The annual reading report.

Finished reading (or rereading?) The Player of Games by Iain M. Banks, one of his earlier Culture novels. I think I might have read this about 25 years ago, but I have even less memory of it than I would have expected, recalling story beats more than scenes or even plot points. Anyway, I quite enjoyed it.

Yesterday, walked down the Interurban to Greenwood, then old Ballard, then along the Burke-Gilman to visit Mom, then to the U District and home: about 28k steps, 14 miles, with assorted stops such that I don’t have a good estimate of time spent walking. Good to be back out stomping around.

Went to Meghan’s family Christmas gathering.

The dude came home Friday for winter break. Our house isn’t large!

Tonight’s kitchen victory: empanadas.

Yesterday’s walk through Llanover Wood and then to Greenwood: 16k steps, 8 miles, 2¾ hours.

Had family (Mom; Greg and Jocelyn and the kids) over for dinner.

Took the day off and baked a pumpkin pie and a mincemeat pie (modern-style, no actual meat).

Walked out to drop off some things for the dude (yesterday afternoon): 2½ hours, 8¾ miles.

The dude’s dorm was without power for a couple days, so he came over Wednesday and stayed through Friday.

Good wind storm and power outage tonight.

The dude and his roommate and their girlfriend came over for dinner tonight.

Finished reading The Ladies of Grace Adieu and Other Stories and “The Wood at Midwinter”, short fiction by Susanna Clarke. All of the stories fit right into the Strange & Norrell setting. The stories in the former are all charming and have the novel’s characteristic humor. The latter is unsettling in the same way as Piranesi.

Meghan and I visited the dude, then went out for an anniversary dinner.