Great Aunts and Irish Bands

So, it's been ages, but since I am the only avid follower of this thing, I suppose it doesn't really matter! As the title reveals, we had a visit from my great Aunt, who is well into her 80's, and I must say, a wonderfully charming lady. She is a retired librarian, so as you can imagine, topics were not scarce between us. She had dinner at our house with us, and she and I talked and talked. Ma and Pa scurried her off home, and at about the time I was closing the front door, it occured to me that I had just met my future self in my 80's, no wonder I liked her so well! Super Spouse is always teasing me that I get on better with the elderly, which is probably true, so he just loved this moment. Apparently I am an 80ish old lady trapped in a mid 30's body. Go figure. (don't worry, the body is doing it's darnedest to get to 80 faster than I'd like)

On the reading front, I just finished off 3 more Maeve Binchy books, quite addicting those, and I've started, then stopped, then started Austen's Sense & Sensibility. I really do love Binchy, although, since her books tend to be so full of life, even the icky parts, they tend to get me down. The upside is, it's like being able to slip over to Ireland at any given moment, which if you know me at all, is truly a dream come true. So, I think I'll put Binchy aside for a bit, fatten myself up on some flowery Austen, and then get back to the business of writing. One I seem to have totally neglected. Hear one, hear all, I do solemnly swear to begin again. Since the laptop crash book one really needs to be repaired, and patched up, as so much was lost, and you know what they say...there is no time like the present! The wind went out of my sails as I watched a year of work wither away, got me down, but I'm up now so why put it off right? Right. I wonder, as I get the book back into shape, would it be a grand idea to put bits of it here? Hmmmm, have to think that one over a bit. I was awfully secretive with it, only a select few have been allowed to read it, but now I find I really don't care. At first I thought it only confirmed that I was indeed a raving lunatic, but now, I learn it actually happens to other people-stories playing on in their heads that is. So, anyway, I'm more comfy in my new skin, so to speak!

The animals in the Zoo are wonderful. All reved up for Halloween. The excitement gets a bit contagious. Super Spouse & I got to go to a NBA game last night with Pine Nut & Angel, which was fun. But as usual, I enjoyed the people watching far more than the game. Apparently it's catching, this people watching, even Super Spouse got in on the action! He leaned over and said, 'So do you think that couple is married, or just flirting like mad? There not sitting with each other, and the little girl with the man, I'll bet she is telling him she's going to tell mom.' I had to laugh, as that's just the thing I'd have said. People are the best subjects to study, next to music & nature they are the best muse's.

Speaking of Super Spouse, he rode in on his white stallion and presented me with the latest Snow Patrol album the other day, which was quickly added to my Ipod and has been playing ever since. It's wonderful. Truly. There's music, and then there's music that beats in tune with your own heart beat, and this is that for me. Lightbody's (lead singer) voice once again wraps it's self around you, carrying you away into the music. So really, you should give it a listen. My fav tracks are 'Crack the Shutters' and 'If there's a rocket Tie Me To It'. Overall, it's a great album with so much depth. Oh, and did I mention, they're an Irish band? No, well they are, so that makes it perfect, lol. The Irish have a way with music and story telling. So, go give it a listen!

Computer crashes & Mono invasion

What I'm reading: Just finished Quentins, by Maeve Binchy (adored it, my favorite yet of hers). Halfway through Jane Austen's Mansfield Park. And recently read: Tara Road, The Glass Lake both by Maeve Binchy, and Pillars of the Earth finished. (yeah, so I'm on a reading binge of sorts, so kill me!)

I am officially the worst blogger on the face of the earth. Fortunately, no one really reads this, so the fact that I haven't written in weeks will go unnoticed! However, I have numerous spectacular excuses. Such as: every one of us got a terrible stomach flu, except Maude. Then when Sprite got it, she also got strep throat followed a few days later by a Mononucleosis diagnosis. Then, my lap top crashed, fizzed, committed suicide, you get my drift. Did I mention I lost everything that was on it? No? Well, I did. Including my books. It's true. Fortunately, book one was on my zip drive. Wish I could say the same for the beginning of book two, but I can't. I'm still numb with grief over that one. But book 2 was just started, and book one was complete, so I suppose it was the lesser of two evils. (sorta like the upcoming presidential election?) So really, when you look at the pretty much crap month I've had, I think it's all quite excusable. That being said, let's get down to business.

On the writing front. As you can see by my sub title, I've mostly been reading, not writing for the last little while. But! I have started a new book, entirely different genre than the first two. This one will be chick lit. And it's fun. But, considering my lap top death (no worries, it has been reincarnated) I have loads of work to do on books 1&2. But, I'm in lazy mode right now, so not to much is getting done on that front. Also, I'm feeling a bit self indulgent, and book 3 is curbing that need. So, I'm working, running in place and going no where fast, but such is the life of the tormented artist. Hahaha.

Onto the books I've read. I did finish Pillars of the Earth, and was still not won over by it. However, I do see the need for the coarse way in which it was written, but as I've said before, just not my cup of tea. As stated above, I've taken to Maeve Binchy again. I adore that woman. She writes a most restful book. Warm, inviting, where the numerous characters have such depth. And somehow, even though each book has about 4 plus main story lines and yet, you grow to love each of them and in the end they all tie together. I've read a lot of what she's written and highly recommend her for a good read. She's one of my all time favorites, so give her a try. I have to admit Mansfield Park is not my favorite Austen novel, but, it's still classic Austen, and you really can't go wrong there. Next in line is a refresher of my newly purchased (thank you Pug's wife) copy of Sense and Sensibility. I read it ages ago, but can't really remember it, so I thought I'd give it another read through. Then, as I'm feeling greedy, I have a copy of Maeve Binchy's 'The Lilac Bus' calling to me from the bookshelf, so I'll just have to read that one as well.

As to the fam, we are all finally well! Hallelujah! It's been nearly a month of constant illness here at the Zoo I call home, but I am pleased to say I really think we are all on the mend. Whew. Also in the goings on of the Zoo, I had a birthday come and go, making me older. Unfortunately wiser didn't seem to come along with older for me. Just gray hairs. Super spouse decorated the house for me, and had a take away meal brought in, which he insisted I eat by candle light. Not to mention the lovely bouquet, and numerous cards stashed about the house. And, a mushy voice mail message that I saved for a rainy day. And you wonder why I call him Super Spouse? Mom made me my favorite Red Velvet Cake, which I shared a bit of with the kids, then made quick work of the rest by myself. Sprite is feeling better, she went to nearly a whole week of school this week, and did really well. She just can't play outside or have contact sports (no soccer for her!) as her spleen in enlarged, a side effect of Mono. On the brighter side, Maude finished her soccer season with a win (that's not the brighter side, the finished part is.) so now we will only be having to run her to soccer twice a week, rather than 4-5 times. I'm sure glad we have winter where I live!

So tonight, on this fabulous Saturday evening, Super Spouse is taking me out to dinner with our friends Pine Nut (named himself trying to get into my book-don't ask) and Angel (because she just is, never met anyone as nice as her), then coming back to the Zoo to watch a movie. And on that note, I must go feed the animals as they will not be coming with us.