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You are here: Home / books / The River and Books

The River and Books

September 30, 2021 at 9:38 am by Claudia

The Hudson River from the train.

I’ve slept in a bit the last two days which tells me my body needs some rest. It’s become very fall-like recently – much cooler mornings, along with cooler days.

I did some cleaning and straightening yesterday. I wasn’t gone long enough to have to do any major cleanup, but I can’t guarantee what I’ll come home to when I’m living in the city. Don is good about straightening up; he has a little OCD so he has to have some order. But the cleaning that I do (and heaven knows, I’m hardly a clean freak) is not what he does. I’ll just have to let it all go and do what I can, when I can. But, for a girl who likes to be in control, this kind of thing is hard.

Frankly, what I seem to do a lot of is wash masks! Yesterday, I washed 4 of them. I’m determined to buy enough masks to get me through 8 or 9 days before I run out, as I won’t have time, or a washing machine in my apartment, to throw something in the wash any old time like I do here.

We went to get our boosters last night, but we didn’t get them. Turns out that though the Walgreen’s site let us sign up for an appointment, since our last shot was on March 31st, it’s not exactly 6 months until tomorrow. We were disappointed, but we understood. They told us to come by on Friday morning, so that is the plan.

We’re watching the final season of Goliath  on Amazon Prime. It has a stellar cast, headed by the great Billy Bob Thornton, and this season is brilliantly done. Excellent.

I’ve started The Stone Circle  by Elly Griffiths. I have so many new books to read. I’m saving them for NYC. Louise Penny, of course, the new Anthony Doerr – Cloud Cuckoo Land – which I preordered, the new Amor Towles – The Lincoln Highway – will arrive before I leave, the new John Connolly, and several others. They’ve been piling up because I’ve been in Elly Griffiths mode. Anthony Doerr wrote All The Light We Cannot See, which has to be one of my favorite books ever. And Amor Towles wrote A Gentleman in Moscow, which I have repeatedly raved about on this blog. I’ve read it twice and will reread it again and again. On my Top Ten Books I Have Ever Read list.

I love knowing I have all these treats saved up to read.

Today? Rest. Reading. Paying some bills. Checking our bank account because I’ve had to shell out quite a bit of money for cabs and Covid Testing and I have no idea how much is in the account. I’ll be reimbursed for all of that but it will take a few weeks.

Stay safe.

Happy Thursday.

Filed Under: books 21 Comments

Comments

  1. Linda says

    September 30, 2021 at 10:51 am

    rest up- glad yo will be getting your booster
    Did you have your dental appointment?

    Reply
    • Claudia says

      September 30, 2021 at 10:56 am

      Postponed it until next week. I was too exhausted to deal with it. I’m going to have some major work done, so I have to try to fit it in before I leave for the city at the end of October or delay some of it. We’ll see.

      Stay safe, Linda.

      Reply
  2. Marilyn Schmuker says

    September 30, 2021 at 11:58 am

    I’m sure you needed the extra sleep.
    Beautiful picture of the Hudson river. I just can’t imagine having to travel and get around in NYC…cabs, subway, etc. I just get in my car and go where I need to go. I have never lived in a big city…grew up in a small town and live in another small town now. NYC would completely overwhelm me.
    I’m wondering how Sophie liked the city?
    Stay safe

    Reply
    • Claudia says

      September 30, 2021 at 12:02 pm

      I shared photos of her on Instagram. But I don’t think she was crazy about being left in the hotel room while I was in rehearsal!

      Stay safe, Marilyn!

      Reply
  3. Dawn M Pinnataro says

    September 30, 2021 at 12:31 pm

    Yep, I had my 2nd shot on March 31st too but I am “only” 63 so I don’t make the criteria for booster right now. Bummers. But you can bet your bippy (oh my, that is an old saying from the past) that I will get it as soon as I am can. I got my flu shot Tuesday. Oh I just saw in the news that Aladdin production shut down due to breakthru cases of covid in the cast. They just were open 1 day I read. That’s a shame. So you be EXTRA careful in that big city, my dear.

    Reply
    • Claudia says

      September 30, 2021 at 4:41 pm

      I’ll be as careful as I can be. Nothing is foolproof!

      Stay safe, Dawn.

      Reply
  4. kathy in iowa says

    September 30, 2021 at 2:26 pm

    sounds like most of this first major outing went well for you … i am glad for you.

    glad, too, that you are resting and have lots of books from which to choose. changes in routines, stress, the stupid awful virus are all exhausting (at least they are for me)!

    best wishes and prayers for future work trips, that dental work, finding/washing masks, everything.

    and what a beautiful photo of a beautiful river! glad you have that, too.

    the three in my family with covid (8- and 10-years old, plus my fully-vaccinated niece) are starting to feel better. not all the way yet, but improving. prayers get answered!

    no call back yet on the job for which i interviewed last friday. was told they thought they’d know/call the middle of this week and now it’s thursday. i am trying to think positive (and keep searching for a new job and praying), but my stomach hurts and i feel like a trapped animal at work. hope to have good news to share soon.

    kathy in iowa

    Reply
    • Claudia says

      September 30, 2021 at 4:40 pm

      I hope you hear good news, Kathy. You deserve it.

      Stay safe.

      Reply
  5. Brenda says

    September 30, 2021 at 3:52 pm

    I would love to see your “top 10 books” list as well as the “top 10 books” list of your other readers.

    Reply
    • Claudia says

      September 30, 2021 at 4:40 pm

      Maybe someday, Brenda. I don’t have the energy or time to put that together at the moment.

      Stay safe!

      Reply
  6. Jen says

    September 30, 2021 at 4:31 pm

    Yes, loving season 4 of Goliath as well. It has a noir vibe, don’t you think?

    Reply
    • Claudia says

      September 30, 2021 at 4:39 pm

      Yes. I kept using that word last night. And the cinematography is incredible.

      Stay safe, Jen.

      Reply
  7. Vicki says

    September 30, 2021 at 5:56 pm

    I loved seeing your river photos today; beautiful.

    Rest up!

    Reply
    • Claudia says

      October 1, 2021 at 8:06 am

      Thank you, Vicki!

      Stay safe.

      Reply
  8. Brendab says

    September 30, 2021 at 7:04 pm

    I had mine at almost 8 months. Still have side effects like last. No way I could have done it at six months. Hope u get yours. I turned 74 today worth a million lol cards texts gifts calls all month. Family here took me to eat outside at ocean. Still not going inside places. Perfect day. Indy family came two weeks ago.

    Reply
    • kathy in iowa says

      September 30, 2021 at 8:08 pm

      happy birthday, brendab! may this be the start of an easier, wonderful year+ for you and your family.

      glad that you enjoyed this day and have been well-remembered and celebrated on other days ,too. woohoo!

      kathy in iowa

      ps … no indoor dining for me or my family yet, either. stay safe and well!

      Reply
    • Claudia says

      October 1, 2021 at 8:09 am

      Happy Birthday, Brenda! I hope you had a fabulous day!

      Stay safe.

      Reply
  9. Brendab says

    September 30, 2021 at 7:07 pm

    PS
    When Moher does age 60 of cancer, oncologist and I sat down and planned my future. Vegetarian since 1992
    Walk 2-5 miles a day and sometimes with osteoporosis arthritis since when 20 and fibromyalgia I can hardly do it. I believe this has kept me going. I have lived longer than my family did. Stay active despite pain….the little boys keep me going also and the older girls. Life is so so good. I am happy to have lived so long.

    Reply
    • Claudia says

      October 1, 2021 at 8:09 am

      Bravo! Good for you, Brenda.

      xo

      Reply
  10. jeanie says

    October 1, 2021 at 9:59 am

    You and I are reading on the same path and wanting to add the new Doerr and Towles to our collections. My copy of Louise P. should be waiting for me when I return home. I’ve enjoyed but not been engrossed in most of my recent reads and I am ALWAYS engrossed in Gamache!

    Yes, rest and do the kinds of things you need to do — you’ve got quite a load on your plate these days and they are a bit stressful too. Hang in there. You’ve got this!

    Reply
    • Claudia says

      October 1, 2021 at 1:31 pm

      Fingers crossed!

      Stay safe, Jeanie.

      Reply
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I live in a little cottage in the country with my husband. It's a sweet place, sheltered by old trees and surrounded by gardens. The inside is full of the things we love. I love to write, I love my camera, I love creating, I love gardening. My decorating style is eclectic; full of vintage and a bit of whimsy.

I've worked in the theater for more years than I can count. I'm currently a voice, speech, dialect and text coach freelancing on Broadway, off Broadway, and in regional theater.

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