I cannot believe August is at an end. We are about to enter my favorite time of year, the final four months of the year. I love the festiveness of the fall with Halloween and Thanksgiving, leading into the Winter Solstice and Christmas. Mouse has already decided what she wants to be for Halloween. I am hoping she will change her mind. I know I need to start thinking about Christmas presents, but my mind isn't ready to go that far yet. My mom is planning a visit towards the end of September, we are attending a Quinceañera (which I still need to shop for--Mouse wants glass slippers, but I do not think I'll be able to manage that), and my brother and his wife will be coming in October. I am sure we will be fitting in a visit from the in-laws somewhere in there as well. I am seriously thinking of inviting everyone to our house for Christmas, but I am not sure how long that thought will last. I make a terrible hostess--most of all because I hate taking on that role. And it would be easier than traveling and deciding whose turn it is we would spend the holidays with. Anyway, that's still a ways away.
There is still almost a month of summer left. The temperatures outside will not let me forget it either. Mouse's swim lessons ended on a high note, thank goodness. The Saturday before last was also the final soccer class of the summer season. Mouse has come so far since she first began playing two years ago. She's decided she wants to try gymnastics, and so she will be taking a break from soccer for a tumble and dance class. She's very excited.
It has been a stressful month to say the least. Work, health issues, and Parker's poor health. The tests have been endless, or so it seems. It's much worse from his perspective, I am sure. He is scheduled to have surgery Tuesday to have his tumor removed. The tumor started out as a little bump and has grown quite rapidly in the past four months. Just in the last couple days, it's grown. Even ruptured. As if Parker licking it to the point of bleeding wasn't enough. The estimate for the surgery and biopsy was enough to make my jaw drop (although I did know it would be expensive). We never invested in pet insurance for him--but I think we will be doing so for our younger cat.
On the reading front, I finished listening to The Girl on the Train finally. Although I had already been on the right track (no pun intended), I was still disappointed when I came across a spoiler. As someone who often guesses the whodunit at the end of a mystery or crime thriller, I still take pleasure in the anticipation of finding out if I am right. So, that was kind of a bummer.
I was going to start on The Daughter by Jane Shemilt, but I ended up beginning Fredrik Backman's My Grandmother Asked Me to Tell You She's Sorry, which is proving to be a delight to read. I think it was the right choice given my state of mind.
There is still almost a month of summer left. The temperatures outside will not let me forget it either. Mouse's swim lessons ended on a high note, thank goodness. The Saturday before last was also the final soccer class of the summer season. Mouse has come so far since she first began playing two years ago. She's decided she wants to try gymnastics, and so she will be taking a break from soccer for a tumble and dance class. She's very excited.
It has been a stressful month to say the least. Work, health issues, and Parker's poor health. The tests have been endless, or so it seems. It's much worse from his perspective, I am sure. He is scheduled to have surgery Tuesday to have his tumor removed. The tumor started out as a little bump and has grown quite rapidly in the past four months. Just in the last couple days, it's grown. Even ruptured. As if Parker licking it to the point of bleeding wasn't enough. The estimate for the surgery and biopsy was enough to make my jaw drop (although I did know it would be expensive). We never invested in pet insurance for him--but I think we will be doing so for our younger cat.
I was going to start on The Daughter by Jane Shemilt, but I ended up beginning Fredrik Backman's My Grandmother Asked Me to Tell You She's Sorry, which is proving to be a delight to read. I think it was the right choice given my state of mind.
How did August turn out for you? Does anything in particular stand out?
What was your favorite August read?
What was your favorite August read?
August In Reading Mews:
Number of Books Completed in August: 8
Death in Brittany by Jean-Luc Bannalec
Little Black Lies by Sharon Bolton
Paris Time Capsule by Ella Carey
The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins
The Society by Lilith Saintcrow
The Girl Who Ignored Ghosts by K.C. Tansley
Wet Silence: Poems About Hindu Widows by Sweta Srivastava Vikram
Drop Dead Punk by Rich Zahradnik
Number of Books Completed in August: 8
Death in Brittany by Jean-Luc Bannalec
Little Black Lies by Sharon Bolton
Paris Time Capsule by Ella Carey
The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins
The Society by Lilith Saintcrow
The Girl Who Ignored Ghosts by K.C. Tansley
Wet Silence: Poems About Hindu Widows by Sweta Srivastava Vikram
Drop Dead Punk by Rich Zahradnik
Favorite Book of the Month: Little Black Lies by Sharon Bolton
Currently Reading:
Currently Reading:
- My Grandmother Asked Me to Tell You She's Sorry by Fredrik Backman
Reviews Posted:
- The Gracekeepers by Kirsty Logan
- From the Archives: Fantasy Reads in 2006
- Black-Eyed Susans by Julia Heaberlin
- Scent of Triumph by Jan Moran
- The Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger
- From the Archives: Mysteries 2006
Posts of Interest This Week:
- Where Is Your Bookmark? (08/04/2015) (Including Fifteen Fairytale Retellings I've Read/Want To Read)
- A Word About Bookish Collections (or lack there of) & Beyond the Books: My Darling Cats
- Where Is Your Bookmark? (08/11/2015) (Including Top Ten Most Read Authors I've Read in the Past Fifteen Years)
- Beyond the Books: Where I Blog & Holiday-Themed Reading
- Where Is Your Bookmark? (08/18/2015) (Including Top Ten Of Your Auto-buy Authors)
- Beyond the Books: My Favorite Game & Lost Without A Book
- Where Is Your Bookmark? (08/25/2015)
- Wordless Wednesday: The Adventures of Flat Stanley
© 2015, Wendy Runyon of Musings of a Bookish Kitty. All Rights Reserved. If you're reading this on a site other than Musings of a Bookish Kitty or Wendy's feed, be aware that this post has been stolen and is used without permission.
You had a terrific August for reading Wendy, hope September is just as good.
ReplyDeletePoor Parker, I hope all goes well for your fur-child.
Diane - It was a good reading month! Thank you. :-) I hope I can get as much read in September, but with my mom's visit, I doubt I will.
DeleteAnd thanks for the well wishes for Parker. We're all hoping the news will be good and that the surgery and recovery go well.
Looks like you've a great reading month in August, Wendy! As you already know, my favourite August read would be "I Am China". :)
ReplyDeleteI hope Parker would be well and that he recovers quickly!
Melody - I read some good books this month. :-) I look forward to reading I am China. From your review, it sounds like something I would like.
DeleteThank you for the well wishes for Parker. We're hoping for the best.
Vet bills are ridiculous! I'm sure you're stressed about poor Parker - it's so difficult to see someone you love get older, whether it's an animal or a person.
ReplyDeleteKathy - Ridiculous is a good word for those vet bills. :-( It is hard seeing people and animals get older. I can't imagine life without him, but I know his time will come. I just hope it's farther out than sooner.
DeleteParker looks a little indignant about his neck piece. I love fall as well, but holidays and where to spend them are anxiety inducing!
ReplyDeleteJenclair - He's definitely not happy. He hates having to wear it. I was either that one or the plastic one. I thought maybe this one would be more comfortable.
DeleteAs much as I love the holidays, they definitely can be stressful.
Running into spoilers is the worst!
ReplyDeleteBest wishes to Parker. You reminded me that I ought to look into pet insurance for my Maude... she's a young'n yet, but you never know when you might need it.
As for glass slippers, maybe get her some clear plastic ones? They'll look like glass but be lots more manageable to find and safer to wear! ;)
Shaina - The spoiler put a damper on my enjoyment, that's for sure.
DeletePet insurance is so much better than it was when Parker was a kitten. Back then, it really wasn't worth it. Nowadays is seems like more is covered.
Clear plastic shoes might be the way to go. Thank you for the idea!
Poor Parker - and your poor pocketbook! Glad to hear that Mouse's swim lessons ended on a high note; it's good she'll be left thinking of swimming as fun.
ReplyDeleteLisa - Hopefully we will get a chance to get in the water before swim lessons begin again so she remembers how fun it is in the pool.
DeleteI feel so bad for Parker. I am hoping everything goes well for him tomorrow.
It has definitely been a crazy month for you! I'm glad to hear you have some answers for Parker even though they're wallet breaking. And yay that Mouse's swim lessons ended on a high note. Hopefully she'll be excited about starting them again. Hope September is a little calmer and considerably cheaper!
ReplyDeleteKatherine - I feel like we went round and round before the different veterinarians Parker saw could agree it is the tumor and that it should be removed sooner than later. We almost had to wait until next week. :-(
Deleteso very sorry about your sick cat.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Nan.
DeleteWe were going to buy pet insurance for our dog until we learned that it is all hogwash. Your cut (vs the insurance company's) is still high plus they try to push most of the charges as not covered or pre-existing condition. I hope you are able to find one that is good - if you do, I'd love to know which you got.
ReplyDeleteI hope Parker feels better soon. It sucks to be sick and it's worse when it's a baby or a pet that's sick. They don't understand what's happening except that they are feeling very miserable.
Athira - Pet insurance is better than it used to be when we first looked into it several years ago, but it's not perfect, that's for sure. Kind of reminds me of dental insurance . . . But that's another matter. Right now I am looking into Embrace.
DeleteI imagine Parker is quite unhappy right now. He went to the cat hospital feeling bad and now he's probably feeling worse as he recovers from his surgery. At least this part is temporary. I feel so bad for him.
How is Parker feeling today, after his procedure yesterday? Vet bills can be bad but it feels better to have something you can fight instead of just questions of what is wrong.
ReplyDeleteGlad that Mouse enjoyed her swimming.
Just finished up Lois Lowry's Number the Stars. It was a great book. Started The Winter Ghosts yesterday.
Carla - He is doing well, considering. He got through his surgery well. The doctor made a huge incision to make sure she got all of the tumor out. I feel so bad for him. But we're hopeful this will help a lot in the long run. His chest x-ray was clear, which is a good. He's sleeping right now.
DeleteI am glad you liked Number the Stars. Is The Winter Ghosts the one by Kate Mosse? I liked her Labyrinth.
Yes, it is by Kate Mosse. This is the audio version read by Julian Rhind-tutt. I have not read Labyrinth. (I think I am in an historical fiction phase..)
DeleteI think the soft collars look so much more comfortable than those plastic cones. Years ago there was even a rectangular plastic one that seemed better than the cone. It's good he's sleeping. He's had a big couple days.
Ohh really great and intriguing teaser and it also looks like an absolutely fantastic book. Thank you for stopping by my blog. :)
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry you've had such a rough month. :-( Sometimes I think I spend more time worrying about the health of our furry critters than I do about my kids. :-/
ReplyDeleteStephanie - Thank you! It's hard when they can't tell you what is wrong. :-)
Delete