Finished a (charity shop bargain) book. No, not the one about Richard 111, I'm still just over halfway through that. But I needed a break from all the arguing about who should sit on the throne and the ever changing loyalties and the battles, so many battles, you'd think they'd run out of soldiers.
The Woman Upstairs isn't about a ghost in the attic but 40 something Norah Eldridge. She's 'the woman upstairs', a good teacher in an American elementary school, a good daughter, a frustrated artist, single, childless, ordinary, invisible. She's unhappy with her lot. And she's angry. Norah looks back on a particular time in her life, a year when she became infatuated with a new pupil in her class and his parents, a family which fills the gaps in her life, a family she becomes a part of. Or so she thinks. This novel is not big on plot (most of the action takes place in Norah's head), and the central character is not particularly likeable, but it is well written and one I'd recommend.
Knit a hat. Actually, two hats, one for me, one (a Halloween accessory) for a cat. I rather like mine. The cat hates his.
Carved (same design as last year because if it ain't broke....) a pumpkin. With some assistance. I'm really not good with knives. And, it seems, forks, if recent experiences with jacket potatoes are anything to go by.
Scared the living daylights out of the cat. I swear, all I did was wear a pair of sparkly devil's horns for Halloween and all hell broke loose. Maybe it was payback for the knitted hat.
Baked a batch of pumpkin and chocolate chip muffins with the leftovers from all the carving. First time using the recipe and, as they were a bit of a faff and nothing special taste-wise, probably the last. I ended up eating all of them. Apparently I didn't do a very good job selling them to the others here who preferred to tuck into the bowl of chocolate treats by the front door. Funny how the Milky Ways are always the ones left at the bottom.
Bought my first Christmas magazine. I used to be an avid reader of the monthly glossies but they're just an occasional purchase now. I do, however, buy most of the Christmas editions.
Played this continuously (and sang along) whilst out and about in the car. I first posted about local band Cattle and Cane (and you can listen) here and can highly recommend the album 'cos they're dead good.
Crocheted a Remembrance poppy. I needed a lot of help with this at crochet club. In fact, I had to be moved to sit next to our group's leader and crochet expert. At first, my poppy looked like a teeny basket. After the next attempt, someone remarked, 'You've made a snail'. I got there eventually but the experience just confirmed what I already knew. Crochet patterns are written in Hungarian and I'm useless with a hook.
Ordered a Thundershirt for the dog shaped scaredy cat here. I should have saved my money. It's made not the slightest difference.
Enjoyed the glorious colours of the season in the last days of the month. Whatever else is going on at the moment, just walking, with the backdrop of autumn in all its glory, never fails to lift the spirit.