Mockingbird Hill Cottage

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Friday Thoughts

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• It rained yesterday and kept on raining all night and now there are thousands of wet leaves on the ground. But the sun is out today and it’s very pretty out there.

• I swear, the best thing on television is the ongoing January 6th Committee hearings. Unbelievably powerful. Yesterday’s hearing did not disappoint. As we all suspected, an incontrovertible case was made that the man-who-shall-not-be-named was behind it all. All of it. It makes me sick to my stomach.

• I’ve started two different books but I’m clearly not in the mood for them. One of them is The Marriage Portrait  by Maggie O’Farrell. Don’t worry, I will  read it because I’m a big fan. I’m just not in the mood for it right now. I need the pace of a mystery, I think, so I’ve started Victim 2117  by Jussi Adler Olsen, a favorite writer.

There’s also a new book from John Connolly that I want to read. It just came out two days ago. November will bring the newest by Michael Connelly and Louise Penny. Good reading ahead! Oh, and the newest Jussi Adler Olsen has been published, as well. Connelly and Penny have new books out every fall, like clockwork. Deborah Crombie, however, takes years between books. How long has it been now? 3 or 4 years? Her newest isn’t coming out until February. But it’s coming and it will be the perfect winter read, of that I’m sure.

• I sometimes contemplate posting 3 or 4 days a week rather than 7, especially on days like today where I really don’t have a whole lot to say and I struggle with coming up with a post. I haven’t made a decision yet but if I did make that change, I would post on set days of the week so you wouldn’t have to wonder when you might hear from me.

Thoughts?

Stay safe.

Happy Friday.

 

 

 

Limbo

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Happy Indigenous Peoples Day!

It’s Monday and I’m now trying to figure out – once again – what day I will go into the city to take notes on the show. I thought I had it nailed down to Sunday, but quite frankly, Sunday is a long way off and I just found out they’ve rescheduled the invited dress rehearsal for tomorrow afternoon. I’d much prefer that. It’s better for the actors to hear from me earlier rather than later. But this is a small theater and the theater staff and front-of-house staff are invited, so I want to make sure there will be room for me.

When I work on a show, it sometimes feels like my day is in limbo as I wait for confirmation of something or other. It’s just the nature of the beast.

I’ve started reading The Marriage Portrait  by Maggie O’Farrell. I’m only about 40 pages in, but it’s beautifully written. I’m not one who gravitates to historical fiction, but Hamnet (by O’Farrell) was one of the most powerful and beautiful books I’ve ever read. The only reason I read it – besides rave reviews – was that it involved Shakespeare and his family. That was the draw. Here I am reading my second book in that genre. I know – you’re going to urge me to read some of the late Hilary Mantel’s books.

I’m thinking about it.

I also started a new puzzle, which is frustrating and a challenge and that means it’s perfect for me. I like a challenge – it’s why I love crossword puzzles. They have to be hard, though. Something that’s easily finished is not for me.

Another pending decision: do I mow the front lawn today? If I’m going in to the city tomorrow, the answer is no. I don’t want my back aching while traveling to and from the city. If I’m not going in tomorrow, yes. See? Limbo.

A limbo that is relatively pain-free, of course. No big deal.

Thanks, as always, for all your comments yesterday.

Stay safe.

Happy Monday.

What Are You Reading?

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This morning in the secret garden. That golden light is one of the best parts of autumn.

There’s more mowing to do, but I’m not sure whether I’ll tackle that today or tomorrow. I’ll wait to see if my perpetual state of congestion clears up. As I look out the window in the den, I see leaves gently falling from the maple. It’s quite lovely. As Don said the other day, “We really do live in a beautiful part of the country.”

Don went to a specialist about his hand. There’s a swelling on the tendon and it’s making it hard for him to straighten his thumb. It’s called trigger finger. Contrary to what he was told before, this doctor wants  him to use his hand, to work the thumb back and forth, and to go ahead with all of his activities including playing the guitar. He got a shot of cortisone and will go back to see the doctor in three weeks.

I learned that there are a lot more preview performances for the show than I previously thought there were, including next Sunday at 2 pm. So, I put in a request for two tickets and, if they’re available, we’ll go to next Sunday’s performance, where I’ll take notes. Don knows Jim, of course, and he wants to see the show, so this would be perfect. Fingers crossed!

I finished reading the Simenon this morning and I’ll start Maggie O’Farrell’s newest later today. I also have a New Yorker puzzle ready and waiting.

Since I’m back in reading mode, it’s time to ask a question I haven’t asked for too long.

What are you reading?

Stay safe.

Happy Sunday.

 

Lambs Like to Party

Lambs Like to Party

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