Oxbow Bend
Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming
October 2024
How is everyone doing? Are you avoiding the news and headlines? More importantly, did you vote? This is such an anxious time for everyone in our country, and I'm trying to stay positive, trying (but failing) to stay away from the news. It helped to have the World Series as a distraction, but that's over now*, and although November 5th is election day, we may not feel relief for a very long time, no matter who we voted for.
My reading has fallen by the wayside this past week, but I'm hoping to get back to it soon. I have a book group discussion to lead and need to finish the book!
October's reading wasn't too bad, although my audiobook failed to hold my attention. It took me almost two full months to finish, and that was at a speed of 1.5. I did complete one novel that was fantastic (thank you, Stephen King!), one other that was very good (albeit disturbing for someone living on the Cascadia faultline), and another that was good, but easily forgotten.
We got home from our big adventure to the Tetons in early October, got caught up on appointments and various things around the house for a couple of weeks, and then headed out for a trip down to Santa Rosa to visit my aunt. We will be home on Election Day, not that we expect any clear results by that night, but we don't really want to be traveling...
Books Read (click on the title for my review):
Watch Us Shine by Marisa de los Santos (3/5)
Tilt by Emma Pattee (4/5)
Holly by Stephen King (4.5/5)
Say Nothing by Patrick Radden Keefe (2/5)
Movies & TV Series:
Slow Horses (Season 4) - Such a great show. I'm glad there is more in store for us with at least one or two more seasons.
Shrinking (Season 1) - I love this show. It's funny and touching, and the acting is very good. I'm glad I have another season to watch. It's always a good thing to laugh out loud.
L.A. Dodgers - We watched a lot of baseball in October. We saw them beat the Mets in Game Six to win the NL pennant, and then the New York Yankees in Game Five to win the World Series Championship. What a thrilling season!!
Travel:
As I mentioned above, we are currently on another trip, visiting my aunt in Santa Rosa. We love traveling down Hwy 101, and we especially love spending time with Sue (and her dog, Cooper).
Wildlife:
Last month I shared some landscape photos from our great adventure to Wyoming. This month, I'll leave you with some of the birds & waterfowl we spotted along the way.
Bluebird
Clark's Nutcracker
Bottoms Up!
Ruffed Grouse in hiding
Mountain Quail
Take care of yourselves. Get outside and go for a walk. Read a book. Listen to music. Watch a comedy that will make you laugh.
*Pitchers and catchers report for Spring Training on February 12th!
I am so nervous for Tuesday, but am avoiding the news to get through it. I know that sounds backwards, but it's what is working for me.
ReplyDeleteI watched the last few innings of the final Dodger game and that was a good distraction.
It's nice to know that no matter what happens with the election, books, reading, blogging, and my fellow book bloggers will still be here.
Helen, you are wise to stay away from the news. We'll be on the road most of Tuesday, but I plan to watch the returns later that evening. Wish the World Series was still going on!
DeleteWe voted early as soon as returned from TN. Love the photos and the books! I read the Mr. Mercedes series and was introduced to Holly there but have not read this one.
ReplyDeleteWatched the first two games of the series on tv, what a treat! Followed via my phone once we got home and read it as it was live action. Can't BELIEVE they made such a spectacular comeback from a 5 run deficit! That's a great photo here, Les. Well, being from Philly I am a Phillies fan and I will hope that next year I can access to TV or steaming. Probably need our son to teach us how to use it, haha.
Tina, we voted (by mail) before we headed out of town, and I double-checked to make sure our ballots had been received. Yes, you'll have to stream the games next year. I have a good friend from Philly and he's a big fan, but he was happy for the Dodgers. :)
DeleteGreat photos! And the one up top is awesome. The last game of the Dodgers/Yankees series was incredible. Each time the Yanks were ahead they would catch them ... and then go ahead. It was a wonderful & quick ending to the series. I too am avoiding the news and all the hoopla ... I have enough anxiety about it as it is. Have a safe drive back. I think I will keep busy tomorrow and go out for a walk. But maybe snow tomorrow.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Susan. I'm very pleased with the photos I shot while in Wyoming. It's such a beautiful area! Yep, the Dodger games were pretty exciting! We'll be home tomorrow afternoon. I plan to pick up pizza on our way back to the cove, and we'll enjoy that while watching an episode of Collision (PBS), starring Douglas Henshall (from Shetland). I'll probably tune into CNN later in the evening... Or maybe I'll just work on unloading the RV. Walking in the snow would be nice, if it's not too cold. Enjoy!
DeleteGreat wildlife photos! I'm very anxious about the election and, as it turns out, we will be spending election night in a hotel since we'll be attending the funeral of high school friend's mother Wednesday morning. Not sure how this will all play out, just hope it doesn't get violent... sigh
ReplyDeleteThanks, JoAnn. I'm very pleased with my telephoto lens on my 35mm camera. Yes, it's a very anxious time right now. I keep watching IG reels and getting more wound up. I'm probably oversharing too much of that sort of thing, too. Preaching to the choir since the majority of my followers are Democrats. We were going to be on the road on election night, but decided to head home a day early. Pizza and an older PBS police procedural will be our evening plan, but I'll tune into the returns later on. I'm sorry about your friend's mother. We're going out to celebrate our anniversary on Wednesday night. I hope it's a quiet evening!
DeleteThe election. What the fresh hell? SO disappointed but we shall carry on. Hey, what kind of camera do you use for your photos because they are always stunning.
ReplyDeleteTi, yes it's very disappointing, but also infuriating. I worry so much about the marginalized folks, the environment, education... I could go on and on, but I'm weary from thinking about it.
DeleteFor my photos I use both my phone (Android Pixel 4 - time to get a new one, though) and my 35mm Canon EOS something or other.
I forgot to add that King's new book next year, will feature Holly again. Something to look forward to.
ReplyDeleteTi, hooray for more Holly!! Thanks for letting me know. Do you know the title?
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