Time to Read--Merrillee Whren

Before I became a published author, I was a reader. I read different kinds of books--classics, mysteries, thrillers and non-fiction, but when I discovered romances, I knew I had found my favorite reads because they always have a happy ending. I don't have as much time to read anymore because the time I used to spend reading is used for writing. My to-be-read pile is so huge that I'm afraid I will never find the bottom of it.

So when do I have time to read? This week. I'm looking forward to the next couple of days. One of our daughters is coming for a visit, and we will climb over the sand dune in the photo below, put our chairs on the sand close to the water's edge and read.



You might find us looking something like this, although we will probably have an umbrella to shade us from the sun. If we get too involved in our books, the umbrella will keep us from getting a sunburn.



What is your favorite place to read?

A Walk with Merrillee

Walking is one of my favorite ways to get exercise. I have two places that I often walk--the beach near our home and my neighborhood. When I walk on the beach, I like to walk in my bare feet right at the water's edge. The wet sand is easy on the feet. Every day the beach is different. Some days it's crowded, and other days it is nearly empty. Sometimes the ocean is calm. Other days the waves are angry as they rush to the shore. These photos are just a few of the scenes that I encounter when I walk on the beach.





I have taken my camera to the beach numerous times, but I never think to take it when I walk in my neighborhood. I've missed the opportunity to take photos of some very interesting things. Just this past week I've seen a bobcat, rabbits, hawks, snakes and the very common squirrel. I'm told we have a couple of alligators that inhabit that ponds in our neighborhood, but I have never run into them.

Where is your favorite place to walk, and what interesting things have you seen while walking?