Good morning and Happy Sunday. As I sit here sipping my coffee, reflecting upon the past week, I am struck by how quiet the house is with just three of us here. It hasn't been like this in five months. In addition, it's been a week where I haven't driven more than 30 minutes in any direction. Will this continue? Probably not, but it has been a blissfully normal (some might even call it boring) week.
What have I done? Laundry, odds and ends around the house, fall clean-up outdoors, had my teeth cleaned, started stocking the freezer, walked the dog, watched baseball and high school football, and tried 5 new recipes for Trish's Pin It and Do It challenge. Like I said, blissfully boring. We'll see what the week ahead has in store.
Surprisingly, there was not much reading other than a few chapters of The Submission by Amy Waldman. This novel about building a 9/11 memorial is my book club's next selection. I can already tell that we're going to have a great discussion, but it looks like I might not make it to the meeting because...
On audio, it's become clear that I can do nothing else while listening to Colin Firth read The End of the Affair by Graham Greene. I am riveted to his voice, of course, but the book is so depressing - not at all conducive to exercise, housework, etc. It's a short book but, at this rate, could take a month to finish.
In the car, I am listening to This is How You Lose Her by Junot Díaz read by the author... a book that is slowly growing on me, despite having more f-bombs than anything I've ever read!
Today we're seeing Syracuse Opera's production of Tosca, then celebrating my twin sisters' 39th birthdays, again! Hope it's a great day for you, too.
Enjoy the peace! I'd LOVE to go the RH open house but I don't think I'm going to be able to swing it. I'd have to take a day off of work and I'm not sure I can do that at the moment.
ReplyDeleteI think there will be a ton of people there and it should be a great event.
BethF - I just got my tickets and am really looking forward to the RH OPen HOuse. Too bad you won;t be there...
DeleteLOL! I've had a blisfully boring weekend too! I've managed to finish 3 books in the last 2 days and I think it is several months since I've actually had the time to read so much. Enjoy the quiet time while it lasts.
ReplyDeleteJackie - I'd say your blissfully boring weekend was much more productive than mine ;-)
DeleteYou're so lucky to be able to RH's Open House! Take pictures!
ReplyDeleteVasilly - I definitely will!
DeletePeace and quiet are good....most weeks I don't travel very far, either. When I have to drive across the city to the suburbs where my daughter lives, I feel stressed out! lol
ReplyDeleteI haven't gotten into audio yet...mostly because I like to curl up and read. If I took a trip, though, I might give it a try.
Here's MY SUNDAY SALON POST
Laurel-Rain Snow - I got started with audiobooks when I was spending hours in the car every day...then I got addicted!
DeleteI'd love a week like the one you described! I wish I could go to the Open House but it's too far for me.
ReplyDeleteKathy - Maybe next time...
DeleteEnjoy the opera.
ReplyDeleteC.B. James - We did! I've decided that Puccini is my favorite :-)
DeleteI find boring to be a good thing that doesn't happen as often as I would like :) Enjoy the Random House event!
ReplyDeleteSharon - My feelings, exactly!!
DeleteBlissfully boring sounds wonderful! Hope you enjoy your visit to the opera :)
ReplyDeleteSam - Now that we've seen La Boheme, Madama Butterfly, and Tosca, I've decided Puccini is my favorite!
DeleteHave you seen the film version of The End of the Affair? It is really, really good. Depressing, yes, but so complex and heartbreaking.
ReplyDeleteAnbolyn - No, I haven't seen it, but I'm going to add it to my Netflix queue right now!
DeleteI do like pottering around the house. Blissfully boring indeed! I look forward to your review of The Submission. Almost bought it the other day. Still considering it.
ReplyDeleteVintage Reading - Not much progress on The Submission yet this week... maybe tonight.
DeleteI downloaded The End of The Affair on audio after you posted about it being available for free, and I love it, too! Even after having already read it and seeing the film. There's something about Colin Firth, I think, which adds so much to an already fascinating story.
ReplyDeleteBellezza - Oh, I agree! Colin Firth's voice adds an extra dimension to the novel. I'm enjoying it much more on audio.
DeleteMy weekend was anything but boring (even today, when I had "time", I ended up running around all day doing stuff). Some day, I will have a boring weekend, and I will wish for chaos. I guess that is human nature. And I think the only thing that is conducive to listening to "The End of the Affair" is drinking...heavily.
ReplyDeleteAh, Sandy - I'm afraid you're a few years away from anything that even vaguely resembles a boring weekend! Wonder if red or white goes better The End of the Affair...
DeleteIt does sound blissful - you deserve a nice peaceful time!
ReplyDeleteI was thinking, like Anbolyn, of the film with Ralph Fiennes and Julianne Moore. I don't usually do well with audiobooks, but Colin Firth is very tempting.
Lisa May - I've moved the film to the top of my Netflix queue, but Colin Firth's narration is nothing short of amazing.
DeleteI am still on hiatus from End of the Affair. Too. Damn. Depressing.
ReplyDeleteAnd you should totally go to the Random House Open House...it sounds like fun!
Softdrink - See Sandy's advice above ;-)
DeleteI really enjoy audio books, and didn't realize Colin Firth had done any. I like Georgette Heyer novels, but I adored those that Richard Armitage read to me. Since I haven't read anything by Graham Greene, I better check this one out!
ReplyDeleteHope you enjoyed Tosca--that was one of my dad's favorite operas, though I've never seen a production. My daughter is applying to Syracuse University so I'm starting to learn about the area. Looks lovely.
JaneGS - This is Colin Firth's first audiobook, as far as I know, and it it absolutely amazing - what a voice! Tosca was wonderful. I'm very new to opera, but have already decided that Puccini is my favorite. How exciting that your daughter is applying to SU! I wanted my oldest to go to their Newhouse School, but it was just too close for her. Keep me posted!
DeleteI got the CF audio book--great story. I looked for it online at my library and when they didn't have it, ordered it via interlibrary loan. I got an email from the librarian saying that it wasn't available on CD, and she gave me a link to Audible where I was able to download for free. I am totally amazed, and plan to start it tomorrow!
DeleteJaneGS -Wow, that's great... Enjoy!! Librarians are the best :-)
DeleteI am planning to go to the RH Open House - it would be great to meet you there!
ReplyDeleteColleen - That's great! I just got tickets and would love to meet you there!
DeleteThis sounds relaxing
ReplyDeleteEsme - It certainly is, and kind of nice for a change!
DeleteI like your idea of boring! Sounds like a great life and it's those little things that will always be remembered. The Open House sounds like a great time and I hope that you decide to go!
ReplyDeleteStaci - Boring seems like the equivalent of heaven at this point! I decided to get tickets for the Random House event... can't wait!
DeleteYou needed a week of "boring!" The Random House open house sounds great - you are so lucky to live near enough to go.
ReplyDeleteLisa - I sure did! Boring is definitely under-rated.
DeleteBlissfully boring sounds wonderful! I'm actually having that sort of day today, but since I'm home sick with a head cold, it's not quite as enjoyable as it could be. I've puttered around on my computer, catching up on blogs. I've read a chapter, here and there, in my current book. I've actually taken the time to look through some catalogs that arrived in the mail this past week. I've ignored the clean dishes in the dishwasher and the dirty dishes on the counter. I am sick, after all. :)
ReplyDeleteHave fun at the Random House event! Wish I lived close enough to join you.
Les - Oh, I hope your head cold is better- that's a tough way to get a 'boring' day at home. Just found out that a couple of blogging friends will also be at the Random House event, so now I'm even more excited!
DeleteOh, what I wouldn't give for a blissfully boring week, day, hour...I'll take it! It's good to see you've had some time to recover from all of your travels!
ReplyDeleteStacybuckeye - With your little guy, it may be years before anything remotely 'boring' returns to your life ;-)
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