Sunday, September 28, 2014

Sunday Salon: Stormy weather

Good morning...finally!  Seems like I've not been getting my posts in early lately.  It's not easy when you get up and go to 7:30 Mass.

This week was definitely one to put behind me.  We got over 6 inches of rain (wish we could send some over to our friends in California!).  We got no definitive answers from the doctor on my son's weight loss (more blood tests to come).  My daughter got her driver's license, and immediately began traipsing around on the busiest and most dangerous highway in the area, therefore I feel sick to my stomach all the time.  (Still no parking at the school, but I've found a local business that is willing to let her park in their lot...for now.)  And my best friend lost her father yesterday to cancer.  It was one of those weeks where you just focus on a distant point of reference and keep walking.

But we've got Ryder Cup today.  Gone Girl comes out next week in theaters.  The new season of American Horror Story and The Walking Dead are coming soon.  I've started taking Polish classes on Wednesday nights.  An indie bookstore is coming to town soon.  And I've been reading some great books.

In print I finished "Station Eleven" by Emily St. John Mandel.  It truly is an incredible book, and there is no question in my mind why she's been nominated for the National Book Award this year.  I'm now about 50 pages into "All I Love and Know" by Judith Frank, insistently recommended by Heather at Book Addiction.  You would think this was some story about a middle-aged woman having drama, right?  But it is most definitely NOT.  I'm really hoping to dig in more today.

On audio I finished "We Are All Completely Beside Ourselves" by Karen Joy Fowler which was...unique.  Very readable, and covers a topic you don't often see (no spoilers).  I also blew through Jojo Moyes' "One Plus One" which couldn't be more precious, and an excellent audio production.  I'm now a couple discs into "Dear Daughter" by Elizabeth Little.  I've been seeing some buzz on this one, and was on the Must list in EW a few weeks ago.  It's intriguing, snappy, and the narrator/protagonist is bratty but I think that is the point.

For the first time, my daughter is driving herself clear across town for her SAT class, so we lost our excuse for our Winter Park brunches!  Guess I'll sit here and worry instead - LOL!  Hope you all have a wonderful Sunday, and please let me know what you're up to and what you're reading! 



14 comments:

bermudaonion said...

What a horrible week for you! I well remember the day Vance got his driver's license. Carl and I went out that night and I had my phone out in my hand the whole time. I was a nervous wreck and everyone else thought it was hilarious. Trust me, though, you'll learn to love it.

I've been going through a small medical issue so I know how frustrating it can be. I got an answer and now they're taking a "wait and see" approach. I hope they figure things out with your son soon.

Jenny said...

What's the new indie book store you're talking about? I googled just now and see one opened this past spring that I hasn't heard of!

rhapsodyinbooks said...

Glad the week is over!!!

Alyce said...

That does sound like a lot to deal with. I hope they figure out the medical stuff with your son soon.

My week was a mixed bag. I got over a cold/asthma problem, managed to volunteer at the library through the end of that, then went to the Ohio State game with friends and stayed out late gabbing at a restaurant, which was awesome. Woke up this morning with another cold & scratchy throat inherited from my son. Nothing too terrible, but I will admit to being grumpy about it. I'd like to have some time off from the germs.

Beth F said...

I hope you straighten out your son's issues. And yes, it's so scary to watch them drive off. This has been a hard, hard year for so many people.

Trisha said...

Yet another reminder that I need to finally read Gone Girl...

And I can partially imagine the horror of watching the daughter zoom off in a car as I watch Miss 2 going on 5 Madison ride off on her bike down the sidewalk (clearly a deathtrap of driveways).

Ti said...

I wish we had an indie bookstore nearby. We live in a very large town but all we have is B&N now. Borders closed years ago. I worry about the B&N too because it's one of the junkier stores.

Maybe now that I am over the worst of my cold I can get some reading done. I could not read much with my head about to burst.

Anonymous said...

I envy your indie bookstore. I have a lovely county library and B & N, but that's all within decent driving area. Hope your son feels better soon and you figure out how to get him there. I worry about my son driving around San Diego with his first personal car, though he's been driving for a few years. It goes with the "Mom" territory I suppose.

It' either the glass half full or half empty, so I'm glad you can take the positive view on your week. Here's to a better one coming up.

JoAnn said...

Aww, another tough week. Hopefully further tests will provide some answers for your son, but time is all that will end the worry of your kid driving away in the car. (I'm still waiting!)

Sounds like One Plus One may be a good audio choice, but I still can't decide about We Are All Completely Beside Ourselves. Sounds kind of strange - I think I already know the spoiler.

Literary Feline said...

I wish you could send some of that rain my way too!

I am sorry you had a bad week. :-( I hate having to wait for doctor's results--or answers. Especially when it's in regards to your child. I am so sorry to hear about the loss of your best friend's father. I hate cancer with a passion.

We got good news about a coworker who recently had a tumor removed--it's benign. We are all so happy. Having just lost another coworker to cancer last year, we were all feeling tense around the office.

I am so happy for Emily St. John Mandel. She deserves the success.

I hope you have a great week, Sandy!

Melody said...

We definitely need some rain over here, with the haze and everything, bah!

So happy for your daughter! My youngest was telling me the other day that she fancies red cars, and she's only six, lol. I told her to get a licence when she's of age, and in return she asked me to get a car.

Hope you've a great week!

Anonymous said...

I read One Plus One in print and loved it, but I can imagine it would be perfect for audio, with the multiple narrators.

So sorry about your friend's dad; cancer is horrible.

I pray they will find an answer for your son soon.

Melissa (Avid Reader) said...

I'm finally trying to get back into the blog world and actual visit the blogs I love. Man vacation can put you behind! I read The Silkworm on audio (your recommendation) while we were on our trip. It was so great on audio!

Anonymous said...

I hope that you can find some answers for your son. We took Gage to a dr specializing in a natural approach to health and she told me in no uncertain terms to stop giving him soy milk. In the past 10-11 months he gained one pound and in the month since he's been off soy milk he's gained 2. Stay strong until you find an answer! I won't say the answer since I know from Gage that is never the case.