Sunday, January 22, 2012

Sunday Salon- A Day of Rest and Activity

So today my husband and I are finally putting Christmas away! He got the boxes down from the attic yesterday and today we're going to un-decorate the tree and put all the gewgaws and nicknacks back in their containers, and even, maybe, take the tree itself down. It's a fake tree so it doesn't get dried out or anything but it's funny how after a certain point after Christmas I just stop noticing it's all even there, despite the huge amount of real estate it all takes up.

If you stopped by on Friday you know I got a couple of great-looking books from Capuchin Classics; I started reading the Stephen Benatar book the other day and I'm enjoying it. It's about the strange relationship between a brother and sister and the widowed wife of their brother. Starting off with a bizarre obituary about the two women, we go back in time and launch into an extended narrative about the long history these people share. The book is told largely in dialogue which gives the reader an opportunity to see these characters from the inside out.

I'm also reading Running the Rift, by Naomi Benaron, about a boy growing up in Rwanda at the time of the recent genocide in that country. I'm enjoying it as well; I've been hearing so many wonderful things about it from my fellow bloggers lately, I finally decided I needed to pick it up and read it.

And so today I'm going to try to get some r&r in, maybe a trip to a coffeeshop or a bookstore or a bookstore that serves coffee (two great things that go great together) and pore over my books, but there will be some chores and errands mixed in, too. What are you up to today? I hope you have a great Sunday.


More Sunday Salon here.

13 comments:

Sandy Nawrot said...

Yay for busy but fun Sundays! Not sure what we will be doing today, besides church and horseback riding lessons. Hanging out by the pool is my vote. I've been told over and over that Running the Rift is a book I need to read. You all are working on me.

JoAnn said...

Sounds like an ideal Sunday! I'll probably spend another day on the couch... can't seem to shake this cold, or whatever it is. At least I've got some good reading (The Forgotten Waltz by Anne Enright and Flannery O'Connor's short stories) and maybe a movie to keep me occupied.

Zibilee said...

I hope to do some reading and errands too, and today is my anniversary! I almost got in trouble with the hubby when forgot to mention it the other day. We had to have the "do you know what tomorrow is?" conversation! Perhaps a nice bite to eat with him later in the evening, and then writing in our shared book. We write a love letter every year to each other on our anniversary. I hope you have a great Sunday, Marie!

bermudaonion said...

It feels good to have a productive day like that from time to time. I hope you get lots done.

Frances said...

Laughing. Thanks for owning that delayed takedown of the tree. Sure you just made many people feel a little bit better about their own timelines. Have some great r&r! I have galley of new John Irving and can't put it down so my errands will be pawned off on my husband and the house will not be as clean as I might hope. But happiness can still be found in clutter. Have proven repeatedly. :)

Jeanne said...

I'm anxious to hear what you think of the Stephen Benatar book. I'm off to the city an hour's drive away to take my son to teach two chess lessons to younger kids.

Harvee said...

I have heard good things about the Rwandan book as well and will try to read it this year. Am having long noodles for longevity and dumplings to celebrate the New Year of the Dragon!

Alexia561 said...

Sounds like a nice way to spend a Sunday! And love that you're just now taking down your Christmas tree. Makes me feel better as a fellow procrastinator! Enjoy!

Andi said...

I hope it was a good r&r day. Running the Rift looks fantastic, so I'm looking forward to reading more of your thoughts on it.

Serena said...

I could use a time of rest and reading..but life has gotten busy again. I hope you enjoyed your reads.

Kathleen said...

How funny...I just took my tree down about a week ago. Thank goodness for artificial trees so we can take things down on our own time! Hope you are having a nice week.

Michelle (Red Headed Book Child) said...

i was surprised with myself when we put away our decorations the next day!

Running the Rift was one of the featured books at the Midwest Independent Booksellers Show that I worked at last September. I have a copy but have not read it yet.

Amy said...

Sounds like a lovely weekend. I love that you're only just taking down Christmas. heh