What day is it? With the holidays and rehearsals and rehearsals on holidays and then Monday holidays, I hardly know which way is which. I’m over it. I’m ready to get back on a regular schedule, please.
Sherlock is back. I knew it was airing last night on PBS, though I had to remind Don about it yesterday. Shocking, full of twists and turns and incredibly well done. I still have some questions about yesterday’s episode and I feel the need to watch it one more time to hear those little underplayed lines that are almost tossed away but are oh-so-important. I can’t stop thinking about it this morning which makes it quite successful, doesn’t it?
One thing about a large coffee table: you can stash lots of current and future reading matter there. From the upper left: several sections of the Sunday New York Times (not yesterday’s, but a week ago) that I have yet to read; Upstream by Mary Oliver, my favorite poet – though this book consists of essays; a special issue of The Nation centering on The Obama Years (oh, how I’ll miss him!); underneath that is an issue that you can’t see of Mother Jones with the cover story, “Rise Up”, and you can bet I will; Believing the Lie by Elizabeth George, which I bought as a remainder a year or so ago and started yesterday, as I have once again realized how gifted George is – it clocks in at 608 pages; All the Light We Cannot See, which I still haven’t started, but will, I promise; underneath that book is A Lowcountry Life by the late, great Pat Conroy, subtitled Reflections on a Writing Life; and underneath that is Junk Gypsy by the Sikes sisters, which I read bits of at a time. And next to that is the Sunday New York Times crossword puzzle. There are also two books under the turquoise lamp in order to give it some height, and two more books of a spiritual nature on the bedside table.
Oh, I forgot to add the Kindle to that list. It’s also here. In fact, I just finished an eGalley housed within its depths.
I come prepared.
Because heaven forbid I am anywhere, anytime, without reading matter. As long as I can remember, that has been a top priority. Carrying a book with me while I run errands, or sit in a waiting room. Packing enough books for a trip. Always having some sort of book to read because you never know when you might have some unexpected reading time, somewhere, somehow.
Today, after I go to Whole Foods and Trader Joe’s and stop in at Target and the bookstore, I’ll come back to the apartment, put everything away, and reply to your comments. Then, on this day off, I’ll treat myself to some hot chocolate (using soy milk) and read.
Sounds like a good way to start the New Year.
Happy Monday.
Sounds like a lovely day off. I’m reading and resting again today. I might start to put away my Christmas decorations, we shall see. This pesky cold won’t go away. Hugs!
You poor thing! That cold has been hanging on too long! Take care of yourself.
I recorded Sherlock…sounds intriguing to say the least! Thanks for the heads up…might have to watch it twice! Enjoy your day! ;)
There’s so much fast-paced dialogue that it helps me to watch it twice, Donnamae.
glad you have some time off during your time away and have the constant enjoyment of reading. thanks for sharing what you read …
do you mind sharing titles for those books of a spiritual nature? please and thanks.
and happy new year!
kathy in iowa
I hope you’re not offended, dear Kathy, but I tend to keep my spiritual reading private. I guess I hold it close to my chest and it’s my own particular journey, which is different from Don’s or my sister’s or anyone else. Is that okay?
absolutely okay and no offense taken. thanks for sharing all you do share. :)
kathy in iowa
Thank you for understanding, my friend! xo
The winter months after the holidays are always the time when I bury myself in books! Sounds like you have a wonderful stack of reading material. Enjoy your day off. Peace
There’s always a wonderful escape in reading. Quieter after the holidays, no more hustle and bustle, just quiet reading. Thank goodness!
Yikes! I hope PBS shows the first episode again! I failed to set the DVR!
Enjoy your day off in your homey nest!
I bet they’ll repeat it. Sometimes you can watch episodes online, Myra.
I understood Sherlock but did not like it. I have it preordered on Amazon. Husband needs to watch again. Remember “Appointment in Samara,” key to show.
Oh, I understood it, too, but the dialogue is fast paced and it’s easy to miss a word or two with all the visuals. I enjoy watching the episodes more than once.
I am like you. When I leave the house I have my purse of course, but I also have my camera (because the next great photo could be right around the bend. And, often is), I have my current yarn,project with me, and the Kindle. It would be awful to have the car break down or to have any long unexpected delay, but unbearable without my supplies. When I have a doctor’s appointment I even pack a small bag of necessary things, because one time I went from the doctor’s office to the hospital. So now I pack a few toiletries along with pajamas and a robe.
I love your cottage, but it is fun to see you in a different environment.
You ARE prepared, Trudy. We could all learn a tip or two from you!
Ack…I missed Sherlock! I’ve attended an annual traditional Japanese NY day dinner at my brother’s MIL’s home for the past three decades. Though most of the guests left by 8, we stuck around and conversed with people we only see once or twice a year. By the time we left, we knew we’d miss the episode. We’ll watch it when PBS repeats it. Claudia, you have enough reading material that would last me a month! I work three or four crossword puzzles a week from the various hard copy newspapers I receive. The more difficult puzzles take me a couple of days. I leave it on the counter and my daughters can also come along and fill in one, two or more words.
You are much more gracious than I. I won’t let anyone else mess with my puzzle! I’m very territorial about them!
The truth is, Claudia, is that my daughters rarely fill in anything, so I know I can be gracious! They are helpful, however, whenever I ask if they know this contemporary music band or the star of that popular movie that I wasn’t interested in seeing.
Good for you, Wendy!
Sounds like a full day of errands. Bet there will be crowds of people out and about today getting ready for the first “real” week we have coming up. Even though I am retired and home most of the days, it is good to be back into a schedule.
I, too, always have a book on hand. The challenge is when I only have 10 or 15 pages remaining….. so do I just NOT take it along ~ because if I think I might finish it, I then need to have another one along too. I have a Kindle, but I just have never liked it. But for people who travel a lot, I understand how much easier it is to just have that little device to pack.
Enjoy your Monday, which seems like a Saturday or a Sunday or something…..
Oh, I understand that challenge! Do you take it with you when you know you’ll finish it and still have to pack it to bring it back home again??
I watch dramas twice often, as well, first for plot, then again for atmosphere, sets, costumes, etc. Sometimes the British shows are easier to watch on DVD, with the subtitles option enabled. It is so easy to miss a critical line, as you pointed out, especially if one is a visual learner. I believe that the subtitles can be enabled on the PBS website. I hope you are enjoying your day off. It looks so cozy there, with all your books and quilts and lamps and things.
My experience with British dramas is that they often use a very low volume when speaking their lines and also don’t realize that anything done with a regional dialect has to be able to be understood by the public. This is what I do for a living and I am someone who is used to hearing dialects, but it’s not real life, it’s drama, whether for the stage or screen, and it has to be adjusted so that the general public understands it.
I’m the same way, Claudia. I have a book within reach just about everywhere. I can’t stand just sitting or standing around staring at the walls. I always see it as time I COULD have been reading!! I actually read Herman Wouk’s “War and Remembrance” – IN MY CAR. Remember that? They made it into an excellent mini-series in the 80s [I think} with Robert Mitchum & Jane Seymour. It took me about 8 years in the car, because obviously it only got read at train crossings, traffic jams, drive-through lines, etc – and because it was a 1000-page book [in paperback!!]. But eventually I finished it. Have fun with all your current books! 📖
#ThisIsNotNormal
It sure ain’t. And I sure wish that Obama and Biden would do an end-run around the Senate tomorrow in that period right before the new Senators are appointed and appoint Merrick Garland to the Supreme Court.
I remember. What a project that book was – the fact that you finished it only while reading in your car is extraordinary!
I take a book or magazine with me wherever I go, too. And that reminds me: Yesterday, we were at Barnes and Noble and I bought the new magazine, Forks over Knives. I’m sure you’re familiar with the documentary and web site. I didn’t know they just published a magazine until I saw someone’s post on the FB group, My Whole Food Life Recipes. Thought you might be interested in this.
I loved A Lowcountry Life. Not going to say anything about Upstream (which I recently finished) until you’re done reading it. I’m interested in hearing what you think. Just picked up Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert, which I’ve had in my reading pile over a year!
I was just there. But I never look at the cooking mag section, so I missed it. I’ll look next time.
Claudia we are kindred spirits for sure when it comes to our love of reading. I am currently engrossed in A Anne of Green Gables trilogy. I got it from a thrift store for $1 and there’s a lovely inscription from a mother to her daughter who was only three in 1989 when she gave her the book because the daughter had loved watching the movies with her. I can’t imagine ever getting rid of it if I were the daughter. I hope you and Don have a blessed 2017.
I can’t imagine giving it up either! I hope it wasn’t because of some tragedy or that someone didn’t give it away by mistake! In any case, I’m glad you’re enjoying it!
I received a ton of books for Christmas. I have so many books I still haven’t read. My sisters and I collect books and are having a hard time finding a space for them. We also have a lot of magazines to catch up with. Enjoy your books. I enjoy your blog,it is so entertaining.
Marilyn
Books are an addiction – a wonderful one – so I understand!
Having a book with me anywhere I have to wait is a must for me Claudia…Especially in an office where they have no decent magazines…
Amen! Thanks, Nancy!
I had just made myself a cup of steaming hot soy-milk cocoa and sat down to read your blog, so I felt as if I were sitting with a friend, sipping our cocoa together. I am ready to rise up! I’ve been reading Solnit”s Hope in the Dark. Was it you who suggested it? Her perspective helps, tremendously, but I’ve also added my name to an “I’ll be there” list for a sister-city march on January 21. I can’t make it to Washington, D.C. because of mobility issues, but I hope to march in Austin. I just re-read an article from August of this year, noting that Texas’ maternal death rates are the highest in the developed world, having risen dramatically from 2010-2014. Health-related factors were not helped by the fact that our legislature was busy making rulings to “protect” the health of women, translated to restricting access to women’s health care. Our elected officials need to see women marching just as much as our federal ones do, too.
I didn’t suggest that book, but I am going to write down the title, Linda.
And amen to women marching Linda! I agree! Your voice will be just as powerful in Austin.
Loved the Sherlock episode; and I always have to watch them twice b/c I feel like I miss something or maybe b/c I simply love the dialogue. This time, however, the last 10 minutes or so were cut off here in the Cleveland area…I am sure the local PBS station was bombarded w/complaints (I went online to see that ending).
My new year “resolution” is to finally grow out my hair….your gray looks so lovely, it is an inspiration. I am completely over coloring, constantly. If I hate it, I can always go back to the proverbial bottle.
Hope the new year is a good one for you and Don!
Oh no! That wasn’t good! I am reminded by your comment to watch it once more online. Thank you!
Good luck with growing out your hair, Elle! This is one time that I’m glad I was cheap – too cheap to invest in coloring my hair and having to touch up my roots!
Here’s something else you can add to your list. I noticed today the Netflix uploaded a Nancy Drew series. I though of you the minute it popped up.
Thank you, Dawn!
Lots of books in our house, too, although I love my Kindle for when we travel. I can even check out a book from our local library no matter where we are! All the Light We Cannot See is a good read, and I think it’s a movie now as well. Happy Reading, Claudia!
I almost never go to see movies versions of favorite books. And if I go to see this movie before I read the book it would keep me from reading it! So, I’ll stay with the book!