My cat Dickens has decided he needs to stretch out in front of me, an obstacle between me and my computer, and he is using my right arm as a pillow. Trying to push him off is no good as he just settles down on his arm pillow again. And trying to type with his head on my arm is impossible. He is not very keen on having his head bobbing around and he lets me know it with a judicious use of claws spread out across the back of my hand, not to scratch, just pricking my skin enough to indicate his displeasure. So I type one-handed, arm arced up over his purring furry body. The things we do for pets.

My typing arm is already getting tired therefore this will be short.

First, let me say thanks to whoever nominated me for a Book Blogger Appreciation Award. It was a surprise and an honor.

I was very sad this year when Carl announced the R.I.P. IV Challenge. I didn’t think I’d have time to participate. But then last night as I finished reading Neil Gaiman’s first Sandman I realized that with two additional Gaiman books sitting on my desk and slated for reading within the next couple weeks that the challenge was something I could do after all. So now I am in. Better late than never. And maybe, just maybe, I will be able to squeeze in a Wilkie Collins, or at least get a good way into it. Not sure which one though. It will be a last minute choice. I’ll be reviewing Sandman in the next day or two. The other Gaiman books I have I have mentioned before but will mention them again because I am looking forward to them and because I don’t expect you to keep track of my reading list: M is for Magic and Death: The High Cost of Living.

I am very much looking forward to the long holiday weekend we have here in the U.S. for Labor Day. No homework to worry about, just pleasant weather, sunny and in the upper 70s, and a large expanse of reading time to look forward too. Life is good at the moment.

And now I think I will go get started on that reading binge.