April 2026

 It finally got warmer (YAY!!!), and it didn't rain for a whole week.     

Every morning, Castiel and I go for 3km walks.  We are early risers and try to be out for our walks before 7am.  It is a good time since the street and the trail aren't busy.  Heck, we usually only tend to see one person out walking or biking, so it's nice and quiet. Does Castiel nap after?  Nope.  Lately, he has just been freaking out and barking like crazy while looking out the window because there have been big trucks and dump trucks going out on the new street behind us. He is really reactive towards big trucks, but I'm trying to work on that. 

  After dinner, we just walk for about 15 minutes.  By 6pm, he is usually snoozing at my feet until his bedtime pee. Once he has gone out for his last duties for the day, he usually goes running into bed.  

This month, I have really been into listening to audiobooks while we are on walks. I like listening to podcasts, but this month I had 3 audiobooks to review, so I listened to them while walking and while making dinner.  Sometimes I listen to audiobooks while I play Disney Dreamlight Valley. 

This month, Million Dollar Secret season two started on Netflix.  They put up a few episodes then a few more episodes last week, and the last 2 episodes will be up on the 29th.  If you like Traitors or The Mole, you might enjoy this show.  

Master Chef has started again, so I have been watching episodes online the day after it airs.  I really enjoy that one.  If you are into cooking competition shows, it's a good one.

I haven't really played video games much other than the usual (Disney Dreamlight Valley and Wylde Flowers).

I've been trying to read more because I do have many (over 100) ebooks that I need to review.

Mid April Check In

 Well, it's finally springtime, and it is finally a bit warmer.  We have had a couple of warmer days when I didn't need to wear my winter jacket and winter boots . I do admit, though, I do tend to wear my winter boots sometimes. Not because it's cold, but because I don't have any rain boots right now, and my winter boots work great at keeping my feet from getting soaked when I take Castiel for his walks.   

Speaking of walks, I took Castiel for a nice, longer walk yesterday morning.  We checked to see if the walking/biking/ATV/snowmobile trail was clear of ice, and it was decent enough that we could actually walk on, so we walked in there a bit. We didn't do the 45 minutes we used to do, but we did 25 minutes, and I walked him along our street too, so he actually got a decent morning walk.  Did he sleep right away after?  Nope.  He is a  Border Collie/ Australian Shepherd, so of course, that did not really tire him out. It didn't help that he was stressed yesterday morning because dump trucks were going out on the street behind us, but he did eventually nap for a few hours around noon, so while he slept, I did a ton of reading. 

This morning we went on the trail again and walked 25 minutes in there again.  I was thinking of taking him out there again later for his after-dinner walk, but we will see.  It started raining right when we finished our walk this morning, and forecasters are saying rain all day today, so I might have to just do a 10-minute faster-paced walk instead. I guess I will decide when the time comes for our walk later.

Other than walks with Castiel, I haven't really been doing too much. The month started with mostly watching YouTube, playing video games and spending time with James.  I didn't do much reading, but I did get tons of reading done yesterday while Castiel was napping.  I read for 3 hours yesterday afternoon, and I am hoping to read for a minimum of 2 hours today, but that will depend on Castiel napping and also on my concentration.

How is your April going so far?  Anything fun happening? How's the weather?  

Jem and the Holograms (Deluxe) Vinyl Record

*This blog post contains an Amazon link that will earn me a small commission if you use it.*

 When I was a child in the 80’s, I was obsessed with Jem and the Holograms.  I had a few of the dolls, and I would watch the cartoon. 

Last year, when I heard there was going to be a vinyl record being made, I was excited, and I really wanted a record.

My birthday was in March, and my wonderful husband got me Jem and the Holograms (Deluxe) vinyl record to add to my small collection.

The record sleeve has the titles of the songs with song/music credits.

The next two photos are of a double-sided poster that came with the record.  I love the art, and I just might put it up on the wall in my office/library.

I listened to the record twice so far, and I do enjoy it, but I just wish there were more songs.  Side A has 9 reimagined songs, and Side B is reimagined instrumental music. I found the quality of the recording and the sound pretty good.  I think it is a great addition to my small record collection. I will definitely be listening to it again.     

I know he probably won't be reading my blog post but I want to say thank you, hubby, for getting it for me.

  

Mediterranean Orzo Salad

I've made this recipe at least 3 times so far this year, and I know I will be making it again. It is easy to make.   It serves 6.

• 1 1/2 cups orzo
• ▢1 pint cherry tomatoes, halved
• ▢2 green onions, trimmed and chopped (use both white and green parts)
• 
  
• ▢1 English cucumber
• ▢1 packed cup chopped parsley
• ▢1/2 packed cup chopped fresh dill
• ▢1/4 cup sliced olives
• 1 small green pepper
• ▢crumbled feta cheese (optional)

The Dressing: 

• ▢1 lemon, zested and juiced
• ▢1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
• ▢1 garlic clove, minced
• ▢1 teaspoon dried oregano
• ▢Kosher salt
• ▢Black pepper
• 
  

• Cook the orzo pasta to al dente according to package instructions. Drain and cool.
• Meanwhile, make the dressing. In a small bowl, combine the lemon juice, zest, olive oil, garlic, oregano and a pinch of salt and pepper. Whisk to combine.
• Mix the salad. In a large mixing bowl, toss together the tomato, green onion, bell pepper, cucumber, parsley, dill and olives. Stir in the cooked orzo.
• Dress. Pour the dressing over the salad and toss until well combined and the orzo is well coated with the dressing. Cover and refrigerate for 20 minutes or so.
•  Just before serving, top with crumbled feta cheese.

• ▢Feta cheese (optional), for garnish