Reading Books

It seems like I read a whole lot more when I was younger.  Not just as a kid but as a young adult too. Perhaps the computer has helped to change that.  I still have the desire to read and I'm always heading up to the library to carry home more books that caught my eye. I seldom get them read, however; sometimes I don't even get part way through them.  I have a lot of books on my book shelves I haven't read too.  Some day maybe I'll count them just so I can make myself feel more guilty.  I'm a pro at feeling guilty for some flaw or another in my character.  I've especially fine tuned my bad habits of not eating properly or eating too much.  But we don't need to go down that road today.

I cancelled my cable tv service on March 1st.  Like cutting out the tobacco habit I once had, there are times in the day when I kind of miss turning the set on. Usually when it's national news time or Wheel of Fortune time.  I'm working through it just fine, however. I am really happy that I don't hear Trump's voice or see his face.  I do have a roku  and I subscribe to Hulu along with Netflix and Amazon Prime.  Those three (along with Pandora music) keep me entertained.  The music station is probably on the most.  Especially if I'm at the computer doing a crossword puzzle, writing emails, or blogging. Also when I'm sewing.

Since naps have now become a part of my afternoon routine (most days; not all) I find that I can turn on Pandora to the type of music that will help me nod off and tune out the outdoor noises of dogs barking, mowers mowing, radios blaring, and helicopters flying.  Jenni helped me download the Pandora app onto my phone so I can listen to it when I'm out walking.  Which I truly wished I could do more of but way too often, one part of my body or another rebels at my desire to get more physically fit and my walking is cut short.  I miss my bike riding but I know I've gone around the corner at trusting myself to maneuver on two wheels like I used to.  Not that I think I'd lose balance; I just don't want to even think about hopping off and subjecting my old knees to an abrupt landing. I'm sure they'd probably do fine but I'm not going to consider it.  Walking will have to suffice and now that I have two walking sticks, I figure sooner or later, things will improve and I can get out on a daily basis.  Even if it's a short distance. But I'm getting off the subject....

Back to reading.  Once I started browsing Hulu to see what was available, I came across old Dick Cavett interviews from decades past. I know I've already discussed this treasure find.  Anyhow, the segment on authors was especially interesting to me.  I had made a resolution (several times over the years) that I wanted to read as many Pulitzer Prize books as I could. At least those that sparked an interest.  Dick had Eudora Welty on and you could tell he was thrilled to interview her.  I checked out a book of four of her novels and the 1973 book called The Optimist's Daughter is included.  I'm going to give that a whirl when I finish the book I'm working on now.  Which is Willa Cather's 'My Antonia.'  Written in 1918, it takes place in Nebraska. My dad's mom was born in Nebraska although I haven't quite figured out yet how old she was when they moved to Oregon. At any rate, I'm pretending that her family are like the family in the novel.  I wonder if there's a movie out there on this book. I'll have to look.  I'm really enjoying it.  It's a short novel (my copy  is paperback) so it won't take me too long to get through it.  Especially if I suspend other activities and head to my recliner to read more often.

I'm still finding that staying awake while reading is an issue with me. I seem to be tired a lot.  I imagine it's because I don't sleep as soundly as I used to.  Poor ole body is just plain wearing out.  I went online to look up the list of books that have been the most popular over time.  Don Quixote was listed as number one. I've never read it and it doesn't sound like anything that would interest me.
A Tale of Two Cities was third and I may attempt to read that one. I've tried more than once but I get easily distracted.  Agatha Christie's book called 'And then there were none' sounds good so I'm going to give it a try.  Surprisingly, several Harry Potter books were listed.  I haven't read any of them but I keep thinking maybe I will.

I printed out three pages of Pulitzer books and while I know I'll never get through them all, my goal is to at least make an attempt to read several of them.  The only hobby that can distract me at the moment is sewing.  I finished up my book (they'll be delivered this morning) but I have several quilting patterns that will probably take me until my dying day to complete.  Little steps.  I finished one yesterday but it looks awful.  All because I lost my place while doing one of the log cabin squares and had to modify it at the end to make it come together.  I'm not happy with it but I'm learning from my mistakes.  Below is how it should look and how my creation ended up.  Yes, it's laughable.  But I'll do better with the next one. It has a pick-up truck on it.

Plan on going to a drug store or two this afternoon to get my blood pressure checked in one of their special chairs.  I've been taking my readings here at home and they're higher than they've ever been.
Not a good thing to see when you're a hypochondriac like I am.  Jenni thinks maybe the cuff is too small for my fat arm and that can give you an error reading.  I'm hoping that's the case --especially since I'm taking two b/p pills these days.

And I'm off.