Friday, September 12, 2025

Unexpected Gifts: Finding Joy Amidst Worry and Concern

Good morning, my fellow book enthusiasts! 

It's been a long, hectic week with my mother back in the hospital again, and I find myself worrying myself into a frenzy. My 44th birthday came and went on the 7th, as I mentioned in my last Sunday Post. Honestly, it felt like just another day—nothing to celebrate when your mind is clouded with concern. But then, out of nowhere, a surprise arrived in the form of two belated birthday gifts from a friend. They were books from my Amazon wish list, and let me tell you, they couldn't have come at a better time.

The Friday 56, a weekly blog post, featuring dark, mysterious artwork and bold title text.
'The Friday 56' is hosted by My Head is Full of Books.

One of the gifts I received is The Girl on the Porch by Richard Chizmar, the brilliant mind behind Cemetery Dance Publications and co-author of the acclaimed Gwendy Trilogy alongside Stephen King—talk about impressive credentials! I have to admit, I don't have a clue what the actual plot of this novella is yet, but the ominous title and the crime scene tape on the cover aren't exactly sending warm and fuzzy vibes my way. I mean, a girl found on a porch. It can't be the start of a cozy mystery, can it?

Cover of "The Girl on the Porch" by Richard Chizmar, showing an open door with yellow tape title and a shadow on the porch.
"It felt...weird after finding the footsteps. Just odd timing."
—page 56, Richard Chizmar, The Girl on the Porch

Alright, I’ve shared enough about myself. I’d love to hear what everyone else is reading these days!

〜B.J. Burgess

6 comments:

  1. I am so sorry to hear about your mother. It is so hard to watch loved ones suffer or struggle. I pray that she gets the care she needs to recover. And happy belated birthday. // Not sure from the quote where the book is going. I honestly hope it helps provide a little distraction for you this week!

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    1. My mom's out of the hospital, but more doctor appointments, new prescriptions, and tests. It's her heart.

      Yeah, I don't know where the quote is going either. I'm reading a Western for tomorrow's Gunsmoke & Girt, and then I'll jump into The Girl on the Porch.

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  2. Happy belated Birthday! I am so glad you received some surprise books and hope you carve out some time to celebrate yourself. 44 is a good number :-) Sorry to hear about your mom, I hope she is resting easy and has a good medical team. The Girl on the Porch sounds like it could be a solid read, I hope you enjoy it!

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    1. It was only two ER visits and overnight stays, an Echo, and a chest X-ray. I'm not sure if they found anything—everyone at the hospital was nice. She's on some new meds. The cardiologist's appointment is tomorrow.

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  3. Happy belated birthday! My birthday was this past week as well. Yay for surprise books! I am so sorry to hear your mom is back in the hospital though. I can only imagine the stress you must be under. I hope this week is better for you!

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    1. I’m under a lot of stress right now, but I’m doing my best to distract myself with reading, writing, and blogging. All I can do is adapt to whatever life throws my way.

      The only thing I really hope for is that I don’t get picked for jury duty. I received a summons a week ago that I had to fill out online. This isn't my first time being summoned, but since it’s a small county, there aren’t usually many jury trials. Given my luck, if I do get picked, I might end up falling asleep during court!

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“The plot thickens… especially when you comment.” 〜B.J. Burgess

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