Sunday Salon for 8 October 2023
Happy Sunday! Sunday Salon is hosted by Deb at ReaderBuzz. Check out her post and the links to see what other bloggers have been up to in the last week.
How’s the weather?
The temperature dropped all day on Friday. We were at 68 degrees in the morning and dropped to 45 degrees by Saturday morning. It felt like the day that autumn arrived for a visit.
What are you reading?
I finished The London Séance Society by Sarah Penner — an enjoyable book all the way through, set in the mysterious worlds of Victorian gentlemen’s clubs and the occult.
Next up is Payback in Death, the latest in the long-running futuristic detective series by J.D. Robb. I lucked into a “Skip the Line” copy in Libby by Overdrive. I took it, even though I was only about 75% through The London Séance Society. I read the J.D. Robb books quickly — like eating junk food but with no calories. So, I knew that I would get it done in plenty of time for the next person in line even if it was a few days before I started reading.
What are you watching?
I’m still enjoying Star Trek: Strange New Worlds. There are episodes where the producers must have told the writing room, “Give us your whackiest ideas.” Those are my favorite.
“The Elysian Kingdom” (Season 1, episode 8) turns the ship and crew into a fantastical fairy tale. It’s the same ship, but decked out in ivy garlands, and the same cast, but costumed in puffy sleeves and velvet capes.
“Subspace Rhapsody” (Season 2, episode 9) gives us a musical. The crew breaks into song, revealing emotions that they intended to keep quiet. The situation gets more dangerous (and amusing) when this malady spreads through the quadrant, infecting everyone within communications range — including Klingons who are deeply discomfited by the musical form of self-expression.
Here’s a taste that only mildly spoils the plot. The point of this episode isn’t the plot, anyway:
What are you doing?
We received the last of our Netflix DVDs. The end of an era. Our first disk was shipped on October 25, 2006. So, we nearly reached 17 years. Netflix says that we were among the top 10% of renters. We held on to the bitter end of the Netflix DVD service because we have a good sound system and Blu-Ray disks still have better audio than streaming. Also, not everything is available streaming.
In the future, I’ll be using the library for our DVDs. But I’m going to miss how easy it was to manage a queue and to access 17 years of watching history.
What are you writing?
For British Isles Friday, I reviewed the Jodie Whittaker seasons of Doctor Who. One episode inspired my theme for British Isles Friday for the rest of the month — The Year Without a Summer.
I had my first meeting with a writing coach last week and we discovered that my plot is not up to the task of carrying a whole novel. The stakes aren’t high enough. There isn’t enough conflict. The character arc for my main character is flimsy.
So, I’m abandoning, for now, my challenge to write a first draft in 90 days. Instead, I’ll build a more solid foundation in the next few months. I plan to make another attempt at a 90-day first draft in January — a great way to start a new year.
How are you this fine Sunday?
Joy, I am delighted that I’m not the only person who is crazy about Star Trek: Strange New Worlds. I agree that it feels like the writers were just turned loose and told to be as zany as possible.
I’m glad you are on a reading roll, too. Sometimes all I want to read is books that are pure junk food.
I’ve never heard of a writing coach, but it sounds like this person was able to help you tremendously. Good luck in upping the stakes for your characters. I know you will do well.
It was 41 degrees here this morning! I still managed a 24-minute walk, but I was cold, LOL! I will need to bundle better if it continues to be that cool in the mornings. The high today was only 55, but the sun came out, so it was nice. I hope you have a great weekend!
I love it when shows try for musical episodes. Yeah, some times they fall flat, but when they work, they prove to be lots of fun.
Joy, I have just read your post regarding Ordonia, MO and all the other places you lived and enjoyed it so much. I was born in Louisiana, Mo and lived in the same house on Georgia St until I graduated from LHS in 1956 and went away to college. I remember Ordonia vividly, because so many of my smart school friends lived there. I’ve been away for almost 65 years now, and can’t imagine Ordonia just gone, as well as my school, Eugene Field elementary school. Thank you for your photos and memories. My “home place” is still there at 1700 Georgia St, and has been beautifully renovated.
I love Strange New Worlds. It’s my favorite of the new Star Trek shows. I enjoyed the musical episode, although when I first heard about it, I was a bit skeptical. However, I thought it turned out really well.
Hope you have a great week!
The London Seance Society sounds like something I would enjoy! I always have bad luck with the books I request on Overdrive and Libby– they all seems to come at once, even though I’m generally #40 in line. lol. I had wanted to read Jo Nesbo’s The Night House that just came out and reserved it, only to find out I could read it NOW, so that is what I’m doing. I love Star Trek, the next generation being my favorite, but I really like Strange New Worlds! They do have some fun episodes. And that musical episode was a hoot! Have a great week! Suzanne @ Chick with Books
Fall is finally here in CT, too. Our cold front came through night, so we started the day around 50 degrees… and it will be even cooler tomorrow. My favorite season! We’ve been getting our DVDs from the library for a while now and it’s been working out well. The one in FL has an especially good selection. Hope you have a good week.
I feel bad for people who now have to live without Netflix. We switched to streaming only some time before they started charging two fees if you wanted both services. But it’s too bad that they don’t exist any more as a library of so much film history — for someone other than me. I just want to watch something I’d like, occasionally.
best, mae at maefood.blogspot.com
Hi Joy, it;s getting cool here in New England as well. 40s at night and 60s by day. I didn’t know Sarah Penner had a new book out. We read The Last Apothecary for book group and enjoyed it. Have a good week
It’s been so nice out today after such a warm week last week. I hope the cooler weather lasts this time. I am so glad you enjoyed The London Séance Society. I did as well.
When we subscribe again to the service that offers the Star Trek series, we will probably give it a try then. Unfortunately, at the moment, we don’t. I was sad to hear Netflix was ending their DVD disc program even though we switched to streaming only long ago. I am glad you have another source to get discs, even if more limited choices. My husband and I have a big DVD/Blu-Ray collection that we barely use anymore. I’m pretty sure we have a bunch of VHS videos too, but we won’t talk about those since we don’t even have a VCR anymore. My husband has a hard time letting go. I hope you have a great week, Joy. Enjoy your reading.
I’m so sad about the end of Netflix’s DVD service. Sigh…
And I’m jealous of your Fall temps. I’m sitting here with the window open and a box fan going, t-shirt & shorts, 9 o’clock at night.