Insomnia: The Nightmarish Gift That Keeps on Giving

The Sunday Post, Issue #282

Table of Contents

• The Editorial
• On the Reading Block
• Fresh Off the Press
• Some Final Thoughts

The Sunday Post is a weekly event hosted by Caffeinated Reviewer.

The Editorial

Hypnos, the sleep god himself, must have decided to play a little trick on me last night. I tossed and turned like a fish out of water, finally succumbing to sleep in the early hours when even the moon seemed to be dozing off. Now, I find myself writing this post later than expected, bleary-eyed and wondering if the world has taken a turn for the bizarre. Seriously, Mother Nature, pick a season! Your indecision is wreaking havoc on my allergies, doing acrobatics that could drive anyone insane. One minute it’s late summer, the next it’s autumn. Get your act together!

As for my week, well, it was another wild ride. My mother had yet another episode. Instead of heading to the understaffed local hospital—a place so bleak it could double as a set for a horror film—she was transported via ambulance to the NKC hospital, which has mysteriously changed its name. It’s surprising how something so small can be packed into a big city. My dad and I rushed to see her before visiting hours slammed shut like a trapdoor. Quick tip for the wise: steel-toe boots are not the best choice for a hospital visit; security will take one look and decide they need to pat you down like you’re carrying a weapon.

Fortunately, she was only there overnight and is now on more medication than a middle-aged man at a rock concert. Out of respect for her privacy—and her preference for keeping family in the dark—I'm going to keep the specifics to myself. The responsibility has largely fallen to me. We’ve got the first appointment with a specialist at the end of October—unless a miracle occurs and someone cancels. Just a meet-and-greet, mind you, with the real business to come later. For now, though, it’s all about keeping her stress levels down and monitoring her blood pressure. Explaining a potential Thanksgiving dinner cancellation to relatives without divulging the whole saga? That’ll be fun. I’ll think of something believable!

There’s also a 97-year-old woman whom my mother helps regularly. She’s all alone in this world, save for a niece in her seventies who pops in occasionally but doesn’t live in town. I’ve been running some errands and doing shopping for her, and starting tomorrow morning, I’ll be stepping in more formally—cleaning, laundry, grocery runs, you name it. The apartment layout is a blast from the past, reminiscent of my grandmother's place, so I know I can blitz through the cleaning. Plus, I'm fast; it's my superpower! My mother will tag along, showing me the ropes, particularly where the cleaning supplies are stashed and—this is key—where the laundry room is. I’ve heard it’s in a separate building, and rumor has it that it takes quarters. Wish me luck!

On the Reading Block

There is a heap of books lined up for me this week. I plan to read late into the night, fingers flying on the keyboard as I post my reviews bright and early the next morning. Insomnia might just have its perks. As soon as I wrap up this Sunday Post, I’ll finish up The Heart of It’s a Wonderful Life by Jimmy Hawkins. It’s a short little book that landed in my mailbox unexpectedly, and I have no complaints because let’s be honest—It’s a Wonderful Life is a classic. I’ll be posting my review later today.

As for the rest of the week, here’s the lineup: Monday brings Split, Tuesday is The Sequel, Wednesday features Serves You Right, Thursday is all about After Midnight, and Saturday wraps up with Gunsmith: A Fortune for the Gunsmith by J.R. Roberts. If an ARC happens to grace my inbox this week, I’ll throw in a review of Widow’s Point by Richard Chizmar on Friday; if not, well, there’s always next week.

Fresh Off the Press

Despite the chaotic backdrop of my life, I managed to churn out reviews for five books: The Whistler by Nick Medina, Don’t Say a Word by Allison Brennan, Bloodline of Redemption by Brian Dickinson, Silenced by Diana Rodriguez Wallach, and The Rustler Hunter by R.J. Sloane. 

Additionally, I featured a snippet from After Midnight in my Friday 56.

Some Final Thoughts

Life is a labyrinth of mysteries; some are challenges that we must face. And you know what? I’m not running away from mine anymore. I’m tackling them head-on, like a character out of one of those old horror films. I have no fear of my own thoughts or words; there’s no holding back anymore. Writer’s block? Pfft. It’s nothing more than fear of the unknown, and once you slay that dragon, there’s truly no stopping you. I have ambitious plans for this blog, and I hope everyone enjoys the ride!

〜B.J. Burgess