What I'm Up To

Just a brain dump tonight. I've been having so many migraines. My headache specialist and I have talked about the increase in migraines, but adding a medication adds potential side effects. I've had luck with at least one other med, but it made me gain weight, have ankle edema, and be tired. So, right now I'm just hanging out with my current meds and trying to follow the low-carb diet.

I like the low-carb diet. I'm maintaining my weight, despite eating sweets every couple of days. This is a rough time of year for watching carbs (Halloween!! Reese's!!), but I do feel so much better when I eat better. And, when I do eat carbs, instead of processed candy, I'd rather have them be from homemade baked goods, which I generally make for other people, but keep a bit for myself. Just a bit. Really.

Books, books, books! I just finished The Testaments by Margaret Atwood. Highly recommended. I couldn't decide whether or not to get that one or The Guardians by John Grisham when I got my recent Audible credit. Thankfully, I got the Grisham book - excellent audiobook!! - because the Atwood book showed up on my library hold. I've tried to read Ducks, Newburyport, which is a long novel all written in one sentence. It's not bad, but I just can't get into it. I probably won't finish it.

When I'm not listening to books, there are a few podcasts that I like. My favorites are Pod Save America, Pod Save the World, and The Bible for Normal People. The first two are progressive, political podcasts. The second is, obviously, a religious podcast. Pete Enns and Jared Byars discuss theological and Christian topics. They pretty niftily tear down simplistic readings of the texts that they tackle. Pete has been slowly working his way through Exodus. Who knew that Old (or First) Testament law could be so interesting?

I haven't been watching a lot of TV or movies. "The Righteous Gemstones" on HBO is really funny. It's the story of a televangelist family that is seriously messed up. I'm pretty sure that the entire first season is up. I've enjoyed The Politician on Netflix, but I haven't seen the whole first season. Young Sheldon continues to be a good show.

Politics has become a big deal. Generally, I get my news from online newspapers, particularly The Washington Post and The New York Times. Recently, though, with all the hullabaloo about the impeachment and military activities, I've taken to watching MSNBC. I'm especially hooked on The Rachel Maddow Show. Rachel Maddow is smart and explains things clearly and links them back to historical events, when appropriate.

Our exchange student, Minh, seems to be getting along quite well. Her English has improved a great deal in just the couple of months that she's been here. We've done a couple of family activities and she's fitting in well. Last week, she helped out with the technical part of the high school drama. The basketball season starts soon and she's looking forward to playing on that team.

I'm knitting away when I listen to my audiobooks and podcasts. I've taken to covering clear Christmas balls to make pretty ornaments. I'll be selling those at the local gift shop. I won't make much money, if any, but it keeps me busy, even when I don't feel well. I've also got a few Christmas gifts in the works.

Patrick and I officially joined our local PCUSA church this week!! Yay! Unfortunately, our attendance has been spotty because of my migraines, but, we love the people and the services. And the pastor is a really good guy.

So, what's up in your part of the world? Don't be shy! Leave a note in the comments!

Catherine