Books Three and Four: Dawn and Adulthood Rites by Octavia E. Butler

I haven't grouped my read books together in a post for a while, but I finished the second book before I posted here--it's been over a week. Both novels are in a three-volume series called Lilith's Brood that I borrowed from the Essex Library.

In Dawn, war has destroyed Earth. Hundreds of years later, Lilith is awakened by powerful aliens, the Oankali. The Oankalis rescued and healed  many people. The Oankali want to merge genetically with humans and use Lilith to awaken and help explain the process to other humans. 

Adulthood Rites focuses on Akin, Lilith's son. As a young child, he was kidnapped by a group of human resisters, humans whohave reject a life with the Oankali and established their own communities. Akin works to get Oankali support for a human colony on Mars where humans can procreate. This is a hard sell because the Oankali believe human hierarchical tendencies doom them to death by war or some other destruction. 

Butler is a brilliant writer and her worlds are vivid. I am not as drawn to this books as I was to Kindred or to the Parable stories. I'll have more to say when I finish the third book, Imago.

Frugality, Food Waste, and Other Friday Thoughts

Looking at yesterday's grocery bill, I feel like a dismal failure at frugality. Most of my items were produce related. I also bought a few pantry items. I can't help that food prices are high, and frugality isn't always focused on squeezing every last dime.

The things that appeal to me most about frugality are avoiding waste. 

Food waste is one priority. I sometimes buy too much produce or lunchmeat. I need to plan around what I buy, instead of just grabbing anything that looks good. I also have to be realistic as I read interesting recipes or see fun things as I walk the grocery aisles. Will I actually make that dish?

I'm getting better at using vegetables before they get too old and finding new recipes that use multiple items. That also helps with the age-old problem of what to have for dinner.

Buying used is another way to reduce waste. We're buying a dining room table and chairs as well as a coffee table from our downstairs neighbor when she moves. Another neighbor is taking me to a good thrift store. I hope I'm lucky.

Jeff and I are going out to lunch tomorrow for Valentine's Day. We usually don't go out on this holiday, but it's going to warm up to the 50s, and we haven't been out in a while. I was undecided at first, but now I'm looking forward to it. 

I'm longing for spring, but knew it's still far off. Nothing like multiple snow piles to remind you it's winter. 

A Little Can Be Enough

On Sunday, I was feeling sorry for myself.  I wrote in my journal that I wasn't happy with my life. Then I wrote that I'd have to remake my life into something that will make me happy. I ended with "Think about that!" 

The next day, things started looking better. Walking Jace, I felt something in the air--a little warmth. It was still cold, but it was sunny, and there was no wind. After weeks with temperatures below freezing, everyone's excited for some warmth and melting. We'll gladly take the mud and mush. 

I had a good day today with this song was going through my head. I'm happy with my accomplishments--I got a decent amount of work done (paperwork, unpacking, cleaning.) I also want to Jeff's speech therapy session with him; it gave me a lot to think about.  

A Catch-Up Post

It's been a busy ten days. Deep snow in Maryland and Connecticut complicated our lives. The highways were great driving to and from Connecticut (Wednesday and Saturday, respectively.) Getting out of the condo here and parking in Norwalk were our biggest challenges, thanks to ubiquitous snow piles and icy patches. 

We are no longer Norwalk property owners. I had a few things to do before we met with our attorney on Thursday. Despite a few glitches, everything worked out. After we signed the papers, I ran errands. Then, I got takeout from Little Kitchen, our favorite Chinese restaurant in the area. We enjoyed our favorites: Sauteed Sliced Chicken with Hot Peppers and Crispy Spinach and Dry Sauteed Shredded Beef Szechuan Style, as well a Bean Curd with Vegetables Country Style for Jen who graciously hosted us again. We already miss Little Kitchen.

We vegged on Friday, and I finished Badlands. On Saturday, we drove back. There had been talk of more snow, plus I couldn't wait to get home. 

This week has been a blur of medical appointments and paperwork. Today, I stocked up on food in case the predicted snow amounts to more than an inch. I also picked up a welcome mat and some baskets we've needed. Now, I can really focus on our new home.

Book Two: Badlands by Preston & Child

Another winner from Preston & Child, this is the fifth in the Nora Kelly/Corrie Swanson series. Even though it starts with a gruesome death--a woman walks into the desert to die--the book starts too slowly. But, it soon makes up for that. 

Nora and Corrie are my favorites amid among myriad fascinating supporting characters in the Pendergast universe. I love reading about their investigations.

As good as this book is, it pales in comparison to their previous case, Dead Mountain. 

Tuesday Topics

We got a lot of snow over Saturday and Sunday. The official total closest to us is 9 inches in Middle River. 

Unfortunately, our new condo management is very bad at snow removal. And their office is still closed. I know this is a rare heavy snow event in the Baltimore area, but damn, it's not like we're in Mississippi or somewhere else in the Deep South where cities don't even have snowplows.

The parking lot is decently plowed but needs more work. All the walkways need to be cleared. It's especially frustrating because Jeff and I are planning to drive to Connecticut tomorrow to finalize our condo sale and take care of some other business. There's no way I can get Jeff or anyone using a walker or cane to the car.

Thank goodness for our friendly and helpful neighbors. One couple on the first floor shoveled from their patio to the street and will widen that path. They lent me a cart to take our luggage downstairs through their unit. Two neighbors will help Jeff get into the car. I appreciate their help but am disappointed that I need to rely on them and not the management company that we are paying. 

On top of all that, there is the potential for another snow event next weekend. Jeff and I may have to cut our trip short. We'll see.

The Dread Before the Storm

Forecasts are dire and the weather media seems to relish the worsening reports. 

In our first winter in Essex, we've experienced the coldest December in twenty years. Now, this weekend may bring the biggest snowstorm in 20. Bad timing for us, or maybe a neighbor was right when she said I brought the cold from Connecticut. 

I ran most of my errands yesterday, including the second grocery run of the week. I missed a few things when I went shopping on Monday. Plus, I figured I should stock up--I won't be driving anywhere until at least Monday. The best errand was going to the Essex Library. I got a library card and three books. 

I admit I'm worried about losing power and being unable to cook. I'm used to having a gas stovetop. It could be lots of peanut butter sandwiches. Good thing we love peanut butter. 

What We're Watching

The Running Man 2025: I liked the 1987 Arnold Schwarzenegger movie, and read the 2025 adaptation is more faithful to the Stephen King book. I never read the book, so can't comment on that. This version is dark  I may like dark, but I don't particularly like this film. It's too long and has too many action scenes. Maybe I'm just too old for this shit.

The Pitt Season One: Jeff suggested this show; it's very good. I tend to think that I don't like medical shows, but I'm enjoying this as well as Watson. Each episode is one hour in a shift and each season is one day. I like this format--it gives you time to live with the characters and let the stories develop. That's one of my favorite things about soap operas though they often failed to do that. 

Goal Tending

I've been thinking that for the past few years, my goals haven't been very thought out. I recycled previous goals and forgot about them for weeks at a time. 

Here are my current thoughts.

Dryuary: I've been doing some version of this for over 25 years. I'm a third of the way through the dry period (I don't drink again until Valentine's Day.) I recently read that Dryuary isn't such a great idea. Instead, you should rethink your drinking. It's something to think about. I find myself drinking more in the last week of year, because I stop after that. 

Exercise: I've been trying to exercise for a half-hour each day, and it's going pretty well. I was planning to join a gym in February but may wait a little longer. I need to do more research. 

Reading: I don't want to set a goal of a specific number of books read, but I want to read more than I have been. I have only a few books here that I haven't already read, and there in boxes, except for the Connecticut book mentioned  below. I need to check out the Essex Library.

Writing: I've been journaling and doing some blogging. Unfortunately, that hasn't translated to "real" writing. I think I'll pick up a book about Connecticut railroads. I first saw this book in the history room of the Norwalk Library but later found my own copy at a library book sale. Maybe that will inspire me. 

Book One: The Mirror & the Light by Hilary Mantel

I read most of this book last year, but just finished it this morning. I had mixed feelings about the other two books in this trilogy but enjoyed this book more. 

The Mirror & the Light begins literally seconds after the execution of Anne Boleyn and ends as Thomas Cromwell is executed. 

Despite her death at the opening, Anne's presence is felt throughout this novel. At one point, while reading verses about the men convicted of adultery with Anne, Cromwell's nephew remarks, "You see there is no mention of the lady." Cromwell thinks that none is needed: "Anne is always in the room." I felt the same way.  

I was intrigued by a description of Edward IV, Henry VIII's grandfather. 

"...King Edward grew soft in middle age, his eye always rolling in the direction of any woman at             court, wife or maid under the age of thirty. He lolled on a daybed with supple flesh, while his own         brothers plotted against him..." 

While many assume Henry was a lusty playboy, he was more like a choir boy compared to some of the other royals. His appetites for good food and drink didn't decrease--think of Henry's popular image of a fat man lustily eating a large turkey leg.

I think about Edward's decision to marry Elizabeth Woodville and how that threatened his reign, and compare that to Henry's obsession with Anne Boleyn and all that he was willing to risk to marry her. Of course, I knew Edward was Henry's grandfather but I never really thought of their similarities.

Checks in the Mail

I've probably written more checks in the past three months than I did the previous year. It had to do with changing banks, setting up new automatic payments, and reimbursing my brother for some things he brought for me. The biggest issue for me was finding envelopes to mail the checks. At least, I had no trouble finding stamps. 

While sending checks is somewhat unusual, receiving a check in the mail is a rare event. The last time it happened to me, I wrote a post about it. Well, it happened again this week. Jeff and I got a $825 check from the title company that handled our closing. That was a nice surprise. Keep them checks coming. 

Vanderpump Rules 2.0

Five episodes have aired, and I've watched them all. I guess it's a kind of habit--the show is still on our recording list. That's not the only reason. I wanted to check it out to see if it would work. 

Based on what I've seen so far, no.

These people are messy, but they're not funny. They are petty and whiny. That could be okay if any of them were funny or had a modicum of charm. None of them are nice. I had hopes for one of the women, but she blew it in episode five. 

Will I watch again? Maybe. Probably. I'd probably be better off watching the original. 

It's Been A Week

The first full week of the year was a mixed bag: a doctor's appointment, a family funeral, and the normal errands and chores. Oh, and we sold our Norwalk condo! I have regrets about how I handled things, but I'm not going to worry about that now. We expect to close on the 30th. 

A few weeks ago I went to New Jersey for a celebration of life for my cousin's husband. This week I went back to New Jersey for my cousin Barbara's funeral. That's not the kind of routine I want to continue.

Barbara died on December 22, the same date that Spike died ten years ago. I was planning to call her before Christmas. I'm glad we spoke a few months ago and that I saw her last year. 

Barbara was 13 years older than me so I didn't spend a lot of time with her growing up. I did take some fun trips to visit her in Cocoa Beach, Florida and San Francisco with her parents and my cousin Cindy. Later, Barbara became the matriarch of our family often hosting family reunions. I will miss her.

***

I've been exercising almost every day--doing a half-hour of yoga, stretches, and light weight work. I feel stronger already. Walks are good, but not enough. Plus, Jace and I don't walk as far in the cold as we do in the warm weather. 

I've been doing more journaling. This morning I woke up with a sentence in my head about Sylvanus Merwin. After I walked Jace, I sat down at the laptop and wrote 125 words  about the Merwinsville Hotel. A drop in the bucket, but it made me feel good. You have to start somewhere.

On To 2026!

The holidays are officially over. Jeff and I had the quiet Christmas I didn't know I needed. Quiet times continued through the week between, what Jezebel once called slug week. We celebrated New Year's Eve with our friends Annette and George with Annette's old fashions, sushi, cake, and champagne.

As far as I'm concerned, 2026 really starts tomorrow. 

In the morning I'm headed to the our new primary care doctor. Jeff's already seen him, and we both liked him. I've got other medical referrals that I have to prioritize this month. Jeff will probably start outpatient physical therapy this week. 

I want to get back to furniture shopping. Then I can unpack and put away more things. I need to organize the closets and change a few things in the kitchen. 

Hold on: one step at a time. First, I need to pack up the Christmas decorations. I started by washing the holiday napkins and towels and gathering Jace's Christmas toys. 

I'm going to give myself daily to-do lists--three things should do it. A list will keep me less easily distracted. At least I hope so. 

One thing I want to put on the list--hmm, maybe there should be four items--is exercise. A few weeks ago I did a few stretches and I was really stiff. I realized that I haven't been to a gym since August. It's been so cold lately that I'm not walking as long as usual with Jace. 

I started daily exercise: yoga, stretches, balancing exercises. I work with my body ball and small weights (we only have two and five pounds.) I already feel that it's making a difference. I want to get back to a gym routine, but want to avoid the January rush. That reminds me: we saw several gym commercials on TV on New Year's Eve, but no diet commercials. It must be because everyone's on Ozempic.