Bridge of Sighs

It's Miami's International Book Festival this week, so Bim and I followed up the Pinsky reading by going to hear the novelist, Richard Russo (favorites: Empire Falls and Straight Man). His new book, Bridge of Sighs, is the fictional memoir of his main character, Lou C. ("Lucy") Lynch and is the self-proclaimed "dullest story ever told." A NPR book review disagrees, calling it the best fiction pound-for-pound to be read this year. Whether or not that is a backhanded compliment referring to its large size is yet to be seen.

Gulf Music

Bim and I went to hear the poet Robert Pinsky read from his new book, Gulf Music, tonight. The auditorium was only half full, despite his being a pretty famous former Poet Laureate, but that worked in our favor--better seats. Here is one of my favorites:

Samurai Song

When I had no roof I made

Audacity my roof. When I had

No supper my eyes dined.

When I had no eyes I listened.

When I had no ears I thought.

When I had no thought I waited.

When I had no father I made

Care my father. When I had

No mother I embraced order.

When I had no friend I made

Quiet my friend. When I had no

Enemy I opposed my body.

When I had no temple I made

My voice my temple. I have

No priest, my tongue is my choir.

When I have no means fortune

Is my means. When I have

Nothing, death will be my fortune.

Need is my tactic, detachment

Is my strategy. When I had

No lover I courted my sleep.

Teeny Halloweeny

Ally, Violet and Samuel

I made two Halloween costumes for Ally--a ladybug and a blueberry--both of which turned out too big. And my little escape artist won't hold still for a picture. Here's the best I could do.

We had a great time celebrating with the Finlinsons: chili dogs, cider, doughnuts...yum.

L'Artiste

What a change from yesterday. The A/C went from not turning ON to not turning OFF. I am wearing socks to keep my feet warm! It's great! Except for the need to covserve energy I would blast it 24 hours a day. Now I can burn my holiday smelly candle and open the curtains and engage in strenuous activities, like mopping the floor. How grateful I am.

Ally learned to open cupboard doors today. She can climb into the stroller basket, but not out again. She understands "no" but she sure doesn't like it.

Hot-tober

Yes, we have no air conditioning. Yes, the repair man has been here every day for a week and still can't solve the problem. No, we are not turning on each other.

Our A/C blow-out happened, blessedly, at the turn of the seasons. If the two events hadn't coincided, I wouldn't be in a mood for jokes. Ally and I would probably be stretched out on our tile floor panting and trying not to move. But it's no longer in the 90+ degrees every day! Now it's only in the mid-eighties. Who knew a few degrees could make such a difference.

So, to get a jump on November reflections, today I am thankful for air conditioning and swimming pools and beautiful October weather. And baby alligators.

Play Dating

Before steady dating, or even group dating, comes play dating. Ally loves playing with Samuel and Jane and Telsey and Trae. (We miss Julian and Caleb too!--Ally's very first play dates).

Pictures for Lauren

My sister asked for some pictures of Ally. Be careful what you wish for, Loi. These were taken on our trip to New York.