Doctor/Dental Overload - Slurpee to the Rescue!

I am lucky that I have a job.  I am lucky that I have plenty of sick leave and saved vacay days.  So, I am careful when I make appointments to try to spread them out if I can.

I had an appointment at the orthpaedic for a follow up today.  But yesterday, I realize that I have to call the dentist for - gahhh! an emergency visit!  I have NEVER done such a thing in my life.  And I am a terrible flosser.  Of course, they called this morning and offered me an appointment mid-morning.  So I had to leave work on a day when I was scheduled to leave work early already.  Yikes! 

I headed off to the dentist.  Diagnosis: Gingival Abscess.  Gross - if you want details, look it up.  An hour later, I'm headed back to work with the classic limp-lipped smile of those with Novocain in their jowls with a warning that it will be 'uncomfortable for a little while once it wears off.'

Understatement of the week.  Two Aleves later, I can function but not really answer the phone well.  Slow day - slow phones - so that's good.

Then, I have to leave for the other appointment.  Running late.  New location with a garage that I swear has so many levels, the Pearly Gates must be on the top floor.  Waiting...waiting...reading book on iPod with my Amazon Kindle app.  Not bad for a waiting room with NO magazines. 

I make it out of the endless garage without the obvious descent into the other realm and make it out.  Almost home...

I'm hurtin'.  Then I get a text from my daughter...would I like anything from 7-Eleven?  Abso-dental-utely.  I get a Cherry Slurpee delivered... aahh.  Today wasn't so bad.

Another BOOK!

The Oracle of Stamboul by Michael David Lukas


My rating: 4 of 5 stars


I received The Oracle of Stamboul written by Michael David Lukas as an Advanced Reader’s Copy and a Goodreads giveaway - thank you!


The main character of this story is Eleonora Cohen, who is, for most of the story, nine years old. I was wondering as I began to read this book if I was going to like a story about a child. However, Eleonora is an unusual girl; she is rather the genius and as we grow with Eleonora, her questions become our questions.


I seem to inadvertently be in the middle of reading a series of books about incredibly smart child protagonists who are pushing out against the control of their lives by the adults (The Hunger Games, Ender’s Game) but unlike the others’ futuristic settings, this story is historical fiction, set in the late declining stages of the Ottoman Empire. I like reading fiction when I can learn something; I promptly looked up the geography and the rulers of the Empire during this period to better understand the events as they unfolded. However, the author gives us plenty of flavor and context; the extra is not necessary. His descriptions are rich and clearly set the time, place and mood. Many of his metaphors are unexpected; it comes as no surprise that he teaches creative writing to elementary school kids. His book has a ‘young adult’ reader feel but then some of the best stories do. There’s no pretentiousness here in his writing; I rather like it and enjoyed reading this book more because of his style of prose.


Read this book if you like historical fiction. Read this book if you like a hint of the mysterious. Read it if you like to explore and learn. I recently read another review somewhere whose reviewer was disappointed at the ending. I wholeheartedly disagree. I will let you decide but I think the ending is the only one that really makes sense for Eleonora and for everyone involved. It is a charming, interesting story and I for one, thoroughly enjoyed it.






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Book Review: Major Pettigrew's Last Stand by Helene Simonson

Major Pettigrew's Last Stand by Helen Simonson


My rating: 5 of 5 stars


What an unexpected delight! This is some very worthwhile reading. This book explores the twists and turns of Major Pettigrew's existence with the death of his wife, the changing family dynamics, his frustrations, assumptions and some long-held prejudices. We can learn much from this story about growing old and learning to love again.




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Peace Corps will be anything but...

Background:  My oldest daughter moves home after college.  In this day and age, jobs are hard to come by and this was to be expected.  Job hunting periodic and so far, unsuccessful.
Then...she applies to the Peace Corps.  How can I not be happy that she is following her dream?  I think she warned me in elementary school.  Meanwhile, behind this calm facade is a mother freaking out.  Seriously.   I am so very proud but at the same time, I want to lock her in the house.

Just breathe...