At the risk of alienating every last one of you, today is utterly beautiful here. I am sitting outside on the balcony typing in the sun. The sea is blue and shining and ruffled by the wind.
Strangely it seems to be making the locals a little hostile. I commented on the beauty of the day to everyone at work and got responses along the lines of, "I hate winter". Well, me too, but this ain't winter honeys. I wonder if they had been outside yet that day.
Then, when I was walking home revelling in the sunshine and gentle breeze carrying my scarf and without a jacket, a woman walked past me going the other way. She was well bundled up. She snapped at me, in a quite aggressive tone of voice, "Well. For Some of us it's a cold day, and for some of us it's warm." She had that huffy tone of voice one associates with obnoxious old ladies.
Not sure what it is that's setting them all off. I'm happy as a pig in mud, or a Canadian in the warmth!
On another note I need some help. One of my adult students - a woman - is suffering from depression but wants to read in English. This, I think is a good thing, but it leads to some difficult title selection. She needs an upbeat book, with a lot of dialogue (it is much easier to understand) and without too much difficult vocabulary. She also wants a book where things happen, where there is some action, not purely an interpersonal tension and resolution of tension.
Ideas anyone?
Please?
NB, eldest just came home and seems also to have been poisoned with bitterness and ennui by this spectacular weather.
Ungrateful and weird. No?
11 comments:
You aren't alienating me, but you ARE making me jealous. I just posted last night about the snow day we had. And since I'm in Michigan, that means it definitely snowed, baby.
Sigh.
Enjoy!
(And I'm trying to come up with a book. I have a feeling you need something a little more middle-schoolish level, though, and so that makes it a bit trickier. I'll see what I can do.)
You haven’t alienated me BUT while you are enjoying the warmth and the sun we finally got hit with a snowfall. Sigh. Knew it was too good to be true…
As for your book request, it made me realize I haven’t read an upbeat book for awhile – nor can I remember the last time I did. Must rectify that. In the meantime, if I do think of one, I’ll let you know.
Keep smiling - even if others aren't!
Have you considered that some of us react to radical changes in weather/temperature with mood swings and depression? Used to laugh and think it was all totally way out and all a matter of "cultural programming or social indoctrination", but not anymore! Have now learnt to pick up on the signals regarding my own reactions but it took some doing, let me tell you. I try to avoid people who aggravate me but am not always that lucky! GM
Janet Evanovitch books are very funny. Try them
Sea Dog
So glad your weather is fine. I can live vicariously through you.
Books? Hmm. I haven't ready any action books lately, but I loved the pace and action in Dan Brown's Angels and Demons.
The suicide rate goes up in Finland in Spring, it's as though they can't bear light after months of darkness.
I am not alienated because we are coming to see you and are looking forward to basking in some of that sunshine ourselves in a month!!
Hmmm, yes well I guess it's all relative. We had snow earlier now it's freezing rain and ice pellets. Oh joy. But I am looking forward to going out for a walk with the dog because although I rarely want to go out in this kind of weather, I'm always glad I did. One of my favorite books is The Color of Water, but I can't remember if the vocabulary is too difficult. I like the suggestion of Janet Ivanovitch. For quick reads there is also Jennifer Weiner and Jodi Picoult.
Gorgeous weather here, too. Luckily, though, there don't seem to be many horribly aggressive people wandering around, trying to ruin my day.
No book ideas for you, sorry. I've been reading TONS of Mercedes Lackey lately. She's upbeat, but it's all fantasy/sci fi...and many folks don't have a mad love for the genre.
See, now you know what our weather was like here on the Island last week. That seems to have come to a stop today as the temps are more seasonal (for us) and it is drizzling. Oh well, I enjoyed last week and that is more than a lot of people got. Glad you have some good weather and are enjoying it. Funny how the locals are reacting though. Here everyone seemed to be out and about, filling parks/beaches/trails.
Apparently it is going to get to a heady 8C today. Hurray!
I agree about the Janet Evanovich. Another author who always leaves me feeling happy is Maeve Binchey. Something like Circle of Friends. Not a lot of action, but Irish, so a lot of talking. OR I capture the castle by Dodie Smith. A book I adore and have read again and again.
Boo (Different google account)
Teachermommy, a snow day in Michigan has to be worth a couple of pics, no?
Beth, I guess you could look at some of the titles. I find I have to intersperse intense/depressing work with funny upbeat stuff. Terry Pratchett and travel lit are my two favourites for that, especially sailing books.
GM, something to consider.
Seadog, will do!
Hula, Dan Brown....a tempting one, though I worry about the complexity of the plot for a language learner. For me however that is another story altogether. Onto the list!
Helen, hope the weather is good when you're here!
Bodhi, there are a bunch of good authors. I have heard of the colour of water, but I think I'm going to have to put it on the list!
Beth, I can read sci/fi-fantasy...and I have never read her. Hmmmmmmm.
Doug, please remind me to move out there some time, OK?
Boo! 8 Degrees!!! You won't know what to do with yourselves? Or what to wear! Maeve Binchy might well be an excellent suggestion too. Gossipy, but in all the friendliest ways. Dodie Smith, never heard of her/him....going to have to give that a go!
Thanks everyone! You guys rule.
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