It started raining about five o'clock this morning. It wasn't a gentle rain, either.I noticed the cirrus clouds moving in Saturday evening and by yesterday evening the clouds and wind were out of the South. I could tell the wind was southerly, even with my eyes closed, because of its drawl. All the signs were there and so far we have gotten over an inch (2.54cm) of rain.
"Big deal," you are thinking. Yeah, it's not. I put off going out to feed the horses and letting the chickens out of their coop until I could see better because of the fog and sun not giving off much noticeable light. The Big Question du jour was what should I do for the rest of the morning? Being a National holiday and me not having to show up at work left me with some options. Some of you may remember that I like to read, mostly Nordic mysteries, and in summer I don't read as much because I am outdoors more, etc. Should I reread something or get something new? I don't often read something I already read (unless it is for a discussion or test or something) so I opted for new. I have been reading Swedish stuff lately, mostly Mari Jungstedt, which is set on Gotland, a beautiful island south of Stockholm in the Baltic sea.
I wanted to start reading Ragnar Jonasson's (Icelandic) books in order ( I just have to read books in order), but the first one isn't available on Kindle yet and the libraries in Minnesota don't have them yet. That's why Kindle was my choice, but here's the rub. It won't be available in the U.S. until the first of the new year. However, it is available on Kindle in the U.K.! I almost did the address change on my Amazon account and try to convince them that I was a U.K. resident (maybe using my uncle's address) and that they should send me the book immediately. If that didn't work I thought I might try pleading:
My Dearest Honourable Sir or Madame,
I am draughting this from the colonies to beseech thee to post a book forthwith upon which my very life depends! I shan't be able to go on without. I have a tumour of the brain, and possibly haemophilia, and wouldst appreciate thy assistance.
God save the Queen!
Not sure they would swallow that, so I opted to shop for a few minutes and decided to swallow my pride and dig deeply into my wallet for a Jussi Adler-Olsen book, The Hanging Girl. It has been a while since I read the first five in the series and I figured I might as well continue that. It turns out after 3 chapters that it is mostly set on the Danish Island of Bornholm, which is also in the Baltic Sea between Sweden and Poland. Jussi Adler-Olsen is a Danish writer.
Maybe I should consider a trip to the Baltic Sea on one of my future trips to Europe. All I need is time and money, both of which may be growing short. There is always virtual or vicarious travel which may be as good as it gets.
I better go read a few more chapters before I head outside. Happy Labour Day to all mah fellah Merkins!
HLD to you also! a pity tomorrow it's back to work...
ReplyDeleteI hope your Labor Day was delightful.
ReplyDeleteI do reread. Which only adds to the humungous size of my unread towers.
Oh hey, it's Labour Day here, too! (you spelled it the Canaajin way, I see) ... There's nothing like a good book and a day off work. Hope you had a good one.
ReplyDeleteI commend you on your command and spelling of the Queen's English, sirrah.
ReplyDeleteMy Nordic reading is limited to Larsson and Nesbo; but I'm currently traveling there vicariously b/c my sister is cruising the Baltic right now.
ReplyDeleteI am draughting this from the colonies... <-- This made me laugh out loud!
ReplyDeleteThanks!
Your pleas/lies made me laugh. A tumour of the brain AND a bleeding disease?
ReplyDeleteLet us know if it worked. We might all want to use it...
anne marie, Yeah, and then they expect five days worth of work in four.
ReplyDeleteElephant's Child, I think I'm at the point where there is so much to read and not many years left to do it.
jenny_o, There is still hope that I may learn proper English.
Tom, I can't believe she didn't invite me along. I am crushed at the missed opportunity.
Pixel Peeper, Do you think I would convince Amazon U.K.? I didn't think so.
Sioux, Desperate times call for desperate measures. There are times when one must swallow one's pride and dignity follows it down.
Something about the combination of reading and rain - they go together, as they should.
ReplyDeleteBe well, my friend.
The Baltic lands are a strange place. Lots of people who aren't sure whether they're Lithuanian, Polish, Belarussian or Russian. I'd advise you to make a pilgrimage to Iceland first and get a copy of that book. You may need to learn Icelandic...
ReplyDeleteYour command of the Queen's English is beyond impressive, and I'm honestly a bit jealous. Any time I try to speak like that I just end up sounding like Bill and/or Ted of Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure.
ReplyDeleteEnjoy that reading! The outdoors is vastly overrated.
What a thoroughly enjoyable post! I loved both your wind "with the drawl" and the imagined letter to Amazon. Fun from start to finish. Enjoy your book!
ReplyDeleteWonderful letter; what a hoot! Enjoy the book time.
ReplyDeleteHey, you probably have the Queen's gratitude.
ReplyDeleteThat's gotta count for something.
Bloody pain in the arse when a book you want is only available on kindle in the UK. Like what does it matter if they're getting your money either way??
ReplyDeleteok, I just cracked up at the letter..
ReplyDeleteRobyn, A great rainy day hobby. After jumping in puddles, of course.
ReplyDeleteGorilla B, I would love to learn Icelandic. I would study for years just to be able to properly order a lamb sandwich.
ABFTS, Me mum was a Brit and even though she died when I was three I must have picked up her accent. We are so far out in the boonies that we refer to our wooden house as a tent.
Susan Flett Swiderski, Thanks for stopping by. I have been a visitor of your off and on for sometime. I think it needs to be more on, though. I can always tell the direction of the wind by listening to its accent. Can't everybody?
vanilla, Do you think they'll fall for it?
Al P, I feel like I've known the Queen all my life. Whenever I see her she gives me that "special" wave of hers.
Mich, Thanks for stopping by! Unfortunately, they don't want my money at all the Amazon locations. I think the problem is more with publishing rights, but for those of us who read it relly is a pain in the arse.
JACKIESUE, I owe you way more crack ups that I can ever repay.