Author Archives: Risa

The Gaudi Architecture of Barcelona

Posted on November 14, 2024 by Risa

Barcelona is an architectural hotbed of what is known as “Modernista”, part of the Catalan Modernism movement of the early 20th century. Modernista’s driving force was renowned Catalonian architect Antoni Gaudi (1852 – 1926). Our first stop on the Gaudi … Continue reading →

Posted in 2024 Barcelona, Travel | 1 Comment

The Sounds and Smells of Barcelona

Posted on November 11, 2024 by Risa

Just to back-track a moment. My strategy for our 8-day trip to Barcelona was to pack very, very light. Carry-on light. This meant summer clothes with just a couple of sweaters all rolled up in a carry-on suitcase with just … Continue reading →

Posted in 2024 Barcelona, Travel | 2 Comments

The Sights of Barcelona

Posted on November 11, 2024 by Risa

I can’t do a full travelogue of our recent trip to Barcelona, but I can do a few quick posts on the highlights of the trip. First, what stood about out seeing Barcelona. Catalan flag What you don’t see much … Continue reading →

Posted in 2024 Barcelona, Travel | 1 Comment

Nerdy Friends Book Club – 8th and Final Month

Posted on October 15, 2024 by Risa

Welcome, book club readers! I’m sorry for being so late this month! We have two short stories left, and these are actually quite short at 14 pages and 24 pages respectively. The first is titled “Or All The Seas With … Continue reading →

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Libraries: when holds collide …

Posted on October 7, 2024 by Risa

I am on several waiting lists at the local Picton library, for both physical books and e-books when physical copies didn’t exist. And, as luck would have it, this month my number came up and up and up.! Day after … Continue reading →

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HOPS – The Harvest

Posted on September 29, 2024 by Risa

Does this title sound like a horror film? Good! Because that’s what a hops harvest most closely resembles. At first, though, there is the novelty, that is very much like a bunch of teenagers at an abandoned summer camp… The … Continue reading →

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Family Drama-Trauma Month

Posted on September 9, 2024 by Risa

Only two books this month due to the usual September demands, but both were excellent books! Of course, if family drama and/or trauma isn’t in your wheelhouse, you may want to give these careful consideration. Close to Hugh, by Marina … Continue reading →

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Nerdy Friends Book Club – Month 7

Posted on September 6, 2024 by Risa

Let’s get moving on the September stories, mostly because the first one is another long one, at 77 pages. It’s (hopefully) about a werewolf though, so I’m good with it! Oh, and don’t forget to add your comments to the … Continue reading →

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HOPS – A gnarled mess of cones and flowers

Posted on August 19, 2024 by Risa

Once we head into July and August and the days start getting shorter, the hops respond by diverting their energy into reproductive growth. The bines finally slow down their insanely fast upward climb, and thank goodness for that, because as … Continue reading →

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Nerdy Friends Book Club – Month 6

Posted on August 2, 2024 by Risa

We are up to stories 11 and 12 out of 16! On to August’s reading assignments. Note that the first one is longer than the 25-page average length, coming in at 50 pages. It’s short, just not as short as … Continue reading →

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