Posts Tagged ‘Favorite things’
For many of us the book that we choose to read at any given time is determined by any number of factors.
It could be seasonal. Summer is the time for the blended and frothy type of book. In the spring and fall I tend to be restless so I like the story to take place somewhere other than North America. Winter is for those big cozy works of historical fiction and memoirs
Then we check our mood, do I need to find myself or lose myself?
Finally, there is the time of day; business books and research are great for day time but by the evening I want something with which to as Agatha Christie’s Hercule Poirot might say “turn off the little grey cells”.
Age doesn’t really enter into the equation; think of the number of adults reading Harry Potter.
So here we are the summer of ’09. My Amazon book wish list is pages long and I have groaning piles of yet to be read books, newspaper business sections, Time, Vogue, Marie Claire, O and More magazines in the living room, office and bedroom.
I have just finished My Sister’s Keeper which was no great feat; it is to literature what The Young and the Restless is to PBS. I will say though that the ending was unexpected. Next on my pureed summer book diet is Julie & Julia which led me to Julie Powell’s blog What Could Happen.
In the way of a little brain fiber I am reading three business books that have been recommended to me -
“Coolhunting: Chasing Down the Next Big Thing” Peter Gloor
“Tribes” Seth Godin
“Change Your Questions, Change Your Life: 7 Powerful Tools for Life and Work”
Marilee G. Adams Ph.D.
I cannot end this post on books without mentioning the one literary genre for all seasons and that is a good murder mystery. This past week coincidentally I was exchanging emails with mystery writer Roberta Isleib, who is currently on the other end of the equation in that she is spending her summer putting the finishing touches on a new book.
No matter what the month is, all that you need to truly enjoy a mystery is a comfortable chair, no one home, a dark night, some fog rolling in, the sound of dogs howling over the moors ……………
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What is happening to the self-indulgent, leisurely, yes I deserve to spoil myself pastime of thank god that day is over, finally it’s the weekend, let’s have some with dinner, glass of wine? Wine consumption has become positively clinical with each improvement having a perfectly logical 21st century explanation.
We are told that screw caps & synthetic corks seem to be ‘ok’ for near term drinking but the verdict is still out on what happens with those wines that should be aged before they are ready to be enjoyed. Wine tumblers are convenient as they have no cumbersome stems and they fit in your dishwasher.
The whole plastic wine bottles/tetra-pak wine containers brings out my two conflicting personalities. Jekyll, my environmentally conscious, forward thinking side vs Hyde, traditionalist wine snob. Then, don’t even get me started on those pump action wine preservers, they sound like something that belong by the swimming pool.
It’s not really a wine snobbery thing (well, maybe a soupçon) so much as a we all thought bottled water was revolutionary and now look where that has taken us. All I know is that my wine rack has glass bottles gently reclining, one of which I will uncork and then pour it into my favorite wine glass that I will later have to wash by hand. I can feel myself relaxing already.
On Jan 4th I wrote a post on my favorite and not so favorite things of ’07 and Elizabeth Gilbert’s “eat. pray, love” got a mention on both lists.
Pro: “I do like her sense of humor and she is honest about herself.”
Con: “Am I the only woman who finds Elizabeth Gilbert somewhat whiny and self-absorbed? I’ve been divorced and traveled alone without all that sobbing and need to please.”
Well, upon more thought the pro statement is a bit insipid and as for the con I seem to be holding back maybe because she had been Oprahized! Time has however revealed that I am not alone in my less than glowing review of her book and I not going to be asked to leave the midlife sisterhood….Whew!
Here is a link to one article in particular “Pray tell: Is Elizabeth Gilbert self-absorbed or truth seeker?” by Carol Memmott USA Today. There are also some interesting comments attached.
Why is this capturing our attention? Probably because it speaks to something larger. It makes us look at how we feel and who we are as women over 40. We are examining where we have been, where we are now and more importantly where we want the road to take us for the next 40 years.
I haven’t finished the book yet, which in itself tells me something because when I love a book I devour it quickly! So far there are two things I know for sure. One, like many of you out there I have a version of being on the bathroom floor. For me I sunk to the floor in my kitchen and it was many years ago. But it happened one time and then I stood up and said “You’ve made some mistakes Jill, rectify them and move forward.” Two, I cannot cling to things or people when it is over because it is over – move on. OK, there is a third thing – that while some of Richards advice is sound, to allow someone to continually refer to you as “Groceries” goes beyond cute, occasional nickname into the realm of complete lack of self-respect and (or) no ability to set healthy boundaries with people.
I hope to hear your thoughts and I promise that I will finish the book ASAP. Perhaps the ‘love’ part in Bali will bring it together for me or maybe not!
What I would buy me for Valentine’s Day?
1. No red roses, I would choose a bouquet of spring flowers with lots of daffodils and colorful tulips . Then buy myself some ripe, juicy strawberries and a really good bottle of Pouilly Fuisse. That should satisfy most of my senses.
2. Books are always a favorite gift for me but for this list, no business, self-help or generally mind expanding books. I would pick five well written, full bodied works of fiction.
3. A rich chocolate brown (not black) leather jacket
4. A new, sexy, sleek laptop
5. First class ticket for a trip home to England. Once there I would slowly travel from Dover to Scotland by train. stopping at historical hotels along the way. Of course I would be traveling with my leather jacket, five must read books and new laptop so that I could record my journey.
NB: No spouses’ feelings were hurt in the making of this post.
Least Favorite from ’07
1. Media obsession with silly, spoilt girls called Paris, Brittany, Lindsey. There are so many women out there who are actually making a difference in the world it is a shame there was no room left to write about them.
2. “eat, pray, love” - Am I the only woman who finds Elizabeth Gilbert somewhat whiny and self-absorbed? I’ve been divorced and traveled alone without all that sobbing and need to please.
3. Screw caps on good wine – I miss the sense of ritual when there is no cork to pull out of a bottle of wine. It speaks to the need for a quiet moment in a busy day. Such as the time we take to make a pot of tea or to grind coffee beans for a really good cup of coffee.
Favorites
1. Web 2.0 – I like the new networking opportunities that websites such as Facebook provide. If used properly & carefully they are a good way to connect with new people and re-connect with former acquaintances.
2. An old friend returns – There is another side to the tech loving me and that is the part of me that needs Austen, Bronte, Thackeray, Masterpiece Theater and all things from a different time in history . So I was pleased when I found Victoria Magazine back on the newsstands this November. Visit their website: Victoriamag.com
3. “eat, pray, love” – I do like her sense of humor and she is honest about herself.
4. Al Gore: He put the issues surrounding global warming out there in such a way that it can no longer be ignored on any level from governments to the person in the street.
5. Hillary Clinton - My coaching advice (I think all political campaigns could use a common sense life coach on staff). You didn’t win the Iowa Caucus but don’t counter with a negative campaign instead challenge the platforms of your opponents, put them in the position where they must be more specific about their campaign promises. You have done well positioning yourself within your roles now do the same by presenting a clear picture of your professional background and experiences.
6. Shopping:
Amazon – Their used books are well priced and good quality
Victoria’s Secret - Cotton panties 5@$25-. Wish that they hadn’t decided to make the waist band narrower however.
Starbucks – Starting to collect their mugs, they should sell them in sets for a reasonable(!) price
Candles – I love the growing availability of healthy candles made of soy or beeswax.
7. More Magazine – It continues to present articles, fashion, travel, everything with the 40+ woman in mind.
- Victoria’s Secret’s cotton panties 5/$25. Great colours and they wear well.
- Bagged spinach and lettuce – so convenient & quick!
- Books:
- A Breath of Snow & Ashes by Diana Gabaldon
- My Camino by Sue Kenney
- Iris & Rudy by Rosie Thomas
- Living History by Hillary Rodham Clinton
- Dark chocolate & Starbucks coffee
- Online banking – I love paying bills in my slippers
- Amazon’s Used books – saves money (especially on business books)and they are usually in great condition
- Hiring a house cleaner – even if she only comes in once every two weeks it is a huge help
- Body Shop’s Satsuma Soap
- Style at Home Magazine – with a 1979 house in Alberta that needs updating & a circa 1823 house in Nova Scotia that needs everything, I am grateful for their articles and great photographs.
- Boston Legal – while it isn’t my beloved West Wing it’s quick and edgy
This list appeared in the Too Real Women blog, that I share with friend & Psychotherapist,Vicki Wolfson. We also have a Too Real Advice blog.