Monday, March 19, 2018

THings That Are Making Me Happy!






I am happy that my book launch went okay and even more thankful that it is over. I don't mind talking about my work, but I hate twisting arms to get an audience.

Especially thankful that I had friends who make cookies for the event. How kind they were.

Thankful that Robin Agnew (Aunt Agatha's) came in to sell the books. I have been to events where people sold their own book, and it is awkward.

Saw THOROUGHBREDS, which was so-so, but reminded me of the superior picture, HEAVENLY CREATURES, which dealt with the same theme.

Maybe a hint of spring in the air today...PLEASE.

What about you?

20 comments:

Anonymous said...

So glad your launch went well, Patti! Isn't that a great feeling? I wish you much success with I Bring Sorrow....

pattinase (abbott) said...

Thanks, Margot.

Jerry House said...

St. Patrick's Day makes me happy. Corned beef makes me happier.

Both girls and all the kids went camping this weekend (except Erin, who had a competition in Mississippi). Despite threats of a big storm, the weather was beautiful. The first thing they saw when they got there was an alligator; Christina wanted to name him Chauncy, Mark thought Lawrence was a better name, and Ceili just called him "Oh god, no. Just no."

Over the weekend we pet-sat for Jessamyn's two pugs, Beefy and Annie. They are older than dirt. One is blind, one is deaf, both have a tendency to incontinence, and they are the dumbest things on God's green earth. Of course I love them. The cat, however, has been giving me stinkeye since their arrival.

I am thankful that our unexpected (and unknown) visitor who came in while we were sleeping Friday night/Saturday morning and passed out on our couch was not an ax murderer. Friends said the man was lucky he picked our house because I am so laid back. Florida's a stand your ground state, you see.

Watched the first season of HARD SUN on Hulu. Reactions to the series tended heavily on the negative side (in re: plot, characters, setting, acting, direction, writing -- even the music), but Kitty and I liked it. If the planned second season is ever made, we'll be there. We also watched the first season of THE FRANKENSTEIN CHRONICLES, which we also liked.

Just realized that I now have over 1500 books on Kindle, all but three of them were free. I really have to start reading them sometime.

I rally wish I could have been there at your book launch...maybe when it wins a Pulitzer...

Have a great week!

Jerry House said...

BTW, when I say I wish I could have been there for the launch, it's not just because of the cookies.

pattinase (abbott) said...

They were pretty darn good, Jerry. Maybe worth the trip.

George said...

I was happy that the men's basketball team at SUNY at Buffalo won their first NCAA Tournament game. They lost to Kentucky but things look good for next year!

The SUNY at Buffalo women's basketball team is still alive in their NCAA Tournament. And Syracuse surprised Michigan State to advance to the SWEET 16. I love March Madness!

It's still cold in Western NY but the snow is slowly melting.

Gerard Saylor said...

Jerry spoke of dogs. My dog loves to spend all day outside during the summer. She will lay on the driveway in the sun for hours. Yesterday's warmer weather made her happy.

We almost have a new-to-us van Saturday . We came to terms on the price for a 2017 Chrysler Pacifica on Saturday but the bank was closed and unable to sign off. My wife and I should be able to drive over and get it midday today.

I mentioned online that we are trading in our 2003 Honda van. The van has over 200,000 miles, peeling paint and other issues. A friend commented that the value of the van largely depends on how much gas is in the tank. He's right, but we still got $500 on the trade-in. And $500 was the top price we hoped for.

The Scout Troop had a water safety and swim testing yesterday. Nobody likes to sit at the side of the pool and get lectured but the rescue practice and swim test are more fun. Then the pool let us use the floating "thing" https://sites.google.com/a/waterloo.k12.wi.us/district/_/rsrc/1473193179730/community-pool/20150104_194023.jpg

I almost have a new Children's Librarian hired at work. We had several great applicants and some very good interviews.

Gerard Saylor said...

To be clear: I don't know who those people in the pool photo are.

Also: Scout policy means no adults are allowed in the changing rooms when Scouts are getting dressed/undressed. That leaves us outside the changing room yelling at the kids inside to hurry up. Every time.

pattinase (abbott) said...

Why isn't yesterday's warm weather in WI here, Gerard? Where did it go?
The Spartans are out by the Wolverines are in.

Jeff Meyerson said...

What about Pogo, Jerry?

Jeff Meyerson said...

I'm happy that we're still in Florida. And that we have no obligation or financial reason we had to rush home through some iffy weather. March seems to be worse than February this year, but not in South Florida.

I'm happy the book launch is over and it went well. I finished it yes and will get something posted on Amazon soon. I know many people (including Jackie) just don't like to read short stories, but they are missing out on some excellent writing, as well as a way to discover new writers they might like. I've been on my "at least one short story a day" plan since August of 1995. P.S. I liked the book a lot.

Happy that my youngest sister and her two girls (the older one is graduating high school in June!) will be coming to New York for the two part Harry Potter play on Broadway in May. Jackie offered to treat them to the hotel.

Even though it was far from great, we enjoyed seeing Donald Sutherland and Helen Mirren in THE LEISURE SEEKER. The idea of that kind of road trip (though not under those circumstances) has always had a certain appeal to me.

Happy I finished 4 books last week, including Elaine Viets' harrowing BRAIN STORM, based on her own experience with being misdiagnosed and then having SIX strokes in 2007. Scary.

Jeff Meyerson said...

'yes' should have been 'yesterday'

Jeff Meyerson said...

George, I agree with you. I've been rooting for Syracuse to win too.

Jeff Meyerson said...

Crappy Weather update: Why buy trouble? Jackie just extended our stay until next Sunday.

pattinase (abbott) said...

Thanks, Jeff.
Had high hopes for that movie because I liked the book. Too bad.
We may not be returning to FL at all next year because it is proving very hard to find a place that will rent to us for less than 3-4 months. Ugh.

Rick Robinson said...

I'm happy your book launch went well, Patti. I really hope this is the book that sends you to the top as an author! (although you're already tops by me).

I'm happy we continue to have pretty nice weather, in the 50s most days. The Crocuses are done, but the Daffodils are still going strong and the Rhododendrons - which we fed last week - are covered with buds. There are even a few Hosta tips showing. Still not warm enough to sit outside, but it's getting there.

I'm happy we finished a difficult jigsaw puzzle, but then Barbara pulled out an even harder one. She may have to do that one by herself.

I'm happy I put up a new blog post. It was about time (thanks for your comment); I'm going to try to do them more often.

Anonymous said...

My brother is cancer free after three operations.

-Kieran

Steve Oerkfitz said...

Glad your book launch went well. I didn't eat any cookies but had a few brownies.
Weather hovering around 40 degrees for this week. Not bad if the sun stays out.
Got audited by HUD (I live in a co-op) and got my rent lowered considerably which was nice.
Got a lot of interesting books on my TBR soon pile. Finishing up the new Alafair Burke-The Wife. Liking it so far. Finished the new Peter May. Well written but disappointed in the ending which I saw coming early on.
Haven't seen any movies this week at the theaters, but have the Florida Project from Netflix and am enjoying the second season of Sneaky Pete on Amazon.

pattinase (abbott) said...

Must watch Sneaky Pete. Where were the brownies?
Glad to hear that, Kieran, Been wrestling with that for a long time now.

pattinase (abbott) said...

Rick-all we have so far is crocuses. And not many of them. Still going into 20s at night.