Lending Books

 

I've never liked lending books.  Occasionally I would be talked, or shamed, or coerced into doing so and other than other book people, in spite of all the pious promises, most often they were never returned.

I used to shudder when a guest even glanced toward one of my bookcases.  I wished I had a large enough place that I could have a locked room for a library where no one was ever allowed to enter.  Or better still a secret second apartment that no one but me knew about - unfortunately that was never financially realistic.  Actually, not because of books, but I still love the idea of having a second place that no one but me knows about.

As I became more of a minimalist I gradually dramatically downsized the number of books, and bookcases, that I own.  Now I have less than 100 physical books that take up the two bottom shelves of my one bookcase.  I keep that bookcase in the bedroom and pray that no one ever makes the effort to bend down and look at the titles.  And no, I would not want to lend any of those really special books to anyone, not even a fellow book person.

That I guess is one advantage of ebooks.  No one needs to even know what titles you own.

Fragile

 

I've been coping with a pulled muscle in my lower back for the last week.  It's slowly getting better but even dealing with simple things, like loading/unloading the washer when getting up and down from that level causes twinges of pain, has made me think about just how easily this self-sufficient independent life I lead could be derailed.

I don't know how I managed to pull the muscle.  Possibly changing the sheets a week ago and maybe moving sideways to lift the mattress to tuck in the sheets, or maybe while vacuuming and twisting about.  Carrying groceries home?  Bending down to a lower kitchen cupboard?

Netflix: Falling for Figaro

 

This is a rather charming little film.  

Nothing fancy here but likeable characters and a simple, probably obvious plot that manages to be charming and, at moments, even moving.

Holding it all together is Joanna Lumley who effortlessly steals every scene she's in, if not the whole movie.

Netflix: All of Us Are Dead

 

This was an amazing series.

Watching the first few episodes I wondered where it could possibly continue for 12 episodes but it did and they were all well done.

I found myself totally involved with the characters and the storyline just flowed along and felt totally believable.

It also felt very human, very much about life and loss, and values.

I am so impressed with the Korean programming and I have seen on Netflix.

Book: The Heart's History, by Lewis DeSimone

 

This is a beautifully written book.  

About a group of gay friends in the early 2000's.

I just simply like everything about this book.

Netflix: Squid Game

 

I wasn't going to watch this.  I saw a clip and decided it was not for me.  But then I heard so much about it and decided to give it a try.  I liked it very much.  There was a lot of violence and tension, but also lovely moments of humanity.  At times I was in tears.   

Jan 14, 2022

 

Currently I'm feeling the most uncomfortable about going out in the world (for grocery shopping, the library) as I have since the beginning of this in 2020.

I have been realizing more that even after the pandemic is "over" things probably are not going to be the same.

My Saturday night dinner buddies for example.  We have been going out for dinner in some combination of people on most Saturday nights for years.  Now, one person has died (not of Covid) and two others aren't speaking to each other.  I don't know if we will ever get back to those dinners.  At the same time I've actually enjoyed not HAVING to do that on Saturday evenings, and I've also enjoyed not having to cope with restaurant food which so often messes up my delicate digestive system.

I've also been thinking about travelling.  I've never liked the actual travel part of going away - getting to the airport, dealing with the airline and security and customs and immigration and waiting in crowded airport lounges and sitting in a cramped seat and maybe being annoyed by obnoxious passengers etc etc.  I travel mainly to see the people at the other end.  But when I think about that I realize that visiting friends often involves going to restaurants or eating food that they prepare and that often leads to digestive problems that are even harder to handle when travelling.  So even when the pandemic is over I may never go back to travelling.  It is sad to think about never seeing some of these people again but there you are.  I'm over seventy and my life has been getting more centered around myself and home as I age, and being an introvert I've never been that involved with the world anyway.  It's been years since I went to a movie or a concert or a play- things that for many years I did regularly.   I don't think this withdrawal is necessarily a consequence of the pandemic, but the pandemic has certainly exacerbated it.