Richardderus second 2011 thread

Courtesy of the good folks at the protest site firstnations.eu, here is an image by Canadian environmentalist and artist Emily Carr...she of The Brutal Telling by cruel, cruel Louise Penny, the title of which was Emily Carr's only explanation of why she and her father never spoke after an argument.

The painting is one I look at frequently, one that makes me feel both uplifted by beauty and depressed at humankind's feckless anti-stewardship of the beautiful bounteous earth we live on (in every sense of that phrase). It's titled "Langford" after the European name of the British Columbian forest it's modeled on, one that was ravaged in search of timber to support the modern economy of Canada.

Something must die, that we may live; does it have to be *everything*, though?

Blast me for a fool, I didn't leave myself an extra post to link to all my threads!

THIS thread is for NEW books read, those published from 2009 to the present.




The Books off the Shelf thread for 2011 is up, though sort of nekkid. My goal there is now 30 books from my shelves read and donated, shared, or generally gotten out of the house.




This thread is for any book I review that was published in 2008 or before, whether I own the book or not, and for whatever reason isn't a book I will get off the shelves.

LOVE this painting...
xoxoxo

MUCH better! I love the painting, too!

"...uplifted by beauty and depressed at humankind's feckless anti-stewardship of the beautiful bounteous earth we live on ..."
I'm right there with you!

Love the differing yet cohesive colors in this painting and the brush strokes, IMO, are very Van Goghesque. Thanks for sharing.

LOL .. I love the fact that 2011 hasn't started yet and you're already on your 2nd thread.

I love the painting too, Richard! Thanks for sharing it with us.

Your second 2011-thread and the year hasn't even started yet?!:-)

>2 mckait: I knew for certain that you would. It's so exactly a Kath idea and a Kath execution, that it wouldn't surprise me to learn that you're a reincarnation of Emily Carr. Except she died in 1945, and you were already 40 at that point.

*flees*

>3 -Cee-: OMG, Claudzilla, have you ever seen her work?!? Follow the link of her name and just drool and gibber at the spectacular gorgeousness of it all.

>4 Carmenere: Hi Lynda! I know what you mean about the Van Goghesque brushwork. When you see Van Goghs in person, they're almost like sculptures in paint, they're so heavily layered. Carr's physicality of work isn't that overwhelming. It's got the passion and the intensity and the sheer unadulterated exuberance of Van Gogh, and in every one of the paintings of hers that I've stood in front of, I had almost the same sense of *knowing* Carr that I have of *knowing* Van Gogh.

>5 cameling: I throw a good party, what can I say? The People Have Spoken...they like being here, and I like having them here.

>6 alcottacre: Stasia, given Carr's deeply committed spirituality, I think she's someone you should read up on...she's kinda like you, she knew God and saw God in the world and it made her the most serene companion.

>7 Trifolia: I am humbly grateful that there are so many people who want to be here and talk and play that I can't believe my luck. Ain't it a gas?

Ooh, love the painting and looking forward to all your new threads this coming year.

>9 avatiakh: Ain't it grand, Kerry? And I hope my threads for 2011 are half as much fun as the 2010 ones were, I had an amazing time with all of y'all last year. Have you ever read The Ginger Man by J.P. Donleavy, Kerry?

Reposted from Kath's thread, which I visited just after finding this in my inbox:

My old roommate Eric and his bride-to-be Chrystina gave me the most wonderful, thoughtful Xmas gift I've received: A gift card for Kiva, a microlending organization that connects small donors with the needy poor who have an idea for a business that they can't fund. I was touched at their thoughtfulness, at first, and then when I went to spend my donation at the site, I was moved to tears at how very, very little it takes to help change an entire life's course.

Pain be damned, I have had a wonderful day just because of that!

#10> Richard, I've heard of it but not read it, it does sound more fun than the usual Irish fare though. I'm sure I can track a copy down.

Love the painting, Richard. Gives me a similar feel to my Kindle skin artwork, Van Gogh's Starry Night.

I've participated in Kiva, though I got soured a bit when my recipient didn't repay.

I've very fond of Donors Choose and a gift card for me there does wonders for me.

I have the philosophy that it is the intention that matters.
( Reiki training, maybe?) If I give to a person on the street who tells
me that they need to eat, my intention is to get them food. IF they then buy
drugs, my conscience is clear, because it was my intention to give food. I always hope that my leap of faith might matter, and do something to help. I feel the same about Heifer and Kiva. Heifer giving is a leap of faith.. ( after careful research) and Kiva? Well.. who knows, but if by me giving an amount that I spend on a couple of books, I can help someone out of a sticky situation.. that might help them forever, or help them to help someone else. .. well. my job is done. But I never expect to have repayment of any kind for this.

On the other hand, if I stop to help someone lift heavy bags, or let someone in line in the grocery.. I always hope the karma goddess is watching and that someday someone helps me in the same way. Perhaps if my intentions here were more pure it would happen .. lol.

#13 I don't mean repayment to me. I mean repayment so that others benefit from it which is the point, for me. I help start the ball rolling, someone benefits and then repays so that someone else can benefit.

otoh, immediately defaulting is not in keeping with the spirit of the program, as far as I'm concerned. I may go back to Kiva but there are others I prefer now.

Great. ANOTHER Richard thread to follow up on. How am I supposed to make time for reading?!?!?!?!? ARRRRRGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!

Nice painting by the way. And oh, thanks for stopping by the blog. And for leaving a message too, that was swell. And... I left you a reply too. Over there I mean. (whistling softly as she leaves the room)

Love the painting, Richard.

I really need to explore art a bit more, but I'm having a difficult time figuring out where to start. Ellie has given me some book recommendations but my local library doesn't have much of a selection. Hmph! :(

I have to hand it to you Sir, that painting is ... something else. It's thick with beauty (and yes, very Van Goghesque) and there's something about it that is really speaking to me. I recall you (or some other lovely person 'round these here parts) talking about Emily Carr not that long ago, and resolved to try and find out more about her when I was further into the Gamache series. Looks like I'll be looking for more of her work in just a few minutes!

Thank you for introducing me to a new artist! And for the first time in my life I have a membership to the Milwaukee Art Museum - looking at this painting makes me want to go there tomorrow to hang out for a bit and let everything wash over me. I love museums, I don't know why I never go to them!

Hope you are having a lovely and cozy evening!

If y'all like that one, check out some of the works by the Group of Seven -- Emily Carr wasn't a member, but she was roughly contemporary, and she had a similar approach, just heading out into the country and painting what she found. Since she headed into the Queen Charlottes, she got GREAT BC landscapes. I like Tom Thomson and A.Y. Jackson best.

Taking over Richard's thread -- with apologies to the host -- I'm going to add a bit of a fave poem of mine by Al Purdy (a Canadian, of COURSE), about the Group of Seven and the landscapes they painted:

"A.Y. Jackson for instance
83 years old
halfway up a mountain
standing in a patch of snow
to paint a picture that says
"Look here
You've never seen this country
it's not the way you thought it was
Look again"
And boozy traders
lost in a dream of money
crews of homesick seamen
moored to a China-vision
hunting the North West Passage
they didn't see it either
The colours I mean
for they're not bright Gauguin
or blazing Vincent's
not even Bruegel's "Hunters in the Snow"
where you can get lost
and found in five minutes
-- but the original colour-matrix
that after a giant's heartbeat
lighted the maple forests
in the country south
You have to stoop a little
bend over and then look up
-- dull orange on a cliff face
that says iron deposits
olive leaves of the ground willow
with grey silver catkins
minute wild flower beacons
And you can't be looking for something else
money or a night's lodging on earth
or you'll never find the place
hear an old man's voice
in the country of the young
that says
"Look here -- "

Cool poem, Suzanne! Never read it before.

Lawren Harris is probably my favorite of the Group of Seven. The only sort of annoying thing about him was his oh-so-uppish disinclination to sign or date his works. I mean, dude, get over this nonsense, is what *I* woulda said to him. But he created works like this:



He was bigtime buds with Emily Carr, they bonded over their love of the disappearing natural beauty of Canada. They were not, ahem, intime or anything since he was married to a woman he didn't love, in love with a woman married to his buddy, and Miss Carr was ahhh errrmmm not possessed of a disposition to marry. But they were very close.

I like discussions of Canadian painters :). I think my favourite--though not Group of Seven--is Cornelius Krieghoff; I love the time and place that he evokes. Reproductions don't do him justice, though.

Krieghoff! No! C'mon, Zoe, pull the other one! He was Currier AND Ives!

But then again, I should belt up because I've only ever seen reproductions in books and prints. The originals haven't made my radar screens.

Well, if you're ever in Toronto, you should pay a visit to the Art Gallery of Ontario. Of course, you probably still won't like him.

I don't think he painted cats, Richard, so you can feel safe...

Oddly, January's pic on my calendar (an annual Group of Seven themed gift from my mother) is Lawren Harris -- one of his Arctic icebergs. It looks exactly like a Bundt cake with icing.

I adore Purdy's poetry. He is funny, poignant, reflective, ribbald and vivid -- all at once.

Oh Richard - that painting - It is beautiful - it creates all sorts of emotions that I can't explain - all I can do is nod in agreement at what you said:

"...The painting is one I look at frequently, one that makes me feel both uplifted by beauty and depressed at humankind's feckless anti-stewardship of the beautiful bounteous earth we live on..."

I googled her web site and spent a long time loitering in there.

#9: I read The Forest Lover by Susan Vreeland, but do not know of a good biography of Carr. Do you know of one, Richard?

I haven't ever looked for a bio of Carr. I think it's time to do that, though, since she's coming up so often these days.

Hmmm now isn't this interesting? Carr was a writer, too! Growing Pains: The Autobiography of Emily Carr is a mere $10.50 at the 'zon! And there appears to be something called Emily Carr: Rebel Artist which is, based on a page of reading time, about as ponderous a piece of prose as any I've ever read.

#26 ponderous piece of prose does not sound promising!

Thanks for opening up new worlds of art to me, Richard. I like the simplicty of the Lawren Harris painting. Painted with that perspective, it makes me feel like a little racoon pausing as I forage through the woods.

Nuh-uh. I read a little more (it's in GoogleBooks) and it gets more turgid and less interesting by the paragraph.

Maybe we could do a group read of the autobiography this year. She's certainly interesting enough! Or, if we run across a really good bio *flinches away from Emily Carr: Rebel Artist*, do a read on that. What'cha think?

>28 Carmenere: Lynda! What are you doing up with the owls and the goblins? But yes indeed, the Harris paintings are so simple, so direct, so complete in their visual vocabulary, that it's perfect to say you feel as if you're part of the world it makes.

#29: I would not be able to participate unfortunately. My local library does not have any biography of Carr and I am on a book buying ban. I promised Linda.

Good gracious! I didn't mean *now*! Maybe March or April. Besides, book buying bans are meant to be broken. Stuff and nonsense on them! How are publishers supposed to acquire new books if we fail to buy and read the old ones? Hmmm? Hmmm?

#32: Nope, I cannot! Linda would kill me! The pressure, the pressure! We are on a year-long book buying ban together, beginning in January.

*snort* We'll see about *that*!

#34: I am going to have to stay away from your thread in 2011 I can see already. You will deliberately be throwing temptation in my path!

#30 What are you doing up with the owls and the goblins?

That's what I'd like to know, must be midlife kindathing.

Hoping an Auntie incident isn't keeping you awake.

>35 alcottacre: *double snort* I have your email, dearie, and I know where YOUR thread is, and believe you me I plan to send you every delightfully tempting title I run across with links to the Amazon, Powell's, and Buns and Nubile buying sites. Ban, hah!

>36 Carmenere: Mine's Auntie-related, but not being able to sleep is torture! Seriously, have you ever tried melatonin? It's effective. Benadryl works, of course, but there's that whole dry-as-a-bone-for-days issue. And of course I think it's *revolting*, but valerian tea is also a help in dropping off. *smooch* for your discomfort, dear Lynda.

#37: I do not have a thread for 2011. If you are going to tempt me there, I may not start one :)

add some honey to the valerian. some teas give benefit if they are bitter... not that one. I am a fan of melatonin. It is also ok to give a stressed out dog.. so says the Addison dogs website.

Hi Richarddear - early morning greetings. No sun up yet, it's 20 degrees out and there's still much snow on the ground. Brrr. Thank goodness for houses and heat and electric socks and Wicked Good slippers.

Have a wonderful day.

XO Horrible

Just chiming in to add my appreciation of your painting postings - am definitely considering doing the same, although since I only had 2 threads last year, I'd better be choosy about my favorites - ha!

mmmm.... Loki's middle name is stress! Constantly working... 24/7!

Where do I find that melatonin stuff for dogs?

>38 alcottacre: *collapses in helpless laughter at Stasia not making 2011 threads*

>39 mckait: Ugh, honey! Then it'll be bitter and revolting!

>40 karenmarie: Mornin' Karen my dear!

>41 scaifea: How do Amber! I'm bettin' two threads won't cover it this year. I started one thread in 2008. Things have not stayed in that groove.

>42 -Cee-: Claudzilla, melatonin is the same for everyone. Look up dosing instructions on the natural vet sites, or Kath should know. I suspect she is actually, secretly, the authoress of a lot of veterinary textbooks, and *swimming* in royalty money in a secret account in the Caymans.

I am lurking but also decided to participate because I give melatonin to a stressed out dog. I adopted an elderly, somewhat crippled, soft-coated Wheaten terrier who chews on his feet unrelentingly, due to (??? I am not sure) stress, or pain, or boredom. In any case, I give him 1 mg wrapped in a little baloney in the evenings. He does seem like a happier dog. Most melatonin seems to come in a 3 mg. dose so you may have to hunt around to find the smaller dose. (edit to add: I started doing this on the recommendation of a friend who has been raising, training, and hunting with labs for years)

Richard, thanks for a fun thread and I'll be around.....

Richard, I must compliment you on your cultural slant for 2011. I love learning about art (and am learning to appreciate poetry - in small doses). I used to be in an art appreciation group. We had a fine program on Emily Carr several years ago after reading The Forest Lover as a group read. Too bad the group became more of a social club and lost its original focus on art. I'm a closet curmudgeon and dropped out of the group.

On a reading note, Becky (aka labwriter) recommended The Life of Emily Carr by Paula Blanchard a few months ago after I made some comments on The Brutal Telling. The group read idea sounds good to me.

Keep up your good work here of educating the masses!

>44 maggie1944: Great info, Karen! I'm glad to see you around here!

>45 Donna828: CULTURAL?!? Oh no no no! Kulcher is something boring for the egghaids! Like that there Wagner! I like lookin' at the pretties is all.

Poetry is the hardest thing of all to share. I like *very* little poetry, almost nothing compared to the oceans of it there is. And it's so personal, what twangs a person's poetry receptor, that I shiver in fear when even mentioning poets and poetry to others.

Becky's suggestion sounds like a good one. Have to look into that.

I like lookin' at the pretties is all.

Okay, I can live with that. ;-)

#46 -- as you can see I have no such inhibitions. (meaning poetry, of course...)

>33 alcottacre: I would stake my reputation on the fact that Linda would never kill you, Stasia.

Such as it is...

Love the painting Richard. I must look at more Emily Carr. I discovered Group of Seven painters on a visit to Canada some years ago, and brought home a Franklin Carmichael print which I'm very fond of. Looking forward to seeing what further pictures you will share with us.

#43: Get up off the floor, old man. You are going to hurt yourself! I could get by with not making a thread next year.

#49: Hmm, I am trying to decide on if that is meaningful or not :)

* relieved* I was missing you !

>51 alcottacre: *dying laughing*

There would be mutinies and lynch mobs and Congressional hearings if you didn't make a 2011 thread, not to mention posses and search parties fanning out from every corner of the globe to see if you'd simply skipped town.

>52 mckait: Yeah, well, I'm back, twice as mean and just as ugly. Watch out! ;-*

Sir Richard

I knew right away who that painting was from :) I adore Emily Carr and her work. A friend of mine went to BC a year ago and brought me back a print of her oil on canvas Old Time Coast Village from the Vancouver Art Gallery. It is heavy in greens and blues depicting the forest and foliage of the west coast of Vancouver Island.

I read 34983::The Forest Lover a couple of years ago and I thank you for displaying a piece of her work :)

Well, jumping jeebers I have The Forest Lover lined up on my schedule of reads in 2011. Now, I'm really looking forward to it.

thanks for the sleep remedies but I'm not crazy about sleep aids of any kind, no matter how natural they me be. Until I become really desperate, I'll just continue on with a glass of chocolate milk and a cookie.
I may be on the threads all night, I just had two cups of coffee with two cannoli's

Hopelessly behind. Just the thought of trying to catch up is making today's killer migraine rear up it's ugly head again. Well, hi and bye.

*wails* how did I get 56 posts behind? Overnight? Sigh...

#53: There would be mutinies and lynch mobs and Congressional hearings if you didn't make a 2011 thread, not to mention posses and search parties fanning out from every corner of the globe to see if you'd simply skipped town.

I did not say that I would not post in the group, simply that I would not start a thread. Everyone would still know I was around.

#58 - Sounds like you'd be transforming into a ghost: nowhere to be found exactly but being everywhere... I think Richard would like that.

#59: Yes, I can just haunt the 75ers :)

interesting concept. I think kara was doing that a bit this past year :)

Kath... who me?

guilty as charged, been neglecting my thread and puttering around on others :)

still haven't made up my mind regarding starting a 2011 thread. I might just for the challenge aspect of reading 75 in a year.

If not I can continue haunting with Stasia :P

Anastasia Matilda Shermandweller! (Yeah, I know, but it doesn't work with only one name. Try it sometime...you feel ridiculous.) You wash your mind out with soap, thinking you can say such mean and hurtful things on my thread!

You will march directly to the 2011 forum and begin your first 2011 thread no later than 1/1/11 (how can you resist, such a cool date!) and not upset the divinely ordained order of the Thingiverse: Let there be Stasia's Book Bullets Every Sunday! The people expect it, but the Thingiverse *depends* upon it!! The drop in traffic alone would cause there to be meetings and furrowed brows in Portland, discussing the probable need to close up shop.

You do not wish to be the sole and entire cause of LT vanishing from the digital welkin, now do you? How awful would you feel as news cameras the world over documented long, long lines of bibliophiles refugeeing away from their now-useless homes, computers smashed in anguished frustration at Life's sudden and cruel reorientation, in search of a bitter substitute for the bounteous land they were forced to leave, and clogging roads major and minor to all other traffic.

Yes. Global catastrophe *will* ensue. Avoid the cataclysm! Start your 2011 thread NOW!

ETA poll

Stasia: Whatever Richard said. Not sure what it meant exactly, but I second the general intention of the message.

#63 *giggle*

I think I've voted 3 times. Is that legal?

Terri: I think you can only vote once no matter what you do. As far as I know, it only tallies your vote once, so you can change your mind as often as you like, but whatever you vote will only be counted once. Did I explain that right?

Argh.. I hate polls.

Yes, but I voted in 3 different polls on 3 different threads! I think that was Richard's way of getting more support!

Oh, Kath, don't be such a curmudgeon. It only takes one little click, and you know she's going to do it anyway...she's only baiting Richard.

I see what you mean Terri. I was considering getting back at him for that and voting differently in each one just to confuse the issue, but I'm not such a big meanie after all. And since Richard has no qualms about spamming his polls all over the place, I'll go ahead and do the very same!

I'm liking this multiple voting thing. I should have been a mobster...

Don't be a curmudgeon? What would I be then? Sorry.. I have my doctorate
in curmudgeon, worked on it for a long time..

sniff

Oh, I'm sorry! I didn't realize you were certified. My bad. I take it all back.

>72 mckait: would that be 'curmudgeonry'? (off to check the dictionary...)

ETA: "The word you've entered isn't in the dictionary. Click on a spelling suggestion below or try again using the search bar above." But I like 'curmudgeonry', so how about it?

:)

Or maybe Doctor of Curmudgeonology?

#71 A mobster...or live in Chicago where the goal is to vote early and vote often.

What's this about Stasia not having a thread? Have I been so out of the loop?

Where would her book reviews/book bullets go, otherwise?

Oh, I voted often, once on the 2010 thread and once on this thread. Stasia you would be missed.

I've reviewed Island of Demons by Nigel Barley in my thread......post #165.

Wonderful!

Wow, not even 2011 yet and already I'm behind by more than a thread. Just wanted to de-lurk to say how much I liked Reverie to Silence in your first thread. Very serene. I've never heard of Pushman, but you can bet that I'll be looking for his work now. Thanks. Hope you have a great reading year. Looking forward to adding books from your thread(s) to my wish list again this year.

Thank you, Kelly, and I hope your reading year is fabOO! I'm already sure what my first review will be, since I expect to finish the book just around midnight tomorrow.

Write on everyone, I am SOOO curious about the next painting Richard will choose!

I vote for something that represents the beautiful starkness of winter - something black and white, for the picture in your next thread, Ricardo.

She's back...........

>82 FAMeulstee: Hi Anita! Have you followed the link in post #1 to look at the "Orphaned Books" thread for 2011? It's got a painting in it too, one with a Dutch connection. Sort of.

>83 cameling: The starkness of winter it is, though black and white is only one piece and that time hasn't come yet.

>84 rainpebble: BELVA!!! Home at last, you scalawag, and doubtless trailing cigar smoke and whiskey fumes! *smooch* Here for the duration?

ETA: on second thought, I guess the word fits after all and therefore retract my apology.

Just dropping by to wish you a very happy New Year and all the best for 2011

sally...

That name always make me smile.. I always think of a little girl in one of those
shirtwaist dresses we used to wear way back when.. sallying forth cheerfully into the day. It's a name that makes me smile . This silly image persists despite the three Sallys I know in RL who do nothing at all to perpetuate the image.. lol

>86 Smiler69: I have sent you a profile message in reply to your message here. I understand you feel misunderstood, and you were misunderstood indeed. I am offended by your remarks precisely because I have not enough experience of you to guess when you're not seriously expounding a viewpoint, and you left no graphic indicator that you weren't serious (emoticons are useful tools in new environments); but no matter, the words are said, they can't be unsaid, and they color any desire I had to expand an Internet acquaintance into an online friendship. Oversensitive on my part? Whatever, it's not greatly important to me what you or any bystanders think, because no one else gets to feel my feelings for me.

>87 sally906:, 88 Thank you much, Miss Sally, for the kind wishes and I send them back at'cha!

Kath, I strongly suspect that the name suits the wearer in spirit...what IS a "shirtwaist dress" anyway?

Here ya go.. the very children who are rsponsible for the image in my mind.. Dick, Jane and Sally themselves. Shirtwaist dresses included.

But isn't Sally wearing a Peter Pan? Or is that the collar? Wow, are those some Aryan lookin' kids. Boys from Brazil, anyone?

I'm standing firm with Stasia, of course, but you know, it's only one more day!

Our snow is going to melt today...... boo hoo. But it will be back by Monday according to the forecast.

I will be moving over here tomorrow and I am bustling around preparing sorting and packing.

Morning Richard, Happy New years eve day! Happy reading in '11

yep... that is the collar..

To those of you holding fast.. and staying in 2010 have my utmost respect.
I gave up!

I am a duel yearatarian, Kath.

wow... I do enjoy new words :)

Happy New Year!
--BJ

Happy New Year !

Cindy

Happy New Year, Lynda, Lucy, Cindy, Billie Jean!

Thank Goodness there is an end to the confusion in sight. I thought this New Year would *never* get here. And what a New Year's present SOMEone could get...lottery jackpot is *gasp* $242mm! *drool* Buy me some books with that kinda spondulix....

Happy New Year, Richard.

Wishing you a year of good books, good health and good friends.

Happy New Year, Richard!

Looking forward to hearing what you do with your lottery winnings in 2011.

All three right back at'cha, calm!

>102 jnwelch: Oops, typed right over you, Joe...oh you'll know! There will be news stories about the Great Amazon Order, the Buns and Nubile Raid, and the Indie Bookstore Debauch.

> 85: Richard dear
No, I had not yet.
I am not a great fan of (Dutch) still life paintings, but have browsed the web to see more of this painter.

This painting with apples and orangeblossom is nice too.
Usually I am more in love with modern art, in classical music, paintings and sculptures I am mostly drawn to post 1900 works. Although there are of course exceptions ;-)

Happy New Year, Richard! I hope it's full of wonder and joy for you and your loved ones.

>104 FAMeulstee: I think his work is beautiful, despite its formal, uptight surface. Glad you are liking it!

>105 ty1997: Right back at'cha, Sir T! Recover well from your debauches of the evening.

Happy New Year, dear Richard, it's been a pleasure getting to know you a little this year! Here's to a happy, healthy, book-filled 2011 for us all!

*smooch*

Happy New Year Richard! May the bluebird of happiness smile down on you and allow me to keep up with the maniacal madness that regularly resides on this thread :)

Happy New Year to Laura and Bonnie! Maniacal madness "R" me, I fear, and I can only hope it stays that way. I'm almost done with auntie chores for the evening. Once she's safe in Dreamland, I'm going there too. Such a party manimal.

Happy New Year!

>88 mckait: LOL!!!

A very good friend of mine who is a tad eccentric, but I love him anyway, built his home sweet home in the rainforest above Cairns in north Queensland. He wanted to build a brick wall and a moat at the entrance with a tower each side of the driveway for a drawbridge to be attached too. Apparently (and he is a medieval history expert so who am I to argue) these towers are called Sallyforths as the troops would sally forth into battle in times of seige. It took my hubby and I a lot of persuasion to talk him out of it - but I am sure the idea is still there lurking!!!

OK! I am here! This time for real.

Happy, Happy 2011, Richard!
I wish all the best for you.

I'm blessed and grateful to have you as a new friend!

Happy New Year, RD! Thank you so much for inviting me to your birthday party in 2010! I appreciate so much the opportunity to have met you.

I have always been fond of eleven as a number....

:)

>110 drneutron: Happy New Year to you, too, Jim! Have a great reading year!

>111 sally906: LOLOL

I love Australia and its whimsicality! And I am very glad to note, BELATEDLY, that you don't seem to be among the affected Queenslanders re: flooding.

And who're *you* tryin' ta kid, there, missie? You don't love eccentrics *anyway*, you love 'em and revel in 'em because they *are* eccentric!

>112 -Cee-: Many, many hugs to my dear Claudzilla! I feel the same way, and you know what? It's not often I get to say, "oh that's from a cookbook my friend sent me"! The Hungarian Apple-Nut cake could actually get me a husband, so you know. I don't like walnuts, so I used pecans, and it's super-yummy.

>113 alcottacre: Blessings rain upon you this year, my dear Stasia. The best reading year ever!! That one should cover it all.

>114 mckait: Mmm-hmmm. Elevens are wonderful, so let's expect wonderful things!

Happy New Year!!

#115: The best reading year ever? I will take it!

>116 scaifea: Happy New Year, Amber!

>117 alcottacre: It is so ordered. Universe, your instructions are to afford Anastasia Matilda Shermandweller the best of all possible reading years in this one, locally known as "2011".

Then lower the boom in 2012...no good books at all.

Oh dear...did I say that out loud?

So I'm over here, darling. Happy New Year.

Lucy! Ah...the crew feels so much more complete. Let the fun begin!

How adorable! But I've seen your picture, you DO have two eyes.

Oh, that's not me - that's one of the progeny.

Hey, it's 2011! Happy New Year, Richard!

Reminds me of a sex dream I had with Lady Gaga.

At least I assumed it was her, I never saw her from the waist up...

...what? Why is everyone looking at me that way?

:P

I can't believe that I've been on LI all this time, so close and yet rushed off our feet so much we haven't had the time to pop over for a quick howdy doo ... and I'm planning on leaving tomorrow too! :-(

I'm also putting your name up for beatification Ricardo .. I don't know how you do it with Aunty, but I think you're a saint. I'm not doing a smidgeon as much over here and I'm exhausted everyday.

>123 London_StJ: Brooks, I'm bettin'.

>124 ronincats: Many happies for 2011, Roni!!

>125 Ape: ICK! That Gagoogee thing?!? Stephen! Bleeargh!

>126 cameling: Thanks, Caro, for beatification, but it's just what one does...I don't see how *you* travel so much and still manage not to arrive places in Unabomber mode! I'd be the terrorist these folks worry about, the one without a platform, just a loathing for airlines and traveling.

Well, next time, I hope! It would be lovely to see you!

Happy New Year Richard! Hope you are having a nice uneventful weekend!

Happy New Year!! (I think I wished it to you somewhere else too, but twice can't hurt!)

Don't worry Richard, if the picture isnt any indication it probably turned into quite the nightmare...

Hello! *yawns*

I think I'm going to start the new year in hibernation with a book...

Hi, Richard! Just stopping by to wish you a happy, healthy & book-filled New Year!

>115 richardderus: And who're *you* tryin' ta kid, there, missie? You don't love eccentrics *anyway*, you love 'em and revel in 'em because they *are* eccentric!

No not affected by floods - none of my friends are either.

Eccentrics are wonderful people who live life to the fullest and leave their friends gasping for air and wanting more ;)

Eccentrics are wonderful people who live life to the fullest and leave their friends gasping for air and wanting more ;)

I like that :)

#133/134: me too, well said Sally.

Happy New Year to you Richard, many happy reads coming your way I hope.

OK good grief, I'm dropping by, but no way am I even going to try to keep up with the art critics, night time sleep remedies, and other exotic and fascinating topics. Now that I'm caught up with this one, I'm going to try to stop by 10 new 75ers each day for the next month or so. Cause................I have to read........................imagine that??

Happy New Year Richard!

I skipped all the posts to tell you how much I LOVE the Emily Carr you included at the top of your thread! Just lovely!

Sometimes I get distracted and forget to say what I want. Now back to reading all (well, most all, truth be told) 136 posts... :)

>128 msf59: ROFL Hi there, stranger, my name is Richard and I don't do uneventful...the universe won't let me!

>129 Berly: Berly-boo! As if it matters what you say, it's enough just to see you!

>130 Ape: Cryptic....

>131 Chatterbox: An excellent plan, one to be followed at all costs. I see from your own thread that there's some takeout in your immediate future...enjoy!

Hello There Friend!

There are already 138 posts on your new thread. What a well-deserved popular person.

I look forward to the laugh out loud moments I know your posts create.

Happy, Happy New Year of great reading, good health, good food and all that brings happiness to you.

>132 Storeetllr: Why tank'ee kindly, little lady! Have a good reading year, yourownself!

>133 sally906: Eccentrics are wonderful people who live life to the fullest and leave their friends gasping for air and wanting more ;) I think I should needlepoint that on a sampler one day soon.

>134 mckait: Or maybe Kath can needlepoint it on the sampler!

>135 avatiakh: One, and really almost the only one, thing I like about the New Year is the certainty that over 60,000 books will be published in the US alone, and a good 5% of them will be things I want to read. Now if I could figure out how to live to be 247 and make them *stop* publishing books I want to read....

Perhaps Heaven will be filled with all the books and all the time to read them.

>136 tututhefirst: Keeping up is barely possible for Thine Host here...dip in, visit, spread the pleasure that is your company around, as and when you will. Always a welcome and a chair for you.

>137 Copperskye: Good gracious Joanne! Skip around, the gist will do ya fine. I love Carr's work. I really respond to the ghostliness of that particular work, but I think her work in general is very imbued with Spirit.

>139 Whisper1: Linda my love! So glad you're here! I wish all those things for you, too, and times three with no backs.

ETA>141 Whisper1: That's my idea of the place.

Now that's my idea of Heaven! A huge library with millions of shelves filled with books and a comfy plush chair (made of fluffy white clouds?) with a footrest where I can curl up and read to my heart's delight!

>141 Whisper1:, 142, 143, mine, too. The only thing our reading heaven would need is the excellent company of our dear LT friends.

Richard, is it really necessary to have 144 posts on your second (!) thread of 2011 when the year is less then 28 hours old. How am I possibly going to keep up at this rate?

#141: I tell everyone Heaven is going to have at least the contents of the BlackHole in it. If not, I will think I am in the other place. . .

*smooch* I will join in for that coffee..

eta
140
>134 mckait: Or maybe Kath can needlepoint it on the sampler!

ROFL

Well, if *that's* what heaven is, I'd better start behaving myself!

Hi Richard, Happy Sunday to you. I'm gallantly trying to keep up with your thread. So far so good.

Ack! The dreaded double post!! I am hampered here in COLD Texas without a mouse on my husband's laptop. Next time I'll bring my own. We don't share as well as we used to when we were young and dewy-eyed.

Thanks to Donna, for remind me that today is Sunday. With holiday's, winter breaks and retirement in general, I have not idea what day it is.
Greetings and hope the new year is going well with you, Richard.

Hey RD! Just flying by to wish you a good day! :)

Hey ever'body! How do from WARM Long Island! Raining and 45, just like spring.

Poor auntie's pressure sore drove her *nuts* last night, and even topical pain creme wasn't helping. I found a triple-strength healing salve, so that gone on, and it seems to soothe the pain.

How I wish that, back when she still could, as late as 2008!, she had stopped fighting us and started exercising so she wasn't chair, then bed, then chair, then bed bound. It was her poor decisions that have led us to this awful place, but I can't help feeling so sad and so sorry that ANYone, regardless of how many bad decisions they've made, has to suffer this nasty pain. I want to make it stop, but there isn't a way short of *forcing* her into a position that she screams and cries about (for absolutely no good reason, it's just fear) so the sore can have no weight on it and therefore heal. Meantime, she gets lots of pain pills and lots of soothing salves and my fervent prayers for ease and comfort.

This is the part of parenting that puts wrinkles and grey hairs and a shuffle in the parent's steps.

Many hugs and smooches your way, Richard. Hang in there. XO Horrible

*hugs to you, dear man* Whatever care you are able to give is good! I am sure she, even through her fear, knows you are showing love.

Poor auntie, and poor you. :(

>>153 richardderus:: I love you, Richard.

Now. The painting. Marvelous! Do you think there may be prints available?

And valerian is available in medium-horse-pill; you just hold your breath, quickly open the bottle, take and swallow with a flavor drink of choice---even milk---quickly close the bottle and breathe.

Warning: do not mix feverfew for a headache with valerian or a migraine might be in your future.

I was unaware that there was any concept of heaven that did not include a vast library and like-minded, wise-cracking friends. Hmmm...obviously I need more study.

ETA: Wait: that heaven seems to be right here on LT.

The Divine Miss and I, after consulting and looking at auntie's sore, decided to have her taken to the hospital to treat an incipient infection. Her sore is in the worst IMAGINABLE place for an incontinent person to have a sore, and so it's constantly irritated and constantly squashed. We need to be sure she's getting the infection under control before it becomes a huge problem.

Now that the pressure of responsibility is off me, I am so upset by the pain the poor thing is in, and so relieved that she's going to be cared for fully, that I spent the last half-hour crying tears of sad relief. Pressure sores scare me now, and if I needed any further goads to get me up off my fat spreadin' ass and MOVING, this is it!! Hup! Hup! Marching to Pretoria! Left right left right left right!

Please...anyone over 50 who thinks sitting is more comfortable than walking and bending and stretching...consider the plight of my lazy aunt, my lazy mother, and all the lazy people who *can't* move anymore! GET UP! NOW!

>157 Matke: Thank you, Gail, those are lovely words to hear and the feelings mean a lot to me. *smooch*

HOWEVER! I must report with *great* disgruntlement that "Langford" isn't among the squillions and squillions of Carr's works available in print form. The Art Gallery of Alberta, which owns the painting, doesn't have it listed on their website at all!

Maybe we should start a drive to get prints made...?

Richard, I completely endorse your message of Get Up and Move!

My late mother didn't, and paid a price in health and pain.

My father, thank goodness, knows better, and is still with us while relatively pain free.

Oh, what a huge relief! For you AND Auntie.

#158 Very wise decision, Richard. Thanks for reminding me I should first do the yoga before I do the LT every morning. Sending healing thoughts to Auntie.

Thinking of you Richard

Yeah, I'm another believer in keeping mobile and flexible. I started walking a treadmill and doing a little lifting at 43. Started biking regularly this past summer. Now the wife's getting interested in biking with me, so we get together time.

Anybody that wants a good bike ride with cheescake the end - the C&O Canal is the place to go! :)

Hope things get better with Auntie soon!

OK people....here's another plug for audio books....you can listen while you walk the treadmill, hike the path through the trees, ride the bikes, or even, (like that TUTU person) listen to them while you swim. Having only one kidney I've already had the _#$*)(% scared out of me to keep in shape. So we eat well, try to stay happy, and move every day.

{{{{{ Richard}}}}}}}

Happy New Year Richard! I'm not going to optimistically say that I'm keeping up with you but just trying to glean a snippet of conversation here and there. i don't get much out of audio books; I guess I'm a visual person.

I think audio books and "books" are very different experiences; unless/until I go blind, I'll probably stick to the latter, despite having tried some audio books out last year.

That said, I did get off my butt and go out for a walk. And yes, I'm joining a gym this year. Really. I'll just wait until the "resolutionists" have had their two-week long love affair with the place abate a little.

Hang in there Richard...

{{{Richardd}}} Guess I better join you in your regimen of moving & stretching before I end up bedridden in a dozen or so years too and causing my daughter or sister or whomever would be my caretaken such sadness and stress. But as Tina says, audiobooks do help to ease the pain of getting into shape. *checks iPod to make sure it's charged up & filled with desired audiobooks*

Tina, so glad you are doing so well and have been taking such good care of yourself. {{{Tina}}}

>158 richardderus: What a relief for you... and hopefully eventually for Auntie. Take advantage of the peace while it lasts.
{{{Hugs to everyone in your household.}}}

I'm still trying to wrap my brain around "lazy". What does that really mean?
Motivation deficit, lack of moral support, depression, lack of determination/beliefs/causes, low self-esteem, giving in to pain/discomfort...a mental thing, a physical thing, a spiritual thing???? All of the above? What?

Lazy is a word oozing with very strong connotations and judgemental tones.
Can (or should) a mere human take the rap for being "lazy"? I hate to see it...and feel it... it is obviously life not being lived to its full potential. But what causes it, prolongs it, and makes it so hard to fight? :P
You're pretty smart... Any insight?

I am going to go find my iPod and get it charged up. Will talk with the YMCA tomorrow...going to sign up for a class for the littlest toddler to go and do some stuff....baby gym. I'll be there to help her and it will get me to the Y more often. Yay!

Motivation deficit, lack of moral support, depression, lack of determination/beliefs/causes, low self-esteem, giving in to pain/discomfort...a mental thing, a physical thing, a spiritual thing???? All of the above?

All of the above, and no doubt more. But four letters, for all their implicit judgment, do the job far more efficiently than a definition ever could. Efficiency of communication is so often, it seems, also censorious. The tone is far less important to me in this instance than the message. I live with it daily, and its hideous consequences, so I apply the unfriendly, uncuddly name to it. I fear the results of not moving too much, for myself and for all those I care for, and indeed for a whole country of people inclined to use their bodies less than is healthy for them to do, not to rile and ruffle and admonish.

Lazy of me, huh, not to spend more time to be more positive? ;-P

ETA why can't I remember to close italics today?!

*waves*!

RD, I almost asked the question "Does any of it really matter?" But I was afraid it wouldn't come across quite right.
I mean of course does the definition or cause matter - cuz the end result is to be avoided as you so rightly observe. But I keep thinking you can't do something you can't do... or perhaps don't care about. Very hard to get some people to move without a push (or at all). If we could find the root problem, maybe we could change things????
Maybe there are many levels of laziness - physical and mental. Like why don't people use their brains more? Common sense? etc...

*kicking the soapbox aside - time for supper!*

Richard, along with everyone else I agree. You made the right decision about your Aunt. I try do something aerobic every day. You NY people got all of our snow so no XC skiing for us.

*waving*

hope things are better with Auntie

*Big giant man-smooch*

the problem with the word "lazy" is that it doesn't just imply judgment -- it conveys it, often forcibly, regardless of the tone. Even in an affectionate tone of voice, there's no way, in our society, of making that non-censorious. So it depends on the relationship between the person using the word and the one hearing it. I'd be very afraid to use it toward anyone who wasn't extremely close to me, because I know that I would hate people using it about me. But then, part of the reason is because I'm harder on myself than any four or five other people combined. And when someone is telling me I'm lazy (or something else), they're not telling me anything I haven't told myself.

Rant over.

oh, chatter, I could not agree with you more strongly. My mother, the martyr extraordinaire, was very quick to call me lazy all through my growing up. It took me decades to realize I was not lazy at all. I just did not want to do what all she thought I should do. When I did what I wanted to do I had lots and lots of energy and accomplished all sorts of challenges.

I think the issue of getting off our butts and exercising has a great deal to do with how we feel about ourselves. Most of us recognize a surplus of sitting around leads pretty surely to having less energy, and maybe even becoming depressed. Those of us who have learned that lesson usually know to get ourselves up and moving. For me the next challenge is to do more of it.

The best antidote for "laziness" or whatever the heck you want to call it is A DOG! Richard, I know you will back me up here as you've talked about your Stella wanting to go for a walk in all kinds of weather. The only way to have a peaceful day at our house is to take Lucky for a long walk first thing every morning. The only thing that stops us is ice and below-zero temps!

>177 Chatterbox:/178 I strongly agree with both your thinking - and this is what makes me wonder what "lazy" really means - and should we feel demoralized when accused of being such. Is it even a fair assessment of someone's character?

I should add, nothing I say here is a reflection on your valiant effort RD to wish a better life for yourself and those you love.
Activity and motion cures a lot of ills.

It's just that I have been pondering this "lazy" issue lately and you reminded me. That I am able to even bring this up here is a testament to how much I trust this group and value your thoughts.
Sorry, I'm having a weird day... :(P

ETA: Yay, dogs!!!!

Hi Richard. Just stopping by to say hello. I refuse to read your first thread because it was entirely written pre-2011. ;-) I would boycott the first half of this one, also, but you got talking about the Group of Seven...whom I enjoy a lot.

I think Varley is my favorite of them. I've been trying to get a good print of his scene of Georgian Bay for the cabin because it so evokes the Ontario lake district for me.

Thanks for introducing an artist to me. I am not familiar with Varley.

Richard. I'm sorry that 2011 started with stress for you and pain for auntie. You are a saint!

I hope that the hospital can provide some relief for your auntie's pressure sores. And yes, we can all use a little motivation to get moving.

See? others agree with me... St Richard.

#181 -- OOOOOOH. thanks for posting.
That DOES look just like the French River country doesn't it? The family friends we stayed with in Ottawa have planted French River pines outside, on the edge of the Ottawa River, and they look just as majestic after 35 years, albeit not quite as windblown.
I have my group of seven calendar on my wall. Just need a big book of gorgeous illustrations to turn to and cheer me up when I'm in the doldrums, now!
ETA: I passed on the big picture books as too pricey, but did order up Defiant Spirits: The Modernist Revolution of the Group of Seven by Ross King from Amazon.ca. Not sure the touchstones are cooperating; let's hope the delivery people do!

Lovely paintings, even if not my landscapes. Here's more what I grew up with...



"Harvest Eve" by Wendall Anschutz

This is the landscape I grew up with:



A landscape by William A. Slaughter, kinda in the style of the FAR more famous Porfirio Salinas.

Now the news from the front! Auntie's hotter'n'hot doc Javier uhhhmmmwell, I wasn't *exactly* listening when he introduced himself I was looking for a lap-pillow and praying it only *felt* like my whole body was in a lust-blush, but his news was okay...he'll do surgery on the sore to debride it, remove some "questionable" tissue around it; the infection is minor, the only reason it has to be surgically done is auntie's state of confusion is such he can't guarantee that she'd cooperate and that could make unpleasant into awful. Then a few days of professional wound care at the hospital. She should be home in 3 days or so, which is a nice vacation for me and a *wonderful* relief from pain for her.

And The Divine Miss, after he left, turned to me and fanned herself..."ooo babay that is some kinda beautiful!" Auntie did not weigh in.

You're all so sweet to come and say lovely things to me! And Stephen...you are a rotten little scamp, aren't you? :-* back!

And now to bed, late to rise...The Divine Miss is on dog-walking tomorrow morning!

Richard...great to hear about Auntie,and so glad you all will get a respite to be able to care for yourselves. Please do something extravagant, like a long ambling walk, a long nap, a dinner to linger over (either in prep or eating or both).

Now...dear....just for a minute. I saw you mention John Barth on a thread someplace and forgot to comment...probably would have been rude to hijack someone else's thread anyway. Can't remember which of his you were touting. He is an author I really got into many years ago --must have been mid 70's when I was in library school. He being a marylander and all, I really thought myself quite the highbrow reading everything he had to offer. I do remember loving The Tidewater Tales and actually have that on a list of books I want to re-read here in the next couple years. Have you read many of his? Which are your favorites? see....this really is a place to discuss BOOKS!!!

((Hugs) and smooches, RD. I love you.

Looks like you found a winner with Doc Javier, someone who knows how to handle a situation such as Auntie's. Wishing you much R&R while you have a little respite time.

Enjoy your rime off... I know you need the break..
sorry that AV is having additional problems :(
Hope you sleep long, dream well and have a chance to feel restored before it begins again.

xo

I'm afraid that I'm never very eloquent with these sorts of things, but I just want to add my quiet support for you and your aunt. It's such an incredibly generous thing to do, to care for someone like that - you're devoting a significant portion of your own life to hers. For whatever it's worth, I'm sending positive, healthy and caring thoughts to you and yours.

Good news, RD! Auntie is in the best hands for recovery now and looks like you caught it in good time. I don't know how you do it. Truly, I don't.
You're one in a million... wait, that number is not big enough any more... how about one in a trillion? ;-)

Glad to hear that Auntie is out of pain and you'll have a little well-deserved respite.

>188 tututhefirst: Hi Tina, well trust *you* to come along and mention a...a...what're those things again...oh yeah, a BOOK. Sheesh. Conservative.

I read The Floating Opera for the first time since I fell in love with Barth back in the 1970s. The Sot-Weed Factor was one of the first books my sister, my mother, and I all read and talked about as grown-up people talking about a book do...I was fourteen, so this was highly memorable to me...and after that I was off an runnin' Barth-wise. The Divine Miss's mother was another Barth fan, and she and I shared a long afternoon sipping scotch and grumbling into our beards about the desuetude into which Barth had fallen early in our friendship.

I found her old Avon mass-market paperback of the book, and was intrigued to notice that the publisher paid extra to have the unbound corners of the book trimmed in curves instead of right angles! I've never seen such a thing before. Now I want to know more about this...was it *just* this book that got this treatment, all of Avon's Barth line, was it a special series...?

>189 alcottacre: My thanks and my love right back at'cha! *smooch*

>190 Carmenere: You hit that nail on the head, Lynda! I need the R&R, despite the holiday break The Divine Miss gave me, simply to catch up on the mechanics of MY life. Much paperwork has fallen by the wayside, and the holidays being over, it's now worth the time to spend a few days doing all that I can.

>191 mckait: Oh my GOODness, sweetness, the *sleep* was the best part! She's not in the house, I don't need to check up on her every few hours, no meals to prepare...*yum*!

So what did I do last night? I made my yummy sausage, onions, and apples in curry, served with skin-on mashed potatoes...the ones with butter, half&half, and parmesan...and we ate ice cream for dessert, **all at the dinner table**!!!!

We don't *ever* get to be grown-ups alone in our own house, there are always people trooping in and out, and although I like having a busy house, it was delightful to sit in front of the Christmas tree with scotches, dog playing with her new toy, and not say a word...then have a dinner we both enjoy together, talk about nothing much, and then go watch "Green Acres" reruns for a while before bed.

Just like reg'lar folks. No one else around for once. A lovely evening spent with a friend.

>192 scaifea: Nothing wrong with the way you said that, Amber! It's the greatest gift I know of to feel that others *listen* to and care about my tribulations. Support is a welcome and wonderful feeling, and the 75erverse is busting with it. Thank you deeply for adding yours to my war-chest of happy feelings, which I need and draw on when things are less serene.

>193 -Cee-: Claudzilla, now really, don't we do the same thing? We care for those we love, even when it's a little rough, because it's what decent people do. Not that I don't batten like a tick on the praise of my many good friends here, I certainly do, but really, in this life is there a choice? I don't mean that as a snotty look-down, I mean...well, if a person *can* do this sort of thing, *shouldn't* they? And wouldn't they feel like a heel if they didn't do what they could do?

I think I might have lost my audience on this one....

>194 gennyt: Many thanks, Genny, and how much of a respite it truly is to know that auntie's not in such dreadful pain. It's heartbreaking to know someone suffers and to be un*able* to give them meaningful relief. Medicine being practiced the way it is, I couldn't use the hospital solution, the only real permanent one available, until there was an infection, a crisis in other words...and that seems more and more like a wrong and bad orientation to me.

>186 ronincats: Roni! That Anschutz!! So dramatic and so immense and so richly colorful!! Do you happen to know where it lives? Is there a print available?

>181 TadAD: Hey Tad! So glad you could make it to the party! *even if you're late*



Serenity Lake of the Woods by Frank Johnston. Oh my my.

Sorry I'm late to wish you a Happy (New) Year, Richard! The year might not be so new anymore but I hope it will be very happy for you.

I missed more than 100 postings here and just now read what happened to your auntie. I am glad she is feeling better again and you have some days for yourself.

>182 Whisper1: Oh no no no Linda! This is a *release* from stress! A worsening problem is making itself scarce! What better thing can one hope for? *smooch* for the kind thoughts.

>183 arubabookwoman: Indeed we can, Deborah...whatever it takes, I hope all my friends can find new, renewed, or strengthened motivation to move move move! Any way you can!

>184 cameling: Ha! Saint! *snort* Mildly decent person, more like. And on a bad day, not even close to that. But I *adore* you for thinking so flatteringly of me.

>185 Chatterbox: Isn't that Varley somethin' else?! I had a big coffee-table book of the group of seven until the Moving Disaster. I miss it. I used to look at snowscapes in Texas summers to cool my spirit, even though the body had to sit in 104-109-112F heat.

>200 Deern: Hi Nathalie! You're never behind in giving good cheer wishes. As to reading the thread, well, it's not an obligation. Drop in any time! Glad to see you!

The messages piled up while I was.... what was I doing? Recovering from houseguests, mainly, too limp even for LT. Anyway.

I agree with the 'keep moving' philosophy. Feet in good working order are the key.

I have to go work since Richard has given me all the tools I need. I have a timer on, and when it beeps no more LT. I think my messages will get a lot shorter.

Hey, Richard, go to
http://www.anschutzart.com/art/showart.php?id=1

to see the options for purchase in his gallery.

I'm so glad Auntie's sore is getting taken care of, and that you will be able to have a break at the same time--the best of both worlds. {{{{hugs}}}}

John Barth was big in the late 60's--Giles Goat Boy was one of the IN books in the college culture, and I enjoyed Chimera a lot. "The key to the treasure IS the treasure."

Help me Richard!!! I can't find Stasia's thread. I may begin withdrawals soon...Sunday is only 6 days away! Have you seen it wandering around anywhere?

>204 ronincats: Oh, my wallet! My wallet! But my eyes thank you.

>205 jasmyn9: Her current thread, which the stubborn, short, stubborn, opinionated little stubborn cyborg won't abandon until 1/9/11, is here. She will drop her breadcrumbs to the new thread there, but for some reason she's just hell-bent on stayin' put for six more days.

You know what will happen though, don't you, Richard .... when she starts her 2011 thread, she'll have an explosive list of books read that we'll all suffer ulcers from the anxiety of trying to add them quickly enough to our wish lists. I'm fortifying myself with vitamins for this coming week and trying to do 1 push up a day to build up my strength.

Muah Richard Dear- hope today is treating you well!

Checking in.. wearliy :PP

xo

Hey Richard- Much beauty on this thread! I love the pictures. Everyone has such good taste. Hope you are doing better today!

Oh the landscapes on this page are breathtaking Richard. I love just gazing at them.

*waves*

Ahh... the painting in message 199 makes me want to close my eyes and inhale deeply...

Richard, glad you are enjoying your alone time.This thread should be called Richard' s Art Museum. I am thoroughly enjoying all the pictures.

Happy New Year Richard. I love that you have chosen an Emily Carr for your thread. She captures the essence of the Pacific Northwest perfectly.

What a great place to visit - wonderful artwork.

Oh, my, I feel quite overwhelmed by the "party" here. So many people, such beautiful art, so much life, in the real! All here and I'm just reading along trying to get a picture of what I am reading. Fascinating. One might even be able to publish it.

Enough smarty pants out of me and for real: I am glad your Auntie is getting the care she needs, and you are getting the break which clearly you deserve. Thank you for starting the whole posting art movement. Great stuff. Beautiful pictures. I am getting a great deal of joy from your thread.

Now, what are you reading?

>207 cameling: Oh yes, I fear that's *precisely* what'll happen, and I can just feel the gloating and reveling in Cyborgia.

>208 leperdbunny: How do Miss Tamara!

>209 mckait: Wearily indeed! You're barely trudging through, poor lambkin.

>210 msf59: Thank you, Mark, I am a lot better. Auntie's well ensconced, and I so hope she's feeling no pain.

>211 brenzi: I so agree, Bonnie, it's a regular art gallery in here these days!

>212 curlysue: Hi Kara!

>213 dk_phoenix: I swear it increases the negative ionization in this room just by being on the screen!

>214 cindysprocket: Oh good, Cindy! Art and books...never a bad combo, that I know of anyway.

>215 DeltaQueen50: My thanks to you, kind lady!

>216 maggie1944: READING?!? Heavens to Murgatroyd, who has time to read? :-P

I re-read an old-timer, The Floating Opera by John Barth; it's wonderful. I think I've already reviewed it, though, ages of ages ago.

Trolling through your pictures instead of reading; it demands less of my addled brain. But what will we do when it's 250 posts and the lovely Group of 7 stuff disappears??

smooches.

I love John Barth's Giles Goat Boy!

Hey, RD!
Sleeping peacefully tonight? Hope so :)
Love the art... a lot!

Richard

I'm glad you are getting a respite.

Best wishes to you and dear Auntie, Richard. What a tough way to start the new year. I hope she continues to get good care, and that you can rest a bit.

#206:

Sleep well!!!

For a future art post, can I suggest (if you can find one) a photo by Bob Kolbrener? He studied with Ansel Adams, and I adore his black and white pics of the Pacific in Northern California. One of these decades, or when I win the lottery, I'm going to buy a print. I was lucky enough to cross paths with him briefly, and so I get greeting cards with his prints on the front a few times a year; I stick them up on the wall and pretend they are the real thing! There is something about looking at a landscape that is calming, isn't there?

Whoops, forgot to eat dinner... later, gator...

I am thinking that you are making good use of your time..
Hopefully for your own benefit? Good. Keep it up.
Glad you made your fave food and hope you had leftovers :)
xo

Happy new year Richard (apparently it is ok to say that till January 6... I read it in the free newspaper here this morning so it must be true) and I'm really glad you're getting a rest from caring for your auntie, and that she's being well looked after in hospital. And that sausage and apple thing sounded very nice!

Second thread for the New Year, SECOND?! How am I supposed to keep up?! How does everyone else manage?!*

Happy New Year Richard and what a beautiful picture at the top of your thread - I think I need to see it full size...

Right, I shall attempt to keep up from this poing forward...

*Yes. I like punctuation to excess. I make no excuses...

Good morning, Richard! Just wanted to point out that I have placed a different landscape at the top of my thread--the Flint Hills prairie about 30 miles from where I grew up--don't want you to miss that. I hope you are having a lovely, carefree day.

Hi Richard, your evening sounds delightful! Pretend you're a sponge and absorb as much as you possibly can.

Good Morning, Richard. :)

Hey Richard, I fell a bit behind on your thread today after participating in Ellie's readathon. Hope Auntie is doing well, or that you are at least enjoying the peace and quiet.

yoo hoo!

whatcha doin?

Heavens to Murgatroyd,

Oh my oh my oh my!

I have NO IDEA where this phrase comes from, but it's a big inside joke for my best friends and I. The very first time we went to our holiday burlesque show we sat in front of a woman who laughed and shouted, "Heavens to Murgatroyd!" every 45 seconds.

Here Luxx http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Snagglepuss

Ha! Thanks! I'll have to share that.

:) you should really try to find a clip of him saying it....there is nothing like it

Wow, go away for a few days and I have to spend half the night catching up with you! Sorry to hear about Auntie. My MIL went through something similar, it sounds like. Such fragile skin. Barrels and heaps of healthy thoughts being sent her way.

woah- second thread......240 messages!???!?

Back to your first message, I love that painting too. It is so expressive, I want to touch the paint (always have that trouble at art galleries- they tell you off there for doing stuff like that)

lol @ snagglepuss

I can see I'm not the only one who's not updated on you threads. Love the picture in nr. 1. Though I think you're in need for thread nr. 3 already.

Have someone put up a betting poll on how many threads you will end up with this year?:)

>220 Chatterbox: Oh, never fear, the thread will be here, and those gorgeous images will stay on it for some time. As for the Group of Seven, I could quite easily be returning to them. Fall isn't forever away....

>221 maggie1944: Kelly!! That is a wonderful read that I'll never re-read for fear it won't hold up to adult eyes. I read it in about 1972, when my then-20yr-old sister was on a Barth kick. Both of us carried on about it, though both of us had been reluctant to read it because of the subtitle: "or, The Revised New Syllabus", each fearing some didactic sleight-of-hand that'd change it into an academic study.

>222 -Cee-: Hey Claudzilla! Me too, on the art.

>223 Whisper1: Me too, Linda, only I feel guilty for feeling relieved. I'm not *happy* she's in the hospital, I say to myself as I dance naked from room to room, making eggs instead of farina for breakfast and eating dinner at 9p instead of 6p.

>224 AMQS: Thank you for the kind wishes, Anne. It might be hard to see, but I am *determined* to find the blessing in this.

>225 alcottacre: HA!

>226 Chatterbox: I've never heard of Kolbrener! *bustles off to Google him up*

>227 mckait: Last night I had fast food! Burger King! A gigantic obscenely fatty triple whopper!! Yeah, I fed most of the fries to the dog, and sure, I poured the bubbleacid down the drain, but I ate me a real Murrikin delicacy. And no tuts of womanly disapproval to make it an act of defiance, so I could just enjoy it.

>228 cushlareads: Hi Cushla! Of course it's okay to say "Happy New Year" until Epiphany! It was a sort of compromise for moving the New Year off the sacred calendar date of Lady Day where it logically belongs.

>229 flissp: Felicity my apple! Never feel you have to *keep up* with threads, oh my no. You dip in and out, ladling your unique contribution of invigoratingly acerbic humour and charm, as and when you see fit. We, your adoring fans, see a visit as a Visitation, and revel in its fact.

>230 ronincats: *trots off to Roni's thread to see the landscape and leave comment there*

>231 Carmenere: Hi Lynda! Looks like this will be the first of several fun days, as auntie will be in the hospital until her infection is cleared up. I don't know how long it will be, but until she's out of isolation due to her drug-resistant bacterium, I can't go in to see her even, as I have a fresh (less than 72 hours old) cut. Simultaneous relief and guilt....

>232 jadebird: Howdy do, Ren! Glad to see you out and about.

>233 Ape: Hi Stephen, both actually, and thanks for asking. I wasn't a readathoner, since like group reads, they bring out my adolescent resistance to doing what others are doing. Never was a big joiner.

>234 curlysue: Kara! Daaahhhling, how faaabulous that you came to my humble soiree!

>235 London_StJ: I know this got answered below, but here is the cat himself saying two of his taglines in a row: "Heavens to Murgatroyd" and "blahblahblah even"...forty-plus years later, I now realize where I got my sensibility...Snagglepuss and Rocky and Bullwinkle. My sense of humour defined.

>239 labfs39: Oh thank you, Lisa, healthy thoughts are most welcome. I can't imagine what people in auntie's OR my situation do without the support of caring friends. I posed that question to The Divine Miss, and she said, "They die."

Succinct.

>240 LovingLit: Mmm, yeah, the Art Police get very testy when their charges are molested.

>241 mckait: Me too!

>242 Apolline: Hi Bente! Yeah, today will see thread the third being set up. It amazes me, and makes me feel good, that so many people like to come here and chat.

Hi Richard! Thanks for stopping by my thread and wishing me the best book reading year ever. :)

I'm breathlessly trying to keep up - if I don't post as often as I'd like to, I want you to know that I always read your threads. Nice conversation and nice artwork, too!

Ahem

New thread time. :-p

It IS?!? No no no, how can that BE?

Oh well, off I go to make a new thread, then. But here is my review of The Invention of Clouds...a fascinating book, highly recommended.

Where do you find these gems, Richard? The Invention of Clouds looks like another shiny one. Great review.

>252 jnwelch: I think the kindest description I've ever heard for my reading style was "small-c catholic"...another way of saying magpie-like shiny-lovin' ooo-lookee-here childish enthusiasm.

New thread for 2011 over here.

shiny... good adjective, like.

I can't hear 'shiny' anymore without instantly thinking of FireFly. Sigh. Love that show.

I thought the very same thing, scaifea...

I'm due for a rewatch.

OMG OMG "Firefly" only the best 14 episodes of TV EVER EVER and I *detest* the Fux people for canceling it!! Philistines! Cretins! English pigdogs! (I watched "Monty Python and the Holy Grail" again the other night.)

yep... love that show too...AND Monty Python and the Holy Grail :)

no time .. I have no time

Firefly was the BEST thing that happened to TV in the entire 'Verse and someone needs a serious beat-down for cancelling it. Nathan Fillion still loves it when people call him 'Captain', and apparently he'd play Mal again in a heartbeat, if only the show could be revived someday... *sigh* Why Whedon continues to try and work with Fox is beyond me. Hasn't he learned his lesson yet??? *shakes fist*

Firefly was amazing. I have the entire season on NetFlix instant queue and watch it every few months. It's also one of the few shows to be followed by a movie that actually did the show at least partial justice. I loved how all the main actors were able to be in it to make it seem like just part of the show.

Husband and I are actually in the middle of watching the series again, for probably the 4th or 5th time. We adore it and never get tired of it. Then the movie, then we'll get back to it in another 3 or months or so.....

Firefly - loved it. Why do they do that - cancel the best shows after a few episodes.

Because too many people would rather watch Dancing With the Surviving Skaters That sing.

>263 mckait: LOLOL

Exactly, and well said!

Hi RD and fans! FL is sunny and high 60's - perfect for me if I can't have snow!

>263 mckait: I love ice skating - but that show is ridiculous! OK, I don't watch much TV at all anymore (mostly the weather and "Wheel", if i can catch it). But I could only take about 10 minutes of that show in passing. Blech!

Doing my best to squeeze in LT. Got the coffee thing licked! gulp, gulp, gulp....Ahhhh...

*smooch* to Claudzilla!

I know this is the old thread, but I'm just catching up, and couldn't resist adding my agreement re Firefly. I came across the film first, and then went back and discovered the TV series on DVD, and I've rewatched a couple of times - probably due another watch... Shiny indeed!