I hope that you've all had a lovely Memorial Day Weekend. I'm just wrapping up some vacation time in Hawaii, but I do have a new post up today at Booklights that I think is particularly apt for this summer-celebration holiday. It's about the joys of reading outdoors in a beautiful location. Here's an excerpt:
"What the most memorable of my childhood reading spots have in common, I realize now, is that they are all out of doors. It's been quite a while since I climbed up into a tree to read. But reading out of doors, particularly in some scenic location, remains one of my greatest joys. I'll go a step further, and say that it's how I recharge, how I heal myself, how I do what I love while remaining connected to the world."
The photo above is of my most recent tranquil reading spot. Technically, I was indoors, but I was in front of a huge open window (no glass) onto the beach. That photo is taken from my chair. The spa called it the Tranquility Room, but I call it the Magic Room. I was able to spend about 40 minutes reading there on Saturday, between having a massage and going to a luau (with thanks to Mheir for letting me sit there and read, while he waited in line for the luau). The whole thing was a rejuvenating experience. Vacation is a happy thing!
Also this week, I drove by a town that I thought some of you might appreciate. Did you know that Maui has a town called Haiku? It's true. See proof to the left. Let's call this an early Poetry Friday post, in honor of Haiku, Hawaii.
Right now I have 958 unread posts in my Google Reader, and a ton of unread email. I wrote one review this week, but I haven't had time to format it into a blog post. I do hope to get back up to speed over the course of the week. Happy summer, all! And please do stop by and check out my Booklights post on outdoor reading. I'd love to hear about your favorite outdoor reading locations.
Welcome back - your vacation, with the massage chair and all, sounds lovely! And I LOVE the idea of a town named Haiku!
Posted by: tanita | May 26, 2009 at 12:36 PM
Aloha! Glad you had a nice vacation. I think all books are better when read in Hawaii :^)
Posted by: Solvang Sherrie | May 26, 2009 at 08:16 PM
Jen! We were in Maui at the same time! Omigosh, your picture even looks like it could have been taken from my condo! We were in Napili. Where were you?
Posted by: Mary Pearson | May 27, 2009 at 12:20 PM
How funny, Mary! Small world. That picture was taken from the spa at the Hyatt Regency in Lahaina, which sounds like it isn't far from you. We were actually staying at a friend's condo down in Kihei, near Wailea.
Aloha!
Posted by: Jen Robinson | May 27, 2009 at 12:37 PM
Tanita, I knew that you'd like the town called Haiku. As soon as we'd driven by it the first time, I wanted to turn around to get a photo.
And thanks, Sherrie! For sure all books are better when read in a lovely spot.
Posted by: Jen Robinson | May 28, 2009 at 02:19 PM
Wow, thanks for letting us know about Haiku, Hawaii! Glad to hear that you had such a nice vacation. :D
Posted by: Tarie | May 31, 2009 at 04:00 AM
Thanks, Tarie! I was very happy when I saw that Haiku road sign. Of course I thought of all of my blog friends immediately. It was a nice vacation, but I'm slowly getting adjusted to being back in the real world.
Posted by: Jen Robinson | May 31, 2009 at 09:39 AM