The Honeybee's Lifestyle

Tag: BOOKS

  • It’s Not All Downhill From Here

    Hello Honeybees,

    You know how you can hear a song and it triggers certain memories? That song can take you back to a certain place, a special moment or time spent with special people. I have books that trigger certain memories too, some books I’ll reread not just because of the memories but because of the lasting effects that they have on my life. Every year I read Purpose Driven Life, and since discovering The Alchemist I had added it to the list. 

    I remember my first Zane read, my first Brenda Jackson read, my first J. California Cooper read, my first Toni Morrison read and my first Terry McMillan read. I remember what was happening in life at the time that I immersed myself in these books. The time that I sat aside to actually slow down and sit down with a book in hand and lose myself in the pages.

    Well, Terry McMillan’s It’s Not All Downhill From Here is the book for the current stage of my life. It’s about love, marriage, divorce, friendship, money, growing older, parenting, aging parents,loss and more. It’s the Waiting To Exhale for the 50 plus group. Chronicling the friendship of 5 women as they navigate this thing called life. You will find yourself in one or more of these characters. I think that I’m a combination of the main character Loretha and her girl Ko. Each lady has her own life circumstances and issues to deal with but they do it together. They each have their own flaws but hey who is perfect? We see how you can do your best as a parent but once your children are adults, especially adults, you have to let them fall. 

    We see the value in friendships, good friendships. The value in taking care of your body, at some point you won’t be able to drop it like Thee Stallion. If you do drop it you might need someone to help you up. We see the value in making good financial decisions that will enable you to leave a legacy for your loved ones. We learn that you are never too old and it is never too late for love. You are never too old for second chances and life is not all downhill no matter how many trips around the sun.

    I give this book 5 out of 5 honeypots. So grab a copy and a cocktail and read it with your girls. You will not regret it.

    For a while now I have been trying to think of a way to launch a series aimed at how life and your body changes as you get older. This book is the launch pad for that series. Still working on a name but it’s coming. Each month I will tackle a different topic. The first one next month (my birthday month) will be about menopause. Leave me a comment below with your menopause questions. Don’t worry I won’t be answering them based on my knowledge. I have some help from some experts.  

     

    Beewisdom-“Aging is not lost youth but a new stage of opportunity and strength.” – Betty Friedan 

  • To Have or To Listen?

    Hello Honeybees,

     

     

    I admit it I have been seriously slacking in taking the time to read. Taking the time to actually sit down with a REAL book in my hand.

    I love to read, always have thanks to my mother. I’m fortunate enough to have passed the love of books down to one of my sons. But finding, NO making, the time to sit still and read a book has been really hard for me lately. Whether it’s an actual book or an ebook sitting still is rough.

    I prefer an actual book to an ebook but lately I’ve been listening to books. I use the Libby app. It’s a free app that lets you check out books as long as you have a valid library card, from any library system that is participating. You can check out a book electronically to read or to listen. I don’t have the space in my home to store a lot of books so Libby is a good option for me.

    I read my forever First Lady’s, Becoming Michelle Obama when it first hit the shelves but I also wanted to hear her read it. I wanted to hear the emotion in her voice on certain parts. The book itself was a long read and the audio was a long listen, but I did it and I’m glad I did. It was worth it. Hearing the author read their words is a worthwhile  experience.

    Not every book is available on audio which is the biggest drawback. Also just like the regular library your book may not be available. You can put it on hold and it will pop into your “shelf” when it’s available. You have 21 days to listen. I like to listen when I’m cooking or cleaning and when I at work, especially when I’m working with numbers.

     

    I am challenging myself to read or listen to at least 24 books this year. So far I’m at 3! Some have been short but that’s okay, I’m expanding my genres this year to include a little of everything. Follow me on IG to keep up. Also, if a book really moves me I’ll do a review here on the blog.

    Drop me some suggestions of a few good books in the comments and I’ll add them to my library.

    Beewisdom- “Books are a uniquely portable magic.” – Stephen King

  • Chapters

    Hello Honeybees,

    This month I have the privilege of completing chapter 1 of BloggingWithBee and starting Chapter 2

    This month I will finish chapter 48 of my life and start chapter 49

    This month I will start chapter 4 of my nonprofit career

    Next month I will start writing chapter 17 of parenthood

    This year I started writing chapter 9 of being single again

    So many chapters in just one book but this is the book that I only get to co-author. God is the author of  the book of my life.  He writes the stories and uses me to bring them to life.  So maybe I’m not the co-author but I am the main character.

    book pic 1

    I learned somewhere around chapter 39 or 40 to stop comparing my book to someone else’s book.  We ALL have our own book.  My book is being written JUST FOR ME. Sometimes I slip up and start comparing, I’m human and not perfect, but I have learned to adjust my thoughts and keep turning the pages of my OWN book.

    My chapter 49 will not look like your chapter 49.

    My chapter 21 didn’t look like your chapter 21.

    book pic 3

    I am so in love with the book that is being written about my life.  It has all kinds of plot twist and surprises. I mean A LOT of surprises. This book can be a comedy, a drama or action packed.  Either way I can’t put it down.  This book has my attention every day, all day. 

    Even though I am the star of this book, I have no idea what comes next.  I have made suggestions to the author but I know that His plans are so much better than mine.

    I hope that my book has at least 99 chapters.  99 chapters that will keep me turning pages unable to put the book down.   

    Watch out chapter 49 I can’t wait to read you!

    BelindaBee pic

    What is your favorite chapter?

    Beewisdom-In the book of life, the answers aren’t in the back- Charlie Brown