The French Gardener by Santa Montefiore

Had I known that this was a "sappy" love story I wouldn't have bothered. I was hooked by the lovely flowers on the cover and thinking it had to do with beautiful English gardens. Discussions of the garden and flowers were minimal though and that was a disappoint. A glaring error having to do with unlocking a house stood out and had I been looking for more I probably would have found them. I was tempted to hurl this book against a wall when I discovered that error. A good editor should have picked this up. This book would have also benefited by being shorter - perhaps 100 pages shorter!

Night Watch by Sarah Waters

I read almost two hundred pages of this before giving up. I was enthused about reading it as I'd heard so many good things about her other books. It was extremely slow moving, and I have a pretty good idea where the author was going with it.

A Reading Challenge for 2010!

Book Chick City

I have just entered a challenge at this site to read several books (fiction) by British authors during the coming year. Right up my alley! I love books by British authors and am always on the lookout for them. First up is "East of the Sun" by Julia Gregson, followed by "The French Gardner." I know Elizabeth George has a new one out this coming spring and Ruth Rendell probably has 2 coming out. I have an old Elizabeth Jane Howard here somewhere, too, and perhaps I will discover some new to me authors. I will be posting my reviews on this site if anyone is interested.

And I wish you all health, wealth, and happiness in the coming year!

Marian

I see that I haven't posted in some time - guess it's because (knock on wood) Dad is doing so good. I was led to believe by the doctors that he would never to return to where he was before the meningitis, but so far the only lapses in memory that I detect are a difficulty operating the tv remote, the inability to decipher bills (thinking the credit limit is the amount of $$'s owed, and other things like that). He knows where everything is in the kitchen, or the house for that matter, and is fixing his own breakfast, lunch, and snacks. We got both mowers back from the repair shop yesterday (mucho dinero!) so he will be happily mowing for a few days.

I am expecting new books from Barnes and Noble tomorrow - the new Pat Conroy as well as A Reliable Wife which I ordered based on good reviews. Recent reads include The Hemingses of Monticello - both my sisters found it repetitious and gave it a thumbs down, but I thought it was terrific. In fact, I spent 4 days with my nose in the book (800 pages) and neglected everything but the essentials around here. Another good read was The Help - positively devoured that one. It's the author's first effort, but I can't see how she can top this one.

Sunday we went to see Julie and Julia - a lovely, lovely film. Of course Meryl Streep was fantastic, as usual, and I particularly liked the actor who played her husband - Tucci was his real-life last name. I am now inspired to make beouf burgeone (whatever?!?). I made it once before while we were living overseas but I didn't have a recipe. A fellow American told me how to make it and I was NOT impressed with the result. I will try again following Julia Child's recipe and see what I think. Of course I'm too cheap to buy her cookbook and will search it out on the internet. Otherwise I will see what's at the public library. One problem I have with it is adding wine, as we are teatotalers here. I understand that wine loses it's potency when it is heated so I guess it will be okay.

Our congressional representative is holding meetings here tomorrow and we have an appointment with him. The purpose is primarily to discuss the proposed health care plans - I have no objections as long as Medicare is NOT touched. I do plan to ask him about broadband internet service and also show him the Letters to the Editor that so enraged me. I did some research on Google and what I found Rush Limbaugh, Glen Beck and that ilk were saying about Obama and health aide upset me to the point where I thought I would have a heart attack. Such evil people. His (Tom Perriello) aide informed me that his meetings are "one-to-one" and not town hall style to eliminate disruptions.

Yesterday I was not feeling so great so I let Dad drive to town and back - I went along, of course. He did fine and it seemed to give him a burst of self confidence. When we got to Wal-Mart and marched around like he knew where everything was and just generally took charge. Later, when we got home he made himself lunch - just soup and crackers, but still, it was good to see that he knew where everything was.

Sunday afternoon we had another conversation about the "missing" dog! I was in the bedroom watching television with Sandi and Fritz when Dad came in and asked where the other dog was. I pointed out that both dogs were there with me and he still inquired about the third dog even after I assured him that we only had 2 dogs. Oh well, at least he wasn't outside calling non-existent dogs! Perhaps he's thinking of Max?! We'll see, tomorrow when Ellen gets here.

I imagine that the doctor will be starting Dad on some new medication like Aricept when we go for his appointment tomorrow. I am really concerned about these drugs especially after Excelon. Will have to consider the possible side effects very carefully.

I ordered all the paint for his model ship and he seems very interested in doing it. I have left the box of old photos on the dining room table and he frequently will pick up a few and look at them and relay little stories to me.

I think we are making good progress and I feel greatly encouraged.

Sooooooooo - here it is 3 A.M. and I have been awake since 2! Not so bad as I had a HUGE nap yesterday afternoon. Wednesday some of Dad's railroad buddies came to visit and Dad was very pleasant and friendly with them, although when he talked it was rambling with lots of pauses. He had a "bee in his bonnet" that day - wanted to deliver push mower to repair shop and nagged me all day about going. I mean, REALLY got on my case about it. We were expecting the Home Health person and he couldn't understand we had to wait for her. Then, after he left, it was too late to go. He was really p.o.'d. Yesterday we finally delivered mower and when he didn't want to go home right away, we went to B&N to browse. Didn't find anything for myself, but found a WW2 book for him which he seems to be engrossed in.

He had about $15 in his wallet which is gone now. Don't ask me where it went, but since he thinks someone stole it, I keep telling him he gave it to me to buy sandwiches at Guizno's. That's a fib - I don't have a clue! I gave him $15 of my own hoping that would be the end of it. So, after B&N we went to Subway and when I told him to pay up, he was very confused and I had to point out which bills to use. When we parked there I asked him not to lock his car door, so he got out and just stood there by the open door until I told him to shut it and come into the store. There was some construction going on and he wanted to stand there and watch - fine. I went into the store - big front windows from which I could see him clearly. He stood there for several minutes - perhaps 5 or 6, then proceeded across the street and joined me in the store - very good.

When I think back a couple of weeks, he seems to be a whole lot better mentally with some occasional "left field" questions or remarks. Last night at dinner he wanted to know where Ellen was! When I told him she was at her house in Fredtown, he then asked me where the other girls were! His complaints about his sore are are getting less frequent, too, but since Dr. San didn't do anything for it he thinks Dr. San is a quack.

On a different note: I am reading Tana French's latest - "Likeness" and am finding it "unputdownable." I had to plow thru the first 150 or so pages before it got good - forced myself to continue becaause all the reviews were excellent, but that's a whole lot more than I usually read before giving up. I am now at a point in the book where it's scarey - not what I want to read at 3:30 in the morning so I will go play Literati.

Something that really surprised me: In the past, when I would ask Dad to perform a household chore, I would be totally ignored. I asked him Sunday to unload the dishwasher (a chore I dislike) and he did it, much to my amazement. I then asked him to put the garbage out and he did that as well. In the past he would just ignore me, or tell me he would do it later and then forget about it. Perhaps next I can get him to vacuum and dust - lol!

Today we must go to town - never got there yesterday. We both were outside most of the day and Dad did more physical stuff than he has been doing, including some weeding for me. I haven't done any gardening in so long that today I am all stiff and sore. Late in the morning yesterday Dad disappeared inside and when I questioned him, he said he had eaten lunch - a sandwich (couldn't remember what kind but thought it was a "fruit" sandwich. I checked and saw that he had eaten a turkey sandwich and finished off the strawberries left from Sunday.

So, progress is being made, even tho it's at a snail's pace. I have started a new book - hope it's a good one. I also ordered Pat Conroy's newest - "South of Broad" due out in August. Picking books to order and then ordering them seems to be a "guilty" pleasure for me. I know I shouldn't be running up my credit card account.

yes

This is a good place to vent, write, think, etc. I a going to write about it on my blog and I'll post the link later.