With Ray and Amelia at Meredyth's wedding

This is where I was Saturday. It was cold but sunny and I had good sales

Hard Time by Sara Paretsky
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I am so excited to find that there have been several new Warshawski novels. I read the first several, and then I thought she wasn't writing them any more. They are maybe my favorite mystery series (featuring a female detective, of course)! It is probably because of the heroine, who is brave and stubborn and smart.

This complicated plot gives the author a chance to expose the corruption and violence in the for-profit prison system. I don't know how realistic it is, but I suspect that we need to find out. I admire her ability to use fiction to promote social justice, and I think it must be frustrating to pour yourself into a work like this and find no change!

My main quibble with this book (and all of them) is that I can't read them at bedtime! Not really a complaint, just a warning/note to self. Read in an airport or when you have a block of time.

The second concern is that there a some unrealistic plot elements. It is the magic of writing that we suspend our disbelief that someone could be so "evil," and that a woman like V.I. could confront him and win and survive...and keep doing it over and over, against the advice of those who care about her. Her friendship with the little boy is endearing but a little hard to swallow.

Looking forward to reading more of those I have missed!


View all my reviews

a picture is worth...

I'm sorry you can't see the baby guinea fowl in these photos; there are two parents and two different clutches, one bigger and one tiny. Not sure how many will make it to adult!

insect that looks like pine needles stuck together

we still have beans!

a small watermelon and hot peppers

cream biscuit for Meredyth's wedding

Ray's suit jacket and vest from our wedding...in the giveaway pile

orders ready for delivery

lots of different mushrooms after lots of rain

last night's dinner featured our eggs and our potatoes

Rainy Saturday in October

The rain is pouring down outside the window, but the sky is brighter than it has been most of the day.  The two dirt tracks leading to our house are muddy and wet. Trees are still green, the rose of sharon is blooming, but there is some yellow too. I am feeling particularly lucky to have this home, this window, as much food as I want, any sort of entertainment I choose. Right now I am listening to music, bourbon in my glass, in a parody of the Old Fashioned my mother might have made for me on a day like this. I had some sugar syrup, added a few drops of bitters and poured in the bourbon, ice, and water to fill the glass. It's not as good, but less trouble, and reminds me of her and the many times she cared for me in small ways and big. I take a bite of brownie, a sip of bourbon, and a bite of potato chip--the good kind from the Earth Fare store. It is decadent, but I am grateful. I like to think I am doing it in part for those who can't. Those who are shivering under the bridge would share my pleasures if they could.

I have sauteed some sausage and onion and will be able to eat dinner when I want. It is the first cool day in many months and I am happy to be wearing jeans and a long-sleeved shirt and socks! I spent several hours in the rain earlier today, selling baked goods at the farmer's market, so I "earned" my rest. I made about $35, before expenses, not really enough to make it worthwhile. Still, it seems a good activity, with kindred spirits and regular customers. The man from the bread bakery gave away bread to all of us. He said they would just throw it away if he brought it back. I gave him some quiche and cookies. In fact, I made more from the other vendors than from customers today. In addition to the cool rainy weather, it is a home football game in Athens today, a big one, against Alabama. Some people are busy getting ready for the game and some don't want to venture out when the streets are full of fans. The traffic was bad as early as Thursday and we stayed in all day Friday to avoid it.

I am having ongoing discussions with myself (and others) about the next stage of my life. I reminded myself a few days ago that 60 is only 3/4 of 80, so I probably have about 1/4 of my life left! I can still do lots of fun and good things. Look at Jimmy Carter...Ray and I are agreed that we are ready to leave Athens, in spite of much we love here. The summers are brutal and the politics of the state depressing. We like living out here in the country, but not the driving (most commuters would not think we drive much). So, our next adventure will be in another state. Massachusetts is a leading contender. Much of Ray's family still lives there and so do Molli and Tamara. I want to be as much a part of their life as I can, and I want Ray to, as well. He thinks he will retire in about 3 years and is obsessing about the details, when he is not obsessing about his class preparations.

We will live in a more urban area, but that is one of the things we are thinking about. Really urban? Where we never use our car and live very close to lots of other people? Or a little further out, so that we might grow a few vegetables and see some green? We don't have to decide yet, and we may rent for a while so we can see what lifestyle we want. I am also tempted by the idea of building another house...smaller, maybe much smaller. Maybe. But living where we can walk to many different stores, or take a bus to the science museum has a lot of appeal. Paradoxically, a city lifestyle allows residents to get a lot more exercise, walking here and there rather than jumping in the car anytime we want to go anywhere. The higher cost of some things may be offset by not owning a car, paying for gas or insurance and repairs. And it is better for the environment.

We will need to find new friends, like-minded activists and probably Unitarians. How much gainful employment will we have? Can we afford to travel and live the way we want without it? How much time for volunteer activities.

I spent three weeks in Cambridge, some days being a substitute teacher in the Somerville schools, going to church there in a really old brick building with an organ and stained glass windows. I walked a lot, buying and carrying groceries and cooking for the three of us. I didn't take advantage of the restaurants or most of the other "tourist" sites, but tried to get the feel of city life. I was really tired and went to bed early many nights. If I am going to walk to the store, it needs to be within a few blocks. I felt at home, although I missed my home too. I'm ready to take the plunge, but there is a lot that needs to happen first, starting with getting my house ready to sell, not as much fun as being in a new place.

Here's to New Experiences

I like the idea of having as a goal one new experience every day. You could wimp out and read a new book or make a new recipe, but I guess I'm really talking about meeting one new person, maybe.

Yesterday I was not called to sub and I did not have much in the way of obligations: going to the farmers' market, making dinner, maybe some more cookies...T was not expected home until after 5:30. There was a phone call from a prospective employer scheduled for 3, but I needed a little something more to make my day. I checked the church web site  (first parish cambridge UU church in Harvard Square) and they were preparing food for their Tuesday night dinners for the hungry, starting at 11. There was also a yoga class at 9:30, but I thought I would probably need a mat for that...and I would have to rush around a little more than I wanted to be there at that time.

I walked with Molli for a ways, then took a different way home, through some back streets, with tall multi-family houses and sidewalks. There were people and cars, but not too many. "I could live here," I thought. I did find myself having to clean up after the dog...with no bag. I'm pretty sure I am not in favor of having a dog in the city...or a cat. Maybe a bird or an aquarium. And plants...I'll need a balcony.

It was over a mile walk and I rested for a while and showered and dressed. A little before 11, I wandered down the street to the church and asked if they needed help. A couple ladies, Jane and Louise, were making peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, something I had no trouble helping with. Pam came by and asked who I was..."I didn't know you were coming," she said. Louise was the oldest and most talkative, although I enjoyed them both.

The Country Mouse in the Big City

Even though this is not my first time among the city dwellers, I do feel a sense of amazement at the things to see and do. I am not even talking about the restaurants or museums. I just mean the many people and buildings. You could (and do) see new things every day. Not that it can replace the joy of nature and the changes in it every day, but I get a real thrill out of feeling like I could never be bored for long.

I arrived a week ago last night, and a lot has happened. T gave up her bedroom for me and I unpacked my things. I have mostly been sleeping well here; the bed is comfortable and I have what I need. (One of the joys of city life is that it is very easy to buy anything I didn't bring, in fact, too easy to feel like I need many more things...easier, perhaps, to live the simple life away from temptations.)

It was very hot last week, hotter here than in Georgia, incredibly. There is a window air conditioner in the living room and the apartment is small. It wasn't really a problem, definitely cooler at night, less humid here, and usually a breeze. There were only a few nights we kept the windows closed.

One of the things I researched first were the farmers markets. Just in Cambridge, there is at least one every day. On Monday, we walked to one and had some amazing sweet corn and lots of other goodies...not cheap, but I'm happy to spend my money on good local ingredients. I have yet to buy a meal in a restaurant, so I can spend on ingredients instead. Tuesday's market was at Harvard, not so much of a walk. Not quite as excellent a market, but I didn't need much. I did buy more corn.

Molli and T started their new year on Tuesday and I was left on my own, quite happily. After I walked Molli part of the way (and the dog), I did some meal planning and began my job search. Partly, I am curious as to how easy it would be to get work here. If I got a really good job, I would probably move here and take it. I applied for a job with Harvard, one with MIT, one with the Cambridge Public Schools, one with the City of Cambridge, and as a substitute teacher for the Somerville schools (next town over, home of Tufts).

I have walked for miles almost every day, carried lots of bags of groceries, and walked up and down two flights of stairs whenever I come and go. There is an elevator, in case I just can't do it one day.

When T comes home, we do some chores, cook or bake cookies, play games, watch TV, and make sure her homework gets done. We've seen her friend Fiorella sometimes too. When Molli comes home, we eat, play games, watch TV, and go to bed.

The next day, though, I had an email from the Somerville schools. On Thursday, I trekked up to the Healey school to talk to Marie about being a substitute. I filled out paperwork and chatted with her and headed home, walking a couple miles and stopping for groceries.

Friday I went to the farmers market and took it a little easier. Molli's friend came over and we had homemade pizza! They went out for a drink and T and I stayed in.

This weekend, we walked to the grocery store together and got lots of food. Molli went to a party and T and I stayed home. There were fireworks in Harvard Square, but she did not want to go anywhere. We listened to them booming and then went to bed. 

Sunday morning, we went to the UU church in Harvard square, First Parish, walking, of course. They have a big old building with an organ and were very nice. There was lunch afterward and we talked to a couple people. They have lots of committees and activities that I want to join! We did a few errands (on foot) and spent the rest of the day doing laundry and relaxing.

Today! I went to sub at an elementary school in Somerville! I walked to the bus stop. Then I realized I didn't even know how much it costs. I had a ten dollar bill, but the driver didn't take it, so I never paid at all. Silly out-of-towner! I got to the school at 7:45, the official arrival time for subs, went to the office and was told to report to Mrs. Reynolds' room, where I would be working one on one with a 6th grader named Ned. Mrs. R wasn't there when I got there and I wandered around, looking at the books and the things on the walls. She arrived, but she was not feeling good. She was talking about suing the city, because the building is making her sick! Not making me want to work there...She said Ned wasn't bad, I just needed to redirect him and keep him on track. I didn't mind working one on one with him at all, much less intimidating than a whole class, but I didn't have much idea what was expected. I listened and watched him, and occasionally tried to encourage him to follow the teacher's directions. He was unbearably slow and I often would say the same thing several times with no result. Pretty frustrating. Other times, I felt like I was able to get through to him and he would do good work. After lunch, he had math and science with a different teacher who was much harder on him and he seemed to do better, although he did get two warnings.