Books Worth Reading; and a Couple of Iffy Ones

 I haven't quite got back on track with, well, anything actually. I haven't done any quilt work in weeks and weeks. And as you'll see from the following book list, my reading has dropped off too. With the condition our country's in right now, my mind is elsewhere. Bigger fish to fry, as the say. It's hard to read a book or sew a quilt when you're terrified, angry, grief stricken, and feeling hopeless.

And to make matters worse, both Jesse and I have come down with some kind of flu or something. Jesse's started last week, and he's much better now. This is the third day for mine, so I still have a way to go. 

But the weather gods have smiled on us during Winter Storm What's-Her-Name. For a while, we were expecting freezing rain and ice, the real meanie of the winter storm family. But temps have stayed above freezing and all we had is a bunch of rain. Which we needed. 

So here goes the handful of books I've read since my last book report.

The Hounding by Xenobe Purvis. I literally couldn't put this one down. I read it in one sitting, or lying. I couldn't sleep last night anyway, so I read this book.This haunting gothic story, set in a small village in England during the 18th Century tells of five sisters whose neighbors are convinced they're turning into vicious dogs. . I highly recommend if you're a fan of Shirley Jackson or even if you aren't. . 

Broken Country by Clare Leslie Hall. Set in the English countryside, this novel is a combination of love story and murder mystery. Beth and Frank have a loving marriage that has survived the tragic loss of a child. But Beth is caught "between a rock and a hard place" when teenage love of her life, Gabriel Wolfe becomes their neighbor. Beth and Gabriel's breakup had been more or less fueled by a misunderstanding and Gabriel's interfering mom, and all the sparks haven't quite died. The twists kept me turning pages, and the ending surprised and saddened me. Excellent storytelling.

Don't Let Him In by Lisa Jewell. Nina Swann is intrigued when she receives a condolence card from Nick Radcliffe, an old friend of her late husband, who is looking to connect after her husband’s unexpected death. Nick is handsome and has good taste, with a smile that could melt the coldest heart. But to Nina’s adult daughter, Ash, Nick seems too slick, too polished, too good to be true. Without telling her mother, Ash begins digging into Nick’s past. What she finds is a scheme to beat all schemes. Good book.

Later by Stephen King The son of a struggling single mother, Jamie Conklin just wants an ordinary childhood. But Jamie is no ordinary child. Born with an unnatural ability his mom urges him to keep secret, Jamie can see what no one else can see and learn what no one else can learn. But the cost of using this ability is high, as he discovers when an NYPD detective draws him into the pursuit of a killer who has threatened to strike from beyond the grave. America's consummate storyteller at his best.

The Arrangement by Kierstein Modglin When I began reading this book, I had the urge to tell Ainsley, "Girl, this ain't gonna work the way you think it will." Mainly and her husband Peter's marriage has grown a bit stale over the years. Ainsley comes up with a plot to freshen things up. One thing I must say though: I didn't quite see that ending coming. Sort of a Gone Girl type of story. I didn't like Peter and Ainsley, but I didn't like the book.

And here are a couple of DFs (didn't finish).

Never Flinch by Stephen King For some reason, and I have non idea why, I have never been able to sink my teeth into one of King's Holly Gibney books. I'll probably go back and finish this one because the premise sounds so intriguing. I think the problem for me is that Holly is just not a very interesting character, at least not to me. 

Here's the premise: When the Buckeye City Police Department receives a disturbing letter from a person threatening to “kill thirteen innocents and one guilty” in “an act of atonement for the needless death of an innocent man,” Detective Izzy Jaynes springs into action. As the investigation unfolds, Izzy turns to her friend private investigator Holly Gibney for help. Meanwhile, women’s rights activist Kate McKay is embarking on a multi-state lecture tour, drawing packed venues of both fans and detractors. Someone who vehemently opposes Kate’s message of female empowerment is targeting her and disrupting her events. There's a bunch of other more minor characters who are also not very appealing. But I guess I'll have to finish this one soon. After all, I am one of his number one fans.

Last Rites by Ozzy Osbourne I had to have a go at this book for two reason, or three maybe: 1) Ozzy was such colorful character, 2) he was a super rock performer, and 3) my precious granddad is named Ozzy Osborn (spelling's a little different, but the sound's the same. They even look a little alike.) 

I was well into the book, enjoying reading of Ozzy's life when I came to the part where, in an effort to shock some record execs, Ozzy, drunk as a skunk and drugged to the hilt, pulled a live dove out of his pocket and bit its head off. Sorry, Ozzy, but that was it for me. Too much information. I might go back and finish this one, but I doubt it. 

"People say to me, if you could do it all again, knowing what you know now, would you change anything? I'm like, f*** no. If I'd been clean and sober, I wouldn't be Ozzy. If I'd done normal, sensible things, I wouldn't be Ozzy."

Husband. Father. Grandfather. F*cking Icon.

1948 - 2025

Bummer!

 

I have a few minutes before I have to run out the door (well hobble perhaps) to book club meeting. 

Remember the Windows quilt (photo above) I've been working on for months to show at my guild's quilt show in June? (Still not finished.) Well guess what. Two members brought the same quilt to show and tell at the January meeting this week. They were beautiful. I'm nonplussed. I picked this pattern because I thought no one else would go to the trouble to piece all those thousands of 2 1/2" square. But they did.

Now I don't have a clue what (if anything) I'll have to enter in the quilt show, but it won't be Windows. I have two or three small quilts finished except for binding, and a couple of large quilts started. Have to give it some thought.

OK, better go. Have to pick up sister Ramey for book club. Then we're having lunch at a new restaurant in Leeds, Sweet Caroline. 

Knee still feels lots better, but my back is the same as ever--awful.

Update

 

Yes, it's been a while. These past couple of months have been a trial for me. In addition to the back and other chronic pain problems, my knees went out--especially the right one. I could put no weight on my right knee most days. Very painful. Had to resort to a walker, even for chores that would normally be done standing (this walker has a seat).

The holidays were horrible, even though I managed to create Christmas dinner for the family. (Ever try to cook a big meal from a sitting position? It ain't easy.) Then I managed to make the traditional greens and blackeneyed peas and cornbread for me and daughter Andy on New Years. Everything turned out really good, but the work put me to bed for the last week or so. 

In the past couple of months, I've had no interest in anything much: sewing, reading, cooking, nothing. But I think the news is getting better, a little bit.

Yesterday I finally visited my orthopedist for the knees. It was either that or a wheelchair. After an almost three hour wait to see the doctor, things started looking up. She put me through some pretty challenging xrays, discussed my options, and then gave me a cortisone shot in my left knee. If that hadn't worked, we were looking at MRI, scans, some kind of gel injection, and last resort surgery.

Today, thank you Jesus, the pain in my knee is lots better. Haven't had to use the walker at all. I do have shaky hands and a bitter taste; but I Google that, and they're harmless side effects. I'm so happy.. I might even get around to some sewing and reading in the next week. I'm not going to go whole-hog though. I don't want to undo all the good the injection has done. But at least the interest is back. I want to do stuff.

The shot was not excruciating, but it was a bit uncomfortable. She deadened the spot for the needle, but it was the pressure from the med going into that painful knee that hurt some. Not enough to keep me from going for another when this wears off though.

The X-rays were not pretty. My right knee is missing cartilage, bone on bone. The right knee is a little better. I have a thin layer of cartilage left in it.

Hope to be back here in the next day or two. HAPPY NEW YEAR, everyone.

Gobble Gobble Season

We're already gobbling and celebrating Thanksgiving at my church. Yesterday, we enjoyed a wonderful service with a lovely sermon from Sharon E. and seasonal hymns that I love. My favorite for this time of year is "Come Ye Thankful People, Come." which I always call "Harvest Home." Was glad it was included. 

After service we all sat down to an amazing pot luck lunch--turkey, ham, dressing, and oodles of other delicious dishes. I came home stuffed and in pain, so I spent the rest of the day in bed with the kitties, Taco and Bella. I got a lot of reading done.

I just got word from a friend that another of or bee sisters has passed. That's the fourth member we've lost since we've been holding meetings. Mary S. was a very talented and giving friend. Aside from a seamstress and quilter, she was a fine musician and a faithful follower of Jesus. Many years ago she spent time in Ukraine doing missionary work. She will be missed by many.

My niece India (left) and our friend Doris, with their amazing soprano voices, gave us beautiful solos during the choir's anthem at church service yesterday.

After service, we enjoyed a pot luck lunch--turkey and dressing and all the trimmings. It was delicious. That's me, second from the left, about to dive in. (We are a small congregation at Leeds Presbyterian, as you can see. This is the majority of us.)

Quilt bee sister and friend, second from left pictured with her daughters) passed away last week. She will be missed.

Three More Books

 

Circle of Days by Ken Follett I have mixed feelings about this book. I borrowed it from the library thinking that it was a book about the building of Stonehenge by ancient people. Well, yeah, it is and it isn't. Although the stone circle is mentioned occasionally throughout the 700-page book, it isn't until the very end that the story tells of the moving of the massive stones from far away and putting them in place. And I totally don't buy Follett's conjecture that those stones could have been moved the way his story portrays. But, all in all, it's a pretty good story.

The First Witch of Boston by Andrea Catalano Since I was a senior in high School I've had a fascination with the "witch trials" in Europe and the colonies, when powerful religious men had women who dared to be anything except their housekeepers, child raisers, and sex objects dare to branch out or to speak their minds. I wrote my senior term paper, necessary for graduation, on the subject. That paper has since been last. I wish I still had it.

This book of historical fiction is based on the first woman, Margaret Jones, to be tried and hanged as a witch in Boston. You might want to have a box of tissues handy if you choose to read it. I got very emotional. *

The Book of Hope by Jane Goodall and Doublas Abrams Upon the recent death of naturalist Dr. Jane Goodall, my book club decided to read this book, which was written from an interview with her by author Douglas Abrams. The interview took place during the COVID 19 pandemic. Still today, during the worsening climate crisis, wars, loss of biodiversity, political movements against freedom and liberty—it can be hard to feel optimistic. Hope has never been more desperately needed. Dr. Goodall's very humble and compassionate words are just as appropriate today, as people search for hope in this dangerous and chaotic world in which we find ourselves.

Reading Update

Here are the books I've read since my last reading report.

What She Saw by Mary Burton. Cold case reporter Sloane Grayson has come to a small mountain town in Virginia to solve a mystery. Thirty years ago, her mother was one of four women who vanished during a music festival. The event’s promoter was eventually convicted of their murders, and Sheriff CJ Taggart closed the case. But for Sloane, it’s still open. Because the bodies were never found. 

Heartwood by Amity Gaige In the heart of the Maine woods, an experienced Appalachian Trail hiker goes missing. She is forty-two-year-old Valerie Gillis, who has vanished 200 miles from her final destination. Alone in the wilderness, Valerie pours her thoughts into fractured, poetic letters to her mother as she battles the elements and struggles to keep hoping.

On Mystic Lake by Kristin Hannah On the very day that Annie Colwater's only child leaves home for school abroad her husband of twenty years confesses that he's in love with a younger woman. Alone in the house that is no longer a home, Annie comes to the painful realization that for years she has been slowly disappearing. Lonely and afraid, she retreats to Mystic, the small Washington town where she grew up. In Mystic, she finds a second chance at happiness.

I thought I had read more books since my last report, but I guess that's it. I'm reading Circle of Days by Ken Follett now. It's over 700 pages, and I'm almost finished. SO that has eaten up some of my reading time. And I've spent more time in the sewing room. I'm down to the last two rows of the Windows quilt. All the blocks are done. I just have to join the blocks in the last two rows and then join the last several rows. I should have it ready to take to my long-armer in a few days.

The Morning After

 

Nightmares and much body pain last night. Feeling like H-E-Double-Toothpicks this morning. I won't be sewing. Maybe just lie here on the sofa and watch Netflix. Maybe I'll feel better after a couple of quarts of coffee.

Photo: Quiltlet from a friend and Mama's rosary