July 12, 2020 in These titles mean nothing.

Four living writers and their books I’ve read and liked

Claire Messud - born 1966
The Last Life - 1999
The Emperor’s Children - 2006
The Woman Upstairs - 2013
The Burning Girl - 2017

Lily King - born 1963
The Pleasing Hour - 1999
Father of the Rain - 2010
Euphoria - 2014

Ann Patchett - born 1963
Commonwealth - 1916
The Dutch House - 1919

Michael Ondaatje - born 1943
The English Patient - 1992
Divisidero - 2007
Warlight - 2018

I’m thinking of adding John LeCarre who was born in 1931. He’s written a million books. The ones I’ve read and liked best are:
The Naïve and Sentimental Lover - 1971
Soldier Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy - 1974
The Perfect Spy - 1986
The Pigeon Tunnel - 2016

I should write a paragraph about each book. Dare me? It would be the easy and productive thing to do. My readers would like it. Or should like it. Or should dislike it less than what it turns out I will write.

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Odd day. Tell me about your life. Who are you? When do you stand in the rain and look in shop windows? Is your wife happy? Are you happy? Would you rather be in France? With or without me? Does County Kerry call your name? How do you like ice cream? Is there such a thing as too much sugar? Did the Amish side your house too? Would you want them to do it again? Do all answers have yes or no answers? How true is truth? Now? Tomorrow? A thousand years ago?

What are the odds? My new old camera has three battery packs. What are the odds that they all read one-third charged?

Katie took her kitten home with her today. Joana says she feels sorry for it. I asked why. She said it would be alone and would have to stay in the house.

Two old friends came calling. Jim’s class mate brought us two six packs of fancy cupcakes that they had left over from the ones they sold at the fair today. The fair was held under restrictions - one thing allowed was the sale of food. They have been selling cupcakes for quite a while, and are seasoned pros.

Then a classmate of John’s stopped for a long conversation. I sent one of the six packs of cupcakes home with him. He is Gracie’s foster brother. He and my brother worked together, and liked each other. He is the guy who fixed our chimney and tried so hard and did such a good job. He admired Noah’s siding job. It’s too he missed John.

John and family had left mid afternoon with Katie’s new kitten. The kitten does not have a name until Tuesday when the vet determines gender. Talking names, I learned this weekend that Hans considers me Grandma. He comes to visit Jim and Gracie and Grandma. One of the things that I like to hear is how excited and happy Hans is when he finds out he’s coming to see Jim and Gracie and Grandma. He can tell it will happen when various bags and clothes baskets appear at the door. I am happy Hans likes to come see us. I guess I assume the others want to come too, but Hans happiness seems uncontrived. He loves us for ourselves. Well he likes the freedom he has here and he liked the variety we add to his life. But still it’s nice to be loved for ourselves.

I have a vase on the table with chamomile from the pasture and a monarda from the campground. I took its picture. And I may show it here.

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Ok I just spent a long time trying to upload pics to Imgur and talking to Jim. Why oh why does good old Imgur work for me sometimes and other times doesn’t? This is a time it doesn’t. And I have to get my 750 words written before midnight or I lose my streak. We cannot have that happen, can we? So I will try pictures again from a fresh start, maybe. I have cute cat pictures too. So just keep your hands in your pockets and wait patiently. Someday I will have flower AND cat pictures for you. One can only expect a little, some, not at all. Either way, we will move forward in life and get start on the new week. A new photographic week is just what we need. That and fewer cupcakes.

Bless you all. Have fun. Do not do anything you shouldn’t. See you soon.

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