Distractions

We are on our way to another 100+ degree day here.  This will be day 5 or 6 or 7 of temps above 90.  For our neck of the woods, this is unusual and uncomfortable.  We have one small window AC unit.  With strategic placing of fans, we can distribute cool air to parts of the house.  By 6 pm, we have lost the battle. Then begins a frantic comparing of thermometers.  When inside is within a few degrees of outside, we open up the house and let fans and what little breeze there is take over.

Today's heat is compounded by smoky skies from large forest fires burning to the south of us.  Not good.

So, my first distraction is the heat.  Second, third, and fourth (not necessarily in that order) are these:

Distractions

Confession -- I love cosy mysteries, especially British cosies.  Agatha Christie, Dorothy L. Sayers, M.C. Beaton, Ngaio Marsh, you get the idea.  My local library is affiliated with the Oregon Digital Library Consortium.  I download free cosy mystery audio books onto my old iPod.  Too easy and too much fun!  A definite distraction from serious reading.

I justify the audio books because I like to listen while I knit.  Another distraction!  I just started (and re-started several times -- grrrrr) a new project.  Over the Sea to Skye Shawl. I am not happy with the yarn color.  In the above picture the yarn shows a slight shade of purple, as it did in the online catalog at Wool Warehouse.  In the real world, there is no purple, it is more of a muddy putty color.  Oh well, it will make a fine sturdy winter lacy shawl anyway.

The August 13, 2015 issue of  The New York Review of Books arrived two days ago.  I have not opened it, but I see it every time I walk into my study.  My eyes seek it out.  Just looking at the cover I see three articles I will probably not read and I think, "so it is not like you will read it cover to cover".  No, but there are at least four other articles I WILL read.  Exponential Distraction!  For me, the problem with reading The New York Review of Books is that I invariably find books I want to buy and read.  Books I do not need to buy.  I already own sooooo many unread books (thus the purpose of this blog!).  For now, I am keeping clear of the current issue.  I might sneak it into the car to read on an upcoming road trip.  The trick is not to have pen and paper at hand to jot down those titles I just cannot live without!

So, for today, this is my story and I am sticking to it.  Heat, cosy mysteries, knitting, and The New York Review of Books.  My distractions.  Uh-oh, I forgot to mention Sudoku puzzles.