We Survived the Plague and I Read A Lot

TopDad came home from a weekend working on the house we still own in Iowa and gave me a little kiss. I said, "Don't kiss me like we're married, kiss me like we're lovers!" So he did. And the next day he began having symptoms of Covid. And four days later so did I. (He was "vaccinated" last Spring so that they could go back to in person school. I did not get any shots.)

I went to the hospital first because I couldn't stop vomiting and had severe abdominal pain. I was dehydrated and spent three days and two nights in the hospital. I came home on a Thursday, and TopDad went to the hospital on Friday. He was there a bit longer because he got pneumonia. 

We are recovering, but this is a totally perverse disease and we keep having little flare ups that knock us back. 

I've been reading lots of books as that's about all I have strength for. So here's the list for September:

1. The Kalahari Typing school for Men by Alexander McCall Smith; continuing the No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency

2. The Only Woman in the Room by Marie Benedict; story of Hedy Lamar*

3. Anna's Crossing by Suzanne Woods Fisher; a fictional account of early Amish immigrants*

4. Little Town on the Prairie by Laura Ingalls Wilder

5. Pianos and Flowers by Alexander McCall Smith; a delightful collection of short stories inspired by antique photos.*

6. These Happy Golden Years by Laura Ingalls Wilder

7. The First Four Years by Laura Ingalls Wilder

8. Love's Faithful Promise by Susan Anne Mason* (I can't even remember what this was about.)

9. Toxic Charity by Robert D. Lupton; a look at why most of our giving does more harm than good.

10. Love Your Life by Sophie Kinsella

11. The Full Cupboard of Life by Alexander McCall Smith; next in the No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency series.

12. These High Green Hills by Jan Karon

13. I Owe You One by Sophie Kinsella

14. In the Company of Cheerful Ladies by Alexander McCall Smith; No. 1 Ladies etc.

15. Blue Shoes and Happiness by Alexander McCall Smith; No. 1 Ladies etc.

So many of the books I read were old friends from the past. I just needed uplifting, encouraging, non-challenging reads while sick and recovering. *Only four out of the fifteen were books I'd not read before.

We've had gorgeous Autumn weather, warmer than usual, which is okay by me. The colors have been lovely too. I make an effort to enjoy each day and soak up as much sunshine as I can knowing it won't last forever. Last year on this date we had our first snowfall. I hope we don't get any snow until late November.

My pretty Oak tree.

My Bright Volunteers

 

These cheerful little Snapdragons all grew from seeds dropped by last year's plants. They are a bright spot along the driveway. I love my bright volunteers!

New Dress

 

This pretty aqua linen is a piece I've had in my stash for a very long time. It was lovely to work with and although there wasn't enough to make it longer, I think it turned out quite nice. The sash is a piece of batik from four years ago that I saw in a store and fell in love with. 

I made a muslin to check the fit and got most of it right; I forgot to bring in the neckline on the final piece (note to self: write it all down!).  I'd like to make this again in a winter flannel (cotton) with a fun plaid sash and long sleeves. 

School Clothes

Noble has begun her second year of graduate studies and teaching freshman English composition. She asked me to help her get some clothes that looked more professional and that would be warmer for the harsh winters here. She saves money by parking in the free lot and walking to her classes.

So here's the first skirt, made of a soft tan fine wale corduroy.

And the pattern:

Another skirt I made her last year, cotton sateen with a bit of stretch:

I relaxed in August

I continued to read two non-fiction books during August but I didn't finish either one, still working on them. Between the oppressive heat and humidity, the discouraging national and world political degeneration, and just plain tiredness I read a lot of old friends to lift my spirits. I was also sewing pieces for my daughter's school wardrobe. More to come about that.

1. My Not So Perfect Life by Sophie Kinsella - This is a truly fun book about a young women trying to get back at a former boss and learning the realities of life and relationships.

2. The Talented Mr. Varg by Alexander McCall Smith - Second in the series; another witty book about a Swedish detective.  (The only new book I read this month)

3. A Common Life by Jan Karon - The story of Father Tim's wedding to Cynthia. Sweet, romantic, funny and enriching.

4-8. Little House in the Big Woods, Little House on the Prairie, On the Banks of Plum Creek, By the Shore of Silver Lake, The Long Winter - Laura Ingalls Wilder - I read these for inspiration and encouragement, and to remember. I love pioneer stories!

9. Persuasion: A Latter day Tale by Rebecca H. Jamison - A modern LDS retelling of Jane Austen's novel Persuasion. It is my favorite of hers because it is about second chances, something we all need.

That's it for August.