Sea Lions By The Sea Shore (Newport, OR)

The sea lions were not here the last time we were in Newport.  The old docks had been torn down and new ones were built just for the sea lions.  We were told they would start showing up in September.  So, on our second day in Newport, we had to go down to the docks.  We heard them long before we got to the docks.

The new sea lion docks were packed full!  A few were swimming, but most were sleeping.  I have no idea how they could sleep through all that noise.

The fun part was watching one sea lion start a chain reaction.  Not happy with his fellow sleepers, one would get up and try to move into another's spot.  Which would cause that one to start barking and moving.  And that would get the next neighbor to complain and move...all the way down the line.

Sunshine on my face

A few of them just ignored everything going on around them.  This one was happy to have the sun warming its face.  Talk about a look of contentment.

The jetty was busy as well and a lot more active with the sea lions jumping into the water or climbing around on the rocks.

Oh man, I forgot my sunglasses

So good to have the sun out again!
Books!
   Between Heaven and Texas by Marie Bostwick  I just finished listening to Marie's latest book.  If you have been reading the Cobbled Court Quilts series, you already know Mary Dale.  With this story, we find out that Mary Dell has always listened to a different drummer with a very different taste in colors and clothes.  This is her story of growing up on a ranch in a small Texas town where everyone knows everybody's business.  I really enjoyed hearing about Mary Dell and her twin sister Lydia Dale growing up and following different paths.  Her relationship with her family as well as with her husband are well written.  I can't wait for Marie's next book to come out!

  Shadowy Horses by Susanna Kearsley  This is the first book that I have read by Susanna Kearsley.  My SIL suggested I would like her books, so  I bought this book at a low price instead of ordering it through Audible and I could not put the darn thing down!  I blame Susanna's book for slowing down my progress on quilt projects.  

This story reminds me of the old Gothic romance novels I read as a teenager, but without all the dark brooding atmosphere.  She reminds me a lot of Mary Stewart or Phyllis A. Whitney with a heroine moving into an old mansion with mystery surrounding its history.  The characters are well defined.  I loved hearing about Scotland and the ways of the Scots.  The description of the area made me feel like I was there.

I did have a problem with the speech at times since Susanna likes to keep it very authentic.  She helped out the English-speaking readers with the main character being from London.  Verity Grey came to help on an archaeological dig with an old friend/co-worker.  She too has a problem with the language and actually buys a dictionary so she can look up words.  Quite often, someone would explain what they were saying which worked just as well.

There is a little bit of everything from a Gothic novel in this story.  There's the mystery, a psychic, a smuggler, an old mansion, a love interest or two, and a ghost.  Well written!  I have already started another one of Susanna's books.  Yep, looks like I won't be getting much done until I finish this book too.

Both books have no sex or swearing - just some light romance.  Okay, I better get moving.  I have a witch to finish and an order to mail...whoo-hoo!
Happy Quilting!