meeting Miss Marple

I've just started reading my first Agatha Christie book.  I'm a bit embarrassed that I haven't read her before.  I'm such a fan of Doyle, Poe, and even true crime writers such as Max Haines, that it's a bit strange that I haven't actually made Miss Marple's acquaintance before now.  I did grow up in an atmosphere saturated with Perry Mason, Matlock, Murder She Wrote and always adorable, Columbo; maybe I just thought I already knew all there is to know about the whodunnit?

Then I a few days ago I discovered the Flavia du Luce series by Alan Bradley and my love of mysteries has been reignited. 

Although we just met, Miss Marple is already an old friend.  She's entirely familiar.  I've known her in the guise of so many characters that she has inspired. A chilly afternoon tea and cardigan pal.  I was only a couple pages into The Body in the Library when I started to wonder if it is possible to knit while reading?

I have a friend who assures me that you can indeed knit and read.  She does it all the time.  I wish I could ply my craft while reading but I suspect that serger use while engaged in reading is a short path to heartache and, maybe, a trip to the emergency room.  (Where I could read while I wait to have my finger reattached?)

What can I do while reading though?  I may have a slightly checkered past in which I could sometimes be accused of failing to appreciate the moment, my surroundings, other people, etc., because I've had my face in a book.  I feel no remorse. Often, the moment is overrated.  And now that the world has their faces buried in their smart phones, I am totally free to pull out my paperback and read a couple pages.  Social rules have been turned upside down and instead of complaining about the rudeness of people texting while visiting, I will simply use it to my advantage.

In the interest of full disclosure, I've complied a list of activities that I can think of off the top of my head that I've done while reading.  Perhaps you can share some of your reading friendly activities as well, so I can add them to my repertoire?

walking
eating
dating
comforting distraught children
answering nature's call
showering (not with a library book, though)
being a passenger in planes, trains and automobiles
piloting an off-road vehicle
doing dishes
folding laundry
washing and subsequently blow drying hair
preparing meals
painting

Photo by girl child, who claims that this is often all that she ever sees of me.

(Just a little aside, check out the minimalist literary designs from Creative Daffodil on Etsy.  I love the Christie shirt.)