I don't know if you listen to podcasts, but this is a favorite of mine: "Obscure with Michael Ian Black." Michael Ian Black is a comedian, but the podcast isn't designed for laughs. He reads and comments on a different book each season. Season 1 is Jude the Obscure, Season 2 is Frankenstein, Season 3 is Wuthering Heights. I got turned on to it during COVID lockdown, which coincided with me having developed difficulty concentrating enough to read.
It’s hard to stay focused on a simple book. Life tosses too many distractions. Yesterday I saw something very rare--two people reading real books in a coffee shop!
Thank you Fran-I enjoyed this post! Seems to be a lot of what I'm doing as well...soaking in the spring flowers, finding time to read, and trying to find the good amongst all the turmoil in the world. I listen to audiobooks a lot as well. I loved the spring flower poem:)
Thanks Fran! I hope the new reading regime works for you. Setting up my Substack really encouraged me to follow my own advice, and I have slowed down with all my reading. Also, audiobooks! It's a struggle to find time to sit down and read, so audiobooks have really helped my reading.
I listen to audiobooks a lot. That’s how I go through War and Peace last year. When I tried listening again this year, I realized I remembered it too well, so I have to let it rest for a bit. My MS makes it slow for me to do things like cook dinner, so I listen a lot while I’m working on food.
From elm seeds (coins of the realm) to tipping stacks to books to be read, so much in this week's post. Mercy! You amaze with how much you get around. Another good post reporting all the beauty (and phooey) out there.
Thank you. It is sometimes the simple grace of my community here in outer Parkrose that stirs me up with inspiration. The different languages spoke in the laundromat I went to today. The Muslim mothers in traditional garb playing soccer with daughters at the gateway park. The love and strength I saw in my community today gives me hope.
I always look forward to reading your posts. Your thoughts swirl like an eddy but the meaning is always clear.
I used to read a lot of books. My favorite author of all times is Taylor Caldwell. The depth of each sentence of surrounding's descriptions draw you right in as though you are there. Her brilliance brought truth to her fiction. Her vocabulary was seemingly endless. I even had to have a dictionary beside me so I could fully understand what she's saying.
Ms. Caldwell wrote eight books in her lifetime. Her writing was based on human reality; subjects of wealth and poor are discussed regarding relationships looked down upon or the population societal ups and downs.
Finally, I wound up in Vietnam and became politically aware enough to openly write about my feelings.
Anywho, another thanks for your fascinating descriptions of life, be they major or minor. It's all good.
I had to giggle on your writing off the Hillsboro market, so to speak. And I love that you say 'phooey' ~ I've only heard Rex Stout use that expression.
I don't know if you listen to podcasts, but this is a favorite of mine: "Obscure with Michael Ian Black." Michael Ian Black is a comedian, but the podcast isn't designed for laughs. He reads and comments on a different book each season. Season 1 is Jude the Obscure, Season 2 is Frankenstein, Season 3 is Wuthering Heights. I got turned on to it during COVID lockdown, which coincided with me having developed difficulty concentrating enough to read.
It’s hard to stay focused on a simple book. Life tosses too many distractions. Yesterday I saw something very rare--two people reading real books in a coffee shop!
Thank you Fran-I enjoyed this post! Seems to be a lot of what I'm doing as well...soaking in the spring flowers, finding time to read, and trying to find the good amongst all the turmoil in the world. I listen to audiobooks a lot as well. I loved the spring flower poem:)
Thank you!
Thanks Fran! I hope the new reading regime works for you. Setting up my Substack really encouraged me to follow my own advice, and I have slowed down with all my reading. Also, audiobooks! It's a struggle to find time to sit down and read, so audiobooks have really helped my reading.
I listen to audiobooks a lot. That’s how I go through War and Peace last year. When I tried listening again this year, I realized I remembered it too well, so I have to let it rest for a bit. My MS makes it slow for me to do things like cook dinner, so I listen a lot while I’m working on food.
From elm seeds (coins of the realm) to tipping stacks to books to be read, so much in this week's post. Mercy! You amaze with how much you get around. Another good post reporting all the beauty (and phooey) out there.
Thank you. It is sometimes the simple grace of my community here in outer Parkrose that stirs me up with inspiration. The different languages spoke in the laundromat I went to today. The Muslim mothers in traditional garb playing soccer with daughters at the gateway park. The love and strength I saw in my community today gives me hope.
I always look forward to reading your posts. Your thoughts swirl like an eddy but the meaning is always clear.
I used to read a lot of books. My favorite author of all times is Taylor Caldwell. The depth of each sentence of surrounding's descriptions draw you right in as though you are there. Her brilliance brought truth to her fiction. Her vocabulary was seemingly endless. I even had to have a dictionary beside me so I could fully understand what she's saying.
Ms. Caldwell wrote eight books in her lifetime. Her writing was based on human reality; subjects of wealth and poor are discussed regarding relationships looked down upon or the population societal ups and downs.
Finally, I wound up in Vietnam and became politically aware enough to openly write about my feelings.
Anywho, another thanks for your fascinating descriptions of life, be they major or minor. It's all good.
Richard
I had to giggle on your writing off the Hillsboro market, so to speak. And I love that you say 'phooey' ~ I've only heard Rex Stout use that expression.
And to think, I almost let my editor (Robert) talk me out of using the word.
Thank goodness for a reasonable mind! 🤓