A Journey Toward Normalcy

siride April 21, 2022

It's been a big week... I reached full immunity Thursday. To celebrate, my SIL treated me to an iced coffee drink at our favorite cafe. We sat outside on their patio and soaked up the late afternoon sunshine. What a treat! Next, we browsed a local art gallery and planned a second outing, which happened yesterday. We visited two local independent bookstores, had lunch outdoors at a restaurant, and checked out a couple of new shops. It feels like life is starting to return to normal!

Finished this week//

The Splendid and the Vile by Erik Larson

This book was quite an undertaking, but well worth the time and effort. After hitting the 30% mark, I could hardly put it down. It focuses on Churchill's first year as Prime Minister. Larson offers an interesting look at the political landscape, the resiliency of Londoners during the Blitz, and domestic life of the Churchill family. As usual with nonfiction, I made it a read/listen combination and enjoyed John Lee's narration on my morning walks.

After avoiding the topic for years, it looks like I'm on a WWII kick. The Splendid and the Vile was a good follow-up to Code Girls. Yesterday I picked up a copy of Kate Quinn's new novel, The Rose Code and I'm also wondering about adding Larson's In the Garden of Beasts to my tbr list. Have any of you read it?

Current Reading//

Infinite Country by Patricia Engel

This short (under 200 pages) book pulled me in at the first sentence; "It was her idea to tie up the nun." It's a novel about a family that finds itself split between two countries, Colombia and the US, and their struggle to reunite. I'm about a third of the way in and it's very good so far.

Viewing//

We watched Ken Burn's Hemingway documentary on PBS last week. I really enjoyed it, but found the last two episodes rather depressing. As others have said, the first (of three) episode was by far the most enjoyable.

In the kitchen//

It was another mostly uninspired week in the kitchen. I prepared recipes from our regular rotation and made Laurie Colwin's Gingerbread for a Friday treat.

Now that I'm fully vaccinated, I look forward to visiting the first Trader Joe's in our area and returning to Whole Foods for a few specialty items.

The week ahead//

I'm finally getting a haircut! And highlights, too. Only 48 hours to go. It also seems strange to have two social events on the calendar this week. Both are small groups and outdoors, but I'm still a little apprehensive.

How was your week? What have you been reading?