Yesterday I had no power until noon, and when I went to swim laps in the afternoon, the road to get to the recreation center and pool was closed in both directions in order for the county road crews to re-paint traffic lines; yesterday was also the fifth day my neighbor’s brother, who is house sitting while the nabe is away, has gone for a walk at five a.m., passing my house twice, coming and going, clearly threatening my very large dog, who actually manages to bark for twenty minutes straight ~ isn’t he amazing!?! These little things made for a frustrating day over all yesterday, but – despite having no power, I was able – thanks to my gas stove – to have my cuppa tea in the a.m., as well as make myself some oatmeal. So relax, already; your non-walking neighbor will be back soon, and the pool is open tomorrow. And, there was, it being summer, plenty of light by which to read, and read I did. I got 100pgs into Emma Clines The Guest, which is very good, a tad anxiety producing, and very much of this age. And, it’s excellent, a page turner, for which I am always grateful – no matter how much I wonder if a good book is allowing me to put off, and keeping me from, my own writing projects, which it is, but – c’mon, a girl has got to read, especially when the power is out! Cline’s previous novel, The Girls, based on the Manson cult and subsequent murders, is also excellent. I remember those murders, the trial, and shock of it all. What a weird time, and how anyone could have followed Charles Manson is beyond me, but – they did. Any port in a storm, I guess?
Moloka’i is another book I finished this week, and it’s stuck with me, a bruise on my heart, although ultimately it’s a book about love and beauty and family and more love. And, Hawaii. Written in 2003, how is it possible I never heard of it, especially as I was working as a librarian starting in 2004?? A friend recommended it, and again I am grateful, even if I was weeping (already?!) by page 80 (yes, already), for crying out loud. Alan Brennert, the author, won an Emmy for L.A. Law, a show I saw rarely, as I was going through one of my several Amish phases when it was on, as in no TV. But what a breadth of talent that shows. Even better, reading it made me decide that a trip to Hawaii is in order; why the heck not? Winter, ’23 – ’24, here I come. Go? Go.
The world, despite its many small challenges (for me), is so beautiful. Its’ summer, let’s get out in it.
