Rewards

 Bill had an appointment at the dentist yesterday morning for a 6-month check-up. This required us to get up early so we could catch the bus. I am not a morning person. As usual, when I know I have to get up at ridiculous o'clock, I didn't sleep well, so when, after less than three hours of slumber, I awoke with a start and saw that it was 6:20--20 minutes later than we'd planned to get up--I didn't have time to mumble, groan, and talk myself into getting up and facing the agitatingly bright, sunny, unseasonably warm day. I just shot out of bed and stumbled around getting ready to go. Once I was out of bed, I kept reminding myself that I would be rewarded for this unpleasant start, because while Bill headed off to the dentist in one direction, I'd be going the opposite way. Destination library for me. As I was walking over the bridge, I stopped for a few minutes to enjoy looking at the view. The patterns in the flowing water, the lines of the trees that are partially in leaf, the beautiful breeze, and the birds hanging out there were all very pleasant indeed. There were mostly seagulls, but there was also this lovely heron.

I just watched for a few minutes and then decided to try to take a picture. I dug out my phone and struggled to see the screen, so in the end I just tapped a few times and hoped for the best.

Then I continued on to the library where I picked up my books--an activity that always puts me in a good mood, no matter what. 

When I read the description of this book, about how the author was inspired to write it after reading an article stating that women are drains on society because they take too much time engaging in unpaid caring labor, my first thought was about the sheer stupidity of such an argument. I wonder how the idiot thinks society would function without this labor? Then I thought I might as well see what the author has to say. I'm not sure how new her arguments are, but I'm curious to find out. The book is translated by Sherilyn Nicolette Hellberg. This information doesn't appear on the cover, but it should.

The other two books I picked up are novels. The first one is a novel in short stories. I'm not sure where I found out about this book. I saw the other day that it's been shortlisted for the International Booker Prize. 

And finally, a book which, when I read the description, brought to mind the Simone de Beauvoir quote that fits me like a glove--'I was meant for another planet altogether. I mistook the way.' This book seems like it'll be slightly weird, but hopefully in a thoughtful and enjoyable way. I like misfit/culture shock stories about people trying to figure out what the hell is going on. This may be because I am a misfit who is always busy figuring out what on earth people think they're doing. 😁😂 To circle back to the first book, it seems blindingly obvious that our economic system is unsustainable and harmful to many. But people go on as if it's just the way it is. When I used to ask uncomfortable questions as a child, that was the (unsatisfactory and incorrect) answer I always got. That's just the way it is. So I'm particularly looking forward to this book. I will probably read this one first. The oddities of Earthlings, indeed.

And so I collected my rewards for leaping out of bed hours before I wanted to do so. Bill's check-up resulted in no problems. This is supposed to be the last day of this crappy weather and we get back to more seasonable temperatures and cloud cover starting this weekend. I'm looking forward to it! I'll let you know my bookish thoughts. Hope you have an abundance of good reading material within easy reach and happy weekend.

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