I am thankful for a an encouraging husband.
First of all, this Thankful Sunday is not quite so timely, but I am thankful for something that happened on Sunday, so it all works out.
Yesterday was a day when I had to work. Not my favorite way to spend a Sunday afternoon, but pleasant enough anyway. When I came home, I was tired and ready to spend the evening gliding into Monday. But Ward had other ideas. For about a month now, we've had Bill Bryson on our calendar. Last night he was speaking in the area for free and we had planned to go. We thought it was another way to take advantage of some of the things our new area has to offer. But mostly it was a way to see an author we really liked.
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| I grabbed a couple of Bill Bryson books off our shelves to get autographed. However, we decided to not wait in the long line to make this happen. |
It was hard to say no to Ward when I came home, because he already had supper fixed. That told me he was really serious. So after some gentle nudging, I agreed to go.
We stood in a very long line waiting for them to open the doors. It was a little cold out so it was nice to snuggle with Ward while we chatted with others in line. And when the doors opened to the old theater where the event was happening, it filled up quickly--all 1200 seats with hundreds more standing and several just leaving. We were lucky. We were there early enough to get seats together.
Bryson's talk was interesting and funny. And calm and pleasant. I can't think of when an indoor event has been more suited for our styles. And despite the large crowd, we were able to get home without too much tie up in traffic. A great ending to a great evening, that I didn't want to go to.
So for an encouraging husband that got me up and out of the house, I am thankful.
Ward just read this and said it's kind of sappy. However, he's happy to take any compliments I throw his way.
Have you ever noticed that the events you cared nothing about going and went because you felt obligated are the most fun? Happens to me all the time!
ReplyDeleteMaybe they're fun because we don't have high expectations. The fact that this event didn't involve any big traffic or parking problems helped a lot. And Bill was really funny.
DeleteSappy?! Men! No, it's not sappy, it's lovely! Awww, you snuggled while you were standing in line. I love it and love that he thought to fix supper before you guy left. He's very considerate and a good man and you indeed should be thankful for that!
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely way to spend your Sunday afternoon. I had heard of Bill Bryson's name but wasn't familiar with his works. Now you've gotten me intrigued.
He's a very prolific writer of nonfiction. He is known for great research and his books are filled with interesting facts. Occasionally, this style can get a little tedious, but just when I'm ready to move on, an interesting story pops up and I'm hooked again. When he does a book about himself, he tells a good story with plenty of humor. I would start with one of those such as "A Walk in the Woods" or "The Life and Times of the Thunderbolt Kid".
DeleteActually, if you're interested in reading one of his books, I would go some place like Goodreads or Amazon and read the descriptions and see what you might be interested in.
I had followed your link to Goodreads and was thinking about "I'm a Stranger Here Myself: Notes on Returning to America After Twenty Years Away" since I also returned home after a year abroad (here!) and had the biggest culture shock when I went back! Thanks for the recommendations, I'll have to see what they have at my local library.
DeleteI thought you might be able to relate to some of his British books.
DeleteWhat a good hubby. Tell Ward that being sappy is a benefit of marriage. ;) Glad you had such a good time.
ReplyDeleteI actually think he was a little embarrassed by being the center of a blog post. I'll give him your message.
DeleteThat is sweet, not sappy, but sweet; but I understand the feeling of not wanting to be the center of attention.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad that you had such an enjoyable evening, live and learn!
Very funny, June. Ward is a good guy to have around! Sunday nights are definitely tough to do anything outside, but I would definitely make an exception for someone like Bill Bryson, or John McPhee, or someone like them. Mrs. Rutherford greatly enjoys Bryson's writings and would have loved to have been there as well. Did he look anything like Redford (wait, don't answer that)?
ReplyDeleteInteresting story about Redford. Apparently Robert Redford bought the rights to the book a long time ago. Redford and Paul Newman were going to star in it and have a reunion of sorts. Unfortunately, Paul got sick and died before it came about. Nothing happened for a lot of years until it finally got made recently. Bill said it was unbelievable that Robert Redford was playing him. And no, they don't look anything alike.
DeleteBTW, how's the wife, Geraldine and the boy, Clarence?
Clarence? Why, he's a chip of the old block. (I can't remember if I am married to Geraldine or Gwendolyn? Oh, well, a round of golf will cure that!)
DeleteI enjoyed the movie, but the constant reminders that Redford and Nolte were wrong for the parts were jarring. Nolte was good in spirit, but he just looked like someone who couldn't walk a half-mile on a level surface much less the AT.
Glad you let yourself be encouraged to go out and that you enjoyed the outing once you did so. It was very nice of your husband to fix supper, too. :)
ReplyDeleteLeft to my own devices, I'd probably stay at home most of the time. I have a lot of inertia once I get home.
DeleteMy husband doesn't like to cook, so that was especially nice to come home to.
If this is sappy then i'm always sappy. Happy he coaxed you to go and you enjoyed it. Sometimes we need that little nudge :).
ReplyDeleteI don't know if it's a male vs. female perspective or not. I didn't think it was so sappy, but I understand how it could be thought of that way. Whatever we want to call it, I'm glad he got me up and out of the house.
DeleteI love Bill Bryson's books. How wonderful that your man persuaded you to go out!
ReplyDeleteYes, my husband saved me from my inertia. We all need a push sometimes, especially me.
DeleteI'm so glad you went! Bill Bryson is one of my favourite writers especially since we've travelled to some of the same places. He has that wacky sense of humour that really sets me off :P
ReplyDeleteHe certainly does have a way of telling a funny story. :)
DeleteJust having a little cruise around blogland for the first time in ages...we are big Bill Bryson fans in our family! My daughter and I read A Walk in the Woods out loud together and cried with laughter in places!
ReplyDeleteWe listened to "A Walk in the Woods" as a family on a car trip once and really enjoyed it. Since the males of the family are backpackers, they especially related to it.
DeleteGlad to hear from you, Shoestring.
Now I'm going to have to check out his books!
ReplyDeleteI think you would like them
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