Book Sale

Yesterday Cynthia and I went to the Mark Twain Library book sale. We were both thinking that it will be our last book sale visit together. 

Here are my purchases:

1. Anne Neville Queen to Richard III by Michael Hicks. I once wrote that I wanted to learn more about Anne Neville. Here's my opportunity.

2. Mothers of Invention by Drew Gilpin Faust This book describes how the role of privileged white Southern women changed during the Civil War. I was intrigued that the author studied diaries, letters, essays, and memoirs for this book. 

3. The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins. I remember hearing that this was a good book, and the blurbs were interesting ("fun with unreliable narration")

4. The Mirror & the Light by Hilary Mantel. I won't say that I'm a fan; I wanted to complete the trilogy. 

Re-Read Three: Neptune Noir Edited by Ron Thomas

After I finished Catherine of Aragon, I caught up on magazines. Then I picked up this book as I was going through some bookshelves. 

 

Neptune Noir is a collection of essays about Seasons 1 and  2 of Veronica Mars. Topics include: father-children relationships, LoVe--the Logan-Veronica romance, comparisons between Veronica and Buffy the Vampire Slayer, and Veronica's loss of innocence. 

Now I'm thinking about renewing or restarting my rewatch. 

Has It Been a Week?

Sometimes time can mess with you. 

It's been a week since we closed on our condo in Maryland.

But here we are in Connecticut. Everyone asks if I'm packing. Yeah, but I also have the daily chores and errands. Most recently, I've been reviewing moving companies and contracts. I think we're okay in that area. 

So much work to do. I alternate between being overwhelmed and being confident. 

Thursday I gave myself two to-dos. I did them and felt good about it. I need to be more ambitious. 

No Jury Duty for Me

Last month I was summoned for jury duty. I filled out the juror questionnaire and prepared to appear today at Stamford Superior Court. 

Between the time I submitted the questionnaire and today, Jeff and I bought our new condo. The last thing I wanted to do was sit around a courtroom even if it were for just one day. Plus, I had to go to Stamford by 8:30.

Luckily, last night I got a text that my jury service is cancelled. Works for me. 

Happy Anniversary Jace!

Yesterday was our third anniversary with Jace. I'll never forget the date; it's also my mother's birthday. 

We celebrated with a filet mignon dinner (yay, filet was on sale.)

We can't wait to show Jace our new place. He'll love it. 

Two Condos!

As of Friday, August 22nd, Jeff and I are owners of two condominiums. It won't be for long. At least we hope not. 

We're figuring out what we have to do when. It won't be fun, but I can't wait till it's over. Jeff's mother once said something like it's an escalator, take it, and you'll get there. 

Closing Postponed

The closing of our new condo in Essex, Maryland is postponed from next Tuesday to next Friday. It's not a big deal--actually it gives us a little breathing room. 

The most disappointing thing is that the sellers will be staying in the condo an additional week. We had agreed to this to make the most attractive offer and because we are in no rush to move, but I'm disappointed. I had planned to start taking a few things down. Oh well. We'll get there.

Book 13: Catherine of Aragon by Garrett Mattingly

I've read a few novels about Catherine of Aragon before, but this is the first history. I realized that while I knew the broad outlines of Catherine's life, I didn't know many details. For example, I wrote about her uncertain future after Arthur's death and deprivations and embarrassment she experienced, but it was worse than I realized. In addition to being a pawn of Henry VII and Ferdinand of Aragon, she was also hurt by conflicts between her servants, clergymen, and ambassadors. In many ways, she stood alone as she did years later after Henry VIII dissolved their marriage. Her strength never failed her in either struggle. 

I sometimes thought it was only stubbornness that kept her from retiring to a nunnery when Henry made it clear their life together was over. But it was her strong determination to save her soul, her daughter's, her husband's, and even the souls of her adopted countrymen. I hadn't realized that it was Catherine that kept England from another civil war. 

I didn't care for Mattingly's writing style; I found it awkward and sometimes melodramatic and overwrought. It was still a worthwhile book to read. 

Last Day at New Canaan Nature Center

I've been volunteering with the birds of prey at the New Canaan Nature Center (NCNC) for three years. Today was my last day. Our closing for the Maryland condo is next Tuesday. I'll be spending most of my time after that packing.

I took particular care cleaning the aviaries and said goodbye to all the birds. 

Maybe I visit them one more time before I relocate. 

Back Again

I don't know why I haven't posted. I've been busy, but that doesn't cut it. 

We have big news. We bought a condo in Essex, Maryland! It wasn't either of the two we had already seen. It's in the same complex as one that we were considering, but it's so much nicer than the first. 

We close next Tuesday. We're nowhere near ready to move yet. I haven't done as much packing as I would have liked. I've been dealing with banks and other financial institutions and reading condominium documents.  

My work is cut out for me.