Although the temperature was warm outside this morning and the winds as strong as they had been throughout the night, there was no rain until it bucketed down from about 11 a.m. onwards. I therefore accompanied Jackie as she delivered the elderly Modus to the dealer and collected her sprightly four year old Hyundai i10.
In the meantime Ronan and a colleague from Tom Sutton Heating fixed an oil leak by fitting a faulty valve, and I remained inside for the rest of the day while heavy rain continued into the night.
I submitted
to Denzil Nature for this week’s challenge. All but the first picture are from my archives.
Reminiscent of Dostoevsky’s “Crime and Punishment” is “Markheim”, the next of the Robert Louis Stevenson’s stories in my Folio Society collection, which I read this afternoon.
![](https://i0.wp.com/derrickjknight.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/img20230920_17495456-1024x728.jpg?ssl=1)
As Michael Foreman’s illustration shows, we learn pretty quickly that Markheim is a murderer, trapped by his fears into remaining in the victim’s shop wrestling with the consequences of his guilt and the temptations of the personification of his conscience.
The building itself, empty but for the corpse, brings dread as the perpetrator, anticipating there may be someone else within, searches for further riches which he knows he would squander.
Haunted by his imagination and his need for redemption, Markheim struggles over how to respond as the moment of discovery draws nearer. I will leave the author to reveal this.
Later, I watched the second half of the rugby World Cup match between Italy and Uruguay.
This evening we all dined on Jackie’s wholesome chicken and vegetable soup and fresh crusty bread, with which I drank more of the Côtes du Rhône Villages and no-one else did.
How cosy it is to sit and read indoors while the rain buckets down outside!
Indeed. Thanks very much, Anne
Ditto
A perfect rainy day ‘activity’ – a good book!!
Thanks very much, GP
Hi Derrick, you do read interesting books. I haven’t read a time and Punishment but I know about it.
Thanks very much, Robbie
I’m glad you were able to get your new car, despite the rain.
Another interesting story.
“and no-one else did.” 😉
Thank you very much, Merril. The deepest and shortest story yet
Sometimes that’s how it works.
It’s nice to spend a day inside when the weather is crazy outside, Derrick. Perfect. I would love to try Jackie’s soup, it sounds delicious. I looked up the car you guys purchased, I like the design and compact size. ❤️
Thanks very much, John
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I prefer just to look at the pictures. 😉 They’re amazing.
Thanks very much, Chrissy
I hope your new car serves you as well as the Modus. Also have fingers crossed that this year provides better heating luck than last year’s kerfuffle. My new car is smarter than I am and reminds me to roll up my windows when I am enjoying fresh autumn air on rides in the country.
Thank you so much, Pat
A little spell of settled weather might spoil your reading but it would be very welcome.
Indeed. Thanks very much, Tootlepedal
That short story collection is sounding better and better!
Thanks very much, Liz.
You’re welcome, Derrick.
I am not sure it is as deep as Dostoevsky’s masterpiece, but I read Stevenson many years ago, so I might have the wrong impression. I need to re-read, and in English, rather than in translation.
Thanks very much, Dolly. I’d appreciate your current view.
My pleasure, Derrick.
YAY for your new-to-you-all car! May it take you two on many fun adventures, with many future photos to be taken. 🙂
Hope the oil leak repairs last a l-o-n-g time. I remember Ronan and Mark from Tom Sutton bringing the heat (HA…”bringing the heat”) earlier this year! (‘Twas in like Jan, Feb, March…right?!)
I love staying in on a heavy-rain day and reading. Glad you got some reading done.
(((HUGS))) ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
Thanks very much, Carolyn. Your memory is 100% accurate. X
nothing beats a good read on a rainy day! 🙂
Thank you very much, Wilma
Here in Geelong I think! the rain has finished for the day and me and Frankie will be able to visit the Box Office Cafe after lunch … enjoy your cosy reading day Derrick
Thanks very much, Ivor
You’re welcome Derrick
Congratulations on the new car, and I am glad you went along with Jackie to pick it up. That sounds like some storm that came through.
Thanks very much Lavinia. All still this morning
You’re beginning to make me think I should try some Robert Louis Stevenson. I’m fairly certain that I reas “Treasure Island” as a little boy.
I certainly did, John. Thanks very much
Yes, congrats on the new car!
That story sounds chilling. I didn’t realize Stevenson wrote such dark stories. I tend to associate him with poetry and children’s novels.
This collection includes such a wide range, Laurie. Thank you very much
Congrats on your new car, and staying cozy with a good read is a wonderful way to spend a rainy day.
Thank you very much, Eugi
Most welcome, Derrick.
I sat in front of the log burner and fell asleep while listening to the rain hitting the windows.
Enjoy the new car.
Thank you very much, Sue
I do enjoy short stories. One of my favourite mediums, and I also love collections of them. What a marvelous illustration!
Thank you very much, Crystal
You have a lovely blog here
I am glad I came across it 🙂
Thank you very much, Swati
I should really look into findings books with illustrations 🙂
Thanks very much, Ribana.