What do you do when you stop doing what you did?
Who are you when you aren't who you were?
Wednesday, April 05, 2017
Wednesday, April 02, 2014
The 15 books of March
I just read my previous blog to see what I was reading then and realized I have binged on reading since then. 15 books in March! Almost all the books were cozy mysteries but some were Louise Penny mysteries which, although cozy by definition, are not fluffy.
On the first of March, I was reading Louise Penny's A Rule Against Murder. A little later in the month I read her A Brutal Telling, Bury Your Dead and A Trick of the Light. The books follow Chief Inspector Gamache as he and his staff solve murders which happen to occur at or near the fictional village of Three Pines. Although the books could probably be read as stand-alones, I believe it is better to read them in the order they were written. The characters you meet in the first book grow and develop in the series and this is one of the attractions of Penny's work: her characters are many and complex.
In A Rule Against Murder, while vacationing at a lodge, Gamache is drawn into the workings of Peter Morrow's disfunctional family and then into a murder investigation. Although you know in your mind the locations are fictional you can almost picture yourself there, so compelling are Penny's descriptions.
A Brutal Telling, returns us to Three Pines and more of the villages' inhabitants have their pasts revealed, not always a pleasant thing. Unlike many cozy writers, Penny is not above throwing a recurring character under the bus. Her plots are twisted and sometimes dark. No happy endings here, but she writes so well, you don't really mind.
Well, maybe you do mind, because in the next novel, Bury Your Dead, Gamache is trying to get his center back after a grueling police operation that left him and his second in command badly injured and a many others dead. We grieve along with him as that story is told in flashbacks while Gamache is solving a murder in the present while visiting and recuperating at his old mentor's home. This is the most intense and sorrowful of all the Penny books I have read to date.
Lastly, I read A Trick of Light. We are back again with the denizens of Three Pines and a murder which clouds a triumphal exhibit by painter Clara. By now one feels one can identify the people of Three Pines if met on the street.
If you don't read any of the other books I may talk about, at least read Penny's Inspector Gamache series: fine writing, complex plots, three dimensional characters and beautiful descriptions.
See http://www.fantasticfiction.co.uk/ to get the list of books in the correct order.
Next I read Taste of Magic, by Tracy Madison. I don't remember what it was about. I even questioned myself on why I felt like I needed to finish it. Don't bother with it.
I read the first two books in Shanna Swendson's Kate Chandler series. Fluffy, mostly romance. I wasn't tempted to read further into the series.
I read Joanne Fluke's latest Hannah Swenson book. Blueberry Pie Murder. Fluke was one of the first cozies I had ever read. This is number 18 in her series and I am sad to say that Fluke has run out of steam. Her characters are flat. Her recipes, however, are what makes the books fun. These I don't buy; I get them from the library. I do have her Lake Eden cookbook and have baked some of her cookies. If you wanted all the cliche's in cozy mysteries, they are in these books. Working woman (has her own business), cop boyfriend, loyal sidekick and loyal sister, slightly crazy mom who wants her to get married, blah, blah blah. Oh yes, and she keeps finding bodies.
I read Diane Mott Davidson's latest book in her Goldy Schulz series (no. 17), The Whole Enchilada, and she has not run out of steam (although I was a bit worried at first). Her characters are more interesting and grow a little in each book. Her plots have sufficient twists and turns that she surprises me. I liked this author and this book. She has recipes, too!
Last, but not least, I am reading the The Cupcake Bakery Mystery series, by Jenn McKinlay. I am just starting the most recent book (no. 6), Sugar and Iced. Yes, there are recipes. Yes, all the cliches listed above are here but I kind of liked the characters (although Olivia is a bit over the top). I am afraid she might lose me after this book. Fluke has a annoying thing going on where her character can't choose between the two guys who love her and, unfortunately, that might be happening here, too. It seems that the romance story is taking over the mystery story. That might be a problem. I read the other five books in this series this month. Once I get started on a series, if I like it, I read straight through the list.
Well, gentle reader, it looks like the Cardinals rain delay may be over so I am going to sign out and watch the game
On the first of March, I was reading Louise Penny's A Rule Against Murder. A little later in the month I read her A Brutal Telling, Bury Your Dead and A Trick of the Light. The books follow Chief Inspector Gamache as he and his staff solve murders which happen to occur at or near the fictional village of Three Pines. Although the books could probably be read as stand-alones, I believe it is better to read them in the order they were written. The characters you meet in the first book grow and develop in the series and this is one of the attractions of Penny's work: her characters are many and complex.
In A Rule Against Murder, while vacationing at a lodge, Gamache is drawn into the workings of Peter Morrow's disfunctional family and then into a murder investigation. Although you know in your mind the locations are fictional you can almost picture yourself there, so compelling are Penny's descriptions.
A Brutal Telling, returns us to Three Pines and more of the villages' inhabitants have their pasts revealed, not always a pleasant thing. Unlike many cozy writers, Penny is not above throwing a recurring character under the bus. Her plots are twisted and sometimes dark. No happy endings here, but she writes so well, you don't really mind.
Well, maybe you do mind, because in the next novel, Bury Your Dead, Gamache is trying to get his center back after a grueling police operation that left him and his second in command badly injured and a many others dead. We grieve along with him as that story is told in flashbacks while Gamache is solving a murder in the present while visiting and recuperating at his old mentor's home. This is the most intense and sorrowful of all the Penny books I have read to date.
Lastly, I read A Trick of Light. We are back again with the denizens of Three Pines and a murder which clouds a triumphal exhibit by painter Clara. By now one feels one can identify the people of Three Pines if met on the street.
If you don't read any of the other books I may talk about, at least read Penny's Inspector Gamache series: fine writing, complex plots, three dimensional characters and beautiful descriptions.
See http://www.fantasticfiction.co.uk/ to get the list of books in the correct order.
Next I read Taste of Magic, by Tracy Madison. I don't remember what it was about. I even questioned myself on why I felt like I needed to finish it. Don't bother with it.
I read the first two books in Shanna Swendson's Kate Chandler series. Fluffy, mostly romance. I wasn't tempted to read further into the series.
I read Joanne Fluke's latest Hannah Swenson book. Blueberry Pie Murder. Fluke was one of the first cozies I had ever read. This is number 18 in her series and I am sad to say that Fluke has run out of steam. Her characters are flat. Her recipes, however, are what makes the books fun. These I don't buy; I get them from the library. I do have her Lake Eden cookbook and have baked some of her cookies. If you wanted all the cliche's in cozy mysteries, they are in these books. Working woman (has her own business), cop boyfriend, loyal sidekick and loyal sister, slightly crazy mom who wants her to get married, blah, blah blah. Oh yes, and she keeps finding bodies.
I read Diane Mott Davidson's latest book in her Goldy Schulz series (no. 17), The Whole Enchilada, and she has not run out of steam (although I was a bit worried at first). Her characters are more interesting and grow a little in each book. Her plots have sufficient twists and turns that she surprises me. I liked this author and this book. She has recipes, too!
Last, but not least, I am reading the The Cupcake Bakery Mystery series, by Jenn McKinlay. I am just starting the most recent book (no. 6), Sugar and Iced. Yes, there are recipes. Yes, all the cliches listed above are here but I kind of liked the characters (although Olivia is a bit over the top). I am afraid she might lose me after this book. Fluke has a annoying thing going on where her character can't choose between the two guys who love her and, unfortunately, that might be happening here, too. It seems that the romance story is taking over the mystery story. That might be a problem. I read the other five books in this series this month. Once I get started on a series, if I like it, I read straight through the list.
Well, gentle reader, it looks like the Cardinals rain delay may be over so I am going to sign out and watch the game
Saturday, March 01, 2014
It's Spring -- according to baseball and the meteorologists!
The start of baseball spring training and, more important, the start of televised games is going to put a dent in reading frenzy. That said, I have two books in progress: Great Expectations and Louise Penney's A Rule Against Murder. I intend to add Hample's Watching Baseball Smarter to that list. I started the Hample book two years ago but never finished it. I need to start it over again.
Then there is my crocheting. I have one Christmas 2013 present to finish plus a washcloth pattern to try and I have all the yarn bought to make the first afghan in my, admittedly ambitious "make an afghan for each of the grand-nieces and grand-nephews," plan/fantasy. The pattern I found for the first one (starting with the oldest, Sean) is labelled as advanced and I am intimidated. To paraphrase the old Chinese proverb: The longest afghan begins with a single stitch.
The trick to staying productive in my old age is to have projects in the works that take into account my variable physical abilities.
Then there is my crocheting. I have one Christmas 2013 present to finish plus a washcloth pattern to try and I have all the yarn bought to make the first afghan in my, admittedly ambitious "make an afghan for each of the grand-nieces and grand-nephews," plan/fantasy. The pattern I found for the first one (starting with the oldest, Sean) is labelled as advanced and I am intimidated. To paraphrase the old Chinese proverb: The longest afghan begins with a single stitch.
The trick to staying productive in my old age is to have projects in the works that take into account my variable physical abilities.
- On "Gee, I feel good days" I do my regular housekeeping chores and am cleaning out the computer/craft room so I (or someone I can con into it) pulls up the remaining carpeting and linoleum.
- On ambulatory but not energetic days: I do regular household chores and maybe cook something special.
- On "sitting on a heating pad" days: crochet and reading and eating tv dinners and writing my blog. I gotta do my taxes soon, too.
- On really crappy days, which are becoming far fewer, I take heavy duty meds and sleep or just watch TV. TGFB: Thank God for baseball!
- On energetic but not real mobile days, perhaps a bit of 1 - 3.
Monday, February 24, 2014
Reading Binge
I've finished three more books: Death of a Coupon Clipper, Death of a Chocoholic and Margery Allingham's Police at the Funeral. The "Death of . . . " books are the last currently published in the Lee Hollis' series. The books got better as they went along. This is kind of typical of series. The authors tend to struggle a little with the first book and then mature as writers as they go along. Like many series, this book includes recipes for food and for cocktails at the end of many chapters. (Another series with recipes is the Joann Fluke books. I have tried several of Fluke's recipes and enjoyed them. Unfortunately, she is out of steam with her plots and her characters.) I think I finally learned something about couponing. It seems you can apply many coupons to the same product. Is that right? For example: buy one box of Cheerios and apply 5 coupons to it. Feed back requested.
I had a little trouble getting into the book and set it aside for a while. Big mistake. When I finally decided to finish it yesterday, I had to skip back and forth to remind myself of some details introduced early in the novel. Wow! what an ending. Really didn't see it coming. No spoilers here. Read the book. I also enjoyed her language and had to look up quite a few words that were en vogue in 1931.
I am somewhat limited in which Allingham books I can read; not all are available for the Kindle.
The decks are clear--on to Great Expectations.
Allingham is a name I have heard (or read) about in different places and decided I needed to read something by her. Good idea!The Allingam Society has this paragraph about her:
Margery Allingham is pre-eminent among the writers who brought the detective story to maturity in the decades between the two world wars. She created an aristocratic, unassuming detective called Albert Campion, who matured from "just a silly ass" of the 1920s to an eminent intelligence veteran forty years later. He ranks high among the great detectives of fiction but does so unobtrusively, disdaining self-advertisement. Other recurrent characters contribute richly to the Campion series: Campion's wife, Amanda; his manservant, Lugg; and his police associates, Stanislaus Oates and Charlie Luke. The novels and stories in which they appear are among the most distinguished in the genre – vivacious, stylish, observant, shapely, intricate and witty. They are unfailingly intelligent and imaginative, even when they do not wholly succeed.
I had a little trouble getting into the book and set it aside for a while. Big mistake. When I finally decided to finish it yesterday, I had to skip back and forth to remind myself of some details introduced early in the novel. Wow! what an ending. Really didn't see it coming. No spoilers here. Read the book. I also enjoyed her language and had to look up quite a few words that were en vogue in 1931.
I am somewhat limited in which Allingham books I can read; not all are available for the Kindle.
The decks are clear--on to Great Expectations.
Saturday, February 22, 2014
The End of February Reading Update
I have been called to task for being remiss in keeping up my blog. I shall now remedy that situation.
During the months of January and February, I have read 36 books (so far). My great start into non-fiction was quickly shut down since the books I chose were boring and probably not appropriate. The book The Planets had a strange structure that was neither comfortable nor informative to me. The Elements dedicated two lavishly illustrated pages to each element in the periodic table. After a good introduction my reaction was pretty much "meh".
Set free from the strictures I had set for myself, I happily reverted to nice fluffy, cozy mysteries and one series that is probably good for young folks (no sex or violence) but I liked it.
The first group of books I read were the Witch series by Debra Geary. 10 books and one novella. If you are going to read these, you really need to read them in order. You can refer to http://www.fantasticfiction.co.uk for the lists for the names of the series and each book. These are really happy, happy books where everyone eventually loves everyone else. Nice fantasy with some interesting witchcraft/magic thrown in. For a book to capture my attention, I have to like the characters and there were tons of likeable characters and a few a little unlikeable ones who then had changes of heart.
The next series to grab me was Abigail Keam's Josiah Reynolds Mysteries. The characters were more complex than in the witch series. I read all but the most recent title, an oversight for sure. I read the 2nd one first and I was hooked. These were plotted tightly enough that I didn't figure out "who dun it" until late in the game.
I finished a book I had started last year: Nancy Tesler's Sharks, Jellyfish and Other Deadly Things. I have read other books in her Carrie Carlin series but don't find them compelling. If you are looking for good cozies, I can recommend other books and series.
I re-read Anne McCaffrey's Pegasus in Space which is part of her Pegasus. If you want to start reading McCaffrey, I can make lots of recommendations. Her Pern series is great until you get to some of the last books. The ones she wrote with her son, Todd are good but I don't recommend the ones that he wrote alone. Sorry, Todd. McCaffrey recommends that you read the books in the order that they were written, rather than in a chronological order determined by the internal timeline of the series. This works just fine. Start with Dragonflight. McCaffrey is a wonderful world builder!
I really like the way Lorraine Bartlett writes so I read her whole series that she writes under the pseudonym of Lorna Barrett: Booktown Mystery. And when I finished those I read the Victorian Square Mystery series which she writes under her own name and then finally, I read four books in the Jeff Resnick series. This last is quite different from the other two series. She writes them under the name L. L Bartlett.
I decided I needed a break from Bartlett and am now reading a series by Lee Hollis (a pseudonym for a brother and sister writing team). I find the characters a bit annoying but the books are so tightly plotted that I don't figure out who the murderer is until I am told. They are pretty quick reads.
Here comes the stunner: I am reading Great Expectations. I have never read any of Dickens long works and have been intimidated by them. But I have gotten far enough into it, that I am sure I will stick with it. There is a story that goes with this. I decided to try audible.com and have the book read to me as I was reading. They call that immersion reading. I couldn't get my Kindle Fire to link the text with the recording I had bought. (Amazon owns audible). After spending a lot of time with two different help specialists, and buying a different text that was supposed to have a "professional narrator", I finally gave up and told the guy that I didn't have the patience to pursue it further. So now I put the audio on my Fire and listen with headphones while I read on my Kindle Touch. Ain't technology grand?
That brings the blog up to speed on my reading. Next blog will be about kids and grandkids and dog.
TTFN!
During the months of January and February, I have read 36 books (so far). My great start into non-fiction was quickly shut down since the books I chose were boring and probably not appropriate. The book The Planets had a strange structure that was neither comfortable nor informative to me. The Elements dedicated two lavishly illustrated pages to each element in the periodic table. After a good introduction my reaction was pretty much "meh".
Set free from the strictures I had set for myself, I happily reverted to nice fluffy, cozy mysteries and one series that is probably good for young folks (no sex or violence) but I liked it.
The first group of books I read were the Witch series by Debra Geary. 10 books and one novella. If you are going to read these, you really need to read them in order. You can refer to http://www.fantasticfiction.co.uk for the lists for the names of the series and each book. These are really happy, happy books where everyone eventually loves everyone else. Nice fantasy with some interesting witchcraft/magic thrown in. For a book to capture my attention, I have to like the characters and there were tons of likeable characters and a few a little unlikeable ones who then had changes of heart.
The next series to grab me was Abigail Keam's Josiah Reynolds Mysteries. The characters were more complex than in the witch series. I read all but the most recent title, an oversight for sure. I read the 2nd one first and I was hooked. These were plotted tightly enough that I didn't figure out "who dun it" until late in the game.
I finished a book I had started last year: Nancy Tesler's Sharks, Jellyfish and Other Deadly Things. I have read other books in her Carrie Carlin series but don't find them compelling. If you are looking for good cozies, I can recommend other books and series.
I re-read Anne McCaffrey's Pegasus in Space which is part of her Pegasus. If you want to start reading McCaffrey, I can make lots of recommendations. Her Pern series is great until you get to some of the last books. The ones she wrote with her son, Todd are good but I don't recommend the ones that he wrote alone. Sorry, Todd. McCaffrey recommends that you read the books in the order that they were written, rather than in a chronological order determined by the internal timeline of the series. This works just fine. Start with Dragonflight. McCaffrey is a wonderful world builder!
I really like the way Lorraine Bartlett writes so I read her whole series that she writes under the pseudonym of Lorna Barrett: Booktown Mystery. And when I finished those I read the Victorian Square Mystery series which she writes under her own name and then finally, I read four books in the Jeff Resnick series. This last is quite different from the other two series. She writes them under the name L. L Bartlett.
I decided I needed a break from Bartlett and am now reading a series by Lee Hollis (a pseudonym for a brother and sister writing team). I find the characters a bit annoying but the books are so tightly plotted that I don't figure out who the murderer is until I am told. They are pretty quick reads.
Here comes the stunner: I am reading Great Expectations. I have never read any of Dickens long works and have been intimidated by them. But I have gotten far enough into it, that I am sure I will stick with it. There is a story that goes with this. I decided to try audible.com and have the book read to me as I was reading. They call that immersion reading. I couldn't get my Kindle Fire to link the text with the recording I had bought. (Amazon owns audible). After spending a lot of time with two different help specialists, and buying a different text that was supposed to have a "professional narrator", I finally gave up and told the guy that I didn't have the patience to pursue it further. So now I put the audio on my Fire and listen with headphones while I read on my Kindle Touch. Ain't technology grand?
That brings the blog up to speed on my reading. Next blog will be about kids and grandkids and dog.
TTFN!
Tuesday, January 21, 2014
Book Report: The Planets
The Planets by Dava Sobel, 2006
With a chapter for each planet plus the sun, moon and Pluto, Sobel blends facts about the various planetary objects with literary descriptions and poetry. I finished 40% of the book and have no intention of reading more. I learned a few new things in spite of not liking the basic structure of the book. I found the juxtaposition of poetry and scientific facts to be, at best, distracting. It never gelled for me.
The facts I learned? Mercury does not always present the same face to the earth; it changes very slowly due to the timing of the orbits of the two planets. Venus reflects more sunlight than the moon: 80% for Venus to 8% for the moon. Since the moon is so much closer, it just seems brighter. The clouds above Venus (15 miles thick) are 20 miles above the surface.
I found flowery language like "The parched Moon pulls at Earth's seas as though jealous of them" (p.111) particularly annoying. Maybe high school juniors and seniors with find the book enlightening. I have moved beyond it.
I have retreated to reading fluffy novels. I am re-reading the Modern Witch books by Debora Geary. They are sweet enough to give me tooth decay but I love them. I love to retreat into a fantasy community where everyone loves everyone else and helps new witches to achieve peace with their abilities.
With a chapter for each planet plus the sun, moon and Pluto, Sobel blends facts about the various planetary objects with literary descriptions and poetry. I finished 40% of the book and have no intention of reading more. I learned a few new things in spite of not liking the basic structure of the book. I found the juxtaposition of poetry and scientific facts to be, at best, distracting. It never gelled for me.
The facts I learned? Mercury does not always present the same face to the earth; it changes very slowly due to the timing of the orbits of the two planets. Venus reflects more sunlight than the moon: 80% for Venus to 8% for the moon. Since the moon is so much closer, it just seems brighter. The clouds above Venus (15 miles thick) are 20 miles above the surface.
I found flowery language like "The parched Moon pulls at Earth's seas as though jealous of them" (p.111) particularly annoying. Maybe high school juniors and seniors with find the book enlightening. I have moved beyond it.
I have retreated to reading fluffy novels. I am re-reading the Modern Witch books by Debora Geary. They are sweet enough to give me tooth decay but I love them. I love to retreat into a fantasy community where everyone loves everyone else and helps new witches to achieve peace with their abilities.
Tuesday, January 14, 2014
Progressing slowly
Sunday, January 12, 2014
Reading in 2014
The challenge was thrown down (in Goodreads?) to say how many books one would read this year. I put down 200. Given that I usually read lots not very deep and sometimes fluffy novels, 200 books is no big deal. Then I took the Christian Science Monitor quiz "Are You as Well-read as a 12th Grader?" and I decided to challenge my brain a bit. So, not only am I going to read at least some of the books from their list but I am going to also write a "book report" here. The first book up: The Elements by Theodore Gray. Luckily is has lots of pictures.
Sunday, November 17, 2013
New dog
To catch up: Brooke decided that a crocheted nursing shawl would be too hot for Casey. I crocheted a pineapple patterned one and don't know who to give it to. Casey was born 4 days after Amelia's birthday. Bingo died. Wacha, a stray cat I had for a short time, had to be euthanized. And Jim and I adopted Yorkie selected by everyone but me. (Jim and I had a discussion about whether or not I am a spiteful person and agreed that I do carry grudges. Ya think? If one carries grudges does that mean one is spiteful?)
I think we are calling the little 8 year old dog Pooch. We are both concerned that she doesn't seem to relate to either of us. She has accepted the bed I gave her, with some cunning encouragement, but now all she does is sleep. She likes to go outside, loves walks and exploring and sniffing but that's about it. We have written to her foster mom to see if we can get some insight and guidance. This is a two week trial period but if she doesn't warm up to us, she may be going back. Is there such a thing as autism in dogs?
Tuesday, September 03, 2013
Morning after the holiday
Almost all goals met! I had just one row of finishing to do on Casey's blanket and I did that yesterday. Brooke and Ali came and got me for lunch, so I did get to "play" with them. I didn't get the ends woven into the wash cloths but that is going to happen today. I haven't watched the Oz movie so that is on today's agenda.
For a variety of reasons, today will be low-key. (Allergies don't help.) That's ok. Yesterday, I put all my crocheting books in my Ravelry library as well as all my hooks. The oldest booklet I had was dated 1956. There are actually a couple of shawl patterns to look at as candidates for Brooke's nursing shawl. Today I would like to put my stash up and take pictures of what I have and of Casey's blanket.
Brooke is teaching herself to crochet! She found a book which has good illustrations of left-handed crocheting and she is off and running. She showed me the hat she is working on and it looks great! I introduced her to Ravelry. She has two patterns for Halloween costumes: one is a spider costume, the other is an old lady in a walker!
Coffee finished, news on the TV -- time to get the day started.
For a variety of reasons, today will be low-key. (Allergies don't help.) That's ok. Yesterday, I put all my crocheting books in my Ravelry library as well as all my hooks. The oldest booklet I had was dated 1956. There are actually a couple of shawl patterns to look at as candidates for Brooke's nursing shawl. Today I would like to put my stash up and take pictures of what I have and of Casey's blanket.
Brooke is teaching herself to crochet! She found a book which has good illustrations of left-handed crocheting and she is off and running. She showed me the hat she is working on and it looks great! I introduced her to Ravelry. She has two patterns for Halloween costumes: one is a spider costume, the other is an old lady in a walker!
Coffee finished, news on the TV -- time to get the day started.
Sunday, September 01, 2013
Labor Day weekend, post #2: The best laid plans . . .
My big goal today was to go to my first CAL (Crochet Along) at Knit and Caboodle in St. Charles. I cleaned out my crochet bag. (Did I really need all my cotton yarn in there?), put the Claudia yarn I was going to use in it, got my water bottle and set out. As soon as I got to about 50mph, I started hearing a wubba-wubba-wubba sound in the car. The tire pressure light was not on. There was no pull in the steering. Then I remembered hitting the curb while driving home Friday. (How'd that happen?) I figured my front-end alignment was kablooey and it would do neither me nor my car any good to drive all the way to St. Charles, about 25 mi. one way. End of that plan.
So it is back home to put the ballgame on TV (the Cards are ahead at the end of the first inning! Yay!) I want to finish Casey's blanket today and see if I can get the CAL project started. Looking over the goals I set on Thursday, I have completed #3 (the watermelon is sweet and delicious), can't do #5, will start the CAL project as next project for #6, finished half of #7, couldn't do #8 (They had other plans) and am doing #9 and #1 at the same time!
I'm disappointed about the CAL but maybe I can make it to next week's meeting.
So it is back home to put the ballgame on TV (the Cards are ahead at the end of the first inning! Yay!) I want to finish Casey's blanket today and see if I can get the CAL project started. Looking over the goals I set on Thursday, I have completed #3 (the watermelon is sweet and delicious), can't do #5, will start the CAL project as next project for #6, finished half of #7, couldn't do #8 (They had other plans) and am doing #9 and #1 at the same time!
- Finish Casey's car seat blanket
- Make black bean salad
- Cut up the watermelon
- Watch the Oz movie I have from Netflix
- Join the Crochet Along that begins on Sunday.
- Figure out which crochet project to start next.
- Weave in ends on the finished washcloths.
- Go play with Amelia and Ali on Saturday.
- Watch baseball.
- Go swimming on Monday.
I'm disappointed about the CAL but maybe I can make it to next week's meeting.
Thursday, August 29, 2013
Labor Day Weekend, post #1
The weekend began for me after my Better Balance since I don't have anything scheduled until next Tuesday. That's a long time to be rudderless. My biggest challenge in to stay busy and productive and not vegetate in front of the TV. So: Goals for the weekend:
- Finish Casey's car seat blanket
- Make black bean salad
- Cut up the watermelon
- Watch the Oz movie I have from Netflix
- Join the Crochet Along that begins on Sunday.
- Figure out which crochet project to start next.
- Weave in ends on the finished washcloths.
- Go play with Amelia and Ali on Saturday.
- Watch baseball.
Sunday, August 25, 2013
Lap Cat
A cat on one knee, a tablet on the other, I am attempting to write a blog while watching the Cardinals play Atlanta. It doesn't look good: 4 - 1 Atlanta. Hoping for an 8th inning rally. It could happen.
Today is declutter the house since Nancy comes tomorrow to clean. I'll be going to Ali's while she cleans to play with Amelia and, maybe get Ali to teach me about Google+. Right now, I'll wait until the end of the game (unless it goes into extra innings) to slough off the cat and get busy. I usually break my chores down into little spurts. It's amazing what you cam accomplish in less than fifteen minutes. Ask the flylady .
After all the little jobs are finished, it's back to the baby blanket I've just started. I bought a pattern through Ravelry that looked so cute that, even though it was rated easy, I was afraid to start it. Inspired by a Zen Pencils Poster, I hitched up my big girl panties and started it. It is easy! I have two rows finished and am looking forward to more!
"Unless you try to do something beyond what you have already mastered, you will never grow.!
"Unless you try to do something beyond what you have already mastered, you will never grow.!
Saturday, August 24, 2013
Crocheting
Thanks to Jim for a good (metaphorical) kick in the butt, I have gotten said butt out of the recliner and started to be active again. My latest "passion" (Jim wants to outlaw this overused word) is crocheting. It is important to me to be useful. I discovered knitting looms in time for Christmas last year and realized I could make hats for newborns. There are also groups that make hats for seamen. Newborns need blankets. There are lot things that can be done.
For a while, I stopped crocheting because it hurt my hands. Now, for some reason, it is not. Yay! My present goal is presents for Christmas and for Casey, my grandson who is due on November 8 (assuming he can read a calendar. It is pretty dark where he is.).
I have also used crocheting as a way to get some socializing. Today, I went to a 2 hour workshop on getting the most out of Ravelry, the amazing website for knitters, crocheters and other fabric fanatics. Because of that, I was unable to join an every-other-week crochet group that meets in Kirkwood. I signed up for two groups at Knitorious but was unable to go to them after my attempt to go to middle earth. (I fell after stepping in the open air return register in the floor. Owie!) Anyway, you get the point, fiber people like to get together.
If you want to check me out on Ravelry, I am Carolstl. More later.
For a while, I stopped crocheting because it hurt my hands. Now, for some reason, it is not. Yay! My present goal is presents for Christmas and for Casey, my grandson who is due on November 8 (assuming he can read a calendar. It is pretty dark where he is.).
I have also used crocheting as a way to get some socializing. Today, I went to a 2 hour workshop on getting the most out of Ravelry, the amazing website for knitters, crocheters and other fabric fanatics. Because of that, I was unable to join an every-other-week crochet group that meets in Kirkwood. I signed up for two groups at Knitorious but was unable to go to them after my attempt to go to middle earth. (I fell after stepping in the open air return register in the floor. Owie!) Anyway, you get the point, fiber people like to get together.
If you want to check me out on Ravelry, I am Carolstl. More later.
Tuesday, February 26, 2013
I was lying in bed feeling sorry for myself last night and thought about the people in my "Better Balance" class and how they deal with the limitations of pain and aging. I know what Cleo would say. She is a lovely, gracious woman with a walker in about her late seventies. She just got out of a two day stay in the hospital for a urinary track infection. She was glad she was around people who cared about her and didn't let her go to her apartment to lie down when her symptoms presented (they are different for us old folks). She is sweet and kind and counts her blessings. She doesn't lament that she has to use a walker; she is glad she can walk.
So what if I am almost housebound. I have a house--one that is cozy, warm in the winter and cool in the summer. So what that there are things I can't do well. I have family and friends who help me and sufficient funds to hire help when they can't. I have lots of "cans" and "haves" in my life and really very few "can'ts" and "have nots".
I've always thought that I'd like to be gracious and grow old gracefully. I want to be like Cleo when I grow up.
So what if I am almost housebound. I have a house--one that is cozy, warm in the winter and cool in the summer. So what that there are things I can't do well. I have family and friends who help me and sufficient funds to hire help when they can't. I have lots of "cans" and "haves" in my life and really very few "can'ts" and "have nots".
I've always thought that I'd like to be gracious and grow old gracefully. I want to be like Cleo when I grow up.
Friday, September 09, 2011
Dislocation trauma
Yesterday was a frustrating and somewhat traumatic day. Frustrating for me, traumatic for Bingo and Puddin'. I got up at 6 to greet the floor workers but they didn't arrive until 1. Then, after making sure we agreed what was to be done, I packed up the kiddies and headed to Elaine's. Puddin' peed on me as I put her in her carrier--not an auspicious start. I got a small box of litter on the way out to Florissant and a treat for me and Bingo. Traumatic times give license to treats, right? Two Twix bars and pizza for supper, not to mention sunflower cookeis. I will get back on track when I am ensconced in my new living room!
Last night was a bit of a mess. Puddin' wouldn't come out from under the bed and Bingo followed me everywhere. At least he got right off the bed when I told him to. Puddin' finally came out exploring during the night. She was able to jump up on the bed and she found her litter box. She was restless and I woke up several times to her pacing and mewing. At one point she perched on my back (for warmth?). Bingo woke me at 5 to be fed and I finally got Puddin' to eat. (She missed her supper meal the night before). I was able to give her insulin which was a big relief to me. The trauma of being somewhere other than home can't be good for her. Went back to bed to wake up to Bingo barking at either thunder or someone driving by. So that we wouldn't wake up Elaine, I took Bingo into the family room. I slept on the couch until I smelled coffee. Elaine said she didn't hear Bingo at all. Not a restful night. Oh yes, my legs and hips hurt, too. No where to go but up!
I'm going to go check on the floors soon, leaving the kiddies behind. Bingo likes Elaine and Elaine and Puddin' have agreed to ignore each other, so all should be well.
Last night was a bit of a mess. Puddin' wouldn't come out from under the bed and Bingo followed me everywhere. At least he got right off the bed when I told him to. Puddin' finally came out exploring during the night. She was able to jump up on the bed and she found her litter box. She was restless and I woke up several times to her pacing and mewing. At one point she perched on my back (for warmth?). Bingo woke me at 5 to be fed and I finally got Puddin' to eat. (She missed her supper meal the night before). I was able to give her insulin which was a big relief to me. The trauma of being somewhere other than home can't be good for her. Went back to bed to wake up to Bingo barking at either thunder or someone driving by. So that we wouldn't wake up Elaine, I took Bingo into the family room. I slept on the couch until I smelled coffee. Elaine said she didn't hear Bingo at all. Not a restful night. Oh yes, my legs and hips hurt, too. No where to go but up!
I'm going to go check on the floors soon, leaving the kiddies behind. Bingo likes Elaine and Elaine and Puddin' have agreed to ignore each other, so all should be well.
Wednesday, September 07, 2011
8 minute walk
I did an 8 minute walk today. It was supposed to be a seven minute walk but I didn't have my timer with me. I was hoping to see a egret or two but all I saw were people. Young people, old people. and one dog who was having a good time chasing a stick. 8 minutes was really my limit. My hips said no more! I have, however, recovered nicely.
Today a was a doodle around day: Weight Watchers, chiropractor, hair butchering, I mean hair cut. I have started packing to go to Elaine's tomorrow assuming the floor people come. No one has called me to show me color samples. I am not feeling the love.
Today a was a doodle around day: Weight Watchers, chiropractor, hair butchering, I mean hair cut. I have started packing to go to Elaine's tomorrow assuming the floor people come. No one has called me to show me color samples. I am not feeling the love.
Tuesday, September 06, 2011
Buying a new swimming suit
I didn't do a five minute walk today so I decided to punish myself by getting a new swimming suit. I promised myself that I would get one when the Y pool was closed for cleaning. Well, it opened today and I still had not got the suit. I went to my new favorite place to get a suit. I tried a couple of suits that were significantly smaller than my now too big suit. Too optimistic. I finally found one that fit, that encased the girls as well as could be expected. (Those little cups they put in suits are a big laugh!) It is two sizes smaller than my last one and, amazing to say, it is exactly the same style and color! It was all I could find! The only way anyone will know I have a new suit is because the trim on this one is not all raggedy. But it meets my basic requirements: no cleavage (no one, including me wants to see cleavage on an almost 70 year old woman), my rolls do not look too prominent, I can get in it without a major struggle. It does have little bows on the side. I think I will cut them off. Give me a break.
I celebrated by getting a Diet Coke in the MickieD drive through.
The renovation went forward a little and then stalled. The carpets got ripped up today but the refinishers are not going to start until Thursday. It is not to the point of being annoying yet but Bingo and I are really looking forward to getting out of the bedroom.
Veggie stir fry for dinner--weigh in tomorrow.
I celebrated by getting a Diet Coke in the MickieD drive through.
The renovation went forward a little and then stalled. The carpets got ripped up today but the refinishers are not going to start until Thursday. It is not to the point of being annoying yet but Bingo and I are really looking forward to getting out of the bedroom.
Veggie stir fry for dinner--weigh in tomorrow.
Monday, September 05, 2011
A five minute walk
So, inspired by Kristann, I decided to start walking again with a five minute walk. I went to Forest Park, which was packed with Labor Day frolickers. I lucked into a parking place near the Muny where there was a Veterans' Festival with a band that was channeling Johnny Cash. I doodled around a bit, quickly using up my five minutes and then some. So, Day 1 of walking.
Forest Park is my favority place to walk. There are lots of paths and wonderful landscaping. My favorite quadrant is the area bounded by The Boathouse, The Art Museum, and the pool at the base of the Art Museum's hill. More later, perhaps even pictures.
Forest Park is my favority place to walk. There are lots of paths and wonderful landscaping. My favorite quadrant is the area bounded by The Boathouse, The Art Museum, and the pool at the base of the Art Museum's hill. More later, perhaps even pictures.
Tuesday, August 09, 2011
Doctor Who
This afternoon I finished watching Season 2 of Doctor Who. I have to admit it took me a while to get into it. I love the way the Doctor looks serious and hopeless one minute and then decides to look the opposite. The big disarming grin. Love it. It's the old "change your point of view"routine. (Does anyone remember the "Change your point of view" song from Square One? Here's the YouTube for it: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QlqEVnSmBNY
The long goodbye to Rose was a little much. I caught the end of another episode where all the Doctor's companions unite to save him so I know they meet again at least once. I did like Rose, however. She was quite resourceful and spunky.
As long as I'm doing YouTubes of favorites from kids shows, here is one of my favorite songs from Sesame Street: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8LAVVGJtrRM
The long goodbye to Rose was a little much. I caught the end of another episode where all the Doctor's companions unite to save him so I know they meet again at least once. I did like Rose, however. She was quite resourceful and spunky.
As long as I'm doing YouTubes of favorites from kids shows, here is one of my favorite songs from Sesame Street: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8LAVVGJtrRM
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