In my rather gentle attempt to feel better, I went for a walk today. As motivation, I thought about the lovely wildflowers I've seen blooming on the side of the road. Also, I am finally listening to a decent book which always helps. I decided a few days ago that life was too short to listen to crappy books and sent the Amanda Quick one back to the library and borrowed another one- a tome that I don't even remember the name of, some sort of historical novel involving a sixteenth-century girl in London who was a scribe for a blind rabbi and after I'd listened to a few hours of that, I sent it back too.
I just did not really feel any connection or sympathy with any of the characters.
The one I'm listening to now is a very dear novel, "Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine," a debut novel by a woman named Gail Honeyman. Hard to believe it's the author's first book. From the very beginning I had that lovely feeling of being in good hands.
So I took off down the road to where I knew the wildflowers were and I was not disappointed in them.
The yellow and purple flowers bloom profusely this time of year, a sign for sure of coming fall.
I stopped to talk to Pinot who was sitting on the front porch of the man who ambulates in his motorized wheelchair.
"How are you?" I asked Pinot.
"I'm tired," he said.
"How are you?" I asked Pinot.
"I'm tired," he said.
I can so relate.
I had planned my day so that when I got back from my walk, cooled off and had a shower, I would go do a little bit of grocery-store foraging and then shell the peas I picked yesterday. And that plan was indeed executed.
They are simmering away on the stove with onions and will be part of tonight's supper, the last batch of fresh (not frozen) garden field peas for the year. I have noticed the chickens pecking over the vines that I pulled and put on the burn pile two days ago. There were plenty of over- and under-mature peas for them to eat and I had hope they would find and enjoy them and so they have.
I'm tired but feeling okay. Tomorrow I plan to do a very short walk and then get back in the garden. I have things I absolutely have to get in the ground. They are just sitting here, radiating their guilt aura at me along with all of my unread copies of The New Yorker and other various magazine. But of course, the seeds and plants take precedence.
And Lord, do I want some baby salad greens.
That's my Thursday.
Love...Ms. Moon
healing walk, beautiful wildflowers to savor.....and your nice pot of peas/beans simmering. I read the book you are listening to and I loved it too! Happy evening, be kind to yourself
ReplyDeleteSusan M
Isn't it a good book? I surely did enjoy it.
DeleteI feel like I am always kind to myself.
Eleanor oliphant is s brilliant novel. I was amazed to see it was a first, too. Excellent choice.
ReplyDeleteI think the peas you grow are different from any I'm used to. They look good on the stove.
It sure didn't read like an author who is still finding her way, did it?
DeleteWell, the rest of the world would probably call these beans but we call them peas. Field peas of different varieties and type.
just got back from my short walk with the dog down the street and back just as a sunset was developing with big fluffy pink clouds.
ReplyDeleteNice.
DeleteIt looks good down in that pot.
ReplyDeletePretty, pretty good.
DeleteI used to feel that I must read every book I checked out. I have now grown up and realized there are lots of really good writers out there just waiting to put excellent words in my head. If one can't do that in short order I let it go to someone else.
ReplyDeleteI was the same way. I am definitely not any more. That is one thing about growing older- time becomes more and more important, doesn't it?
DeleteIt's great to see those Florida wildflowers. Gold and purple are indeed the colors of the season. I loved "Eleanor Oliphant"! I'm about sick to death of Newbery books, and you know how I feel about those New Yorkers. (I actually recycled several of them because I just couldn't stand looking at them anymore.)
ReplyDeleteI just heard an interview with the editor of the New Yorker (David Remnick) on a podcast and it was so good. I think you'd like it. The podcast is called "Smartless." One of the interviewers was talking about how his issues pile up and David Remnick was laughing, saying, "I've never heard about this before!" He also talks about why it costs so much now. (Hint: Blame the internet.)
DeleteI just finished a book that I couldn't put down so I read it late into the night and even first thing in the morning so I could get it done. It is "Madness of Crowds" the newest by Louise Penny. I liked it as I have liked all of her books! One phrase that stood out for me, "...when gullibility and fear meet power and greed...you get the madness of crowds!" Even tho this book is set in Canada, doesn't that sum up what's been going on with the craziness in the USA?
ReplyDeleteGlad you are getting out for walks! That always helps me too!
That definitely sounds like an excellent explanation for what's been going on here. I don't think I've read anything by Louise Penny. I will look for her. Thanks.
DeleteLike a few others, I, too, loved "Eleanor Oliphant." Like you, I quickly return audiobooks/ebooks that simply don't hold my interest, or worse, annoy the hell out of me for one reason or another (e.g. uninteresting characters, hard to follow plot, bad editing, awful narrators, or worse yet, just plain boring). I won't blame everything on the writers--sometimes, it is just me.
ReplyDeleteYou're right- some books are just not good fits for some readers, no matter how "good" they are. There have been books that EVERYONE has recommended to me that I just can't stand.
DeleteOne of the best things about borrowing audio books from the library is the exquisite ease of sending one back.
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I enjoyed Eleanor Oliphant too - it was rather quirky. And you're right, life's too short to read a bad book!
ReplyDeleteI loved Eleanor Oliphant. I just finished another book which I enjoyed, "The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo" by Taylor Reid, I think.
ReplyDeleteYour wildflowers and your porch are poetry. I shall have to pick up Eleanor Oliphant.
ReplyDelete