Our trip to Missouri was great! We got to see Emma as Puck in Dreamland, which is a modern take on Midsummer Night’s Dream but with aliens! It was such a fun musical with super fun costumes. The only hiccup is that Emma ate some janky Chinese food the night before so the day of the show, she was battling food poisoning. We weren’t sure if her understudy would have to go on. Instead, we forced her to go back to her apartment to rest, armed with Imodium and Dramamine. The extra rest did the trick and she was great.
It was a super fast trip. We maybe spent two hours with her. The next day we left for California. My God was it cold. It was 20 degrees most nights but no snow. My face was frozen. That Monday, Emma flew to Seattle to spend Thanksgiving with her brother and we had a simple meal with just the two of us. You’ll all be happy to know that the Otter Pup did very well with one of her favorite people watching her. We’ve never left her overnight anywhere so it was a first.
I am reading Murakami’s new book, Novelist as a Vocation. But guys, I didn’t love the new King book, Fairy Tale. I still have to write the review but I found it to be very similar to two Murakami books, Windup Bird and Killing Commendatore. I was so into that first 30% of the story but then it took a drastic turn into fantasy. I suppose I knew about the fantastical elements but I was not a fan.
Although my scans showed some calcification of one kidney, the doc says it’s not a stone. So what is it? He seems unconcerned. The knees continue to improve! I can walk half a mile now and have taken the pup for walks regularly.
With December just around the corner, I have some volunteer gigs I signed up for that should be a lot of fun. One is a snow day at church and the other is working a Christmas service in kid’s ministry.
Two things I need to do. Get Emma’s flight home for Christmas break and shop for our club’s book exchange dinner which is coming up on 12/7.
How are you?
Book Chatter 
She looks fierce in that photo! Way to go, Emma, and smart thinking about the extra rest. Sounds like a busy holiday of travel. I hope all else is well. I’m so sorry you didn’t like the King book, but I also haven’t read those other books you’ve mentioned.
Glad Emma felt well enough to go do the show! I haven’t finished the last few King books I’ve started, probably because I’m in a really bad reading slump.
I am so glad you got to see Emma in her play and that she ended up feeling well enough to perform (what a nightmare!).
And the good news about both the kidney stone and your knee must have you feeling better these days. I do love the upcoming holiday with all its wonderful decorations!
Yes, I’ve been feeling pretty good the last two days. Gave me pause, actually. I love this time of the year because of my time off and I just booked my daughter’s flight home for Christmas so that’s good. My reading goals tanked this year but whatever.
I’m glad your trip to see Emma’s performance went well and that she was able to battle through her symptoms (ugh!) and perform. I love her costume!
That’s great news that your knees are improving and that you’re able to get out for your walks. Wonder what’s up with your kidney, though. If your doctor isn’t concerned, you probably shouldn’t be either.
My husband had a similar reaction to the new Stephen King book. He finished it, but didn’t love it, in spite of being sucked in from the beginning.