Weekend reading + a milestone

This week, as well as passing on some links I think you may be interested in, I also want to mark the 5 millionth visitor to this blog. You have all made that happen and I thank you for coming back to read over and over again. We have a really wonderful community of like-minded people here. We're all on a journey towards something better, we're all hoping to live interesting lives with people we love, and we know a simple life will give us that, and more.

By the way, you'll notice two counters on the side bar. One is for visitors, one is for page views. For those who don't know what the difference is: a visitor - you on your daily visit, will increase that number by one. If you read more than one page while you're here, how ever many pages you read will be registered as page views. My page views counter is set to record the number of pages viewed in the past month - you can see it go up and down. The visitors' counter only ever goes up. The numbers don't mean anything in themselves, they're really just a point of interest and maybe they provide new comers with a gauge to show there is interesting information here that many people are reading.

It's been a very big week here and also the culmination of the book promotion. I have to tell you I'm exhausted but I have many days ahead when I know I can relax and do things I love doing, so I'll spring back to normal pretty soon.

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I sometimes come across a piece of writing that I wish was mine. When structure and meaning is so genuine and balanced, and the words chosen and placed so perfectly, well, I am almost transfixed by the writing and read it over and over again. This letter by John Steinbeck is such a piece.

I thought this article was interesting, but don't click on the gift guide, it's too depressing.

This is so beautiful. I found it on Soulemama's blog during the week. Watch the whole thing. It's ten minutes that will slow you down and make you think. Maybe it will have the power to change you.

Becci's blog has some great ideas and recipes.

Treats for chickens.

Now is the best time to plant potatoes, garlic and strawberries in warmer climates. Green harvest has their new stock really for posting.

Thank you for your visits this week, for your comments and for your good wishes, both here and in emails. I hope you have a beautiful and productive weekend.