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You are here: Home / books / Weather, Reading & Fabric

Weather, Reading & Fabric

March 8, 2019 at 9:59 am by Claudia

We’re supposed to get 3 – 5 inches of snow on Saturday night, with sleet and eventual rain.

I mean, come on!

We are sick of snow here. We are excited today simply because the temperatures are finally going to hit the mid-thirties. We have a warm-up coming next week but in the meantime, I guess we have to get zapped one more time.

Sigh. I am so over winter. Truly.

And the thing is, I know that everyone else who lives in a wintry climate feels the same way. I’m not special. We’re all sick of it. We’re waiting impatiently for signs of spring.

Anyway, enough moaning. It is what it is and there’s not a whole lot I can do about it.

Today: I’m finally going to drop those 5 bags of books off at the library. I’ve had them in my car for almost two months! I was initially delayed by a sign on the door that said they weren’t taking any more book donations until February 7th. Then I got sick, which delayed it four more weeks. Then I forgot about them. Today, I take care of that little chore.

I also contacted a local modern quilt guild and asked if they wanted my stash of fat quarters and they do! Hurrah! They take up too much space in the office and it’s time to let them go to someone who will use them. I’m going to meet one of the ladies this weekend at a local yoga place that is right by my house and hand them off. But first I’m going to go through them and pull any fabric that I think I could use in my miniature world – that means tiny prints that aren’t out of scale.

Next up. I’ve read nothing but raves about The Salt Path, a true story about a couple who lose everything, at the same time dealing with the husband’s terminal illness. They decide to walk the 630 miles of the South West Coast Path in England – Somerset to Dorset.

And Lillian Boxfish Takes a Walk  has been on my radar for a long time. For some reason, when it came out in hardcover, I quickly scanned it in the bookstore and decided it would be too ‘light’ for me. This year, when I was out of reading material and was in NYC, I saw it was out in paperback. I reread the blurb and decided I should try it. I’m almost 100 pages in and I love it.

Just goes to show you, a sweeping judgment just might be wrong.

Something I keep learning over and over again.

Happy Friday.

 

 

Filed Under: books, reading, snow 31 Comments

Comments

  1. Chy says

    March 8, 2019 at 10:40 am

    I just shared my thoughts about our “Never Ending Winter” here in Canada as well today. Hoping this will all end soon!!

    Thank you for sharing what you’ll be reading. I’m just finishing up “The Big House,” ordered and now about to crack open “The Quintland Sisters” and waiting for one more to arrive. But The Salt Path sounds intriguing. May have to check it out.

    Stay warm. Snow day for us, which means a warm fireplace, hot chocolate and reading.

    X Chy

    Reply
    • Claudia says

      March 9, 2019 at 10:18 am

      Snow day tomorrow, I think, but rain is part of the mix, so I’m not at all sure what to expect!

      Reply
  2. Karen says

    March 8, 2019 at 10:54 am

    I get so pulled in by book covers. The Lillian one has such pretty colors, I’d love having it on my shelf :)

    We haven’t had nearly the severe winter that you have here on the plains. But the mountains in Colorado are having one of the worst avalanche seasons ever. That means the lakes and reservoirs will be full this summer, so it’s a trade off.

    Reply
    • Claudia says

      March 9, 2019 at 10:18 am

      I’m attracted to book covers, too. I understand!

      Avalanches are awfully scary. I hope there hasn’t been any loss of life.

      Reply
  3. Donnamae says

    March 8, 2019 at 11:13 am

    Thank you for “moaning” about winter…now I don’t have to do that! I cannot wait for spring. Rumor has it that cranes have been spotted in Waterloo…which is only 25 miles or so from us. So….they have plenty of snow, too. What are they going to eat if they come back? We are covered in snow. I hope our pair holds off a bit. Our neighbor who lives adjacent to “the cranes’ lot”, will hopefully feed them dried cracked corn…they seem to like that. Or we will!

    Interesting books….I’ve stopped adding to my list of books to read…just too many, and too little time. Hope you enjoy your day! ;)

    Reply
    • Claudia says

      March 9, 2019 at 10:19 am

      I wonder about our birds, too. Robins are back, mourning doves are back, where are they getting water and food?

      Reply
      • Donnamae says

        March 9, 2019 at 10:48 am

        I don’t know. It was in the 30’s here yesterday…there was melting. So there was water…but grass? Not a blade of green to be found. And….right after I commented yesterday…Jim heard the cranes! They woke me up this morning…I rushed to the window, but couldn’t see them. They must have been in flight. But…they are here! ;)

        Reply
        • Claudia says

          March 9, 2019 at 12:53 pm

          So glad they’re back!

          We do have some grass still, but what shape it’s in is anybody’s guess!

          Reply
  4. Chris K in Wisconsin says

    March 8, 2019 at 12:22 pm

    I think you will really enjoy Lillian Boxfish, especially knowing the city as you do. It was a fun read.

    The threat of all the flooding following the many snowfalls has everyone worried here. There is a big storm coming this way for the weekend, but going quite a bit farther north (yay), so we are to have a lot of rain which will be a mess resulting with very fast “melting”. Such a messy time of year!

    Reply
    • Claudia says

      March 9, 2019 at 10:20 am

      Flooding is scary. I suspect we’ll have that to deal with, as well. We have lots of snow and our house sits between two rivers. Luckily we’re on a little hill. It’s very messy this time of year and I’ve been thinking of all the rain that will be coming in April.

      Reply
  5. Wendy T says

    March 8, 2019 at 1:20 pm

    We’re in between rain, it’s been wet days alternating with dry days. Today, there was so much sunshine when I woke up (my bedroom is very bright) but I see now that it’s clouding over with lots of gray. I want to take my craft books to the recrafting consignment shop today.

    My friend brought all her fabric stash to my house and we sorted what could go to the Navajo Quilt Project. She’s bringing the rest to the senior center. I have three big boxes to send to the Project now!

    Reply
    • Claudia says

      March 9, 2019 at 10:21 am

      I’m always happy to donate books and fabric – two things that I have a lot of!

      Reply
  6. Marilyn says

    March 8, 2019 at 4:54 pm

    Hope you do not get too much snow. So far they are predicting rain for my area.
    Marilyn

    Reply
    • Claudia says

      March 9, 2019 at 10:21 am

      We’re getting snow that will eventually change to rain. Take care, Marilyn!

      Reply
  7. Nancy Blue Moon says

    March 8, 2019 at 5:06 pm

    Please let this Winter end…I hate it so much…I also have fabric to donate somewhere…I need to search for a place that wants it…I have been considering reading Lillian Boxfish for a while…now it’s on my list!

    Reply
    • Claudia says

      March 9, 2019 at 10:22 am

      It’s really wonderful, Nancy!

      Reply
  8. Cara says

    March 8, 2019 at 5:12 pm

    I really enjoyed Lillian Boxfish…

    I just finished Less, upon an old recommendation of yours, and really liked it. Thanks!

    Reply
    • Claudia says

      March 9, 2019 at 10:23 am

      I thought Less was beautifully written. It sort of snuck up on me and as I headed toward the final chapter, I really had a sense of the author’s skill.

      Reply
  9. Judy Shaw says

    March 8, 2019 at 5:53 pm

    Let’s all hope that March leaves like a lamb! I am reading and enjoying Becoming. Next up is Fly Girls for book club.

    Reply
    • Claudia says

      March 9, 2019 at 10:23 am

      So far it’s a lion, but I think it might leave as a lamb!

      Reply
  10. Kay says

    March 8, 2019 at 7:03 pm

    I think you perfectly articulated everyone’s feelings about this winter. There is melting going on today here and rain coming tomorrow, so more melting. Trying not to think about predicted ice storms later.

    Yesterday I came to terms with the fact our kitty, Allie, wasn’t going to get better. The vet, bless him, was trying to tell me that when I took her in again last Monday. He told me to give it one more week, but, I called the vet he recommended – the one who comes to your home – in the morning and fortunately she could come yesterday afternoon. It was peaceful. It was gentle. It was everything I wanted for her. We sat on the rug in front of the fireplace and she helped our dear companion of almost 14 years quietly leave us. Fortunately, we still have her sister yet who is in great health. Adopted them at 4 months old, figuring if they’d been together that long, they needed to stay together. But Al was my shadow and always in my lap, so my life is going to change a lot. It hurts. I know you can relate, which is why I’m confiding here.

    Reply
    • Wendy C says

      March 8, 2019 at 9:00 pm

      Sorry for your loss, never easy to let a fur baby go, hugs.

      Reply
    • Claudia says

      March 9, 2019 at 10:25 am

      Oh, Kay. I’m so very, very sorry. It’s an awful thing to lose a beloved family member. I’m sending you my love and prayers. I know how hard it is. Bless you, my friend. And bless sweet Allie, who will always be with you.

      Reply
  11. annette says

    March 8, 2019 at 7:24 pm

    Thank you for The Salt Path recommendation.I pride myself in keeping up with books,but this has not been on my radar.Loved Lillian Boxfish.Keep thinking Spring!xo

    Reply
    • Claudia says

      March 9, 2019 at 10:26 am

      It just came out here – originally published in England.

      Reply
  12. Tana says

    March 9, 2019 at 8:27 am

    Horrible snow and wonderful books and fabric! Your comments are talking to me today. I was plowing through a pile of stuff today and found the most beautiful red, heart fabric. Too late for this year, but it will be something next year. I’m still reading by big book of Winnie The Pooh, but have started Louise Penny’s Glass Houses. That one keeps me up later than I should. And I am not cutting dandelions this year. They will be quite welcomed when they show up. Soon, I hope.

    Reply
    • Claudia says

      March 9, 2019 at 10:26 am

      Great idea! Let’s welcome the dandelions and their cheery yellow color!

      Reply
  13. Linda @ A La Carte says

    March 9, 2019 at 11:24 am

    At some point I will have lots of quilt fabric to donate and I will try to find a good group to donate it all too. I have donated lots of books to the library and thrift shops. Trying to keep the clutter to a reasonable amount…ha!

    Reply
    • Claudia says

      March 9, 2019 at 12:54 pm

      Me too. But then I keep buying new things!

      Reply
  14. jeanie says

    March 15, 2019 at 10:57 am

    Ah, I know that snow you speak of! Beware of ice under it — that’s how Rick broke his leg last Sunday morning.

    But before that, our trip was great, including a fabulous used bookstore. Isn’t it fun to find new things, rediscover ones you passed up? The books look great!

    Reply
    • Claudia says

      March 15, 2019 at 4:54 pm

      We are very careful about ice! I’m so sorry about the broken leg!

      Reply
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Welcome!

Welcome!

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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