Today, the only thing on my "to do" list (in my mind only) was to go to the grocery store, so the day yawned long and empty before me. Here are the things I did to fill it:
1. Browse at Barnes & Noble. I'm not a good browsing shopper but I do better in bookstores than clothing stores. I came away with a book for a gift and a copy of Ruth Reichl's newest book, For You, Mom--Finally. Reichl, once restaurant reviewer for the NY Times and then editor of Gourmet, is one of my favorite food writers.
2. Browse at the nursery. I bought some impatiens for a shady spot on my porch--bought two and found only one wiill fit in the pot I brought from the garage--have to rethink that. I also bought more basil--who can ever have too much of that? And some cactus--ah, now that's an experiment. Really pretty and should look good in that shallow bird feeder on my porch table--but how to plant them without sticking myself to pieces. My solution: ask Greg to plant them (I warned him to bring gloves!)
3. Go to the grocery.
4. Do the little household chores you've been putting off.
5. Read a good mystery--always a given for me. This time it was Michele Scott's A Toast to Murder. I've become a big fan of Scott's winery books, started this brand new one last night and finished it tonight.
6. Do your volunteer calling for the church, which you've forgotten for two days.
7. Take a nap--another given for me.
8. Do a yoga workout.
9. Cook for yourself. Tonight I roasted two chicken thighs with soy, garlic powder, and seasoned salt. Mark Bittman cooked some on the TODAY show the other day and it reminded me how much I like chicken thighs. Of course, he used soy, fresh ginger, and I can't remember what else. I also roasted a butternut squash I'd had in the fridge for a while--wonder if I put enough butter and brown sugar with it if Jacob might eat it tomorrow night? I also sauteed myself some sugar snap peas. A delicious dinner, probably not too many points, and all good for you, except the skin on the chicken.
10. Catch up on other people's blogs and write your own.
There's probably more, but it's been a most satisfying day. Tomorrow I'll probably go to church, and then Jacob is mine from noon to 8 p.m. He still takes naps, so that's okay. Rue the day he stops napping. I'll put him in a cage for "quiet time" so I can nap.
Showing posts with label Michele Scott. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Michele Scott. Show all posts
Saturday, April 10, 2010
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Cancelling the world
I cancelled the world today, because I felt really rotten and didn't sleep again last night. I had lunch plans with Jean and Jeannie and dinner plans with Betty. When I called, each said, "Oh, thank goodness." (Does that tell you how much my friends want to see me?) Jean is having trouble with a medication; Jeannie is having bad allergy problems and besides that slipped on an acorn and took a hard fall--she was on her way to get x-rays. And Betty just got back from several days in San Antonio and had lots to do. It was a good day to cancel the world--rained all day, sometimes lightly but heavily around 5:30. More rain is predicted through most of the night. So I holed up in my house, went back to bed for an hour about 10 and again for two hours at 3, finished editing the manuscript I've been working on, and did odds and ends.
Before I retired, I might well have forced myself to go to work, partly out of a strong work ethic but also because I didn't like facing a day at home alone, without any human contact except the occasional phone call (Jordan called to check on me) and email, which really is pretty impersonal. I don't know if I've learned to like my own company better or if it's just that I felt so blah or what, but I welcomed the prospect of the day. Finished up several leftovers in the icebox, so I didn't have to cook--I thought about salmon cakes but decided to eat the leftover chicken spread--with a dab of the wine sauce, it was really good.
Tomorrow I have to get out--things at the office that demand attention, a doctor's appointment, and the grocery. But I have put all my social engagements (sounds busier than I am) on hold for three days. Kind of a good feeling. Since I have a clear desk, I may not start anything tonight, except a new novel.
Surely tomorrow will be a better day. At least, it's supposed to stop raining but will be cool.
I've been reading a series of Vineyard Mysteries by Michele Scott, and she gets my vote for having created a complex, interesting, and sympathetic gay man in the male protagonist's brother, Simon. He makes all the jutting hip gestures, worships movie stars and fast cars and designer clothes, calls the female protagonist Snow White, does all the terribly stereotypical things and yet comes across as believable and someone you like. And he's most protective of Snow White. It's a hard trick to pull off a complex character like that, and she does it well.
My favorite British mystery writer, Deborah Crombie, is not British, lives right here in North Texas, but writes about a Scotland Yard detective. She has a new book, Necessary as Blood, and will be at the TCU Bookstore Friday night. I hope to meet friends Weldon and Elizabeth to hear her brief talk and then go to supper. I rarely buy hardcovers but usually wait for the paperback. I'll buy this one in hardcover.
Before I retired, I might well have forced myself to go to work, partly out of a strong work ethic but also because I didn't like facing a day at home alone, without any human contact except the occasional phone call (Jordan called to check on me) and email, which really is pretty impersonal. I don't know if I've learned to like my own company better or if it's just that I felt so blah or what, but I welcomed the prospect of the day. Finished up several leftovers in the icebox, so I didn't have to cook--I thought about salmon cakes but decided to eat the leftover chicken spread--with a dab of the wine sauce, it was really good.
Tomorrow I have to get out--things at the office that demand attention, a doctor's appointment, and the grocery. But I have put all my social engagements (sounds busier than I am) on hold for three days. Kind of a good feeling. Since I have a clear desk, I may not start anything tonight, except a new novel.
Surely tomorrow will be a better day. At least, it's supposed to stop raining but will be cool.
I've been reading a series of Vineyard Mysteries by Michele Scott, and she gets my vote for having created a complex, interesting, and sympathetic gay man in the male protagonist's brother, Simon. He makes all the jutting hip gestures, worships movie stars and fast cars and designer clothes, calls the female protagonist Snow White, does all the terribly stereotypical things and yet comes across as believable and someone you like. And he's most protective of Snow White. It's a hard trick to pull off a complex character like that, and she does it well.
My favorite British mystery writer, Deborah Crombie, is not British, lives right here in North Texas, but writes about a Scotland Yard detective. She has a new book, Necessary as Blood, and will be at the TCU Bookstore Friday night. I hope to meet friends Weldon and Elizabeth to hear her brief talk and then go to supper. I rarely buy hardcovers but usually wait for the paperback. I'll buy this one in hardcover.
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