My Ten Best-Loved Novels A Day On Facebook

I was nominated by Grace, my childhood friend and now a multi-awarded author (of 50 books and counting) to post my most-loved novels one day at a time for ten days.  In turn, I will nominate and tag a different friend everyday to do the same.  

I'm not fond of such Facebook challenges but I just couldn't pass up this one, like the 100-Happy-Days-Living-for-Today" challenge suggested by my younger daughter earlier on.  For 100 consecutive days I made a post on Facebook about something that made me happy everyday.

The "The-100-Happy-Days-Living-for-Today" challenge  gave me a better awareness of my surroundings and the people around me.  It took another level of appreciation and sensitivity to draw out the interesting ones that made me happy, it did  not matter whether they were insignificant at all to others.  

I'm optimistic that this novel challenge will bring me another level of joy because this will also be about my Facebook friends.  Moreover, it will surely remind me of those early days reading them.  I'm excited and at the same time curious what my friends' favorite novels are, I wonder if their choices  are  similar to mine. 

Upon seeing my nomination, I immediately dug into my books but I couldn't find any novel except this one.  Obviously, this made my first post. 

Most of those I retained after my declutter 3 years ago (when we moved to this new home) are self-help books about life, health and aging gracefully.  But I have this book, so apparently it meant much to me otherwise it could have gone with the rest.  With the advent of iPad, I stopped buying paperbacks and read on line. 

I was temporarily at a loss what I'd post the next day.  I could google though but...what?  My mind drew a blank. I couldn't recall authors nor the titles of novels I enjoyed.  What to do?

Wait! I could recall some plots  but not the titles of novels nor their authors.  Fortunately again Jim, who is also one of my blog editors came to my rescue.  

For instance, I asked him about the story of a priest who had a secret love affair.  I  recall the scene in Australia,  I can still picture sheep stations in my mind as described in the book. and Jim, as if he was just thinking about it automatically said: "The Thorn Birds".

"Come on", I said.  "Tell me more about the novels we enjoyed together earlier" and so our recollection began.  We came out with seven worth posting; I googled the book covers and read their synopses to make sure they are the novels we talked about. 

This is great, we found a common topic that we both enjoyed; we are happy to know that when we put our minds on things,  downloading from our memory banks come easily.  Isn't that great for guys in their seventies? 

Here are the rest of my choice novels that I posted: 

2nd day: 

3rd day:

4th day:

5th day:

6th day:

7th day:

8th day:

9th day:

10th day:

Wait!  Why did I fail to include this book?  I love this. At least I can post it here. 

I could have posted more, like a novel each of Barbara Delinsky, Danielle Steel, Nora Roberts, Eileen Goudge, Pearl S. Buck, etc.  however, please don't think that I'm that ancient.  I also read Dan Brown and the works of more modern authors, though the earlier ones are those I remember most.  Besides, the more books I read, the less I can remember.  

When I reached adolescence my Mama started me with the wholesome love stories of Emilie Loring while my older brother had the whole set of Tom Sawyer.  Immediately after,  we graduated to the mystery novels of Earl Stanley Gardner and Perry Mason, then came the Ian Fleming thrillers that my parents and brother enjoyed. 

Today, I seldom read bestsellers, unlike earlier when I read one every month. Nowadays I read mostly contemporary romance from Kobo, the beauty of Bookbub is they present free and cheap novels based on your reading history. 

So guys, what do you think of my choices? Too feminine?

IN SEARCH FOR LIFE'S PERFECT BLEND

Someone wrote that the theory of work-life balance where we try to give equal time and attention to our professional and personal lives, and treating them like two different things is no longer effective in this modern cyber world.  

Since we are not unplugged at home, emails and calls from work are inevitable; sometimes we even need to bring home work.  So, how are we going to manage this?  And what about those who work from home, how do they draw the line? 

Some say that finding the perfect blend works best.  One suggested to think like making a cocktail, what are the elements we want to put in?  A cocktail glass can only contain so much, and like our lives; we can only do so much in a day, a week, a month, a year.  That's why we must choose well which ones to include in our lives.  We need to prioritize.  

Well, I am not employed anymore so I don't need to divide my time between work and play, but I need a perfect blend more than ever.  We seniors know that we are living in borrowed time; so many things to do, lots to focus on with so little time. 

Here are the things I'd love to incorporate in my life.   I'm hoping to make a good blend so I can enjoy a wholesome lifestyle.  Wholesome meaning conducive to and suggestive of good health and well being. 

A load of family time

Time with my family is the first to go into my blend.   I don't want to miss any milestone in their lives.  I'd drop everything for a chance to bond with any and all of them. 

A dash of social life

I read about a lady at 80 who didn't want to bother with the workings of the Internet and does Facebook live.  Everyday she walks along main street and talks to people; sharing what she is currently doing, talking about her feelings like she is posting them.  She carries pictures of her grandchildren, her pet, where she dined last night to show around and she gets likes and comments personally from people.

Likewise she gives comments and thumbs up to peoples' stories.   As of her writing, she already has 4 followers.   Isn't that interesting, bringing Facebook to another level?  Instead of sitting down with her gadget, she's interacting with actual people.  I'd say that's a great social life.  It just proves that if there's a will, there's a way. 

Diet

I can't say which diet is best for anyone, this depends on our health condition.  My doctor says to go slow on sweets, fatty and spicy foods and I can eat anything I want but only in moderation.  I believe this is a good idea for everyone. 

It is challenging to eat right at all times especially when we have company or when we eat out or while traveling.  Im just glad I found a healthy everyday breakfast that I like. 

A heavy dose of exercise

I met this health-buff neighbor who became a good friend on my morning walks.  Her health mantra: "good health is based on 70% diet and 30% exercise.  That seems to work for her since she must be in her golden years but she runs 2 kilometers daily; when we walk together, I can't even keep up with her. 

Walking is my main exercise, I think it is the best and safest exercise for seniors like me.   While walking, I think clearly and I gather inspiration for my blog.   Exercise is necessary in our lives,  this is non-negotiable; we just have to do it in any which way that works for us. 

Double or triple splash of hygiene

Hygiene is very important to keep harmful bacteria at bay.  Moreover, we seniors should double or triple our hygienic routine otherwise we can't expect our grandchildren to stay on our laps, much less want to kiss or hug us. 

Stir in passion to realize our dreams

The pursuit of a dream will make us do and experience new things we never thought possible.  Doing what I love gives me great satisfaction mentally and emotionally along with a feeling of pride and accomplishment.  

The beauty of "blending a cocktail"  idea makes my life less of a monotony because I can change the formula as often as I want.  In fact, I can customize it  as I go along by allocating more time for those that make my life more interesting. 

Did you know that even if we failed to take better care of ourselves earlier and have been careless with our diet,  it would still make a lot of difference if we start now?  It is never too late to live healthy because at the end of the day our overall health depends on how we manage it. Therefore today is the best day to exercise good choices in our diet and activities. 

I hope that the basic recipe I chose would work for me.  My gauge?  I have to ask my self.  Do I feel that sense of well being?  Am I happy and fulfilled?  Do I feel great most of the time in spite some stiff joints and the little aches and pains due to old age?   Did I miss anything in the lives of my love ones?  

Have I found the perfect blend?  If not, I better change my concoction.