kath/ mckait 2012 ~ Melting into thread #13 ~

Summer Tree by ~albundyland http://albundyland.deviantart.com/art/Summer-Tree-158266279





5 * star - loved it, breathtaking, keeper, will re-read. Possibly life changing!
4.5 * star - very good, possible keeper
4 * star liked a lot
3.5 * star - very satisfying
3 * star a solid read, nothing extraordinary, worth 1 read
2.5 * star- failed potential but somewhat engaging
2 * star A mixed bag not worth reading unless desperate
1.5 * star It was a book
1 * star Fail ! A bunch of words cobbled together




You have your way, I have my way. As for the right way, the correct way, and the only way, it does not exist. - Friedrich Nietzsche

1. Camptown Ladies by Mari SanGiovanni 4 stars
2. Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close by Jonathan Safran Foer 2 stars
3. Come In and Cover Me by Gin Phillips 4 stars
4. The Truth of All Things: A Novel by Kieran Shields 2 stars
5. Mourning Gloria by Susan Wittig Albert 3 stars
6. Defending Jacob: A Novel By: William Landay 4 stars
7. Seriously . . . I' m Kidding by Ellen Degeneres 3 stars
8. Curse of the Narrows: The Halifax Explosion 1917 by Laura M. Mac Donald 4 stars
9. Ashes to Dust by Yrsa Sigurðardóttir 2..5 stars
10. A Heartbeat Away by Michael Palmer 3 stars
11. A Place of Secrets by Rachel Hore 4.5 stars
12. Gunn's Golden Rules Life's Little Lessons for Making it Work by Tim Gunn 3 stars
13. The Thirteenth Child by Patricia C. Wrede 3 stars
14. The Harp of Imach Thyssel: A Lyra Novel by Patricia C. Wrede 3 stars
15. Until Again: Prequel Novella to BLUE & Blue by Lou Aronica 4.5
16. The Magicians by Lev Grossman 3 stars
17. Chosen by Paul A. Bradley 4 stars
18. Graceling by Kristin Cashore 4.5
19. Whale Song by Cheryl Kaye Tardiff 4.5 stars
20. My Way Home by Cynthia Lee Cartier
21. The Gods of Gotham by Lyndsay Faye 3 stars
22. Wrapped in Rain by Charles Martin 3 stars
23. The Cottage at Glass Beach by Heather Barbieri 3.5 stars
24. The Sounding by Carrie Salo 4 stars
25.Somebody Tell Aunt Tillie She's Dead by Christiana Miller 3.25
26. The Fey by Claudia Hall Christian 2.5
27.If You Lived Here, I'd Know Your Name: Comings and Goings in Small-Town Alaska
by Heather Lende 4.5
28. Oath of Office by Michael Palmer 3.5
29. Green Grow The Rushes by Harriet Smart 3 stars
30. Tallis' Third Tune by Ellen L. Ekstrom 4 stars
31. When Captain Flint Was Still a Good Man by Nick Dybek 3.5
32. 11/22/63 by Stephen King 4.5 stars
33. Where The Heart Is by Jenny Gardiner 3.5 stars
34. The Price Alexandra Sokoloff 4 stars
35. Loose Ends by Terri Reid 4 stars
36. Good Tidings by Terri Reid 4 stars
37. Never Forgotten by Terri Reid 4 stars
38. Miracles and Moments of Grace: Inspiring Stories from Doctors by Nancy B. Kennedy 3 stars
39.The Unveiling by Alford, Stefan 2.5 Kindle
40. Final Call by Terri Reid 4 stars kindle
41. Darkness Exposed by Terri Reid 4 stars kindle
42. Natural Reaction by Terri Reid 4 stars kindle
43. Secret Hollows by Terri Reid 4 stars kindle
44. Truth Like the Sun by Jim Lynch 4 stars Vine
45. A Gathering Storm by Rachael Hore 3 stars
46. Chasing Amanda by Melissa Foster 2.5 stars kindle
47. Malice in Cornwall: an Erskine Powell mystery 3.5 stars
48. Never Con a Corgi by Edie Claire 4 stars nook.
49. Heartbroken by Lisa Unger 4 stars Vine
50. Iron and Silk by Mark Salzman 3.5 stars
51. The Ghosts of New Orleans by Terri Reid 2.75 stars nook
52. The Virgin Cure: A Novel by Ami McKay 5 stars
53. Afterwards: A Novel by Rosamund Lupton 4 stars
54. Gillespie and I by Jane Harris 4 stars
55. Picture This by Jacqueline Sheehan
56. BitterBlue by Kristen Cashore 4.5 stars
57. Fire by Kristen Cashore 4.5 Stars.
58.The Methuselah Man by Will Dresser 4.5 stars
59. The Rachel Scott Adventures Vol 1: Asylum Harbor and Burn Out by Traci Hohenstein 2 stars
60. The Third Gate: A Novel by Lincoln Child 4 stars
61. The Impeachment of Abraham Lincoln by Stephen L. Carter 4 Stars
62. Some Kind of Fairy Tale by Graham Joyce 3.5 stars
63. Sacrament of Fear by Will Dresser
64. Dandelion Wine by Ray Bradbury 6 stars
65. The Vintage Bradbury by Ray Bradbury 5 stars
66. The Starry Child by Lynn Hanna 3.5 stars
67. American Grown by Michelle Obama 5 stars
68. Cat Daddy: What the World's Most Incorrigible Cat Taught Me About Life, Love, and Coming Clean
Jackson Galaxy
Why Cats Paint: A Theory of Feline Aesthetics Heather Busch, Burton Silver

I had to bring sleepy Duncan back.. I missed him in my thread :)

Kath guess I'm first. Congrats on the latest thread.

Me, 2!

Duncan looks so contented...he has a good Mom....bless you

;-}

Oh, me next!

Here I am too with good intentions to do better than I did on thread 12..........
Duncan is a sweetie, so I'm whispering "Happy New Thread"
I also love that summer tree!!!

Hi Kath,
Checking in on the new thread. Better day today although stressed out. but no longer blue.....

I foresee a Ray Bradbury-related TIOLI challenge for July (but maybe that's too far in the future).

I so love sleepy Duncan.

Ellen : A few of us (maybe numbers will grow?) are going to do a Dandelion Wine read this weekend. Interested?

Kath - I'll pass on your advice to dialogue with the resident ghostie to my coworker. At least I could see Harry. He says he just feels ghostie but can't see him and he doesn't like it

Hi Kath, new threads everywhere! Must be something in the air :) Hello, congrats and promises that Ill be a regular visitor

Good evening, my dear friend!
Brandy new thread for us to fill up ;-)

Since you are so far along in your reading, I wonder if maybe you could read a few books for me?

Yay, a new thread!

I know you're busy today, but stopping by to send some love.

>10: lol at Cee.

Hi Paul, you're very quick for a guy about to be depressed :P

Jude.. I love that pic, and I am in general, too lazy to decorate a new thread, so
this is the June design :)

Welcome any time Lizzie but I understand not being able to keep up...
oh yes I do!

Ellen, let me know if there is a TIOLI. Caro mentioned a Dandelion Wine read on the weekend
which interests me .. I have never done a TIOLI ... not that smart..

Caro.. I do love a sleepy Dunkers :) and YES do count me in for the weekend.. I have to scare up my
book, it's an Omnibus. Let me know how the ghostie makes out!

Megan, mine is not so much new as... extended ?

Hi Cee, why don't you join in the weekend read ? Have you read much Bradbury?
I can picture his friends in the afterlife doing quick rereads to refresh....

Gail, Xposted and I almost missed you !

B'day party changed.. no cake.. no nothing. I have been reading..
xoxo

and out... see all y'all tomorrow :)

re: the post from your thread about the guy in Barnes & Noble: I spend an awful lot of time on the floor of the children's section of the library. Maybe someone will throw me out. No, wait, I work there, and I'm shelving books on the bottom shelves . . .

What a crazy world we live in!

Good night, Kath!

Checking in, seeing you've already checked out for the day. Sweet dreams!

*smooch* for new threadness

>17 hehe

See Kath, Im back already, such a regular visitor I am....

Hi Kath - just checking in to the new thread. Lovely picture of Dunkers:)

*Waves* Hi Kath! I'm here and fully prepared to fall behind as usual. :(

Hi roni, and welcome..
Megan, the ,more the better :)
rd,xo
calm, nice to see you.. and thank you !
Stephen, I do that myownself, on a daily basis.. get behind.

need coffee....

Ahh, that's better. I guess I didn't push the button down far enough when I got up.
I went back for my coffee and there was none. ack!

So.. my sister and fam decided to move dinner and cake to Saturday. They just didn't
tell me, so there was no birthday party yesterday. I read instead. I am really enjoying Will Dresser's
books, and I will look for the next one. I am not sure what will be nxt. I have an Alice Hoffman here.
Green Angel has been on my short stack for a while, and I keep passing it by. Or, maybe not. I have
an LTER there too ....

Morning Kath- Lucky 13, huh? Congrats. I've done that before with the coffee maker or thought I had pressed it. Ack, is right! Enjoy your day.

It took a double take to realize that this was an unvisited new thread! Yaozaa, you're really moving along at a brisk pace.
Have a super duper day!

ETA: I see we're doing our morning dance of visits.

:) yep!

eta

that was a response to the dance of visits comment.. sorry.. I had to run off
and see to a kitchen situation. I am making Duncan's food and also an extra meal
to turn into lunches for Dan.

oh, and Hi Merk Mark!

Morning, Kath! Just checking in to see what's going on over here. So, Thursday - what's on tap for today?

Hi Mamie!

So far lots of cooking and filing...how about you?

So my kitties don't feel left out, what with Duncan showing up in my threads :)

Oh, look at them all sitting together! So sweet!

I am making coffee? Does that count? Lazy start to the morning for us. We all slept in and then indulged ourselves - I'm on LT, the kids are reading and playing video games. I will have to be industrious later, but just a few more moments of fun...No showings today so far, so nice to have a more normal June morning. I promised to teach my middle daughter how to make biscotti today, so that will be fun.

Biscotti was surprisingly easy to make, once I finally gave it a try :)
What kind will you make?

I already had my second cup.. so I am good to go.. and off and running, truth to tell..
busy day ahead, I think? It has that from one thing to another sort of feel to it..

I have my own version which is delicious with toasted hazelnuts and toffee in it - made it for my husband's birthday so put his personal fans in, but it's soooo good. We have made the traditional almond, and also a butterscotch one which is very good. I have a habit of tweaking recipes to my personal taste, but we really like to mess around with cookie recipes. My daughter named her dog Biscotti because when we got her she was the same color as the butterscotch biscotti that we bake each year for Christmas!

Good morning to all furkids and you, Kath!

Which cat is on top? I love how cats sort themselves out :)

Have a good day :)

I mess with recipes all the time. If I follow one precisely, I regret it.
( Like yesterdays chicken)

The butterscotch biscotti sounds delish, as does the almond. Yummy!
I was thinking of baking some bread... I think I have the yeast.. time to look!

I have never baked bread...sigh...I would like to. The butterscotch is delicious - I'll post you the recipe when we start baking. The almond is the same base except with almonds and almond extract. It's a good recipe because it works every time and it's not fussy.

What was wrong with the chicken? I usually follow the recipe the first time out, and then tweak it the next time.

Thanks, that would be great! Do you think you would like me to send
my bread recipe? It is very simple.. but a little vague. But a seasoned cook should be
able to do it :)

YES!!

28> YAY for kittens and a kitten tree!!!!

Keth (ahem), you joining in for the Dandelion Wine read? I have to work commencement all day Saturday and do some FIL care (snrk) on Sunday, so I don't think it's realistic for me..... but in any case you CAN do a TIOLI read! You don't have to make up a challenge and you don't even have to find a book that fits someone else's challenge. You just look at what others have entered into the challenges and you join in...... I know you can do the joining in part..... xo

>28 Wow, I'm impressed that you got that many kitties on the tree at the same time! It's also nice that they all seem to get along (just guessing based on the picture). I always figured two's company three's a crowd as far as cats go.

ok. Bread about to go into oven..
Duncan's food cooked for a 5-6 days or so ..
three lunches prepared for Dan for work.

His meal for today prepared and cleaned up after..
( Spanish rice and pork chops)

Melon cleaned and sliced for easy eating.

All dished done aside from bread pans..
Next?
Book.

Ellen, they love that tree :)
I tried a TIOLI once and did not choose correctly..
Too many rules .. that throws me off.

I have never even done a group read, but I will wait til the weekend to read DW
as a sort of group tribute. I have no idea what to do with a thread for it..
Joining in? Not my best thing :P

Rachael .. that was when it was new. They are rarely all on it at once now..
We have a pretty comfy mix with this four... I am good with it, and aside from
Emmie challenging Morgan now and then, all is well :)

That's ok. Ignore me.
But you can't shake me!
:P

oops I didn't mean to ignore you.. I somehow missed you :(
Rosie on top
Emmie directly below
Angus to the right, on top with fluffy tail
Morgan stretching :)

Whenever I took Woolly to visit at Bridget's house with 2 other cats - HRM Woolly immediately took charge of the cat tree and scoffed at the 2 boys (one was her brother) who always let her have her way.

So, Rosie is "top cat"?

No, Morgan is...
But Morgan is the least likely to be on the tree.. she usually sits
behind me, or follows me around. She and Angus stay close.
Rosie and Angus take turns on top...Angus has no feelings of
being top cat in any way. He is too outnumbered by females.

Aha - top cat gets the human ;-)
So, I'm thinking in the feline world females rule. LOL

not just the feline world! lol

ohhhhh! Thunder :) yay!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bJ4alufyYWI&feature=related

I adore Mr Rogers...... click above?

Kaths doing a group read? Go you, you might like it you know. ;)

Cool cat tree, I bet they have a ball all over that thing. At the moment Im ready to hire a feline hit man for our cat, he swiped little Lennys head yesterday and gave him 5 tiny dots of blood on his beautiful perfect skin. And one semi-nasty one just below his eye....eek....close one! Cat out, baby in.

39> "next? Book." Hooray!!!

40> LOL. Well, I get that. It's important to keep reading from taking on the less appealing qualities of RL.

You have four cats, yes? Rosie, Emmie, Angus, and Morgan? As you know, I only have the one now (Abby, whom I do adore) and I think about getting another one almost every day. I thought the universe might send me one, but that hasn't happened yet. I know there is a not-Edgar out there needing my love......

Megan, lets not get crazy, now.
I am going to read a book at the same time as some others....
and see how it goes.. lol.

Sorry about the cat vs baby. Nail trim?

Ellen, June is adopt a cat month at shelters all across the country.
They will help you find a perfect pal for Abby. That might be the
road the Universe wants you to take?

And yes! reading is my escape from RL!

63. Sacrament of Fear by Will Dresser read and reviewed
(from author ) 4 stars. I liked book 2 ( which I read first) better.. but this was darn good.

I am reading The Veldt, now. Because I wanna.

Your comment over on (Paul's?) thread has me convinced. I have put Dandelion Wine and Something Wicked This Way Comes both on hold at the library.

Holding firm in my commitment not to buy anything until I read ten currently-owned......

I am proud of you! Adding two great reads and not spending a dime.
Perfect! Dandelion Wine is a quick read.. they both are.. you will see. :)

cool beans.

I just had a nice chat with Gary... a guy I dated in HS. We parted ways..
not much romance there.. but stayed fast friends. Even when we don't see
each other for years, it is like just yesterday when we do get together. He
was a hero in my house when the kids were growing up. He would visit frequently
before he moved away ( to work at Disney World :) as he is anything but ordinary.
Funny, that he should call with all the talk about friendship going on in Mamie's
thread and all the thoughts it brought to mind. Thanks Mamie and all who were in
on the discussion :)

Nice. Glad you connected with him and that it's a positive connection.

I posted this on my thread, but it might make sense to add it here:

Actually, you started it, Kath, with your fiend typo!

Ellen, I love the badge :) I might have to steal it..

Mamie.. huh, I guess you're right! Just like LT for it
to drift your way and become more serious :)

Gary.. who loved doing "characters" like Spidey and the Easter Bunny etc..
would often show up at my door in costume. He was like another kid, playing
with my kids and laughing and giving them a lot of joy. What's not to like:)
He was also tattooed over much of his body by the time he left. Hmmm
maybe he had more of an impact on Craig than I thought.... lol

From FB

Mary Doria Russell
Finished a chapter today -- WYATT is just about halfway to a complete draft.

Good evening, Kath!

Those cats look comfy there on their tree.

I'm sad about Ray Bradbury's death. I pondered joining in on reading Dandelion Wine, but need to fill in some categories in my 12 in 12 challenge, and it doesn't seem to fit any of them.

I will be an early reader of WYATT.

Its Ok Kath, I have calmed down about cat vs baby now. Considering it was mostly my fault, I cant really blame him. I should have read the signs. Twitching etc. And, now Lenny knows that cats can mean business. Still, not nice to see :(

Hi Kath- Oooh, thanks for the Russell update! Very cool. Things are heating up here. 87 today, low 90s over the weekend. Hope it's cooler by you!

Good morning, Kath! We seem to have a beautiful day in the neighborhood. How about you?

I caved in and pulled Dandelion Wine off the shelf. At the very least, it will go toward my Books off the Shelf challenge.

Trying to stay current with you, Kath...it's getting to be a full-time job. But so much fun that I'll "work" for free. ;-)

Good morning, Kath. I hope the day is a good one.

Morning, Kath - It's Friday!!

Hmmm - remember (not too long ago) when Fridays were to die for?

Gonna visit Mom today - think she might be running low on ice cream. Can't let that happen! They have it available there for every meal, but she wants hers at 9 pm. A habit of years. Maybe I should just buy her about 6 "half gallons" and mark the calendar for a couple months out to replenish. Can't keep track of 2 freezers.
They have a pianist coming in this afternoon so I'll catch that too! Love piano music - live.

I don't know how many readers here would agree with my opinion of Auraria, but I am loving it! About 3/4 done.

Have a good one :)

Hi Terri.... they do love their tree! I like my cats happy :)

Ellen, me too!

Megan, I'm glad to hear things are calming down. I am sure it is hard to see
your baby hurt :(

Mark... she is planning to be finished with it by the end of the year...

Terri, yep! beautiful :) A little warm..I was out this morning, glad to be done.

Donna, trust me.. I know what you mean :P

Hi Ellen.. nice to see you here, as always..

Hi Mamie :) Friday it is, and it has been a long morning for me..
I'm glad to be home!

Cee....Have fun seeing your mom, my dad was a huge fan of a nightly bowl of ice cream, too!
Have fun listening to your music... it sounds like a nice calming afternoon. I am guessing mom
likes it then :)

ok.. I had my first PT appt this morning. . Ouch. Apparently they think I am still
having issues from the concussion. I have been having frequent headaches..
and I have a fair amount of neck pain, especially after any activity or lifting or
whatever. The crunchy sounds are not good? I don't know. All I know is that
my neck hurts, most of the time. I have trouble reading for more than 15 minutes or so
at a time, because it starts hurting .

So I will see how it goes. It hurt a fair bit more when I left. Then I had to go to
do errands, and shopping and blah blah. The heavy lifting from shopping didn't help.
Then I made hot sausage for Dan, and salad. I cleaned the fruit and still have to
repackage the meat ( into burgers and a meat loaf) and... whew!

Lots of dishes already, but I feel like a lot got done. I admit to feeling a little
punk. This IBS flare has lasted 2 weeks and the neck pain is getting me down.
(Whinge)

Anyway.. I will catch up with all of your threads soon. I need a short break and
then more to do.

Oh and I've read part of Vintage Bradbury...not Dandelion Wine ...

I seek it here, I seek it there ..and yet I'm not able to find the bread recipe you said you were going to share, Kath. :-(

Give already!! Breadmaking novices such as I would love more bread recipes.

Here ya go:

Mary Snow's Bread 3 loaves

3 1/2 Cups of lukewarm water

1/2 Cup Oil

1 1/2 Tablespoon salt

2 pkg dry yeast

1/2 Cup sugar

I never actually measure.. so don't make yourself crazy over it.

Mix all above together.

Add flour, any kind.. I often use half white and half wheat
Add until dough pulls away from side of bowl.

8-10 ish cups ??

knead.. then allow to double in size

Punch down and put into buttered pans

Allow to rise again

Bake 350F for one hour

let it sit for about 15 minutes before removing from pans

I used half whole wheat and half unbleached white flower...
sometimes I make one loaf cheese bread and one cinnamon .
This is a very flexible recipe.

I dont see snow on the ingredients list..shame cos I have some to use up at present :)

i love recipes like that ... thanks, sweet Kath. I'm going to try it .. maybe this Sunday. Would be cool to read Bradbury while bread's rising and baking. Mmmm....I could buy some pate and cheese from the farm in the morning and then I'd really be all set.

By the way, do you know how long dry yeast lasts and is good to use? I discovered a box at the back of my pantry

I started The Coroner's Lunch last night and while riding in on the bus this morning. There was a bit about this little bread-baking-and-selling stand. It made me desire fresh baked bread. Now your thread is reinforcing the craving. Yum.

Sorry your IBS and neck pain are aggravating right now, Kath. I hope you can rest up a bit and start feeling better soon.

Sorry Megan :) you're on your own with the snow :)

Quite welcome, Caro... you can also make one herb-y or whatever. it is sooo flexible.
I have used ancient yeast and had it work in the past.. all of these expiration dates.. pffft!
But it's up to you, of course :) Maybe I just got lucky?

Yum, that bread sounds delicious! I like recipes that are forgiving. :) Hope you are having a better day today than yesterday! *smooch*

Hi Laura.. all is well :)

I think old yeast just means a less airy dough, I like my buns firm though, so its OK by me to use old yeast :)

I think everyone likes their buns firm, but I may be mistaken :)

ok... decided to make meatballs for the freezer instead of burgers, becaue
I am apparently into self torture.... sigh. But it will be done, and I will be happy when
I pull them out :) and have yummy meatballs in a minute !

If you bake your meatballs in the oven, rather than fry them on the stove...it's less torture, and less mess. Besides, a big jelly roll pan holds a lot....reminds me, i should have a "meatball day" soon, to have 'em in the freezer.

Yep, firm buns are the way to go!
;-P

baked 'em
:)

Oh dear ..... you meant firm buns as in bread, right, Kath? Have to admit, I had something else in mind when I read that .. haha

uh, no.

methinks she meant both

I certainly didn't mean bread!

;-)

firm buns.. well.. no, I actually wasn't talking bread
any more than megan was, LOL or, jude...

I know that this might just make it worse, but when I said baked em, I meant meatballs

IBS & neck pain

Shingles

Gout flare

I think we should all ask for a refund of the time we've lost to these painful annoyances. Did you keep your receipt?

doubt it.... I only keep the ones I never need.

eta

Okay, I am itching to set aside Vintage Bradbury and begin Dandelion Wine

"itching" is perhaps a poor choice of word for around here these days......

<a href="http://photobucket.com/images/lol%20smiley" target="_blank">

Hi Kath- Are you a fan of Anne Tyler? I just finished her latest, The Beginner's Goodbye and it was fantastic. It looks like it would fit you.
BTW- I'll be joining you book-nuts with Dandelion Wine. Yah!

Lost - totally lost. What say you guys?
I wanted to check the library for Bradbury's Dandelion Wine but ran out of time :P
Maybe later.

Piano concert of oldies was cool. I felt like the songs were just outside my full grasp. That could be a good thing. When I start singing along, I'll know I'm in trouble. You don't think ass't living places will have rock 'n roll bands for us do ya? Oh no!

Mom and her new friends were singing, clapping, and tapping toes. See? That's the kind of thing I could not provide for her.

Sorry you are feeling yucky - if it's any consolation, PT is supposed to make you a little bit hurt, I think. Relax now. Got meds?

ow sorry to hear you are hurting! Hopefully it stops so you can read for longer stretches

Well, the Birthday bash will happen today. Kim couldn't plan anything deemed suitable. (?)
Deb took over, cleaned and cooked and will have it at her place. I don't get it. I am sure that
Kim doesn't get it. What I am, is filled with dread.

I will visit threads later, I want to squeeze in some reading ..

Oh lord!

On the bright side...if your sister is doing her own party, she shouldn't have anything to complain about (i know..in a perfect world). At any rate, when she does start to whinge...roll your eyes and sigh, loudly!

***hugs***

May the Force be with you! Make sure to locate all exits as soon as you get there. At least there will be cake! There will be cake, right?!

Hi Kath - feeling any better physically? You are falling apart, woman! You need a vacation. Srsly.

Good grief! That sister is something else... she NEEDS to relax!

LOL at Jude - "if your sister is doing her own party, she shouldn't have anything to complain about "

Hope things turn out better than you think.
Gentle Hugs...

Debbie's control freak side takes over again, how shocking. I hope you can get in and out fast if it's unpleasant, but better it should be a fun and laugh-y kind of a day.

Jude... Hah! The complaint will be that she did it, even though she did not let her
daughter do it. I am baffled by the whole thing.

Mamie.. there had better be cake! They do weird cakes though...

Cee.. still feeling a bit yuck. I need something.

rd. Well.. Kim has A/C and a big house. Deb has a teeny house and a pool ....
which I don't get into. (Even the thought of watching water move makes me queasy)
I am no fun.

reading. laundry and so on..

Will catch up later

*trying to wrap head around the idea of weird cake* ....what's weird about their cakes, Kath? They add spiced mutton in the layers and goat cheese mashed potato frosting?

64. Dandelion Wine by Ray Bradbury 6 stars of five, the extra one for a thank you

That's all I have to say. A magical book, too long left un(re)read.
What a lot of memories! *sigh*

You're done already? Oh, man...

Hi there, Kath. I heard about Bradbury's passing and wondered which novel of his I should read. Well, thanks for picking up on Dandelion Wine. I'll put in a request at my library. Have fun at the party and hope PT will eventually help.

6 stars of five, the extra one for a thank you
That's all I have to say. A magical book, too long left un(re)read.
What a lot of memories! *sigh*
Love that for a review! And hang on, that was a quick read wasnt it!

Mamie and Megan, it's a really short book... lots packed into few pages.

Lynda, I hope you love it :)

ok the party's over...
chicken,cake and presents...

Owen time.. 4 months old and a little.. 27 inches long and 15 pounds..
He is a sweetie :)

Oliver is getting to be obnoxious. It makes me sad.
They have to start saying no..
The demonstration he put on right before I left just made me feel bad.
He needs some of those boundaries we were talking about in Mamie's thread....imo

Oliver is three, right? They always say terrible twos, but with my kids it was three that was the challenge. They are learning to be independent, and suddenly they think they get to decide and to make the rules. No parent is doing anyone a favor, least of all the child, by capitulating.

No parent is doing anyone a favor, least of all the child, by capitulating.
I agree.
I don't remember any issues at the toddler stage, aside from Cory hated to shop..
he would sit and the stroller and holler I'm dizzy! Take me home!

Now, eighteen I could have done without ... across the board. LOL

No weird cake tonight?

LOL at Cory! Hope he has gotten over that dizzy thing!

Sweet Dreams, my friend!

I'm stopping by to say that May and June have been a blur..very little reading...lots of stress. Still, I manage to find some time to hoover over threads. What I notice is the consistently warm, kind and sensitive comments you post throughout. You are indeed a very special person and one of the main reasons I am ever so glad I found LT and the 75 challenge group.

BIG hugs!

I can't keep up with you! 46 messages since I checked yesterday . . .

Sorry to hear that there is still so much head and neck pain. I hope the PT will, eventually, help.

I am loving Dandelion Wine. I have that Vintage Bradbury book, too. But my next Bradbury read will probably be his Zen and the art of Writing. It will be a re-read.

My favorite Ray Bradbury short story is There Will Come Soft Rains. In my opinion, there are few writers who can say so very much using so very few words.

admitting to skimming through without attending to detail......
I don't know what the deal is with "weird" cake, but if it's chocolate, I'll have a slice.....

Pleased you survived the birthday bash:)

Sorry to hear about the pain ... hope the PT helps.

Wishing you a calm and pleasant day.

Hard to explain, but no weird cake yesterday, Caro. White cake with chocolate frosting.

Cee... LOL, well he doesn't cray and beg to be taken home... be he, like me, still hates shopping.
We talked about it just the other day. He called me when he was out shopping.. :P After a while, I was the one who wanted to cry and say I'm dizzy :P

June, well.. health issues, work and a puppy would make my life a blur, too! I am so sorry about the
stress. Linda, my dear friend... you must be mistaking my comments for yours.. Thank you for visiting me.. hugs I am so grateful to have met you and the others here on LT. Internet magic.

Terri.. lots of chatter :) it's nice, and fun ! I have never red that Bradbury, never even heard of it :)
I might try to find it one day.

Linda.. that is a good one, that I don't have right now. Typically I avoid short stories. I make an exception for Bradbury and for Charles de Lint

Ellen, weird cake.. it usually starts with a bundt pan, and then gets worse. And is usually
something found in a magazine or online that goes wrong :)

HI calm.. I have to try to catch up with you.. I have been doing more reading, and
getting behind here on LT.

Today is kid call day.. Dan has some union meeting to attend.. but has the day "off" sort of. .
He has been working with no days off, due to plant shut down and vacations.

No idea what else the day will bring. Hope it's good, for all of us !

Just stopping in to see what's going on over here. I know exactly what you are saying about weird cake! I have read that Bradbury short story that Linda is talking about because my older kids read it for an English class and gave it to me to read. It's set in the future and the house is the main character.

So, nothing that HAS to get done today?

ohhh that sounds really good, I have to hunt it down. Nope..
nothing urgent yay! Out of habit, I try to structure my week
so my sundays are freebies. A habit left over from work.

Yeah for relaxing Sundays!

Long, lazy Sundays are meant for reading. That's what I'll be doing today. Enjoy your Sunday, Kath, wherever it takes you.

Dandelion Wine...really good memories...maybe I'll get that out when I go to the liberry to print out some stuff.

Perfectly beautiful day, for them as likes it hot. I'm huddled in front of my a/c.

Happy Freebie Sunday, Kath. I hope it involves some cold and icy drinks and a ripping good book.

Loved your characterization of Dandelion Wine as a time machine, Kath--so true!

ditto what Roni said

Mamie.. it turned out to be pretty relaxing!

Donna, thank you, and I hope yours was as good :)

rd... I know... very good memories. I loaned mine to Kim. I wonder
if it works for the youngsters the same way :?

Caro, it was pretty free! I talked to all of my kids, made pasta from a starter of hot sausage from sandwiches. Then an old friend that I used to date called and we talked for a long time. ..
then I watched part of the Tony's .

roni.. thank you :) it is just how it felt :)

Linda.. hugs to you and thank you :)

Today? Who knows?

What did you all do?

And a very good morning to you, Kath. I'm so sorry to see the health issues--IBS, ewww and painful as well; the PT part: years ago I had some pretty effective PT with a very young therapist who was sarcastic and funny and wonderfully adept. I may be in for more of that, too. Erg.

Today: morning shower, errands (small), counselor appt. Now off to figure out dinner for tonight...

Much love, gentle hugs, soothing drink for you...

I love seeing you here Gail.. Thank you for taking the time to visit.
I miss you bopping about here at LT.
I hope your day is an easy one....
hugs

Hope you are having a good day Kath.

:) back at ya calm... I hope it is a god one, too.
New days are fraught with possibilities, good and bad!
Here's hoping it is a good day for the planet.

Good, if humid, morning!

Morning, Kath! Supposed to rain here today...so far all is quiet. Nothing much on tap for today - the best kind of Monday. I do need to figure out what's for dinner. Hope it's a good one for you.

The pic of Duncan makes me wanna cuddle with him :)

And those tree pics at the top of your threads... gorgeous. Trees have a special place in my heart and your pics brightened my day. thx xox

Hello Mamie and rdear..

Humid here, too... but quiet. Hot dogs for Dan for lunch...

Hi Susan :) I love that picture of my boy... he looks so contented.

I am not feeling quite well today, so now worries if I take a break for the rest of the day.
If I start to feel better, I'll be back. Meantime.. for goddess sake, don't behave!

*there there, pat pat* feel better!

<a href="http://www.glitter-graphics.com">

Rest up, Kath. You're quite active here in our LT community, so I think you're entitled to a break now and then.
134> naughty kitty (and cute!)

Feel better, Kath.

Rest and feel better soon, Kath. Read something light and fluffy.

Meantime.. for goddess sake, don't behave!
I like your style Kath!
lol

Well, it looks like everyone is listening to you! LOL. Hope you are feeling better this evening.

when the cat's away....everyone will play

LOL, you guys crack me up ! Keep up the good work :) I would have
been disappointed to find a bunch of well behaved posts :)

I have to leave shortly for PT, then a pedicure for Duncan and some errands.
I haven't driven to the Vet since the accident. We were on our way home from there
that day. Gotta put on my big girl panties for that!

Thanks for the reassurance rd... I love the tp kitty kara :)

Ellen, I have a couple of kitties who do that now and then. Especially if I sleep too long :)

Thanks Mamie.. I had some crazy stomach pain. It went away, and I fell asleep.That helped.
Then my Cory called to chat...

Megan, thanks:) I know my friends like to have fun! So I do NOT want to stand
in the way, but encourage it!

kara.. you made me LOL. Where did you find all those bad kitties ?

Mark, I do feel better this morning. A little stressed, with all the running ahead for the morning,
but better. Thank you for the thought :)

Megan, it was fun to come back here to find shenanigans! Made my day.

Thank you my friends. .. Oh, and carry on, by all means! I won't be back until
around lunchtime I guess?

Mornin' Kath. Hope today goes lots better!

Off to a meeting and then bridge.

Well Gail , I am home and done. Decided against going to Lowe's.. Dan is there instead. Just making
burgers for dinner.. so, the rest of the day should be smooth and easy ! Hope your day is good too,
my friend.

Lunch! That's what I haven't done yet! *smooch*

Pleased to hear you survived going out.

Hope the rest of the day is all you desire:)

Thanks rd and calm..
I will catch up with all y'all eventually today.. but for now.. gotta run again.

Love the cat and mouse shenanigans, Kath! Enjoy a smooth and easy rest of the day!

Hi Joe.. I hope to get some down time soon..
it has been much busier than I had planned.
Such is life...

I have two books in progress.. weird for me..
and one new one that I want to get to soon.

I managed to finish

65. Vintage Bradbury 5 stars of course

I am reading Starry Child and American Grown. Todays man in brown brought me
Cat Daddy: What the World's Most Incorrigible Cat Taught Me About Life, Love and Coming Clean… by Jackson Galaxy. I hope to start that soon.

Am I caught up with my own thread yet? :P

>151 If you are, you won't be for long! Things move fast up in here.

xo

So they do! That's part of the fun, though~

got naughty cats from glitter graphics :)

Bradbury, edging his way closer to the top of my MUST READ pile....I think Ill have to go for Fahrenheit 451 though....fairs fair, its been there the longest :)

Don't let that sway you! It is patient, it is a book about books.. it will understand.

hehe, true!
I like the idea of a forgiving book....

Books are like furkids. Endlessly forgiving..

http://www.mediabistro.com/galleycat/book-tent_b52947

Book tent

those are cute!
*cough cough*
almost $800 cute

Sorry it was such a busy day for you. Is Vintage Bradbury a collection of short stories?

It is... There are two in my house.. lol. Mine and Cory's :)

S'okay. it's over now and I am going to read a little.
Trees are freshly mulched...Dan lugged it, I used a broom to make it nice .
Dishes done.. good day.

Whew!

ha that book tent is awesome and ridiculously expensive! If I had unlimited money I would totally get one though!

nite
nite
hope you sleep well and have no nightmares of tight shorts :P

Kath! My dear dear Friend! I finally found your thread! I'm hear! I hope I don't lose you again!

Hi, Kath! Just wanted to add to the kitty silliness!

Mamie, well.. Dan did the heavy lifting. Too much mulch, sigh.

Listen guys, we need some idea on how to cut down on grass that needs cutting. Inexpensive ideas..
anyone have any? Seriously. It is just a double lot, but it is hilly ( which I loved when we bought it )
Some kind of path, maybe...?

kara.. nightmare, you mean? I own two pairs of shorts, and one is too tight!

Ahhh Brit, I have missed you muchly!!!

Terri.. that would so be my cats... lol

So, I am reading a bit of fluff.. it is longish and I have been busy, but I will finish it
today. Also the Michele Obama book, I hope.. but it feels like I have said that before?

What are you all doing?

Let me know how you like the Michelle Obama book! I'm hoping that I can have some happy/good energy my way today. Yesterday sucked and I'm trying not to remember it, but it's hard. We were also woken up by construction at 5:15 am. Ugh.

Better go get a cup of coffee and head off to the office . . . .

I have read a fair bit of it, and I am liking it a lot.
It is not usually what I spend money on, but I couldn't resist this one.
Take care Brit dear and find your way back soon! hugs

Dead heading and weeding... done! ( ouch)
Boro here digging up water line near my house. uh oh :(
I told them we need notice if we will not have water.. cause
whatever time of day I will shower! ( and order carry out )
:P

Morning, Kath! Here's hoping that your water keeps on keeping on. Not too much on the schedule for today here. My daughter has a dentist appointment and we have a showing at 2pm. Pretty quiet other than that - but I do have to decide what to fix for dinner.

Re: grass, two words: Recycled glass.

I used a mix of cobalt and "white" glass for my house in Texas. Looked fabOO. And, re: hilliness, I had a steep crown on the lot. I used the cheap plastic garden-edging from Lowe's, never had a problem. Tossed the stuff right onto the grass I wanted to kill. Glass heats up, grass dies, all's well. Plus it kept weeds from sprouting, plus channeled water to the trees I left.

Win-win. You're also creating a market for recycleds with every purchase.

Sounds interesting rd... the link is wonky though... just brings me back to my own thread ...
I will Google it.....

http://www.closetheloop.com/products/gardenglassmulch.html ?

http://www.megaglass.com/c/landscape-glass.html?gclid=CLjlkaS1y7ACFQjf4AodmkqHVg

That's where I went.

hmmm investigating.... thank you !

Beautiful! Pricey.... I am thinking cleansing fire. For my entire life...argh!

They gladly do deals for big orders, just so you know. It's heartstopping to think of how gorgeous it would look around your Japanese maple....

I am trying to find something local.. but I do think it is beautiful... and I think you are right!
I could picture a winding path of it from front to back. Right now, downspout issues..
Sorry if I am coming across as grumpy. I am.... grrrr

Downspout issues, if it's water management, couldn't be better solved than by this! Pile the stones in a foot-deep pit dug under the spout. It solved my runoff problem immediately!

Gawd, houses are the devil to keep up, aren't they?

*smooch* for grumpies. I relate. Have a new set of sharp gout crystals in my *calf muscle*!!

I need this to work out NOW.

Sorry for more issues for you...I hope this business goes quickly for you. It has been too long.
rocks, yep. Good idea. Guy at Lowes said it won't work. Tearing hair :{

*there there, pat pat*

Richard - I am loving the recycled glass idea - would not have thought of it to fix downspout issues - BRILLIANT!! So sorry to hear about the gout crystals - sending good thoughts your way.

Kath - Also sending good thoughts your way, as I wouldn't want you to feel left out. Thanks for the dinner idea, picked up the necessary ingredients while my daughter was at the dentist!

rd :P back at ya

Mamie.. simple and easy and summer is a good excuse for making burgers instead of something fancier.
Oh and thanks for the good thoughts and back at ya!

66. The Starry Child by Lynn Hanna 3.5 stars

Great story idea, not well told, but it could have been worse. A good 3.5 for this one.
It is the first book of an apparently abandoned series, so I will not be picking up book 2.
Sorry about that actually. It is based on some Scottish legends and has a unique slant.
It did run on a bit here and there and that probably lost it .5 of a point..

Perhaps the "not well told" means the series wasn't so much abandoned as rejected....

Hiya Mamie! Thanks for the good wishes!

well... maybe so.. it was a kindle book.. I forgot to mention that and cheap or free?
perhaps she will self publish book three. It was good enough for me to follow for the fey aspect
of it, but no point reading #2 if there is ultimately no conclusion .....as book #2 promises a sequel.

And here we have the business case for authors re: Kindle. She *can* self-publish number three affordably, and make money on even a few sales. It makes all the sense in the world to publish series books this way, once the tree book editions have lived their life.

Ugh. Have to go return overdue books, renew liberry card, get Milk Bones for Stella, and resist the temptation to get myself a fish and chips dinner. And the calf crystals are burning like fire.

Wah. It's no fun being me today. Wah.

DO NOT RESIST!!!

Fried stuff upsets my tum. Having enough trouble as it is.

OIC

#done

67. American Grown 5 stars read and reviewed

Charming review, Kath. Thumb from me.

You can do landscaping with Lava Rock, Mulch, and/or colored gravel. Just lay down a "grass cover" ( a sheet of some sort of black material that kills the grass) and design some type of Rock Garden. If the land slopes, you can get "barriers" to put at the base of the slope..

My boyfriend has done this type of landscaping for people here in town.....too bad he's at work, or i'd pick his brain for ideas....

;-}

Liked and thumbed your review! Mama Obama would like it too, I'm sure.

thumb from me :)
Think Jude is on to something :)

Thanks jude... I am going to take a pic of the area in question, I think..
then I will post it here.

Thanks rd... I like the book..
I agree kara!

you and I are hot ;) ;) ;)

Gave your review a thumb! You certainly got some good reading done today!

I should mention that the area in question is about 55 -60 feet x about 10 feet. I will post pics if they came out.. Front to back

Back to front... but only half way .. there is about the same amount of space behind here as ahead.

Hi, Kath!

Pretty trees. I hate to see the grass go, but understand the need. Your yard looks soothing...

What's up for tomorrow?

*tantrum*
I WANNA BOOK TENT!
*cry cry, stamp feet, collapse in tired heap*

(where is the grass going?)

Hi Kath- 43 messages?? Where the hell have I been? I heard Michelle Obama on an NPR podcast talking about her book and she also popped up on the Daily Show recently. It's nice to hear it's a worthy read.
Nice yard pix, BTW!

Hi Gail. Thanks :) I dunno.. we have been on this quest of take away grass for
a couple of years now. So far no luck. I thought you all might have some ideas..
Tomorrow.. PT in the AM then? Goddess, nothing else I hope! I have been ding inside and
outside work all day.. not enough to exhaust me :) just busy.

LOLOL Megan, you always make me laugh.. (((megan0))
nowhere any time soon.. for the grass.

Mark.. It is good.. and beautiful. I am glad I have it.

I ended up readingCat Daddy as well as Everybody's Daughter, somehow. . Cat Daddy is not for
the squeamish. Like me. But sadly, After 7 years in Vet land, I know all of these things, I have known them for a long time..
Sadness and ugliness that I have seen, heard and in some cases experienced. So... I am wading through
to the happy part. I am counting on a happy part.

:)
A hard area to landscape....slope, trees etc. What about leaving a strip of grass and easy-care bushes/shrubs either side?

hmmm... maybe....

What I think I would like is a curvy path and ground cover

http://springhillnursery.com/magic-carpet-thyme/p/74538/

or http://springhillnursery.com/moerheim-beauty-carpet-phlox/p/74536/

87 posts? How am I supposed to keep up?
I love the conversation (skimmed, I confess) about landscaping......
We ripped out a plot of grass in our back yard a couple of years ago and planted "Blue Creeper" -- a groundcover that can tolerate just a bit of being walked upon. It's stunning this time of year -- a green carpet covered with tiny blue flowers. Not for everyone, but it works great for us. My goal is to eliminate the need for any mowing.....

Ellen, That looks perfect... I have to start looking around for it. I know that it would be absolutely perfect in at least a couple of spots ... Thank you for sharing that. Yep, eliminating mowing is the idea..

PT and errands this morning... so back after....

Aw, Kath and Ellen, you beat me to it: I was just going to suggest a green cover, no maintenance to replace grass...

Hope the PT is helping you, Kath.

Hope the PT and errands go well today Kath.

Ground cover plants sound like a great idea:)

Morning, Kath. Just checking in. Hope your PT goes well and that the errands are over with before you know it.

I so hope PT is reducing the pain levels!

Hi Gail.. it's still a great idea.. I am researching it. I like the Blue Star Creeper best so far, but no one has it, so I am looking at some others..

Thanks calm... it's PT.. I don't think it's helping.. at least not so far.

Mamie! I am home and nearly done. Dan leaves early today and so it is all about Dunkers and me.. and a few kitties . No cooking.. no nothing! Popcorn for dinner, yay! I just have some dishes to do and I think that is it.

rd.. no change..they suggested I not do things that increase the pain..
( reading, laundry, gardening, driving etc) Not possible of course. I
can't float in a pool all day :P wouldn't want to if I could. Moving water
makes me feel queasy :PPP

Almost finished with Cat Daddy.

I am all excited for a quiet work free day!

Oh, and the Boro dug up the road and then went away... not idea what they are doing next..
I will be back to catch up in a few.. gotta get Dan out the door.

Sorry the PT is not helping, Kath. Good luck with the landscaping ideas.

quiet work free day!
That's the ticket! :)

Floating in pools has never been a favorite activity of mine, either. Who knows who peed in it last? Ick.

I always love that medical advice: "Don't do that any more." Okay, so you'll be fighting with my insurance company to get me paid housekeeping for life? Good luck with that. And if they'll got for that, how about getting them to hire a hottie to read to me (it says here)?

Sheesh.

Hooray for a quiet work free day! Sounds great!!

Mind you, it isn't agonizing pain, but it goes from discomfort to moderate throughout the day...
But I guess since I walked around on a fractured ankle for a few weeks before giving in to it..
I will survive. That seems to be finally doing better.. eith that or my neck pain is taking my mind off of it.. lol ..

Off to read a bit...

oh and thanks mamie!

Hi Kath - Kinda missed the landscaping discussion. But that's ok. I'm certainly no expert on anything green. Did you try Ammy for the Blue Creeper stuff? They have everything else! LOL

I had a load of laundry in my washer for about 3 days (not yet washed). Finally got to it this morning. So, I'm off and running with my chores today.

Ron is off to MA visiting his family til Sat or Sun??? Quiet time for me :) Lots to do - but at least I won't have constant interruptions.

Sorry you are uncomfortable and in pain :(
I hope it subsides soon.

Sorry to hear that you are still in pain. Hopefully something helps soon!

Cee... nice to see you again! Enjoy your quiet time :)
Don't waste all of it working !

Chelle, you too! Thanks for stopping by..

Do not waste any time worrying about me.. I am okay.. it could surely be worse!

69. Cat Daddy: What the World's Most Incorrigible Cat Taught Me About Life, Love, and Coming Clean
Jackson Galaxy read and reviewed, 5 stars. 10 stars. 50 kleenex

Excellent review Kath ... the book sounds heartbreaking though.

Nashiki Wilow ....picked up at a discount at the big bird grocery !

It will go in back.. somewhere..

Sprightly looking tree! and you have room for it!

I miss my big Weeping Willows...that were here when my parents bought this place...sadly, they succumbed to some sort of "rot" and, slowly, died (something in the soil on the Western side of the house)

Plant that frisky thing!

That's beautiful Kath ... hope you find it the perfect place.

That's what I thought jude. I love willows, too.. this is a sort of mini version.

calm, if it goes where I want it, its going to take some doing.. Some concrete needs removed.

We shall see..

that's a cool looking tree! Will that grow big?

nope it says here:http://www.directgardening.com/detail.asp?ProductID=7118

A stunning variegated willow tree! One of the most striking ornamental trees! Pretty pink shoots are show-stoppers. Variegated leaves are creamy white and green. Grows 6-8 feet tall. Plant in sun or partial shade. We send 2 1/2 - 4' whips. Zones 4-9.

Nice tree, Kath. I think the blue star creeper would look nice along that slope.
One thing about it: it spreads beautifully. We put in lots of little squares and the first year I kept thinking I needed to fill in between them. Not so. Literally, it took just ONE year for it to completely fill in. Now it's a lush carpet along one side of our patio.
I will try to take a picture and post it this weekend.

This one is about 5'4 :) a bit taller than me

An eight footer! interesting.

10 stars and 50 kleenex. You had yourself a *great* time, didn't you?

Well, it was familiar territory...not just family experience
but work memories from the clinic... I didn't think it would be
as hard as it was. I love Jackson...he is good people, saves pets.

It's good to find something like that to make the world seem a bit warmer, isn't it?

Lovely tree, Kath!

Oh, I really like that tree, Kath!

I agree rd.. that tree has been calling out to me for 2 weeks..

Thanks terri :) I love "different" trees :)

Thanks Mamie.. I have plans for it .. I hope they work out.

Pretty tree! You resisted for 2 weeks? Wow... you so strong!
Good going getting a discount :-)

Hello smoochable...I found this on Goodreads and immediately thought of you!

From Daniel Pennac's The Rights of the Reader:

The 10 Inalienable Rights of the Reader

1. The right not to read.
2. The right to skip.
3. The right not to finish a book.
4. The right to read it again.
5. The right to read anything.
6. The right to mistake a book for real life.
7. The right to read anywhere.
8. The right to dip in.
9. The right to read out loud.
10. The right to be quiet and not discuss the book with anyone.

:) Very much LIKE! Thank you rd!

Hi Cee! whoops! bye Cee... she is quick for an old dame..

Morning, Kath - It's Friday again. Yesterday felt like Friday all day, but it wasn't, so now I have to do it all over again! Big plans for today?

Hi, Kath. Beautiful young tree there. Should be so pretty when planted.

Rdear, lol, but not really. I especially like Right #6, but they're all good ones.

Love Richard's bill of rights for readers. #6 and #10 cracked me up!

For me, the central important ones on that list are #3, #5 and #10. I love those. They're all good but those are the ones I'll fight for!

Amen.

Hi Mamie... sorry about the groundhog day kinda friday.. I hope it's been a good one so far?

Hi Gail, the last thing we needed was another tree. I am weak. As for the list above, #6 is good.. but I like them all equally! Or consecutively.. or moodily .. or something. :P

I have to keep a copy of that list somewhere.. just to remind myself :)

Hi Joe!

I was invited to Kim's today, by Keith. He was home with the kids while Kim and Deb went to tea.
Nice time :) I like spending time with those boys, Owen, Oliver and Keith!

I'm glad you fun with the boys!

Brit, it is great to have you visiting here..
You are missed already, and when the wee one gets here, I know you
will be even busier.

Well, what a long morning it has been.I woke early and cleaned. Did the
floors and vacuuming etc. Dan was forced over, had to work a double shift
and so I don't want to make noise when he is sleeping. Anyway... I cleaned and
started teh coffee, had a shower and went to get my coffee. You guessed it. The
pot had spewed again, all over the kitchen counter. So I cleaned it up, cleaned the pot
and tried again. Now mind, I took out the little doo dad that Helen suggested, and
it has been fine ever since. Until today. So I tried again, stood there for a couple of
minutes and it was fine.

I came in and sent a message or two and went back to get my coffee. Yep. Again.
All over the counter. I am not only frustrated, but angry and perplexed. NOTHING
is clogged. There is nothing to clog, now that the little stopper is gone. There were
no coffee grounds, as there used to be when that little stopper was there. It was
just coffee. It has been months since it happened last, and I just don't know what it could be.

My frustration level is very high. ARGH! oh, and it is going to get hot again..
ACK! It started out as such a great morning.. sigh.

So did anyone watch Nik Wallenda last night? I was sure he was going to fall off. Seriously,
he was doing an interview while he walked that wire across the falls. Sheesh! I am so
glad it is over :P

So, I am going to try to figure out the stupid coffee pot thing.. and try to rescue my day.

eta

I Pearl ruled Everybody's Daughter

Oh Kath! Is it time for a new coffee machine? Thanks for reminding me to go make my coffee! I try to only drink it on the weekends as a treat.

Only on weekends? I would die from the deprivation.
I am a 2 mug a day person...

I hate to let the damned thing win. :P

Morning, Kath - sorry about the coffee. Once is a pain, but twice is person - you get in there and show that appliance who's boss! And if that doesn't work, you can still have the last word by escorting it to the trash. I LOVE coffee, and I'm with you - multiple cups a day, so I feel your pain.

Show it who's boss: Throw the damned thing in the trash, go to Wal-Mart, and buy another one. Life is too short to fight with coffee makers.

UGH I have to go to Wal-Mart today for supplies. I hate doing that. Not as much as I'd hate wrestling with my damn coffee maker, though, I'd be homicidal after one go-round.

It will get a little hot today here, too. Up to about 75.

*flees the Wrath of Kath*

I wonder if it's possible to make coffee in a little pot ... just to show your coffee maker that you have alternatives and if it doesn't behave, it's going into the trash!

Not a coffee drinker, so I don't have recalcitrant coffee makers to deal with, thank goodness. I am listening to the soothing music of Andreas Vollenweider and contemplating whether or not to vacuum the house while the hubster is out doing the yard or stay here on the couch with LT... hmm.... his suitcases are still in the living room floor (he hasn't unpacked yet) so moving the giant heavy things would be a pain during the vacuuming process.... couch wins.

life is too short to fight with coffee makers I agree with Richard!

life is too short to fight with coffee makers I agree with Richard and Chelle!

Hope you managed to get your coffee and the rest of your day goes smoothly.

Mamie, rd, Chelle and calm.. you are all absolutely right!
This happens 3-4 or so times a year.
Still.. when it's good, it's very very good...but yes.. right you are.

I have to do something. I have a 50$ gift card for Amazon, and some
points from the credit card. Maybe the time has come. I took a pic of one at Target that was perfeact, now to see if I can find it cheaper on Ammy ( or use the card. ) I will investigate later today.

Caro... people who don't drink coffee perplex me. lol
Two of my kids do not. That perplexes me even more...

Thank you for visiting and making me smile ... :)

It is turning out to be a very lovel day, still not too humid..
A neighbor is coming ( maybe ) later to visit. We shall see..
maybe we can porch :)

I have no porch, but I love to deck!

hola

I love to deck ... and I really love to deck overlooking a lake or the ocean. *considers buying a lottery ticket so I can buy that beach house I want*

Kath : My mom never let us kids drink coffee when we were growing up because she didn't think it was good for us, so I never developed a need for it. I had always (and still do) had a glass of milk in the morning and/or tea. I did develop a taste for espresso in college though because one of my dorm mates was a Greek medical student and he would brew really thick coffee late at night to help him stay awake and study. I loved the smell of his coffee and would sometimes wake up, follow the scent of fresh brewed beans and walk into his room and help myself to coffee and a chat.

I had a lovely Braun coffee maker that was equipped with all the "bells & whistles" one could ask for. It worked for four months before going totally epileptic on me...spewing and grunting, etc.....I got in touch with their Customer Service people, but, no matter what they suggested I do to "fix" the issues...nothing worked. so, I tossed it (painful, that was!)....I bought a Cheapie at the Dollar Store...best coffee maker I ever owned...no frou-frou, just a basic carafe and "works"...as long as I remember to do the "vinegar rinse" every couple of months, I'm happy.....That's my story and I'm sticking to it! Maybe a new one is in order for you.....i can't get by without that first cuppa in the morning...and i really hate cleaning up coffee mess before i'm fully awake!

;-}

Time it is, yes, my preciousssss, time it is a new coffee maker to procure, precioussssss.

Mamie & Caro... decking is just exactly as good as porching :)
I do it often. I just wish my Glories were further along..
oh well, they will be :)

hola chiara96 :) and welcome

Caro.. milk.. it is gagsome to me aside from a dab in my coffee or some teas.
My daughter like the smell of it, too.. but has never developed the taste for it.
She will on rare occasions have a flavored one from her Kieurig. RARE ...
she does drink tea. So do I :)

jude.. I know.. I do the things and still it spews. It annoys me ..
so, I went ahead and bought :
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004O0AOMQ/ref=oh_details_o03_s01_i00

I also bought some Wolfgang Puck pods, and some empty pods that can be filled
with regular coffee. It is highly rated, and I can make a whole pot, or use the pods for a one
cup when the urge strikes. So... fingers crossed.

rd, thoughts on this one?
4.5 stars at ammy and other places online..

eta

I researched this for hours.. so know the pros and cons by heart.......
so ?

I say: Good for you! Who needs coffee mess in the morning? Waking up is difficult, as it is!

Nice looking coffee maker....i don't think they sell those "pods" locally, or i'd consider getting one. On second thought, i love my little cheapie...and would hate to jinx it!!

Well. supposedly walmart carries some, but Amazon does too.
And since I found the do it yourself ones on Ammy, I am unconcerned.
( hah! we will see how far that gets me .. lol)

I love the idea of making myself a single cup in the evening if I want to :)

I just save the coffee i don't drink in the morning...put it in the fridge....good to reheat in the microwave (don't gag!) or just drink cold with some Vanilla Creamer!!

But, that's me

;-)

Nothing wrong with that. ( smart, actually and I have done so for iced coffee on occsasion :) ) But we drink the whole pot during the morning, most days. And I want a fresh pot in the morning.. it just makes my morning cozier. Unless of course it spews. :P

I always do a fresh pot in the morning, too....I need serious High Test in order to wake up!!

the leftovers i save are more for that "evening cup", or iced coffee in the afternoon....

You bought exactly the right pot.

ETA It's the single-serve option that really sells it to me. It's what I'd buy because sometimes "juuuust one more" would be so much easier to brew!

Whew ! Thanks for your input :) That is what sold me .. the single cup option :)

It's the little things, as always, the grace notes and the details.

Also, what if some misbegotten tea-sipper were to visit? One can crank out some of their sludge without having to contaminate an entire pot!

I am a fan of tea, as well :) as you know. Mostly herbals...

So not even hedge trimmings, but weed-bag gleanings. I despair of you.

yup. Weed bag gleanings..

Peppermint/spearmint ain't from the weed bag...and my "wild" crop isn't doing too well this year ;-(

Cat/Kitteh pics are up....check my thread or FB!!

Yay! For Kath and her new coffee maker.

You must have been up really early this morning. We got up around 7, coffee'd, then out for b'fast.

I've been a slug all day and done nothing.

Coffee makers are wonderful things when they work and I can completely resonate with your frustration level when it kept spewing coffee all over the counter! I am a fairly patient person but when things don't work the way they are supposed to, I can get very short-fused. I'm glad you got a new one and I hope the one-cup option works well for you. We have one with a timer on it and when we first bought it, we agreed that the timer was a bell/whistle that we just didn't need. Well. We love it. I make the coffee every night, set the timer, and when P gets up, it's in the final throes of brewing. Yum.

I heartily approve!!!! Yay! New coffee pot with a twist ;-)

IAT!

Ellen, I am a big fan of programmable coffee pots. The one I have now, is programmable,
but it never worked right. This one is programmable, too. Maybe it will work? I always set it up at night too, and just push the button.. but would be so happy to program!

Gail, yeah.. I did get up early. I considered going back to bed, but decided to get busy instead.
Being a slug is good from time to time. I approve wholeheartedly.

We porched, talked to neighbors.. this and that. Dunkers and me, that is.
I read a bit.. good book. Smeared. Good day.

Hi Cee where ya been?

Everywhere! ;-)

Kitteh pics..on my thread

checking in to see how you are feeling today...hugs to you. I love the image of porching with Dunkers.

Cee... clearly, everywhere!

jude... off to look..

Old dog, old broad warm air, nice breeze, good book, chatty neighbors = goodness :)

Kath
I walk Lilly three-four times a day. I'm meeting neighbors I never communicated with before. I'm finding a new world of people I like.

There is a gentle breeze in my neck of the woods tonight as well.

See that :) Dogs give us so much!
Cats, too. I'm glad you have a walk friendly neighborhood.
Now, with Duncan having poor vision on top of his other issues..
I have quit walking him. We stay in the yard.... it's okay with him, I think ...

Ah, so sorry about Duncan's vision issues. I know you love him so much.

Between me watching out for him, and Rosie ...who is almost always
within paws reach these days.. it will work out. She knows he needs her.
She has stepped up.. she loves him .

Rosie. Her theme song.

>290 Love my Joan Armatrading...yes i do....i think i still have that LP!!!

Glad you've decided to give that cranky old coffee maker the boot. The new one looks swell.

279> IAT

????

Hello Kath - definitely relate to the coffee machine woes - must have gone through three in the past three years (all cheapies). Tempted to go up-market, but we started with an expensive European model and it kept breaking down consistently..

Considering a pod option....

Thanks rd... I never heard of her...

sorry jude :P

I think I'm glad. That is not what I had planned to use my gift card on.. but
ya do what ya gotta do! It will be worth it not to have to waste coffee, paper towels.
and patience when my coffee pot takes a mind to flood the place.

IAT .... hmmm I don't know either. I Ate Tuna? In A Trunk? Isn't Aspen Tall?
maybe she will come back and tell us.

Hi Prue! Every time I see your name, I think of one of my long ago guilty pleasures,
the tV show CHARMED. You don't happen to slay demons do you ? I know it was a
silly show, but I adored it :) Coffee makers .. my sisters has worked for years. She
never misses an opportunity to point that out, as if it is something I am doing. Her
daughters coffee pot was doing the same thing...My neighbor has had a simple BUNN for
ten years, and wanted me to buy the same model. I got sucked in by the option for a single
cup :) And BTW Welcome to my thread! I hope we see more of you :)

My neighbor ( a young woman) and her boyfriend did stop by last night. It was after 9:30! LOL
( not late afternoon or early evening in my mind) They invited me to go out and have dinner with them.
Nice of them but, LOL. I was in my jammies and snuggled in with a book :) ahhh Youth :) I was probably
asleep before they had their appetizers :)

Morning, Kath! Looks like you picked a good one! You will love the one cup option. I have a regular coffee pot, but last year for Christmas I received a Keurig as a gift, and it gets a ton of use. The kids like to make hot chocolate. And after dinner I can have my one cup of coffee that I like to have. Craig likes to drink decaf and so now if he wants that, he doesn't have to contaminate the regular coffee pot!

I am puttin my money on IAT standing for It's About Time!

Why yes, Mamie! You are one smart lady and win the jackpot :-)
IAT = It's About Time!

Just had to drop that in to get back at all the acronyms Kath throws at me that I do not get at all! I made it up ;-)
Pretty good, huh? Maybe I'll do another one someday lol

"I was probably asleep before they had their appetizers..."
That one cracked me up! So true... and kinda sad - but not so much. Ahhhh. Life in the slow lane :-}

Hugs to Dunkers and Rosie!

LOL sorry Cee! and I agree IAT . Although I Ate Tuna had me wondering if I should
put tuna in the pasta salad. ( no)

Seriously, I was so shocked ot hear the knock on my door at 9:30 at night, I can't tell you .. lol
What is even funnier, Dunkers was lying on the chair, and was so startled by the wole thing..
he didn't even bark, just looked up like WTH?

Cracked me up. Dunc and Rosie hug you back :) so do I !

eta
oops! and
well done mamie BTW :)
I admit, I am looking forward to making my first single cup :)

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