Wednesday, December 24, 2025

     The wind howls through the night with interludes of intense rain, On a trip to the bathroom at 4am, my feet get wet. A new leak.  I turn on the lights and reposition the bucket to catch the leak.  In bed I can hear several different dripping sounds, most are outside. Once again, I am annoyed with myself for not figuring out how to fix the yearly skylight leaks.

      Outside the wind has messed with the potted plants, some are upside down and smashed on the deck and patio. This is only day one of the expected huge storm. My neighbor’s power is out but we are still good. My new heater is blowing strong this morning.

     We watch the last episode of PLURIBUS, What a surprise ending. Also start watching THE BIG C on Netflix. An older series about a dysfunctional family dealing with cancer. Sounds grim but it is quite funny and clever.

     My daughter returns a bunch of the library books. And there are more waiting to be picked up. I am so grateful for the continuing help of the personal librarian friend.  I am now reading THE LIBRARIANS, a murder mystery by Sherry Thomas.

 

 Tuesday, December 23, 2025

     Monday is a two nap day.  The couch keeps calling to me. Last night I have a good sleep. Today I am back to one nap. Or maybe I won’t need any nap. 

     We watch the last episode of THE LONG WAY UP, the two motorcycle guys traveling through the Americas. This last episode was disappointing but still we watch. Two more series of motorcycle rides to go. Don’t ask, I don’t know why I find the series so interesting. I have only been on motorcycle once as a passenger. Reminds me of another favorite show, CLARKSON’S FARM.

     I have given up on THE ROSE FIELD, too long, too confusing.  Now I am reading the novel, THE LIBRARIANS by Sherry Thomas. A murder in a library is perfect for me.

     I guess I am ready for the holidays.  It doesn’t really matter.  The holidays will arrive unbidden. This morning, I hear the garbage truck rumble down the street stopping to pick up the brown bins and shake them into their truck. Airplanes fly low over the house. The heater is working hard to warm up the house. A bit of sunlight through the broken clouds. Warnings for gale winds are posted on facebook today.

 

Monday, December 22, 2025

     I begin reading the New Yorker at age 18 at college. And I have stuck with it. The Netflix documentary on the one hundred year anniversary of the New Yorker, is well done and evocative of times past. I love the New Yorker. The writing has given me a fresh view of life and living.

     I ‘ve not heard a single Christmas song, not one this year.  I am so isolated from this season. My roommate set up a charming small live Christmas tree in the living room. But the sounds of Christmas have escaped me.  Maybe I am spending too much time at home. I should get out and experience life in stores and downtown.

   My current reading challenge is Philip Pullman’s latest 600 page book, THE ROSE FIELD, volume three of the Book of Dust. Over the decades I have read most of his books. Am I too old to enjoy his fantasy writing now? Is my mind stuck in detective stories.

     I have been doing a 30 minute chair yoga routine for the last two months.  Almost every day. In the late afternoon I sit in my bedroom with the instruction book and do the stretches and movements. I feel good when I am done, but I am not sure I am getting stronger.