I have just a quick post today to say that I enjoyed Nancy Mitford’s The Pursuit of Love very much, and now have to decide if I want to read Love in a Cold Climate, in the same volume, or move on to something else. (And if I move on to something else, what will it be??? I’m not sure ….) The novel is light, breezy, and amusing. It’s about the Radlett’s, a large country family, and their exploits as the children grow up and make their way through the world. The narrator is a Radlett cousin whose mother has abandoned her, and so she stays with her relatives; she focuses her story on her cousin Linda, a high-spirited, romantic character, and her attempts to find true love. Although the novel ends during World War II, it never loses its brightness; the family gathers in the country once again and spiritedly takes up the challenge of dealing with rations and the possibility of invasion.
And for a health update: I don’t know yet exactly what is wrong with me — I should find that out in a couple days — but I do know I won’t be riding for a couple months. The endocrinologist said — depending on what I actually have — that I’ll probably need a month or two of medication to get back to normal again, although I should begin to improve right away. So, it’s time to take up yoga more seriously perhaps. And once I feel a bit better I can probably handle strolls in the woods. But no strenuous exercise for a while, alas.
Of Books and Bicycles 
Whatever you decide I hope the next book you pick up is good reading. But then, I don’t think you’ve ever mentioned you read a truly bad book. And even though it might take a couple of months, I am glad that you will be able to get back to normal with the help of medication.
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Yoga sounds like a good idea. But probably not a vigorous practice. Hope you get good news in a few days.
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Sorry to hear about not being able to cycle for a while, but it is better to get things back into balance. I’m sure you’ll feel much better after they get the right meds for you. However, walking is a good thing–so maybe that and yoga will be a nice distraction. I also only read the first Mitford novel, but now that you have written about it, I want to go back and reread it and then read the second one. Those Mitford women were quite interesting–I’d love to read a bio of them. Have fun choosing a new book.
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At least you have some idea of the timescale of your recovery, Dorothy, and a couple of months gives you the scope for a full reading program including Nancy Mitford, Alison Lurie, Anne Tyler, Barbara Trapido and any number of other wonderful comfort reads! And do take good care of yourself.
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Just found your blog, from Danielle’s
I’ve just been reading this same three-in-one, and had the same decision to make… to read all three at once, or ration them? I decided to spread them out, in the end… but I decided that with the Mapp and Lucia series, and have not yet got beyond the fourth…
Hope health issues improve soon.
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I hope your next book choice is a good one too! And, I’m sorry your cycling has to be put on hold for a while. Hopefully yoga will make the wait a bit easier. I’ve started doing yoga again and am going once a week. yay.
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I also am in the same dilemma of finding a new book….What shall I read? 🙂 I just finished Love Medicine (it took me much longer to get through just because I wasn’t reading consistently) but I LOVED it, you should maybe consider it, if you liked The Red Convertible, then you will love the complete work by Erdrich.
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Stefanie — I’ll soon be on the way to getting better — I need to keep that in mind. Focus on the positive, right? Orpheus, the class I like to go to is fairly vigorous, so I’ll need to be careful — I might go to it anyway and just try to take it easy. Danielle, I don’t know much about the Mitford women, but they DO sound quite interesting, don’t they? Litlove — what a fabulous list! I shall have to check out Trapido, whom I’m not yet familiar with. Simon, thank you for stopping by! It’s a hard decision, isn’t it, to stick with something you like, or to try that new thing that looks good. Iliana — yoga is wonderful, and I AM glad to have more time for it. That’s definitely a good thing. Hepzibah, I’m glad you liked Love Medicine! I will have to pick it up one of these days.
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