random thoughts – Day 2,114 (Tuesday) – ice and mail and more books

Definitely ice.

There was no debate this morning about whether the street was wet or icy. It was definitely ice along the edges of the street and in front of the driveways and the sun reflected off it and highlighted the ridges and bumps. Around 10:30, the dismal weather forecast showed it was 19 degrees with a note that it felt like 2 degrees. The wind was biting and cold, which I learned firsthand when I went out to get the mail I hadn’t collected for a couple days and to meet a friend for lunch downtown at the Ale House.

The mail was more of the same stuff that isn’t even for me. I have no idea who Hellen F is because that is not the name of the woman who owned the house before me, but her street address is shown as mine with the addition of “Apartment # [my mailbox number],” and things are looking serious. In addition to the slew of year end donation solicitations, there have been some official looking insurance company packets, and today, official business from the Social Security Administration. I keep writing the same message: “Please return to sender. Addressee unknown.” I wonder how many times (if any) the new occupants of my old house have had to deal with/send back mail for me. I hope it's not a lot because it gets tiring.

The year-end book reading frenzy continues. Yesterday, I finally finished Late Migrations by Margaret Renkl. I say “finally” finished because I started it as soon as it came into my hands several years ago, and then it was set aside for reasons I don’t recall. It’s a beautifully written book with artwork by her amazing brother Billy Renkl, and when I picked it up again yesterday, I didn’t put down (except to dry some tears) until I was finished.  

Today’s book choice was a quick re-read of a young adult book from the olden days of junior high school (Lisa Bright and Dark). I recalled it as one of the books the girls at school passed around and recommended to each other, but other than that, I didn’t remember the story at all. Basically, she’s having a mental breakdown, described on the cover as “a novel of a young girl’s journey toward the strange, hypnotic world of madness.” I’m not sure about the hypnotic part, but ok. And now I never have to wonder about that book again although I may look up the made for TV movie. 

With one day left in my 2025 speed reading marathon, I need to grab something short from the shelf to ensure I reach completion. Then I can resume the 700 page wrist breakers that were set aside halfway through or not yet started due to the daunting length. It has been quite refreshing not turning the TV on for the past several days.