Book Eight: Mansfield Park by Jane Austen

It took me a while to get into this book. I told myself if I read to page 100 and didn't want to continue, I wouldn't.

Well, I decided to keep reading, despite my doubts. I had trouble relating to Fanny; she is so passive--she is hardly living her own life. But she is also described as the most moral person, whose judgment is always proper and correct. That can get tedious. 

Then there is the difficulty of reading early 19th Century work--some words mean something different than their modern counterparts and some spellings are different. Of course, the style is also different from that of modern novels.

Austen is such a good writer, that I wanted more. That's why I finished the book (even if I did skim some passages.) 

Three Birthday Lunches and a Sun-shower

In the last eight days, I've been on three birthday lunches. The first was with Jeff, his sister and her husband. We went to Rive Bistro, a restaurant I've been meaning to visit for a long time. 

Next, it was Jeff and me. We went to the Goose. Today my brother and his girlfriend took us to Sedona Tap House.. 

I could get used to this. But alas, a birthday is just once a year.  

Although I enjoyed our meal at the Goose, I was very disappointed on my birthday. It was also Jace's birthday. Okay, we don't know his real birthday. I learned from asking about Lola's birthday that when stray dogs are taken to a vet, the day of the visit becomes the birthday. We picked a date for Lola's birthday. We liked that Jace and I had the same bday. 

It was cold and damp on our birthday with temperatures topping out around 52. I had hoped for a warm day when we could eat outside. Well, we didn't get out with Jace then, so we owe him a restaurant meal. 

We finally saw some sun today. In fact, when I took Jace out this afternoon, we walked in a sun-shower. I sang parts of this song. I love sun-showers, but it's odd to find them after a nor'easter. But the weather is screwed now. At least there are no sharnados ...yet. 

Frustrating Day

I drove Jeff to physical therapy only to find that his insurance will not cover PT in a hospital setting. The office said they called to let us know, but we didn't get a message. 

It is cold--it feels like March. Yesterday morning, the temps were in the forties, but at least it warmed up to the 70s. Today it started and stayed in the fifties with wind. Tomorrow, we're expecting a nor'easter. This is the lead-in to Memorial Day 2025. Ugh.

I took a large plastic container downstairs to our storage bin and brought up two three suitcases, a box of extra pieces of  wood flooring and a large bag. One suitcase was so old, the handle fell off. It was so heavy, I had to take half the things out to carry it upstairs and out to the trash.   

I also accidentally set the dryer cycle for no heat and had to run it again.

At least the Mets won, ending their three game losing streak. 

Tuesday Topics

I had a strange realization last night. I had finished doing the dinner dishes, half watching/half listening to the Mets game. I was thinking about writing, and then I was talking myself out of it. That's scary if you think of yourself as a writer. 

So, I wonder why am I avoiding writing. I don't have an answer. I have to keep thinking about it and keep on writing. 

I went to Trader Joe's today with a list of healthy frozen foods according to a list I saw online. Of the items I found, most had high sodium content. I found two with low sodium and two others I had found before. I was happy to see Thai wheat noodles I couldn't find last time. Most importantly, lemon pesto is back! I bought four bottles. I haven't seen it for months, and was just thinking I should break down and buy something more expensive online. 

I picked up the cinnabar lamps today and put them on the living room end tables. It's nice to have them. I know that Jeff has always wanted them.

We've been spending a lot of time looking at real estate online mostly in Maryland. Then, Jeff saw a condo in Milford, Delaware that he likes. There's also some new construction there. So, we're going to check out the area. We may have to stay in Rehoboth Beach when we visit. There isn't much in the way of dog friendly motels in Milford.

The Mets are in a slump. It always seems to happen when I decide to write about them, but don't actually do it. Am I a jinx?

Mother's Day Musings

I may not be a mother of humans, but I'm a dog mom. I'll take that as a reason to celebrate. 

Today I celebrated by not cooking. Generally, I enjoy cooking, especially compared to other household chores like laundry or cleaning. But, again generally, you have to cook everyday, and it gets time consuming. Especially because I chop veggies and lettuce most days. The planning also gets to me. Sometimes I wake up and my first thought is "What are we going to have for dinner?" Ugh.

It's been a beautiful weekend--the first without rain in awhile. Jace and I are taking longer walks. Today we walked an hour and a quarter, going to Oyster Shell Park. I went there often with Lola, because for many years, she was afraid to walk in the neighborhood. But Jace enjoys our neighborhood walks. 

After coffee and a protein drink, I went to the gym for about 40 minutes. It was the first time this year, I went four times in a week. On the way home, I picked up bagels I had previously gotten smoked salmon and cream cheese. Later we got take out sushi for dinner. 

Couldn't watch the Mets because the game was on Roku. It always annoys me when games appear on some unusual channel or service. We already have SNY for the Mets games. At least the Mets won. It's been a great season so far.

Book Seven: Bleeding Kansas by Sara Paretsky

This is one of two books I picked up at a recent Wilton Library Book Sale. I had only found one other book: Connecticut Railroads An Illustrated History. I'm a big fan of Paretsky's VI Warshawski novels, so I picked this up. 

It's a hard book for me to characterize. It's set in a farming community in Kansas in the early 2000s (probably the first time I used that description--it sounds funny) and focuses on two families who were once allies in the antislavery movement. The Grelliers and the Schapens now disagree on just about everything--most importantly in their versions of Christianity. 

It took me about 15 chapters (of 58) to really get into the story. Then I was compelled to read on--to find out what would happen to all these crazy characters. That's what good writing can do.

Leftover Turkey Casserole

ShopRite has a holiday promotion--spend $400 in a certain time period and you can get a ham, chicken, turkey breast, or frozen lasagna. I cooked our "Easter" turkey breast about a week-and-a-half ago. We've had turkey fajitas and sandwiches, and I made turkey broth. Even after giving Jace turkey and rice for his digestion problems, we still had a lot of turkey.

I did some googling and found this recipe. It wasn't as easy as it's purported to be. Part of it is me; I always take more time than the recipes estimate. This time, I made another step for myself by not using cream of chicken soup. I made a substitute with turkey broth, butter, flour, and half-and-half. It didn't taste like chicken (or turkey) but it worked. I dirtied many dishes in the cooking process. Ugh.

I was pleasantly surprised by how much we both liked the casserole. I'll have to keep it in mind.

A Re-read: The Mystery of the Tolling Bell by Carolyn Keene

This is Book 23 in the Nancy Drew Mystery Stories, published in 1946. I've always been a fan of Nancy's and have taken several opportunities to re-read the "old" mysteries--meaning the books published before the revisions began in 1959.

I picked up this book in an antique mall in Newark, Delaware. The store had a few of the older books (blue covers with a silhouette of Nancy holding a magnifying glass) along many more of the revised books with yellow covers and illustrations. 

I selected The Mystery of the Tolling Bell because I remembered it as a good one. Well, either my memory was wrong or my tastes changed because this time around I found the mystery to be mediocre. 

Oh well, you can't win them all. 

Book Six: The Autobiography of Henry VIII, With Notes by his Fool, Will Somers by Margaret George

I really enjoyed this book; I'm glad I didn't pass it up as I had previously. 

In the Prologue, Henry VIII's fool is writing to Catherine Carey Knollys, the daughter of Henry VIII and Mary Boleyn to send her the journal that Henry wrote. (Note: it's unclear if Henry VIII really was Catherine's father.)

The journal begins with Henry recalling his first memory of becoming a Knight of the Bath at age 3. This rang true because I had recently watched a program that described how important this ceremony would be--one of the few times Henry would even see his father Henry VII. 

George does a good job of showing how Henry rationalizes his beliefs and decisions. Does he really believe only he knows the true thoughts of God? It reminded me of Henry's grandmother Margaret Beaufort as described by Philippa Gregory in The Red Queen. 

Near the end of the book, Henry is seeking the love of his children. I wonder how any of his children could truly love such a rash and dangerous man. Especially Mary, who suffered horribly through Henry's divorce from Catherine of Aragon and the reign of Anne Boleyn. 

Thinking of Lola

 

Today is Lola's designated birthday. I wanted to take a moment to honor her. I feel guilty because I didn't even think of her on April 22, which is the anniversary of her coming to live with us. I was focused on Delaware real estate, I guess. 

We will always love Lola.

More Catching Up with a Side of Miscellanea

It's been a lot. 

I'm not sure why I haven't been writing. I've barely journaled either. Keeping myself incommunicado. Keeping my thoughts to myself. But it's counterproductive. Journaling helps keep me grounded. At least, I journaled today; I need to get back into the habit.

Our trip to Delaware was...disappointing. I had hoped to find several good housing options for us. Instead, we found only one. Reviewing the condo documents, we discovered another problem. The place is just not dog-friendly. 

We need to look further. We've been invited again to visit friends in the Baltimore area and look from there. We just have to figure our a schedule--they're away now.

I brought up three large plastic boxes from our storage bin in the basemen, including two boxes of Halloween costumes, props, and accessories. I threw out some old make-up, but I packed up the rest for Goodwill. The bags are in the back seat of my car: I was afraid I would forget about them if I put them in the trunk. 

I set up some PT appointments for Jeff, but need to reschedule two of them. It's another week before he starts. Only Jace and I have medical appointments this week.

I went to the gym one day this week. I did back, chest, leg, and ab exercises. I exercised at home most other days. I went to the hotel gym once in Newark. Jace and I didn't do much walking around the hotel. I guess Jace didn't like the neighborhood. He did enjoy walking the green at UD. Jace was a big hit, especially with the ladies. As usual.

Had another expensive week with unexpected car repairs .I needed a headlight bulb replacement, a new battery, and windshield wiper blades. At least I don't have a car payment to worry about. 

Finally got into a bit of a cleaning mode today. The feeling doesn't last long, so I have to act on it. 

It's only a good start if I continue.