Reading reports, Fall falling

Bookworm Boud checking in to say Still Life is back in the library. I did my best but I just couldn't. Stilted, trying hard to be significant, oh well, some people liked the Italian art history take, the wartime setting, the love interest, maybe, I dunno.  I was just not in tune with this writer.

Likewise A Well Trained Wife, by Tia Levings, a nonfiction account of a woman growing up in Southern fundamentalist church, finding herself in a violent marriage, eventually,  managing to leave. 

It's a well written, and chilling, account of white male church-centered patriarchy and family dominance, enforced by husbands with violence. 

I read as far as I could, out of respect, and would recommend it, if you have the tolerance. My own trauma, not of marriage, but of war, got in the way.  Mainly I think it was her helplessness and isolation that got me racked up. And her courage in the face of massive social coercion and danger.

On the other hand, volume two of the Cazalet Chronicles, continues to be very good, with some piercing insights from the younger characters. 

I'm reading this on hoopla, since only volume 1 was available in paper form.  I could use the diagram showing the family tree. A lot of characters.

Still to be read is Penelope Fitzgerald's The Blue Flower, another Susan Hill favorite.

It's fall, wonderful walking weather, and the cod and broccoli continue to please, also the afternoon tea with Misfits snickerdoodles, much bigger than the ones I've made. I've put a a couple in the freezer for Handsome Son's next visit. 

He needs his strength, because I'm going to ask him for help turning the queen size  mattress, a test of ingenuity and strength in my smallish bedroom.  Usually one or other of us gets pinned in a corner and we're laughing too hard to escape. You can't just flip it, it's a onesided mattress design. You have to turn it through 180° in a pretty confined space.

Happy day, everyone, and I hope your mattress turning is rare, safe and successful. Sounds like something else..

As well as walking there was stretching, surprisingly energetic.

They say gentle, hm.

Later I did 20 rapid sit to stands just to see if I could. In about 45 seconds.  S to s is a great exercise for anyone.

 Keep resisting,sez

Ted and Big Ursy 

Except when it's futile like here

Kitchen done! More about keys

This morning's walk was beautiful, cool sunny weather, happy neighbors on their patios, including one who's just finished getting his redone with tiling. He was so pleased when I admired it, though I think hello and yes was the limit of his English, but we communicated anyway.

What happens when you neglect to move the kids' bikes before the landscapers come around.

 The Sleeping Beauty effect.

And this looks like a natural object at this point, so weathered 

This morning Michael the Contractor came, caulked the cabinet, chatted about his mother, the food pantry, his noisy neighbors, crunchy tofu, he loves it.  

Also I paid him, very fair price, though a stretch for me. I rationalize that it's a once only job. I may have converted him to contribute to the food pantry; he didn't know where it was till now. Also he's going to see if his mother can get the bone density injections I get.  Quite a productive convo.

About locks and keys, when I had the pet care service I had many keys I kept safely, coded for security. One time I got an anguished call from a client, so sorry to disturb me, could I rescue him? 

He happened to live close by, which I knew but he didn't, for my security -- I didn't broadcast my address. Anyway he lived in a third floor condo in my development,  only one possible entrance from the staircase. 

He was getting his excitable Golden retriever ready for a walk, dog jumped at him, he staggered out the door,  the door slammed shut, he heard the lock drop! 

This left the dog inside with the keys, owner locked outside, luckily with phone and my number saved. I brought my copy of his key, let him in, no charge,  and he begged me not to mention it to his wife, who would never let him live it down! I did get a nice Christmas gift that year. No connection I'm sure..

Happy day everyone, try not to let your dog lock you out! You feel pretty silly explaining it when you need help.

Up to now: the Gubbernor ordered the rainbow crosswalk near the Pulse, scene of a mass shooting tragedy, painted over. A crowd of LGBTQ+ people protested with joy, flags and chants and repainted the rainbow. Once more Gov. Boots had it painted black. Once again the rainbow returned. Up to now. 

Don't let anyone dim your rainbow! Screenshot this one to preserve it in case Boots paints it over again.