SFC – Still Feeling Crappy. In fact, crappier. That’s all I need to say about that.
One a month.
A Penguin Classics hardbound edition in this series costs between $18 – $20, less than most new hardcover books. The latest, Emma, was about $18. I don’t spend money at Starbucks. I rarely eat out. I rarely buy magazines (too pricey, not enough original content.) I figure I can get away with one of these editions monthly. When I’ve collected all of the Jane Austens, I’m also going to get Middlemarch by George Eliot, another favorite of mine.
They’re so beautifully done.
What will be next? Persuasion? Northanger Abbey? Mansfield Park? Well, you’ll just have to wait and see.
Remember that photo of Scout I posted the other day? Where she was sleeping on the sofa?
Here she is just a few minutes later. She makes me smile.
It is COLD out there. Wind chills well below zero, more snow on the way Sunday into Monday – right now, the forecast is for 5 – 8 inches. Bitterly cold all next week.
Maybe we should build an igloo.
This – whatever it is, Don thinks it’s a cold – is sapping my strength. I was able to concentrate long enough yesterday to finish the book I am to review on Monday Tuesday (my brain is mush.) Now I have to start another. No big sacrifice since I love to read, but my attention span is spotty, at best.
I’m also reading Howard’s End is on the Landing by Susan Hill. Hill is a well-known English author (and she shares my surname – maybe we’re distant relatives?) This book was inspired by a search she made for a particular book in her full-of-books cottage. In the course of the search, she discovered all sorts of books that she had never read, so she decided to stop buying books for a year and, instead, read the books in her home library. It’s really a lovely read. I think you’d like it. I’ll review it on Just Let Me Finish This Page when I’ve finished.
That’s all for today, my friends. Back to blowing my nose and sniffling.
I’m thankful for flannel pajamas.
Happy Saturday.
So sorry you’re still not feeling well. Better stay snuggled in and get plenty of rest. X0
I will, Dawn.
Howard’s End is on the Landing is one of my favourite books, it is so well written, and so personal. If you like Susan Hill’s writing, I think you will really enjoy it. I treasure my copy . Hope you feel better soon X
I just started it yesterday, Penny, and I’m really enjoying it.
Curl up in your “nicknnora’s” with some hot tea and shut out the world until you feel better. Cindy
I’m in the Nick N’ Noras right now, Cindy.
Claudia, Hope you feel better soon. Doris
I do too! Enough already. Thanks, Doris.
Take care and feel better soon!
I will, thank you, Carolyn Marie
Thinking of you and glad you have plenty of fabulous books to read whilst feeling poorly. I rarely use that English word for being ill, but like it better than ‘sick’ which we English correlate with vomiting. Just saying because I know you love words my dear.
Stay snug, be well soon – hugs, Mary
I do love words and I like ‘poorly’ better than sick. It has gentler feeling, Mary.
what you are experiencing… I know it well. I have been calling it “the cold from hell” because that is what it is!
my husband had it first, and got over it. I on the other hand, have had a lot more trouble shaking it. and the cough is still, still, still with me. -sigh-
believe me, I understand.
and I could not even read, for some time. which sounds silly. because when can’t we simply sit down and read? but… sigh… I know…
please don’t fight for pep, which is just not there yet. rest. do all the wise-things-for-a-cold. including a doc visit, if necessary. I finally had to take big meds. since I have a history of long bouts of bronchitis.
enough!
I understand. rest. your pep will come back gradually.
gentle hugs,
Tessa~
Thank you, Tessa. It’s frustrating because I had a very bad cold in the fall, as well. I stayed in my pjs all day yesterday, and I may today. Lots of liquids, some meds, and that’s about all I can do!
I will have to find a copy of Susan Hill’s book – that sounds like a read I would really enjoy.
Spring seems a distant hope – the temperature dropped here ten degrees overnight together with a snowfall advisory. I slipped on the icy road the other day and hurt my back, so I’m going to opt out of the usual frenzy of Saturday activities today to read my new book. I fell in love with the Jane Austen books you are collecting and decided that maybe my bookshelf needed them too. That particular series is sadly not available here, so I have to order them directly from Penguin – “Love and Friendship” arrived yesterday. I have not read any of Austen’s early writing, so I’m looking forward to this (despite the shoes on the cover).
Hope you are on the mend soon!
It might be the only one with shoes on the cover, Barbara!
Feel better – I’m so sorry you hurt your back. Winter is treacherous. Take care of yourself.
Well darn to you still not feeling well. I know the weather is not helping. Snuggle up in those flannels and read and rest!
hugs,
Linda
The weather is so COLD! Really, unbearably cold. But it’s sunny, and that helps. I seem to be in the midst of yet another days-long cold. I’m so sick of it.
Claudia, Sure hope you get to feeling better soon. Winter’s rough on us when we feel good even. I love your books. The covers are so nice. Drinks some nice tea and stay all snuggled up with Scout and Don. Blessings, xoxo,Susie
I will, Susie. Thank you!
I have fallen in love with the books as well. I think one a month is a great idea! I’m like you I don’t spend much on indulgences, but books always make me smile. Thanks for sharing.
I think it’s the perfect indulgence, Shari! Thanks.
Just saw this yesterday: “The wind hurts my face. Why do I live somewhere that the wind hurts my face?” The cold truly bothers me much more now than it did years ago. It is like I tense up and clench to the point that when I realize it….. I am actually in pain. Such fun.
We are to get 6-8 inches of snow overnight and then 35 mph winds. yuk. I hope it does not materialize. And I hope your cold de-materializes and that you begin to feel better. Stay warm and rest plenty.
We’re getting what you’re getting on Sunday night. Drat. I hope the predictions fall short. Wouldn’t that be nice?
Sorry to hear you have a bad cold. I know how miserable they are. OK, that photo of Scout actually made me laugh out loud when I saw it! Those books you are collecting are just beautiful. To indulge yourself once a month on something like that is a wonderful treat. Re. your reply on your last post about dental phobia and crowns…this will be my 4th crown on Tuesday. It’s not just the procedure itself; everything about the dentist makes me anxious. The smells, the sounds, the Novocaine shots, someone’s hands being in your mouth like that for so long, the feeling of the Novocaine wearing off afterwards (gives me a headache)…and of course, the huge bill.
I totally understand. I feel the same way. I actually tremble when I’m there. Don has to go with me. Hang in there, my friend. I feel for you.
Oh Claudia, hoping you feel so much better very, very soon. Excellent shot of Dame Scout. She makes me laugh too. My husband just told me that Tyg, our cat, is in the kitchen…on the counter…sniffing the cork in a wine bottle and looking like he wants to have a taste – lol. Bitter cold here too: 8 this a.m. and very, very windy. More snow for us Sunday into Monday but they are saying “only” 4″ or so. The book sounds delightful (and something I could do for at least 2 years!)…heading of to your other blog now. Stay warm!
How funny of Tyg! A taste of wine….
Thank you for sharing the photo of Scout. She always makes me smile!
I have a question for you and fellow MHC followers. I know some of you are avid readers, but do any of you ever experience a lull (for lack of a better word) in reading? Unless I am following a series, once I finish a book sometimes it takes quite awhile before I move on to a new book. I can’t seem to figure out why I get stalled. I love books (paper and digital) and have a large to-be-read pile, as well as ebooks on my Kindle Paperwhite. Suggestions? Ideas?
Feel better soon Claudia.
Let’s see if anyone sees this and responds, Denise. If not, I’ll pose your question in a post, okay?
I will admit to having a difficult time transitioning to a new book at times. Most often that occurs with my favorite authors. But I force myself to start another one. And then, I’m off.
Thank you Claudia.
You’re welcome!
I really do like the covers on those books Claudia..I think they are a good investment for a book love such as you..You do seem to get a bad cold every Winter and Spring don’t you..I haven’t had one for many years now (knock wood)..maybe it’s something in the many pills I take every day for all of my ailments..Miss Scout does look quite comical..I do pity her having to go outside in this bitter cold to do her business though..Stay safe and warm in this coming storm..they are saying 6-10 inches here for us..yuck..lol..
Actually, I don’t. I had a bad cold last fall and now another one, but before that, it had been a long time since I had a cold. Sinus/allergy seem to be ongoing.
I think a book a month sounds like a fine plan…you deserve it! That just might be my new motto by the way…I think we are old enough, and have settled for enough in the past, that we deserve some things! Are you with me on this? We are supposed to get 5-8″ depending on which station you listen to…and then it’s supposed to get cold…I am not a happy camper! Stay warm in your flannels…and get Don to make you a favorite comfort food! ;)
I am absolutely with you on this one, Donnamae! Yes, it’s supposed to very, very cold here this week. Sounds like we’re going to have the same kind of weather!
The Susan Hill book sounds like a great read. I will look for it.
Love your monthly book collection. So beautiful. What a treat to look forward to each month.
Best of luck getting over your cold.
Julie
Thank you, Julie!
My sinuses are achy but I was able to sleep well last night. We finally took the plunge and ordered new mattresses today to be delivered from a local store in one week. I can hardly wait. It’s a pretty day here but was pretty cool earlier. It’s hard for me to concentrate when I feel bad too Claudia. Hope whatever has you in it’s grip lets go quickly so you can get back to enjoying life and stay warm.
You’ll be so happy you have a new mattress, Janie. I bet you’re counting the days.
I hope you’ll soon be yourself again.
I love Susan Hill and seem to remember mentioning Howard’s End is on the Landing to you some time ago. Not a giant fan of her “ghost” stories, but love her mysteries and am eagerly awaiting her latest, published in England last fall. If you read them, be sure to start with the first.
I just ordered the first one in her Simon Serrallier (Sp? ) series. It should be arriving next week.
So sorry you are fighting an illness! Hoping you are 100% better soon! I love your collection of books, such wonderful classics. There is nothing I love more than a cozy chair and a treasured book, even one I have already read! Once a year I re-read a few of my favorites. What a treat to look forward to getting a lovely book each month!
Warmly,
Sue
Re-reading a favorite is a wonderful experience, isn’t it? Now, to find the time to do just that!
Keep resting and feel better soon, my friend. xo Laura
Thank you, Laura!
Yep, “Cold from Hell” just about says it all. Started day after Christmas with sinus and three weeks later began to feel human again. Another two weeks and no more coughing and blowing my nose. Bless you. Truly have been there and so sorry you have it now. Just go with it. Fighting is no good.
Scout is so funny in the picture. She has completely surrendered herself to sleep.
Here’s hoping for a quick recovery.
If only we could all sleep that deeply, Regena!
I’m sorry you’re not well, Claudia. Life is a bit full and I’m behind in your news. Here’s hoping you feel more yourself very soon.
Karen
You are probably snuggled into bed by now….or you should be. Just sending wishes for a speedy recovery. Let Don worry about clearing the snow and you relax with Scout. It drives me crazy to not accomplish something each day but sometimes you have to let yourself turn to mush and rest. Blessings, Patty Mc