Notes from the infirmary:
At least that’s what it feels like here. Poor Don! He’s really miserable. I feel so badly for him.
I’m still coughing and blowing my nose, but I’m definitely on the mend. It’s taking a bit too long for my taste, but it is what it is.
The soundtrack here at the cottage is the sound of coughs and sneezes and blowing noses and the occasional moan. And then, sick of that particular soundtrack, we put on some Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong.
Much better.
I should finish up Lee Child’s latest today. I love the Jack Reacher series but this one doesn’t seem quite as compelling to me. I can see the plot twists way before they happen. Usually that isn’t the case. There’s been a wee bit of disappointment this winter in the newest releases from Lee Child, Louise Penny, and Susan Hill.
I’m going to be reviewing the occasional book on the blog. Nothing like it was in the past, but here and there. When I had both the book blog and this blog and I was reviewing books right and left (hundreds of them) I reached burnout. One day, I simply deleted the book blog. And I stopped reviewing. I wanted to read for pleasure once again. And I have. It makes an enormous difference in the reading experience.
I contacted TLC Book Tours a month or so ago and asked to be put back on their list of reviewers. Right now, it looks like I’ll review one book in March and one in April, which is perfectly doable.
Oh, by the way, I also deleted my Mockingbird Hill Cottage Facebook page. I never post there. It’s just taking up virtual space. I doubt whether you’re looking for it, but if you are…it’s gone or just about to be gone. I think it stays up for 30 days after you delete it.
Cleaning house. I’m also just about done with cleaning out the office. I need to throw a few things in a trash bag and we’ll be good to go. Just haven’t had the energy to lug the trash bag outside!
I still plan to write about the movies we’ve seen, however, that takes a kind of mental energy that I’ve been lacking during this illness. But soon!
Happy Thursday.
Good morning Don and Claudia. I too have a cold in CO. I just keep saying…..a cold lasts 7 days and I’m on 3. Only one more bad and then recovery? Ugh. I’ve made myself admit I’m not functioning and to give myself the break I need. Hard to do when I want to go go go.
I noticed the picture in the far upper left in yellow matt. Have we seen it before? I can’t quite get a zoom in on it. Love the darling mouse. It’s grand when something just grabs at us.
You two take care and get better.
Yes, that framed piece has been there since the beginning. Feel better soon, Verna!
Glad you are on the mend but poor Don now that he has this nasty virus, too! I know that makes winter extra-miserable.
Speaking of music and Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong…I don’t know if you have either Spotify or Apple Music, but I saw on Ina Garten’s IG page yesterday that she has a soundtrack called, “Ina’s Favorite Love Songs.” Besides Ella and Louis, there’s Frank Sinatra, Al Green, Otis Redding, Aretha Franklin, Etta James, Sam Cooke, Marvin Gaye, etc. I think you’d love it!
I don’t use either. But I have a large music library and all of these artists are already in it. Thanks, Melanie.
oh, that cold stuff does drag on and on and on, doesn’t it? hope you both feel much better soon!
congrats on all the letting go of stuff you no longer want or need. even though i moved over a year and a half ago, i continue to go through things, shred what i need to and give away other things … and that feels good!
the ice and sleet we received yesterday and overnight is now being covered with snow. hope at least the icy stuff doesn’t come your way (or anyone else’s).
happy, healthier thursday.
kathy in iowa
I’m so sorry about the ice you’re receiving! That’s always scary.
I laughed at your title “The Infirmary” …when you can joke about it, even sarcastically…I’d say you are on the mend! Now, to get Don feeling better, eh?
I’m happy to hear you will be reviewing books again, and still do those movie reviews, too. I still haven’t started the newest Louise Penny. I’m using it as an incentive for when I finally finish my current organizing project. Which may be sooner than I anticipate, since we are in the middle of an ice storm, and are not going anywhere. Very slippery outside…hope we don’t lose power.
Take care…and enjoy your day! ;)
Take care yourself! Stay inside and off the ice!
Glad you’ve turned the corner and are headed back to your usual self – may Don be right behind you. I don’t read Lee Child and haven’t read the new Louise Penny yet, but was more than a wee bit disappointed in Susan Hill’s latest. As much as I’ve enjoyed her books in the past, and as eagerly as I’d anticipated The Comforts of Home, I found myself wishing she’d wrapped up the Simon Serrailer series withThe Soul of Distraction and its ambiguous ending.
I agree with you. She probably should have stopped at the last book – which she did. She said she wouldn’t write another one. But then she came back with this one. Ah well.
I’m so glad to hear that you are feeling better, but sad that Don is not feeling well now. Dominoes is how it seems to occur. My mom and grandma always said a cold is 7 days in coming, 7 in staying, and 7 in leaving before you are at 100%. You must be getting close now!
As Donnamae said, we are in the midst of an ice storm and we have winter storm warnings again. Really so very over it. Hope this whips itself out before it comes anywhere near you. Enjoy the music and know that this, too, shall pass. ♡
I’ve had this for 12 days. I’m so ready to feel normal again!
Take care – ice storms are always frightening.
My husband had this cold too. It has run about three weeks or so and we are just starting to get over it. He had it worse than I did. I have kept ‘busy’ by reading Stephen King and one James Patterson. Thought I might try the Alex Cross series next. I liked a movie they did with him.
Enjoy your reading, Jan!
I hope the infirmary empties out soon and all are well soon! At least you are being somewhat productive, so three cheers there!
I know what you mean about the books. I deleted my book review blog too (well, took it private in case I ever haul it out again.) Life is too short to read books you don’t want to.
Exactly! I finally realized that I didn’t want reading to be anything but a pleasure!
I look forward to the movie and book reviews. I hope you are both better soon. Go to the doctor if it lasts longer than 7 days.
A cold is a cold and every cold I’ve ever had has lasted longer than 7 days. That’s what happens when you have allergies, as well. I’m not worried.
Not to make anyone unhappy, but I’m in shorts and a tshirt today with my windows open. It has warmed up like it’s Spring here in GA. I’m sure more cold is on it’s way but I’m soaking up the fresh air and sunshine while I can. Started to work on my craft room. I have decided to let go of many of my crafting items I haven’t touched in years. Mostly scrapbook items. It feels good to let go and let someone else enjoy these things. I know this isn’t going to be a one day thing but at least its a start. Good to hear you are on the mend and I know Don will get there also. I too found the last Jack Reacher book not up to par. I thought it might be me, still I do love that character. Let’s hope the next book is better.
Lucky you! I envy your weather!
i understand your disappointment in some of your books you have read. I am reading “Villette” by Charlotte Bronte’. It is dark and dreary. I am determined to finish the book. Critics have said it is better than “Jane Eyre” but I do not agree. Hope Don feels better. Glad that you are on the mend.
Marilyn
Thank you, Marilyn!
I hope Ella and Louis are helping to sooth you both in your misery…
They are. Thanks, Nancy.
I hope you and Don will both be feeling well soon. While I am relatively new to reading the blog, I enjoy your book recommendations, and have just read Louise Penny’s first book based on your comments about her. I loved it!! And now have started the second. I’m glad I have all of them ahead of me, but being a quick reader will probably get through them too quickly. So I’ll be on the lookout for more of your recommendations! Thanks so much.
You’re most welcome, Jayne.