No change. Helen has got a bad cold, so I probably won't see her for a while. The newspapers say that there is a stinker about -- not COVID, not flu, just a bad cold. C. has had it for the last week, but phoned today to say that she is better, so I will probably see her soon.
I have reverted to the new Simon Serrailler. I have read all the others, with great pleasure, but am finding this one rather depressing. The new Le Carre is not getting very good reviews. My hope remains that a weak Le Carre will prove to be better than a first-rate Anybody Else.
I am very grateful for your patience, returning again and again to read these few boring paragraphs.
Jean, your blog is always worth reading. so long as you post your 'few words' - which usually are astute observations - I will happily read them. Take care.
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Of course we come and read what you write - we all care about you. Hope you are feeling stronger soon, and hope Helen is better soon as well.
ReplyDeleteI read your blog because I like your observations and care about how you are doing.
ReplyDeleteI’m grateful that you are strong enough to post. I enjoy your posts. I think it is because you were a fellow Detroiter, and had family in SW Michigan, where I have called home for 50+ years now. And of course you now live in one of my most favorite UK cities. Edinburgh is magical! Prayers for continued strength for you and Helen.
ReplyDeleteand i too adore reading you ... you could site the weather report. i am afraid i have very romantic notions of your flat and the garden across ... exactly the kind of place i would love to live in ... in Edinburgh or London... i swear i was either scottish or british in a previous life for i have more affinity with both than i do for my own country.
ReplyDeletebut i care for you too... and look for your posts every morning sending lots of prayers for continuing and stronger good health
Boring! Never! Hope you and Helen will feel better soon.
ReplyDeleteI check every day for a few lines from you, so please do not apologize for a short post. I read every word with pleasure and have gotten some wonderful book ideas.
ReplyDeleteI had a "cold" myself a week ago; the first in over two years! I caught it from my husband and who knows where he got it as we are so careful to wear masks. It made me so tired that even though I had no other Covid symptoms, I got a covid test. It was negative thank goodness. I'm still waiting for my booster since my original vaccination was Moderna and it has not been approved yet; soon they say.
I hope your strength returns and that Helen recovers soon.
Of course we return. We care about you and your family. Just think of your current posts as post cards rather than letters.
ReplyDeleteAlways good to hear from you, and there's always something to think about in your posts and the comments that result! Thank you.
ReplyDeleteYou are never boring! I think your point about Le Carre is probably right on. He on a bad day better than a lot of others out there.
ReplyDeleteI absolutely love your posts. Whatever you may write about, you are real. No airs and graces and no BS which we get so much of these days!
ReplyDeleteYour blog is the first one I read every day! It is never boring. I lernt so much about daily life in GB, and then of course all the book tips! I sometimes feel even my English has improved simply by reading your blog and all the comments.
ReplyDeleteI hope that you feel stronger soon, and I am looking forward to reading letters again, not just postcards.
Best wishes from Germany
Hilde
I'm always happy to read your blog. I haven't been able to comment lately due to computer issues.
ReplyDeleteLast I heard, colds have a permanent residence in our systems and tend to appear when we are run-down or overtired. There's no actual need to be exposed to someone else. However, there are always new ones out there as well.
I have not come across Serrailler. I've been rereading Jane Austen and noticing the wildly romantic action and even scandal going on mainly in the background, while the focus is on the effects on other people's lives.
Re: Le Carre: I see from today's Times (Wed) that his son thinks the last novel id properly up to standard.
ReplyDeleteI too have been sidelined from Commenting for technical reasons which are likely to reoccur (?) from time to time. But have been concerned like everyone else and have been cheering you on, mentally, from those sidelines. Strongly hope Shandy is right about Vitamin B taking a while to have an effect. (BTW just minutes ago got an email saying scientific reports are finding that maintaining Vitamin D3 levels are more effective against COVID than masks. May be inconclusive but can't hurt!). I've been resisting Le Carre for some reason but you've got me interested. Always been a Graham Greene fan myself and plan on rereading his works to see how they sit with me from a distance of an extra 50 years. So glad to see you back, Jean! Chloe
ReplyDeleteIf you haven't tried it, I can recommend Richard Osman's Thursday Murder Club (though not as well written as vintage Le Carre)
ReplyDeleteHoping that Helen gets back to good health soon & keeping you in my payers that your energy and strength return soon. Love your posts, sorry I don't leave comments very often.
ReplyDeleteTotal concurrence with all your other friends. I look for a post from you every single day and delight in even a few lines. You are a refreshing change from all else that comes through my computer! Sue
ReplyDeleteWhoda thunk that there would be another fellow Detroiter here? I even lived in the same neighborhood, more or less. I look for you every day as well, and you know we could never be bored by you, Jean. Feel better soon!
ReplyDeleteSuddenly hearing about "A Big Cold" going around. I'm keeping my mask on and washing my hands. I have to say, the Simon Serrailler books aren't very upbeat, but I do like them. Any thoughts on the new Hillary Clinton/Louise Penny joint venture? I don't know anyone who has read it yet.
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