What is the Sunday Salon?
The Sunday Salon is a place to link up and share what we have been doing during the week. It's also a great opportunity to visit other blogs and join in the conversations going on there.
I enjoyed a great week, at Power Pump class, at Barre, at Yoga, at Step class, at book club, mass producing granola, visiting with my sister, talking with friends, writing every day (thank you, Joy, for a great idea) and, oh yes, of course, reading and reading and reading.
We were supposed to be at my husband's brother's 75th birthday party this weekend, but because of anticipated icy roads (we don't know how to drive on roads like this), the party was postponed. We are shivering here, with temps reaching down into the 20s F each night.
What I Read Last Week:
The Eyes & the Impossible by Dave Eggers (Newberry)
One Day, Everyone Will Have Always Been Against This by Omar El Akkad (Nonfiction)
What I'm Reading Now:
The Brothers Karamozov by Fyodor Dostoevsky (Classic)
What Mad Universe by Frederic Brown (Science Fiction)
Wherever You Go, There You Are by Jon Kabat-Zinn (Nonfiction)
What I Posted Last Week Here at Readerbuzz:
I began to list 3 Good Things every day during the pandemic. Now I've established a regular routine of writing down my 3 Good Things. Here are 3 Good Things from last week:
Good Thing #1:
Step class.
Good Thing #2:
Homemade pizza in
the air fryer. Two thumbs up!
Good Thing #3:
We started planning
for my dad's birthday party.
He'll be 100
early next year.
Your temperatures don’t seem especially cold to us, but your homes are perhaps not as well insulated and you may not have appropriate outdoor clothing. The air temperature here this morning is around minus 25 degrees C, but a group of us are going out to hunt for Snowy Owls and other winter birds.
ReplyDeleteWe found two Snowy Owls, Rough-legged Hawks, Horned Larks….and more.
DeleteOh my, what a great outing you had. I'd love to see a Snowy Owl. We saw some Horned Larks on the beach last summer. I'd never have thought they were winter-loving birds.
DeleteWith you on the cold weather and icy conditions! It's improving though here in the UK. You're very brave reading One Day, Everyone Will Have Always Been Against This. I find books about political issues and wars hard to read in the current climate.
ReplyDeleteIt helps me to be able to speak about things with more confidence after I have read about them.
DeleteI want to get round to reading One Day, Everyone Will Have Always Been Against This... in the UK, one has to be very careful in showing support for Palestine, because a major protest group (Palestine Action) have been proscribed as a terrorist group, and often the two are considered to be synonymous.
ReplyDeleteIt feels weird to me how much of my life I've spent worrying about the situation in Gaza, while actually knowing surprisingly little about it; I couldn't have explained the geopolitics at all back then, but in my first year of university (15 years ago) I was part of a demonstration at my university when we discovered the university's investments in arms dealers that supplied Israel. Last year, students doing similar protests were threatened with imprisonment, which simply wasn't even considered back when I protested... I don't actually know what the outcome of that was, because it wasn't reported as widely. Frightening, how determined so many people are to shut their eyes.
It's been pretty cold here too; hope you're managing to stay warm at home, at least!
It's very concerning to me to think I might get in trouble for reading a book or for speaking up for the rights of a people to get food for themselves and their children.
DeleteI love the idea that you are mass producing granola! I hope you aren't too cold or icy down there. The granola sounds really good and I love that you are planning a 100-year party! That'll be wonderful and I hope you share more!
ReplyDeleteYes, and that granola is so good.
DeletePeople say there’s no bad weather, only bad clothes. I suspect you would be ok at 20° if you had ok clothes, but why wouls you have them? On the other hand, the official temp now is -10° (that’s thirty less than you).
ReplyDeleteWe have bad clothes. We also have little knowledge of what good clothes are. I still remember my failure with the red cape in Chicago. I was so sure that would be perfect. Ha!
DeleteI agree with you to try and stay off roads that are icy. I had no idea that there was still a thing like a step class as I used to do them all the time. There aren’t any classes here that I’m aware of that still hold them though. Have a great week.
ReplyDeleteI enjoy the step class, but for the sake of my knees I don't use an actual step but just a flat mat.
DeleteHopefully, you all warm back up quickly! Be safe and have a great weeknd!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Cindy!
DeleteStay warm! Temps are in the teens here, and it's icy and snowy. 🥶 Hope you have a great weekend!
ReplyDeleteWe have not had any actual freezing weather yet, but tonight and tomorrow it will be in the 20s.
DeleteI love that picture of your dad and how wonderful to be planning for his 100 celebration. We are battening down the hatches here for our anticipated cold weekend. Fortunately we do have our fireplace and a couple of space heaters that do not depend on electricity so we will have a source of heat. And there will be no driving for us! Bundle up and take care.
ReplyDeleteI hope you are staying warm over on the cold side of Houston, Dorothy.
DeleteIt's too cold here! And the news and weather people are just too excited about it - ha! I just want spring to come. That's not too much to ask, right? LOL
ReplyDeleteI'm with you, Kay.
DeleteFreezing? Come on up here!
ReplyDeleteJackie, I'm not sure I'd survive a visit to your city.
DeleteHopefully the storm doesn't last long and you all can do the birthday party soon.
ReplyDeleteI hope so.
DeleteWe're due to get a bunch of snow and ice where I live tomorrow. I really liked The Brothers Karamazov, I hope you enjoy it!
ReplyDeleteI need to be more diligent about reading a chapter a day. I'm a little behind.
DeleteIt's warm then chilly, then repeats here. I like the warm much better this time of year. Later it will be hot then humid and sticky and we'll all be miserable.
ReplyDeleteYou are right. We humans are never happy.
DeleteYay! I'm writing every day, too. I meant to mention that in my post, but it's plenty long enough so I'll plan to put that in next week.
ReplyDeleteStay safe in the icy weather!
Thanks, Joy. I shared your idea with my writing group, and one of them is trying a few of the prompts, too.
DeleteDear Deb, it is extremely cold here in Montreal right now, temperatures at minus 20's to minus 30's Celsius! Good thing, though, thankfully we are expecting snow late tomorrow, and the snow always brings the temperatures up.
ReplyDeleteFunny! I had no idea snow could warm things up.
DeleteI'm glad you put off the party. We're getting rather cold here, too. May we all come safely through it.
ReplyDeleteYes, let's hope everyone is safe.
DeleteI love hearing about your week! You seem to be active, social, introspective and reading...yes...reading. The last two sentences of your review of One Day, Everyone Will Hve Always Been Against This say it all. Happy early birthday to you precious dad!
ReplyDeleteI am trying to keep busy.
Deletewow your dad will be 100? amazing. We are absolutely boiling today; we are having one of the hottest summers here in years. I could do with some snow and ice :=)
ReplyDeleteI have a friend who is coming to Australia and New Zealand in a week. I hope it cools down for her.
DeleteWow! You had a really busy week. We've been in the negatives here and I hate it. It's too cold and it hurts to be outside. Like you, I'm not used to driving in weather like this. I hope you're staying safe and warm!
ReplyDeleteI do not plan to drive anywhere until things improve.
DeleteSounds like you have been busy this week. Those temps are really cold for your area. I hope you don't get hit with alot of snow. Have a great week!
ReplyDeleteIt has been milder than we expected. So far.
DeleteYou did have a busy week! Sorry the frigid temps got down to you along with icy roads. I would love to have temps in the 20’s here. -45 with the wind chill was almost too much.,
ReplyDeleteHope things warm up for both of us😁 Have a wonderful week!
I worry about my daughter-in-law in Chicago going out in those super-cold temps.
DeleteOdd! I could have sworn I commented. You’ve definitely been keeping busy! I don’t think I have the fortitude to read One Day Everyone Will Have Been Against This. What happened in Gaza was horrific.
ReplyDeleteI cannot understand all the horrific things going on.
DeleteI hope your ice situation ends soon. The ice is always what gets me, far more than the snow. No traction. And you're right -- it's a special driving skill and you need to do it over time. those first days out after the weather changes here is like being at the carnival bumper car ride! Smart to postpone the party -- it will be all the more fun later!
ReplyDeleteI have never driven in ice. I hope I never will.
DeleteThat’s so cold! No wonder you stay busy, you need to just to stay warm lol.
ReplyDeleteI’m glad you continue to find happiness despite the madness :)
Wishing you a wonderful week
I shall try to find happiness. I shall try to help others who are suffering now.
DeleteI'm sorry your party was postponed but that is some crazy weather for you guys! Stay warm and enjoy your books!
ReplyDeleteThe weather is surreal.
DeleteYou have my profound sympathy! Bad enough when you're properly geared up for the freezing weather - but when you're not, it must be dire:(. Glad everyone was sensible enough to postpone the party until driving is safer. Other than that - your week sounds a delight:). All that socialising and classes - I'm looking forward to being able to get out and about other than taking my grandson backwards and forward to his classes! Have a great week, Deb:)).
ReplyDeleteWe are definitely not properly geared up. lol
Delete20 by night? Heat wave, lol.
ReplyDeleteI hate the cold, but bodies quickly adjust: I just went out to shove snow to go to church. The temp is 9 and I thought, not bad! Well, we had real feel -37 this past week, so 9 is warm, lol
Oh my!
DeleteYour exercise classes sound good. We all need to keep moving. Are you finding the Omar El Akkad book really grim? I have not tried it yet. Hope you stay warm down there. Seems cold about everywhere.
ReplyDeleteIt was really grim. Eye-opening. I recommend it. I also recommend A Day in the Life of Abed Salama: Anatomy of a Jerusalem Tragedy by Nathan Thrall.
DeleteHope you stay warm! Have a good week :)
ReplyDeleteI'm all huddled up under a quilt right now, with the heat on, and a cup of hot coffee near me.
DeleteWhat mad universe indeed. I may have to check into the book ;) I am over the cold, but we're up north and supposed to be good with it. LOL Quite a birthday for your dad! My dad turned 80 last week, so my mom tried to have as many people as possible mail him birthday cards to where they are for the winter.
ReplyDeleteThat's a good idea that I will tuck away for my dad. His birthday is in January, and many people he loves live far away. But sending a card or a note would be lovely.
DeleteI'm new to the air fryer game, and making a pizza in it sounds awesome!!!!
ReplyDeleteI'm new to the air fryer game, and the pizza was delicious and easy.
DeleteI'm suddenly craving pizza at 9:41 in the morning. Hope you have a great week!
ReplyDeleteHa!
DeleteWhata fine post. I am glad to hear you're writing everyday; that's what gets "it"done! I. have a Vreeland Novel about a Vermeer painting (remember when Terry had us read his friend, Susan Vreeland's novels at book club) This one was particularly good, mainly because the book/story of the painting was told backward. I would love to give it to you. Put it in your LFL when you're through. R.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Rae. I'd love to put it in my LFL.
DeleteOur highs are expected to be in the 20s at least for the next week. I can imagine how much colder that feels in your area. I think it's a good idea for anyone to stay off icy roads if it isn't necessary to travel. Good idea to postpone the party. Have a great week! :)
ReplyDeleteThese widespread icy roads are not normal for us.
DeleteWer'e actually warmer than normal in SWFL, but the cold (or cooler) weather is coming for us this week. Sorry the party was postponed, though probably for the best. Stay warm and safe at home!
ReplyDeleteWe've been warmer than normal most of the fall and winter.
DeleteDriving on ice is worse and scarier than driving on snow! Definitely safer to stay home if you can. It's wonderful that you're taking fitness classes! I also try to stay active each week. It's the key to aging well, in my opinion! Stay warm and safe, Deb and have a wonderful week!
ReplyDeleteI just started doing the power pump classes because several people told me that's important as we grow older.
DeleteWhat an active week - I love it! We are getting ice here, too. Stay safe!
ReplyDeleteYou, too, Jen!
DeleteWhat a week. That is all I can say. Thanks for being a bright spot.
ReplyDeleteThank you for putting your beliefs into action, Anne.
DeleteNo Sunday Salon for me this week; I just didn't get my act together. Your week sounds fantastic with lots of fun things going on though I think this week will be much calmer with the horrible storms you've been hit with. Stay inside, stay wam and safe.
ReplyDeleteAw, we will miss seeing your post, Helen.
DeleteI never thought of making pizza in the air fryer. Now I have a new mission to accomplish. Stay warm!
ReplyDeleteAnd the pizza dough was made of stuff I had on hand---it was cheap and very good.
DeleteI want to be you when I retire!
ReplyDeleteI actually made granola last week, too, but it's only going to last my husband and me a couple of weeks, at the most.
We canceled travel plans for January (We would have been in England now instead of here shoveling out from a foot of snow!) because of our daughter's due date. Since he arrived three weeks early, on Christmas Day, I've had a few rare weekends at home. Of course, it's been hard to enjoy peaceful, pleasant times at home with all that's going on in the country. It's always good to remember and count the good things, as you do each week!
I'm sorry you had to cancel your trip to England. Oh my! That's a place I'd love to go. But I am sure your daughter greatly appreciates your help right now. Rest up when you can. We must all keep recharging with acknowledging the good things in our lives or all is lost.
DeleteGood call... better to stay in where it's warm and safe.
ReplyDeleteI am glad we did not have to drive in that terrible weather.
DeleteI miss the exercise classes at my local Y. We let that membership lapse because there isn't always a Y near us while we're traveling and even if there is, it might not be a very good one. We just do our own thing at one of the inexpensive national chains when we can.
ReplyDeleteHow exciting to plan a 100th birthday party! And your pizza looks delicious.
Our rec center used to be our Y. But they cut back on classes during the pandemic, and they never brought most of them back. It was so disappointing. I kept supporting the Y all through the pandemic, even when it was physically closed and even when it reopened, but I did not feel like I should return.
DeleteNo one knows how to drive on ice. Ice always wins. I hope the storm wasn't too bad where you live. This one missed us completely. All we had to deal with was cold - very cold. Come see my week here. Happy reading!
ReplyDelete"Ice always wins." I will remember this.
DeleteThankfully things didn't freeze here as bad as they were predicting but the temperature has been cold enough that our heat pump hasn't been able to keep up! I'll be glad when it warms up a bit. I know it's colder other places but that's one of the many reasons I don't live there! What fun to be planning your dad's 100th! I never did well in step classes but I loved the pump and barre classes. I need to get back to them. Have a great week!
ReplyDeleteIt hasn't been quite as cold as people said it might be here. I will also be glad to have the world warm up a bit.
Delete