My week: We had an up-and-down week here in the Silcox household. I'm still feeling under-the-weather with some mysterious ailment that's been causing tons of coughing and mucus in my throat. (Jarrod wonders if it's the excess vog -- volcanic haze -- we've been having. Some people get severe allergic reactions to it, though it didn't bother me last time we lived here.)
Also, we had been keeping an eye on a lost dog -- a cute boxer mix -- on the humane society's website. His status was changed to available for adoption on Tuesday night and we had planned to go check him out (and most likely bring him home) on Wednesday after lunch. Both of us had thought we'd be getting a dog that day -- a boxer! -- and we were devastated to learn he had been adopted immediately. Jarrod called that morning and left a message expressing our interest in the dog, and the person who called him back said that when a "good" dog goes up for adoption, people actually line up outside half an hour before adoption hours start at 11 a.m. to get first dibs. That sounds like one of those crazy only-in-Hawaii things to me, though I can sort of understand it. As we have learned, it is pretty tough to get a boxer here -- and of course, we've just so happened to finally decide we're ready to get another dog after losing our sweet Conan to cancer almost three years ago. Sigh... Hawaii.
On the plus side went to the beach on Wednesday afternoon (in lieu of going to the humane society) and the vog made the most stunning sunset. The above iPhone picture doesn't come close to doing it justice -- the sun was a giant ball of fiery neon orange.
Reading: I thoroughly enjoyed "The Fire By Night" by Teresa Messineo (out Tuesday), a novel about two WWII nurses, one in Europe and one in the Pacific (here's my review). Then I started the much-talked-about memoir "Hillbilly Elegy" but got sidetracked when I finally got "Saga" volume 6 in at the library! Are you a "Saga" fan? If not -- even if you don't think you would enjoy graphic novels -- you must give it a try!
Anyway, I'm not too far into "Hillbilly Elegy: A Memoir of a Family and Culture in Crisis" yet but I already really like the author's writing and tone. He's only 31, which probably helps. And I'm interested in the subject matter having just lived in Ohio for three years and often ventured down to the Smoky Mountains of Tennessee.
Winning: "Lillian Boxfish Takes a Walk" by Kathleen Rooney in a Goodreads giveaway! And, in unprecedented fashion, it arrived almost immediately!
Knitting: It was a quiet week for my knitting needles. I finished up the baby hat for our future niece and got it mailed off. Thanks to the long weekend I get five glorious days off in a row, so I'm hoping to finally start the Newt Scamander Hufflepuff scarf a friend requested.
Watching: We finished up our binge-watch of season 5 of "Homeland" just in time for season 6 to start on TV! I know the show isn't for everyone, but Jarrod and I love it.
Crafting: A Valentine's-y staff picks display at work! One thing I'm enjoying about being in a smaller library is the chance to be creative and crafty. I'm particularly fond of the book-page garland I made out of a book that was destined for death. (P.S. My pick was "Red Rising" -- which, I'm thrilled to say, got checked out! I replaced it with "Written in Red" by Anne Bishop. It's crazy to see how many of my current faves are sci-fi and fantasy when I didn't even read those genres a few years ago!)
Drinking: Still more gallons of hot tea to soothe my throat and whatever random thing it is I have going on.
Blogging:
Monday Musings
So Many Books, So Little Time: 2016 Releases I Didn't Get To (But Will Soon -- Right?!)
Yarn Along: A Cheerful Baby Hat and The Fire By Night
New Release: The Second Mrs. Hockaday by Susan Rivers
My Etsy Wishlist: Earrings Edition
Upcoming WWII Novel: The Fire By Night by Teresa Messineo
Random Musings on "Gilmore Girls: A Year in the Life" (Spoiler Alert!)
Looking forward to: Three more days off! I really only get one extra day off (today) for MLK Jr. Day, but since I don't work Tuesdays or Wednesdays it turns into a five-day weekend. I have tons of stuff on my to-do list -- including reading, relaxing and kitty snuggles.
*I'm linking up with Kathryn of Book Date for It's Monday! What Are You Reading?
Also, we had been keeping an eye on a lost dog -- a cute boxer mix -- on the humane society's website. His status was changed to available for adoption on Tuesday night and we had planned to go check him out (and most likely bring him home) on Wednesday after lunch. Both of us had thought we'd be getting a dog that day -- a boxer! -- and we were devastated to learn he had been adopted immediately. Jarrod called that morning and left a message expressing our interest in the dog, and the person who called him back said that when a "good" dog goes up for adoption, people actually line up outside half an hour before adoption hours start at 11 a.m. to get first dibs. That sounds like one of those crazy only-in-Hawaii things to me, though I can sort of understand it. As we have learned, it is pretty tough to get a boxer here -- and of course, we've just so happened to finally decide we're ready to get another dog after losing our sweet Conan to cancer almost three years ago. Sigh... Hawaii.
On the plus side went to the beach on Wednesday afternoon (in lieu of going to the humane society) and the vog made the most stunning sunset. The above iPhone picture doesn't come close to doing it justice -- the sun was a giant ball of fiery neon orange.
Reading: I thoroughly enjoyed "The Fire By Night" by Teresa Messineo (out Tuesday), a novel about two WWII nurses, one in Europe and one in the Pacific (here's my review). Then I started the much-talked-about memoir "Hillbilly Elegy" but got sidetracked when I finally got "Saga" volume 6 in at the library! Are you a "Saga" fan? If not -- even if you don't think you would enjoy graphic novels -- you must give it a try!
Anyway, I'm not too far into "Hillbilly Elegy: A Memoir of a Family and Culture in Crisis" yet but I already really like the author's writing and tone. He's only 31, which probably helps. And I'm interested in the subject matter having just lived in Ohio for three years and often ventured down to the Smoky Mountains of Tennessee.
Winning: "Lillian Boxfish Takes a Walk" by Kathleen Rooney in a Goodreads giveaway! And, in unprecedented fashion, it arrived almost immediately!
Knitting: It was a quiet week for my knitting needles. I finished up the baby hat for our future niece and got it mailed off. Thanks to the long weekend I get five glorious days off in a row, so I'm hoping to finally start the Newt Scamander Hufflepuff scarf a friend requested.
Crafting: A Valentine's-y staff picks display at work! One thing I'm enjoying about being in a smaller library is the chance to be creative and crafty. I'm particularly fond of the book-page garland I made out of a book that was destined for death. (P.S. My pick was "Red Rising" -- which, I'm thrilled to say, got checked out! I replaced it with "Written in Red" by Anne Bishop. It's crazy to see how many of my current faves are sci-fi and fantasy when I didn't even read those genres a few years ago!)
Blogging:
Monday Musings
So Many Books, So Little Time: 2016 Releases I Didn't Get To (But Will Soon -- Right?!)
Yarn Along: A Cheerful Baby Hat and The Fire By Night
New Release: The Second Mrs. Hockaday by Susan Rivers
My Etsy Wishlist: Earrings Edition
Upcoming WWII Novel: The Fire By Night by Teresa Messineo
Random Musings on "Gilmore Girls: A Year in the Life" (Spoiler Alert!)
Looking forward to: Three more days off! I really only get one extra day off (today) for MLK Jr. Day, but since I don't work Tuesdays or Wednesdays it turns into a five-day weekend. I have tons of stuff on my to-do list -- including reading, relaxing and kitty snuggles.
*I'm linking up with Kathryn of Book Date for It's Monday! What Are You Reading?
Sorry to hear you're feeling under the weather with this mysterious illness... I hope it clears up soon! The five day weekend you've been having sounds like a great time for some rest and relaxation.
ReplyDeleteOh, that sunset! I love the heart garland!
Have a great week, and happy reading!
Thanks for the well-wishes, Jade! I'm kinda partial to the heart garland too. I'm harboring a secret hope that I can take it home when the display goes down in a few weeks!
DeleteHope you feel better soon. Too bad about the dog. You can see my week here. Happy reading!
ReplyDeleteThanks Kathy! :)
DeleteI'm so jealous. I got an ARC of Hillbilly Elegy at BEA and I gave it away. What was I thinking? And I'm also dying to read Lillian Boxfish. Lucky you!
ReplyDelete"Hillbilly Elegy" is definitely worth a read! It wasn't perfect, but it's one of the most thought-provoking memoirs I've ever read.
DeleteOh, wow, I'm so jealous of your looooong weekend! My husband and I love Homeland, too, but we need to catch up; we've had so many shows that we've been hooked on lately - gah! I listened to Hillbilly Elegy on audio; Vance reads it and I loved it. I listed it as one of my favorite reads from 2016. Your hearts are SO CUTE! What a great job! - Tara at itstaraleigh.com
ReplyDeleteOoh, I'm not a huge audiobook fan but I do love when the author reads his or her own book! The whole time I was reading I was dying to see if Vance had an accent. Turns out not really!
DeleteI hope you enjoy "Hillbilly Elegy." I'll be reading it later this year for my book club.
ReplyDeleteIt's a great book club pick! Very thought-provoking. I kept telling my husband about what I was reading.
DeleteBummer about the boxer!! It's hard when you see a dog online you fall instantly in love with and they are adopted so quickly. Good for the dog, but sad for you. I used to volunteer at the pound and there are certain breeds/types that get adopted instantly like that! Around here, small, young dogs are out the door in a flash! Fingers crossed you find your new furry friend soon.
ReplyDeleteThat library display is adorable!
Yes, good for the dog. Hopefully he's happy in his new furever home! ;) I think the whole run on the "good" dogs at the humane society is even worse here because there really aren't that many options for getting dogs in Hawaii (especially affordable ones, purebreds and larger non-pitbull dogs). Lesson learned -- be there at 10:30 a.m. next time!
DeleteSorry an out the dog and I hope you manage to get one soon. We had only one for our first 7 years and after he pasted and Barkley was alone for 2 years, we've always had at least 2 at a time. It is hard after you lose one and it's bee easier having another one around to help mourn. I love the book garland, it's so cute. Have a great beak!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Barb! Until then I'll just have to look at your boxer pictures. ;)
DeleteSorry you missed out on the dog - I love boxers too! At the shelters here (Boston area) you basically get to choose which kind of pit bull you'd like. When we went, my husband really wanted a lab and I wanted a cat, so naturally a pit bull is what we ended up with. But, personality is what it's all about, not breed, so maybe you'll be surprised and find your new furry friend in an unexpected package.
ReplyDeleteI totally agree with you, and we have a similar situation with an overabundance of pitbulls at the humane society here (poor things!). Unfortunately, we live in military housing and they have a strict no-pit policy. :( We were open to getting a different kind of dog (and in fact we had debated for a few days about going to look at a hound mix before she got adopted), but now all that is behind us because we got a boxer puppy! There was a rare litter of boxer puppies available last week, and we just couldn't resist going to look at them. We get to bring her home in two weeks! :)
Delete