Recently Read Archive

The Seven Dials Mystery - Agatha Christie (I think the best part of this Christie mystery are all the fabulous nicknames--a girl named Socks who overuses the word 'subtle', one of the main heroines is nicknamed Bundle, and a distinguished member of the Foreign Service is called, with a distinct lack of affection, Codders.) 11/20

Murder at the Vicarage - Agatha Christie (I could do worse in my life than become Miss Marple, I think. She knits, she spys on her neighbors, and she solves murders. Pretty awesome, though I think if I saw as much of Human Nature as she does I'd be sad all the time. I absolutely loved the characterizations from the first couple of chapters--Lettice and her drifting ways, Griselda and her quickness.) 11/14

All Clear - Connie Willis (Oh, just lovely. I adore Connie Willis' books...immediately after finishing this I ordered the Kindle version of Blackout and All Clear so I could re-read them both together.) 10/21

29 Gifts: How a Month of Giving Can Change Your Life - Cami Walker (It makes me feel like an awful person to say so, but her story and how she told it made me less likely to want to try the whole point of the book (give 29 gifts in 29 days). Also, it didn't really seem like it embodied the spirit of giving at all--too much focus on the personal rewards of giving rather than on the giving itself. I did like the book though, and maybe I'll try it.) 10/5

Day 7 - The Closest Friends I Don't See Enough

In my time on this planet I have been blessed with amazing friends, but almost all of them are now happy memories that I think about sometimes. Luckily, not all of them are--there are a handful of friends that I clutch to myself so they can't fall away from me and I'm infinitely grateful to them for always being exactly themselves when we call each other or visit each other after a long absence.

Mia Catja. I have been your friend for almost fifteen years, and you have been mine for just as long. I think I knew when we met that I would keep you as my friend forever because we both seem to need each other in that way that means forever no matter what. You are loyal and kind and I don't think you've ever said to no to a single one of my (occasionally ridiculous) plans. You back me up and make me feel good about myself imperceptibly and always, and being your friend makes me a better person. I feel sometimes that you are the only person I allow to put me on a pedestal--and it's not because you don't see my flaws. You just don't care that they are there, and I hope I've given you that same assurance right back.

DroolieLee. You are such a song in my heart. There are people in our lives that bring us happiness, and thinking of you never fails to make me smile. I can't even remember the first time we sang the 'down in my shoes' song, but it is definitely ours in the way the swing sets and summertime are for laughing. You remind me to be both fierce and honest with myself and with others because every fiber of who you are demands it. When we see each other after a long time it takes seconds for my soul to spin around and smile with you.

Bina. It makes me sad sometimes to think about how close we used to be and much effort we both have to put in to get back to that space because we are simply different now. And it's okay, we both are where we need to be right now. And holding your hand is still holding your hand. I think though, that we will fly again together--our outrageousness and absolutely fabulousness will smack right into each other again and there we will be, and it's okay that that time isn't right now. Because I know we'll get there.

Day 5 - The Skill of My Hands

I am thankful for the skill of my hands--the fine motor skills that allow me to succeed in so many artsy-crafty endeavors. Sometimes they fail me....but most often it's my mind being hasty that causes my hands to muss something up. Thanks, little muscles! Thanks, tiny little bones in my wrists! Without my hands I know I would still have the *need* to make things...but my hands give me the ability to make things well, and I am indeed quite thankful for them. Hey, they even type pretty well! I'd clap for em, but they do that for me too. Feet-clapping then. Lots of feet clapping.

Day 4 - The Beauty of the World

Seattle had it's first snowfall of the winter season these past two days--even had a snow day from work this afternoon. Tried *so hard* to get a good snow falling picture...but it was snowing so hard I couldn't really look around much. But, it's true, I am so lucky to be living in such a glorious beautiful world--it's turning seasons, the littlest leaves, the biggest clouds. Purdy, purdy, purdy planet.