"Inside me two wolves are trapped in a struggle. Their names are Productivity and Recuperation. I am feeding one of them lumpia and pancit."
Applause for this sentence.
When I'm sick I always think that the nice thing about reading is that it can be done in bed. So you can rest and recuperate while also tucking in to good books. But I do find that when I'm sick I need my books to be the equivalent of sick food. I often turn to children's literature for the sick bed. Or genre novels. Something light that doesn't require too much mental energy. Of course the worst is when you're too sick to read. When I had pneumonia this summer was when I binge watched all of The Bear. Although I accidentally skipped a few episodes and didn't realize it, which made it super confusing until I re-watched it with Dom. Then it made a lot more sense.
I was totally too sick today (Monday) I woke at 3am to pray the rosary and as people woke up I assessed who was going to school and who was not. It was a terrible mess. Once people were on busses (three oldest) I went to my bed and fell asleep till 4pm. It was fever-sleep so it was a weird state. Definitely could not read. My eyeballs were burning, my fever was so high. I think it’s RSV. I feel much better now and rereading parts of The Bridge of San Luis Rey.
Oh no! I'm sorry you're STILL sick! Good that you were able to get sleep, though. I hate that feverish feeling; it's so uncomfortable.
I want to re-read the end of San Luis Rey... I listened to the whole thing on audiobook first, but that end was luminous. I was unsure about the story until I got to the end and he just pulled it all together so beautifully.
My fever is down to 99.4 right now. I’m sleeping on the couch in an effort to quarantine myself. I did that last night as well. I love TBSLR so much. I have two copies — one I bought to mark up and the beautifully illustrated one from the library. It’s gorgeous and formatted so well.
Zina, I love your “Transition Age” poem. May your son find a new flock soon… We felt much the same, but a different life emerged and it’s been good, in a different way. It is a strange time, for sure, and I hope you find some good things after the transition settles. Get well soon, too. 💕
Thank you. I know it is an adjustment. Transitions are often hard but it’s nice to know there’s hope. And just like the seasons… spring has a way of coming around. ❤️
Zina, thank you for the shout out! Your Substack was one of the very first that caught my attention. You inspired me to give poetry another chance, and I always love reading your posts. I hope you are feeling better soon!
You are so welcome. Glad you’ve found your way to poetry through my writing. I think I’m finally on the mend. Things definitely took a turn down, but it seems as of tonight I’m doing okay. Had to cancel all my appointments tomorrow though.
I would tell you to take some books off your plate, but that would be the pot calling the kettle black. 🤣 Adding to my reading list makes me feel more alive. I have given up on reading challenges though. I find I fill my reading life up well all by myself.
I am reading along with ALL the Close Reads, Well Read Mom, RAR Momma Book Club, slowly reading through Malory in Middle English, my personal list to celebrate my 40th year of life, AND I just subscribed to a read along Dante plan.
I’ve given up on reading challenges too. I use the goodreads list to help mark what I’ve read and when I read it. But I no longer keep track of numbers of books.
I hope you get well soon, my friend. Please do take the opportunity to rest. You have a lot on your plate. Looking forward to the Catherine Project experience with you. There are so many great book clubs to choose from here on Substack. It is a good thing for people to have choices!
There are so many clubs out there. You’ve got a great range of books in your line up. Many of them are on my shelves which makes it more convenient for me. And I am so happy we got into the same Catherine Project section! This is going to be great 😊
"Inside me two wolves are trapped in a struggle. Their names are Productivity and Recuperation. I am feeding one of them lumpia and pancit."
Applause for this sentence.
When I'm sick I always think that the nice thing about reading is that it can be done in bed. So you can rest and recuperate while also tucking in to good books. But I do find that when I'm sick I need my books to be the equivalent of sick food. I often turn to children's literature for the sick bed. Or genre novels. Something light that doesn't require too much mental energy. Of course the worst is when you're too sick to read. When I had pneumonia this summer was when I binge watched all of The Bear. Although I accidentally skipped a few episodes and didn't realize it, which made it super confusing until I re-watched it with Dom. Then it made a lot more sense.
I was totally too sick today (Monday) I woke at 3am to pray the rosary and as people woke up I assessed who was going to school and who was not. It was a terrible mess. Once people were on busses (three oldest) I went to my bed and fell asleep till 4pm. It was fever-sleep so it was a weird state. Definitely could not read. My eyeballs were burning, my fever was so high. I think it’s RSV. I feel much better now and rereading parts of The Bridge of San Luis Rey.
Oh no! I'm sorry you're STILL sick! Good that you were able to get sleep, though. I hate that feverish feeling; it's so uncomfortable.
I want to re-read the end of San Luis Rey... I listened to the whole thing on audiobook first, but that end was luminous. I was unsure about the story until I got to the end and he just pulled it all together so beautifully.
My fever is down to 99.4 right now. I’m sleeping on the couch in an effort to quarantine myself. I did that last night as well. I love TBSLR so much. I have two copies — one I bought to mark up and the beautifully illustrated one from the library. It’s gorgeous and formatted so well.
Zina, I love your “Transition Age” poem. May your son find a new flock soon… We felt much the same, but a different life emerged and it’s been good, in a different way. It is a strange time, for sure, and I hope you find some good things after the transition settles. Get well soon, too. 💕
Thank you. I know it is an adjustment. Transitions are often hard but it’s nice to know there’s hope. And just like the seasons… spring has a way of coming around. ❤️
Zina, thank you for the shout out! Your Substack was one of the very first that caught my attention. You inspired me to give poetry another chance, and I always love reading your posts. I hope you are feeling better soon!
You are so welcome. Glad you’ve found your way to poetry through my writing. I think I’m finally on the mend. Things definitely took a turn down, but it seems as of tonight I’m doing okay. Had to cancel all my appointments tomorrow though.
Beautiful, Zina! Thank you for sharing, and recommending The Locust Years.
You’re welcome! I’m looking forward to having your collection in hand.
I would tell you to take some books off your plate, but that would be the pot calling the kettle black. 🤣 Adding to my reading list makes me feel more alive. I have given up on reading challenges though. I find I fill my reading life up well all by myself.
I am reading along with ALL the Close Reads, Well Read Mom, RAR Momma Book Club, slowly reading through Malory in Middle English, my personal list to celebrate my 40th year of life, AND I just subscribed to a read along Dante plan.
I’ve given up on reading challenges too. I use the goodreads list to help mark what I’ve read and when I read it. But I no longer keep track of numbers of books.
I found that the challenges got in the way of what I really wanted to read. They were fun for awhile and now it is freeing to let them go.
I think it’s good for someone trying to start a habit. It’s nice to have a goal. But I agree with you that it’s freeing to let challenges go.
I hope you get well soon, my friend. Please do take the opportunity to rest. You have a lot on your plate. Looking forward to the Catherine Project experience with you. There are so many great book clubs to choose from here on Substack. It is a good thing for people to have choices!
There are so many clubs out there. You’ve got a great range of books in your line up. Many of them are on my shelves which makes it more convenient for me. And I am so happy we got into the same Catherine Project section! This is going to be great 😊
Get well! For me, Auden is always the answer.
Auden is wonderful. I’ve been slowly memorizing his most famous poems.