Mid-August | We’re Halfway There!

When I checked in with you on Monday, I left with the hope that the kids and dog would be amenable to hiding out under the air conditioner this week given the forecast. I’m here to share that the answer to that question was a big, fat NO. We’ve spent so much time outside and in retrospect, it was a good thing. I wasn’t too happy with things in the moment, of course. But (so far) we’ve survived this week and can look forward to slightly cooler temperatures in the coming days.

Today’s post is a quick update on home stuff, knitting, and reading. I’ve made a little progress on my sock, finished one perplexing book since Monday, and am wrapping up some school stuff for the summer.

Home Stuff

Yesterday was Colton’s last day of summer school so we’ll be taking the next couple of weeks off, which is something of a relief for me. I love homeschooling and I welcome the little breaks we have sprinkled throughout the year. The balance is helpful.

This week has been fairly busy with Bryce’s second orthodontist appointment (his mouth still isn’t ready for braces so we’ll go back in six months for another x-ray to see what’s happening beneath the surface), working an extra shift at the library, getting Colton’s Medicaid renewed (he needs the secondary coverage), and trying to keep everyone fed and in clean clothes, along with a typical week of school and play. Did I mention that I’m grateful for the small school break coming up? And that I’ve got the next six weeks of school fairly planned out and ready to go? Life will be more intense in other ways, but the stakes don’t feel quite so high when we take school out of the equation.

Knitting

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I’m still working on the sock that I shared on Monday. I’ve finished the heel flap, turned the heel, and knit the gusset. Now I’m working on the foot. It still needs several more inches before I can start the toe so we’ll see how much I get done this weekend!

And this is week 2 with no progress on my sweater. Maybe I’ll find some motivation to work on it this weekend?

Reading:

The Gathering by Anne Enright
(Amazon | Bookshop.org)
2007 Booker Prize winner

(The Kindle price is currently $2.99 and it’s included with your Audible account if you have one.)

The Hegarty’s are a big Irish Catholic family full of mystery and family secrets. When her beloved brother Liam dies tragically, Veronica reflects on their childhoods, the traumatic secrets she’s kept, and how those secrets seem to have affected each of their lives. The title refers to the big gathering of siblings that culminates for Liam’s wake near the end of the book. I didn’t find Veronica to be a very likable main character, which is not something that I need to enjoy a book, and her ridiculousness made me laugh out loud quite a few times. I felt like Veronica spent a lot of time describing genitalia in terrifying ways and found myself cringing quite often.

I’m still trying to decide whether I liked this book or not. I’ve spent a little time looking over the longlist from that year and was delighted to see another novel by Tan Twan Eng that I haven’t read, The Gift of Rain, to add to my fall TBR. But I read The Gathering because I’m trying to read all of the female Booker Prize winners, so it feels good to make some progress. My 2025 goal is to read 6 Women’s Prize winners and 6 Female Booker Prize winners and I’m on track for the year:

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I’m still reading The Book of Records and loving it. How does one learn so much about philosophy, music, and art in their lifetime? Enough to be able to write a novel that explores so many ideas? I can’t seem to hold on to any of the small thoughts I have about truth and beauty and so many others find ways to express those ideas in the most creative and beautiful ways. It blows my mind. And I’m listening to Misinterpretation, which is on the Booker longlist. I’m less than 2 hours into it and am intrigued by this Albanian translator and the relationship forming with her new client. I’m not sure where it’s going but I’m looking forward to figuring it out.

I’ve decided not to attempt the entire longlist this year and am going to skip the white men. I’ll plan to read the novels that are shortlisted or if one is getting particularly great reviews, but I want to prioritize other voices and my reading time is precious. Not everything deserves our energy!

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I can’t believe it’s already Friday again! As usual, we don’t have any special plans this weekend. I’ll be working at the library, throwing the frisbee, cooking, and cleaning. And hoping for a couple of quiet walks, as well as time with a book and my knitting needles.

I hope your weekend is full of exactly what you need. Take good care!