The Economist Book of Obituaries: Finished this and it took me a while because it is just over 400 pages of 2-page obituaries, densely packed with fascinating info. Obituaries of the famous and obscure as only the British can write them: dryly witty and with an eye to the seeming contradictions within each person that make us all interesting.
Inferno: no, not Dante's Inferno but Larry Niven's and Jerry Pournelle's Inferno. As I've mentioned before, it is Dante "lite" but as the book club agreed last night it is amazingly faithful to the original upon which it was modeled. In fact, one person said it was so outlandishly science fiction-ish that it was hard to read. Turns out, so is Dante's. In fact, many claim that Dante's Inferno is the first science fiction novel. Anyway, it was very thought provoking for us all on many levels, recommended, and is going to lead several people to investigate the real thing, a la John Ciardi's translation (which I, personally, can recommend).
Old Man's War by John Scalzi: An amusing military sci-fi novel based on the idea that when you become 75 you are then eligible to enlist in the Colonial Defense Force. The CDF fights off-planet threats (a.k.a. aliens) to the Earth colonies. How can a 75 year old fight a war? Oh, they've got lots of tricks up their sleeves. Fine enough in its way but nothing that's gonna knock March Upcountry or Basilisk Station off their pedestals as my favorite military sci-fi books. Scalzi is a light and usually interesting read but not very deep. Perfect summer reading actually.
Library Love: No, not a book but a realization that this means I'm down to about one real book that isn't a daily devotional sort of thing. Quelle dommage! Then I checked my library account. Ooooo, look at what will be in for me in a day or so.
- Who the hell is Pansy O''Hara? : the fascinating stories behind 50 of the world''s best-loved books
- The sons of heaven by Baker, Kage
- The uncommon reader by Bennett, Alan
- Revolutionary Chinese cookbook : recipes from Hunan Province by Dunlop, Fuchsia
- Kolymsky Heights by Davidson, Lionel
- Waiter rant : thanks for the tip--confessions of a cynical waiter by Dublanica, Steve
- Gilead by Robinson, Marilynne (for the book club)
Doggishly
Pepper, our old black Lab/Great Dane mix took a turn for the worse last Friday, necessitating a stay at the vet over the weekend on an IV drip. Like a lot of big, old male dogs, his kidneys are acting up some and that causes problems with digestion, appetite, dehydration and more. However, he's back home and acting quite normal, hanging out with the family, looking upon puppy antics with a benevolent twinkle ... unless the puppy encroaches on his personal space, in which case, ferocious growls ensue. Puppy retreats. All are happy. Now, if only 11-month-old Zoe would respond to those growls. She seems to think that the warning means she just isn't being pushy enough!
Daily Mass
Making it back more or less daily now. As before, there aren't those "knocked down" moments of insight but many small things that add up to me staying on track a little bit better than I would have otherwise. Which is what makes me drag myself there (again more or less) when I am not in the mood.
Pretty in Pink ... Ice Cream
Rose suddenly became interested in ice cream recipes and that is nothing but delicious for us. She whipped up a quick little number featuring raspberries, cream, a pinch of salt ... and maybe a bit of milk? I'll have to get that recipe up for everyone. It was simple and the essence of summer on the tongue. Not to mention that glorious, natural, almost-glow-in-the-dark pink!
Is There a Chef in the House? Why, Yes There Is.
Hannah's boyfriend was in the mood to cook this weekend and on Saturday made us smothered steaks, mashed potatoes, biscuits, and fruit with yogurt-lime dip for dessert. Mmmm, that boy is a good cook, I have to say. Not sure which brand of can the biscuits were from but the rest of it was all fresh and made from scratch. The smothered steaks weren't what I usually see recipes for. This was a steak, seasoned and pan-seared, "smothered" with stir fried vegetables (red and green bell pepper, red onion, mushrooms) and grated mozzarella. Delicious. The red potatoes were mashed with sour cream and the skins left on. Again, not what I usually would think of, but delicious.
Yes, We Have No A-C.
In our office. Still. Though the management has those big air-cooling units in everyone's offices. They are supposed to reinstall the main unit tomorrow. After which we will be freezing again. I know. I know. There is no pleasing some people!
Spreading the (Catholic) Love
So, it turns out that the Darwins can't make it to San Antonio for the gathering of the blogging/podcasting/vidcasting Catholics. Luckily for us, Austin is right on the way and we'll be meeting them and Jen from Conversion Diary (for the first time! exciting!) on Sunday morning on the way home for Mass (we did say Catholic gathering, right?) and then lunch.
Rose has decided to go with us. She's got a college pal from San Antonio that she might be able to hang out with. Otherwise ... well ... I'm not sure what she'll be doing. I am sure what she won't be doing (much of, anyway) which is hanging at the Catholic conference. Because we remember our youth also and we've got a heart.
No comments:
Post a Comment