Cataract Surgery

Dear friends, 

sorry I've been silent again. On Tuesday I had cataract surgery and had to stay off the computer for three days. Even now, I'm keeping that eye closed just for good measure. Tomorrow I can do all things in my normal life again, but for three days I couldn't read, or use the computer. (So I listened to music and my Portuguese CDs. But really, I love being online and hated missing all the news. And no reading? Aaarrrrgh!)

But the surgery went very well. My surgeon checked the eye (left) yesterday and is quite satisfied. After my three week period of eyedrops is over, I have another appointment to get a prescription for glasses. Interestingly, the opthamologist does all the optometry testing/prescription as well. I have to say, I like the idea of one person keeping track of my eyes instead of two departments. It's a different system. And I do like my opthamologist, although I had a super one in Sacramento. She was great, too.

Rajan has an appointment next Tuesday, as it's time for him to get a new prescription.

Meanwhile, today I get to go out walking again! (I've missed that, too!)

I'll sign off for now but will be back soon. Everyone have a great day.

And Then More Happened - Oops!

Last Thursday night, close to midnight, I was waiting to take my last set of eyedrops for my glaucoma, and I fell asleep. It was unusually late for the drops and I was soooo sleepy. Next thing I knew I had fallen on the floor, hitting my head and banging my shoulder really hard. I took the drops with Rajan's help, then went to sleep (in bed); but Friday morning my shoulder and arm were so painful, we went to emergency.

Long story short, we were wonderfully taken care of. We have insurance through the hospital, which reduced the expense incredibly: They took X-rays of my shoulder and did a Cat Scan, given that I had a goose-egg on my head. Good news: no broken bones and Cat Scan was fine. They did give me a pain-killer shot and a prescription for pain pills, and I was told not to go on one of my 3-4-mile walks for a few days and to keep my arm in a sling.

I am so grateful no damage was done! Just momentary discomfort, so I used the following days reading and studying Portuguese. Luckily, the doctor and nurse who attended me spoke English.

Already my shoulder feels better, but it's not quite back to normal yet. Still, I'm back to walking (have walked 2-3 miles for the last three days).

Meanwhile, My very kind friend, Carla Pereira came by Monday morning with a delicious dessert treat to make me feel better. Also, knowing how I like Pessoa, the Portuguese poet, she brought a deck of Pessoa playing cards. The backs all have a picture of him looking mournful in a trenchcoat and his tell-tale hat. But on the playing side, each card has a different short quote from one of his writings. The usual sets are there (hearts, spades, diamonds, clubs, and Ace through King in each set), but individually each has a different (and short) quote — ideal for learning my Portuguese.

Also, at the Amazon site for Imogene and the Case of the Missing Pearls, there is a little snippet teaser you can listen to on Audible HERE .

I hope this finds those of you stopping by enjoying your lives and busy with good things (and not falling off chairs.) Take care and stay well.

TOO MUCH HAS BEEN HAPPENING (GOOD STUFF, THOUGH)

 I haven't had time to post because 1. I'm working on my new book, the next mystery in my Braga series. I have about one-fourth to go. and 2. My husband and I are trying to learn Portuguese - a beautiful-but-not-easy language for people who didn't grow up hearing it. 

But I have GOOD NEWS: Imogene and the Case of the Missing Pearls is now an AUDIO BOOK. The narrator, the wonderful Beverly Matthews, is British, and it really makes my heart flip-flop to hear all my characters speaking with bonafide English accents. 

I will be posting more about this, around the above two challenges, but here is a link if you want to listen to it for free (temporary opportunity). It's going to also be highlighted on THIF this coming Friday, and I can tell you more about it then. HERE IS THE LINK

Don't give up on me; I am not abandoning blogging. I will also be reviewing some great Sherlock Holmes pastiches here as I progress to the end of my book. 

I do apologize for not having any pictures to share. Braga is popping out in springtime blooms and I, alas, have my nose to the grindstone and my camera in the drawer. 

I hope everyone is well and safe from the endless challenges of the ever-evolving Covid. I will try to get around to your blogs this week, because I miss my blogging friends!

It's THIF Time Again With New Discounts

 I know I post a lot about THIF, but I'm  Sherlock Holmes lover, and also, I've been reading some great pastiches that I'm hoping to review shortly. (What's been holding me up? I'M WRITING. The Muse has struck again and I mustn't ignore, or, if I do, it's at writing peril . . ..)

Meanwhile, yes, it's Thank Holmes It's Friday again, week 19, with great new discounts on Sherlock-related literature. Good mysteries abound! One day only! Check it out HERE.

QUESTION 1: Do you like the original Sherlock Holmes stories?

QUESTION 2: Do you like Sherlock Holmes pastiches?

I T'S FRIDAY AGAIN, AND SHERLOCK LOVERS KNOW WHAT THAT MEANS . . ..

 It's Friday again, and you know what that means: Thank Holmes It's Friday, the opportunity for Sherlock Holmes Lovers to get free audio books, discount books, and more — just one click away for one day only: Click  HERE

THIF - THANK HOLMES IT'S FRIDAY

 If you are a Sherlock Holmes fan, here is a plethora of offerings to enjoy for next to nothing — a dollar and a code. Thank Holmes It's Friday is weekly from MX publishing and features Sherlock-related novels. Today is the launch. Go to the site and take advantage of these fantastic offers — terrific books for just a dollar and a code . . .. These offers are valid from 9pm Thursday UK time (that's 1pm today PST, 4pm today EST) to to 9am Saturday UK time. (Americans need to either stay up late Friday night or get up early Saturday — Better: hie to the site immediately before they run out . . ..

I've been readiing some good Sherlock Holmes mysteries in my spare time as we get ready to move to Portugal. Two in particular I want to review here, but first I wanted to post the THIF news.

Meanwhile, I posted at greater length about the move to Portugal on my other blog (Elizabeth Varadan's Fourth Wish ) On February 21st we leave for Braga, Portugal. More details are in the post.

My apologies for no pictures today. My life as been a "to do" list lately with no time for photos.

I hope this finds readers safe and well and getting through all the restrictions with fortitude, finding enjoyable indoor activities. And I hope you are not dealing with losses due to this terrible "plague".

"This, too will pass," even though it feels like forever. Takce care and stay well.

Not Forgetting Adèle, a Cozy Read for Those Who Liked Jane Eyre

 

I had planned to review the Sherlock Holmes mystery, but time whizzed by with the election, Thanksgiving, my birthday, and a new exciting project coming up that I'll post about later. Now my husband has that book, and I'll have to wait for him to finish before I can re-read it and review it. 

But wait: In the meantime, I read another book that I think most readers of this blog would enjoy. 

Not Forgetting Adèle takes place in the Victorian Era, during the time of Jane Eyre. I am a Brontë fan and have been ever since I was a teenager, and I always wondered about the young girl in Jane's care when Jane was the governess in Jane Eyre. Here is my review: 

            Julia Harbour’s gothic mystery, Not Forgetting Adèle, is a sequel to Jane Eyre. The novel’s protagonist is the young girl Jane taught when she was a governess at Thornfield Hall. Edward Rochester had rescued Adèle after her mother, his former mistress, abandoned her in a Paris hotel and made him Adèle’s guardian. As the story opens, the grown Adèle has joined the Rochesters in their new home at Southfield after two years at a finishing school in Geneva, Switzerland. 

            At this point in her life, Adèle is haunted by two questions: She would like to know why her mother abandoned her, and she would like to have her secret conviction confirmed that Rochester is her true father. While in Switzerland, she learned of her mother’s new marriage to an Italian count. and wrote a letter to the newspaper that posted the news. She is hoping the letter will be forwarded and inspire a reply. It is this letter that sets the tale in motion, a tale with subplots and twists and turns all deftly handled by this author as she weaves them into a satisfying conclusion. 

            Harbour knows her Victorian England and give us scenes that ring true. Her characters are well-rounded—and full of surprises. (More than one person is not who he or she claims to be.) Adèle is an appealing protagonist, spunky, a bit insecure from her difficult start in life, but determined, adventurous, caring. The chemistry that grows between Adèle and the mysterious Jack Whitaker (not of her class) keeps good tension throughout. Jane, now a mother of two and expecting a third, provides a serene foil to the stormy Edward and the conflicted Adèle. And familiar characters from the original Jane Eyre, including Jane’s cousins, show up in new roles. Not Forgetting Adèle is a pleasurable read on all counts. 

You can get a copy of Not Forgetting Adèle HERE .

On another note, I hope you have a safe and enjoyable Christmas and Hannukah and Kwanzaa, or any other holiday you celebrate at this time. It is heartening to read of the two vaccines that have come out and will eventually be available to everyone. Till then, stay safe and well during this Covid-19 crisis. Please do follow all the precautions.

How will you be spending the holidays? Normally, my husband and I spend Christmas Day with our god-family in Martinez and stay overnight to avoid night holiday driving. This year we will stay home and do some phoning and Skyping. And reading, of course!