books — Page 32

Limbo

October 10, 2022 at 8:55 am by Claudia

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?

October 9, 2022 at 9:31 am by Claudia

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.

Fading Gardens

October 7, 2022 at 9:17 am by Claudia

Bits and pieces of the David phlox are still hanging in there, bless them. It’s clear, though, that they’re preparing to leave for the winter. We had a sunny day yesterday – so welcome after several dreary and rainy days – and I took some time to look at the gardens. They’re overgrown, of course. I haven’t been weeding because of my back. Come to think of it, I probably wouldn’t have weeded them anyway. I usually lose interest in weeding by August.

Once again, I have a morning glory climbing the chicken wire fence that is lovely but has no flowers. Do you remember the days when I routinely had tons of flowers on the vines? Now, they seem to bloom much later, if at all, and it’s always just before a frost hits. Climate change? Soil problems? I don’t know. I’m reluctant to give up on them because I’m ever hopeful, I guess. I loved the look of those beautiful morning glories. Sigh.

Truth be told, I sort of gave up on everything after the drought. I spent hours watering the garden beds, especially the chicken wire fence garden. And some of the beds revived and did well. But others suffered.

I finished The Ink Black Heart yesterday. Excellent! I’ve never had 1000+ pages move along so smoothly and effortlessly. It was completely engrossing. Sometimes after a particularly wonderful read, I need a brief palate cleanser before I make a decision as to what to read next. I’ve found that Georges Simenon’s shortish Maigret mysteries are perfect. I chose Maigret and the Man on the Bench which was on my TBR pile. I suspect that I’ll start Maggie O’Farrell’s newest, The Marriage Portrait, after I finish the Maigret.

Today, I’m going to mow. I’ll be careful and I’ve made a vow not to take on too much. I’ll start with the back forty where the grass is very long, then, the corral area. But right now, it’s too wet with morning dew so I’ll have to wait until it dries.

Stay safe.

Happy Friday.

Limbo

What Are You Reading?

Fading Gardens

Lambs Like to Party

A Note

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