Unraveled Wednesday: 3/26/25

I'm joining Kat and the Unravelers today with some progress on a sock. I was knitting along quite quickly and even dug out another skein of self-striping yarn from my stash. You know, just in case the knitting elves stopped by and finished this pair for me. It was a bit premature as I haven't even completed one sock of this current pair. But knitters' hopes spring eternal, so I will continue with the current socks and hope to cast on for a new Hitchhiker this afternoon.

I finished two average three-star books this week. Every Tom, Dick & Harry was a complete bit of fluff, with much of it bordering on preposterous. Emma Lewis takes over her parents' estate sale business and moves into their house when they retire; her high-school math teacher rents a room in the house; she ends up running the estate sale at a former B&B/"house of ill repute" in her hometown, and there is a tiny bit of a mystery thrown into the plot. But this book was entertaining enough that it provided a welcome diversion from the terrible current affairs, and for that I gave it an extra half star. 

 

Everything is Tuberculosis by John Green is an interesting, if at times meandering, exploration of how tuberculosis has shaped human history, literature, and public health. As always, Green’s writing is deeply personal, blending his curiosity with poignant reflection. He has a gift for making even the most niche subjects feel engaging, and his trademark footnotes and asides add to the narrative.

That said, the book sometimes struggles with cohesion. The essay-style structure occasionally feels disjointed here, with some chapters delving deeply into historical case studies while others feel more like personal musings with only a loose connection to the central theme. Readers looking for a more structured historical or deeper scientific analysis might find it lacking.

Still, Green’s passion for the subject is evident, and his ability to weave together cultural criticism, medical history, and personal anecdotes makes for an insightful (if slightly uneven) read. The book serves as a good reminder that tuberculosis is not a disease of the past, and we would do well to pay attention now and spend the necessary money on treatment so we don't end up with a greater number of cases that are multi-drug-resistant. Fans of his previous nonfiction work will likely enjoy it, but those expecting a more traditional deep dive into tuberculosis may want to supplement it with other sources. He does helpfully provide suggested books for further reading.

I'm up visiting John's sister and her husband (the one who had open heart surgery) so I won't be posting for a few days. Instead I'll be helping with transport to cardiac rehab., urging a ten-year-old to do his homework before we play Animal Crossing, and maybe doing a bit of cooking. I'll be back sometime next week.

What are you making and reading this week?

 

Read With Us: The Secret History Discussion

Today is the discussion day for our Read With Us winter book, The Secret History by Donna Tartt.

Kym, Carole, and I are each posting a discussion question or two on our blogs today, and you are welcome to respond in the comments. I would also encourage you to reply to others' comments if you choose.  This is a book discussion, after all, so there are no correct answers or right opinions. I've been looking forward to discussing this book, even though I've been thinking of it as The Bunch of Awful Privileged Characters and the Morally Bankrupt Man That Taught Them. I don't know of a better bunch of people for a book discussion than all of you.

So my questions are about Julian Morrow, the Classics professor. Julian finds out about the murders in the section after he receives that heartbreaking final letter from Bunny. When Richard sees Julian’s reaction, he mentally reclassifies Julian as no longer a “good parent” but someone “ambiguous, a moral neutral, whose beguiling trappings concealed a being watchful, capricious, and heartless.” What did you think of Julian? He is an enigmatic and charismatic presence in The Secret History, revered by his students for his deep knowledge of the Classics and his unconventional teaching methods. To what extent do you think Julian is a true mentor and father figure, and how much of his influence is merely performative? Does he genuinely care for his students, or is he more of a detached observer? Considering his role in shaping their worldview, do you believe he bears any responsibility for the events that unfold, including the murders? Why or why not?

 

I'll be glad to share my thoughts about these questions tonight during our Zoom discussion. These questions on our blogs and the Zoom discussion are your chance to express your ideas. So what do you think? I can't wait to hear your thoughts! (And I'm counting on our discussion to give me fresh perspectives in my own thinking about this novel.)

The in-person Zoom discussion will be at 7:00 pm Eastern this evening. If you haven't RSVP'd to Kym already you can send me an email (the email address is in the upper right) and I will make sure you get an invitation with the Zoom link. I hope to see you there!

 

On Food

Last weekend seemed to revolve around food. It started on Friday when Ryan had a pork roast, some chicken thighs, and a half gallon of milk all spoil in his refrigerator. I recommended that he get a refrigerator thermometer and check the temperature and then we would proceed from there. 

After a few hours, the temperature seemed to settle on 42 degrees which is really too warm for a refrigerator. I found a repair person who was willing to come Saturday morning to assess the problem and Ryan vacuumed the coils and cleaned the fans. When he woke up early Saturday morning, the temperature had stabilized at 35 degrees. We cancelled the repair person as there was no sense paying for a service call when there didn't appear to be anything to repair. 

I had planned to make a pork loin on Saturday and some crockpot tortellini on Sunday, but I switched them around. I wasn't sure if I would be going over to Ryan's to rescue all the things in his freezer on Saturday and if I would be back in time to do the pork loin. It turned out that my Saturday was essentially free after I had dumped everything in the crockpot, so I sat and knit on my sock while I watched Barefoot Contessa. I've never watched her show before, but I noticed some things during my viewing marathon that I thought might help with my own preparing and serving of food.

Daffodils in a vase are an arrangement low enough to see over.

• I need to use more adjectives when John asks what's for dinner. Instead of saying "pork", I should reply with "succulent loin of pork, marinated with fragrant garlic, rosemary, and wine".
  

• I should say "really good" more often, as in "I used good vanilla", or "This is really good olive oil". 

• Prosciutto wrapped around things (figs, melon slices) sound like easy and delicious appetizers, and they can be served at room temperature. She did make an accompaniment to a salad by wrapping hard salami around a breadstick, but that seemed a little ghetto for Ina.

• Always describe arugula as "peppery".  

• John will appreciate dinner more if I tell him that "I turned the flavor up."

• Ask loudly "How easy is that?" at frequent intervals while cooking.  

I do appreciate how she doesn't make really fancy and complicated dishes and her enthusiasm for good food is contagious, but after a whole afternoon of Ina, I was ready for a plain grilled cheese sandwich, made without turning the flavor up in any way.

 

A Gathering of Poetry: March 2025

It's the third Thursday of the month so I'd like to welcome you to A Gathering of Poetry. I don't know where I found this poem, but I love the word "swobtoggle", so I've been saving it until flowers and grass were beginning to get "high on the expensive chemistry of their mitochondrial explosion."

Happy Little Grass Cells (actually vascular bundles, xylem and phloem) as seen under magnification.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Please Don't

by Tony Hoagland 

tell the flowers—they think

the sun loves them.

The grass is under the same

simple-minded impression

about the rain, the fog, the dew.

And when the wind blows,

it feels so good

they lose control of themselves

and swobtoggle wildly

around, bumping accidentally into their

slender neighbors.

Forgetful little lotus-eaters,

solar-powered

hydroholics, drawing nourishment up

through stems into their

thin green skin,

high on the expensive

chemistry of mitochondrial explosion,

believing that the dirt

loves them, the night, the stars—

reaching down a little deeper

with their pale albino roots,

all Dizzy

Gillespie with the utter

sufficiency of everything.

They don't imagine lawn

mowers, the four stomachs

of the cow, or human beings with boots

who stop to marvel

at their exsquisite

flexibility and color.

They persist in their soft-headed

hallucination of happiness.

But please don't mention it.

Not yet. Tell me

what would you possibly gain

from being right?

 

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Tony Hoagland, "Please Don’t" from Application for Release from the Dream. Copyright © 2015 by Tony Hoagland.

You can read more about the poet here.

 

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Thank you for reading and joining us for our monthly Gathering of Poetry. You are

more than welcome to add your link below if you would like to share one of your

favorite poems. The more the merrier!

Unraveled Wednesday: 3/19/25

I'm joining Kat and the Unravelers today, with an FO. Here is the Classy Hitchhiker!

And because I feel somewhat classy when I'm wearing it, here's a rare self-portrait of me. 

After Sarah shared Molly's Neutral Socks along with the link to Fibernymph Dye Works, I went to the web site to look at the yarn. I was quite taken with the socks and when I saw that there was one skein available, I took it as a sign that I needed it. Sarah had encouraged us to treat ourselves in honor of her birthday, so that's what I did! I cast on for the first sock and am enjoying knitting My Own Neutral Socks. I also wound the new Wollmeise yarn, but haven't cast on yet. I have a plan, or more accurately, I have a concept of a plan and am thinking about the best way to use these color-saturated skeins while I knit with neutrals. 

 

 

 I finished two books this week. Sarah put The Strange Case of Jane O. by Karen Thompson Walker on my radar and it sounded intriguing. I found it a thought-provoking exploration of memory, identity, and the complexities of the human mind. The novel follows Jane O., a 38-year-old single mother who experiences unexplained blackouts and hallucinations, leading her to seek help from Dr. Henry Byrd, a New York City psychiatrist. As their sessions progress, both Jane and Dr. Byrd confront unsettling questions about reality and consciousness.

Walker's writing is both profound and evocative, drawing readers into a speculative mystery that intertwines psychological intrigue with emotional depth. The narrative structure, presented through Dr. Byrd's clinical notes and Jane's personal letters to her son, offers a unique and intimate perspective on their evolving relationship and the enigmatic circumstances they face.

While the novel's deliberate pacing allows for deep character development, some readers may find the progression slow, particularly in the middle sections. Additionally, although the open-ended conclusion might raise interesting questions, it's also possible that it might leave those seeking clear resolutions somewhat unsatisfied.

Overall, The Strange Case of Jane O. is a compelling read that challenges perceptions of reality and self. It is well-suited for readers who appreciate literary fiction infused with psychological and speculative elements. Three and a half stars rounded up.

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House for providing me with a copy of this book. It was published on February 25, 2025.

I have Kat to thank for recommending Lights on a Ground of Darkness by Ted Kooser. This five-star book is a beautifully rendered, deeply personal memoir that feels like sitting on a porch with an old friend, listening to stories woven from memory, love, and loss. With his characteristic warmth and poetic precision, Kooser reflects on his childhood in Iowa, his family’s history, and the small but profound moments that shape a life.

This book is a masterclass in storytelling—elegant, understated, and brimming with quiet emotion. Kooser’s ability to capture fleeting moments of beauty and sorrow makes this slim volume feel expansive. It is a quiet, heartfelt tribute to a way of life that has largely disappeared. The author recounts the struggles and joys of his family with tender detail, from his grandfather’s slow descent into blindness to the resilient and self-sacrificing women who held the household together. His descriptions of childhood—summers spent playing in the creeks, the smell of fresh-cut hay, the dusty aisles of the local hardware store—evoke a nostalgia that is both personal and universal. Initially, I was a bit disappointed that this wasn't a volume of his poetry, but I quickly got over that after reading the first page. What makes Lights on a Ground of Darkness so compelling is Kooser’s ability to find meaning in the ordinary. His prose is unadorned yet luminous, capturing the weight of time and the inevitability of change with a poignancy that lingers long after the book is finished.

What are you making and reading this week?

 

A Conglomeration of Photos

I didn't do anything too exciting or blog-worthy this weekend so I was at a loss for anything to write about today. I did wind all twelve of my Wollmeise mini-skeins along with a full skein of sock yarn, but none of them are terribly impressive, even wound into balls. 

So I went through a folder of photos that I have saved for occasions like this. I'm not sure they will be interesting to anyone else, but I had some fun reminiscing. First is a screenshot of my character from Guild Wars II when I reached Level 80. Ryan played this game and it sounded like fun so I gave it a try. It was fun but I was terrible at fighting, so I basically wandered around the worlds and did things that would help me level up. Level 80 seemed like some sort of milestone, so I quit playing after I reached that. By the way, this looks just like me. (Insert uproarious laughter here!)

The next one actually does look like me, or how I looked in 1978. I was in my dorm room at Juniata College, playing my dulcimer like all the cool college kids do. I had just cut my own hair because my boyfriend had broken up with me and I wanted a change. I'm pretty sure there was beer in that refrigerator behind me and I think I might have had one or two. My roommate thought my hair looked surprisingly good given the circumstances and wanted to capture the moment.

 

 

 

But enough about me. Justin worked at a ranch in TX for a year or so. It was at least an hour away from everything, but there were lots of ponds and waterways on the ranch and Justin loves to fish. He called us one morning quite excited because he had caught two fish at the same time on the same lure and they weren't little fish. I'm glad he was fishing with a co-worker so he could record this momentous occasion.

 

 

When we visited Glacier National Park I was enthralled by the color of the water. I asked a ranger what made it that distinctive turquoise color, and he told me all about "glacial flour". Glacial flour is the smallest size of sediment (much smaller than sand) produced by the grinding of glaciers against rocks. It is responsible for the milky, colored water in the rivers, streams, and lakes that are fed by glaciers. Glacier waterways can have a wide range of beautiful colors that arise as sunlight scatters when it hits the sediment particles in the water.

 

 

I'm beginning to think about starting seeds indoors so the plants will be ready to place in the garden in six or eight weeks. I won't be starting carrots indoors but this anatomically correct photo reminded me that there are always things to provide entertainment in the garden. 

 

And one last picture:

 

 

Ho'oponopono

I recently signed up for Max just so I could watch The Pitt. It's a medical drama set in a Pittsburgh ER starring Noah Wyle and I think it's far better than ER or Grey's Anatomy. The characters have to juggle personal crises, workplace politics, and the emotional toll of treating critically ill patients. Each episode covers one hour of a single 15-hour emergency department shift, and so far the show has dealt with a patient who was pushed onto a subway track, a mother who has made herself ill in order to get help for her son, a pediatric patient who has ingested one of his father's marijuana gummies, sickle cell disease, a patient who overdosed on Xanax that had been laced with fentanyl, and many other medical crises.

I think it's a great show, but I was struck by something more emotional than medical. An elderly patient is admitted from a nursing home with breathing difficulties but he also has advance directives that say he doesn't want to be be put on a ventilator. His adult children are unsure about the best course of action and they do end up putting him on a ventilator, but it's only helpful for a short time. The patient's daughter especially is not ready for her father to die, but Noah Wyle tells her and her brother about something his mentor taught him concerning how to say goodbye to a loved one. It's a Hawaiian prayer/process called Ho'oponopono that has a difficult to pronounce name but is really simple. It roughly translates to “cause things to move back in balance” or to “make things right.”

 

 

It's simply saying to loved ones, "I love you, thank you, I forgive you, please forgive me." There are variations; sometimes "I'm sorry" is used instead of "I forgive you", and I've seen the phrases used in different orders. But however they are used, these four phrases seem to cover most of the "big things" like love, repentance, forgiveness, and gratitude you might want to express at the end of someone's life. I wish I had been aware of this when my parents were approaching death, but I know I said similar things in my grief. 

 

I enjoy watching entertaining TV and The Pitt certainly does that in terms of medical drama, but it's a big plus when it's more than just a medical soap opera and can provide some real and emotionally honest moments that also teach me something. That's why The Pitt is my current favorite!