Oh la la. There is a thunderstorm outside. I wanted to create fiction with a narrative arc, but I don't really think I'm capable of the sustained thought that might require. I've been reading some books, all at once, like I am actually able to digest that kind of incoming word data: here's my list!

1. Short Cuts, Raymond Carter.

In which I've realised that 'Vitamins' is actually a pseudonym for illicit substances (possibly). And, because I'm not actually American (perhaps), it took me a while to click onto what 'spades' referred to *and I may have conferred with someone real smarts*.

2. Housekeeping by Marilynne Ribinson.

This was recommended to me by the General Manager at work. I trust he has read a great deal because he is an excellent public speaker and when I think he is grouchy I remind myself that he has a bad back which causes him pain. Maybe I should apply this logic to other angry looking people?

3. Oh, shit... I was reading The Man Who Loved Children by Christina Stead. But I didn't get past this reprints epilogue by Jonathan Franzen Cohen, whom I am sure is a genius if only I could actually place him where he's meant to fit in the pantheon of contemporary American geniuses.

The end.