The Bookmouse

mood: relaxed

music: Mexican Latin House

I do have to wonder if I will be singing a different tune come next weekend, when we might see 90s. Yikes! Not unheard of, but not typical.

But that's for then. for now, enjoying 80s and sunny, and the fact that I am off this next week and oh, do I need it. It's been an intense month. Couple months if I'm honest. Just rested today, will rest and recharge tomorrow, aside from doing some much-needed laundry. Tomorrow is supposed to be rainy and even stormy-which, after several days of lots of sun and no precipitation, we need. Sunday I plan to run errands but perhaps also have some fun.

Just today's day of loafing has left me feeling oh so much better. 

Also finished a really good book.

10. Sleepy Hollow Stories, by Henry John Steiner. A good friend gave me this book, which is chock-full of stories concerning the Sleepy Hollow/Tarrytown area. The stories, written in a conversational and warm tone, range from Colonial and Revolutionary War to present day, and include stories of Steiner's own memories of growing up and living in the area. He also includes numerous photos throughout, as well as interviews with several people connected there. Those with an interest in the history of that area (or, heck, just an interest in history in general) will enjoy this book. This was a treat, and a great look into what makes this area what it is.

mood: accomplished

music: K-Pop Demon Hunters

Oy. Lots of stories to share about this month- but at another time. I at least wanted to update my book blog in the last hours of April. Busy busy month!

8. The Essential Guide to Federal Employment Laws by Lisa Guerin. I actually started this years ago and made it a goal to finish it this year. Goal achieved. I know the title makes this sound boring and there are a lot of pages but it's actually a fairly quick read — and informative. There's lots of charts, lists and bulleted lists, plus subchapters which break things down into manageable chunks. I ordered an older version so, obviously, I'd recommend getting a newer version than I did (mine is 2017) but even this version is a solid reference to labor laws and protections. Honestly, I  think this should be provided for high school students definitely college-aged students. I read quite a few things that were eye-opening. I highly recommend it- it's useful and easy  to follow. 

mood: accomplished

music: variety

This has been an eventful month. Let's see- I'm sure I'll forget something, but we had a large meteor hit the area, all sorts of wild weather, strong winds, hale, etc. etc.  Just wacky, even by Northeast Ohio standards!

I had the opportunity to cover some neat events and write some cool stories- that kept me busy. Indeed, I may have bit off a wee bit more than I could actually chew but I've finally caught up last week.

On a sadder note, a good friend and former co-worker passed away late last month. I'm organizing a get-together with former work crew. I'm on vacation next week (YAY) and I have a feeling a lot of it is going to be dedicated to getting everything ready. And I want to get in some swimming. I need to work up my energy- have tentative plans to journey to Tarrytown in late summer in 2027 for business and pleasure. Will go with one of my closest friends. Looking forward to seeing what I've read so much about!

Speaking of, that's one of the books I finished.

mood: content

music: K-Pop Demon Hunters

Where do I start?

One, it was 50-something and sunny today. After weeks of temperatures well below freezing, there's a light at the end of the tunnel, and it shown brightly today. Loved watching the snow finally really start to melt. It's supposed to stay near or at 50s for the rest of the week and even stay above freezing in the evening for the most part. 

Had a great writer's club meeting today. Love the energy with this group, such great people and great writers. One of them gave me two books on Sleepy Hollow and Tarrytown. I've already started reading the one and, 35 pages in I've lost track of how many times I though "oooh, this is good to know," "I can use this!" "I should incorporate this." Now the challenge will be to prevent myself from trying to shove  10 pounds of potatoes into a 5 pound sack, metaphorically speaking. 

The DQ near me reopened this week (they had been closed for remodeling, so yay!) so I went there for a very late lunch this afternoon. They have their popcorn shrimp baskets, double yay! It's odd because I typically can take or leave fried stuff but something about their popcorn shrimp baskets is really addicting. 

Then, after I finished and started heading back to the car, I saw a blue heron flying by! That's a rare sight so far from the lake and so early in the year. That is a real sign that spring is on its way (or at least warmer temperatures).

mood: accomplished

That is essentially the forecast right now.

Well, the snow hasn't come, not yet. But it was cold- in the teens this morning. It wasn't bad going out to my typical breakfast with family. There was little wind and I got really lucky with a parking spot. Afternoon was another story.  I had a couple quick errands to run. It was definitely colder and the wind started to pick up. Brrrr! Should have brought a scarf. Also, it was weird. When I departed, it was sunny. When I was about two, maybe three miles in, really overcast, lots of blowing snow, low visibility. By the time I left the bank — it couldn't have been 15 minutes later — sunny again. Overcast and windy when I left the grocery store- that's when I wished most for one of my scarves. But I'm home, snug as a bug, and don't have to leave again for a while.

Also, low-key proud of myself. I am not sure I would have gone out at all on a day like this last year. Trying to push my limits a bit. So, got lots done and moved a bit out of my comfort zone with going out in less than decent weather.

Tomorrow night into Sunday is when things could get really interesting. I'm hearing we could get anywhere from 7 inches to a foot of snow. In the south, they could see record low temperatures and even major ice storms. Uff. Not thrilled with our forecast but I'll take snow over ice ANY day. I have a feeling I am going to be busy busy busy Sunday and Monday workwise. Thankfully, I've stocked up on caffeine. 

I read this to l'il niece yesterday, from my mom's collection of Cinderella stories.

2. Smoky Mountain Rose, by Alan Schroeder, illustrated by Brad Sneed. A Cinderella-style story, as told from a small town in the Appalachian Mountains. Here, the "Cinderella" is named Rose. Her father remarries a cruel woman with two selfish daughters. The stepmother and stepdaughters proceed to abuse Rose, who puts up with it without complaint. Her father eventually dies (he never intercedes on his daughter's behalf). One day, a young and wealthy businessman hosts a dance in hopes of finding a future wife. The rest of the story goes as is traditional for a Cinderella story, complete with a lovely dress and glass slippers. Did not see the form the fairy godmother would take, though- that was a fun twist!

music: Music from Arcane

mood: content

Well, off to a mostly positive start. Was busy the week of Christmas, where I rearranged some things in desperate need of rearranging. Today I spent a part of the day wrapping up loose ends.

New Year's Eve was uneventful. Worked, took a nice long nap, watched the ball drop and went to bed. New Year's Day I went to my parents' house. We had about 3-4 inches of snow fall earlier in the week but at least the snow provided some traction. It was in the teens yesterday and barely 20s today, but by Monday it could be 40s- and it's supposed to stay up there for a few days, at least through next Saturday. Yay! That should melt off the white garbage. Supposed to be fairly mild at night, too, so no major icing issues, knock on wood.

Also finished a book, which I started late last year, a collection of short stories. I'm keeping my reading goals fairly modest this year. I want to read some longer books I've had for a while, including a book on federal employment law, a biography on George Washington and a book on Teddy Roosevelt. Also a Stephen King book I've started reading a couple times and never finished. Not sure why because it's good.

In addition, have gotten back fairly regularly to working on my novel. It's pretty solid now through Chapter 9, a little more than halfway through. Although- now the hard parts are coming because I haven't touched the latter half in a really long time and I know there's at least one chapter I'm chopping out. 

music: Electric Swing

mood: accomplished

... the irony is Christmas is next week and the snow will likely be gone. It's 12 degrees outside at the time I've typed this. On Wednesday it will be near 40s, and Thursday might see 50. Next week, last I checked, will be fairly mild.

Enjoyed a lovely buffet at a local high school, which runs a restaurant as a part of a collective education program. Went with two good friends. Food was amazing and while the event was well-attended, it wasn't hectic. Nice brunch overall. I pretty much didn't need to eat the rest of the day lol.

Also saw Wicked- the second movie was amazing. I like how some information was added to connect some of the dots. Some music was added as well. Went with mom, nephew and close friend. We got out of the theater just in time, caught the start of the snowstorm that rolled through. 

Also finished a couple more books.

music: Vikings soundtrack

mood: content

We've gone from a hot and steamy summer to the consistently coldest December in many years. I've been used to our very mild Decembers, so the rounds of snow plus single digit lows Thursday into Friday were a bit of a shock. Yuck. Mind you, where I live was spared the brunt of the snowfall- I only see maybe a couple of inches at most. But it's supposed to remain cold — mid-30s to mid-20s — for the foreseeable future.

I was on vacation this week, which was nice.  I really needed it. Didn't do half of what I wanted to accomplish, just didn't have the ambition or energy. Past few weeks just really took it out of me. I just needed to recharge. Looking forward to the annual holiday luncheon tomorrow.

I did go through another round of edits in my novel. I think the first four chapters are pretty solid at this point. I also finished reading a novel, more on that later. In addition, next week is shaping up to be BUSY. But mostly in a good way.

So, on to my reading list:

mood: accomplished

music: variety

New car. New phone. And now typing from a new laptop.

I'd hoped to hold off until next year but the former laptop was getting bad. Most of the issues were with the keyboard. Yes, probably at least partially my fault but no amount of cleaning could get the keyboard to work properly. It made life *interesting* to type out notes from interviews only to have virtually none of the "s," "t," "a" or "o" letters show up. The remaining letters were a coin toss. Uf. Didn't realize just how bad my previous keyboard was until I started typing on the new one. Wow! I'm getting letters again- consistently!

Hoping to make another new change before the end of the year- a new Internet service provider. Not sure but I suspect the former management of where I am staying had a sweetheart deal with one provider, so we were a captive audience here when it came to fee increases. But now there's a change of management and suddenly my place can now be served by other providers and for a LOT less. That's going to be my weekend mission.