A quiet night... sort of... and it was good.

It's been a very long time since I finished a novel in less than a week. I've rediscovered the joy of sitting quietly and reading, it seems. I even pushed bedtime a little last night so I could finish the book. I won't re-read it (I rarely re-read anything), so it'll likely be donated to the free book shelf at the Coop soon. But I did it! G was out for the evening with company execs (social, not related to work), and I had the house to myself and the quiet. And it was quiet. I wrapped all the gifts in about 90 minutes (per usual) while listening to Christmas music on the radio. Then I came downstairs and sat on the couch, watched the tree blink, and read. And read. And read. It was something I have not done in years. 

So, let's unpack that paragraph. Today is the grand re-opening of the Aubuchon-Ace Hardware in Lincoln, NH. Thus, the company execs in town, and they are people G has known for a long time, so he was delighted to go out to dinner. He had a prime rib plate (I had frozen fish fillets and tater tots...), and was home around 9pm. He will be at the store hobnobbing and working the paint department until closing today, so again, I'll be home in the quiet for a good stretch, I think. Unless the rest of my little family gets home from Boston earlier-- who knows? More on that tomorrow, perhaps. 

And Christmas music. I will not call what is generally the fare on the radio "carols" because they are not. I found myself explaining to a few students the other day why "Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree" is definitely not a carol (the difference between music based in religious themes vs. secular concerns). So, I wrapped while listening to far too many versions of essentially the same song. It was okay; usually I have The Muppets Christmas Carol on the vhs player, but that needs to be set up, and I had no patience for that last evening. Anyhow, the wrapping is done, except for a couple of small things that are not here yet. 

And the book I read is titled Madam; it is set in a fictional boarding school, and it's truly a horrific place. The whole thing was aligned thematically with such novels as The Handmaid's Tale. I was frustrated for the main character, and I wanted the whole thing--school, other instructors, "suitors"-- to fly apart. Well, no spoilers. But it was emotionally draining to read-- as it should be, but still. I probably should have waited to finish it, because parts of it invaded my dreamscape.

At any rate, today is Thursday, I have two more days until vacation (read: baking my fool self into a floury tizzy),  and I am very ready for some flexible time. Things are busy, annoyingly so at times, at work, and I need a mental and physical break. 

Have a great day, stay warm and dry!

C