Sunday, January 22, 2012

Sunday Salon: Happy New Year!

Gung Hay Fot Choy! Despite my lack of Chinese ancestry, my mother introduced my brother and I to the Chinese New Year early on. The house would be cleaned the week before the New Year was ushered in to get rid the old--and the bad. Oranges and tangerines were a must on New Year's Eve, and we'd find red envelopes with a little money tucked inside on New Year's Day. It is the year of the Dragon, a year expected to be exciting and unpredictable. This past year, the year my daughter was born (the Year of the Rabbit), was supposed to be calm and tranquil--well, we know where that got my family! Hopefully this New Year will be a bit calmer and less intense despite the predictions.

This past week everyone in the house was struck down by a very nasty stomach virus. It was quite the nightmare. It seems to have subsided at last, and we are on the mend. I joked with my husband that perhaps it was a fitting end to such a tumultuous year.

I wish I could say I was reading something to fit the occasion of the Chinese New Year. Alas, my reading has taken me back to the familiar waters of the mystery. I am smack dab in the middle of my first Deborah Crombie mystery, No Mark Upon Her, featuring Scotland Yard detectives Duncan Kincaid and Gemma James. I love the setting--and so far the characters and mystery as well. Duncan Kincaid was about to go on family leave when he was assigned a possible murder case, one involving a fellow police officer and prospective Olympic rower. While the investigation into the death is the main focus, I admit I am also quite drawn to the side story. Crombie offers a glimpse first hand at how work can interfere with not only the personal life of the investigator putting in the long hours, but also the family of that investigator. I will let you know what I think of the novel once I am finished with it.

Next up, I will be tackling the Independent Literary Awards' Mystery Short List books, and since I won't be able to post my thoughts until after the awards are announced, I am afraid you won't see many reviews from me in the coming weeks. I will try to fill the gap with more From the Archive reviews as well as perhaps an essay or short story now and then.

Have a wonderful week everyone! Happy Reading!

First Popsicle. Pedialyte in Disguise.

© 2012, Wendy Runyon of Musings of a Bookish Kitty. All Rights Reserved.If you're reading this on a site other than Musings of a Bookish Kitty or Wendy's feed, be aware that this post has been stolen and is used without permission.

32 comments:

  1. Glad to hear you are feeling better!

    ReplyDelete
  2. There is nothing worse than watching your baby struggle with a stomach flu...especially if you have it too. I am glad you are on the mend. I tend to reach for mysteries when I am in need of comfort. I don't know what that says about me, but it is like comfort food.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Luckily she was starting to feel better as I was hitting the worst of it. But still, it was a challenge. Thankfully one we survived. :-)

      Mysteries are among my favorite comfort reads too. :-)

      Delete
  3. Oh, I remember the days of pedialyte! I am so glad that everyone is now on the mend. It is so pathetic to see those dark circles under a little one's eyes.

    I know precious little about the Chines New Year - despite having lived near chinatown for four years. I enjoyed reading your family's past traditions.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Molly! I hate seeing her so sick and not being able to comfort her more. :-( She took it surprisingly well though given the circumstances. My little trooper!

      I received a couple of red envelopes in the mail from my mom yesterday along with a Happy New Year card. LOL She's so funny.

      Delete
  4. I'm glad you're feeling better. It looks like she's enjoying the popsicle!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Kathy. Yes, she definitely does seem to like the popsicle. :-)

      Delete
  5. I had a Crombie book checked out from the library but it just went back unread :/ Seems to be the story lately but I still keep checking books out :) I haven't checked out the Indi Lit Awards shortlists yet but I'm going to. I have been on an award kick lately so that should fit perfectly. Hope you have a great week and everyone starts feeling better!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I know that would happen to be all the time too if I used the library. :-S So many books . . . I hope you have a great week too, Samantha!

      Delete
  6. I wish they had those popsicles when my boys were little..is Mouse getting better????

    I want to read your final thoughts on the Crombie book...I may have to add that one to my list!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Mouse is feeling much better, thanks. Nothing can keep her down for long. LOL The popsicles are so convenient! Mouse refused to drink the actual pedialyte so the pediatrician suggested the popsicles.

      Delete
  7. Fingers crossed this year is calmer for you but full of lots of good, new, memories. Hope you all feel much better soon.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Happy New Year! I hope you're all feeling much beter!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, Jill! We are all doing much better today. I hope you have a good New Year too. :-)

      Delete
  9. Such a perfect, cute little face! Love those cheeks!

    ReplyDelete
  10. She looks serious about that Popsicle!

    ReplyDelete
  11. So glad to hear that you guys are on the mend. Stomach flu is SO not fun. Especially as a family affair. I am a sympathetic gagger so when my kids hurled, I did too regardless of whether or not I was sick.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ti, I imagine it would be hard not to--the smell alone! Thank you. I am so glad we are all feeling better. It was quite the nightmare.

      Delete
  12. I'm happy to hear that you are all feeling better! Those stomach viruses are the worst, especially when the whole family ends up with them. I'm hoping this year will be much more tranquil for you and your family! You had enough excitement in the Year of the Rabbit.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, Kathleen! I hope you have a good year too. We are all due one, I think. :-)

      Delete
  13. Ugh - stomach bugs are the worst! We had a fair share of them - two or three a year, it seemed, when the kids were younger and bringing all sorts of fun things home from the church nursery! Glad you're feeling better - fortunately, the stomach viruses are usually short-lived.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Carrie. I can imagine what it must have been like in your house. I keep telling myself at least she's getting it out of the way early. Hopefully this means she won't be so sick later. Hopefully. :-)

      Delete
  14. Happy Lunar New Year, Wendy!
    My youngest was down with a stomach flu last week... It's never fun to have a sick child around. I'm glad you all are feeling better!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, Melody! Same to you. :-) I am sorry your child was sick with the stomach flu. I hope everyone else was able to avoid it and your youngest is all better now.

      Delete
  15. That is such a cute picture! Sorry it had to do with a need for electrolytes, though. That is always rough with a baby. I remember having to change both baby's outfit and mine about a half-dozen times in one day, when Kiddo had a stomach bug (20 years has not dulled the memory one bit). Fortunately, we really only went through that once in that kid's babyhood. Hope you're as lucky.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh my gosh, it's horrible, Nancy! I hate seeing Mouse so sick--she handled it well though. Even with all the clothing changes. Luckily I didn't have to change my clothes quite as often as I had to change hers.

      Delete
  16. It's tough when you are all sick! Love Mouse and the popsicle. Gage has only tried them recently and isn't much of a fan. He does make the best faces though :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm sure popsicles will grow on Gage. :-) Imagine the messes when they are older. Haha!

      Delete

Thank you for taking the time to visit Musings of a Bookish Kitty. Don't be shy! I would love to hear from you. Due to a recent increase in spam, I will be moderating all comments for the foreseeable future. Please be patient with me as it may take a few hours before I am able to approve your comment.