Inching Along
This morning.
This afternoon.
The end is nigh!
All the while, my indispensable tool makes all this manageable: Audible books.
For months now I have been listening to a long series: The Amelia Peabody Series, by the late Elizabeth Peters.
From Wiki:
The Amelia Peabody series is a series of twenty historical mystery novels and one non-fiction companion volume written by Egyptologist Barbara Mertz (1927-2013) under the pen name Elizabeth Peters. The series is centered on the adventures of the unconventional female Egyptologist Amelia Peabody Emerson, for whom the series is named, and an ever-increasing number of family, friends, allies, and characters both fictional and based on historical figures. The novels blend mystery and romance with a wryly comic tone, and at times also parody Victorian-era adventure novels such as those written by H. Rider Haggard. The series was published between 1975 and 2010, with the final, posthumous novel (completed by Joan Hess) appearing in 2017.
I really enjoy book series as the main characters, after the first book, are now known, so I am not frequently struggling with who is this? Some books are hard to get into because too many characters are being introduced.
The narrator for the series does a fabulous job and I am always amazed to think: all these different voices are from one person?
I am almost ready to begin book #19, but will not order #20 (the last in the series) as it was not written by Mertz (Peters) and received scathing reviews. So sad.
The series has been really enjoyable and the main characters all now feel like old friends. Fabulous old friends! I will miss them.
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I LOVE the Amelia Peabody series! It’s one of my very favorites, and Barbara Rosenblat (the audiobook narrator) does an AMAZING job with all of the voices! <3 <3 <3
I feel the same way about Sue Grafton’s books. One main character throughout with her friends.
Wheeeeeee! Such a productive and meditative way of renovation.
I love the Amelia Peabody series! I think my favorite is The Last Camel Died at Noon, because it so perfectly mimics and sends up the books of H. Rider Haggard. It’s been years since I’ve read the early ones, so I’ probably due to start over with The Camel on the Sandbank and make my way through them again.
And the house is looking beautiful! I can’t believe how much progress you’ve made since you turned that horrible corner. I can’t wait to see the house in person!
What of painting the gable?
Hi, Tony!
My schedule is determined by line items of the 2017 Heritage Grant. I need to finish the shingling. So, areas that just need painting have to wait a bit more.
Why doesn’t it bother you that the shingles don’t line up across the arch? Was it to match the corner or was it always like that? I’ve been trying not to mention it in order not to make you fret and instead waited until it was all done, like a terrible human being.
The shingles generally but not always align with adjacent horizontal trim.
I don’t fret when they don’t.
And while I’m at it making more work for you, wouldn’t one of those stained glass windows have been reversed to make a symmetrical pattern, or is there another window around the corner so they all follow each other like a choo choo train?
That is how they always were, Jill.
I never noticed till now. But now it will bother me!
I also use audio books when working on my house. The monotony wears on me if I don’t have something to keep my mind active. I sometimes work waaaay longer than I should because I’ve been swept away into a story. A good narrator makes all the difference – my current favourite is Amanda Ronconi who does all of Molly Harper’s novels.
I hit refresh on your blog every morning as I have my breakfast and it makes my day a little bit better when there’s a new post.
Keep up the good work – the world needs more people like you!
I have been positively itching to see this façade finished. Although the entire house is a delightful Squires masterpiece, the South façade has the most going on, in that it is the busiest, architecturally. I DO love me some fussy queen anne froofery! I definitely subscribe to the “more is more” theory in regards to this era and style of architecture, and Ross – you’ve won the lottery, man. All decked out and prettied up in period colors, everything will pop and flow again as intended. Being that this is the façade that was most brutalized by neglect, I think seeing this side finished will be the most striking before/after of all of the facades.
I am currently reading The Laughter of Dead Kings, which is one of her last books and merges Vicki Bliss(another recurring character) and Amelia Peabody together. She also writes as Barbara Michaels, and all of those books are good as well, although they are not serial. I have been reading her books for close to 30 years at this point. I started reading her when I was like 10 or 12…
Have you ever read Anne Perry? She has two series, both set in Victorian London, one on the 1860s and one around 1900. they are both excellent, but a bit darker.
Steven,
Exactly what I was going to add. Love Barbara Mertz in all her iterations. Ann Perry is also an excellent suggestion. I applaud your good taste in reading.
I squealed aloud at you mentioning the redoubtable Amelia! I’ve only read the first two books but I enjoyed them immensely, it delights me that you get to spend time with her too.
I’m also quite sure that she’d be positively enraptured by the Cross House’s parlour, she would understand exactly, and firmly embrace how you’re doing things.
I read the Master and Commander series first, 20 years ago. I’ve re-read the series once and I’m due to read it again. It was good to visit with you for a minute this afternoon