My View (vol. 30)

What I am reading: The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up: The Japanese Art of Decluttering and Organizing by Marie Kondo

And a couple dozen essays by students...

Love what I am eating: yogurt, carrots + hummus, Baptism cake, almond and apricot Kind bars

Meal planning: 

I need ease and comfort for this next week, plus dishes I can send to work with Will.

• Tilapia, pesto pasta & carrots
• Baked chicken, rice & green beans
• Broccoli Quiona Casserole
• Enchilada Pasta

This week in history:

Jonathan Crombie died at age 48. Crombie played the character of Gilbert Blythe (my literary crush) in the 1980s miniseries Anne of Green Gables and Anne of Avonlea, based on the the Anne of Green Gables series by L.M. Montgomery.

Gilbert Blythe is the school competitor/nemesis/ friend/ spurned lover/ friend/ dearest love of Anne Shirley, protagonist of Anne of Green Gables. This series was one of the most important reads and re-reads of my girlhood, and Crombie's portrayal of Gilbert in the mini-series was perfection.

Here are a few articles/ tributes I enjoyed:

Jonathan Crombie, Anne of Green Gables actor, dead at 48, CBC News

Why We Loved Gilbert Blythe, The New Yorker

Love Lessons from ‘Anne of Green Gables’, Acculturated 

25 Times Gilbert Blythe From “Anne Of Green Gables” Melted Your Heart, Buzzfeed

12 Reasons No Man Will Ever Live Up To Gilbert Blythe From “Anne Of Green Gables”, The Frisky

“Gilbert, I’m afraid I’m scandalously in love with you.” - Anne Shirley (and every girl)

I will be in denial forever. Jonathan Crombie was Gilbert Blythe! (And the third Andrew Sullivan movie never happened!!) To the best of my knowledge, Anne and Gilbert are still living in Canada and did not age past the last book...

Otherwise, the girls and I are having a lot of time together! Here is Grace sneaking Laura's binky because time with her dino wubbanub is being severely limited. She is giving me the grumpy face?!

Laura land:

One of the sweetest things about Grace is how much she loves her family. She will crawl into your lap and hug you, she will snuggle when it's sleep time, and Heaven forbid Laura lets her binky leave her lips... Grace will stuff it securely back in her mouth.

Summer is coming:

For all you wonderful readers - yes! A surprise! Updated blog layout by college friend/ bestie's sister Margaret McCarthy Design and new header by another college chum - the very talented Anna, who is opening her own shop soon! It's clean, whimsical and lovely.

Just like me! Wink.

Prayers: All those affected by the earthquake in Nepal! So tragic.

For us - Will is sick and I am injured (pulled chest muscle, possible carpal tunnel) and we have to keep going. For Grace and Laura to stay safe and well; their energy levels are up, up, up! (Fortunately, we're never too tired for many a dance party!)

Next week, I am going to: Survive. Will has Monday off (day of rest!), but the rest of the week is non-stop, including three night shifts in a row.

Any plans next week, readers?

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