Sunday, December 15, 2013

Sunday Salon

I went to the chiropractor the other day because I am contorted into a shape more likely to be associated with a pretzel than with a human being. He worked as many of the kinks out as he could (I can walk upright again, so that's a plus) but he told me that if I didn't change how I read, I would have this same problem recur over and over again. Seriously? A dad-gummed reading injury? Completely ridiculous, right? Well, he got me to thinking and so I paid attention to my position and posture when I read. What did I find? It's bad. It's really bad. I slouch down and crumple up and hunch over. Not the best or easiest thing on my poor abused spine. Since I am not going to change the amount I read or the frequency with which I do it, I guess I'll have to be more mindful of my posture or risk another cracking, crunching, bruising session. (Mind you, I do love my chiro; I just prefer to be on the maintenance plan rather than the have to fix a massive problem plan.)

That said, I didn't read much at all this week because it's December and that means serious busy-ness around here. I cooked all day one day for holiday Bunko. I've been trying to finish shopping for Christmas plus wrap and send to those family members we won't be seeing on the day. I did my usual volunteer stint at the library and played a little tennis. I had a board meeting for my Women's National Book Association chapter as well as a conference call for the chapter presidents with the same group. I added the usual ten trillion miles to the car getting kids to and from their normal activities plus a few holiday extras. I went to two holiday gatherings (and even managed to be the mostly good corporate wife at my husband's company party--a role I take on reluctantly and as infrequently as possible so it's good his new boss is like an older fraternity brother of his). I sorted and organized the gifts I have so far for the family we will see on the day itself and have drawn up a plan to finish my buying this week. I've done round one of the holiday goodies for Christmas stockings so today I can do round two and maybe even round three (lots of chilling in the fridge time on both the Buckeyes and the Tuscan cheese straws). I walked with friends and dogs, all of us needing time out of the house and in nature. And I chaperoned a teenage party here at the house (which meant I couldn't really read as one ear needed to be open at all times for strange silences and I had to casually wander through the party every now and again to remind them of my presence). As you can see, not much time for reading or reviewing in here.

But I did snatch small bits of time between the pages of some books and I got a glimpse of the love life of a single writer in NYC, spent time with gifted slaves saving to buy their freedom, and walked a dog with a memoirist healing from a long ago trauma. Where did you go in your busy week this week, reading or otherwise?

11 comments:

  1. I just love reading your blog, Kristen. It's always so fascinating.

    ReplyDelete
  2. December does seem like a busy month, but right now we are hibernating a bit in all this snow. Keep well the rest of the year.

    Harvee
    Book Dilettante

    ReplyDelete
  3. Okay, that's a first. A reading injury? C'mon, really?

    ReplyDelete
  4. Oh, ouch! I get carpal tunnel from the way I hold my Kindle...as well as from computer use. I'm trying to limit my time on these devices...but it's not that easy! Enjoy your week...and here's MY WEEKLY SUNDAY/MONDAY UPDATES

    ReplyDelete
  5. Maybe you should get a treadmill and walk and read at the same time?

    ReplyDelete
  6. Hope you're feeling better soon! I walk slowly around the house while reading. Depending on your back problem, that could make it worse, of course. But it really helps with my hip and knee problems that I get when I sit too much.

    Joy's Book Blog

    ReplyDelete
  7. I guess when you call yourself "a voracious reader" in your profile, you are serious. :)

    ReplyDelete
  8. December definitely flies by with the craziness!

    ReplyDelete
  9. My chiropractor told me the same thing, but it was about my neck. They said to sit in a straight backed chair and hold the book up so I don't have to bend my neck. How fun is that? Ugghhh.

    Anyway...I try to comply. :)

    Elizabeth
    Silver's Reviews
    My Blog

    ReplyDelete
  10. Of course you would get a reading injury! Just shows your dedication. By the way I saw a mug on Etsy that reminded me of you. It says "Reading is my super power!" :)

    ReplyDelete
  11. This happens to me too. Yoga helps.

    ReplyDelete

I have had to disable the anonymous comment option to cut down on the spam and I apologize to those of you for whom this makes commenting a chore. I hope you'll still opt to leave me your thoughts. I love to hear what you think, especially so I know I'm not just whistling into the wind here at my computer.

Popular Posts