This is certainly not a post meant to bring anyone down. It's actually a rant and a fish for empathy. Does anyone else think it's just ridiculous that at the time you are most anxious to have a good time with friends and loved ones, you are also most likely to become ill. What's that all about? I'm sitting here in my mismatched pajamas and my husband's slippers contemplating all of things I'd like to do to prepare for Thanksgiving and Christmas; and I've got an icky throat and have been exhausted all day long. It hasn't been the worst day, but it's hard not to be a little bummed that I'm going to have to practice some mind over matter this Thanksgiving in order to successfully get my pies baked. Sheesh!
Okay, no more ranting. By way of an update, we're doing great. We're crazy excited about a 4 day weekend, David is almost over his sickness, Sophie is pretty much over hers, Aidan seems to be a little gunky but getting out of the woods, and I'm just dealing with a touch of a cold (so far). Inside my head I've been thinking, "Maybe this means we'll be completely healthy for December and Christmas." Would be great! Last year we were coughing lots and Aidan was Mr. Drippy at the Nose during our Christmas visit back East. He still got plenty of snuggles from loved ones, but they were having to dodge the nose quite a bit.
On the upside of things, I have the perfect excuse to snuggle up in bed with my copy of Jane Austen's Persuasion. (See included photo of the delightful birthday gift I received from a Princess friend of mine). Gee, I forgot how difficult that book was to read, and I'm marveling again at how brilliant the 1995 film is! Nick Dear must've just known the book inside and out when he sat down and penned the screenplay, because much like Sense and Sensibility, the book is not exactly brimming over with easy to adapt scenes and dialogue. It's largely descriptions of events and scenes with a brilliant quote here and there. But Dear included every perfect moment, thought, or phrase in the film. It is one of my top 5 favorite films of all time.
Back to the book, I'm definitely humbled by the difficulty of Austen's prose. Mansfield Park, my second favorite Austen, is a much easier read (though with a less rapturous ending for my taste). I always prefer when people marry out of their bloodline, and Frederick, despite his interest in Louisa, was still more constant in his feelings than Edmund was. If you've not had a chance to savour the books or the films (and are hence confused by my commentary), please consider this post a teaser and go read and watch them! (But beware of some shocking moments in Mansfield Park!) I highly recommend them, especially if you find yourself all gunky in the throat at holiday time!
We love you all and wish you a wonderful Thanksgiving Day! Despite feeling a little under the weather today, I have felt almost intoxicated with the love I have in my life. I couldn't wish for more delicious offspring and or a snuggier husband, and lately I've felt really grateful for wonderful family and friends. You all mean a lot to the Buggy Grahams!
