My post traumatic weekend

I had oral surgery last Thursday.  I wish I could say that I’m an adoringly appreciative patient, but when I’m not feeling well, I just want to be left alone.  So here I had an army of friends and relatives wanting to help, and there wasn’t much they could do.  I couldn’t talk, couldn’t eat.  I slept mostly at first, until I switched from prescription meds to Tylenol, at which point I could think again.

DH was actually away with the grandkids for the weekend, a date arranged long before my surgery was scheduled and one that couldn’t be changed, since it involved tickets to the Patriots’ game.  So I was (dum da dum dum) home alone.

Know what happens when you’re home alone?  YOU CONTROL THE REMOTE!

Wowee! I watched four movies.  First, Saturday morning, came “Stupid Crazy Love,” which I totally enjoyed (a great plot twist at the end that, as a writer, I fully appreciated).  Then, Saturday afternoon, came “Water for Elephants.”  I had liked this book when I first read it, probably because I remember the circus from my childhood.  But I gotta tell you, though I adore Robert Pattinson and admire Reese Witherspoon, I found the movie depressing.

But then, Sunday morning, came “The Help.”  I loved that book and was worried the movie wouldn’t do it justice.  But it was even better!  What a powerful movie!  The acting was amazing – every single character – and the story tugged at me even more than it had in the book.  It was long, but I didn’t look at my watch once. DH wants to see it, so I’ll happily watch it again.

OK.  Then, Sunday afternoon, for fun, I watched “E.T.”  I had never seen it before – must be the only one on the planet who hasn’t – and it was a little dated, but fabulous!

The icing on the cake, of course, once “E.T.” ended and the regular TV came back on, was the win-saving pickoff by the Pats’ Jerod Mayo.

So my downtime was fun, and here I am at my computer Monday morning.  I still can’t talk or eat well, but I’m thinking about SWEET SALT AIR, so I’m clearly recovering.  Actually, I’m thinking about sex.  I have a big sex scene coming in the next chapter – and hey, I’ve told you about how I describe a voice, so why not this?  Writing a sex scene isn’t about juggling body parts.  There are emotions involved.

But I’m getting ahead of myself.  More later.  Ciao.

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14 Comments

  1. Peggy Williamson on December 12, 2011 at 12:10 pm

    I just wanted you to know I haven’t seen E T either. I am older than you. I am a big fan of your books & I like to share them as well.. I am also a fellow New Englander. I live in Duxbury Vermont. I have lots of relatives in the Worcestrer, Ma area.
    Keep on writing, I love your books.

  2. Carol J. Garvin on December 12, 2011 at 12:57 pm

    My condolences on the oral surgery. So not nice! But I’m glad you were able to spend the weekend recovering in blessed solitude and enjoying the movies. “The Help” is on my TBR book list so I’m glad to see your recommendation.

  3. Linda Wefler on December 12, 2011 at 1:10 pm

    Yuck…oral surgery. Poor, you, but glad you will be feeling fine soon. Last weekend was filled with rehearsals and Christmas performances for me. One last one this Sunday, and, finally, I’ll be done…and so will my daughter. Looking forward to crashing.

  4. Carin Buckman on December 12, 2011 at 2:14 pm

    Thanks for your blog – it made me smile (not the oral surgery pain part, but the rest of it)! So sorry you suffered, but glad you relaxed too. I also loved the book “The Help”, but didn’t feel the same way about the movie that you did. Maybe I saw it too soon after finishing the book, maybe I’m just too literal. The nasty red-headed character – played by Ron Howard’s daughter – wasn’t she supposed to be fat? I also get aggraved the way they adapt “the facts” to fit the movie. Also, still can’t figure out your initials: what does DH mean? Is it Delinsky Husband? Hope you’re feeling better and up to shopping soon – you know my favorite store! Have a wonderful holiday season!

    • Barbara Delinsky on December 12, 2011 at 3:51 pm

      Delinsky Husband? I like that, Carin. The more common interpretation is either Dear Husband or Darling Husband. 🙂

  5. Teresa Rice on December 12, 2011 at 3:19 pm

    SO sorry to hear about the oral surgery…NO fun..:-( Glad to hear you had the foresight to plan your wkend accordingly!

    I haven’t seen “E.T.” and have no desire to…though I thought *I* was the only person on the planet that hadn’t.

    Yes, back to the writing…you’d better get crackin’… we’re waiting!! 🙂

  6. Gwen Sargeant on December 12, 2011 at 3:23 pm

    Sorry to hear about the oral surgery, that is one thing I would really dread. But to be HOME ALONE and with the REMOTE, what a treat! Why do men always have to have control over that thing?

    I saw this and wanted to let you know that you are being thought of and hope you get back into routine and normalcy. I am a really big fan and constantly checking to see when the next book is coming out. Thank you for making my relaxing days worth while with your books. Take care and hope you are on the mend. Have a very Merry Christmas. xxx

  7. Laura Bitting on December 12, 2011 at 4:04 pm

    I am so sorry to hear that you had surgery. I do hope you are beginning to feel better and hope that by tomorrow you will be able to eat a bit and talk more. I do appreciate the comments on “The Help”. I have been wanting to read the book and see the movie as well. I am glad to hear that the movie is as good as the book. So many aren’t. Enjoy your downtime and spoil yourself for a while. May you and your family have a wonderfully Merry Christmas and Bright New Year!! Laura

  8. Gail Blackmer on December 12, 2011 at 7:36 pm

    Glad you are feeling better! My family and I also got to watch “The Help” this past weekend, and I entirely agree with you! I had really enjoyed the book, but found the movie very moving and a bit easier to understand. The acting was simply fantastic! I don’t know how they can make the characters so believable. Amazing! Take it easy, and have a wonderful Christmas with your family! Gail

  9. Paula Leonard on December 13, 2011 at 11:21 am

    Sorry about the oral surgery. Hope all is better because of it. A weekend like that is good once in a while. Hope you have someone occasionally checking on you though.

  10. Becky on December 18, 2011 at 6:38 pm

    Oral surgery is awful. It is so hard not being able to talk. And I love talking. Hope you feel better soon. I loved ET. Still do. I also love those sex scenes. So do a great job! Take care and bless you.

  11. b on December 23, 2011 at 12:55 pm

    Feel better soon. LOVED the movie, THE HELP much much much more than the book-unusual for me.

  12. b on December 24, 2011 at 9:41 am

    Barbara, Thought of you today as I made the pumpkin bread…got the recipe from your old, old website…everyone loves it better than any…I make it for family and friends. Some of my family will come the 26th…some can’t come this year…I will cook C’mas Day…and be ready…Have a Merry Christmas…so glad the BLOG is BACK…I hope some of your fans read this and get back on–especially those from the old days…welcome to the new ones.

  13. Lyn VeArd on December 26, 2011 at 8:47 pm

    Oh you poor baby! Do hope you are doing better and eating and talking and all if going well with you. Can’t believe you never saw ET…I have both the 1st addition and the one they re did! I live near Orlando and Universal Studios has the ET ride…none of my family or close friends will go there with me any more as I drag them on the ride at least 4 times during the day! Oh I loved The Help, both the book and the movie (I’ve seen it 3 times now). I also enjoyed the book Water for Elephants more then the movie, but still it was good. One movie I am waiting for on rental is A Dolphin Tale…it is a true story that happened in the Tampa area and such a heart warming story. Get better!

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