books — Page 80

Four Years

February 8, 2020 at 10:08 am by Claudia

Turns out I didn’t need to buy a copy of Jane Eyre; Caroline had a copy all along. I could have borrowed hers. That’s Anne of Green Gables (the very same edition my mom had that is now on my shelf) to the right of Jane Eyre.

It’s very cold out there today but it’s sunny! We’ve had so much rain and wind and dark skies this past week that I’m going to enjoy the sun today. From what I’ve read, there might not be much of it this next week. We had high winds yesterday (this is becoming a broken record) and they went on into the night. It’s still quite breezy but much better than last night.

I finished Transcription last night and I quite enjoyed it, though not as much as Atkinson’s Jackson Brodie series. It’s about WWII Britain and MI5, spies, and all of that sort of thing. There’s an interesting twist at the end. Atkinson is a wonderful writer. There’s always a great deal of dry humor in her books, even when the subject matter is quite serious.

I am moving on to The Snowman by Jo Nesbø, which I started this morning.

Other than that, I’m taking it easy this weekend. Even though I threaten not to watch the Oscars, I’m sure we will. It’s too much fun, even if it’s maddening. We’re cheering for Renée Zellweger and Brad Pitt. Did you know that Don worked with Brad when he was very young and just starting out? It was on a television show called Freddy’s Nightmares. I’ve seen a recording of it. Brad looks like he’s about 16. Anyway, Brad, according to Don, is a very nice guy. That’s not the reason I’m cheering him on, necessarily, but it doesn’t hurt. He’s a very good actor and he’s often underrated because of his looks. It would be nice to see him acknowledged. Other than those two, I have no favorites. It will be interesting to see what happens.

Today? Cleaning the bathroom, something you know I do not like. But it must be done. Maybe some work on the dollhouse, though I seem to have a problem getting motivated lately. Definitely reading.

We lost this magical creature on this date 4 years ago. I was working in Hartford at the time. We made the decision while I was home on my day off. I could see that she was failing and that it was time. Don, who had been taking care of her, had a harder time seeing it because he was right in the middle of it all. I had a little distance because I’d been away. But Don knew in his heart of hearts that it was time.

We miss her so. There’s less magic and joy around here nowadays. It’s there, but not as strongly as when my girl was alive. She taught us so much. She loved adventure. She was always joyful. She scolded us when she wanted something. She was smart as a whip. She made everyone she met happy. She was our magic girl.

We miss you, Scoutie. We miss you, Winston and Riley.

And no, it’s not time for us to adopt a dog yet. We’ll know when it’s time.

Happy Saturday.

Back Home

February 7, 2020 at 10:52 am by Claudia

Late start this morning. I slept in until 8 am – a true rarity. After the past two days of very little sleep and the intensity of the trip to Hartford and back yesterday, I was well and truly wiped out.

The weather was a huge factor in my drive yesterday. On the way to Hartford, it was foggy and hard to see. On the way home, at night, it was raining heavily and I could barely see the white lane markers on the highway. I was so tired and tense from the journey that my muscles ached when I got home. But I did get home and boy, was I happy to see my husband open the door when he heard my car in the driveway. It really feels as if I ran a race yesterday. The actual work, watching the run-through, taking notes, and talking to the actors, was relatively easy. The show is in good shape and the cast is doing terrific work. It was just the other stuff that was hard; trying to find a moment to eat something, the terrible weather, the long drive.

It’s done and I did it all on my own, despite an offer from Don to come with me. So I’m giving myself a little pat on the back. But just a little one.

I arrived home and Don shared the news that a friend of ours, Mike Kruglinski, had died. Mike lived in our town, was very active in politics (which is how we met him) and was one of the kindest men I’ve ever had the privilege to meet. His spirit was so joyful and positive. He had been fighting cancer. Mike’s wife, Diane, sometimes reads this blog. My heart goes out to his family. He will be sorely missed. Last year, we lost another member of our Democrat Committee, Barbara Sides. Too much loss.

Another of Don’s friends here in town is battling cancer. Another, back in California, has serious heart problems.

It’s all too much sometimes. Our prayers and thoughts are with all who suffer loss and who are faced with illness.

Don is reading Walden and he really loves it. I should read it again because I read it in high school, when it was an assignment, and I know I would get much more out of it at this point in my life. We spent this morning talking about books and the power of reading, the intimacy that comes with reading the words on a page – just you and the book and your reaction to those words. It’s such a blessing, reading. Especially in these times.

I’m almost done with Transcription and then I’ll move on to The Snowman by Jo Nesbø. Come to think of it, except for some small chores that need to be done, that’s how I’m going to spend my day.

Happy Friday.

Monday & What Are You Reading?

February 3, 2020 at 10:22 am by Claudia

Because I miss Paris and this favorite place of ours, and because this photo is currently the wallpaper on my phone.

It will be warmer for the next two days and then it will drop back into the thirties. I’ll take 50 degrees tomorrow, thank you very much! I get two new front tires put on my car on Wednesday and then, depending on the weather, I’ll either drive to Hartford Thursday or Friday to watch a run-through of Jane Eyre. There’s a run-through tomorrow as well, but I didn’t want to drive there without the new tires.

Next week, I go to Hartford on the 14th to watch the first preview, spend the night, and give notes to the actors the next day. Then I’ll be done with the show.

Today? I’m not sure. My chores are all done; I was on roll over the weekend and accomplished a lot. I think I’ll get back to the stones on the dollhouse.

We had our weekly chat with Little Z yesterday. I love that kid. There is much laughter on every call and usually a detailed description of the elevators he has visited that week. He’s extraordinary, our Z. All I know is that after each call, I am filled with joy. And he brings that joy to everyone he meets. Just as Scoutie was a magic dog and spread joy everywhere, Little Z is a magic child who does the same.

We finished Hinterland last night. The last episode was powerful on every level. What a finish! We really loved this series. What next? I’m not sure. We’ll have to see what we discover tonight. Didn’t care one whit about the Super Bowl; in fact, it was barely on our radar.

We have established a cocoon here at the cottage. We do what we want to, when we want to (except for work responsibilities, of course.) It’s one of the joys of being semi-retired and older, isn’t it? What works for us doesn’t necessarily work for someone else. But every day, especially with the world as it is, we express gratitude for our little cottage and the life we have built here. We have our little retreat (and it’s really all we need) where we can shut the world out as best we can. It isn’t always possible, but most of the time it is.

It’s time for my favorite question: What are you reading? I’m reading Transcription by Kate Atkinson. I just started it yesterday and I’m about 50 pages into it. She’s an excellent writer and this book is no exception.

What about you?

Happy Monday.

Four Years

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Monday & What Are You Reading?

Lambs Like to Party

A Note

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