No More Bookcases?

Just a couple of days ago I read with great interest about all the E-readers (such as Amazon's Kindle) now on the market and the ones soon to be out.  Ever since the Kindle first came out, I've been cogitating on buying one.  It just seems so expensive compared to a trade paperback or even a nice hardcover.  However, the more I think about it, the more the price is looking reasonable.

First of all, if you're a pretty avid reader like me, the amount I spend on books in a year would more than pay for the cost.  Honestly, I try to go to the library more..... and I have.  But often I end up halfway through the library's book thinking, "Oh man...I've GOT to have this book."  This is probably due to the fact that I read with a yellow Bible highlighter in my hand with my own books.  This propensity to want to "remember" passages would be the main drawback to me of an electronic reader.  Unless, of course, they've REALLY perfected their way of annotating.

Secondly, I look around at the number of bookcases in my house, both built-in and freestanding.  You just wouldn't believe the shelf space I've dedicated to books.  There is at least one in every room of my house......plus the built-ins in the kitchen, the living room, one bedroom and my craft area.  There're even two in my attic!  Could an electronic reader really help prevent buying more???  Very possibly.  Could I stop having to give away books to friends and the libraries because I've run out of room in my house to keep them?  Maybe.

And there's always the issue of travel.  Although I don't do much flying or train riding, I am adamant about taking a book along with me wherever I go, even if it's just an overnight.  I can't imagine sitting for more than 10 minutes with nothing to read.  I swear, it's a sickness.

Could this be my Christmas present this year?  Maybe.  Stay tuned.

Another Week Ended

A good friend of mine is about to become a grandmother at the end of the year.  I really can't believe that I'm old enough to have friends who are grandparents, but there you are:  I am.  As I still find it hard to take care of myself and my dogs (and occasionally my husband), there's a big part of me that's glad it's her and not me.  The other little teensy part of me that heaves a big sigh at the thought of grandmotherness filled the need by knitting this little lap blanket for the new arrival.

I love to knit anything flat because
I'm really not much more than a
novice knitter.  So, baby blankets are
my go-to gift.  Plus, I love the yarns
that are designated for such projects.
As a matter of fact, I found a little
jacket for a toddler that I'd really LOVE to make for myself.... just need to find someone who can rewrite the pattern for me.

I didn't find out until I had finished what gender we had coming out of the oven (a boy).  Thank goodness I chose a yarn to do the heart that could go either way.

I hope that this gets used till it falls apart.  And it keeps that wee one warm and cuddly.  Babies truly are a magic gift.  Beside this new little person, my blanket is just a very wee token.

It's Coming!

I could feel it in the air this morning.  Instead of doing my usual routine of popping in an exercise video to force myself to move, I decided to go outside for a REAL walk.  It's kind of cool this morning; sun is shining for a change.

It didn't take too many minutes for me to realize it was downright comfortable and pleasant out there.  Immediately my mind sprang forward to a few weeks in the future and started fantasizing about all the fall walks I could take The Little Black Dogs on.

I'd like for those not to be just fantasies this year.  So, I'm aiming for a couple of dog walks a week for the fall.  I know two little critters who would LOVE that.

The End of Summer

Labor Day is always supposed to be the official end of summer.  It makes no difference that temperatures here in the South will still hit the high 80s or low 90s until somewhere along about Thanksgiving.  That may be a slight exaggeration, but not by much.  I've known plenty of Thanksgiving Days that were in the low 70s.

Enough about the weather.  It must be a mental thing, but when I woke up this morning (at 4:30.....no, I don't know why....I just did), I felt curiously energized and ready to DO something.  Which is a far cry from the way I felt over the weekend.  Can you say "lethargic"?  It's almost as if my brain flipped a switch in to Autumn Mode:  crispy, clear days equal crispy, clear behavior.  Go get 'em, girlie!  Make use of that little surge of adrenalin!

Anyway, I'm ready.  Summer makes me tired and cranky and hot.  I'm ready for an attitude adjustment and a change of season is just what the doctor ordered.  Falling leaves, anyone?

Friday's Finish

Did you think I was eaten by a scrapbook or something?  Not hardly.  Haven't even been back to that side of the room this whole entire week.  Not that I haven't THOUGHT about it.....WANTED to.....just never happened.  And why not you ask?

Why not indeed.  Monday was throw-the-house-back-to-order-from-the- weekend.  Tuesday & Wednesday were taken with a flying trip to Atlanta to get The Little Black Dogs groomed.  Yes, I know I groom them.  But I do not groom them CORRECTLY.  God knows I try.  I think I'll probably have that put on my tombstone.  Something to the effect of "I did the best I could."  That would just about cover everything I think.

Thursday was Hunting & Gathering Day (food for the household hungry).  And today was Little Black Sambo Day, otherwise known as "mowing the hayfields we call yards" around here.

So, I have tomorrow and Sunday to finish out this wonderful week.  Could I maybe make it to one of the stools around the craft table?  Maybe.  If it rains.  Seems like I do a lot better with my creative stuff on soggy days.

T.G.I.F..............AGAIN?????

Damn.  How does this keep happening?  I write on Monday.  I'm supposed to be writing on another couple of days of the week.  Then, all of a sudden, it's Friday again.  Sometimes I think Somebody is subtracting days out of my weeks just to gaslight me.  Or, is this just a "senior moment" type thing?

However, there is one good thing that's happened in these lost (to me) days.  I have begun the Great Excavation over in my craft area.  Say a little prayer for me please.  I managed to clear a space, oh.....about 3 feet square in the floor.  I guess it is a start.  But what a puny one!

Never fear:  I am determined.  Somehow, some way, this horrible pile of odds and ends is going to evolve in to a place where I can actually get work done without being surrounded by stacks and piles and heaps.

But for now, let's just enjoy the weekend, okay?

Monday Morning Musings

To be absolutely correct, I guess I should call this Monday Musing "Monday FUMING". I got on the scales this morning for the first time in about a week. Need I say more? I had(again) passed the magic number.....and NO, I won't tell you what it is......that tells me I am headed to Fat City on the express train.

It's not fair that as you age, your body wants to hold on to all those calories instead of release them. It's not fair that no matter how much you move, your metabolism rachets down in to creep mode. Not fair, not fair, not fair. But, as they say, it is what it is.

I don't mind the less eating part really. It's the less drinking part that gets me. Those cocktails in the late afternoon before dinner are such a pleasant way to unwind and end the day. Unfortunately, they also carry mucho calories with them. And even though I'm told dozens of times that those calories are empty, I can't believe that anything that tastes that good could be termed "empty". Ah well. Prohibition Wagon, here I come!