Cui bono

I had an appointment today at the hospital, and I approached the window where the receptionist greeted me with, “Good afternoon Mrs. Crosby.  Good to see you again!”  Now, I hadn’t been to that doctor in almost 2 years, and it’s been longer since I saw that receptionist, so it’s a sign that he has a really good memory, plus I was in a mask, so… I’m going to take it as a sign that all will be well, and all shall be well and all manner of things will be well (Julian of Norwich). The nurse who came to escort me into the little room, however, scared me by looking at me with extreme concern and saying that I looked well, and was I ok?  Little disconcerting I tell you!  Jerry somehow knew that I had an appointment today and was a little hyperactive and literally bounced on and off my lap several times and snuggled up against me.  Very adorable!  Although last night he got evicted from the bedroom because he wouldn’t settle down!  Don is feeling a lot more energetic today, which is a good sign, but he’s “watching” hockey, which needs a lot less energy than playing it 😂 

I have admitted that I’ve failed in introducing my niece to books that she should read.  There are far too many books that she’s never read — or even heard of!! — that I think are necessary parts of growing up.  I was surprised to learn that she hasn’t read, among others, Anne of Green Gables, the Narnia series, Hans Christian Andersen, The Brothers Grimm, The Wind in the Willows… the list goes on.  She’s very forgiving and says that I haven’t failed, but my distance is a problem.  I should be closer (aww!) so that I would be around to share all the things that we need to know.  I think that she’s being very kind and forgiving to me, and I’m thinking that I perhaps should have spent more time passing on books… although it would have been difficult.  I mean, in the early days, when it was prime reading sessions, long distance calls were still horrendously expensive.  I called home about once a week, and calls were, of necessity, fairly brief.  Then it became easier to do VOIP and free calls, and then free video calls… but  a large chunk of her early youth had already passed.  NOW we chat on WhatsApp or FaceTime, and it’s much easier, but we missed valuable book sharing time.  She did, though, absorb my love of reading because every time I was home she tried to read as many books as I had, and to read as fast as I did… and we spent many bedtimes exchanging stories.  We would also write each other short stories (because I’m a “silly aunt who just plays at being an adult” 😂). So tonight we agreed that when the holidays arrive, I’ll provide her with a short list of books I recommend and she can read — or not — in her free time.  (She has recommended videos and some books to me that she likes, and I’ve watched / read many of them.  We apparently have a reciprocal relationship for many of these things… and I’m learning a lot about teen experiences.  I appreciate what my mom went through in my teenage years with my “crushes” on various singers!

I’ve got several books to get to on my “to be read” list, which will probably only be completed if I live to be 300.  I’ll happily accept that challenge (books get added, even though I haven’t crossed many off the list.  But it’s all in good fun!  Back to my “in progress” book, which is extremely enthralling and I don’t want it to end, while I want to know what happens!  The struggle is real!  Good night!