Monday, June 29, 2009

the scourge of the written word

I am shocked that it's been almost a week since I've posted. Whenever that happens, assume that I'm lost in a book. Also, if you arrive at my house and it's a disaster...I am reading a book. I don't know what comes over me. It's like some form of literary drug. I can't stop. I think, "Okay, have to do the laundry, repot that plant, refill the hummingbird feeders, clean the coop and play badminton with the kids.....Naw. I'll just read for a minute. The other things can wait. Not the book....." An hour or five later, the kids are hungry, crabby and muddy, the house is such a mess that I am convinced that the authorities will arrive and deem our house unfit for human habitation, the dog is missing and all the 'jobs' I had before feel like a weight drowning me in a pool of stress (dramatic, yes, but true). I feel worse about everything. I'm annoyed and swear both internally and externally and feel that I will NEVER be on my game again.
So, we eat scrambled eggs for dinner. I wash the kids (at very least, I wash their feet and faces). Read a book to them. Lay with them 'til they are asleep. Start to tidy up, load dishwasher, sweep floor, throw load of laundry in, look at all the things that STILL need doing....and go read my book again.
But today, I finished my book.....So, you'll probably hear from me tomorrow AND my house will be clean!!

8 comments:

Desha said...

I do the same thing! I finished one today that I started two days ago. JUst couldn't put it down. Any good recommendations?

darcie said...

ok lady - so spill it - what book has/had your attention so fully? I just picked up a new one from the library - well, new to me - and each night as I lie down to read I am so tired I barely make it a page before falling asleep - maybe I need a better book?

Robin Stewart said...

what book? I am a novel junkie as well.

V said...

Good for you! I've been reading the same book since April. It's a great book, but I read about 2 pages per night before my eyes collapse on me. Hopefully I'll finsih it around...oh, say December.

Jill said...

I'm with everyone else. What book? I'm always interested in discovering new authors through other book lovers.

So, share!!

Jackie said...

A wonderful blog friend, Anne, suggested that I read a book about a widow by an author that she loves. I didn't get around to it. Then, my sister-in-law came home from a trip and told me about a book she had read about a widow that made her think of me but she couldn't remember the name or the author. I asked if it was the author that Anne had mentioned. It was! The author is Marian Keyes. I've read two of her books now and absolutely love them. The first one I read was "Anybody Out There?" and the last one was "This Charming Man". I have a few more requested at the library...Prepare to witness a Summer of reading!

Going Crunchy said...

Yay you says the Librarian.

Robin Stewart said...

That book "any body out there" left me an emotional wreck. I have a few of her books, I am just reading watermelon right now. I think I have last chance saloon and angels and sushi for beginners and The Other Side of the Story and maybe some more. I will save them for you. I can not seem to find Rachel's holiday. I feel like I am part of the Walsh family. By reading the other books you get a real sense of who Anna is. I read Anybody out there last summer and I though about you a lot. It broke my heart. I cried and laughed throughout parts of the book, such a great author.