Home Again

I've been home three hours and have not adjusted yet. You mean I have to cook a dinner? You mean I have to teach in about ten days?

It was lovely to visit Lake Placid Lodge--so lovely. I meant it when I told Keith Mandernach, the Front Office Manager, that the lodge is the very best place I have ever had the pleasure of visiting. Aside from the not-to-be-rivalled beauty of the place, the entire staff was so genuine in their keen desire to make our stay pleasurable and memorable. And chief among the staff, of course, is Maggie, who was very down in the mouth this morning as we prepared to leave.

I was overwhelmed to come back to our everyday life. But books are always a consolation.

Which brings me to the thought I had upon awakening today. We both opened our eyes about the same time, and I said, "There's more to characterization in a novel than making up quirky characters!" Ken did a doubletake and reached for his glasses so he could get a good look at me. I told him I was referring to The Cookbook Collector by Allegra Goodman, 100 pages of which I read yesterday and most of it last night. In typical, no-nonsense fashion, he said, "You don't have to keep reading it if you don't want to." This from the man who religiously finishes each book whether he's enjoying it or not.

I looked at the book in question this morning and noticed I'm about to turn to Part Three, which looks as if it might take an intriguing turn. Maybe things are looking up.