I do not know what’s going on with my neighbours and their drainage, but this guy has returned several times since I first sighted him in October:
I did finally catch a glimpse of him, after an embarrassing amount of peeking out the window whilst folding laundry, and it was, to be honest, a bit of a let down. I mean, I’m sure he’s Hot Rod for someone, but not for me.
Speaking of folding laundry, I have been really wanting to do one of those “snapshot of my day” posts, but I spend so much time doing boring things like folding laundry and cleaning the kitchen that I find it somewhat depressing. I love reading other people’s “snapshot of my day” posts and “my day in pictures” post, and meanwhile, here’s me:
3:00 pm: Nicole folds a massive load of laundry while listening to a podcast about the development of the polio vaccine, hashtag living my best life.
I did consider it last week though, and even took a photo of my Morning Practice Space, the festive prettiness of which really makes up for the squishiness of which, and the “bumping into the wall and/ or table” of which.
Maybe one day! Maybe one day I will treat you to A Day In The Life of Nicole, and you can all be wowed by the incredible amount of things I get done before 10:00 am, and simultaneously, but differently, wowed by the complete lack of things that I do after 7:00 pm. One of my yoga students asked if I still go to bed at nine o’clock, to which I replied that nine is a LATE night for me these days. I’m essentially comatose by that time.
I keep thinking it is much later in the month than it actually is. For the last week I’ve had these panicky Christmas is next week feelings, and then I have to remind myself of the actual date. I blame the fact that this is the last week of school and of my classes of 2022; usually these things go into the 20s of the month, but not this year. It feels like December is flying by, but I am going to reiterate: it is the thirteenth. Christmas is NOT this weekend, no matter what my brain keeps saying.
I’m not complaining, just, apparently, confused. Oh god, remember last year? Last year at this time, things were in a pretty dismal state; school had gone online, which was absolutely dreadful, and there was a “no gatherings at all” rule. I’m sure lots of weirdness lies ahead, but I’m going to just take things as they come. Basically, as long as the kids are in physical school, I don’t really care what else happens. That is my bar, and it is low.
Because of last year, I think I have developed a Come At Me attitude when it comes to almost everything, but particularly grocery shopping. I am planning to visit Costco after my usual Superstore grocery run this week, and in years past I would never have gone to Costco so close to Christmas (IT’S NOT THAT CLOSE TO CHRISTMAS, NICOLE, IT’S ONLY THE THIRTEENTH). Anyway. This year, I don’t care. I mean, what can happen – will I have to line up to get in the store? Been there. Will I have to line up in the store? I did that two weeks ago. Will there be shortages? WHO CARES, I JUST WANT MY CASE OF MACADAMIA NUT MILK AND SOME KALETTES. IF THEY AREN’T THERE I’LL GET SOMETHING ELSE, HIT ME WITH YOUR BEST SHOT, COSTCO.
A few updates from last week: there are limited supplies of both rice AND noodles at Superstore, as well as other imported items – I was able to snag a bottle of sesame oil, which was one thing I was actually running low on. My pantry is pretty full right now, as I have that It’s A Pandemic And We Are Going Into Shortage Season feeling.
Also – and I am wary just writing this – no one else has succumbed to The Cold. May our good health continue!
Pandemic Reading
I have been wondering if I should even tell you about this, but it’s a tiny nag at the back of my brain. About six months ago, I received a message from a woman I know who told me that she purchased a couple of books I had enjoyed, and she wanted to let me know that they were completely boring and she hated them. She went so far to say that one of the books that I had loved was the worst book she had ever read. With that in mind, I wanted to clarify a few things.
Reading is very subjective, and, with the exception of a few books that I think are IMPORTANT, such as Caste or My Grandmother’s Hands, I do not necessarily recommend any of the books in my weekly reading recap. I might love a book – which I really, really do this week – but that doesn’t mean I think YOU will love it. Maybe you will! But we all have such different tastes, and my love of a book does not translate into an across-the-board recommendation for all. I have read many books that people have raved about it, that left me feeling meh, but that’s on me, I think. There are also whole genres that other people love, such as sci-fi, fantasy, and horror, that I am extremely averse to. That doesn’t mean those books are inherently bad or boring in any way, they just aren’t for me.
With that in mind, I was pretty taken aback by that message; I knew it wasn’t a personal affront, but it kind of felt like one. All of which is to say that when I absolutely love a book, I don’t expect you to, but maybe you will (if you are Anna (HI ANNA), my book twin, I DO expect you to!). Shared enjoyment of a book has nothing to do with friendship, either. One of my best friends, Allison (HI ALLISON) loves sci-fi and horror, Suzanne (HI SUZANNE) loves a good mystery, and many of my friends love fantasy and time travel, which I do not.
This week I have continued my reading of the Giller Prize shortlist, which was loaned to me by my friend Marion (HI MARION), and I am about to rave about a book.
Son of the House. I am going to come right out and say it: this might be the best book I have read all year. After looking at the Giller Prize shortlist, this was the one I was most excited to read, and it did not disappoint. It checks every box for me: the minutia of women’s lives in a society that oppresses them, and how they overcome the various oppressions, a description of a country and culture that is not my own – in this case, Nigeria – and multiple eras and points of view with intersectional, but seemingly unrelated, characters. Two women – one, a formerly impoverished housemaid and one a wealthy, educated principal of a school – are kidnapped in Nigeria and they tell their stories, and it is a fascinating, incredible, beautifully written book. I loved it so much.
Fight Night. In contrast, this was the book I was LEAST excited to read on the shortlist, having not been a big fan of Toews. However, I was pleasantly surprised! This was a really good read; it is written from the viewpoint of a child, so the narration is unreliable and interesting. As with most of Toews’ works, the subject material is quite dark and disturbing, but the book itself is quite lovely and touching. It has a very strong theme of family and struggle, and I was surprised at how much I enjoyed this.
Have a great week, everyone, and if you are like me and continuously confused by the calendar, Christmas is in twelve days! It’s not this coming weekend, it’s NEXT weekend. xo
I think it goes without saying that reading tastes will differ (also taste in hot rods, I guess). I’m sorry that woman dumped on you.
I don’t do yoga, but that does look like a pretty place to do it. Our tree is in the garage (explanation in the next blog post) but we have lights on the mantle and elsewhere in the living room and it makes the space cozy.
Looking forward to your post, Steph! I thought it went without saying as well, but I guess I was wrong!
Huh, I love and welcome your recommendations. That’s the beauty of my book club, too – I adore the members but our tastes are vastly different at times. It makes for lively discussion! I’m sorry that woman held you personally accountable 😫
I did feel personally accountable! That’s it exactly!
HI NICOLE. Wow, I am feeling really disappointed about Hot Rod. I was expecting some sort of soap opera taking place at your neighbor’s — I mean, I suppose it’s still possible.
Requested The Son of the House from my library, thank you! I hope I love it, but maybe it won’t be my thing, who knows until I try?!? Books are SO personal, and SO subjective, and, sure, I feel sad when a book a friend loves isn’t my jam, but… I don’t blame the people who can rock a pencil skirt just because that particular clothing item makes me look like a poorly stuffed sausage.
PENCIL SKIRTS. Such a challenging piece. I know, I am looking for drama here, it’s pandemic times, COME ON, HOT ROD, GIVE ME SOMETHING I CAN WORK WITH.
One thing I’m trying to remember even when I’m doing my own “Day-in-the-Life” posts, is someone else’s life almost always makes us feel guilty about our own. For example, I didn’t pay attention to your picture of the laundry basket but when I saw your yoga mat by the tree I felt the familiar swell of guilt that I just CANNOT stick to doing yoga even though I know it would be good for my physical and mental wellbeing. You could show my 100 pictures of perfectly organized linen closets or beautifully decorated trees (which yours is by the way), but I would still feel more intimidated by the fact you stick with and love a yoga routine.
Not sure exactly where I’m going with this comment…but you really don’t need to wow me with what you get done in your day. The fact you do yoga so regularly already wows me (and, for other people, just insert some other “wow”).
I’m slowly, slowly trying to own what I do well and realize that I can’t do everything and to celebrate what other people are able to prioritize and knock out of the park…
Awww. We all do things differently and have different strengths! That’s a challenge to seeing social media, remembering that it’s a person’s “highlight reel” as opposed to the rest of their lives.
The hot rod not being your hot rod – so funny. I enjoy your recommendations, please keep them coming. I also am not interested in sci-fi, horror, time travel, or usually mysteries. Regardless though, taste is taste. Goodness who would send a message like that?
I am somewhat confused about how much time we have before Christmas too. Schools are letting out very late this year around here, so maybe that’s part of it for me. I will have less days off before Christmas so I’m feeling pressured to get as much done now. With our out of town weekend and throwing a party, my energy has been elsewhere and while my house might be clean and I enjoyed a weekend away – I am feeling behind about Christmas related things. Yikes.
With college kids home, I’m hoping to just send them to the store to grab a few things here and there. Will that work? Doubt it. I also am down a full size fridge/freezer at the moment so there really is no where to put anything. Double yikes.
Oh god, I can’t imagine being down a fridge/ freezer at this time of year! Yikes!
I really find the “describe something out-of-the-ordinary” that happened to you today to be the hardest part of the Snapshot of the Day. I mean, I work from home and literally nothing unusual has happened in the last twenty months. Ha!
I think book recommendations are so challenging. I read a lot of sci-fi/fantasy and I’m forever having to couch recommendations in “if you like this sort of thing” caveats. I mean, if you’re into dragons and alternate histories, you should definitely read the Temeraire series, but I fully admit that it’s not for everyone!
See, I really like that – we all like different things!
I know what you mean, something unusual that happened…like, I made a different kind of stir fry for dinner? Does that count?
I am confused this month, too. I thought it was just me. Once the calendar flipped to December I realized I had lots to do regarding Christmas and doctors’ appointments. It doesn’t help that Z-D keeps rearranging his vacation day plans, meaning I am adapting to his whims. [Or at least that’s what it seems like they are to me.]
We’re in this very confusing month together, Ally! Also, my husband has changed his vacation days too, which has had me confused. Twins!
I read your post before work, and then as I worked at the library I kept thinking about the woman who thought it was worth telling you that she didn’t like the books you’d recommended—as if that was important for you to know so that you could…what? take her tastes into consideration with future recommendations? read books that she would like, instead of the ones you would like? recommend ONLY books that SHE PERSONALLY would DEFINITELY like? I don’t know, but I do know that one reason libraries are SO WONDERFUL is that we can try each others recommendations for COMPLETELY FREE! And I think I would recommend that to this woman in the future, to alleviate the financial impact of the apparently eternally fresh surprise of finding out that not everyone likes the same books.
That was EXACTLY my thought process, Swistle. Like, what should I do with this information? Should I make a note that “this isn’t a book x would like, but generally everyone else might like it.” And yes, LIBRARIES. Such a great thing.
I feel like December is draggggggging. Why?
I laughed so hard at The Hot Rod comment.
Your book suggestion covers are always so cool. My book suggestion covers look like term papers.
OKAY, I have to level with you, Nicole. The peppermint popcorn did not appeal to me. No offense intended. It isn’t you, it’s me. HOWEVER, I have two unopened bags that I would like to send to you because I know you enjoy them and it would make me ever so happy to give them to you. I’m not a serial killer, but I know how it is giving people my real address. So, if you are feeling uneasy, I understand. But if there is some way to get them to you, I’d like you to have them. 🙂
Oh really? I would love that! But I’m in Canada, so that might be a big pain for you. Sorry you didn’t like it!
No worries. It’s just more for you. 🙂
I also feel like it’s further into December like it is, which is kind of nice because I keep realizing I’m a bit ahead of where I usually am with Christmas prep, but also disorienting.
I kind of feel like it WAS a personal affront and that woman either has zero social skills or is just kind of mean. I agree, reading tastes are so incredibly personal, and there are people I’m comfortable sharing honest opinions with and others I will be more polite even if I have to lie a little because I think kindness is more important than rigorous honesty.
I’m interested to read Fight Night because I AM a fan of Miriam Toews, and my other friend who is also didn’t really like this one, so it would be funny if it’s a total reversal.
oooh now I’m dying for you to read Fight Night, it is like an experiment! Let me know if you do.
I’m equally as disappointed that Rod in fact, is NOT hot. Thanks 2021.
A day in the life post? That could be fun. Or completely boring. I’d have to pick a day where I have some fun and that means, I’d be on vacation.
I’m having a bit of the PANIC at the December too, but we do have time. Unless you need to mail something, which I do have to do.
Funny about the ‘not liking your book choices’ message.
Sometimes it’s ok to keep things to yourself. That message is for HER.
😃
Poor old not-hot Rod. The day in the life post – well, it would be a nice look into our lives, the laundry and all!
HI NICOLE! 💗 Obviously I take offence to that book lady’s comment because we are book twins and she would have said the same thing to me! That’s what reading is all about – sometimes we like certain books and want to share our love of them, but sometimes we read it and it does t do it for us. That’s how we discover new things! She must not be the happiest person if she felt the need to tell you her opinions in such a negative way…. In the meantime I plan to read at least one Miriam Toews book next year – maybe Fight Night, and definitely your other one mentioned… because #booktwins. 🙂
Yes! I’m reading something right now that I never would have picked up, and I’m glad I did. I liked Fight Night, maybe you will too!
For me, I think part of the Christmas panic stems from the fact that people kept warning us to buy everything early because of supply shortages. So people (not me!) finished their shopping in November and had all the gifts wrapped. I have about half my shopping done and have not started wrapping yet- but like you, i have to keep reminding myself there’s still plenty of time. I can’t wait for the “last minute gift” ads and posts, which should happen any day now. THIS IS NOT LAST MINUTE! Sheesh.
Honestly, that message about the books is pretty funny. What kind of person would go out of their way to tell you that? We all know books are subjective- no need to tell me a book I loved is the worst one you ever read. I would say that woman has issues.
I like “day in the life” posts! I’ll bet it would be more interesting than you think.
I also feel like it’s much later than it is – good thing as I still need to mail packages today to Calgary kids. But then last night I actually said to my husband last night “oh that’s not until Dec 13” with a lot of emphasis, like it’s long in the future. 1/2 hour later I thought – oh wait that’s today! I am confused.
Sorry that lady made you feel responsible for her not liking the book. I check out all of your recommendations and enjoy most, but not all but would never call you on it??? Point in fact – I HATED Fight Night – packed it in after about 100 pages. Did not enjoy the writing style one bit. Will try Son in the House though and may or may not love it.
Between not-Hot Rod and Costco I think you really have a fascinating day already! Don’t you love looking in people’s carts and seeing what they’re buying? Hmm, 200 cans of cat food and raw steaks? Giant pack of diapers and a case of wine?
I DO love that! I’m going to Costco this morning so maybe I should report back!
Oh honestly! Whatever happened to manners and common sense? How very rude it was for that person to say that to you. Also, if this person loves to read then they would know from the description (either yours or the book’s) whether or not the book is something they might enjoy.
Also, I am VERY relieved that Christmas is not this weekend – but still…HOW have we gotten to December already?!
That’s what I thought – I mean, I can pretty much tell if I want to read a book or not based on the reviews.
You had me cracking up today, Nicole… sometimes you writing is hilarious. ” I’m sure he’s Hot Rod for someone, but not for me.” Hahaha.
I also feel you very much about the “Christmas is next week” feeling, than realizing that it’s not quite next week… but actually now it is… LOL time is a weird, weird concept these days.
I am taking it one day at a time.
Oh, and apparently today is “San can’t type”-day as there are not one, but TWO typos in that previous comment. I apologize. I know how to use “then” and “than” and I also know that it’s “youR”, not “you” writing. Just to clarify that. Good. 😉
Oh, what a nasty little comment for someone to give you! Reading is so very subjective and there have been so, so many books that people have raved about that I have felt super underwhelmed by. And then I know there are so, so many books that *I* have raved about and other people have felt super underwhelmed by. I’m always a little bit nervous when someone reads a book based on my recommendation, but even if they end up hating it, that’s not on me. And that person should not have sent a message like that. All it means is that you and she have very different reading tastes. SIGH. I’m sorry you had to deal with that!
I’m reading your post when Christmas IS next week (or rather, IN THREE DAYS) and ahhhhh. We’re in the home stretch!