Like a Junior Mint...

...it's very refreshing!!  Things are finally starting to get back to a more normal routine for me.  Oh, there will be some busy times here and there in the next few weeks, but all in all, it's looking up.  I made the right decision to just chill out and spend the down time resting and cutting out some of my routines temporarily.  I feel more rested than I have in months.  And, my knee is better, I'm eating a little better (I even lost a few pounds that I probably gained over the holidays) and well, it's just very nice. 

I'm slowing starting to do some more reading in the evenings.  Right now, I'm focusing on Henry VIII.  Probably because a few weeks ago, I attended an all day seminar by the author, Alison Weir.  She's in the US promoting her latest book and stopped off in DC to do a lecture on Elizabeth I and Katherine Swynford.  I found it to be quite enjoyable.  She really is entertaining to listen to and I look forward to more of her books to come.  In December of this year, her book on Anne Boleyn will be out in the US.  It takes place over a 4 month period during her last months.  I can't wait.  And, she has more great books planned over the next several years.  I'm particularly looking forward to the Mary Boleyn and Katherine Howard books.  She has some historical fiction coming out as well, but so far, I'm sticking with the biographical accounts.  There is a lot of detail and while I can't possibly remember it all, I'd rather not confuse fact with fiction at this point.

Eventually, I'll get back to the Dostoevsky study.  I have to be in the right mood when reading "The Double."  The character rambles on quite a bit and if I'm not paying attention, I really can't keep up.  For that reason alone, I'm not sure I'm enjoying the story all that much, but I'd like to get through it to continue my study of Dostoevsky and reserve my full opinion for after I'm finished with the book.  I very much miss the Joseph Frank series I was reading, but as I've decided to read that along side with the books in order, it will have to be put aside for the time being.  Unless, I change my mind, which is entirely possible.

As this is supposed to be a knitting blog (although I rather think it's much more of a book and life in general blog at this point, lol) I should comment a bit about the knitting.  Haven't done a great deal of that lately.  A little here and there during the down time, but not much.  I've started a stealth knitting project that I really must get going on if I intend to finish it by the deadline that is fast approaching.  It's not critical if I don't, but now that I have energy to return to spending time doing the things I've missed, I'd like to get back to it.

So there you have it.  I think I'm continuing to learn things about myself and how I want and/or need to spend my time.  The balance of things has shifted a bit, but all in all, it's a better balance that is working for me for the time being and I shall be going with it!  : )