Audio Books

I have discovered the joy of audio books. It was by accident. I just wanted to knit but I also wanted to enjoy a good book, I never figured out how to do both at the same time without something falling to the ground.  So I checked out a mystery novel and downloaded the book onto my computer. I sat down in my comfy space and started the book and picked up my knitting. 

I was hooked.

I went back to the library and picked up a few more, including a horror novel. I didn't think it would scare me, but there were a few scenes that made me question every single creak I heard in the house. Needless to say, that became my daytime book.

I even have my favorite audio book artist, Kevin R Free.  His readings make me forget that it is a single person reading and I can hear each character's distinct personality in his readings. My favorite so far is "Bling" by Erica Kennedy.  The combination of his reading and the author's story made me laugh out loud a couple of times on the bus. That is a good way to ensure you have a seat to yourself.

My favorite author isTananarive Due.  I listened to The Good House and that book scared the mess out of me. I have Joplin's Ghost and I will start that when I finish Duma Key by Stephen King. I also have listened to Brandon Massey's books. He is often compared to Stephen King, and that is fair. I just finished listening to Thunderland which was a very good book that i finished knitting my winter slippers listening to.

I feel a little guilty about listening to rather than reading books, and when I told my daughter that we were reading for the night instead of watching TV, she told me that was cheating.  I cringed a little, but told her to can it. But when I think of all that I can do while listening to a good story, knit, clean, cook, fold clothes, I don't feel so bad.

Alone Time

I am the oldest child of four. I am also a single mother of one. I ride the bus and I work with the public. I NEED alone time.



I like to describe myself as a social loner.... I like to socialize, but really don't mind being by myself. Sometimes I feel like hanging out and will easily talk to people around me, but I also avoid people, wear headphones or look at books while not absorbing a word or sound.



I love my child dearly, but she is a talker, hardly taking a breath between words. When I drop her off at her bus stop, I will walk down three blocks to the bus stop even though there is a bus stop across the street. I will also let a bus (sometimes two) pass me by in order to have a little decompression time between the hustle of getting my girl on the bus and opening the office for clients that are often demanding and a little crazy.



I figured out that the best reason for a set bedtime for your kids other than it is good for them is that you can be by yourself, settle in for the night, read a book, listen to some music, watch a movie that won't scare your children to death so they end up in your bed for a month. I put my girl to bed at nine pm sharp, get a nice cup of tea, read a book or knit a little before falling into a blissful sleep.



Sometimes, when I feel extra pressed by toomuchpeopletime, I take a day off from work. I send my girl to school without telling her that I am playing hooky, go back home, slip my pajamas back on, watch the View, and do whatever the hell I want to do. By the time she gets back to school, I am happy and refreshed.



At work, I found the best hiding place where I can sit down, eat, knit and listen to my music. I come back to work with a natural high and almost giddy.



The few times that my girl is away from home, I go out to my favorite joints, Ross, Diaso and Barnes and Noble. I can sit inside B & N's cafe with my triple chocolate chunk cookie, a grande cup of tea and a few books and chill for hours. And nobody bothers me. Today, that is my plan. I am going to stop by a fabric store, walk to the bookstore while listening to my audiobook and chill for a few hours while my daughter enjoys herself at my sister's home. I'll miss her, but look forward to my rejuvination.