Well, “later this week” somehow turned into next week and I’m finally getting around to posting the winner of Stranger Here Below. Drumroll please…
~~~~~Florinda~~~~~
Yahoo!! And if you don’t mind, Florinda, I’ll just bring the book to you in when we meet up for lunch in Santa Barbara?
In other news, I’m currently undergoing physical therapy for a muscle spasm in my neck. The physical therapist pretty much considers laptops to be designed by the devil, so I have a temporary pseudo-ergonomic set-up at the dining room table…ergo keyboard, laptop on box to bring it up to eye level and pillows on the chair. I hate it. Except I just looked out the window (we never sit at this table) and discovered that Newton (our fig tree) is loaded down with figs. Newton blew over in a storm last winter, so he’s made a triumphant recovery. Although the figs aren’t ripe yet…maybe I’m being a bit optimistic by flinging the word triumphant out there?
Last week we lost a beloved member of our family, Gunther. Gunther has become a little moody in his old age (he’s 25 in VW years) and in need of some costly repairs, so Hamburger decided it was time to finally let go (he also decided he’s never naming another surf van, as it leads to attachment issues). But Gunther went to a kind, loving home (he was bought by a friend of the first person who came to look at him, who said “I’ve got the vibe of the van and I’m going to go meditate on it”) and he’s been sighted 3 times in the 3 days since he’s been sold…once by HB, once in front of our house (the new owner knows our neighbor) and once by a friend, who called to ask about the plastic flowers now gracing his dash.
The unrelated good news for the day is that I got to have lunch with Other Jill yesterday, which was a total blast. She has the photographic evidence, though, so you’ll just have to wait for her to cough up the pictures. I introduced her and her husband, Jim, to the goodness that is Taco Temple, and last I saw them they were looking quite full from chicken burritos and the largest slice of carrot cake ever.
After my reading binge of June and July, I’ve slowed way down for August. Last week I finished two non-fiction reads, The Subtle Body (yoga in America) and Into Thin Air (and boy do I have stuff to say about that book). I’m currently reading Coop and The Anthologist. Oh yeah, and The Brothers Karamazov. What the hell was I thinking when I agreed to that read-a-long?!?
The Savage Chickens explain perfectly how I feel about Dostoevsky and his repetitious dialogue:
Sorry to hear about your neck and hope you don’t have to put with the aggravation much longer.
I bet lunch with Other Jill was a blast – she and her husband are so smart!
Congratulations Florinda!
Congratulations to Florinda!
My, you’ve had quite a few events recently occurring! Which makes sense to slow the reading down — I do hope your neck recovers as well!
Too funny about naming your vehicles…I have a 1998 Jetta that I refuse to let go because I have no car payments at all…and I refuse to let him go because his name is Dieter and I feel like I would be letting him down, you know? I will cry when I have to let Dieter go. But that won’t happen any time soon, I hope!
Natalie @ Coffee and a Book Chick´s last [type] ..The Tapestry of Love- by Rosy Thornton
Perfect description of The Brothers K! Oh, you didn’t tell me you were in mourning about Gunther. I’m so sorry! I’ll be interested to hear how the new reading arrangement goes, since I could use it too! (but YOU pay the co-pay! what could be better?!!!)
rhapsodyinbooks´s last [type] ..Review of “Broken” by Karin Slaughter
I hope you have good things to say about Into Thin Air because I really love that book (even if it is crazy and the people in it are totally insane!). Also, yay Coop! I’m reading it now and really like it.
So we had two citrus trees in our backyard, one lemon and one clementine. Both were killed in the frost this winter. We had to cut them flush to the ground because we didn’t want to try to pull up the roots. The lemon tree is now re-growing off another root. It’s only about a foot high at this point. Considering this is the same tree that was completely flattened in an ice storm 3 years ago, I’m calling it the most resilient plant I’ve ever seen. That’s what I thought of when I read your Newton story. And btw, Newton is the most awesome name for a fig tree ever.
Amanda´s last [type] ..Theatre- by William Somerset Maugham
Btw what’s going on with that lunch thing? I never heard anything after taking the survey or filling out the form
Amy @ My Friend Amy´s last [type] ..San Diego Comic-Con 2010- LOST
Oh, it’s so lovely that you’ve got figs! I haven’t had one in years, so I am very envious! I also am sorry to hear about your van, but it’s really cool that you found someone to take it that will love it as much as you did! Also very cool that you got to have a blogger meeting! I just had my first over the weekend and it was great!!
zibilee´s last [type] ..The Blessings of the Animals by Katrina Kittle — 464 pgs
That Other Jill gets around! I think she met up with Ti as well over the weekend.
Nicole´s last [type] ..Man In The Woods- by Scott Spencer – Book Review
Fun post! I had a dog named Gunther. We’re still in mourning for him – great pup. Happy August reading, hope the muscle spasm goes away, and have a terrific lunch meet up! Congrats to Florinda.
Care´s last [type] ..Fingersmith
Sorry to hear about your neck – I work on a laptop a lot since I travel to different offices and I notice lots of back and neck issues now too!
Feel better!
Colleen (Books in the City)´s last [type] ..Sunday Salon- Augusst 8- 2010
Hey, your “Other Jill” link takes you to a post about Gunther. Just thought you might want to know… or are you saying that Jill bought Gunther? One never knows.
Wasn’t Jill & Jim a hoot? I want Jim to change his name to Jack so I can say Jack and Jill instead. They are cute that way. I’m sure they won’t mind.
Ti´s last [type] ..Breakfast- Books and Fun
LOL – completely with you on the Bros K thing…..
I have never eaten at Taco Temple, but love the place that is next to Blue Sky Cafe on Broad.
Isn’t it a tad freaky to see Gunther around town still? It is like he is haunting you? Years ago, I used to see my old beemer, “Hellion”, around. It was like she was taunting me.
Hope that you are in less pain and constrained circumstances.
Gwen´s last [type] ..Review The Osiris Ritual by George Mann
Sorry about your neck pain! That’s never any fun. And what a shame about Gunther–my car is 20 years old this year, and I am terribly fond of it in spite of its few little quirks. I would be heartbroken if I had to give it up.
Jenny´s last [type] ..Giveaway winners and links rounded up- part 2
I hope the Other Jill coughs up those photos!!!
And that cartoon is pretty much right on the money. After I took a break from The Brothers K after the first post,I’m finding it even more painful to continue. Whose bright idea was that anyway? Oh yeah … YOURS!
Jenners´s last [type] ..Review- The Passage by Justin Cronin
Searching my shelf…. searching my shelf….. Yes! I do own Into Thin Air. I do not recall reading it yet which really is no surprise as I tend to purchase books to feed my shelves. Interested in your thoughts on this one.
My condolences over Gunther.
Sheila (Bookjourney)´s last [type] ..Morning Meanderings… why I participate in a bike ride for a camp for people with AIDS
Nicole totally stole my “Other Jill gets around” comment – I just finished reading about Ti’s breakfast with her!
What with going to New York for BlogHer last week, I forgot I’d entered your giveaway – but I’m really excited that I won it! Thanks so much. I guess I can’t say “I never win your giveaways” any more
. And getting the book from you when we meet up for lunch works for me – see you on the 21st!
Florinda´s last [type] ..BlogHer10- Whats the publishing ecosystem evolving into
That’s so cool that you got to meet Other Jill! And sorry about your neck :\ I hope you feel better soon. Your physical therapist is on to something re: the devilishness of laptops.
Nymeth´s last [type] ..Rosalind Franklin – The Dark Lady of DNA by Brenda Maddox
is THAT what’s wrong with my neck??!?!? i’m the queen of the slouchers when it comes to sitting at my computer and i really have to do something about it. maybe blogging while standing?
sorry to hear about the car, i cried when i sold my old car buffy. i skipped your mockingjay review because i’m such a slacker and STILL haven’t finished it. i’ll be back to see if we’re on the same page with it.