It’s a foggy morning here at the cottage. We woke up early, a little too early. But then again, the days are so short at this time of year that we want to grab all the daylight we can. It’s now December 3rd and I have yet to clean up the porch and stow things for the winter. Honestly, I seem to do this later and later every year. The reason? I tend to be a procrastinator about things I don’t want to do. This is one of them. It symbolizes the end of all things green and growing. Since I am about to decorate for Christmas next week, I think I’d better get a move on.
I included this photo because I have a candle burning this morning and you can see the flame reflected in the glass of vintage frame on the wall. And I didn’t have any other photo to share! Goodness, what will I do now that I can’t take endless pictures of the flowers in my garden?
You’ll notice that Scout is not in this photo. Since Don has recently started to get up at the same time as me, her ‘schedule’ has been thrown off. She goes back and forth between us. She settles on the loveseat in the living room where Don is sitting, then she comes into the den and gets in the ‘tunnel’ and, after about 5 minutes, she heads back up to the living room. She’s like the child of divorced parents, shuttling back and forth between houses. I think she’s fed up with both of us. But you know all of that, since she recently absconded with the laptop and wrote a blog post. That girl!
I’m in the midst of Daniel Silva’s newest thriller, The English Girl. He is a wonderful author that I discovered a couple of years ago and, like Lee Child, Deborah Crombie and Louise Penny, I ended up reading all of his books in chronological order. Don’t you just love it when you discover a new author and absolutely have to read all of their books? In order? Such an unexpected pleasure.
I love reading. I remember being a young girl and thinking to myself, “There are so many books to read and so much music to listen to that I will never be able to accomplish it all in my lifetime!” It was thrilling and overwhelming at the same time. While I might not say it quite as dramatically nowadays, I still feel the same way. I wish I had the foresight many years ago to record the name of every book I read and continue it right up to the present. Can you imagine how staggering it would be to see a list of every book you’ve ever read? Oh, darn it, I wish I’d done that!
Finally, a little teaser for you. The Poisoner’s Handbook (which Don filmed in Prague last winter) airs on PBS on January 7th. Just a little over a month away! Don’t worry, I’ll remind you about it. If you click on this link, you’ll see a preview!
We’re very excited.
Oh for heaven’s sake, I keep forgetting to post the winner of a copy of The Alligator Man. Missy, you are the winner. I’ll shoot an email your way.
Happy Tuesday.
The PBS clip made me want more; I can’t wait!
I really excited about seeing it, Deb.
OH, I am looking forward to seeing Don’s work!
I am also a procrastinator. Not that there’s anything wrong with that :-)
I might as well accept it. I’ve been that way all my life! I wrote my best papers at the last minute.
Loved seeing the clip! Love PBS as well. I have a reminder set up to watch it.
We’ve got fog as well here in Dallas and it’s supposed to be cloudy all day. Perfect weather for book reading. I remember in my younger years when I was discovering wonderful classic authors. I remember two in particular, Jane Austen and Langston Hughes. Loved them both so much that I devoured their works making sure I read them in order. When I got to end of their collections I had the same reaction for both. I stood in the library as I check in the last books with tears in my eyes. It was devastating to realize that there would be no more new works from them. To this day, no other two authors have touched me that deeply and I’ve read some great books.
Time for more tea. Have a good rest of the day.
~ Cassandra
So sad when we realize that we’ve read all of an author’s work. Sigh.
I remember being so thrilled to be able to read that the back of cereal and bottom of tissue boxes were sources of delight.
Thanks for the date of Don’s show; I’ve made a note of it.
I know what you mean!
Hi Claudia,
It would be interesting to see what books we’ve read over the years. I live at the little library-I get stacks of books just as I did when I was a kid. I keep them next to my bed and read every night.
How exciting, I’m looking forward to seeing The Poisoner’s Handbook.
-Lynn
I LOVE getting a stack of books, Lynn!
Good morning, Claudia. Fog here in Wisconsin as well! And cold temps are on their way! I always wished I had kept all the programs of concerts I’ve played in and attended in a loose leaf binder. I’ve played so many beautiful concerts in my lifetime and heard so many great performances but can’t remember all of them, unfortunately. I also wish I’d starting keeping a notebook of poems when I ran across one that really spoke to me. It would be so handy now for my blog! Thanks for the PBS date, I’ve marked it on my calendar! Have a great day.
What were we thinking, Martha? Or not thinking?
Good morning! As a perpetual procrastinator, and beating myself up for it, I finally decided to turn it around and call myself an extremely efficient deadline worker! I love PBS! Please remind us as it gets closer to the airing date. Our dogs do the same, shuffling back and forth between us. I just looked up information about the movie and have to say, the book sounds amazing! I’ll have to see if they have it at my local library. I also went back and saw that Don wrote 3 guest posts about his experience in Praque. You are both fabulous writers!
The book got great reviews, Sandy. I bet you’d enjoy it.
Wow Claudia, that preview is thrilling! I just can’t wait. They are looking at a person cut in two,and he says “she died of carbon Monoxide poisoning”. He looks amazing. Thank-You for sharing with us! Judy A-
It’s the usual mix of interviews, historical photos and re-enactments that are in documentaries like those on American Experience. Their work is just excellent!
Claudia, I have that same vintage picture in my bedroom :-) . It is a foggy day here in Southern Indiana, too. Just cleaned my back porch yesterday after much procrastination, looks so much better with the empty flowerpots gone. Now for Christmas decorations. Without Steve, I’m not enthused about it but the grands will expect the familiar greenery when they come.
I checked out the clip and will be watching for Don in January. Thanks for sharing, Hedy
We’re twins, Hedy.
I know it will be tough for you at Christmas, but thank goodness you have the grands. Their enthusiasm will surely be a blessing for you.
Claudia, I started a list over 25 years ago of every book I’d read in a small binder that I took with me whenever I was going to the book stores. I didn’t want to duplicate any of the books. It became a bit cumbersome so with the computer/electronic age I bought an iPod for that reason alone. Hubs told me to get an iPhone as it would double as a phone and keep photos and lists on it. But neither I nor my granddaughter wanted a “smart” phone. I use an old Verizon 8300 and it’s just for emergencies only. But I love my iPod for keeping photos of grand kids and the great grandgirls and my kids on, but it was purchased for keeping track of my book list. I rarely duplicate a book anymore and it’s all stored on that small device instead of lugging around a small 3-ring binder. Heaven! I have yet to find a used copy of The English Girl but I’m trying.
xoxo,
Connie
Oh, smart, savvy Connie! (I got The English Girl from our local library.)
My sister has a notebook that she has put down the title of every book she has read since 1962! And I have the date for Don’s show on my calendar. But I am glad you will remind us again!
You sister is clearly very smart!
I just read the last two comments about people keeping track of all the books they’ve read. I wish I’d done that. Reading is such a joy. I always, always have at least one book on the go, often several.
Now that December is here, there’s a burst of activity in the sewing room. I’ve known what I wanted to sew for Christmas gifts for awhile, but didn’t feel motivated. Now I do, and the machine whirrs happily stitch after stitch. I know I’ll get things done (barring some unforeseen events) and I love the bustle. Procrastinating can be fun. (but there are still some pots on the deck that really should be dealt with)
Sounds like you are having a lot of fun sewing, Lorrie!
It’s really foggy in Madison too…good day to read books! Making a list of all I’ve read…wish I would have done that….I’m sure it would be interesting to say the least. Please remind us about Don’s show…that clip is so interesting…I want more! ;)
I promise to remind you!
I enjoy our little chats so much! Like sitting with a warm cup of coffee and just talking about our day. I am so excited about Don’s show!! Oh and that Scout is a sneaky little girl with her posts! She isn’t too happy that you and Don have upset her schedule, but she loves you both so she will just do her best! I’m going to check out Daniel Silva and his books now. I’m still reading Louise Penny, but have to get the next book from the library and they will have to get it from another branch for me. This time of year is so busy but I always find time to read! Thanks for the chat!
hugs,
Linda
You are very welcome!
Thanks for the link to the preview. I love PBS, and this looks really good. It will be especially fun to watch, now that I “know” Don!
Thanks, Sandra!
Great preview Claudia..I am so glad that we will soon get to see it..You are not alone dear..I am quite the procrastinator myself..lol
Thank goodness there are other procrastinators out there!
Happy Tuesday to you dear Claudia – It’s in the 70’s here today and the high tomorrow is suppose to be 23 degrees! YUCK! We went out this morning and did a few errands in case we get snowed in (or rather iced in). I can handle the snow but not the ice. They are saying we can get several inches on Friday. Guess I’ll have to get out my snowshoes to get to the Flea Market on Saturday. LOL
Anxious to see Don in his show. Be sure and remind us, OK?
Judy
It’s warmish today and I should have taken advantage of it to clean up the porch!
Thanks Claudia..You find such wonderful books..I’m looking forward to reading The Alligator Man…
Glad you won, Missy!
Good morning Claudia, I to this year seem to leave putting the Christmas decorations out later and later. Just watched the trailer it looks amazing and who doesn’t love a good thriller! I will have to download it as in Australia we don’t have access to most American channels! Have a warm cosy day as here today it is going to 39deg. Thanks Janine, Whyalla, South Australia
You’re experiencing summer there! I’m jealous.
The more I read your blog, the more similarities we share! You read quite a bit more than me and have a great writing talent but we share a love of flora and fauna, treasures, our cottages and our spouses! And you are three days older than me!
Love your blog!
Thank you so much, Kelly!
I, too, wish I had kept a list of all the books I’ve read. Last year, I started pasting tiny little book cover images into my art journal so I could keep up with them all. It keeps me from picking up the same books again and makes a nice journal page. Better late than never, I suppose.
Absolutely, Odette!
Claudia,
We awoke to the same foggy, (non-stop rainy, for me) day. I was actually quite enchanted with the scene, so dramatic and dreary that it was, that I devoted my first December poem and post to it! Whaddayaknow, a little rain in the Med, and we stand with mouths open, awestruck, not to miss a drop!
Love the mood in your house this morning. Candlelight is always key in setting the scene for serene and daylight deprived days!
xo
Poppy
Candles are burning again – it’s 5:30 in the evening and it’s very dark outside!
We just came home from a walk and it was getting foggy and mysterious looking out there. Beautiful!
You write such lovely poems, Poppy!
I’m a procrastinator, too. I still have the mini pumpkins out on the bench on the side of my house. The squirrels have gotten into a couple of them and there are seeds scattered all over the place. If I spray-paint the pumpkins gold, think they could pass for Christmas decor? ;-) I still feel the same way about reading! I have a want-to-read book list on a Word document that’s 3 pages long (single-spaced). I have about 600 books that I haven’t read in my downstairs library. And a list of books that my little local library has that I’m “dying” to read. That list is up to 14 now. I went to the library earlier today and picked up one of those books – Wally Lamb’s newest, We Are Water.
I have a lot of book around here that I haven’t read yet, too. Oh, for endless amounts of time to read!
I cannot WAIT for the PBS ‘The Poisoner’s Handbook’ to air!! I’m marking my calendar right now! How exciting!
And yes, I too wish I’d written down the name and author of every book I’ve read. Wouldn’t that be fun to glimpse those pages now. And to think that some people never ever read another book after they are graduated from high school. What a sad state of affairs. :-((
Have a nice evening, Claudia.
P.S. LOVED the preview!!
I can’t comprehend not wanting to read a book! But I know there are those who feel that way. So sad.
I wish I’d written down the titles of books I’ve read too! Sometimes, I’ll wander through the fiction/literature or mystery section in Barnes and Noble and find books I’ve read and completely forgotten about. I also like to think about who else has read ‘my’ favorite books….and where were they when they read them.
We’re so anxious to see Don on January 7th in the PBS mystery! Thank you, in advance, for reminding us)a few more times :)
Lori
Me too. I forget what I have read….
I just watched the link 3 times! I am so excited to see this! Will be telling everyone about it! You guys are so talented!
It’s a pretty nifty trailer!
Oh, me too, Claudia! I wish I’d written down all the books I’ve read in a journal too. What fun it would be to look it over now and remember them – after all this time!
It would be so interesting, wouldn’t it?
OH MY GOSH! I watch Don on YT and I have the date marked. How exciting for your viewers to share a part of your life. I am sad to say that I really didn’t start reading for enjoyment until I retired. My husband has tried to get a Kindle for me, but turning a ‘paper’ page is just right for me. Hope your days are filled with pretty candles, warm cozy blankets and arms to hold each other is this COLD weather.
I much prefer turning a paper page myself! I have a NOOK and I may get Don a Kindle Paper White for Christmas….but for me.. it’s a real book..
I have Silva’s Fallen Angel but haven’t started it yet. Is it part of the same series as the new book?
A foggy morning is the best! I always feel that something wonderfully unexpected will happen. I’ve been looking forward to Don’s show so much!
Yes, it’s part of the same series, Dewena. I love foggy mornings…and foggy evenings, as well!
I am excited to see the film in Jan.
Me too!
What fun it would be to have a list of all the books I’ve read – and to record how many times I’ve read each one! No fog in the Phoenix area today, but it’s cloudy and in the low 60s. It’s going to drop to the low 50s by the weekend, but I’ll be in the hospital recovering from lung surgery and probably won’t care too much!
Oh Marianne, I will be thinking of you and sending positive healing energy your way. I hope it’s not too serious, my friend. xoxoxo