and willing to do what is needed. Congats on graduation from PT!!
I am having such a hard time settling down with a book! Everything I pick up I discard. I am going to try Paper Ghosts today.
And thank you!! He really is.
Congrats to Wyatt on the physical therapy graduation! So awesome! That is not fun with all the fire smoke in the air right now. I hate that we seem to have to deal with that every year now. Hopefully you’ll be able to get some clearer days to get outside this week. Although it is so hot here that I barely want to get outside. Hope you have a good week!
https://lisalovesliterature.bookblog.io/2026/07/19/weekly-wrap-up-july-19th-2026/
Lol I know! This summer it has been very hard to really be outside safely between record high temps or poor air quality. Hopefully the rest of summer is a little better for being outdoors. And thank you!
You go, Wyatt, congratulations on that big step!
Thank you Cat!!
Congratulations to Wyatt on graduating from physical therapy—that’s such a wonderful milestone after all those years of hard work! I hope you both have another week filled with good books and fun activities. Happy Reading!
Thank you Kat! I am so proud of him!!
Aw, congratulations to Wyatt, that is incredible! I hope the smoke clears and we are all able to get outside this week. Have a great week!
Yes! Me too! It is supposed to be cooler this week as well, so I have my fingers crossed we can get outdoors.
Congratulations, that’s quite the milestone for Wyatt and you.
Artful Dodger really is fun, Oliver Twist not so much.
Thanks for sharing your week, happy reading!
Thank you Shelleyrae!
I love The Artful Dodger. I do get very anxious watching it at times though, I get so involved in the story. Lol. I just want Jack and Belle to be able to do what they want darn it.
Congratulations on graduation! That’s just fantastic! And I love the idea of emergency craft kits– something ready to go!
I will buy different National Geographic art/craft kits on sale, or things from Five Below and store them for a rainy day. Lol. It has worked out well! And thank you!
Awesome Wyatt! I have read nearly everything by Dickens. I was really taken by it during my later teen years. Hope you are away from the smoke and staying cool.
Anne – Books of My Heart This is my Sunday Post
Thank you Anne! We are trying. It is supposed to be a lot cooler this week, and hopefully the air quality is better too.
I should give him a try. Dickens that is. I have read A Christmas Carol but that is it.
The wildfire smoke was awful in CT and I’m sure it must have been even worse in your area. You are smart to keep an emergency activity stash! Congratulations to Wyatt!!
It was horrible! One day we had the worst air quality in the world. It was unbelievable. And that emergency stash has saved me quite a few times!
Thank you!
Aw, well done to Wyatt!
Hope the air quality improves, oof.
Thank you! He is such a hard worker!
It has been obnoxious! I am hoping this week is better.
WOW!!! Congratulations, Wyatt! That is the best news ever, Erin! I’m sure you are glad of the extra time (I know that time to and fro adds up). But, graduation is such a wonderfully big step! Our weather has been hot and humid so I’m not sure if the haziness is just that, or if it’s the wildfires. My son sent me a photo of a hot air balloon at Conner Prairie (y’all should go there someday). It was definitely wildfire related and not just haziness.
I am finishing up Miss Buncle’s Book. I finished RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars so I’m going to have to find something to watch once Mike goes to sleep. I’m hoping the weather cools down so I can baby my flowers like they need it right now.
Have a good week…hopefully, you can get outside.
https://marshainthemiddle.com/
Thank you Marsha!!! I am absolutely petrified honestly! It has been such a mainstay of our lives, as he has literally been going his entire life. I don’t want to mess up now. And it definitely adds up. It is going to feel so weird tomorrow not going!
We got a warning on our phones, like with tornadoes or storms, that the air quality was hazardous and unsafe for all people. It was pretty scary! It was the highest warning level, and one day we had the worst air quality in the world. It was crazy.
Everyone seems to be loving Miss Buncle. I will have to try it eventually! This week here is supposed to be cooler – I hope it is there as well.
Many congrats to Wyatt! That is excellent news. Glad to hear you have and are enjoying the two mysteries. Uncanny Valley Girls sure has an interesting cover.
Thank you Olivia!!
I started Uncanny Valley Girls and I it is a very interesting read but a bit too gritty and depressing for me right now. I will go back to it another time.
I hope the air quality clears up this week, but sounds like you still had fun indoors. Congrats to Wyatt for graduating from physical therapy.
Thank you Lola!
Congratulations to Wyatt on graduating from physical therapy! What an incredible milestone after ten years of hard work. I’m sure it’s bittersweet to leave the therapists who have been such a big part of your journey, but it’s a testament to all the dedication from both of you. I also hope the air quality improves soon so you can get back outside. We are in the same boat here and I just want to take the kids to the pool!
Thank you so much Laura. It really was a bittersweet feeling. It was such a huge part of our lives, his whole life. He worked so very hard to get here, though, and I am so proud of him. 🙂
Right? I think today is supposed to be better here, but it is also supposed to rain! LOL.
Yassssss Wyatt! You’ve got this, kid! (And you’ve got this, too, Mom and Dad!)
Congratulations to Wyatt! And to you two, of course. I have never read anything by Sarah Addison Allen yet I see her name a lot. Would I like her?