Didn’t that week roll around to Friday quickly? Damn, that was fast! Busy work week, and I’m trying to fight off sinusitis (not officially diagnosed, no antibiotics yet, but drip. drip. drip. Not to mention the achey face!)
So comfort is important, and I found some in a few places. Let’s count:
1. My old moccasins were showing their years, so I found these cuddly replacements — sheepskin, beading, rabbit-fur trim. So warm on a wintry night or a fall morning . . .
2. The latest instalment of my Brick Book Club order for 2013. Don’t you love getting packages in the mail?
Especially when you’ve already paid for them, months and months earlier. . . .
And even more when they yield beautiful books of wonderful poetry. . . .
I’ll never be able to keep up with all the wonderful poetry that continues to be written, but having that task as part of my work . . . ah, that’s comfort!
3. And when I lose my concentration, and it’s time to turn to a different kind of entertainment, Paul and I have been enjoying Idris Elba’s role in Luther, a clever police procedural set in London — you know, I never tire of seeing that giant dill pickle . . . We’ve finished Season 2, now, and are looking forward to more. There are some wonderful characters, great performances, and edge-of-the-seat plotting.
4. I’ve also been comforted by photos sent via smartphone text-messages, either by Paul, at home enjoying his semi-retired lifestyle while I soldier away up the hill on campus, or by my daughter who’s very thoughtful about sharing the love. The other day, for example, Paul sent me this. . . .
Doesn’t he just comfort the soul, beautiful as he is? Note that the bottom of the photo marks the place where our deck stairs meet our terrace — the buck is perhaps twenty feet from our front door, maximum. Paul sent me the photo about 3 p.m. and I jokingly texted back that he should invite our visitor to wait until I got home to say hello. Paul texted back an Okay, he’d have him wait, and when I got home at 6:30. . . .
5. Finally, always cheering, and always received as the happiest of small gifts, the photos my daughter sends me of little Harriet. If smartPhones had only been invented to keep Nanas happy, that might be enough. Here’s the latest:
Swings, of course, are their own kind of comfort — and swinging with a little one on your lap might be hard on the back (remember?) but oh, it’s good for the happy!
As for happy, we’re heading off to Vancouver, and even though I’m bringing along (another) big stack of essays to mark, I’m planning a long run with my (baby) sister on Saturday morning, a shopping-and-brunch expedition with my daughter and another sister after the run, some cuddle time with both little girls, and a wonderful Thanksgiving meal that Paul and I don’t have to do anything but show up for. AND I get to hug all of my kids and their partners, excepting one.
May you have a lovely long weekend as well, my Canadian readers, and I’m guessing many of my American readers get a long weekend from Columbus Day — is that right? As for the rest of you, if you don’t have the third day off, I’ll just wish that you squeeze as much rest and relaxation — or at least Fun — into two days as you can. And maybe take a minute, if you can, to let me know what you’re up to. I always love your comments!
Yay for packages of books (mine was a collection of illustrator Shaun Tan's work) and thanksgiving
Oh, I love Tan's work. So magical. Happy Thanksgiving!
Oh my! I never realized that you would have deer on your island. Be careful as the bucks are very aggressive at this time if year…my BFF's dog was nearly rammed by one in their Gordon Head garden!
Happy Thanksgiving!
We have plenty of them on the island, and fairly regularly on our beach or in our garden. No aggression so far… Happy Thanksgiving to you as well
Gorgeous moccs – and I CANNOT get over the fact that you have a woodland creature of huge proportions on your property. Between you and the ocean! All we get is skunks and raccoons?! When I was in NC, my sister was driving me with her kids in the car and I freaked out cuz I saw a deer with 2 babies grazing on one of those huge Southern lawns. I was all: Turn the car around. Go back! And the kids laughed and laughed cuz they live in the mountains and they have to avoid hitting those animals on a daily basis. Seriously, one day there was a bear on their driveway.
I know you're a moccasins fan as well. So cozy. We laugh the same way at the tourists/ visitors remarking excitedly on a seal in the water. Ho-hum…. But really, it should be a source of wonderment. Even the raccoons and skunks. . . đ
Wonderful photos! I appreciate your Friday fives – it's such a great way to transition to a weekend frame of mind. Your next few days sound like a hug-fest in the making. Enjoy!!
Thanks for saying that, ilona. I enjoy composing these,so it's nice to know they work for the reader as well.
I love that slightly sceptical look on Harriet's face;).
I know! It is, isn't it?
Thanksgiving is one of my favourite holidays. Luther looks as though it would be interesting. It sounds as though you will have a week-end of family fun!
We really enjoyed it, but a fair bit of gore and violence… Luther, that is, not the family fun! đ
Those are amazing photos! I'm kind of surprised that I haven't seen any moose since I got back. Maybe if we go hiking tomorrow…. I hope your sinuses give you a reprieve soon!
Those must be exciting sightings …they're so big!
Try some Oil of Oregeno capsules and see if you can head of that sinus infection without antibiotics!
I'm putting the oil into a bit of juice and shooting it back. . .with that taste, it must be killing something!
So considerate of the buck to wait until you got home. Happy Thanksgiving, Mater, to you and yours. Enjoy the weekend! I hope your sinusitis dissipates in all the happiness.
I was amazed he'd waited!
Happy Thanksgiving to you as well. It's a great family holiday, isn't it?
Ewww, sinusitis; take it easy! We are going up into the Laurentians to ceelbrate Thanksgiving at our son's gf's mother's. Between her adult children and ours, Thanksgiving is in the hands of cooks and a professional sommelier. Quite a delight. Only thing missing is a granchild, but one is on the way… unfortunately not our side of the family- yet.
That sounds like the making of a wonderful feast and gathering. Enjoy! (I like the sound of that "yet"
Did you knit that amazing little palace guard hat? If you did, I'm out of luck, because I'd like to give one or two out for Christmas gifts . . .
I so enjoy your blog! Thanks so much for all the interesting columns whether they be about a fab vacay or the grandchildren or your everyday life. I so relate!