Richardderus XVIII...the VERY LAST ONE no joke

Books Off the Shelf group thread is there, where I will review 25 books that've sat on my shelves since who-whipped-the-cat and also 75 new books...published no earlier than 2008...this year.

Reviews 1,2,3: first thread
Reviews 4-7: second thread
Reviews 8-12: : third thread
Reviews 13-20: ... fourth thread
Reviews 21-30: ... fifth thread
Reviews 31-37:... sixth thread
Reviews 38-42: seventh thread
Reviews 43-46: eighth thread
Reviews 47 & 48: ninth thread
Reviews 49-51: tenth thread
Reviews 52-57: eleventh thread
Reviews 58-65: twelfth thread
Reviews 66-71: thirteenth thread
Reviews 72-77: fourteenth thread
Reviews 78-81: fifteenth thread
Reviews 82-86: sixteenth thread
Reviews 87-89: seventeenth thread

I now have a second Homeless Reviews thread in Club Read 2010. I've set a completely arbitrary goal of 50 books to review that I don't own, and were published before 2008, so they don't fit anywhere else.

FOR THOSE JUST TUNING IN: I don't know the readers of my reviews personally, for the most part, so I don't have any way to gauge whether you'll agree or disagree with me. It's always perfectly fine with me either way, and I invite comments from all.










Books are reviewed in post number:

91. The Waitress Was New...#271.

90. Irrepressible...#171.

tada

You slipped in just ahead of me. Nighty-night rd.

Sorry, there's no way this will be the last one. It's only mid-November!

Don't care if it gets to 500 posts, NO MORE!! Or I'll be like Stasia or Darryl or one of them fancy folk. No sense me gettin' all uppish.

Nope, I don't think you could let it get to 500 threads. You're one of the most vigilant thread-policers out there.

:P

Found you....****STARRED**** You!

Will stick with this to the bitter end!

;-}

*waves*

Yum, your stew sounds good! Sleep well.

Thank god! A new leading picture for your thread!
Very happy to hear you have meds for what ails you...
Relax tonight! ;)

RD- Yah to the last thread!! See you at 500!

Starred! Glad the new doc has you pain free!

*waves* Found you!

Pain free? Amen!!!

Hugs!

I highly recommend pain meds when necessary. : p Course now I am trying to come OFF them!! Sleep well.

>7 _Zoe_: Nope, nope, no 19. This can float on its bloat to 1,000! No more!

>8 jdthloue: *smooch* Such a pal, this Jude.

>9 Ape: *waves back*

>10 ronincats: It's pretty good, Roni, but I can't put my finger on exactly what I want to do differently next time. Something's not making it. *ponders*

>11 -Cee-: Thx dear Claudia!

>12 msf59: Hey Mark! See you in a few hundred posts.

>13 tymfos: Hey there Terri, oh my GOODness me too!

>14 leperdbunny: *waves back*

>15 Whisper1: Linda my dove, it's nothing at all compared to your situation, which I note we are not hearing enough about....

>16 Berly: Kimmers! *smooch*

Hi Richard, >1 richardderus: - Great picture! And today's R. agenda was an attempt a vote to defund NPR. Priorities... Your stew sounds yummy. Sadly, I can't cook without a recipe. Hope you're feeling better!

#6: Or I'll be like Stasia or Darryl or one of them fancy folk.

I am a fancy folk? Yeah, right. Pull the other one.

Joanne.. just pull out a stew recipe that you use and substitute.. you can do it!

Nice new place, Richard. *pulls up a chair, props feet on stool, ready to lurk*

Popping in, and laughing at your exclamation. Last one? Uh huh. Right. Ok, Padre. And Palin is a book lover.

Hi Richard - Found you, a for you.

I hope you are having a good, pain free day!

Ha! Richard's version of a book fast is going to be letting this thread hit 1,000 posts. Let's see how long he can hold fast to that resolution!

Oh, and does that mean you'll remain thread cop for others?? :-)
Just askin'....

Did someone say turkey?

I'm making my first one ever on Sunday. Presuming it's actually in some edible form when I'm done (very low odds) I expect mass food poisoning to ensue afterwards (very high odds).

>26 ty1997: Don't forget to take the paper-wrapped giblets out of the turkey's cavity before putting it in the oven. A common mistake of first-time turkey cookers! Good luck!

Richard will fold under the pressure of creating a new thread when the current one gets too big for me to visit!

>19 Copperskye: What Kath said, Joanne. And the NPR thing...well, of course, they have commercially supported screech radio with goofball drug addicts like Rush Limbaugh, so *public funding* for things their advertisers don't support...non-conservative news, arts and culture coverage, immigration rights (not one single white person here should be against the right of others to immigrate since each and every one of us is descended from immigrants) (oh, and Irish and Italian and German immigrants' descendants would do well to consider that *my* ancestors didn't think y'all were white enough when you got here)...naturally cannot be allowed. Someone might notice how ignorant and ill-mannered their screech radio screechers are.

On *screech* the Republicans! May they rot on the vine!

Your stew did sound/read delicious.. I add ale or dry red wine to my stew...but mine is venison. Has been for about 4 years. I get it *free* from the folks who hunt on my land....haven't eaten beef, except for "ground" in, well, 4 years. I'm making chili today with some aging frozen burger meat...pretty pedestrian...had to clean out the veggie bins in the fridge so the meat is not playing a starring role..no exotic fripperies...just plain spicy hot goodness..

have a good one, R
;-}

Let the lurking commence...;)

Hello Richarddear! Love your new pic.

How about another stab at forcing another wonderful series on you? Forty Words for Sorrow by Giles Blunt.... Canada, cold, tormented detective, good solid mysteries...

XO Horrible

#6 - Can't say I've ever heard the term "uppish" but I believe I will begin using it.

Richard

Just a note to say I'm thinking of you. How is Auntie these days?

I'm having bad days with lots of pain then followed by windows of sunshine and manageable pain. I now understand why the surgeon wanted to exhaust all other options before neck fusion. And, to think there is also degeneration, pressed nerves and arthritis in C6-7 which may need to be fused at an uncertain date in the future.

But, unlike my beloved friend Phyllis who died of ovarian cancer last Feb. at the young age of 53, I'm alive and kicking and my spirits are good. Every day is a blessing. Life is good!

LOL ... i couldn't NOT come and help build the thread count so that you HAVE to start a new thread before the end of the year. Love the opening gif, by the way!

I am curious about that too, Caro.. it will be interesting..

>30 jdthloue: Hi Jude!

>31 BookAngel_a: No need to lurk, Angela, join on in!

>32 karenmarie: Oh, no, no, Karen dear, my ears were once completely ravaged and tormented by someone named Blunt and I therefore can't *possibly* trade with someone who could remind me of the painful aural assault endured at the other Blunt's hands (lips? vocal cords?)!

>33 sgtbigg: Useful word, Mike, especially for the father of teenagers...aren't you, he asked, suddenly unsure of his intel?

>34 Whisper1: Linda my duckling, the recovery from the surgery is always hellish. My BiL had it some years ago, and the relief was *enormous* after the initial horrors.

*smooch* and a HUGE pain-free-day whammy!

>35 cameling: Post 45 messages a minute, g'head, STILL not starting another thread. Even if Stephen doesn't come here until the first 2011 thread goes up. No.

>36 mckait: Good morning!

This is very interesting! Apparently "rainyreader" decided that waiting until December wasn't good enough. Gutsy. Wonder how many will be seduced away?

Even if Stephen doesn't come here until the first 2011 thread goes up. No.

*pout*

Y-you wouldn't even create a new thread for m-m-me?

*sniff*

Richard hates me!

*bursts into tears*

#39 : Oh dear .. I have trouble enough keeping up with threads on this 2010 75er group. I doubt I will have time or inclination to get a heads start on a 2011 one. .... no offense to rainyreader.

*hmm...considering the 45 messages a minute challenge*

Eh, I'm staying here until Jan 1, 2011, when I create me 2011 challenge. *shrug*

And by "here" I don't mean Richard's thread, because I probably won't be able to visit a few days from now! >:(

#39 Darned annoying if you ask me ... Hopefully our little group will not be
fooled by.. that.

>39 richardderus: That's so strange. I don't think many will be seduced away; even if they're misled initially, they'll be back in the proper group once it's created.

>39 richardderus: I'll wait until the "real" group thing is posted....usually in early December (at least it was last year).....can't fool me!

;-}

Why aren't you visiting Richard's thread for a spell, Stefano? :-(

I love the feeling of finding the new group announced. Anticipation! Potential new best reads :) New 75'ers to meet..

Caro: Richard said this was the last thread he'd make this year. See posts #28, #38, #40, etc...

>47 mckait: Me too!

Stephen...now you know how I feel when I come to YOUR thread and can't stay because of all the *shudder* zombies. *nyah*

I just found that group creation by accident. I'm guessing the person is pretty new to LT, but I made no effort to find out.

But Richard, you leave my thread by choice. You are forcing me out in this case. How could someone be so cruel to such an innocent creature such as myself, huh?

;)

don't make me peer grimly over my glasses at you two

Richarddear, I'm perfectly happy that will be your last thread for 2010. We just got DSL and even though it's only 3 megabits per second it's much better than the dial up we used to have (24.6K!) and the "widget" we used to have that connected us to the cell tower at .8 megabits per second.

Real throughput! Faster than a speeding bullet! Quicker than the eye can see! Not bad for the wilds of rural North Carolina.

On the subject of another 2011 group. First, I'm willing to combine forces with rainyreader, but s/he will have to do the organizational work. I suspect that will be unpalatable. On the other hand, there's room for more than one group with a 75 book challenge and I think folks will find ours since we tend to stay at the top of the message count list.

I still plan to open a discussion thread for likes and dislikes from this year's challenge about Thanksgiving. We got some really good ideas last year from that discussion. Then about December 15, I'll make the new group so folks who want to can make threads for next year. We might want to consider how to keep the transition chaos down to a dull roar, though... :)

JIm

Thanks, as always, for all you do!

>50 Ape: I am *forced* to leave by the uccchy ptoo-ptoo rottenstinky brain-eaters. Whassa diff?

>51 mckait: *glances down nose* Do you make the error of imagining me to be intimidatable, my good woman?

>52 karenmarie: You must be thrilled, Horrible! Actual speeds perceptible by the non-snail community!

>53 drneutron: ROFL Anyone else doing all the org work *snort*gasp*wipes eyes* Hence my certainty that rainy is pretty darn new. And what Linda said in 54, Jim, we really really appreciate you!

*Weeps*

Fine, but I don't know how I will ever find your 2011 thread if I can't visit this one and get linked to it. I'll be lost forever.

*Sniffle*

Trust me. If last year's experience holds true, you won't be able to miss it. :)

Thanks! It's been my pleasure to do this for the last couple of years.

It is good to tell someone when you appreciate them.
I appreciate you :)

Stephen...you can't lose me unless you want to...my threads are normally in the top 50 hot topics. As are Darryl's, Stasia's, and all them uppish "ooo-I-got-24,068,755 threads" people. Y'know, the cyborg-eyes-and-four-hankies-and-a-pistol people.

And let's not be unaware that the 75ers are 3-to-1 the chattiest group on LT. Star early, star often! Otherwise threads and people submerge unnervingly fast here. I can't REMEMBER the last time I saw way too many good threads. Wish I had a good solution to the problem. Don't.

#59: ...my threads are normally in the top 50 hot topics. As are Darryl's, Stasia's, and all them uppish "ooo-I-got-24,068,755 threads" people. Y'know, the cyborg-eyes-and-four-hankies-and-a-pistol people.

Ooh! I, I, I...I can't think of a good response. Damn it.

I shall return.

Shouldn't that be... "I'll be back." in best Governator voice, of course.

Hmmmm...I never click on the hot topics button. I thought it'd like me to a store filled with lots of black clothing and ugly shirts promoting shitty music. :(

Oooooo! I know Hot Topic Royalty!!!

Silly Kimmers, you're among Hot Topic Royalty all over this forum, when you're not ennobled yourownself! We dominate the posts-made stats and so it's inevitable that a lot of us are on the HT lists.

I'd rather KNOW Hot Topic Royalty than BE one--too much pressure to write insightful reviews, be witty, and up the number of books/year prodigiously! LOL. I am content with groupie status. : )

Royalty Update: Darryl #2 in Hot Topics
Stephen #4
Me #9
Mark #11

Where in the world did you find this list? Not that I doubt it mind you, just trying to learn something new about LT.

ok, Richard..."hot topics?" how do I access this..other than visiting your thread

Click on the Talk tab, on the left side there are options to filter the threads, and "Hot Topics" is one of them. :)

Yeah, what the stubborn little Ape just said.

Daryl is no 2 after new things at LT? WOW! Even beat out games at no. 3. You guys are all amazing. Glad to know the lot of you. (Thanks for the "how-to" Stephen, #4 HT Royalty.)

Ok, I really don't understand.....I just clicked on this "hot topics" thingie --never noticed it before--- and Tutu's thread was #2.....how did this happen and what is the significance?

Okay, see Tina, there's an algorithm that calculates how many posts are made on each thread at any given moment, and assigns the threads accumulating posts the fastest low-numerical, high-status rankings. It lets us keep up with what the hoi polloi outside the 75er world are chatting about.

#73: There is a world outside the 75ers?!

Oh no! CYBORG DOWN! Tina, run get the sal volatile! Berly, bring your ostrich feather fan from the burlesque show and fan her! Ape, help me move the fainting couch! Oh dear, who's got a free hand to loosen her stays?!

If you move the fainting couch, how am I going to faint onto it?

You are silly, RD. I love you anyway.

I guess it's nice to know, but frankly my darlings I have just barely enough time to keep up with what's happening on my threads and the other 75ers I lurk on. Good grief --do any of these people ever read???? Or do they just pop around making little dancing girl posties on threads. Now, it's bed time for this old lady....sleep tight my darlings, recover from all your various boo-boos, and remember that snow is coming.....

Snow is not coming down here! It is 63 degrees at 11:15pm. Ridiculous! I want snow!

Nothing wrong with little dancing girl posties imo..

I often click on the other filters to see what is going on around LT. Frankly, I have regretted it a time or two.. There are some VERY not friendly folks in some other groups ( RSI) here at LT. I try to stay out of the discussions, but have ventured in and should not have. I prefer the weather here in 75.

>76 alcottacre: *smooch* back at'cha, dearie

>77 tututhefirst: I thought it was pink ELEPHANTS not pink SNOW that indicated the DTs.

I know exactly what you mean, Tina, I spend very little time elsewhere because it's nice in here, and because there are some really uppish places on the site. There are on every site, of course. I don't like the kind of place where someone who knows more than I do can feel free to belittle me for my lack of knowledge. I'll kid around with anyone, but insulting someone is something I really strive to avoid. When it's deliberate, though, I can really get after it.

>79 mckait: I can think of any number of times that's happened to either of us, and seldom our own fault, too.

Ditto Kath ... I prefer the climate here in 75 as well. I'm so grateful Jim's patient and kind enough to want to keep organizing this sandbox for us to come play in.

Snow? Who's trying to introduce snow in November? I like snow, but I'm not ready for it yet. I want a few more sunny days ...... and not getting it ... cold and blustery today. bah!

>81 cameling: So now's not the time to mention how sunshiney and beautiful it is here this very minute? *evil Muttley laugh* GOTCHA for that last Wishlist entry!

bbbbllpptt!

*smooch* to you too, dearest.

Not too bad I'm only 84 posts behind; must do better.

R--I just love your thread. Now my morning is a happy one!

isn't it interesting that you have so many non word / just implied sounds aimed at you by the participants here? seriously. I only see it here.
You are a really special guy.

>86 Berly: Welcome home, dear heart!

>87 mckait: Any second now you'll take to blessing my heart. *shivers*

and don't you forget it!

There's a turkey in my oven. One that I'm cooking. So far, I almost forgot to remove one of the baggies (there are two? who knew?!) and melted a meet thermometer.

It was nice knowing all of you. Maybe I'll come back as a zombie?

I actually don't think RSI is the worst group here, and I've certainly been on the receiving end of enough nasty comments there. I think the difference with RSI is that the discussions there can actually make a difference to the site, so people are a lot more invested in arguing their point. If I disagree with someone here about whether a book is good or bad, it doesn't actually matter in the end and I'm not going to try to convince them that they're wrong. But if I disagree with someone in RSI about whether a certain feature should be implemented (*cough*review comments*cough*), I'm going to make my case strongly because it may actually have an impact on what Tim decides to do with the site.

The groups I actively avoid are the ones that promote a high "literary" standard, where any kind of light reading is scorned. I just don't see the point in judging other people on their reading tastes, and I think one of the greatest things about this group is that all books are accepted.

good luck with your turkey..Starting early is good....

#37 - Glad you're not planning on invading any Middle Eastern nations based on that intell. Please don't rush things, the oldest of the three girls will be ten next month. She just thinks she's a teenager

I should not have singled out RSI. I am sure that there are unpleasant people in other groups as well. Even groups that do not "make a difference".
I apologize.

And I should probably clarify what I meant by "making a difference".... of course groups like this one make a huge positive difference to the site; LT wouldn't be LT for me without the 75 Book Challenge. I'm sorry if I in any way seemed to denigrate the groups whose discussions don't influence site policy!

#90 There's a turkey in my oven. One that I'm cooking.

I've very glad it's not a live one that just wandered in through your door and jumped in there. ;)

Some of the religion and politics groups are - how can I put it tactfully? - definitely not for the faint-hearted. Since 'arguing with people' is not what I consider a fun hobby, I stay away.

Hi. I'm here. You can start the party now.

I've very glad it's not a live one that just wandered in through your door and jumped in there. ;)

lolol

>96 Eat_Read_Knit: That is too funny, Caty! I got a chuckle out of that one too.
I'm kinda afraid to ask, but...
>90 ty1997: why is the turkey started 4 days before Thanksgiving?
You are not getting the cooking time confused with the thawing time???

96> That made me laugh :)

99> Thanksgiving is with family (lots of family). Today was a get-together with friends. For a couple of years, I've said I wanted too cook a Thanksgiving dinner, and now I have (with no ER visits reported!). Plus, not having it be the 'real' Thanksgiving reduced the stress.

I am coming in to give you a hug just because.



ETA: Just for you this Monday morning, RD: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8m1X6y9Gzhs&feature=fvw

"the Very Last One no joke" Bah! Who are you trying to kid? 101 posts in 4 days. At that rate you will have approx. 909 posts by December 31st. I think we'll be seeing "the Very Last One no joke (volume II) sooner than you can imagine, Mr. Uppish.

LOL @ Lynda being so reasonable with rd...
will it work??

>94 mckait: The Green Dragon has, in my experience, the least patient people outside the snob groups. But the meanest comments ever directed at me personally came from RSI, and implied I should take my Tinker Toys and go home because I'm not up to *their* level of technobabble. Hint: The reason people don't read FAQs is that they're written by geeks who speak geek. We who don't speak geek don't usually want to learn it. Write FAQ answers for *us* and make them easily accesible to *us* and we might use 'em.

/rant

>95 _Zoe_: That's how I read it, too, Zoe. I'm glad you're clearing up the misperception that you think our site's socializing areas aren't important.

>96 Eat_Read_Knit: I've never gone into one of those fora. I don't like religion, and my politics are intolerantly left-wing. I don't want to hear the right-wing side, I want them to shut up and then vanish, taking Sarah Palin and Ann Coulter with them into the Ninth Circle of Hell where they're all destined to go anyway.

>97 tloeffler: I thought we had.

>98 mckait:, 99 Actually, I want to know Tom's secret for charming live turkeys into the oven. Sounds like a useful skill.

>100 ty1997: What, besides turkey, did you make?

>101 alcottacre: Thanks, dear Stasia! Sassy on a Monday is a Good Thing! *hugs*

>102 Carmenere: I am hell-bent for leather that this, this lovely little thread here, this demi-Paradise, will be the final 2010 thread for moi. Now, I imagine I'll be able to start a 2011 thread in about 2-1/2 weeks, so...

>103 mckait: O ye of little faith....

mmmm hmmm

>93 sgtbigg: LOLOL No, that kind of error is above my pay-grade. And "uppish" will wait. It's not goin' anywhere soon. Glad to see you around here, Mike!

What is RSI pray tell? Just so I can avoid that particular group.

Oh..Hell-o!!

Regarding the "other groups" kefuffle..I tried GREEN DRAGON...twice..the attitude of Middle School Juvenilia (is that a word for pre-teen snarkiness?) turned me off...big time. All the *snicker snort* in-jokes??? barf.

RSI? Recommended Site Improvements? sounds too corporate for me.

this thread keeps jukin' along, doesn't it, Richard?

;-}

105 > My brother specifically requested "green beans with bacon" so I made these (sans the evil tomatoes) and they were a hit: http://www.foodandwine.com/recipes/spicy-green-beans-with-bacon-and-tomatoes

(I also made some non-bacony-chicken-stocky green beans for the vegetarian guests)

Mashed potatoes (with way too much butter and evaporated milk)....delicious (and heart attack inducing)
Stove Top
Cranberry Sauce: http://allrecipes.com//Recipe/cranberry-sauce/Detail.aspx
Rolls (of course)

Brother bought an apple pie and a Hershey pie for dessert. Friends brought gluten-free, sugar-free Pumpkin pie (*delicious*) and I made cake balls.

It was a blast. I look forward to not cooking on Thanksgiving though!

My gram used to make green beans with bacon and potatoes. I love all of those things individually. Whacked into a pot together and cooked, they produce an ungodly stench that I am unable to endure. Tomatoes are food of the gods.. I am so sorry that you don't see that :P

but congrats on a suceessful company dinner :)
now do tell, what is a cake ball?

>109 alcottacre: "Recommend Site Improvements", as Jude says in #110. I've been over there to ask for various ponies before, and even suggested a conversation-starter idea that's now proving predictive, since Tim's looking like adopting most of the features I asked for.

>110 jdthloue: It do that.

>111 ty1997: Green beans with bacon and tomatoes sounds marginally less revolting than the mushroom-soup-clogged kind. I am just not a big fan of the green bean.

Glad everyone got stuff they liked! And like Kath, I want to know what a cake ball is.

#113: I will stay away from that group. Not my cuppa.

Wise. Very wise. They lack patience, on the whole.

good plan stas.. I usually just redX them.. but if I drift in,I regret it. Always.

Who on this good old earth doesn't love green beans? Then again, you dislike Chicago, so your taste was already suspect.

For those readers who love their waistline to be slim, I suggest not reading the following.

Cake balls are the food of the gods and the food of the devil simultaneously. And they are generally simple too. Bake a cake. Let it cool completely. Once cooled, throw the cake in a mixing cool. Add a tub of icing to the mixing bowl. Smoosh it all together until all mixed. Make balls. Put said balls in freezer. After the balls are completely solid in freezer, take them out, melt some chocolate and coat the balls. Once the chocolate coating solidifies, store completed balls in fridge or at room temperature (I prefer the fridge).

Freezing the balls is necessary only to stop them from falling apart when you roll them in the hot melted chocolate.

I've tried many different (boxed) cakes and (store-bought) icing. To date, the most popular is the regular funfetti cake with funfetti icing.

The only problem with everyone avoiding RSI is that that leaves the group to the serious programmer-types who tend to want cataloguing improvements, while "social" improvements like book discussion fora are regularly dismissed. So, Richard, I think your contributions regarding book discussions were very much needed, and I hope you won't abandon RSI completely. (After all, said book discussions haven't actually been implemented yet!)

Cake balls sound yummy..I do believe that I will try to make them :)

Happy about 2 things.
1) There are threads I can skip, and
2) cake balls sound interesting but disgusting (don't like icing - no temptation there).

Glad your dinner went off well, Ty. :) Now for the real thing!

Many RSI folks clearly feel superior.. and it shows. Those of us who consider ourselves mere humans enjoying a cataloging / social site do not find that enjoyable. Some of us even feel that we do not need to have every whim satisfied here. Or, that is my take on it. Frankly, my own personal world will keep on turning no matter what. I am grateful for what we have, and old enough to know that it is impossible to make everyone happy. I have also learned to seek the positive an avoid negativity... or what I perceive as such. I get to choose my experience here just as everyone else does..

i love green beans, but i hate green bean casseroles where the green beans take on a grayish hue, are more limp than wet noodles and smell like a frog's fart. I love my green beans cooked just through so it still is still green and has a snap to it. Best quick sauteed with butter, garlic and pine nuts.

#117 : Your cake balls sounds a little like my oreo balls. I chuck oreos in a food processor, add cream cheese to it, smoosh it all together, make little balls, freeze them, then roll them in melted toffee, refrigerate to set, then roll them in melted dark chocolate, refrigerate to set and then they're ready to serve.

>121 mckait: Of course; I didn't mean to suggest that you're at all obligated to participate in RSI. I just thought some 75-ers might want to have a say in the direction of the site. Richard in particular had mentioned that he occasionally went there to request ponies (his terminology, not mine--I'd personally be happy if I never saw the word "pony" here again!)

I like green beans.. I like them straight off the vine and raw.. or
from a can. There is something about the smell of a cooking bean that I cannot bear.

I can't do green beans from a can ....they're soggily limp and smell fartish.

Well I didn't get to track a single leaf on your last thread, but I'll give it my best go now... gotta hurry before I can only track in slush! :)

ewwwwwwwwwwwwwwww !

>120 -Cee-: You don't like icing????? Even chocolate icing??????????
Well, save it for me - I cheerfully will cede you all the cake. LOL.

exactly, Kath!

Judy - you are more than welcome to ALL my icing. Way too sweet for me!
Will send it off to you if you leave your address on my PM. Is it ok if I batch the icing every 2-3 months or so? Altogether in one box?

green beans ... quick sauteed with butter, garlic and pine nuts.

I am not a great fan of green beans, but this sounds nice.

The cake balls sound good, too.

I'm not sure how this is going to fly with the t-day guesters but I'm foregoing the green beans with anything and going instead with roasted brussel sprouts with butter and maple syrup. I guess I want to rock the ole boat.

brussell sprouts with butter.. yes... maple syrup?!?!?gak!

That's okay. I opt for oven roasted asparagus drizzled in a little olive oil and sprinkled with salt. Yum! That and yam souffle is a must.

Dear god, cake balls sound sinful. That said, I do somewhere have a recipe that involves smashing up a box of plain biscuits (like "Marie" biscuits or tea biscuits), melting some butter, tossing in the biscuits with some rum, some cocoa powder, some raisins and a bit of flavouring (almond maybe?) and stirring until it's a glutinous mess. Then chill in the fridge, and when chilled, remove, shape into little balls and roll them in chocolate sprinkles. It doesn't have a name, since I invented it with a Japanese friend of mine one idle winter weekend in the rice paddies. But it's good.

I snapped up two turkey drumsticks at WholeFoods, along with gravy and cranberry sauce; all I have to do are potatoes and green beans (I turn them into bean hash with gravy....) A friend has promised/threatened to drop off a chocolate-free dessert for me, although I also just picked up the first installment of the mincemeat for my world famous mince tarts...

you sound ready to me, my friend.. wait.. wait!! stuffing.. you must have stuffing.. and your nameless balls sound delish.

Popping in to return your smooch, padre.

Yes, have a bag of very excellent stuffing mix left from last year (also whole foods).

#135 Suzanne, that recipe sounds lovely.

I've made tray bakes along similar lines, with digestive or rich tea biscuits, melted butter, raisins/cherries/other dried fruit, coconut or chopped nuts and melted chocolate. Never tried adding rum, though: maybe next time.

#133 : I'm with you, Kath.... brussel sprouts - yum, butter - yum, maple syrup - ? I like brussel sprouts, butter and bacon. That's what I'm making for one of my t'giving dishes this year.

Stuffing... i LOVE stuffing!

me too.. it is my favorite thanksgiving dish :)

I always like to make my version of succotash. Frozen lima beans and corn. it is the only time we have it. It is colorful and the tastes are not very strong.

What do you like in your stuffing, Kath? My mom makes a great sage, apple & chestnut stuffing that is to die for. I hate roasting and peeling chestnuts for it though.

Lima beans make me break out in hives on my face. Too bad because I like the taste of them, and if I know I'm not going out anywhere for a day or not seeing anyone who's not family, I'll indulge in a lima bean salad.

simplicity for me

Bread 2/3 loaves / sage
celery an entire stalk
onion / one large
bit of garlic
lots of butter
some broth
an egg and some mil for glue.

that is all..

eta to fix typo

:PPPPPPPPPPPPPPPP

i like everything on that list ...with the exception of the mil for glue though ...hmmm... not sure about eating mil .. is that like dill ? ;-)

oooooooohhh...you mean milk!

Green beans are very frog-fartish no matter what. Ew.

Brussels sprouts roasted with green apples and olive oil and salt are delish. I've tried the butter and maple syrup route, and it was too heavy for my taste in sproutage.

Anything with chocolate is ew.

I make a cookie (is this the terminology you were searching for when referring inaccurately to "biscuits", Suzanne?) from one box crushed Nilla wafers mooshed into a stick of melted butter, one big package butterscotch bits, one big package toffee bits, one regular sized package coconut, toasted pecans galore, and two cans Eagle Brand sweetened condensed milk poured over the whole thing. Bake at 400 until it's done.

Wear elastic waistbands or suffer the consequences.

Also make an appointment with your dentist and check blood sugar levels after indulging!

>147 cameling: Oops, forgot to mention that! Yeah. Do those things too. Eat responsibly! *goes back to slurping second row of nummy bars*

#95 - Too damn busy lately, I hardly get to read any threads anymore. The mega-threads, and yes that includes yours Richard, are particularly difficult to keep up with when every time I check there seems to be 200 new posts. I don't like to comment on post #8 when the post count is 202. I do try to read even if I don't comment.

>149 sgtbigg: The mega threads LOL You make me sound all Stasia-y! Well, whatever the reason, glad to see you and come on back any time.

Lima beans are so yummy when made with rice, butter, and chicken bullion, and then a generous gloop of parmesan stirred into the finished product! Oh my.

All this food talk is making me hungry!...and it's time to go to sleep....

>135 Chatterbox: Suzanne's recipe sounds like a version of Rum Balls...another version uses Vanilla Wafer crumbs...no matter what...use rum, baking cocoa, raisins and nuts chopped fine....Heaven!

Green Beans? has anyone tried roasting green beans..with olive oil, chopped onion and garlic?? this is best if you leave the green beans whole....and watch the oven carefully..doesn't take long at 400 degrees..gives the beans a whole other, richer flavor.

Cake Balls sound so sinfully delish...but what the hell...dipped in chocolate, too? I just gained a pound..or two.

Oh oh oh....#146....I used to make those cookies...every Christmas..never lasted long...*note to self*

;-}

This thread won't last until the end of the week, nonetheless the end of the year. Who you kiddin', bro?

Ditto Sgtbigg #149....by the time I get to the bottom, anything I'd have to add is OBE.

I was thinking of Rich Tea biscuits or Marie biscuits, which I've never really seen described as "cookies", although I suppose they are closer to that generic definition. (In the same way that I wouldn't ever refer to a Digestive as a "cookie"; it's a biscuit...) Cookie implies sweetness -- I wouldn't use Nilla wafers in this recipe, as everything else that is added is v. sweet/rich. The idea in using the rich tea biscuits is to provide a solid base for all the goop and sweetness that isn't as sweet/heavy. Sort of an Animal Cracker taste/texture??

#142 Cindysprocket - I've been thinking about making succotash for Thanksgiving this year to have SOMETHING green - from baby lima beans and Silver Queen Corn, both fresh-frozen from the Farmer's Market this summer, cooked gently with a little water and a lot of butter, then seasoned with a bit of salt.

All these cake ball type things sound wonderful.

Richarddear, your 'nilla wafer concoction sounds similar to one I make with graham crackers and butter and all the same items except for (ahem) chocolate chips instead of toffee bits. Good stuff.

I personally love Kentucky Wonder Pole Beans pulled fresh off the plants that have been growing up the chain link fence in my garden. Both daughter and I always eat a few raw because they are so sweet. Cook them in a tiny bit of water until they are just past raw, then toss with a bit of butter. Or not. Their flavor stands on its own. I can make a meal out of them.

And once I read far enough to figure out what RSI was, I agree with Richard - once some of those people over there get a hold of an idea they eviscerate it, turn it around 180 degrees, add 10 things, take away the original idea, and bureaucratize it beyond belief. Always puts me in mind of looking at a government website.

#130: She can have all of mine too. I do not care for icing either, Claudia.

*Drive by smooch* for RD!

>155 karenmarie: Hmm. Now that's one criticism of RSI that I haven't seen before.

And one I agree with completely. Well said Karen :)

Can you give a particular example of an idea that this has happened to?

The brussel sprouts and maple syrup reactions have frightened me a bit. So........I'll cook up a few today and see how they taste........just in case, I'll still have time to go out and buy green beans.

#157 and #159 - _zoe_ Here are two. (I've expanded my answer in a private comment to you).

Purple Ink 242 messages for a request for purple ink

Add Reviewer Name to Thumbs-Up 276 messages about this

#125 I can't do green beans from a can ....they're soggily limp and smell fartish.
My sentiments exactly! Now, fresh Blue Lake beans are another matter entirely!

#155 And once I read far enough to figure out what RSI was, I agree with Richard - once some of those people over there get a hold of an idea they eviscerate it, turn it around 180 degrees, add 10 things, take away the original idea, and bureaucratize it beyond belief. Always puts me in mind of looking at a government website.
LOL! Grand description!

I have little use for the literary snobs. I believe that books (and music) are rightly meant for entertainment as well as for edification. (Sometimes I can be self-righteous about not being a snob, though, I suppose.)

I avoid the political groups, too. And the religious, even though I'm a pastor's wife -- I'm too liberal for the "moral majority" to consider me a "real" Christian.

The 75 isn't perfect -- I've rubbed people the wrong way on occasion, and don't always feel free to express my views freely as some do. But it's better than most groups I've seen here and elsewhere.

ETA to try to avoid rubbing some people the wrong way

>162 tymfos: But Terri...everyplace one can go, here, in RL, on any site, has those same issues. Feeling always accepted is, I think, different from feeling always in tune with your social set.

I know you're a Christian believer, and so is Stasia. I don't like that, but as it's got nothing whatever to do with me, I pass it by. When I talk about things that are anti-Christian, I expect it is one-sided. My disgust and disdain are evident, I feel sure. (If they're not, I need to work on the prose.) I find mentions of "Jesus Christ" that are not ironic or insulting painful and appallingly insensitive, in the old-fashioned imperialistic world view they drag behind them.

But none of that is aimed at YOU PERSONALLY, or Stasia, or anyone else, and that's the pleasure of being in the 75er community...people here see the commonality more often than the divisions. For whatever reason, absent personal attack, this group's habitues would rather find reasons to be nice than the opposite.

edited/fatfingers

#163: ...people here see the commonality more often than the divisions. For whatever reason, absent personal attack, this group's habitues would rather find reasons to be nice than the opposite.

I think it is a tribute to the people in this group who work at making the group work. Just because our faiths, political viewpoints, etc are not alike does not mean that we cannot have civilized conversations using books as a point of commonality. We do not all like the same books either.

erm... dare I say Amen??

Just because our faiths, political viewpoints, etc are not alike does not mean that we cannot have civilized conversations using books as a point of commonality. We do not all like the same books either.

Well said, Stasia! One of the things I love about this group is the diversity. Too often in our lives we find ourselves isolated with those of the same opinion (at least, this is true for me), so it's kind of nice to see and hear other ideas.

Plus, it has the added benefit of inspiring me to read material I would otherwise pass by.

I love this group.

#165: Sure, Kath!

#166: I completely agree about loving the diversity of this group. Any way you slice it, we are diversified: blue collar, white collar; conservative, liberal; Christian, Jewish, Agnotic, Atheist; our ages range from in the teens to the 70s. I am not sure how you can get more diverse.

I love this group too. Even heathen Richard :)

#162 I find mentions of "Jesus Christ" that are not ironic or insulting painful and appallingly insensitive, in the old-fashioned imperialistic world view they drag behind them.

The thing is, Richard, I share your disdain for the "old fashioned imperialistic world view" that has been (wrongly, I believe) attached to Jesus' name by self-serving clerics and politicians, because it is the absolute polar opposite of what he intended, at least according to what I believe -- and what my denomination teaches (on a good day, anyway :). For further discussion on the subject, see my review of The Cross in Our Context.

That's why I don't do well in the religious discussion groups, I guess.

I wrote what I wrote in message 162 (and some things that I edited out) because I feel as though when we say "Christian" some of you assume a world view that is not remotely related to what I believe at all. It's feels like a kind of stereotyping, and it hurts a bit.

But I still like y'all! So I guess we're doing OK. :)

So hooray for the 75ers! This is still the place to be, full of a variety of good and caring people. I do love the great diversity here. Can't imagine how people live who insist on only hanging out with people who all think the same. I think the world is a better place when people with different views interact and try to understand one another.

ETA trying to get my addled thoughts together.

Y'all're all all right with me! *group hug*group smooch*

Hugs back atcha, Richard and everyone!

ETA to spell Richard correctly -- duh, like how hard is that?.

Review: 90 of seventy-five

Title: IRREPRESSIBLE: The Life and Times of Jessica Mitford

Author: LESLIE BRODY

Rating: 3.5* of five

The Book Report: A chronological retelling of the strange life and exciting times of America's finest 20th-century muckraker, from her aristocratic Fascist upbringing to her time in the Communist Party USA, then her years of fame and glory after writing The American Way of Death, her most lasting contribution to literature. Her heartbreaking family life is presented with as many warts as can be expected; her relationships with her equally famous sisters Nancy Mitford, Lady Diana Mosley, Her Grace the Duchess of Devonshire, and Unity Mitford the Nazi are discussed in some detail; her husbands and her children are woven through the story, perhaps less so than her birth family.

My Review: Flat. Lacking fizz. Champagne the next day.

It felt to me like the book was the proposal for the book and not the whole enchilada. Taking on a larger-than-life personality like Mitford is always challenging. She's not a person whose dimensions are easy to grasp! This daughter of privilege was unquestionably sincere in her rejection of the world she was born into, and she was completely consistent in making her anger and disdain at the family she left behind clear. (I relate.)

But a biographer who dedicates a mere 344pp to this Force of Nature risks reporting the facts but leaving the feelings behind. I felt that it was too short, so the book was frustrating...I want to know more about *her* and yet I can't imagine a book more thorough than this one is factually.

So what happened? Jessica took the place of Decca (her family nickname)? Mmmaybeee...but no, not entirely. What I think happened is, the balance between Decca and Jessica shifts dramatically after Mitford's first husband Esmond Romilly dies in 1942. We get more Jessica and less Decca. And it ends up not being a satisfying trade-off.

So should you read this fact-stuffed tale of one of life's hellions, a scamp and an imp from the get-go? Yes. She's interesting enough to make familiarity with her life an overall good thing. But don't come in expecting your notions (if you had any) about her to change, they won't. She'll still appeal to you or not based on the well-known and hand-crafted image of a rebel and a scalawag already known.

Hello Richard--just dropping in to say hello and wish you a lovely Thanksgiving!

Thanks, Maureen, you as well!

Nice review of the Jessica Mitford biography, Richard. I'd be interested to read about her life, but I'll avoid this book.

It's really not worth the eyeblinks, Darryl, so you're not missing much. I'd certainly point you at Hons and Rebels, though!

#171: Skipping that one! Love the review though RD.

I wishlisted Hons and Rebels after your review so I guess I'll stick with that one too. Good review of Irrepressible.

Thank you both, Stasia and Pat! I was sorely vexed about this book. I wanted so much more than I got.

Oh I do so love you when you give me an excuse NOT to read a book. Sweet dreams.

>179 tututhefirst: I live to serve, my liege-lady. Nighty-night.

Irrepressible?????...maybe not so much. Think I'll pass and stick with Hons and Rebels, which has always been a favorite.

;-}

I hate it when I am sorely vexed.

Since I gotta work the holiday, here is a slightly early Thanksgiving Day......SMOOCH.

Enjoy your Thanksgiving. I have The Mitfords:Letters between six sisters to get through but sounds like I need to add Hons and Rebels to the pile.

#90 sounds like a real stinker. Thanks for taking one for the group.

This just reminds me that I have my first Mitford The Pursuit of Love waiting on my shelf Richard. When you consider that a year ago I'd never even heard the name that's pretty good. God I love LT.

I have three Nancy Mitford novels waiting on the shelf. *sigh* One day I will get to them. I thought I had the volume of letters in the wishlist, but they weren't there; I've added them. I think I might have to add Hons and Rebels too.

Wishing you a happy Thanksgiving, Richard!

Richard, the lima beans and rice really sounds good. Especially with the parmesan cheese.

Have a Happy Thanksgiving, Richard!

Dear Friend!

How grateful I am for your participation in the 75 group. It just would not be the same without you! You are a kind, sensitive, intelligent and caring person and I appreciate you! Happy Thanksgiving to you!

Happy Thanksgiving Richard and all.....

Ditto! Big hug and smooch. : )

Happy Thanksgiving Ricardo with lots of hugs, kisses and good pie!

Happy Thanksgiving, Richard! {{{RD}}}


glitter-graphics.com

I hope you have a simply wonderful Thanksgiving, RD!

lolol @ gif

Richard- Have a great Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours, Richard!

201

Happy Thanksgiving Richard!

Have a great Thanksgiving, Richard!

I hope you've been having a happy Thanksgiving, Richard!

Just waving and moving on, before the next thread is up and running ;-)

Hope you had a nice Thanksgiving. It looks like Stephen put one of my cats in that costume. lol

Stephen, I love the cat in the turkey outfit. Richard, I hope you are smiling.

Happy Thanksgiving, Richard dear. Life would be so dreary without you! *smooch*

Happy Thanksgiving, Richard!

(I'm never eating again)

Here, here Ty- I totally sympathize. I never want to look at any food again. I must be turning into a lightweight. Only 1 layer 1 plate of food and two very small pieces of pie and had to have a nap. Pfft!

I love the cat in the costume. The silliness of a cat in a bird suit- teehee.

Linda/Tamara: I just hope Richard doesn't "accidentally" put that turkey in the oven! :o

Richard talks a good game but the old curmudgeon has a good heart.

Y'all're hilarious! We had a lovely, lovely T-gvg party, small and quite lively: The Divine Miss's brother in from Chicago with his youngest son, and her niece home from Guatemala, where she's a State Dept. visa-granting officer. Our very dear friends Chris and Andrea came from Canton, NY, which is ~10ft from Canada; their daughter and her fiance came from the City; and of course Ray, TDM's inamorato, and the man who produced TDM's play a few years ago (who is also Auntie's biggest-ever crush object) came with a friend of his...who hails from the same South Texas town I come from!

Plenty of pictures were taken, but not by me, so if/when I get them, I'll pass them on.

Okay, I have bitched and moaned and made a ruckus about how tasteless and dry turkey is, blah blah blah, right? THIS turkey, brined 30 hours in Turkey Perfect brining solution plus 3qts Southern Comfort and seared 45min before being slow-cooked for ~4hrs, was so moist and juicy it was astonishing! Crispy, gorgeous golden-brown skin, white meat that *fell off* the bones, legs that were so succulent that the leg-eaters are plotting how to breed four-legged turkeys before next T-gvg...success!

The Divine Miss made brandied yams with apples. *shudder* Unpleasantly sweet. Everyone ate them, but no mass outpouring of compliments forthcoming, because the **tiny** amount of sauce was akin to sippin' from the Karo bottle. Even she thought they were too, too.

Roasted Brussels sprouts with apples made no new converts...two confirmed sprout-haters ate them, said "if I have to eat sprouts I'd rather eat these" and took no seconds. The rest of us polished off 4.5lb of sprouts.

I made a HUGE amount of stuffing, cornbread of course, with mushrooms, celery, carrots and onions. Half of it's gone.

We basted the turkey with a butter, celery salt, and chicken broth baste, which led to copious amounts of pan juices to serve on the side. In the roasting liquid were onions, celery, and carrots. That pan juice was delicious! But the gravy was the big hit: 1/3 of the mushrooms, carrots, onions, and celery that I sauteed for the stuffing reserved and, early in the morning, began simmering in chicken stock until reduced by half; then blended until creamy, returned to the heat, and 4c of the brining liquid added for further simmering. Just before serving, correct thinness (not very thin, not gloopy) achieved by adding pan juices. My god! The ate almost all of it! And over the stuffing, it was *stellar*.

Andrea made fresh cranberry and orange puree, which is tartly sweet instead of cloying and perfectly set off the richness of the gravy.

But the surprise hit, the now-permanent menu item, was the creamy roasted parsnip soup with salted hazelnuts. Totally vegetarian and yet still replete with flavour! It was simply amazing to me how good it was, and I love parsnips.

But dessert. Oh, dessert. *om nom nom* The Divine Miss's pecan pie, which is simply the best there is and no one bother trying to outdo her. Seriously. I've eaten a LOT of pecan pie, hers is better. Rich and chewy and superbly smooth centered.

And Ray's delicious sweet-potato custard pie, such a nice change from the pumpkin pie that I (alone among my guests) like so well, with its spicy, complex taste...! Fabulous, and a welcome addition to the repertory.

I made cinnamon shortbread with pecans. *yawn* Simple, but good with coffee!

I am stuffed just reading about what you guys ate :)

so you see? If you do it right... turkey is good. ( lol)

Hi Richard,
Morning after. Still stuffed.
If I was begining to get my appetite back, it has now vanished after reading about your Thxgvg dinner! Sounds like an interesting gathering of friends and food. I don't know quite why, but when it was time to carve our turkey, it just fell apart - very little carving necessary. It was so moist - I thought of you, RD.
Now for the recovery of a nation!
AND... we got a little snow here this AM!
Now that's more like it! :)

Your dinner sounds like a wonderful success!

I do believe that if I had been soaked/brined for 30 hours in 3 qts. of Southern Comfort, I'd be damned tender, too. Or just not care.

*snerk*

Richard talks a good game but the old curmudgeon has a good heart.

You mean the heart he took from that cow after he killed it with his bare teeth? :o

214: ... *drools* I didn't think I'd ever think about food again but...but...that all sounds delicious!

Your meal sounds delicious, Richard. Adding the Southern Comfort to the brine, the parsnip soup and the cinnamon shortbread cookies sound particularly inspired. Are you ambulatory today?

Richard my mouth was watering just reading about your dinner ..the turkey....yum...the dessert..... double yum!!! Glad you had a nice day!

*burp*

Wha...who...mmm? *yawn*

Oh...hi y'all, I was napping.

Think I'll go do some more.

*burp*

Richard...

It sounds like you had a lovely Thanksgiving. can close my eyes and hear the laughter and picture you, Claudia, Ray and others sitting in the beautiful dining room enjoying the company and the food.

Hugs

So.... have you all been abducted by aliens?
Seems long, as lunches go.. lol

I want to hear everything!

You just succeeded in making my thanksgiving dinner sound so......inadequate. And yet here I am two days later and still stuffed.

Did you have a wonderful day yesterday?

Oh, I can't wait for the pictures! Y'all're gonna have a blast laughing at my new 'do: I look like Zippy the Pinhead from the old comics. Worst haircut EVER.

The table was a huge amount of fun! Suzanne chose the precise right spot for brunch, it was not crowded (!) until we got there and took up one entire wall of seats. Our server was a sweet young lassie who looks exactly like my friend Jackie from Texas, so it was strange...I was at a table full of friends and being served by a girl I treated like she was one of the party because she looked like a friend! She responded with better than average bistro service, so that worked out.

I met Jane (janepriceestrada) for the first time, and although we were seated at opposite ends of the world, got a chance to chat briefly...interesting and enjoyable companion! Tad brought his wife, Juile, who is (predictably) smart and funny, but also very beautiful. I got to sit next to her, so I can confidently say she's got a quick wit and a keen eye.

Our own beloved Caro was in attendance, and her long radio silence is explained: She brought only one device with her, the BlackBerry, and so she can't check email and/or come onto LT. She had no obvious bruises or abrasions, and her person was free from casts or other medical devices, so I think the silence is all about devicelessness.

Judy and Jim were in good form, both being scarily smart people and unafraid to show it, so OUR end of the table had a lot of laughter at it. My niece Vayram came up from Guatemala for Txgvg and, I was so happy to note, sat down at the table and joined right in the fun. She and Caro are, I suspect, plotting their own meetup somewhere in the world, since they were thick as thieves for most of our walk.

Of course Suzanne was the hostess with the mostest, and we had more fun walking around the coolest part of NYC and chattering and generally touristing than is, strictly speaking, allowed. The group was showing so much fun and love that, as we were leaving Cafe Charbon, one of the young French waiters stopped me and asked if this was my family, we seemed so full of fun and love! I thought that was the nicest possible comment he could have made. Of course, I turned it into a chance to get him interested in LT, and Darryl gave him an idea for a poetry book he might like to read. His last comment as we left was, "Come back tomorrow! Every Sunday! You are lovelies!"

Y'all certainly are. I loved our day together, even though we looked at no books to speak of.

ETA Oh, and Darryl was there. I think. He sort of faded into the woodwork, it's hard to know if he was really there or not. ;-P

Wow! (I use that word a lot on LT - will have to find another)

Sounds like a fantastic get-together. Nice synopsis, RD! Thanks for sharing the fun.

Sounds like a great day was had by all. *envious sigh*

Looking forward to the pictures.

Sounds like you all had a lot of fun. :)

You certainly are lovelies!

What an amazing occasion. I am terribly terribly jealous, and also very pleased that you all had a chance to get together and have an amazing time.

Hi Richard- Boy, I must have been in a cave or something. I didn't realize you were having this LT get-together. It sounds like you guys had a wonderful time. Thanks for sharing! Can't wait to see the "Zippy the Pinhead" haircut.

Ray! That's his name! I couldn't for the life of me remember when I was putting together my scrapbook, and I was embarrassed to ask. I can't believe I forgot. He must have been residing in one of the brain cells I killed with the wine I drank...
*scuttles off to update said scrapbook*

>230 -Cee-: Claudia, sometimes le mot juste is as simple as "wow" so I say go with it!

>231 Eat_Read_Knit: Caty, it would have been that much more fun had you been able to join us, but the day was great. I'd say we should do it in London one day soon. After all, everything in England is within walking distance of London, right?

>232 Ape: Yeah, Stephen, we sure did! See, that's how it works...go out of the house to talk to actual people in the flesh, have fun...and then bask in warm memories. *ta da*

>233 London_StJ: I so wish you'd been there, Crypto, I just *know* you'd've kicked it up a notch. One day in DC?

>234 msf59: *sniff* Cave hah! It just means *chinquiver* you you you *sniff* don't read my thread *sob*

>235 tloeffler: And we've ordered a case of the Norton wine from St. James for the wine cellar in anticipation of your return for the spring garden party.

Super jealous as well! Sounds so wonderful. Want PICTURES!!!

*giggle*
My cousins and my niece and I have decided to set a goal of someday visiting every winery in MO. There are 100! We knocked 7 out of the way last weekend on the Holiday Fare Wine Trail--awesome!

>237 ronincats: Oh Roni, don't be jealous. Just come to the garden party this spring! Pictures are out of my control, but as soon as I have some, I'll post 'em.

>238 tloeffler: When you come back, you should try to make a longer stay so I can take you to some of Long Island's very good wineries! Plus the trip out east is very pretty.

One day in DC? With Jim and Aubrey and who else is from there?
I might be able to do that!

And hopefully Madeline/Squeakychu, among others...have to set something up and see who wants to come! I'd bet Darryl could get up from Atlanta pretty easily, too.

goody!

a day in DC with LT folk...oh that sounds wonderful!

Richard many thanks for your lovely description of the NYC get together. I close my eyes and see everyone laughing, talking and having a lovely, lovely time. You are such an incredible writer -- but you know that already eh?

I anxiously await the pinhead haircut photo.

edited because of typos. Obviously I need a cup of coffee!

everything in England is within walking distance of London, right?

Yes, Richard, of course it is (*rolls eyes*) but if there is a meet-up in London I shall save myself about three weeks' hiking and catch a train instead.

Thanks for that description of your get-together, Richard. It made me feel like I was there! If only I had discovered LT before I moved out of Westchester (or were still living there) . . .

I'm always looking for any excuse to do DC in the spring (just about the only time it beats Maine) so I can visit mother, sisters, g-babe, etc etc etc. Cheli and I would both probably be able to pop in, but Ricardo.....my dance card is filling fast for 2011--Mr. T and I both have HS and College reunions to do, and a wedding in Texas in May (Stasia are you listening?) so what date range are you speaking about.

And I thought you were coming to Caribou or Calais or Machais or someplace DownEast this coming year?????

And I also vote for pictures please. Sounds like the proverbial good time was had by all.

Hey, I'm most definitely up for a DC meet up. The wife would also likely come along. Just let me know when and where!

Oh I'm very jealous of you and everyone else who had so much fun Richard. Sounds heavenly.

Richard - Thanks for the enthusiastic description of your get-together! What fun it must have been!!

Cannot wait to see the pictures of everyone's wonderful time. It was nice for you to get out and have a good time.

Incredibly envious of your joyous Saturday, and I can't wait to see the pictures! Thanks for sharing, Richard! *smooch*

Ahem

Kath, I think RD went back to Cafe Charbon... didn't he say something about "the young French waiters" ? We might not see him for awhile...

I am beyond jealous and anxiously awaiting pictures! I am glad you all had such a wonderful time!

Sounds marvelous, Richardear. I second Stasia, directly above me here.

I ate absolutely nothing on Tday! That may be an improvement over last year when my feast was Tortillas and hot sauce! LOL (long stories, both of them). Does TDM use corn syrup in her pecan pie? If not, I'd love the recipe. You just can't buy corn syrup over here.

You wouldn't have had enough brussel sprouts if I'd been there too! LOL Glad you were thrilled with your turkey!! And, I'm gonna get Steph to take a peek at your gravy description. Sounds wonderful. Hope we get to share a meal together (or better, prepare one together) some day!

xox

Sigh.. still no pix anywhere??

Yeah, Stephen, we sure did! See, that's how it works...go out of the house to talk to actual people in the flesh, have fun...and then bask in warm memories. *ta da*

Nah! No way...you must be simplifying it or something. ;)

Listen to the man. He knows the secret....

The "secret" is confidence . :)

>243 Whisper1: So that's "one" under the DC meetup for Linda. Right?
So glad you're able to be here, which means you're continuing to recover. xoxo

>244 Eat_Read_Knit: THREE WEEKS! Good heavens, Caty, I had no idea you were mobility impaired. No doubt someone will make the 30min walk from central London to...wherever it is you are and push your Bath chair to the meet-up.
Ya know...I might be ill-advised to go to England after all these digs, who knows WHAT kind of pat-down I'd be in for.

>245 phebj: Ah now Pat, the glories of the retrospectoscope are many...but the property taxes are a killer, and not goin' down any time soon.

#261 Property taxes, private health care costs, and a basement that flooded repeatedly in biblical rain storms are what pushed us out of NY.

>246 tututhefirst: Hi Tina! Well, someone will have to spearhead the detials of a DC meetup soon, then. Perchance in conjunction with the Gaithersburg, MD, book festival? As I don't live there, I can't be relied upon to know doodly squat about DC and its innards.
I hope I'll come to Machias next year sometime.

>247 drneutron: Hey! I think we have our meetup arrangement victim! *bonk* You are herewith nominated and acclaimed. Thanks, Jim!

>248 brenzi: 'Twas indeed, Bonnie, 'twas indeed. I wish you'd been able to come too!

>249 Copperskye: Joanne,I still have face-ache from the smiling and laughing...two days later!

>250 cindysprocket: Cindy, as to the pictures,one would need to address one's concerns and requests to the picture-takers *cough*JudyDarrylCaro*cough* and chastise them gently for their dilatory posting habits.

>251 LauraBrook: Ha-ha-ha and *smooch* right back, Laura!

I am Loftily Ignoring post #252 and its poster.

>253 -Cee-: Madam! Do you imply that I am the sort of old horn-dog that would take advantage of a lonely, handsome, young waiter's tentative and hesitant request for surcease from his isolation in a large, scary, foreign city?
You are an *excellent* jusge of character.

>254 alcottacre: Hi Stasia! Have a great trip to Joplin.

>255 Matke: Oh, I can't wait for pictures either, Gail.

>256 suslyn: Oh dear, Susan, no food at all or simply no *Murrikin* food such as we appear to need unconsciously on that Thursday?
Yeah, it's corn syrup-based. I wonder how the Karo people forgot Romania? Millions of potential addicts going without...giant oversight on their part.
I devoutly hope you and Stephane will be on the guest list one day soon!

>257 mckait: Not a one I can find, dear, see if you can pull some strings and get them to post, there's a good lassie.

>258 Ape:/259/260 Try it. You see all the support I'm getting from the Over-The-Glasses-Granny-Brigade.

Sounds like you all had a grand time in the Wormy...uh, Big Apple.....and don't let the naysayers bug you...Be a Horn-Dog for as long as you are able!!!

I am not jealous.....i treasure my solitude every day I live..I earned it...but recall my own soirees in The City with fondness.

Just hurry back to the land of the lost..i mean living...my words are escaping me..oops!

;-}

#263 - Hmmm, somehow slipped from "Hey, I'd love a DC meetup" to "Hey, I'll arrange a DC meetup". Nicely done, Richard! :)

I'll start a discussion thread with a few options, see what the collective sense is.

*cough. cough*

Richard, dear, it's not even December yet, and you are already over the thread limit. Especially if you do as we all wish and load this up with pictures, some of your devoted friends will NOT be able to load your thread soon.

I told Cory today that I might need him to both have me stay with him, and take off to come with :)

so far so good..

and I always have Amy, too :)

I hoped you would take it on Jim :) I look forward to meeting yo and your wife!
rdear.. you can't really ignore me.. you know you can't
*smooch*

eta

right! pictures!!

Review: 91 of seventy-five

Title: THE WAITRESS WAS NEW

Author: DOMINIQUE FABRE

Rating: 4.3* of five

The Book Report: Over the course of three days, fifty-six-year-old barman Pierre's life at Le Cercle cafe goes from six-year-long trudge towards retirement to unemployment as his creep of a midlife-crisis-ridden boss apparently abandons wife and business for the arms of a younger woman. Said wife even sends Pierre looking for her husband in all the usual suspects' haunts. Pierre, faithful to his own code of honor, does his best to make the situation work by hunting boss-man down, but comes up empty and reports failure; this is followed by the boss-lady's decision to close the cafe. Temporarily, she says, while she finds her husband and sorts things out.

Pierre, lacking other commitments and entanglements in his life, watches over the bar, lets the food and liquor delivery people in, wipes his spotless bar down, and watches his regulars drink and eat at La Rotonde, the competing bar across the square. At the end of a week of this useless work, plus the more useful work of getting his pension paperwork in order (four and a half years to go until the full ride is achieved), Pierre gets the call: The boss and wife are in Saint-Malo, starting afresh, and they've agreed to sell Le Cercle to someone else. The staff will be paid to the end of the month, and goodbye.

So what does Pierre do? He opens up. He serves the regulars, the staff, all comers, on the house. Why not? He's been screwed out of a safe and secure position, one he does well, and so why not do it one last time? Then he goes home. And because he can't think of anything else to do, he goes to bed. Fin.

My Review: How wonderful to read a book like this, short and to the point, one that allows me the reader to discover what kind of person the narrator/PoV character is without being spoon-fed opinions by a mistrustful author.

How interesting to be a fly on the wall behind the bar looking on as a business, a thriving one, loses its anchor and spins out of control. How pleasurable to see that not all the occupants of this anchorless business flee like rats from a sinking ship; the staunchness of the narrator is made up from equal parts honor and lack of imagination, which he sort of vaguely realizes.

And how very ordinary a man he is: Old enough to have weathered midlife, too young to view retirement with equanimity, still alive enough to notice the lack of a love in his life, and yet not vital enough to break the deadhanded grip of his difficult past (adopted at ten by the woman he still thinks of as his mother, dead these 12 years) and participate fully in the emotional life of the world. In short, there are millions of him walking around, a part of one small segment of the world yet apart from all the main channels of life.

The new waitress of the title replaced the waitress that the boss was having an affair with for two and more years. She started on Monday, and by Wednesday the cafe had closed. She lived in the farthest reaches of Paris, traveled over an hour to get to the job, and she was already tired of the job. Pierre reports these facts, he comments on them only in the briefest passages, but the reader feels, thanks to deft authorial choices made by the translator, the whole history of Pierre's life in the short transit of the new girl: He's always in transit, is Pierre, always looking at the ground he's standing on, waiting for it to root him, when he can't imagine how he should send down his own roots.

What a joy it was to read this book. Please, do the same for yourself, and revel in the short moment of being treated to a close look at someone more like you than is probably comfortable to view, and at the same time as the adult you certainly are at this point in your reading life.

As promised, a thread on potential DC meetups: http://www.librarything.com/topic/103434

Thumbs upped and wishlisted Richard. This book sounds like a gem.

I brought my camera, but I didn't take any pictures. I was too busy chatting with Jane, Caroline, Suz, Tad and everyone else. I don't know if anyone took pictures other than Suz and Judy. Whose camera did the waitress use?

I suspect that the real reason for the lack of photos is that Richard has bribed or threatened the photographers into silence, so that no one else could see his Zippyesque haircut (which wasn't bad at all).

>272 drneutron: Volunteered you ha! You're the logical choice, Jim, there on the ground and also an engineer therefore practical and full of beans. Who else?

(You can tell I've chaired committees in the past.)

>273 brenzi: Oh my goodness, Bonnie, if you do not love this book I will eat my hat!

Also perfect for Stasia, Suzanne, Suse, Caro, and Gail; bets are 4-3 in favor for Velma, Kath, Claudia, Roni, Cindy, Joanne, and Cindy; wide berth warning for Jude and Darryl, not gloomy and weird enough. All others, at your discretion, but not a hearty recommendation.

>274 kidzdoc: Nice parenthetical save, Darryl! I am impressed!

an engineer therefore practical and full of beans

You've clearly not heard from the wife on this! Remember I have a PhD in particle physics...eminently practical! :)

>276 drneutron: *vigorous hand wave* Pshaw! Faugh! I shall hear no false modesty, sir! Word of your multifaceted talents precedes you.

*sigh* Damn it all. I give. I caved. Here's the new thread.

nope

http://www.librarything.com/topic/103446