The other morning on my way to work, while listening to an audiobook, it struck me that I was always on the edge of being a book snob but I have fully jumped into that pool and now wear the badge proudly.

I’m not going to lie, sometimes I think it has to do with my brain surgery. Everything seems more fine tuned. Like there is this dialed-in focus that I never had before. Whatever the reason, I am more choosey with what I read and I don’t hesitate to drop a book if it doesn’t hit me within the first chapter. What about you?

The best reads are the ones that I think about even when I am not reading them.

Right Now:

Heading off to student ministry. Those students are the best.

Later, a post-church nap. Please. Haven’t been sleeping great as the pup gets me up between 1-2 a.m. every morning. Nearly 16. I do what she wants.

This Week:

I have to run a relative to the doc Friday afternoon. It’s a bit of work hauling the wheelchair around but these days I have no trouble lifting it beside the awkward way I have to grab it. Six months ago I would not have had the strength. Progress!

To continue on with that progress, I’m upping my walking game this week. Not doing anything too crazy to start but slowly working up to what I was doing before this health crisis that hit three years back. I do enjoy visiting the tiny libraries in my neighborhood while listening to an audio book. I also like to drop off the books I’ve read. Even with the additional walking I have gained two pounds. That blows, honestly.

Reading:

I reviewed Evenings & Weekends and Night Watch. Both were very good but one of you told me how brutal Night Watch was and you weren’t wrong.

What am I reading now:

• The Frozen River by Ariel Lawhon (April club pick)
• Red Dog Farm by Nathanial Ian Miller
• Pinch Me by Barbara Boyle
• Gliff by Ali Smith

You can also see what’s coming up in my bookshop.

Watching:

• Still watching The Bob Newhart Show. I find these old shows to be so comforting. The writing is so good.

Grateful for:

• All the blooming plants on my walk. English lavender? Google lens tells me yes. My star jasmine is beginning to flower too and it smells so lovely when I leave the house.
• A new set of sheets. Nothing fancy but a fun pattern and who doesn’t like crisp, new sheets?
• MRI call with neurosurgeon didn’t discuss anything new. It was a one year post op but now they want an MRI of my spine, neck, and brain at my next scan in August to make sure nothing has spread.

That’s all I have. Have a good week.

This is a legitimate question. What are you all doing to stay sane? I would love to have a room with just puppies and kittens running all over the place. We do that here at the university during finals week but this needs to be a reality. I think it would really help alleviate some stress. I’d volunteer at the shelter but I would want to take them all home. So, no.

I avoid the news and bury myself in Bible study. It helps, a lot. I still think puppies would help. The Otter Pup gives me a lot of side eye these days because of her general health maintenance, that falls on me to do. She is not a fan!

Right Now:

About to hang with the students at church.

The morning is looking pretty normal for me. Church and then a very brief visit with the in-laws. As brief as possible. They’ve hit the “not so nice, sometimes nasty” stage and still mostly refuse to do anything to improve their living situation. They refuse help in the house. Still aren’t eating great but a tad better. So there’s some improvement.

This Week:

Not too much happening. I have book club on Wednesday night. We are discussing Night Watch by Jayne Anne Phillips. It was quite good but brutal at times.

Unfortunately, my blood work showed some wonky stuff with my liver so I have to go in for more tests. I supposed the 23 meds that I was given last year after the tumor journey affected something. I would think it would be better now because I am not even on Advil. Not too worried since I hardly drink. One glass of wine at book club. That’s it!

Reading:

I finished Night Watch and my review will post this week.  I also finished Evenings & Weekends by Oisín McKenna. This was very good. I will write up my thoughts, hopefully this week as well.

So what am I reading now?

• The Frozen River by Ariel Lawhon (April club pick)
• Red Dog Farm by Nathanial Ian Miller
• Pinch Me by Barbara Boyle

Watching:

• Harlan Coben’s new Netflix show, Just One Look.
• The Bob Newhart show. I pulled out some DVD’s that were gifted to us.

Grateful for:

• Erasable pens. It’s dorky but I liked to take notes with my pen but I tend to correct a lot so erasable works great. Just don’t leave your notes out in the sun because all the ink will disappear! Ask me how I know. It eventually comes back, after…many…hours.
• Warm, cushy throw blankets. It has been so cold for us. A nice throw is lovely.
• That my hair is really growing like a Chia pet. I mean, it’s really taking off. A but out of control and requires weekly trims but I am so down for it.

That’s all I have. I hope everyone has a good week and tell me what you are doing to keep your mind off of this circus we are all forced to participate in.