I’m finally able to sit in front of my computer for more than five minutes at a stretch. (Nothing painful, just really uncomfortable.) I suppose I’m progressing. My patience abandoned me weeks ago, but since I have almost no energy, it’s not an issue.
Next Tuesday I have my follow-up at the various clinics to see if I’m doing well enough to be “unplugged” and go on my own. Which only means that afterward I have to be vigilant for a couple of months in regards to fever, etc. Last night I discovered I’ve lost 15 pounds, which under normal circumstances I wouldn’t mind terribly much.
Meantime, I’m doing some reading. I have a few books going at the same time. I’m finally reading the first Aubry/Maturin novel, Master and Commander. This has been recommended to me by so many people whose taste I trust and I have been so utterly put off by it till now that I feel a bit embarrassed. The big problem is the plot—which proceeds at a snail’s pace. But I’ve given it the major attention it clearly deserves and I can appreciate what O’Brian was doing. Not sure I’ll continue on with it, but I can now declare that it is indeed a fine piece of work.
A couple of history books, and I’m reading Leigh Brackett’s The Long Tomorrow. Yes, this is a reread, but since my first time was forty-plus years ago, it’s virtually a new book, and I guarantee I missed a lot back then. I’ll be doing a long post about it soon.
Anyway, I’ve booted up my novel again and I’m noodling with it. I’m only three or four chapters from done with it, which makes this past month a real annoying waste in my mind. But the downtime has given me the space to rethink a couple of things, which is all to the good. A better book will emerge from this.
So, till later…
