Through a Glass, Darkly

This morning two of my friends came to see all the work we’ve done on the house. It was a good self-esteem boost, because they ooohed and aaahed just like friends should over all the changes. One of them turned to me and said, “I know your July was kind of a bust, but looking at this room, it’s totally worth it!” I was like, “Eh, easy for you to say when you weren’t the one having to wear flip-flops around the house to keep from getting stabbed in the foot.” We all laughed and she said, “Now it’s August! Your August is going to be great!” Again, I thought (but did not say), “Easy for you to say - you’ve had two week-long vacations and are about to go to the beach again. Whereas my vacation ended on a difficult note and then I came home to this.”

After they left, I was thinking about that, and I realized that it was a better way to look at things than how I had been looking at them. Instead of moping around like I have been doing, I’m going to try to enjoy what is left of the summer. August may be hot and sticky, but I’m going to try to enjoy every moment of it that I can.

In that spirit, I started A Prayer for Owen Meany over the weekend, which I have read two times before, but not in four or five years. It kept coming up in conversation, and I thought, “I really need to read that again.” I have been enjoying it so much. This time I noticed that in the acknowledgements John Irving thanks Frederick Buechner. I thought that was cool since I just read some of his stuff this spring. I’m trying to decide if I want to read more John Irving, and if I do, should I start with his newest or some of the classics? I love working in a library. There is always something new to discover.

As much of a dud as July was for me reading-wise, I have to say that I did get some older books crossed off my reading list. I have a notebook here that Sarah gave me to write down books I’d like to read, and I’m always jotting things down in it, so it’s a wonderful feeling to be able to go back and mark things off. My plans for August include a lot of reading (in our new library/study), a lot of time with my friends (when I am in a funk I tend to retreat, so my friends haven’t seen that much of me the past few weeks), and a lot of relaxing with Mike before he goes back to school in two weeks (!!!).

Hear that, internet? I’m gonna cheer up and there ain’t nothing you can do about it.