The Talens' Tales

Joash 4 1/2 today! And while he is your typical preschooler, he certainly is a joy! He loves school. He loves going outside and is spending more and more time in the barn with Wilbert. He actually does a few helpful things around the barn too, so that is nice for Wilbert. He still really enjoys playing with his farm stuff and reading books. Here he is ready for crazy hair day at school on Thursday. He thought he looked like a cactus.  His imagination has really taken off. He has lots of imagination his play. He is also starting to really enjoy making and creating things, which is fun for this crafty mom. Here is his latest creation: We have named him Stanley S. Square. Joash gathered all the supplies he needed and planned it all out. He asked me to cut out the feet, help put the eyes on and help tape time together. But the idea and the face are all Joash.

Mom: Mataya, can you believe you are almost 2? M(ataya): Really? I didn't even know. Mom: What have you been up too? M: Well, I guess we are getting ready for summer. I do like the snow, but I think I will like summer too. But, right now, the mud is tough. I keep getting stuck. Mom: I know Mataya. The mud is pretty deep. What else do you like to do?  M: I like to sing. Now my favourite songs are "ABC" and "Jesus Loves Me." I really like it when you read books with me. I like to colour and I like to play with my baby dolls. I especially like to make the little on drive Joash's big tractor. Mom: Any new things you have done this month? She really is stuck in the mud here.  M: We went swimming yesterday and that was really fun. I even went down the water slide with Daddy and that was really fun. I also had fun walking around with you in the mud and seeing the new plants coming up for spring. Mom: Anything else new? M: I have a new toot...

Mataya and I found spring today!  The first crocuses of the year! And they are even yellow, my favorite color.  Too bad this is what the rest of the yard looks like yet. But at least we know spring is on its way!

After years as a Chicago homicide detective, Lisa Grant is ready for the kinder, gentler life of a small-town police chief. But the discovery of a human skeleton by a construction crew at the edge of town taxes department resources. Enter ex-Navy SEAL Mac McGregor, the detective sent by the county to assist on the case. As they work to solve the mystery behind the unmarked grave, danger begins to shadow them. Someone doesn't want this dead person telling any tales--and will stop at nothing to make certain a life-shattering secret stays buried. This was the second book I have read by Irene Hannnon and I really enjoyed it. This book was very different from the first one I ready by her and I find it amazing that and author can write such different styles of books and do it so well. Buried Secrets is a crime suspense novel. I think I finished it in the course of two days as I could not put it down. It had it all. Exciting plot, great characters, a touch of romance and a dash...