flight paths discussion

November can be naughty
With cold winds and long nights
but we can sink into a book
and reclaim our reading delights

So happy to read one of your lovely poems again Magdelanye

I apologize for my long absence. I don't go on GR much any more I'm still reading--I'm taking two classes--one in ancient Greek (which I'm terrible at but enjoy) and one in British literature from Chaucer to Milton, which I'm better at and also enjoy--but two classes may be a bit much in addition to the rest of the life of this almost-73 year old woman! Yesterday I just stayed home and slept most of the day (it's not just classes of course, (although between travel time, class time, and homework it's pretty time-consuming!) --there's exercise, meditation, my sangha, meeting with my meditation teacher as well as friends and family.

I'm currently reading a book about The Bottom Line (from NetGalley) and a fun mystery by one of my favorite mystery writers, Ann Cleeves. Also a Restoration play (The Roaring Girl) for my lit class.

I'm in a good mood because of the Mamdani win in the NYC mayoral race. I also turned out for the No Kings rally--100,000 of us--which was good but not as good as actually winning an election.

Of course, things are still terrible here. And they're trying to pass a bill (already passed the House0 which will make protests like No Kings illegal. And the cutting of snap while building a ballroom. Just awful and terrifying.

So I try to stay centered and grounded and do what I can and not spend the day obsessing on all that's terrible -- or what could be happening next.

But I think of you two with love (I just looked back and saw Ice posted--hello Ice!)

Hello, picking up on one theme Ann Cleeves who has a new Shetland book out The Killing Stones - also we have a new TV Shetland series (post Perez) in the UK. Of linking news I will be in "Vera" country on holiday next May.

So glad to hear from you Ellen. Sounds like you have a lot of things on your plate. Up here in Canada, dealing with the aftershocks, we certainly feel your angush regarding your awkward situation. I hope flight paths can be a refuge!
How is your son liking married life?
What about your poetry? You didn't mention.
I will post my weeks new titles when Im next on the computer. Just saw your message and wanted to reply right away. Im sure Petra will be delighted also.
For those of us who are ignorant, Ice where is Vera country?

Today I managed to publish 3 reviews that I'd been working on for a while. One of them was Also a Poet: Frank O'Hara, My Father, and Me which Ellen wrote a wonderful review that almost intimidated me into not publishing mine. Which I realized is silly. So few people actually even notice my reviews I am writing for myself mostly.

And reading! My amazing roll of the last months has kind of spluttered to a pause. A Field Guide to Lies: Critical Thinking in the Information Age by Daniel J. Levitin. is actually quite well presented but still, anything about statistics leaves me cold. It does confirm my intuition.

For fiction, learning it recently won the Ursula La Guin prize for SF ,I rushed to put a hold on Rakesfall by Vajra Chandrasekera. Yikes! The strangest thing is that occasionally I understand it.

Does anybody notice a sharp difference in summer and winter reading.?The fall this year was so short. The Life Cycle of the Common Octopus. by Emma Knight which I just finished was definitely beach reading. I bundled up and was happier reading it there.