Knitting Cybrarian

Grump, grump, grump

• This morning I peeked at the office construction and discovered that one interior wall of my new office (and that of my assistant) is burnt orange.  Sigh.  No one asked us about colors, and I should have specified.   I hope we get a choice about carpet color, as the current carpet is rippled/wavy and has holes in it from the construction.
• I need a vacation, but I can't afford to get away to visit family in Virginia.  I'm teaching a class this fall, so I won't be able to go for a week in October.  I'd like to take a week (or three) sooner rather than later, but this summer is getting crazier rather than less at work.
• My day time assistant is still sick (but went to the doc today, hooray!).  Grump on her behalf.
• Am calling references for the candidates for the evening/weekend assistant's position.  Can't fill that one soon enough, but must be with someone who will be good in that position.
• Am behind on detail work for some things.  Grump grump grump.
• Must work on class prep for fall or I'll be behind before I begin.  Haven't gotten contract yet, but hope it pays better than in Winter 2005.  Grump.
• Am reading something not related to music or knitting!  Interesting book by Rodger Cunningham titled Apples on the Flood.  Cunningham traces the continual uprooting of the ancestors who eventually migrated to America and settled Appalachia.  I'm reading this for several reasons -- Sharyn McCrumb listed this in the bibliography/further reading of one of her books, and many of Ms. McCrumb's details regarding the people who settled Appalachia and their descendants ring true to my family and my experience. 
• Hot weather is back.  Grump grump grump.
• And I turn 45 later this week.  Quadruple grump.

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows

I worked at The Studio until 5pm yesterday.  Got home, and my copy of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows had arrived and the Joelster had NOT opened it.  Whoo hoo!  I sat down around 6:10pm to read it.  I had a brief dinner break, a Mom call break, various nature and kitty scritching time breaks.  And I finished reading it at 2:16am this morning. 

Wonderful read.  Wonderful. 

Reading for fun

Fred of Fragments From Floyd has finished his first book, Slow Road Home.  My copy arrived Thursday and I started reading it last night.  For this mountain girl, it's a wonderful read with the sights and sounds of country living come to life.  Fred's musings bring my own memories alive and makes my heart ache for the joys of living in the Blue Ridge.

So, if you're a displaced hillbilly (as I often call myself) with ties to the Appalachians or just love Nature, you might want to explore Fred's Slow Road Home.

Reading

Friday I splurged.  I needed to return something to Barnes and Noble and instead of getting a refund, I bought Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince.  I started reading sometime around 1:30-2pm on Friday and finished it at 10:30pm.  Same day.

I inhaled it.  It was wonderful.