Gone with the Wind

 Prompted by Engie's recent reviews of Gone with the Wind; I pulled out my copy, dusted it off and sat down to re-read this classic novel.

I can't remember how many years ago it was when I last read this book - but I'm guessing it's been more than 30 years (and probably about the same amount of time since I saw the movie).  And as I told The Husband when I finally closed the giant book this afternoon - I remembered the basic plot but apparently, I had forgotten 90% of the story.

It is a period piece, so we have to keep that in mind when reading about slavery, etc.  If those problematic pieces would have been left out; it wouldn't have been a very believable read of the times in which it was set.  Much like The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn and Tom Sawyer.  You can't whitewash the past, unfortunately.

And yes, I have to agree with Engie's assessment of Scarlett.  Despite everything she endured and the successes that she achieved despite the hardships she faced; she is not a nice person at all.  Therefore, the ending was fitting for Scarlett.

I thoroughly enjoyed this re-read and would suggest, if you haven't read it in some time - or if you've never read - now might be a good time.  Yes, it's a tome (clocking in at 1,037 pages) but it is well written; a sweeping saga will hold your attention straight through to the end - a book you, most likely, won't regret reading or re-reading.

Book Review: Thief River Falls by Brian Freeman

 I know I say this about every book I review - but this one truly was unputdownable.  A true page turner and was an excellent escape vehicle that I definitely needed today of all days.

Lisa Power is a tortured ghost of her former self.  She is the author of a bestselling thriller called Thief River Falls, named after her rural Minnesota hometown.  Lisa is secluded in her remote house as she struggles with the loss of her entire family due to a series of tragedies.

A nameless runaway boy shows up at her door with a terrifying store:  he's just escaped death after witnessing a brutal murder.  Obsessed with the boy's safety, she resolves to expose this crime, but powerful men in Thief River Falls are  desperate to get the boy back, and now they want her too.

I was riveted to this book all day.  I will say at one point, I started to suspect how the ending would be - but it was pretty close to the end when that happened.

So, if you are looking for something to, you know, take your mind off all of the *things* right now.  I think this might be perfect book for that.

So News...of sorts

Today I had my first interview since I was let go at the end of August.  Honestly, I'm kind of shocked it took this long to obtain one interview.

Let me tell you.  Searching for a job these days is a LOT different than when I last had to do it.  Back then, I answered a blind ad in the newspaper.  Today, it involves trawling online trying to weed out the scammy posts.  Which, let me tell you, makes job searches exhausting.

I will give credit to a majority of the companies, I've applied to - at the very least most of them are responding that they've received my application and turning around to tell me that despite my "very impressive" resume, they've decided to go in another direction. *sigh*

Today's phone interview was just a quick "meet and greet" to explain the company (an industry I'm not really familiar with) and I guess to garner just how interested I am in the position (very).

I should note here, that I have been targeting remote roles only - because I honestly don't want to have to go into an office if I don't have to; and after the lockdown it has been more than proven that I can actually do my job from home.

So when she mentioned that for locals this was a hybrid position, I was a little concerned.  Were they expecting me to move?  No, in fact, it turns out that if a non-local person secures this position it will be 100% remote.  Which makes me really want this job.

I sent a thank you email, after the interview and then immediately wondered; is this something people do anymore in this digital age?  I'm thinking it's not the norm anymore. 

I think the interview went well.  She promised to get back to me either way.  So now, we wait, with crossed fingers and toes - because I really think this job would be a good fit for both of us.

Shower Thoughts

 I DESPISE showering in the winter in this house.  The Husband made a miracle happen a few years ago and installed a vent heater in our bathroom.  But, that little heater can't keep up in our frigid bathroom.  I'm not kidding when I tell you that room is at least 15 degrees colder than any other room in this house.

Well, this post went off the rails from the very beginning.  Because I meant start by telling you that I have recently determined that I will no longer use a "pouf" (those netted things) in the shower because I recently saw a post somewhere on the internet from a dermatologist who mentioned all the mold and bacteria found on those things; that I'd been mindlessly using.  I have since switched over to wash cloths; which honestly, I don't love but at least they don't skeeve me out.  And I KNOW they are clean because they get washed after each use.  Now I just need to go ahead and toss that pouf which is still hanging in my shower growing more moldy every day, I'm sure.

But the main reason I despise showering in the winter is because when I get out and set about moisturizing myself I am shivering beyond reason - even with the vented heater.

Then one day, my dad's voice registered in my head.  I remember clearly him telling me, when I was very young - because he and my mother hadn't divorced yet - that in order to not be so cold when getting out of the shower/tub to use cooler water.  Mind you, not cold but cooler.

And I shrugged that off as absolutely ridiculous because who doesn't love a hot shower?  I sure do.

But after one day a week or so ago; after shivering and unable to get warm - even after being dressed - I decided enough was enough.

So, now I have been taking tepid showers.  Is it ideal?  No it is not.  Does it work?  Yes, it does.  And, apparently, my skin (and my toes) are thanking me.

I am no longer shivering as I moisturize and by the time I get around from moving from the bathroom to my dressing room I'm actually pretty comfortable.  Bliss.

So what say you, friends?  Do you use a pouf?  Are you now as skeeved out about them as I am?  Could you brave a tepid shower in the winter?