what I am reading

I have five books on the go, at the moment, along with three magazines. Some would say I’m a little crazy – but, I like to bounce around – reading what I want, depending on my mood. How do I keep it all straight? I don’t really know, but I have been doing it for so long, it has become second nature.

I’m reading ‘Blood from a stone’ by Donna Leon, ‘Linchpin’ by Seth Godin, ‘Trust Agents’ by Brogan and Smith, ‘The Notebooks of Leonardo da Vinci: Vol. 1 published by The Folio Society, and ‘On Business and for Pleasure’ by Michael Berman -- the Magazines in hand are ‘Gramophone’ May 2010, ‘Monocle’ May 2010, and ‘Motivated’ Spring 2010. The magazine reading often leads me to the internet, to get more insight on the subject or a person. That I love to read goes without saying, but I find my thirst for more information gets overwhelming at times. I then give myself a rest and pick up a novel, mystery preferable.

I always find it interesting to find out what others read and why. A few years ago I was in Toronto, visiting family and had the pleasure of going over to my cousin, Cathy’s, house; what a library she and her husband had, I was drooling as I scanned the titles, however it was interesting to note that if my library and hers were put together, there would not have been many duplications.

Are you a reader? I would love to know what you are reading at the moment.

Hank Jones - 91

Hank Jones, who died Sunday at age of 91, was one of the most elegant and versatile jazz pianis of the post WW II era.

My day today. . .

Just finished a busy morning of work -- going up for some breakfast now at a little past 10 - wow it's almost 10:30am - going to make some lunch for the girls when they get back at 12:30 - then I get Anthony for the rest of the day as the girls go out to work - will be making Turkey for supper tonight (I have it all planed out) with the help of Anthony - we should have everything ready for dinner at 8pm

What is your day going to be like. . . ?

Time to read

It seems my time this month and next will be limited for reading - I am getting behind - I would like to have more time or find the time to read more. Where does on find the extra, what do we give up, or do less of - finding it seems to be elusive.

Shannon and Anthony

This evening my granddaughter will be over. I get to baby-sit Shannon along with Anthony tonight for a few hours well my wife and my daughter Liz go to work. I hope I can keep up with all them they have so much energy. With Anthony being only 2 and Shannon, 4, I hope I will be able to keep them both entertained. At the moment I have no idea what we will do - I’m looking forward to the challenge.

To go out or stay in

On Tuesday I usually take some time off in the morning and go out. Most of the time I find myself over at Chapters ( our large book store which also has a Café in the back: Starbucks) I love to see what’s new and often wondering how anyone could possible read so much. We do have lives, one might say, but I love books. My sister Evelyn thinks I’m mad, and she could be right. Anyways – today being a Tuesday I have been pondering if I should go today or stay home and be a good boy; spending my time working on the Thursday File and other web pages. All my friends work so it is hard to find someone to meet with. I love to sit down and have an espresso and enjoy a good old chat. Being in the basement all day, talking over the internet to people in Europe makes you wish you had more contact, eye to eye contact during the day. I just crave to be with people, to hear someone talk and watch other go by. Oh my, oh my what should I do.

Work and Baby Sitting

Beverly and Liz took on extra work; they will be working on the weekend during January and February. This gives me the opportunity to baby-sit Anthony. We had a great time, but my back limited what I could do, yet we still did a lot together - fun time. I either gave him too much sugar or got him too wound up; had a hard time trying to get him to nap or go to bed in the evening. The next seven or eight weekends will be interesting for me - I'm looking forward to them. I want to plan out what I will do next weekend.

Back pain - not able to focus

I was up early today - back pain was out of sight.

Very good morning with lots of work. I love to be busy; just doing something makes me happy. Hate the slows.

I have not talked to Evelyn as of late and I'm worried about her and Bob.

I want to make an onion Flan this weekend - Recipe is in the latest Jamie magazine Vol 7 - will have to pick up a few items - flour, dry yeast, double cream, fromage frais and thyme leaves.

One of the articles I read this morning: Vestalife's Headphones Are Music to Women's Ears

. . . talk about being all over the place. No focus. That comes from not planing everything out in advance.

Back to work

I'm back to work today after spending a quiet 12 days at home - drawing for the first time in years / working a lot on the Thursday File Social Network - Thursday File newsletter - Thursday File website / reading books and magazines / cooking / twittering

The sun is out in Moncton today but I'm online for most of the day and when I'm off it’s back to finishing off the TF for tomorrow. I have a ton to do today.

With one espresso – two coffees the trend for the afternoon will be tea.

Some DVD TV series came in the mail yesterday from Amazon.ca – Liz is now addicted to ‘The Waltons’ for this morning – not able to stop.

Last night I was reading a new book by Janis Bell "Clean, well-lighted sentences - a guide to avoiding the most common errors in grammar and punctuation." I like the way she explains it.

Starbucks - first time in 2010

My first visit to Starbucks in 2010 was today.

I sat down with a friend of mine, Wayne. We enjoyed coffee, he had an Americano and I a double espresso. (. . .they don’t have triple espressos -- because they don't have the right size cup – I asked the manager, why? He said there are only three people who come into the shop who order espressos on a regular base. Now if I was the manager I would get in one or two cups that would hole triple espressos; that just me, service the brand and the shop!). Wayne and I had a nice chat. When he left I got up, did my rounds to see if Chapters (our Starbucks resides in a Chapters store) had any bargains out on the tables; they did to my delight. One on Wild horses for Beverly, one on stitching for Liz and the rest were mine, all mine; got my reading for the next few weeks. Watch the TF newsletter on Thursdays to see what I’m reading each week.

I was looking at the English grammar section and the art section - got inspired. Now I want to get focused again. Over the last few days I was a little out of it, getting to a point that I did not know what I was going to do this morning but now I'm back on track.

When you are out (or get out) of sorts you must change somthing; for me it's location. Getting out, talking and listening to others will do the trick most of the time.

Two days of snow

Did we ever get hit this weekend with snow. It never stopped. If the sun came out right now or anytime today the landscape would be spectacular, all the trees and the ground have a virgin covering of snow, without that light it’s rather dull, without luster.
This winter storm caused two blackouts – Saturday night the power went off for about two and a half hours, last night it was off for over four hours. The house stayed warm.

I'll go back to work on Wednesday but Beverly goes back today, in-truth she only had a few days here and there off.

On the art of blogging, I find it difficult to discipline myself to write. I missed yesterday, without excuse. The day just flew past me, it was not until I got into bed that the thought came to mind: 'I forgot to blog; Opps!'

I did a drawing yesterday but my hart is not in it, at the moment. I am posting them, keeping up with my goal to do at least one sketch a day. The hand and the mind have not become one in this area. It's hard to find things to draw. You can find the first ones in the Thursday File Social networks group: 2010 Drawings - Join the group and you will get an email each time I post a new drawing.

I also have been doing a World News group each day which keeps me up to date with what is happening around the globe.

First day of the year

To has proven to be most interesting – first I got up early; always an advantage for me to get a good start to any day. I hate to sleep in. Made a strong mug of coffee (French Press of course) with toast (from a good loaf of bread) with havarti cheese and smoked Atlantic salmon. By the time I had everything ready Beverly was up and we read the text together.

She went out to do her two jobs well I headed down to the basement, my office to work on the Thursday File Social Network and the opening for next weeks File #528 first one for the year.
Later I tried my hand at drawing first time in years. It’s going to take time to get the mind – hand thing working together. I drew three items all birds from sculptures we have in the living room. I will go at it again tomorrow.

We then got a call around 3:00 to come around for a tea over at Eldon and Lin’s place. It was very pleasant.

Still waiting for that storm to hit.

Footnote: I really do not know yet how I’m going to proceed with this blog; for now it is just some ramblings of each day.

Four posts on the TF Social Network:

John Alexander Montgomery Cushnie, 66 (UK)

William Tuohy, 83 (US)

Lights out at 10 may help teens' mental health

News: Degas painting stolen from Marseille museum (France)