Albatross of Ember

I got up too early this morning, because the Sparrowhawk had to get up to go see his neurologist. I could have slept on, but I wanted to see him off. While he was gone, I took a shower and got dressed, in an attempt to wake myself up. When he got home, I asked if he wanted to try taking a nap again, but he was all energized and put forward his own proposition, to wit, that we should go out to breakfast, since we're always saying we want to, but somehow never do. We set out, and enjoyed driving across town on streets that are still remarkably decorative with lots of golden leaves, even after the recent rain and downfall of foliage. However, when we got to the restaurant, it was closed, because it was Monday. A lot of places close on Mondays now, because they can't get staff. So we went home, and I made some more toasty cheese with salami for breakfast.

I called Queenie. She's still not feeling that great after her booster, and she's still recuperating from her recent surgery. She has persistent nausea, and things will, at random, taste like hot garbage, and then she can't eat. But we're going to see her in only a couple of weeks now! THE WEDDING!! Yesterday, after a chat with the Philosopher about what things they really would like that other people might not buy for them, we ordered them a Kitchenaid mixer. They weren't available at a lot of places, but the Sparrowhawk tracked one down at Best Buy, and it is now en route to them. We also ordered them some stainless steel silverware they liked. I panicked and ordered myself a pair of sparkly shoes, because I had nothing to wear on my feet. They were pretty cheap and there was a retail outlet in our area, plus free shipping, so they should be here any day now. I hope they'll fit. I just never know about ANYTHING in terms of whether it will fit or not. Except I know for sure that some things won't fit.

As a consolation prize for not going out to breakfast, we went to the bookstore, got lattes, and sat in the cafe! It's not like old times, though. There's an miasma of anxiety and gloom that sort of hangs in the air even when you're trying to have a good time. Also, I had forgotten the biggest disadvantage of having coffee out: the other people! Omg, the ladies at a nearby table and their colonoscopies!! Good grief. They went on and ON, from there to broken hips, and cancer, and then to the perils of trying to get someone to clean and do lawn care, and how neighbors are annoying because they have children and work from home. Then on to their own children, who are apparently all home-schooling, and not doing it right. And THEN the sports injuries of their grandchildren. Everyone in their lives is doing everything wrong. What a world, what a world. Well, it's fine, I guess, if that's what makes your life worth living, but it made me wish I'd brought my earbuds. I don't benefit from my involuntary eavesdropping, because I don't ever plan to write a mainstream novel in which such characters would get free rein. Nope, I would blow up their planet and give them something to complain ABOUT. Who knows, maybe under other circumstances they'd rise to the occasion and be the backbone of the refugee fleet. Or the Rebellion. Or, on the other hand, they might be knitting next to the guillotine . . . on second thought, let's not wake them up.

While the Sparrowhawk was at the gym tonight, I got around to turning the Northern Spies into apple crisp. It took twice as long to cook as it's supposed to--as usual--but was worth waiting for. It was velvety, juicy, tart, aromatic, crunchy-sugary . . . very fine. It's all in the apples. If you get the good ones, there will be subtlety even in this simple preparation.