The Sunday Post is hosted by the wonderful Kimberly, the Caffeinated Reviewer. It’s a chance to share news, recap the past week, take a look ahead, and showcase our new treasures—I mean books!
This week I’m also participating in The Sunday Salon hosted by Deb at Readerbuzz, and Stacking the Shelves hosted by Marlene at Reading Reality.
The Past Week
In real life: My week in Utah was both fulfilling and frustrating. My dad had a fall early in the month, and he isn’t doing well. It’s clear to me that some things need to change, but he and my stepmom aren’t ready to accept that yet. I’m very glad I had that week with them, and glad I was able to give them some support while I was there (cooking, cleaning, driving, etc.), but I’m worried that nothing was really resolved. It’s hard to accept that there’s not much I can do right now. I remained outwardly cheerful and encouraging, especially with my dad, but it was a challenging week for me emotionally, between concern, grief, and frustration. I can’t imagine how hard it is for my stepmom.
I left Utah on Wednesday and flew to New Mexico to spend a week with my mom and stepdad. They are 6-8 years younger than my dad and stepmom, and are in much better shape than the latter were at the same age. This time with them, as well as with Robin and my sister’s family, is a joy… and a much-needed chance to decompress. But I will also be glad to get home to my husband (and my own house, bed, books, and creative projects) later this week.
5 Good Things:
- I am grateful for the time with my dad and stepmom. At their age, I’m never sure which visit will be the last time I see one of them, and so I treasure each day spent with them.
- I’m enjoying my visit with my mom, stepdad, and the rest of my NM family.
- My second Lamy Safari fountain pen has been skipping and feeling dry since I got it. I gave it a thorough cleaning, then re-inked it, and it is writing much more smoothly now.
- It’s always a joy to sing in the choir when I’m out here.
- I ordered a new jacket and sweater.
Recent Posts
- Sunday Post – 9/21/2025
- The Secret Christmas Library, by Jenny Colgan – review
- Sunday Post – 9/28/2025 – this post
Looking Ahead
- Books on My Fall 2025 TBR List
- Book Covers That Make Me Think of Fall – Top 10 Tuesday
- Monthly Wrap-Up – September 2025
- AI spambots in my comments
- reviews TBD
- Sunday Post – 10/05/2025
What I’ve Been Reading, Listening To, and Watching
Reading: I finished Claiming the Tower, the first in a new Albion trilogy by Celia Lake, then finished rereading The Becoming by Nora Roberts. After that, I read The Enchanted Greenhouse (Sarah Beth Durst; library book), then continued reading Murder at Somerset House (Andrea Penrose; ARC.)
Listening to: All the Queen’s Men by SJ Bennett (a reread, but the first time in audio.)
Watching: At my dad and stepmom’s house in Utah, I watched (or at least I was in the room for!) Antiques Roadshow, 60 Minutes, Jeopardy, and several documentaries, plus more cooking shows, football, and baseball than I could keep track of. Once I got to New Mexico, I took a break from TV.
Playing: Wordle, Connections, Strands, Spelling Bee, and Sudoku (all are NYT games.) Wingspan, both digital and in person. Pokemon Go, while out and about.
Added to the Hoard
(Click title for Goodreads page or my review.)
For Review or Consideration
Many thanks to William Morrow for The Astral Library!
Purchased (Kindle, print, or audio)
Kindle: Enchanted to Meet You; The Queens of Crime
Lola
Sounds like you had a intense few weeks with visiting your dad and stepmom, that’s tough to know things should change after his fall, but they’re not ready to hear it yet. Luckily your visit with your mom and stepdad sounds like a nice change to decompress and hopefully you can enjoy being home again soon.
I hope to get to The Enchanted Greenhouse soon as I really enjoyed The Spellshop which I read a few months ago. I hope you have a good week!
Melissa
I’m sorry ot hear about your dad! That’s so rough. I’m glad th you have good visits otherwise though.
Sarah
It’s hard to watch parents ageing – my lovely mother is coming up to her 90th birthday. And that seems all shades of wrong. Glad you were able to decompress with your mother and stepdad. I have just got hold of a Celia Lake book – I love those covers. Have a good week:).
Anne - Books of My Heart
It is a thoughtful issue when parents are aging. I was so young and hectic when my father was aging, my mother handled most of it with my brother who was still home more. Now Mom was alone in her old age and now in a home. I’m glad your other visits were more relaxing. There’s no place like home.
Anne – Books of My Heart This is my Sunday Post
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Bree @ Bibliophilebree
Sorry to hear about your dad! Sending good vibes your way.
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Lark@LarkWrites
Figuring out how to help aging parents is such a challenge. My mom seems to have new struggles each week. It’s hard. Glad you got to visit with them. Enjoy your time in New Mexico! 😀
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Angela @ Simply Angela
I’m so sorry to hear your father is having health issues. My father’s been having some health issues as well so I know the struggles you’re going through, especially when you have to return home without anything resolved.
I hope you have a fantastic week.
Angela @ Simply Angela recently posted…The Sunday Post: September 28, 2025
Nicole @ BookWyrmKnits
Oh, my sympathies. It’s really hard to reach a point where you can see that changes need to be made but the people who need to make the decision to change aren’t there yet. I’m glad you have the time to recharge with other family members! Safe travels when you head homeward again.
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Lark_Bookwyrm
Thank you. I don’t know how to implement any necessary changes, either, which is part of the frustration. There are geographical and financial limits to how much my husband and I can help out. Its really frustrating, the more so because everyone would like to see them stay in their own home. But I don’t know how much longer that will be feasible, or what the options are when it’s not.
Aj @ Read All The Things!
I’m glad there were some bright spots during your trip. It sounds exhausting, though. I hope you’re having a good week.
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Katherine
I was in a similar situation with my grandparents as you are with your dad and stepmom and I sympathize with how absolutely grindlingly exhausting it is. I love that Nora Roberts trilogy and I’m so looking forward to listening to The Enchanted Greenhouse. I loved the first book. I’ll be curious to see your thoughts on Queens of Crime. I read it earlier this year and enjoyed it but it wasn’t quite what I expected. I hope you’re having a great week!