Sunday, March 2, 2014

I Am Here....



A few of you have inquired about my whereabouts this past week considering I am not usually absent from the blog world for long periods of time, and it does so touch my heart that there are those that miss me when I am not around.  But I do have a reason, sick.  Yeah, sick.  Just that nasty flu-like sick with coughing, sneezing, chills, fever, runny nose (oh my gosh the runny nose) and then after every sneeze and blow I felt the need to clean my hands, so now not only is the nose red and chapped from all that blowing, but the hands are as well, but they are germ free.  At least right at this moment. 

So instead of complaining about how I felt physically and more complaining  about this dang winter weather that refuses to leave (another 4-5 inches of snow last night) I just decided to back away for awhile.  The photography has been slim to none, just how many pictures can you take from your front window of the same snow day after day??  Taking a picture of the gallons of orange juice that I consumed didn’t excite me either.  And because I was sick I didn’t even go to Trader Joe’s for my weekly dose of flowers to add color to my world.  See now this is why I didn’t blog, I am having a pity party and that was not my intent. 


What I did do was read, nap, watch a little TV, read, nap and watch a little more TV.  I finished “The Girl You Left Behind”, good book – recommend.  Then I switched to something totally different, “The Bat” by Jo Nesbo a Norwegian writer dealing with crime fiction and a main character named Harry Hole.  Kinda gritty and unless you are into crime novels with some gore probably not what you would want to read.  Harry is from Oslo but is assigned to a murder case in which the victim is Norwegian in Sydney, Australia.  It does feature a fascinating take on the lives of Aboriginals in contemporary Sydney and is well written.  Now I am reading “The Rules of Civility” by Amor Towles a completely different story that begins at the end of 1937 and follows a young girl from the Bronx on her journey into the upper echelons of high society New York in the late 1930’s.  All the glamour and glitz of New York City, interesting story and great characters. A definite recommend.  As you can see, I am into variety, and I particularly like a well-written, character driven book.  

And speaking of writing, I have registered in another writing class at our local college.  It begins Wednesday and we already have homework.  If I come up with any good stuff or a "high five" from the instructor I might share....might.  I figured that if I didn't stimulate my brain somehow that it would begin melting unlike the piles and piles of snow.  

I came across a couple of great quotes today that I think are quite appropriate for this winter...

"May we all emerge from winter with our strength renewed and any unwanted pieces left under the ice"  ~  John Darnielle

and this one....

"At some point you just have to let go of what you thought should happen and live in what is happening."  ~  Unknown

Until next time....

31 comments:

  1. Great to see you posted! I haven't taken pics & the few I did look like my skills have taken a dive. I've been resorting to editing & using photos from my archives. My book club read, The Art of Hearing Heartbeats by Philip Sendenk. Very nice read! And now reading, Orange is the New Black. The author is making an appearance at the local community college. I haven't started it, nor was I able to get a seat to hear her speak. And, I understand the TV show of the same name, is nothing like the book, which is understandable.
    Good to know you are busy --- getting well. It's been gong around our office & I happened to spend my holiday weekend on the couch --- hacking away. Do take care.

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  2. Cinder looks like she's commiserating with you. Glad you're on the mend. Reading, napping, and a little tv actually sound nice. Enjoy your class!

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  3. CInder looks pretty miserable herself! Sometimes being away and healing yourself is just best. Glad you are on the mend...and yes...you were missed. Have fun in your writing class.

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  4. Hope you are feeling better Deanna. That is so exciting that you are taking a writing class. I have pondered the idea, but first must get Mallory through college. One thing at a time.

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  5. I was wondering where you were... and being sick is a pretty good reason for taking a break. I hope you are on the mend so that you can enjoy your writing class!

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  6. I hope you feel better soon! How fun that you are taking a class!

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  7. Poor little Cinder! Poor little Deanna! How is Toby faring? I am glad you're beginning to get your wheels under you again, I've missed you. Yes, even as I write this, we're sitting here waiting for our dose of Titan. As I've been saying on my blog, Ol' Man Winter: GO HOME!

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  8. i'm sorry you've been sick! glad you took some time off to just burrow under covers, read, and drink oj - and wash your hands. :)

    that last quote really struck me.

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  9. So sorry you have been under the weather. I swear, it seems like I was coughing from the 1st of the year until the end of February - ugh -- I feel your pain. A writing class sounds fun and scary - I do hope you share. Love that last quote.

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  10. So sorry to hear you have not been well. Your little puppy dog looks sad too. Hope you get well soon.

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  11. Glad you are on the road to recovery. Enjoy your writing class!

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  12. Deanna,
    Hope you are on the mend and feel better soon!

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  13. So sorry you got sick - it was a nasty virus this year, I just got over it as well. Take is easy, my friend!

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  14. Hoping the sick stuff flies away . . . for good . . . rest up and get ready for the spring to return to your step!
    Thank you for the reading suggestions . . .

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  15. Good to see you here today. Sorry you have been sick. I hope you enjoy your writing class and that you will share some with us.

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  16. certainly had noticed you missing Deanna, and good to know you are slowly getting on the mend. Your new writing class will be something to look forward to....

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  17. So nice to read from you again, hope you feel much better soon !!

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  18. It's so good to hear from you, Deanna and I hope you continue to get better. I know, I too struggle with what to take a picture of when inside my house with piles of snow everywhere!

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  19. sometimes taking a blog break is the very best medicine. take my friend. xoxoxo

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  20. I am so sorry you've been sick, Deanna, and I hope you are feeling 100% real soon.
    I am glad you took some "me" time.
    Happy day to you!

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  21. Hopefully you are on the mend Deanna, and you should be resting, we aren't going anywhere. I'm kinda tired of the whole sick thing myself and the crazy fluctuations in our temps. It was nearly 80 this weekend and with the wind chill last night it was 20. Between switching from the heat to the A/C and back to the heat it's no wonder my sinuses are confused.

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  22. So sorry about your bug hopefully you will feel better soon. Look after yourself snuggle up and keep reading . x

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  23. Hope you feel better soon, Deanna! xo

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  24. So sorry to read you have been sick. Hope you are feeling a bit better by now.

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  25. I'm so sorry you're sick - I was beginning to worry a little and then wondered whether it was the horrible winter you're having in Chicago that was getting you down. I really hope you're feeling better soon (and a few sunny days, too!)

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  26. I can't tell you how HAPPY I am to see you back - I was going to email you until I saw your post. I hope you're feeling better every day!

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  27. Welcome back, Deanna! You were missed. Cold be gone!

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  28. How awful to be so sick. That's the pits! Hope you are feeling much better.

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  29. Sorry to hear that you have been sick, and also really sorry to hear about more snow. On friday it was 86 degrees in Dallas, and my husband and I went to the cabin. By Sunday, it was 18 degrees and an ice storm. Delayed coming home and missed a day of work, but back to 50 now. Did you check out the photography contest from Magnolia plantation. Won't be long now, so hurry and get well.!!! SPRING WILL COME EVENTUALLY

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  30. Sorry you've been sick, Deanna. Hope you're feeling 100% soon. I love this photo of your sweet little Cinder.

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  31. Sending you hugs and healing thoughts... hoping by now you are on the mend.

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