Chet Collins

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  • Haiku

    Afternoon with Mom

    Mom came home early,

    Off to park, errands, the Chick.

    Daddy took a nap.

    June 26, 2019
  • Reading

    Currently reading: The Read-Aloud Family: Making Meaningful and Lasting Connections with Your Kids by Sarah Mackenzie ๐Ÿ“š

    June 26, 2019
  • Reading

    Book Review: Lions of Lucerne ๐Ÿ“š

    After finishing Spymaster, I had a plan to go back to my nonfiction backlog. But I couldnโ€™t stop reading. So I went back to the first book in the series, The Lions of Lucerne.

    The book was fine, if not a bit overdone. Thorโ€™s novice status in this, his first book, was evident. He told a good story but, unlike the later books in the series, this one had some pretty unrealistic elements. It required a bigger dose of suspension of disbelief than Spymaster.

    Either way, I finished the book in two days and enjoyed every minute.

    Would I recommend: YES

    ISBN: 978-1439195130

    June 26, 2019
  • Reading

    Finished reading: Path of the Assassin by Brad Thor ๐Ÿ“š

    June 26, 2019
  • Haiku

    Reading Too Fast

    Finished my new book,

    In one day. Engaging, fun!

    Now, time to slow down.

    June 25, 2019
  • Reading

    Book Review: Spymaster ๐Ÿ“š

    Most of the books that I read are nonfiction. I like to spend my reading time exploring new thoughts and interacting with new ideas. That being said, many nonfiction books can be quite boring. Reading them one after another can take a toll.

    I remember in middle school how my mom would read Jeffrey Archer novels. For her birthday, I bought her one of them, and was intrigued by the idea of a long-running series.

    I decided last year that I wanted to find a nonfiction espionage/historical fiction series that I could get into. I read Rainbow Six, but I didnโ€™t like Clancyโ€™s way of writing. It was challenging for me to follow, and the books were so dense. I tried one other series, but found the writing to have too much unnecessary sex.

    Brad Thor hit it out of the park. I read this book in just a few days and loved every minute of it. His action sequences, unlike Clancy, got right to the point. The book lives up to its promise to be a thriller. โ€จLucky for me, Thor has released a new book in this series every year since 2002. Iโ€™m going to circle back to the beginning and read the whole thing. It just might take me a while.

    Would I recommend: YES

    ISBN: 978-1476789415

    June 25, 2019
  • ChetCast

    Episode 87: Three Special Guests

    Benedict welcomes three of his friends to the podcast. Things take a dark turn.

    June 25, 2019
  • Reading

    Currently reading: Path of the Assassin by Brad Thor ๐Ÿ“š

    June 25, 2019
  • Haiku

    So Tired

    Middle of the day,

    Hard to keep eyes open. Great,

    Hours until bed.

    June 24, 2019
  • Reading

    Finished reading: The Lions of Lucerne by Brad Thor ๐Ÿ“š

    June 24, 2019
  • Andrew McMahon is a remarkable storyteller. ๐ŸŽต

    June 24, 2019
  • Haiku

    Website Security Policy

    SSL is great,

    When it works. When broken, ugh.

    Much time lost today.

    June 23, 2019
  • Reading

    Currently reading: The Adventures of Tom Sawyer by Mark Twain ๐Ÿ“š

    June 23, 2019
  • When mailing a letter, I always choose a stamp based on the recipient.

    June 23, 2019
  • Reading

    Book Review: The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up ๐Ÿ“š

    I was first introduced to Marie Kondo on The RapidWeaver Show. Ben, one of the Realmac bros, brought up the book on the topic of minimalism. Iโ€™ve come around to Benโ€™s way of seeing things and finally got into this book.

    It lived up to the hype and gave me a different perspective. I really enjoyed it and look forward to finding some time in the near future to do my own tidying.

    I found the central idea of the book to be profound. Only be surrounded by things that spark joy in you. What a wonderful way to manage your life.

    Would I recommend: YES

    ISBN: 978-1607747307

    June 23, 2019
  • Haiku

    Book Shopping

    Went to a bookstore,

    It was full of people. Great!

    Best way to book shop.

    June 22, 2019
  • Reading

    Currently reading: The Lions of Lucerne by Brad Thor ๐Ÿ“š

    June 22, 2019
  • ChetCast

    Episode 86: Pigeon Puppet

    Benedict built a puppet while Felicity & I ran an errand. The kids tell you all about it.

    June 22, 2019
  • Reading

    I spent part of my Saturday morning at a local bookstore with my daughter. We walked through the stacks, I picked a book off of the shelf, and bought it with cash. The ultimate reading experience. ๐Ÿ“š

    June 22, 2019
  • Reading

    Finished reading: Spymaster by Brad Thor ๐Ÿ“š

    June 22, 2019
  • This magnet board sparks joy.

    Magnetic board with sun, ice cream, sandles, and blueberry magnets
    June 22, 2019
  • Haiku

    Friday Night Chores

    Summer Friday nights,

    Mow lawn, wash cars. Then, relax.

    Done for the weekend!

    June 21, 2019
  • Reading

    Finished reading: The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up: The Japanese Art of Decluttering and Organizing by Marie Kondo ๐Ÿ“š

    June 21, 2019
  • Welcome back, Summer. โ˜€๏ธ

    June 21, 2019
  • Haiku

    Morning Errands

    Loaded the kids up,

    Drove all over town. Four stops,

    Home in time for lunch.

    June 20, 2019
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ยฉ 2026 Chet Collins