It just about kills me to write this post, but it seems the title of this blog may have to be “51 Views” after this week. Yes, I failed. In fact, I was going to title this week “Week 14: Abject Failure,” but my husband gently suggested “Hiccup.”
Yes, life has intervened this week, and not only did I not finish a book, I barely started one. The novel is “All the Sad Young Literary Men,” by Keith Gessen. (And no, I did not choose it because it matched my mood.) Regarding this goal of reading fifty-two books in a year: I’m thinking I’ll double up some week when I have oodles of time and am just bursting with creative energy, maybe in the run-up to Thanksgiving and Christmas.
Not that you asked, but what could possibly have deterred me from my goal? Actually, a pretty good reason: my three-year-old had a tonsillectomy/adenoidectomy (coyly referred to as “a T&A procedure” by those in the know), with ear tubes, this week. Here she is in the recovery room, wearily watching Dora, having no idea what’s in store for her once the anesthesia wears off.
The surgery was OK — if you feel that having your toddler under general anesthesia for almost two hours is OK — but the recovery has been slightly brutal. Maybe if we were a little younger we could withstand the sleep deprivation better, but my husband and I have never been great in that department. Our daughter, meanwhile, probably feels that she was sold this surgery on false premises (tons of ice cream! Delicious popsicles! Unlimited TV watching!) when in truth she’s in so much pain she’s not interested in popsicles or ice cream — only TV, and then only when Mommy is sitting right next to her doing absolutely nothing else. No computer, no books, and certainly not even looking at the two other children to see how they’re faring during this crappy time.
Meanwhile, I received a cheerful email reminding me that the deadline for the catalogue of our preschool’s spring auction is this week. Oh, yes … I guess I did volunteer to help write the catalogue describing over two hundred items. Ladies Beer Hike anyone? How about a Sterling Silver Lariat Necklace Garnished with Pearls and Peridot? Better start jogging that part of my brain that turns out the pithy turn-of-phrase. Note to self: next time, do not agree to hearty spring volunteer jobs in early November.
Still, I have this goal: 52 books in 52 weeks. I’m going to do it – I am nothing if not dogged. (Please send all recommendations of poetry collections my way.) See you next week, if we make it!
so so sorry to hear about your little munchkin. Dont beat your self up too much, most of us are still trying to get through the Sunday edition of the New York Times from three weeks ago…
xo
I’m still impressed! That’s a lot of books. No good poetry suggestions. I’m a fiction fan.
What other choice was there but to stay side by side with your baby? There will always be books and weeks and auctions and other demands…but there won’t always be opportunities cuddle with your kids. They grow up so fast! We try to teach our kids to make good choices – and so you’ve just proven that you’re a perfect role model! Keep up your stellar efforts, your reviews are terrific!
[...] story? I admit that last week, when I was foraging for a book that I could actually finish during this rather trying time, the length of this slim volume is what attracted me. My friend Carol, who is a wonderful writer in [...]
I hope your little girl is recovering well. She looks adorable in the picture. Our son had surgery (with GA) at four weeks. I still can feel how terrified we were. Now he’s 23, 6’4″, 190 lbs. Med student. You’ll get past this. Was the surgery at CHO? It’s a good place.
Best to you and your family,
patty white
Thank you to EVERYONE for your kind words and wishes! I really appreciate it.