Monday 7 January 2019

Book Group


My book group meets on the first Monday in each month and we go round members' houses.   It was my turn to be the hostess today.   There were seven of us and our book for discussion was Robert Harris's 'An Officer and a Spy'.   There was a long and healthy discussion and we had all enjoyed the book - a fast moving account of the Dreyfus affair.   I learned more from it that I ever learned in A Level history.

Then, after a  hurried lunch of 'Fridge Bottom' soup (home made I hasten to add - sweet potato, red onion, carrot, leek and a stick of celery plus mixed herbs and bouillon stock) it was off - driven by friend W- to an hour's relaxed ukulele playing with friends.   Then home again to take Tess for her walk round the estate before getting tea for us both (not the same menu!)

Beans on toast for me, eaten on a tray while watching the first week of a new series of Antiques Road Trip - my favourite of the many antiques programmes on television.

Really a 'too busy' day for me these days although I enjoyed it.   But it is so good to relax with friends.   It is the moving about which tires me more than anything.   But a much easier day tomorrow - only into town for fruit, pay the paper bill for the week, buy some envelopes and meet friends for coffee.   Our usual meeting place is closed for the week so a new venue.   But we know their coffee is good.

Tesco deliver my grocery order in the morning nice and early - a lazy way of  shopping I know but it fills the fridge, freezer and cupboard and I don't have to do the majority of the work.

Spare a thought for Cro today.   He has lost his beloved dog, Bok.  When they die they leave a great big hole in our hearts don't they?

14 comments:

Sue said...

Sounds like a nice busy day. Do you have to serve refreshments to the book club?

Gwil W said...

One of the Esterhazy family (possibly it's Paul) has written a thick book about his family history. I haven't read it but it mentions their Budapest black sheep, a communist spy, too. Dreyfus was fortunate that Emil Zola, who had to seek shelter in England, exposed the French Esterhazy traitor who was working for Berlin. Clothes doth not make the man and high office doth not either. Things haven't changed much have they? A good book choice by someone. Mrs G's favourite film is Book Club. She's been to see it twice.

Bonnie said...

You had a nice size group for the book club. I'm sure everyone enjoyed the soup you prepared. My sympathies to Cro on the loss of his dog, Bok. Yes, they do leave a big hole in our hearts.

Rachel Phillips said...

You front room must have been shoulder to shoulder Weave. Very cosy with the men!

Simon Douglas Thompson said...

I've been reading 20-30 books a year, but it is a solitary and dare I say pub pursuit for me. Love reading in the pub.

Joanne Noragon said...

I don't care for days that busy, either. I have one tomorrow, beginning with a doctor appointment at 10. I shall call myself "another Weaver" by day's end.

Shawn said...

I agree that it's getting around to all these things that's most tiring and tiresome, but good to be with others. This evening I met a couple of friends for cocktails - well, an early drink and some nibbles. It was in their neighborhood, so I took the subway - with one change - and a short walk. When we parted at 9:00, I called an Uber. I could not face the 50-minute subway rides at that point. It was great to gather and talk, but expensive all told.

thelma said...

I think busy days are exhausting and need the next day to be quiet to compensate. So sad about Bok as well.

Librarian said...

I know what you mean... although my mobility is not impaired by health restrictions, I get tired with all the travelling back and forth I do every week, and most weekends. Honestly, some mornings I arrive at work after two adventurous train rides with long waiting periods in between, exhausted before I have even started on my tasks!
Being able to work from home some days plus having clients within easy walking distance is definitely appreciated more and more.
Sorry to hear of Cro's loss. Anyone who has ever loved a pet can relate to how sad he must be.

Derek Faulkner said...

I've never heard of anybody called Dreyfus and so the most important part of your blog for me was the sad news of Cro's loss, I really feel for him, it's an awful thing to go through.

Heather said...

The book and your homemade soup both sound very interesting. I haven't come across the book but make similar soups myself and they are usually tasty.
So sorry to hear Cro's sad news. I have had to say goodbye to much loved pets quite a few times in my life and send kind thoughts and sympathy.
You fitted a great deal in to one day - no wonder you felt tired. Most enjoyable though. I have found that shopping at Tesco with a shopping trolley provides me with an extra bit of exercise. It is only a short walk from my flat but coming back with a loaded trolley (I try to only shop once a week) provides me with a bit more exercise, and it is uphill on the way home. As long as I have a free hand for my walking stick I am OK.

liparifam said...

Funny to think how just two years ago I was working full-time and yet managed all my errands, outings with friends, taking care of three dogs and a cat, traveling to see my daughter, etc. Now that I'm basically retired, I wake up each day and plan to do just one or two little things - and sometimes feel overwhelmed by those, and just don't get them done, lol! I think it's just a case of "we do what we have to do" and fit it in to whatever time we have... Sending sympathetic thoughts to Cro; the days our beloved dogs leave us are the very saddest of days :(

Rachel Phillips said...

As they say, if you want something done, ask a busy person.

Mummy and Me said...

I have tried your Fridge Bottom Soup before and it was delicious - I know you change the recipe each time though so I don't think I will be able to recreate it. I will keep that combination in mind though.

Yesterday, my friend was chucking out a stale loaf of nice bread so I took it home and made Jamie Oliver's ribollita recipe which I found online - delicious and good on a cold winter's night!