The Sunday Salon

 

This is my first time participating. It's the first Sunday in March, so I'm going to start by looking back at the books I read in February.

Chasing History: A Kid in the Newsroom by Carl Bernstein. A highly-entertaining memoir and candid look at the last part of the 20th century. 4 stars out of 5

Careful What You Wish For by Hallie Ephron.  A mystery by a writer with a sure hand. I think of books like this as candy bars. I enjoyed it while devouring it, but I doubt I'll still be thinking of it often or ever six months from now. 3 stars

She Made Me Laugh by Richard M. Cohen.  Cohen's affectionate memoir of his decades-long friendship with Nora Ephron (Hallie's older sister). I'm such a fan of Nora's that I loved it before I even picked it up. 4 stars

My Darling Husband by Kimberly Belle.  A thriller that's actually thrilling. One of those plots you try to unravel in your imagination when you're forced to put it down and go do other things. BTW, My library's Hoopla's algorithm recommended this, based on what I've read before, and they aced it! 4 stars

Diana by Sara Bradford. A sympathetic but still clear-eyed look at the life of the Princess of Wales. 4 stars

I'm anticipating a grueling workweek ahead. I hope I'm wrong, or if I'm right, I hope I still can carve out a moment to find refuge in books and in cuddling my cats. (I also have a bottle of Bailey's Irish Creme in the refrigerator, just in case!)

Check out other Sunday Salon participants here.

Sunday Stealing

 Stolen from my blog buddy, Kwizgiver.

1. How long have you lived in your current residence? I moved in less than 60 days before 9/11, so 21 years. (I remember because I was so hopeful, unpacking ornaments ordered for my first-ever Christmas tree in my new home. Such a weird juxtaposition with the shattering news on my TV.)

 
2. What changes have you made to it since you got there? I renovated my bathroom in 2018, and it could already use a sprucing up. Actually, every inch of this place could use sprucing up.

3. What surprised you about living in your place or in your neighborhood? I'd never owned anything before. I miss having a landlord to fix things. I'm not good at this homeowner thing.

4. If someone were considering moving in next door, what would you warn them about? The elevator is more than 50 years old. It can be unreliable. Remember, "unreliable" and "unsafe" are different things. If it stops on the second floor for no particular reason, just go with it. It's really not worth the expense of an emergency call to the elevator repair company.

5. If you have to move in the next 45 days, what are you definitely not taking with you? Oh, so much! I don't know why I have such a hard time parting with things. I think it would take having to move to get me to really concentrate on getting rid of stuff.

6. What are you currently reading? A biography of Lady Bird Johnson. I find First Ladies fascinating.
 

7. What did you recently finish reading? Carl Bernstein's memoir, Chasing History: A Kid in the Newsroom.

8. What do you think you’ll read next? I don't know.

9. When did you take the road less traveled? I don't know that I have ever consciously chosen the road less traveled.

10. Did you ever participate in a talent show? I must have, but I don't remember.

11. When did you most recently strike out? I don't understand this question. "Strike out," like lash out? Or "strike out," like strike out on my own? Or "strike out," like three strikes and you're out?

12  Where do you go to find yourself? Home. I lock the front door and spend time by myself.

13. What do you have mixed feelings about? So many things! Life seems to become less black-and-white with passing year.

14. What did you most recently add to your collection of something? I ordered another Miche shell. BTW, Kwizgiver is the one who turned me on to these handbags.

15. When did something most recently stir you to tears? The Ukraine. Please, please remember who has been sympathetic to Putin and never let him near the Oval Office again.

 

 PS ...

 

If you'd like to read more Kwizgiver, go here

 

 

 

A warm, but still chill, Saturday

Yesterday was a good day. I have been starting to venture out and see friends -- three weekends of socializing in a row -- but that was enough. Now I'm happy to stick close to home for awhile.

The mercury climbed to 65º and I wanted to get out in it. I headed off to the dollar store, walking more than a mile to and fro. I stocked up on stuff I use often that I pay more for elsewhere (especially the refills for the automatic air freshener spray near the litter box; $6.00+ at CVS and $1.25 at the dollar store). 

I also bought packages of generic lip balm that break down to 45¢ each. I picked those up for my "blessing bags." I've been carrying ziplock baggies in my purse that include a breakfast bar, tissue packet, cough drops, a $1 bill, and a mask. But as the mask mandate fades, I wanted a replacement item. Since masks are still required for public transportation, I'm going to continue including them for the time being, but I'm glad I have the lip balms on hand as we transition out of covid.

I swung by and picked up a double cheeseburger because, well, don't I have to undo fitness benefits I gained by walking? That's just how I roll.

All day, my oldest friend was popping into head. For example, while I was waiting for my burger, the restaurant was playing "Flashdance." It's hard to believe, but it's been nearly 40 years since she and I saw it at the movies. Just stuff like that. I know Snarkypants calls those "pings," and I took her advice and paid attention to them. I called my oldest friend.

We talked for (gulp) three hours! She sounded good and happy, which is a relief. She updated me on her life and on her daughter's life, and I'm so glad they're getting along. Until comparatively recently, she was much closer to her son and I worried her daughter was neglected. Yes, her daughter is now 24, but a girl always needs her mom and I think it's great that their relationship is improved.

I'm anticipating a rough workweek ahead, and I'm glad I've been gifted with this lazy weekend to recharge in preparation.