Okay, I was wrong.

Rosemary

I thought it was over. I was mistaken. More Overtime.

Plus: Catsitting for friends in Fairfield results in two hours commute to the DayJob. Daily. As in, every day. Two hours. In a car.

Actually, I get some of my best ideas while riding long distances in a car… so, not a complete waste. I’ve stored up some stuff to use.

And of course, the world’s cuddliest cats (Winken  & Blinken) were waiting for me every evening.

I just address them both as "inken" and let them figure out the consonant themselves

Winken or possibly Blinken, your guess is as good as mine

Midway through the week, I sent the kitties’ owner this email:

Just thought I’d let you know that all is well here in kitty-land. Lots of hugs and cuddles, and your guest bed is sooo comfy!

Of course, the guys do miss you terribly. In fact, they went and got you a present!

I suggested flowers, but they had another idea….

DearMomWB



6 Responses to “Okay, I was wrong.”

  • Ita Says:

    You are an exemplary friend. Not very many people I’d spend that much time commuting for.

    When my dad was Sick, I spent 3 hours commuting every day to take care of him for 2 months during the day ( he lived with my brother). I listened to a lot of audiobooks and really missed that listening time when he got better.

    • Rosemary Says:

      Ita —

      Well, I must admit that although friendship was involved, $$$ did make an appearance. More than enough to offset the extra gas for the commute.

      I also listened to audiobooks. Plus: a lot of music I’ve purchased but not had the time to hear. Since I can’t listen to music with interesting lyrics when I’m writing, most of my listening takes place in the car or while working out.

      Latest audio book: Interesting Times, by Terry Pratchett, which I had read before, but so long ago that I’ve forgotten most of it.
      Latest music: Bruce Cockburn’s The Charity of Night
      Latest music I bought but have not yet listened to: Laura Marling’s I Speak Because I Can

  • jan Says:

    Well, that’s Wynken…who is tanner than his twin, Blynken, and, for fans of alliteration, BLynken wears the BLue collar ~ a collar of any other color is worn by Wynken. I drive anywhere from 2 to 4 hours a day for my commute (depending on where my interviews take place). I love listening to audiobooks, and gratefully accept recommendations. Thank you Rosy….Wynken and Blynken are oh so spoiled after your time with them….nearly as spoiled as are we, for counting you a friend willing to step into our home and care for it, it’s inhabitants, and alas, the feline doorstep gifts…nice note, btw.

    • Rosemary Says:

      Ack! I got the spelling of Wynken and Blynken wrong! I really ought to have known better, I do know my nursery rhymes.

      You know, I sort of suspected the blue=Blynken connection, but didn’t bank on it.

      With 2 to 4 hours of commute, you’d need to love audiobooks, or face MADNESS!

      I can heartily recommend:

      For cheerful diversion: Terry Pratchett. The productions have been consistently good, and there are plenty of books to keep you going. Also: Bill Bryson, for non-fiction. He reads his own material, and reads it very well. I think you might have been exposed to his A Walk in the Woods about his adventures hiking the Appalachian Trail. He will make you snort coffee through your nose, so make sure your Starbucks has gone cold before listening. I’ve just finished listening to a three-book audio omnibus, which included Notes from a Small Island (about living in England), Neither Here Nor There (travels in Europe), and I’m a Stranger Here Myselff (essays about returning to the States after 20 years).

      Also: Jo Walton’s work has recently come out in audiobook. I think you might like her alternate-history mysteries, Farthing, Ha’penny, and Half a Crown.

  • pointoforigin Says:

    Back when we still lived in PA, and I had to drive for 10 hours to visit my parents, I listened to a lot of audiobooks. I actually got an audio version of “The Divine Comedy,” and made it halfway through Paradise before giving up. Hell is brutal in audio! Way worse than in print! But I’m afraid Paradise just got boring as Dante kept meeting more and more sanctified medieval theologians and discussing the finer points of doctrine with them.

    Christopher Buckley reading his own memoir about his famous parents, “Losing Mum and Pup,” was snarky and poignant, so great for keeping awake on the turnpike. “Island of the Sequined Love Nun,” by Christopher Moore, was hilarious. Matt Damon and Howard Zinn reading the 20th century portions of Zinn’s “A People’s History of America” might sound academic, but was fascinating.

    I’m sure Jo Walton’s books would be great fun for a long trip in audio. I recently scored a free copy of the audio for “Tithe” by Holly Black. I have another trip to see the parents coming up on the 25th–a paltry 2 hours now–so maybe I’ll start on that.

    So sorry the overtime continues! I hope good ideas continue to sneak into your brain anyway.

  • Sabine Says:

    Good “pune” in picture #2. LOL!