I'm a bit late getting this uploaded today - the day has seemed to just run away. I went down a rabbit hole on Instagram the other day and ran across a ton of people who resell clothes for a living. One of the ladies was giving her hints as to how to use time more effectively and one of them was using templates to list items because she finds that looking at a blank screen sometimes causes her writer's block. While I have definitely been there before, staring at a blank screen, it was almost always when I needed to write a 15 page lab report at 1 am that was due at 9 am (I am a recovering procrastinator but you wouldn't believe that by looking at the fact that this was supposed to go live at 4 pm and is being written at almost 10 pm. I am working on it I promise). Creative writing typically just flows from me and one of my family members pointed something out in my dad a few months ago that I think explains it. I was having dinner with my aunt (one of them - I have a lot of family) and she mentioned handing an article my dad had written to a family friend who read the whole thing before asking "Did Jon write this?" My aunt went on to say how much she loved that reading my dad's writing was like having a conversation with him and that, if you knew him, you could even hear his voice. When she said that something clicked in my brain. In high school, I had friends tell me that they knew my writing without ever having to look at the byline - it just sounded like me. For ages, I have had people tell me they love my stories and my best friend told me recently, "I love reading your blog posts, especially since we no longer live together. It is like listening to a conversation with you." And while I think yes, some people may just naturally be good writers, it is a learned and cultivated skill regardless of natural ability. As a 4th grader, I can remember coming home with a project - I had to write a story - and I remember asking my dad where to start. His response had a bigger effect that I think either of us anticipated. He said, "Just write like you were telling the paper a story." And I did. And I still do. Writer's block isn't typically a big deal for me. I stare at a screen and if I blank, I ask what story do I want to tell today. And often, the end surprises even me. For instance, I was planning on telling you that I have recently discovered that you can make money reselling used clothes and antiques online AND MAKE A LIVING DOING IT. I legit thought that was just something people did to pay off their debt extra fast or make some extra money in retirement. But there are actual, SANE human beings that are doing this full time for a living. How cool is that?! Anyways, that was what I was planning on telling you but the keyboard had a different story. The keyboard wanted me to tell you, it is your friend - it and the blank screen on the other side of the glass in front of you. They want to help you tell your story, you just need to tell them first. So I challenge you, grab a computer, paper and pen, or even just your phone, and just write what you think, what you feel, a part of your day, just like you would tell your best friend. I think you might be surprised how much fun it is. After you write for a bit, snap a picture, post it to social media (put a sticker over the writing if you are self-conscious), and tag me in it. I would love to see you getting creative! I am super excited to be sharing our garden on Thursday so I will chat with y'all then! P.S. Oh, and if you were curious as to my 4th grade writing assignment, we found it when my parents moved a few years ago. The assignment was to write about your summer. We had gone to a family reunion in Missouri and little old me was apparently very impressed that the cabin we stayed in had 9 bathrooms and three floors - it was mentioned at least 6 times that there were more bathrooms than bedrooms.

Nutrition and Diet Resources

Definition of Diet Diet | di-et | Miriam-Webster Dictionary noun (1): food and drink regularly provided or consumed; habitual nourishment verb (2): to cause to take food (see feed) Dictionary.com noun (1): food and drink consumed in terms of qualities, composition and its effect on health; a particular selection of food verb (2): to feed; to regulate the food of especially in order to improve the physical Cambridge Dictionary noun: the food and drink usually eaten or drunk by a person or group; an eating plan in which someone eats less food or only particular types of food because they want to become thinner or for medical reasons; a particular type of thing that you experience or do regularly To preface, when I talk about diet, I am not discussing the idea of changing what you eat for a short time to loose a lot of weight. My view of diet is regarding nutrition and the long term changes made and kept to what food and drink you eat daily. I pulled definitions from three different dictionaries so you can see that the textbook meaning of 'diet' typically is in regards to what you eat not what you don't eat and it roots itself in the individual's long-term health. I just wanted to clarify this before we went any further so you can see where I can coming from. I love reading about nutrition and diet and wanted to have one place where I complied the books and resources that I have used to learn about this topic. I am really passionate about how what you put in and on your body affects how your body performs and the food you eat plays a HUGE role in that. I have sorted the resources and will add to this list as my personal resource library grows. *I should note here that I lean more towards a whole food, plant based diet after all of the research that I have done. That being said, I try to look at what science says as a whole, not just focused on one segment so I have books, cookbooks, and other resources that do include meat and dairy in their diets. I think that even if you do not wish to follow the same diet as me, more fruits and veggies in everyone's diet is a good thing so don't click away just because I have a slight bias :). Books .ugb-4143216 .ugb-img{width:198px;height:auto !important}.ugb-4143216 .ugb-button .ugb-button--inner{color:#fe827a !important}.ugb-4143216 .ugb-button{border-color:#fe827a !important}.ugb-4143216 .ugb-button:hover{border-color:#313131 !important;opacity:1}.ugb-4143216 .ugb-button:hover .ugb-button--inner{color:#313131 !important}.ugb-4143216 .ugb-button-container{text-align:left !important} How Not to Die by Michael Greger, M.D, FALCM Bias: Whole Food, Plant-Based Diet Author Credibility: M.D., FACLM Buy Here This is one of those really dense books with lots of good information piled into a mere 300ish pages. Dr. Gregor takes the top 15 reasons Americans die (at the time of him writing the book in 2015) and breaks down what the illness/disease/problem is and then, based on scientific studies (all references listed in the back of the book) explains what foods science has proven whether in vitro (in a lab) or in practice to support, halt, and sometimes even reverse diseases. While I think this is a good book, I would like to offer caution that Dr. Gregor lives and advocates for a whole foods, plant-based diet, eating little to no meat, dairy, or eggs. While I agree that the evidence I have seen for this diet seems to show that this is one of, if not the best diet to follow, there are several parts of the book that are evidently biased against animal products beyond simply stating facts. That being said, Dr. Gregor infuses quite a bit of personality and many anecdotes in this book, making the non-fiction book read much more like an entertaining fiction book. .ugb-8c2cae1 .ugb-img{width:201px;height:auto !important}.ugb-8c2cae1 .ugb-button .ugb-button--inner{color:#fe827a !important}.ugb-8c2cae1 .ugb-button{border-color:#fe827a !important}.ugb-8c2cae1 .ugb-button:hover{border-color:#313131 !important;opacity:1}.ugb-8c2cae1 .ugb-button:hover .ugb-button--inner{color:#313131 !important}.ugb-8c2cae1 .ugb-button-container{text-align:left !important} Whole by T. Colin Campbell, PhD and Howard Johnson, PhD Bias: Whole Food, Plant-Based Diet Author Credibility: PhD in nutrition, the Jacob Gould Schurman Professor Emeritus of Nutritional Biochemistry at Cornell University, has over 70 grant-years of peer reviewed research funding and has published over 300 research papers <a class="ugb-button ugb-button--size-normal ugb-button--design-ghost" href="https://www.amazon.com/Whole-Rethinking-Nutrition-Colin-Campbell/dp/1939529840/ref=pd_sbs_14_9?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=1939529840&pd_rd_r=0c4763f4-e801-459d-a5ae-fe6cd87a7f8b&pd_rd_w=hGuxr&pd_rd_wg=L4kXY&pf_rd_p=bdd201df-734f-454e-883c-73b0d8ccd4c3&pf_rd_r=SMHEB1R3PH325CFPEM4Z&psc=1&refRID=SMHEB1R3PH325CFPEM4Z" rel=""> Buy Here In this book, Dr. Campbell explains the science behind the evidence he proposed in his first book The China Study , the ways our current scientific paradigm ignores the fascinating complexity of the human body, and why, if we have such overwhelming evidence that everything we think we know about nutrition is wrong, our eating habits haven’t changed. Books I have not read yet but plan to: The China Study - T. Colin Campbell and Thomas M. Campbell How Not to Diet - Michael Greger, M.D. Proteinaholic - Garth Davis, M.D. and Howard Johnson, PhD Eat to Beat Disease - William W Li, M.D The Cheese Trap - Neal D Barnard, M.D. FACC Brain Food - Lisa Mosconi, PhD The Mind-Gut Connection - Emeran Mayer Mediterranean Mood Food - Paula Mee Brain Wash - David Perlmutter, M.D. and Austin Perlmutter, M.D. The Psychobiotic Revolution - Scott C Anderson, John F. Cryan, PhD, and Ted Dinan, PhD Prevent and Reverse Heart Disease - Caldwell B. Esselstyn Jr., M.D. Meatonomics - David Robinson Simon The Pleasure Trap - Douglas J Lisle, PhD and Alan Goldhammer D.C. Cookbooks Superfood Kitchen by Julie Morris Cookbooks I do not own yet but plan to: The Complete Anti-Inflammatory Diet for Beginners - Dorothy Calimeris and Lulu Cook The How Not to Die Cookbook - Michael Greger, M.D. The China Study Cookbook - LeAnne Campbell The No Meat Athlete Cookbook - Matt Fraizer, Stepfanie Romine, and Rich Roll The rest of the Superfood series - Julie Morris Websites www.heath.gov/dietaryguidelines - This is a link to the dietary guidelines that the United States government has released. These guidelines are updated every 5 years. www.nutritionfacts.org - This is Dr. Michael Greger's website where he posts tons of short informational videos about food and diet and the impact they have on your body. www.forksoverknives.com - This website was birthed out of the documentary of the same name. There are lots of recipes and their FAQ page answers some very common questions about the diet they promote very well. www.pubmed.gov - Fantastic resource when looking for published scientific articles regarding any medical-related topic. Though, as always, take everything you read with a grain of salt and check where the funding for the research you read is coming from because it has been proven that results may be biased in favor of the research funder. Videos and Documentaries Colin Campbell Explains Cancer Growth - interview with Forks Over Knives Uprooting the Leading Causes of Death - presentation by Dr. Michael Greger in 2012 What the Health - Documentary (Netflix, Amazon Prime, iTunes) Forks Over Knives - Documentary (Netflix, Amazon Prime, Vudu, iTunes, YouTube, Google Play) The Game Changers - Documentary (Netflix, iTunes, Google Play, vimeo, Vudu, YouTube) As I said above, I will continue adding to this page as I find and read/watch more resources. I do not want to suggest you read/watch resources I have no experience with so I thank you for your patience as I slowly update this page.

To Read - Spring 2020 + Winter 2020 Update

Winter 2020 Update If you haven't read my Winter 2020 To Read list, go check it out . 10 books in 3 months. I have no doubt I am CAPABLE of this but it was a bit more than reality. We were chugging along nice and smooth with me reading a bit here and a bit there and then bam! COVID-19 shut down the world and I thought I would read more. Turns out, I actually just watch Jeopardy and Wheel of Fortune a lot. And am really good at procrastinating. So, April 1 came and went and I was a bit discouraged when I checked in with myself on the progress of my book list. 0/10 complete. 7/10 started but none complete. But I did buy 5 new books 4 of which I have finished so that counts for something right? (I have officially run out of bookshelf space in my room BTW.) Okay so here is the breakdown: Almost Completed .ugb-0061411 li{--icon-size:20px;margin-bottom:16px !important}.ugb-0061411 li::before{height:20px !important;width:20px !important;background-image:url('data:image/svg+xml;base64,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')}.ugb-0061411 li ul{margin-bottom:16px !important}.ugb-0061411.ugb-icon-list ul{columns:2} How Not To Die Afraid of All the Things Vibe Sex, Jesus, and the Conversations the Church Forgot Mere Christianity Started but Nowhere Near Completed .ugb-7e756d5 li{--icon-size:20px;margin-bottom:16px !important}.ugb-7e756d5 li::before{height:20px !important;width:20px !important;background-image:url('data:image/svg+xml;base64,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')}.ugb-7e756d5 li ul{margin-bottom:16px !important}.ugb-7e756d5.ugb-icon-list ul{columns:2} The Honor Key Whole The Body Electric Covers Have Barely Been Opened .ugb-fca1356 li{--icon-size:20px;margin-bottom:16px !important}.ugb-fca1356 li::before{height:20px !important;width:20px !important;background-image:url('data:image/svg+xml;base64,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')}.ugb-fca1356 li ul{margin-bottom:16px !important}.ugb-fca1356.ugb-icon-list ul{columns:2} Girl, Stop Apologizing Everything is Figureoutable I Really Like Books and Have Bought Too Many Recently (Awareness is the first step to fixing a problem right? But is it a problem I don't really think this is a problem?) .ugb-5b55236 li{--icon-size:20px;margin-bottom:16px !important}.ugb-5b55236 li::before{height:20px !important;width:20px !important;background-image:url('data:image/svg+xml;base64,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')}.ugb-5b55236 li ul{margin-bottom:16px !important}.ugb-5b55236.ugb-icon-list ul{columns:2} Ready or Not Here We Come Redeemer For Keeps Ante Up! Atomic Habits Spring 2020 Reading List So, having not finished my list from the Winter, I am going to reevaluate and try not to bite off more than I can chew this time. This time, my list is going to be prioritized. To Finish First  .ugb-2622d94 .ugb-image-box__item1 .ugb-image-box__image{background-image:url(https://lovinglifewithlyss.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/How-Not-to-Die.jpg)}.ugb-2622d94 .ugb-image-box__item2 .ugb-image-box__image{background-image:url(https://lovinglifewithlyss.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/Sex-Jesus-and-the-Conversations-the-Church-Forgot.jpg)}.ugb-2622d94 .ugb-image-box__item:hover .ugb-image-box__overlay-hover{opacity:0.4 !important}.ugb-2622d94 .ugb-image-box__subtitle{font-size:20px !important} How Not To Die Michael Greger, M.D., FACLM Sex, Jesus, and the Conversations the Church Forgot Mo Isom  .ugb-38b857c .ugb-image-box__item1 .ugb-image-box__image{background-image:url(https://lovinglifewithlyss.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/Mere-Christianity.png)}.ugb-38b857c .ugb-image-box__item2 .ugb-image-box__image{background-image:url(https://lovinglifewithlyss.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/Afraid-of-All-the-Things-e1578779786276.png)}.ugb-38b857c .ugb-image-box__item:hover .ugb-image-box__overlay-hover{opacity:0.4 !important}.ugb-38b857c .ugb-image-box__subtitle{font-size:20px !important} Mere Christianity C.S. Lewis Afraid of All the Things Scarlet Hiltibidal  .ugb-a29e2ef .ugb-image-box__item1 .ugb-image-box__image{background-image:url(https://lovinglifewithlyss.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/Vibe.jpg)}.ugb-a29e2ef .ugb-image-box__item2 .ugb-image-box__image{background-image:url(https://lovinglifewithlyss.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/The-Honor-Key.jpg)}.ugb-a29e2ef .ugb-image-box__item:hover .ugb-image-box__overlay-hover{opacity:0.4 !important}.ugb-a29e2ef .ugb-image-box__subtitle{font-size:20px !important} Vibe Robyn Openshaw The Honor Key Russel Evans To Start - AKA Spring 2020 Reading List  .ugb-949e38f .ugb-image-box__item1 .ugb-image-box__image{background-image:url(https://lovinglifewithlyss.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Redeemer.jpg)}.ugb-949e38f .ugb-image-box__item2 .ugb-image-box__image{background-image:url(https://lovinglifewithlyss.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Atomic-Habits.jpg)}.ugb-949e38f .ugb-image-box__item:hover .ugb-image-box__overlay-hover{opacity:0.4 !important}.ugb-949e38f .ugb-image-box__subtitle{font-size:20px !important} Redeemer Paul Jones Atomic Habits James Clear With these priorities in place, finishing what I have already started, hopefully I will actually succeed in reading through my stack of books I currently own before buying any more. My reading wish list is ever growing but, my list of finished books is as well. And anyway, reading a plethora expands the mind, right? Well, I am off to do some work, watch a bit of The Hobbit, and read some books!

The Day I Thought I Saw the Mafia

I was sitting at the red light the other day and peaked in my rearview mirror. Behind me were two guys in a gold truck - you know those squatty, kinda ugly ones? Yeah, one of those. The driver was bald with an Eastern European facial structure and a look like he was in the Russian mafia. His buddy in the passenger seat was also bald (Completely off topic, have you ever noticed bald guys tend to have lots of bald friends?), Hispanic, and his expression just screamed Mexican mafia. Now, I know this is profiling but then I started dreaming up this story in my head... It was either a Tuesday or a Thursday - both days seemed a bit pointless to her - and Sophie was driving across town. The sun was shining, temperature was absolutely perfect, and spring was most definitely in the air. The light ahead turned red and the car eased to a stop. Humming along to some new song on the radio, Sophie glanced around. The best part about living in a city known for being 'weird' is all the strange people who are very proud about being so strange . The thought dashed through her head, not for the first time since moving here. Oh! That puppy is SO cute! Ummm...that is an interesting dance move. Odd...those bald guys behind me seem an bit off - I mean, that is the normal around here but they are...Oh, the light is green again. Speeding through the now green light just to be stuck at the next one, Sophie peaked through her rearview mirror again. Huh, those guys could be in the Mafia. Oh, just imagine, the driver is from the Russian Mafia and the passenger from the Mexican Mafia and they are here to meet with the leader of the Mafia in central Texas. HA! That would be so funny. And that vehicle - an ugly, squatty gold truck? I thought the Mafia only drove black SUVs that look sketchy. Whatever, there's no Mafia in Texas. With one last glance at the men behind her, the light turned green, Sophie went straight, and the men got on the interstate. Inside the gold truck, now speeding down the interstate, Sophie was more right than she would ever know. Ivan was a delegate from the Russian Mafia and Ralph was a delegate from the Mexican Mafia and they were in town to meet with the heads of organized crime in Texas. The two had met several years back, became friends over a couple bottles of vodka and tequila, and kept in touch. "How many Ivans do you know?" Ralph posed the question to Ivan. "That is the most Russian name ever." "Da," spit Ivan. "I know. Mother was furious that she got pregnant with me so she named me Ivan so she could call me 'Ivan the Terrible.' She says, I have never stopped living up to my name. Anyway, what room do you have to talk 'Raphael'?" "Madre was an artist. It was Raphael or Michelangelo but Abuela said 'Do not name that boy after an angel. He will follow in his father's footsteps and become a fallen angel.' So Raphael it was." Silence followed for a few moments until Ralph pulled a rosary out and draped it over the rearview mirror. "What do you think you are doing?" Ivan's face went stone hard, his calm voice cut like the knives strapped to his calf. "Get that off my mirror. Do not alter my car while I am driving. I will kill you with my bare hands if you make me wreck." "Calm down. The angels are watching over us and this is just a reminder to pray. We won't wreck." Ralph's face was blank but the glint in his eye as he turned toward the window revealed he knew the buttons he was pushing. "I. Am. Calm," Ivan gritted under his teeth before barking, "Get the GPS going!" "You have 18 more miles till we turn off the interstate amigo. Then it is dirt roads until we get to the barn." "This piece of junk you rented had better get us there. This is the last time someone else picks the rental car. What was wrong with a black SUV? Nothing, absolutely nothing. Sturdy, reliable, inconspicuous..." "Inconspicuous? You sure are throwing around big words, Ivan." "I was helping my niece study for a test before we left," the glare shooting across the car would have frozen Ralph in place if Ivan had decided to bring the new tech along for the trip. "And stop interrupting me. Don't make me kill you. I will." "Sure you will buddy." "Buddy? Buddy? WHO ARE YOU CALLING BUDDY? ARE YOU CALLING ME A LIAR? DO NOT TEST ME BOY!" Ralph's laugh and Ivan's grunts echoed through the car as they flew down the interstate, their gold truck getting many double takes as they left the city and headed toward the hill country. I hope you enjoyed my musings. Let me know what you thought below. Chat with y'all soon!

American Royals: A Review

I bought this book when I was in Kentucky in the fall. I love reading on planes but I hate buying e-books. Actually, for the most part, I hate spending money on digital items – the idea that they would just disappear because something happened to a server somewhere really bothers me so I buy hard copies of everything. Anyways, I read the inside flap of this book (hardcover for the win!) and knew I was buying it. I devoured the book and had it finished by the time I landed in Austin. And I can’t stop recommending it to people. Since it is President’s Day tomorrow, I decided it was a fitting time to share the book here too! What would have happened if George Washington had decided to be king instead of president? This is the idea the book is based on. To set the stage and give you a quick history lesson, the prologue gives you a recap of the history books – well, how the history books would read if monarchy reigned in America rather than presidents and Congress. Then, set in modern day, the book focuses on the three children of the ruling monarch in America, Princess Beatrice – the heir, Princess Samantha – the wild spare, and Prince Jefferson – Samantha’s younger twin who, because of relatively new laws, will be the first firstborn male to not inherit the throne in history. The twins are constantly in the public eye – traveling, parting, having fun on social media while Beatrice is more reserved, always doing the right thing as is befitting of the first Queen Regnant of America. The queen and king have decided it is time for Beatrice to be married and this is where the story begins. Of the suitors presented to her, only one even remotely strikes her fancy and unfortunately, he also strikes the fancy of her younger sister. I would love to tell you that either a love triangle ensues or somehow it works out really quick but Beatrice and Samantha don’t have the closest relationship so it doesn’t get discussed. Jefferson has recently broken up with his longtime girlfriend who is trying to win him back but his twin’s best friend has a secret crush on him and that does become a bit of a love triangle (if the triangle is just two girls after the same guy). Beyond the romantic aspect, we get a glimpse into what the life of royalty is like - meetings and ceremonies, volunteering and trying to live up to the unrealistic expectations of the Crown - or trying to ignore the rules all together. And, above all, Beatrice's motto throughout, the motto of the Crown is, In service to Go d and country , a motto that truly means putting aside personal wants and desires because "the Crown must always win." This story is written at a Young Adult level but has an incredibly interesting concept that pulled me in from start to finish – a finish that had me tearing up a bit to be honest. Even though this is technically written for people a bit younger than me, I really enjoyed it. The story flowed well and focused on each character enough that you connected with them but not so much that you were overwhelmed with one story line. The mixing of four or five story lines all happening concurrently felt like real like and honestly, I would watch the heck out of this if it were a movie or TV show. The end of the book made me immediately go to the author’s website to find out about the next book - currently scheduled for Fall 2020 and you better believe I have pre-ordered it! Overall, I think this was a well written, creative book that did exactly what it was supposed to – got me hooked on a story I can’t wait to keep reading. Go check this book out from your local library, grab it off the shelf of Barnes & Noble or Walmart, or get it shipped to your house via Amazon . Or, if you live near me, give me a holler to borrow it 😊. Let me know what you think once you read it! P.S. There is a miniseries on the History Channel this weekend called Washington: He could have been king. He chose to be president . Fitting tagline to parallel this book where the inverse becomes reality.

Books – Loving Life with Lyss

Writing

Monday Musings

May 4, 2020

I’m a bit late getting this uploaded today – the day has seemed to just run away. I went down a rabbit hole on Instagram the other day and ran across a ton of people who resell clothes for a living. One of the ladies was giving her hints as to how to use time more effectively and one of…

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Books, Information Hotspots, Nutrition

Nutrition and Diet Resources

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Diet | di-et | Miriam-Webster Dictionarynoun (1): food and drink regularly provided or consumed; habitual nourishmentverb (2): to cause to take food (see feed) Dictionary.comnoun (1): food and drink consumed in terms of qualities, composition and its effect on health; a particular selection of foodverb (2): to feed; to regulate the food of especially in order to improve the physical…

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Books

To Read – Spring 2020 + Winter 2020 Update

April 22, 2020

10 books in 3 months. I have no doubt I am CAPABLE of this but it was a bit more than reality. We were chugging along nice and smooth with me reading a bit here and a bit there and then...

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Writing

The Day I Thought I Saw the Mafia

April 1, 2020

I was sitting at the red light the other day and peaked in my rearview mirror. Behind me were two guys in a gold truck - you know those squatty, kinda ugly ones? Yeah, one of those. The driver was bald with an Eastern European facial structure and a look like he was in the Russian mafia. His buddy in…

Read More

Lyss
Book Reviews, Books

American Royals: A Review

February 16, 2020

I bought this book when I was in Kentucky in the fall. I love reading on planes but I hate buying e-books. Actually, for the most part, I hate spending money on digital items – the idea that they would just disappear because something happened to a server somewhere really bothers me so I buy hard copies of everything. Anyways,…

Read More

Lyss