I'm not sure how February passed so quickly. I composed
dozens of blogs in my head during the past month, but none of them made their
way to my computer. Perhaps because they were mostly on my discouragement over
the sorry cast of candidates vying for President of this country. Let's see,
what I've learned from those deplorable televised debates. We have for
candidates a notorious liar, a socialist, a couple with god complexes, a
Bolshevik Revolutionary wannabe, a few johnny one-notes, a horde of two-year-olds,
a few hypocrites, a couple who suffer from stage fright and moderators who know
even less about debating than the candidates, or else they're playing the drama
card. Since when is the winner of a debate the one who shouts the loudest?
Since when do we choose a president by who is the most dramatic debater? Some
real background, policy, views, and plans for the future would be nice. It
would also be nice if we could wipe the slate clean and just start over.
Okay, onto another annoyance. I just read (well, I haven't
finished it and I'm not sure if I will) a book riddled with misused words. The
writer uses "souls" when referring to the bottoms of his shoes, then
waste for waist, convenient for convenience, passed for past, and do for due. I
just hope the book is one of those review copies sent out to reviewers ahead of
the final edit. Some publishers make clear whether a copy sent to a reviewer is
an advance copy or the final product; others don't. The author of this book also
uses so much jargon/foreign language, it's difficult to make sense of what is
happening.
Then there's taxes. It has taken me all month to get my
taxes ready to turn over to my accountant. I keep good records which may be my
problem. I keep everything! Wading through it and eliminating duplicate
documentation is time consuming.
There have been some fun highlights too, which consumed time
(and sometimes money), but were more enjoyable than politics, taxes, or poorly
written books. Our microwave oven died and since our other appliances were
twenty years old, we decided to replace them all so they would match. Two weeks
were occupied in shopping and installation, but it's fun to have new
appliances. Our five-year-old granddaughter thinks the best part is playing
with the box the new dishwasher came in.
We attended a family wedding---another positive. The bride
and groom looked happy and the wedding and reception were lovely, but the
bride's young nephew and niece almost stole the show.
Ah-h a box of books just arrived in today's mail! As you
know, I read a lot since I review LDS fiction for Meridian Magazine (My latest review column)
This past week I also read my daughter Janice Sperry's middle grade reader
manuscript which she will soon submit to a publisher and which I loved. I also
agreed to two book signings- Celebrating Sisterhood- Seagull Book and Ladies'
Night-Deseret Book. Details later. I'll be signing By the River and Three Little
Words. Of course if anyone wants me to, I'll sign any of my other books as
well whether you buy them that day or bring them from home.
