Thursday, March 11, 2021

Books, Movies, and Sunshine

 I had run out of books to read this week and went to my available audio list on our library website.  I picked two to read.  The first one was Too Much And Never Enough:  How My Family created the World' Most Dangerous Man by Mary Trump, a cousin of Donald.  It was, as expected, disturbing and disgusting but explains a lot.  I don't even want to talk about it.

What is interesting is that the former book was about a person who tried his best to destroy our country's democracy, and the second was about what real life was like for many people after a dictator actually gained his power and did his best to destroy the world.

I have read much about the Holocaust and know what to expect when I read about it and usually avoid the subject, especially when I'm in a vulnerable spot emotionally - like the past year!

Something drew me to this book, though, and I figured I could always stop listening if it got too much for me.  From the very first page, it drew me in.  The story, the reader's voice, the almost poetic cadence of it.  It is a beautiful story in spite of the horrible subject matter.  The fact that it was based on a real person's memories made it more real to me than just facts.  I finished the book in two days.



This is a review that goes into more detail and explains the confusion between what's real and what's not real in the story - or what's unknown.  The basic story is there, however, with all its horror, and it makes me wonder how people can turn into such monsters.

https://www.nytimes.com/2018/11/08/books/tattooist-of-auschwitz-heather-morris-facts.html

I can't remember if I've mentioned the movies I've watched, but my favorite has to be the British series Last Tango in Halifax.  I did some binge watching on that because I started to miss the families of Alan and Celia and all the chaos they created.  Such a sweet love story.  I did have to leave the English subtitles on or risk missing some of the conversation.  

I had not heard of Derek Jacobi, but after seeing him in this series, I want to watch other things he's been in.  I do that.  I find an actor or actress I enjoy and get obsessed with watching everything I can with them in it.  Along with Jacobi, I'm looking up some more Maggie Smith and Ian McKellan things.  I'm not sure they can beat Colin Firth though for watchability.  

I don't have time to go back and remember the other movies I've watched - or tried to watch and rejected.  

It has been a nice week with lots of sunshine and warm-ish weather.  I got my two PT sessions over with early this week, on Monday and Wednesday, and I believe I'm improving.  The cardiologist visit was yesterday, and he wasn't too upset about my lack of being in rhythm and said we would keep on watching the way I felt and discuss a few more options in a couple of months.  I don't feel great when I first wake up, not a lot of energy, but I think I'm doing okay.  I want to get my arm completely healed and then attack these heart issues.

I walked across the street to the hospital from the PT building and found this lovely place for waiting.  I wouldn't have minded waiting a little bit longer.



I got my dentist visit out of the way today and just heard, "We'll watch this place and that place but don't think anything needs to be done now."  This is a new dentist for me, and I think I like him, as well as the hygienist.  I like a wait-and-see dentist at my age. If nothing hurts, then I'm okay.  

Another pretty drive to North Bend.


I can't wait for the day when I wake up on Monday morning and realize I don't have any medical appointments.  

I got to see the girls a little bit yesterday.  Graysen was about to have her piano lesson.  They're still a little excited about Harry Potter.


We sat on a bench in the front yard and soaked up that sunshine.  Katherine hung a bunch of Barbies on a little tree, and we caught up on our week.  Once that sun went behind the cloud, we were all scurrying back inside to stay warm.


They were off for a playdate when Emily got home with two more sisters, Noelle and Cora.  I'm glad they remembered their coats and hope there's some Ugg cleaner at home.  


While we're waiting for blooms, my neglected amaryllis bloomed for the second time.  Elise keeps us in tulips lately, and this pink arrangement in my bedroom is pretty springy and cheery today.






Memories:  

7 years ago today, I was having to wait for pictures from Emily to see this baby.



And I've just been threatened that if I don't go out for a walk right now, the family will be by to walk me.  So I'm outa here.








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