The sun finally came out about ten minutes ago. I don't really expect it to last long, what, with it being Waterworld in my neck of the woods and all, but something bright and shiny is nice, even temporarily. My walk to the Metro this morning was nuts. The grass beneath my feet squished like wet carpet, I walked straight through a spiderweb, and the hems of my pants are splattered brown with mud. There were puddles that looked like lakes. And I'm in suburbia.

Last night, I went to bed early. I came home, cooked dinner, checked my email, and then was overcome with this incredibly sappy, weepy mood. I don't know what hit me, considering it's not at all that time of the month, but I just sacked it in early. When I woke up, it occurred to me that I've just started a new herbal regimen, and I tend to always get achy and sad when my immune system is putting up a fight. I feel okay this morning, if not a little touchy around my lower back. I'm ready to not feel sick anymore.

Okay, time to get it together. I've gotta straighten out weekend plans and call tamnonlinear, because we're hanging out tonight.

*splat*


ETA 20 mins. later:: Nevermind. It's raining again. *sigh*

Agathosma betulina (Buchu)
Arctostaphylos uva-ursi (Uva Ursi)
Melissa officianalis (Lemon Balm)
Avena sativa (Hawer)
Echinacea angustifolia (Echinacea)
Vaccinium myrtillus (Billberry)
Achillea millifolium (Yarrow)
Hypericum perforatum (St. John's Wort)
Lactobacillus acidophilus (Acidophilus)
Deodorized garlic
Cranberry

...and lots and lots and lots of water.


Help me, I'm turning into a plant.

Lately, I've been all about the non-fiction. I've got a compare/contrast post of sacred sexuality books coming down the pike, I'm up to my ears in info about Hekate, and I'm still getting through spirituality books that I received for Yule. And I really do like non-fiction-- I'm one of those kids who loved going back to school in the Fall just so I could raid the library, so I guess you could say I'm a lifelong learner.

But. There is a line. Right now, my brain is so jam-packed with info that I'm probably mumbling about the myth of a worldwide matriarchy in my sleep.

I need some guilty-pleasure reading, stat.

When I was younger, it was easy. It started with The Baby-Sitters' Club. I read damn near every book up until Dawn going back to California, at which point I guess I just stopped caring. Then came the "scary stories" explosion. Goosebumps never really kept my attention, and I think I read one or two Fear Street, but they were kind of boring and predictable. Then came Christopher Pike-- I read every Pike book in the library. I bought every L.J. Smith book I could find when puberty hit. Then I got into YA lit that's both style and substance-- Francesca Lia Block, Holly Black.

I've got a serious yen for metaphysical fiction. Not really sci-fi, but not 'fantasy' in the dragons and damsels way, either. More along the Buffy line-- I've got a weak spot for vampire novels, dark faery tales, suspense, and sometimes erotica.

The only snag is that I can't stand crappy writing. I would have probably read Laurell K. Hamilton years ago, only I keep hearing about what a hack she's become, and so I'm wary. Maybe, just maybe, I'll get the first book of one of her series, and if it's crap, I'll review it as such. No harm, no foul. I'll just feel stupid for paying money for it.

(And don't tell me to go to the library. I always forget to return books on time and rack up insane fees. I'd rather go the Amazon used route.)

This afternoon, tamnonlinear and I are heading to Barnes & Noble. One of her LJ friends has a new book out with some Tam Lin influence, so I might pick that up if they have it.

Other than that-- rec me, please. I need something genre-y that's heavy on plot, maybe a little embarrassing, fun to read, and, if at all possible, by a writer who knows more than five adjectives. Help!