The Sunday Salon: The heat is on

The theme for this week was HEAT. All records have been knocked out of the park down here in Florida...it has been the hottest week in 100 years. I tend to "glow" with less effort than the next person, so this weather anomaly encouraged my inner slug.

Which was bad timing, since I just signed up for Trish's 100 Mile Fitness Challenge. Simply walk 100 miles between October 1st and December 31st. Walking and running count mile-for-mile. 15 minutes of other exercise is equivalent to 1 mile. I racked up 14 miles, despite the soul-crushing heat. Perhaps this will motivate me into a healthier state-of-mind. My psyche seems to care when I am accountable to others for my actions.

I was able to join my golf league on Thursday for the first time this season. (Season starts in September, but I was otherwise occupied with the Book Fair.) It is kind of hard to putt, however, when sweat is dripping off your nose. We all came crawling in for lunch looking and acting like drowned rats.

I had a fairly productive reading week. On the printed book front, I finished The Seance by John Harwood, as well as The Uninvited (my book club selection for next week) by Steven LaChance. I've started Feathers, my second Jaqueline Woodson read, with Lena coming in close behind. I was able to finish The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo on audio...which was FABULOUS. That is probably the best crime thriller I've read this year. I started The Angel's Game by Carlos Ruiz Zafon. I'm a little nervous about this one, since I've read some good reactions and bad ones. I was extremely disappointed to learn that the brilliant narrator for Shadow of the Wind did not come back to do justice to its sequel, but can't take anything away from the one doing the work. The kids and I are also closing in on the final discs of Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban.

Here's an exciting news flash. For all of you that have been following me for awhile, you are well aware that I am Connie May Fowler's number one fan. (Makes me sound slightly creepy.) Well, I've now gotten two (count them!) e-mails from her. She is working on a new book that is due out next April, and I'm hoping I'll get a sneak peek. Once she gets the new book published and on its way to all of our anxious, hot little hands, I'm going to have her as my guest on You've GOTTA Read This. I am one excited blogger, guys. This lady is an inspiration.

I'm not sure what I said last week to imply that I'd been sick, but there were a few comments to that effect. I was actually healthy as a horse last week. I can't say that this week though. My son and I both came down with the crud a couple of days ago, and we are fighting through it. I'm hoping that if I ignore it, it will go away and leave me alone. I've got some walking to do!