ML:BW

18
Aug
If you’re not writing, you should be reading. I saw this on Jewish Story Writing (no, I’m not Jewish) and I’ve been thinking about it ever since. There is something about the close of summer, the onset of autumn, that makes us all a little more thoughtful. Autumn is, after all, the season in which everything dies, before going barren for the winter. I was reading a blog post from a woman I went to high school with this morning, and it as was if I could have written it myself. So many blog posts have been that way for me lately. No, I haven’t been writing. I’ve been reading as much as I can - be it blog posts or articles. I’ve been listening to a lot of Nora Roberts audio books. This evening I went to dinner with my parents. My stepmom asked me if I had any book recommendations. I told her she wouldn’t want to read anything I’ve been reading, because they’re mostly Nora Roberts trilogies. I have such fond and interesting memories of my first Nora Roberts novel, Public Secrets. My cousin and aunt were always reading Nora’s books and this was the first my cousin, Andie, recommended for me. I will never forget the day I was reading it on the blue line of the MBTA, when the main character was beaten until she could hear the sound of her rib cage crack - I fainted. I had never fainted before. I’m not sure that I had ever fainted again. But it was described in such detail that it really hit me. I fainted. I dropped my water bottle. I scared the poor gentleman sitting across from me. It was only a few seconds, but I will never forget it. I have been a true Nora fan since that novel. So I understand that her work isn’t necessarily going to make the literary canon, and that all of the plots are exactly the same, but I enjoy slipping into the worlds and characters she creates after a long, difficult day at the office. As I have a long, difficult drive home in an hour + of traffic. Alas, I do think I am going to try the Rory Gilmore Reading Challenge. After I finish Nora’s Key Trilogy. What are you reading?

If you’re not writing, you should be reading.

I saw this on Jewish Story Writing (no, I’m not Jewish) and I’ve been thinking about it ever since.

There is something about the close of summer, the onset of autumn, that makes us all a little more thoughtful. Autumn is, after all, the season in which everything dies, before going barren for the winter.

I was reading a blog post from a woman I went to high school with this morning, and it as was if I could have written it myself. So many blog posts have been that way for me lately.

No, I haven’t been writing. I’ve been reading as much as I can - be it blog posts or articles. I’ve been listening to a lot of Nora Roberts audio books.

This evening I went to dinner with my parents. My stepmom asked me if I had any book recommendations. I told her she wouldn’t want to read anything I’ve been reading, because they’re mostly Nora Roberts trilogies.

I have such fond and interesting memories of my first Nora Roberts novel, Public Secrets. My cousin and aunt were always reading Nora’s books and this was the first my cousin, Andie, recommended for me.

I will never forget the day I was reading it on the blue line of the MBTA, when the main character was beaten until she could hear the sound of her rib cage crack - I fainted. I had never fainted before. I’m not sure that I had ever fainted again. But it was described in such detail that it really hit me.

I fainted. I dropped my water bottle. I scared the poor gentleman sitting across from me.

It was only a few seconds, but I will never forget it. I have been a true Nora fan since that novel.

So I understand that her work isn’t necessarily going to make the literary canon, and that all of the plots are exactly the same, but I enjoy slipping into the worlds and characters she creates after a long, difficult day at the office. As I have a long, difficult drive home in an hour + of traffic.

Alas, I do think I am going to try the Rory Gilmore Reading Challenge. After I finish Nora’s Key Trilogy.

What are you reading?

6
Jul
It turns out I like the 5th of July as much as the 4th. I went to Zen with my sisters, Lylah and Caroline, in the morning. We found a black dress for me to wear to dinner that night and they made bracelets. We checked out some of the shops, including Abacus, which is one of my all-time favorite stores. They have so many whimsical, unusual (and expensive) items. After, we grabbed lunch at the little store, H.B. Provisions and spent some time in the ocean. Last night I went out for a very fancy dinner with Dad, Sarah, our cousins Tucker and Richard, and my aunt, Ellen. The White Barn is a five-star dining experience that I will remember for the rest of my life. Some of the dishes are in the photos above. My favorite was the duck with foie gras and a strawberry, all covered in some fabulous sauce. Three of us did a nine-course tasting, with wine pairings. We had so much fun and our waiter looked like Steve-o. Plus, we may be on TV as ABC filmed a portion of our dinner. Today is for sitting on the beach, reading my colleague Tina’s book and generally enjoying a leisurely vacation. Only 16 more days until that husband of mine returns from tour.

It turns out I like the 5th of July as much as the 4th.

I went to Zen with my sisters, Lylah and Caroline, in the morning. We found a black dress for me to wear to dinner that night and they made bracelets.

We checked out some of the shops, including Abacus, which is one of my all-time favorite stores. They have so many whimsical, unusual (and expensive) items. After, we grabbed lunch at the little store, H.B. Provisions and spent some time in the ocean.

Last night I went out for a very fancy dinner with Dad, Sarah, our cousins Tucker and Richard, and my aunt, Ellen.

The White Barn is a five-star dining experience that I will remember for the rest of my life. Some of the dishes are in the photos above. My favorite was the duck with foie gras and a strawberry, all covered in some fabulous sauce. Three of us did a nine-course tasting, with wine pairings. We had so much fun and our waiter looked like Steve-o. Plus, we may be on TV as ABC filmed a portion of our dinner.

Today is for sitting on the beach, reading my colleague Tina’s book and generally enjoying a leisurely vacation.

Only 16 more days until that husband of mine returns from tour.

27
Jun
Jay and the boys left for tour today. I got up early and packed for him, which is no easy task. Packing 25 tshirts, pairs of underwear and socks, in addition to standard toiletries…in a small, rolley backpack…well, it took an hour. As you know, I love Real Simple. I used their Pack Like a Pro guide. I tried bundling, but the bag was definitely too small. I ended up rolling everything, barring five shirts. And I snuck in a few notes for that husband of mine to find throughout the tour. Of course, first night of tour means drowning my sorrows in buffalo chicken wings and mashed potatoes, which I did after I finished a bit of laundry and cleaning. I have a lot to look forward to this tour. I admit the ride home from Logan Airport - one of my least favorite places - was tough. I got home and dove into work, which pushed me to a better spot. I am sure there will be more to come.

Jay and the boys left for tour today. I got up early and packed for him, which is no easy task. Packing 25 tshirts, pairs of underwear and socks, in addition to standard toiletries…in a small, rolley backpack…well, it took an hour.

As you know, I love Real Simple. I used their Pack Like a Pro guide. I tried bundling, but the bag was definitely too small. I ended up rolling everything, barring five shirts.

And I snuck in a few notes for that husband of mine to find throughout the tour.

Of course, first night of tour means drowning my sorrows in buffalo chicken wings and mashed potatoes, which I did after I finished a bit of laundry and cleaning.

I have a lot to look forward to this tour. I admit the ride home from Logan Airport - one of my least favorite places - was tough. I got home and dove into work, which pushed me to a better spot.

I am sure there will be more to come.