Author Archives: Risa

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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Should this come with a trigger warning?

Posted on August 1, 2024 by Risa

A reminder and a warning. Reminder: If you are joining us for the Nerdy Friend book club, remember to read the next two stories and add your comments here. Warning: This is a longer one than usual! I had an … Continue reading →

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HOPS – one month later

Posted on July 10, 2024 by Risa

I know many (all) of you asked for an update when the hops start to flower, but I thought a one-month update would be interesting, given how fast they grow. Winning the speed-growing contest In the photos I posted one … Continue reading →

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Nerdy Friends Book Club – Month 5

Posted on July 8, 2024 by Risa

We are at the half-way point, fellow readers! Here are the July stories, I hope you enjoy them! As always, feel free to publish spoilers in the comments, and if you haven’t read them yet just avoid looking at the … Continue reading →

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Still can’t break the murder mystery habit!

Posted on July 6, 2024 by Risa

A Siege of Bitterns, by Steve Burrows In volunteering for the Prince Edward Point Bird Observatory, I was fortunate enough to meet Steve when he very kindly agreed to hold a book launch event for his eighth (EIGHTH) book to … Continue reading →

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HOPS – an engineering degree finally put to good use

Posted on June 12, 2024 by Risa

How is the hops garden doing this year, you didn’t ask? Well, let me tell you! But first, I want to get out of the way a few of the questions you are bound to ask, as I’ve learned from … Continue reading →

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