Where did my vacation go?

Well, it's Thursday night.  One more day and then we have to do the whole travel thing in reverse, but looking forward to winter weather instead of summer.  Sob.  I remember late Saturday night, in the car, thinking that in just a moment I'd be riding in the car again the week having flown, but, man, did it ever fly.  Away. 

The first couple of days down here I was sick and spent critical vacation time sleeping so I could feel better.  The rest of the time has been spent reading (on an outdoor lounge chair - bliss!), writing down my thoughts on books, frolicking in the pool with a new water-happy Max, looking for lizards, and walking the same circular route over and over for exercise. 

The pool has been a bit of a surprise joy.  Last time we were down here, two years ago, Max didn't want to go near it.  He was completely afraid of the water.  This time he's lovin' it.  He can't swim yet and doesn't really want to learn, but Bumpa bought some water guns and he'll happily bob about in the shallow end squirting at people for hours.  And the tricycle that was so neglected last time we were down here has seen a lot of use.  Max is really too large for it, but he loves to bike with Bumpa around the driveway over and over and over.  I don't know what I'm going to do with him in a couple of days when he doesn't have such doting captive audiences to entertain with his antics.  He'll do anything with Bumpa - carry a hose, take a walk, look at rocks, do a puzzle.  Just tag along after.  Whatever.  Happiness is being with Bumpa.  Though he's had some pretty good moments with Nana this week, too, in the pool.  

Today we took a little road trip.  The Ocala branch of the Marion County Library has a nice little Friends' book shop.  I remembered this from last time.   The romance paperbacks are all 50 cents and they have a nice selection, usually in very good shape.  Nobody but me cared to go, but I talked J. into it anyway.  In return I have to go to this zoo park at Silver Springs tomorrow.  I'm quite ambivalent about that, but we'll see how it goes.  

Anyway, this is what I picked up:  

Gifford's 1st book got good reviews at AAR.  I picked this one up hoping the trend continues, but it looks like this one was less well received.

I've been wanting to try Michelle Styles since she's chosen a more interesting era for her books than Regency England.  However, again, it looks like this one isn't her best.  We'll see.

This is for V. who has an interesting habit of picking up Linda Howard books whenever she's down or stressed out.   Her preference is for the early Howards, the more horribly domineering the hero, the better.  And with Linda Howard early titles, you've really got your gamut of testosterone-laden troglodyte behavior to choose from.  I can't say I understand this, but I've got my quirks too.  This got a good grade at AAR.  Maybe I'll skim it.

I loved Robinson's Lady Gallant.  I've had no real luck with other Robinson titles, but, hey, this was only 50 cents.

I've never tried Liz Fielding, but I've seen her titles here and there.  A few years ago I corresponded with her briefly when she submitted some titles for the Special Title Listings.  She seemed very nice, so I threw this one in the basket to try.

This is to sell on half.com.  It's nearly mint condition.  A friend of mine says Brenda Jackson titles hold or appreciate in value.  So I kind of look for them and buy them if they are cheap enough to make it worthwhile.

Now I've just got to figure out how to stuff these books into our already overstuffed luggage.  That is, if we can get a plane out.  Our flight's a Delta one, and they've been canceling left and right in the past two days.   I can't confirm anything about ours until tomorrow.  My fingers are crossed that we will not have to camp out in the Atlanta airport for the weekend.