Black Beauty by Anna Sewell Page: 281 Finished

The Divine Comedy Page: 541 Finished

So there are plenty of wondering comments here and elsewhere as to how I can actually read so much every day. A few points of explanation. I really, really like to read and while some of these books are not necessarily my first choice, they are still mostly the type of books I like. I’ve never been a reader of current or popular fiction so if I’m not reading a classic, I’d be reading a non-fiction work. When you really, really like to do something you tend to make it your priority. A lot of people want to be readers like a lot of people want to be in shape but if you don’t actually love reading or love exercising you probably won’t be spending your time with your nose in a book or running five miles a day. Some people have great character and substitute discipline for passion but I’m not that virtuous; I just happen to love what other people think is a “good” thing and I read very fast - about twice as fast as is ‘normal’. Also as insane as my work and ‘mom’ schedule is I happen to be married to the sweetest and most considerate man alive. Jared is happy to take whatever job is busier so I can read. If the boys are sleeping he watches the coffee shop so I can curl up with my book; likewise if the boys are up and needing attention and I’m behind, he’s happy to take care of them and watch the bookstore while I read between making lattes. When I told him I wanted to do this project he was very supportive and as our lives have stayed insane he has continued to make my schedule his priority (and seriously in two months the only time he’s been away from work and us was one short afternoon ski trip with his dad up to Bogus Basin). Anyway, he’s the hardest worker I know and he also manages to be the most selfless person I’ve ever met. Even though he gets up for work every morning at 6:30 and he closes Veritas nearly every night he still gets up in the night with Luc at least once and he always asks me how my reading is going for the day as soon as he gets to Veritas after his shift at ShutterCrafts. We both work hard but I couldn’t do any of this without his support.

I read Black Beauty today and it was such a trip. I read it fairly often as a child but I haven’t picked it up for years. It’s a very preachy book (like a lot of children’s books) but I never minded that as a child; and so much of what it teaches is so much a part of my mental furniture that it feels like going home. I loved horses as a child (all little girls do) and my whole attitude toward them was shaped and taught by books like this. I remember reading an old book called Beautiful Joe about an abused dog around this same time and I was alway sad when reading it or Black Beauty. The only downside to these books is the rampant teetotalism in them. Unfortunately in the late 1800s/ early 1900s women got a hold of all definitions of virtue and along with legitimate causes like ending abuse of people and animals we got weak beer and ever more effeminate preachers.

And before I collapse into bed (for the two hours until Luc wakes up…) here is a shot of Alex sporting his footie pyjamas and a faux-hawk.