I think I’m going to lay low this month
It’s not out of choice, believe me.
The lockdown over the North Wales coast coupled with a month filled with night shifts have effectively pushed me into a cul-de-sac of antisocial activity.
The night money will come in handy.
The invoice from Mary’s vet came today 😳
At least her infected ear seems better
It fucking well should be for £180 !!
I have decided that I will have to fill the void with some old fashioned winter pursuits, namely reading and video watching. The reading of good books has been put on the back burner since Chris left so over the last two days I’ve done some research and have ordered a load of second hand books on Amazon
Giovanni Room by James Baldovir, Tales of the City by Amistead Maupin, A Little Life by Hanya Yanagihara and You Know Me Well by David Levithan and Nina LaCour
All gay themed and interesting sounding.
I’ve also bought a whole plethora of esoteric dvds Such as some Korean Horror movies like The Wailing and Flu as well as a selection of classics that I feel I know but have never watched
George Cukor’s The Women, John Ford’s Stagecoach, Fellini’s La Dolce Vita are just a few films on order
I’m almost impressing myself
Let’s hope the reality is as impressive
we all need time to ourselves to recharge.
ReplyDeleteI really don’t need to recharge AM
DeleteI JUST have to get through the isolation of Covid and too many nights
Circling the wagons is good in these weird times and night shifts will really knock the stuffing out of you.
ReplyDeleteGood books can take you anywhere in the wide world, into the past, the future, under the sea, and into outer space.
In your area is there a library that's open at least for curb side pick-up (as ours is) or completely open? Libraries are stellar sources for wonderful books for free but you cannot let pets over-frolic library books.
So glad to hear that Mary's ear infection is no longer a problem for her but am sorry the vet's bill is astronomical.
Big hugs!
Circling the wagons is a good metaphor
DeleteYou are smart to devote some relaxing time to books and movies between all those night shifts. It is all too easy to overdo when you are working those hours and then it can come back to bite you. Take it easy for a bit and stay healthy!
ReplyDeleteThere is nothing to do, and little places to go
DeleteTake a long slow walk around the church (outside if you aren't allowed in)looking for new and interesting finds around it.(Did they find the money, the needed.)
DeleteI have a project in mind for you that only involves writing and thinking.
Contact Russell Crowe to see if he is interested in helping the church out or buying it, if that is a choice.
Win-win situation.
How sensible of you - especially if you're doing a run of nights. I hope you're also getting clay for those chess figures, I'm looking forward to seeing them. Keep well, keep safe, and keep happy/positive. It's about all any of us can do in these troubled times.
ReplyDeleteI have the clay ready but unfortunately the pottery class is on hold 😩
DeleteCan't you make the figures anyway, and get them to the air-dried stage? Or you could hone your skills making a salt shaker for the kitchen - shaped like a B## Covid molicule!!!!
DeleteA Little Life is one of my favourite books. You’re in for a treat.
ReplyDeleteI am so glad , it took me an age to pick all the titles.......and I’m happy at getting used paperbacks from Amazon, proper and cheap recycling
DeleteI hope you enjoy the films, the books, and a bit of peace.
ReplyDeleteThe quiet peace, I can do without
DeleteI read a lot.
ReplyDelete"A little life" is the best book I've ever read.
It will make you laugh and cry. Loads.
We have an excellent vet who charges very reasonable fees. We know he's the exception.
At least Mary is better and no more ear scratching
DeleteSounds a good idea. Try to find time to cook lots of delicious, healthy food and get plenty of sleep and you'll be feeling great by the end of the month! Not sure about Flu, though...sounds too much like what we have going around!
ReplyDeleteLots of soups have been planned
DeleteNothing wrong with just settling in to the comfort of home. Enjoy!
ReplyDeleteI loved A Little Life as well.
ReplyDeleteIf you have room for more books two more I would recommend are
A Line of Beauty - same theme as your others. I didn’t get on with it but most people loved it.
Pew - not quite the same theme but similar.
Alan collinghurst?
DeleteI’ve just ordered it
Yup that is the one. I could not get into it, tried on several occasions but seem to be a complete outlier. Will be interested to see what you think.
DeleteYou will be able to see yourself and take stock without interference.
ReplyDeleteI don’t need to see myself really Rachel, I’m just trying to be positive
DeleteIt may be a happy spin off that you weren't expecting. I like positive thinking too and you are being positive.x
DeleteTake care of yourself! Lots of warm baths with nice bath oils, lotsof body rubs, lots of home-cooked healthy foods to lose a few pounds, concentrate on body image, make yourself feel great. Nothing like self esteem for improving how you feel. xxx
ReplyDeleteYes pat, you have it in one
DeleteI love the Armistead Maupin books
ReplyDeleteMe too, I loved the tv series too.
DeleteRather than all that arty farty entertainment, how about taking up knitting or crocheting this winter? There are plenty of YouTube videos to help. For example:-
ReplyDeletehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eucsrSsyNkI
Great idea...you might prefer Arne and Carlos
Deletehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qRDYe99M1Ug.
I could send you some needles and rainbow colours of wool...a scarf for starters? Your Gran would be proud (and maybe astonished!)
Best to start with something simple - a scarf perhaps - before knitting a nice beige cardigan with shiny brown leather buttons.
DeleteNo thanks my ex husband used to knit
DeleteHe probably drinks coffee, watches films and reads books too. Don't let him stop you doing anything YOU want to try. Though I get that you may not feel knitting is your thing.
DeleteMeanwhile - I shall be watching 'Vera' and 'Gogglebox', recorded from last night! Cappuccino at the ready.
ReplyDeleteLet the wild winds blow and the rain lash down - I'm warm and comfortable in my home.
Love gogglebox . You’ve reminded me to watch it on catch up
DeleteOther than the night shifts (don't know how you survive those) it sounds like a plan for a delightful month. We are still avoiding crowds, he-who-must-not-be-named should have done that.
ReplyDeleteLol look after yourselves
DeleteGood luck with La Dolce Vita - you’ll need it. Time hasn’t been kind to it.
ReplyDeleteI didn’t say I was going to like them all .lol
DeleteYou’d be better off with Fellini’s Casanova. A thing of beauty, though rather eccentric.
DeleteI have tried to go out under the new rules, but there is no real point anymore unless you want to be stuck with one person in the pub. It's shite.
ReplyDeleteIt is.....and I’m very disappointed.
DeleteToday’s blog is an explanation of a sort of minor effort to make the best of things
What a dog person needs is a partner who is a vet and if I was young again I would settle for nothing less.The film Dolce Vita interests me and though I've heard of it I can't remember watching it.My dad was from that area and I can imagine him as an extra in the film as that was his era x
ReplyDeleteAs a cat person I don't mind paying the vet fees. What I would like is a partner who is a doctor, because I fear there will be none left when I come to need one.
DeleteI’d like a partner who is a young Russell Crowe
DeleteAs a nurse, I've come to think that a partner who is a lawyer would be handy. Just sayin!
DeleteHugs!
Meanqueen-I think I would like a doctor too,as around here they are in hiding-perhaps I could have one of each xx
Deletei'm going back into total lockdown as of today too. it's sad because this is my favorite time of year but the covid numbers are soaring in the states and there are too many clunkers out there that refuse to wear masks even though their god is now in the hospital and many of his staff are positive. until there is a vaccine no one is safe and until people follow rules, it's hopeless. i would like a young russell crowe too. it should would liven up quarantine.
ReplyDeleteHunker down and enjoy it. A Little Life will break your heart so be prepared. x
ReplyDeleteMany (too many) years ago I worked nights. It nearly killed me! I lost a lot of weight though, 'cos my eating habits went to pot and I lived on toast. So I get your need for some pampering and "me time". Enjoy! xx
ReplyDeleteYou are going to LOVE Tales of the City. It's a whole series of books and they are highly addictive. I'm just so sad that Maupin has let that series go. There are two video series made from the books too. One back in the 70s and the second quite recent.
ReplyDeleteCovid cycling up and down is a bummer for everyone. Your hibernation plan sounds good to me, I will be doing the same...Dreaming of Spring and the rebirth it brings.
ReplyDelete"The Women" is fantastic -- as is "Tales of the City" and "Giovanni's Room." I like "La Dolce Vita" but Fellini is an acquired taste and I don't pretend to entirely understand it!
ReplyDeleteIt should be.
ReplyDeleteCozy up on the new couch and enjoy your books & DVDs!
ReplyDeleteOh those books sound so interesting. As for horror films however, they terrify me and I find it difficult to sleep.
ReplyDeleteCovid is so horrible. I am reading "A Little Life" right now, and it is a good book. Let me know how the others are as I haven't read them. Take care.
ReplyDelete~Mick
When we had a 6 week lockdown in April I rushed to the library and took out 25 books, but only read 7 of them. I have watched lots of series on TV this past winter than ever before.
ReplyDeleteYou are so much more highbrow than me, Gogglebox, First Dates and the Great British Bake Off are keeping me sane ... with a dash of Midsomer Murders thrown in occasionally.
ReplyDeleteOh gogglebox and bake off are on my lists
DeleteSet aside a whole chunk of time for ‘A Little Life’ . It is a long book and once you are into it you won’t want to put it down. I wish I hadn’t read it so that I could go back and experience it again. Lucky you!
ReplyDeleteI loved A Little Life, it was a very heart-warming tale. I usually get bored with over-long books pretty quickly, but this one held my attention for all 736 pages, quite an achievement.
ReplyDeleteGeorge Cukor's The Women is one of my all time favorite films! The snappy and snippy dialogue is brilliant. Sure some of it is outdated, but the cast and the clothes are timeless. I really hope you enjoy it.
ReplyDeleteI find I like watching/listening to simple living YouTube channels as well as certain artists. It's like having a friend in the house. I also recommend you check out Great Big Story, https://www.greatbigstory.com/, they have a channel on YouTube as well and it brings the world to your doorstep. Hang in the love. XO
MissFifi
I bet you would like the novel Three Junes by Julia Glass.
ReplyDelete