Bahzah/ Claudia's "Comfy Corner" Series - Book 2

The days are cold, but the hearts are warm here at LT!
Welcome friends to my second thread of 2011!


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2011 Books read:

#1 Daughter of Fortune by Isabel Allende (3.5 stars)
#2 Rebecca by Daphne Du Maurier (4 stars)
#3 Revolution by Jennifer Donnelly (5 stars)
#4 The Drama of the Gifted Child by Alice Miller (4.5 stars)
#5 A Lonely Death by Charles Todd (3.5 stars)
#6 Cloud Atlas by David Mitchell (5 stars)
#7 The Invention of Hugo Cabret by Brian Selznick (4 stars)
#8 Many Lives, Many Masters by Brian Weiss (4.5 stars)
#9 The Crown Conspiracy by Michael Sullivan (4 stars)
#10 Wesley the Owl by Stacey O'Brien (4stars)
#11 My Own Country by Abraham Verghese (4 stars)

Starting Thread 2 and still January? Pretty impressive! Have a good weekend!

Ahh, the perfect place to spend a cold evening..

Hi Claudia!

>3 msf59: This is awesome for me, Mark! Are you working tomorrow? Think I saw you were. Hope it goes quick for you so you can enjoy Sunday!
>4 Copperskye: Hi Joanne! That's what I thought too! Wish I had a real fireplace!

Claudia- Yeah, I'm working! I'm getting ready to meet a couple work friends for breakfast and then heading in. 17 today, with some light snow.

so Cozy!!!!!

Love the cosy, warm fire. :)

Looks so nice. The sweet-gum log in my fireplace is crackling merrily. *gruntled sigh*

Hi Claudia, I'm de-lurking this morning, trying to catch up on a week's worth of threads.

We too are battening down the hatches for that -15 heading in over the weekend. Our pond is frozen, and even the river has ice out over 100 yards. we almost ran out of oil the other day because our oil man claimed he couldn't get down our road. We finally convinced the woose that it was plowed, sanded, and very passable as long as he got here before the next storm----which he did thank goodness!

I too love those microwaveable warmies....I have gloves for my hands (can't type with them) booties for my feet, a big one for my back and two long thinner ones (my mom calls them 'snakes') to wrap around various parts of my arthritic bones. They're wonderful----as long as you have power to your microwave. if the power's out, a cat or two does just fine.

And finally......hope you are able to get to Cloud Atlas soon. I downloaded it from Maine's overdrive to put on my Nook, and I'm actually enjoying it. Not understanding all of it, but it's fascinating to watch how Mitchell uses words, and to wonder where on earth he's going next.
Stay warm, and safe.

At first I thought that was MY Fireplace!!!! Definitely need the wood fire today!!

Found and *STARRED* you

;-}

Glad you are all feeling warm and cozy...

Have a little refreshment...

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And then a little pampering....

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BTW... up to pg 187 in Cloud Atlas - had to take a break and read some psychology.

Thanks for delivering all that mail, Mark! You can have tomorrow off! :)

Ah, caught up with another thread. Sometimes it's so odd, reading one thread with one part of an event (like RD's pneumonia) and then going back and reading another thread with the other part. But it's nice to catch up, no matter what.

I am never leaving this tread

way too nice here..

starred :)

love the cat gif :)

My cats can do that, But not when I want them, too.
Typical cats. **snicker**

I know. Can't you just picture the kneading and purring going on here? lol

Love the kitty massage! I occasionally get one, but usually it's inadvertent; the cat is trying to massage me into a more comfortable resting place for him or her!!

Brrrrrrrrrrrrrrr it is a mite chilly here, there too I am thinking?

#4 The Drama of the Gifted Child by Alice Miller

Alice Miller wrote the original version of this book 30 years ago. This book is updated but the premise is the same. Adults with repressed or unconscious childhood memories are unable to find their “true” selves, feel they are loved only for what they accomplish or how they behave (not for themselves), and suffer lasting emotional impairment and depression.

To heal the emotional pain requires facing the original cause (parents’ needs and behaviors), recognizing childhood feelings and loneliness, and learning to deal with those repressed emotions.

Adults who feel depressed, lonely or out of sorts with their emotional health may find this an interesting theory and want to do a “look back” to their own childhood. And because the future is in our hands, this little book would be a good read for young expectant (or new) parents to ponder.

“For their development, children need the respect and protection of adults who take them seriously, love them, and honestly help them to become oriented in the world. When these vital needs are frustrated and children are, instead, abused for the sake of adults’ needs by being exploited, beaten, punished, taken advantage of, manipulated, neglected or deceived without the intervention of any witness, then their integrity will be lastingly impaired.”

Criminal violence may obviously be traced to childhood abuse – but there is much deep and unrecognized pain which stems from the insidious pressures of our own childhoods. Miller offers us much food for thought about ourselves, our children, and the entire future of the world. Recommended to those interested in child development, parenting and psychotherapy. 4.5 stars

Great review, Claudia. I remember someone recommending that book to me years ago but I never read it.

Off to give you a thumb after I look at that fireplace again. :)

Thanks, Pat. It's a short book, dense and thoughtful. I will probably re-read soon.

I guess it boils down to ..
we all need to feel loved, especially kids?

Really good review Cee :) thank you

>5 -Cee-:: I have a real fireplace, Claudia, but the door is so darkened by soot that we can't properly enjoy the look of the fire! I prefer the gas log fireplace upstairs for that reason - plus, there's not all the mess associated with bringing wood into the house.

>21 -Cee-:: What a thoughtful review of an intriguing book. I find it easier to get in touch with my inner child the older I get. You can take that statement in a humorous or serious way as it fits either perspective. ;-)

I am off to finish the book.. so I am wishing you good night early!
Duncan says to give auntie Cee a slurp .. lol

Thanks, Kath. Yes, we all need love. This book suggests that children often don't get that love and acceptance of their true selves... even in homes that appear to be happy. Very young babies sense their parents' needs and adjust their emotional responses accordingly. (Usually suppressing them.) Parents think they are "loving" their children and bringing them up right... and children believe they have had a happy childhood... but... Many times the damage is all unconscious - but the impact on the child is for a lifetime.

Anyway... Thanks for the sloppy dog kiss, Dunkers!

Donna, I still wish I had a real fireplace - for all the reasons you state, Ron is trying to convince me to go propane. Also, I would love to get in touch with my "inner child" - have to find her first.

Hi Claudia

Love the fireplace at the beginning of your thread.

Hugs to you.

It is so nice to come here and find a crackling fire so early on a cold morning.
Well my weekend is over, and it is back to it. Hope today is a good day.. and a happy one. !

Love the fire, Claudia!

...Claudzilla...? Are you in there?

Hi Linda! Thanks for the hugs. Come back anytime!

Hi Kath! Yeah, that weekend was much too quick!
Any cold day is a happy day!

Hi Stasia - mee too... wish it was real!

Hi RD, Glad to see you out and about. All Hail Antibiotics and Sleeping with Dogs!

here you are! How did I miss posting earlier?
I was hungry.. must not have been in my right mind.
Less so now after tangling with ..
you know..

nighty night, my friend..
sweet dreams..

Well.. that went fast!! lol
I am still sleepy.. and I am freezing! It is warmer than it has been for days..
but ?

Whine whine .. :P

Brain not working.. so just saying hello.... and wishing you a good day..and off to get more coffee.

Kath,
You need a vacation away... away from home and all that jazz.
A break in routine where someone waits on you.
A nice quiet spot in a tropical luxury resort...
did you get your lottery ticket?

Good morning Claudia! Love the kitty massage.

mmm, tropical resort - I'm visualizing my toes in the warm sand...ahhh...

Hi Claudia!! I finally finished Middlemarch. Now I'm down at the library getting caught up with everyone.

Congrats, Tammy!!!!!

WooHoo! You did it! Will check your thread to see if you liked it...

Greetings, Claudia...from slushy Ohio! I wish the ding-dang weather would make up its mind!!!

If Kath really needed a break she could come and stay with me....no tropical resort, but i would cook for her and I have scads of books....and DVDs....and girltalk...you could come, too....

;-}

Yeah.. I think you are right.. I don't have any memory of leaving the earlier message..

aww... jude.. between Cee and you.. I feel spoiled. It is the thought that counts after all...

>39 jdthloue: Sounds great to me, Jude! Thanks! Don't be surprised to see us at your door...
I would LOVE someone to cook for me. I'll even take turns!
I don't even mind the cold... too hot in this house. Mom needs it around 70 - bleh!
Pack your bags, Kath. I'll pick you up. PA comes before OH... you're on my way!

* leaves laptop to begin packing*

what fun!! :)

Oy Vey...i better vacuum the living room

and y'all will have to sleep upstairs....together...on an old old bed...*be warned*

;-P

i didn't mean to be snotty...but i really do have one Big Bed upstairs (actually two twins hooked together under a big-ass headboard)...and that's it....

fine with me :) muahahah

call me for directions!!!

I'm in! Don't Vacuum! Kath will want to do that... she has a lot of crazy energy!

Yeah, sure...

I'm WAITING..........

;-???????

Are we making you dizzy, Jude? ;-}
Just keep making soup! I'll bring bread...

A road trip sounds just the ticket.

Can't I just type jude into my GPS??

>49 mckait:

"jude' in your GPS..might get you to places you really don't want to go (my grammar sucks).....

Hinkiness abounds!

I like a good adventure now and then..

{{{{{SMOOCH & HUG}}}}}}}}}

Sorry...didn't mean to miss any of our adventure...
had to go make a cranberry meatloaf. An LT special!
I forgot who gave me that recipe????
If you are lurking, remind me again???
It's so yummy. :)

ETA: It was laytonwoman3rd, Linda! Thanks again!

Claudia, I'm lurking but didn't give you that recipe. However, I made it and loved it and I seem to remember it came from LaytonwomanIII (Linda). My husband doesn't do "sauce" so I get all the goodies on my portion.

I came over here to see if you are still reading Cloud Atlas. At least you haven't thrown it in the ocean -- yet!

Cranberry Meatloaf??

Is that meatloaf with dried cranberries???

If so..i have made that....with ground turkey...mine is like Thanksgiving-for-wimps...not that the meatloaf is wimpy

oy, i'm killing myself here.....what is your recipe, lady??

;-}

Donna - You are correct! Ding!Ding!Ding! You win!
Yes, still reading Cloud Atlas and starting to like it more and more. You were right about that too! Wow! You're on a roll today!

Jude - here's the recipe... mmmmm
You could do this with ground turkey. I also have baked sweet potatoes with it.

CRANBERRY MEATLOAF

2 Tblsp light brown sugar
1 cup whole cranberry sauce

1 1/2 pound ground meat (use your favorite mixture; I like 1 pound 80/20 beef; 1/4 each ground pork and veal)
1 medium onion chopped very fine
1 tsp salt
1/3 cup milk
1 1/2 cup soft bread crumbs
1/4 tsp dried parsley
1/4 tsp thyme
1/4 tsp oregano
2-3 Tblsp sour cream

Spread brown sugar in bottom of loaf pan. Spread cranberry sauce over this. Combine meat and remaining ingredients; mix well and form into loaf. Place in pan (meat should not touch the sides). Bake at 375 for 1 1/2 hours. Turn out of pan upside down. Do not plan on leftovers.

Hi Claudia, nice cozy thread you have here. I think that recipe came from laytonwoman3rd (Linda). I haven't tried it yet but you're reminding me to do so :)

Hi Bonnie! Believe it or not, I AM reading from time to time. lol

Laytonwoman... is the original recipe giver I think..
It sounds dreadful to me..
nothing personal to anyone..
but YUCK!

I went off to get vegies ready for stew to pop into the crock pot in the morning.
I will come home to a nice home cooked meal..
:)

Claudia- "CRANBERRY MEATLOAF" & Cloud Atlas! Two of my favorites. No, I have not tried the meatloaf (sounds interesting), but loved the book. Glad to see you might be coming around. :-}

Kath! Veggies??? Wow! We'll get you to love cranberry meatloaf someday too!

Mark.. oh yeah, I'm coming around! But I'm thinking this book really needs to be read twice... subsequently. No, I won't be doing this. But I should.

Thanks for the recipe, Claudia....would probably do good with ground turkey or ground chicken....my girlfriend Debbie will drool over this........

;-)

I didn't mean to shine you on Claudia....Debbie's son, Chris, cooks for a church in Clarington, OH, sometimes...and he is always looking for recipes to "feed the folk"...

HEY!! NEW YORK COMES BEFORE PENNSYLVANIA!! I WANNA COME TOO!!

Better pick rdear up on the way to me Cee..
jude.. is the bed big enough for three, or should I bring dunkers
big bed to put at the foot of it?

no worries rd, we wouldn't dream of leaving you behind..

Jude... you're welcome!
"didn't mean to shine you on Claudia"
What does that mean???

Richard - do you promise to love, cook and obey?
(nevermind the obey part - never dd like that one!)
I'll pick you up too! Think I'll bring my sleeping bag though!

Another day to "thrash around in the snow" ! (sibyx)
Have fun everyone! :)

Oh road trip!!!! exciting :)

Sleeping bag?!?!? chicken.. lol

I my toes are cold.. just went out with dunkers.. barefoot :P
Nothing new. Same old stuff.

Back in a bit...
:) need socks.

Here ya go...

#68: Wish I had a pair like that :)

Hi Stasia! Here ya go...

LOL @ Cee...

nice socks! Thanks!

mine are just plain old brown, and I like thoes much better!
you do make me smile, Cee :) and sometimes lol

I need to get up and get my book.
rd is not the olny one that is feeling creaky :)

So a new Tide is coming up soon.. :)
I love reading it. It is like taking a step back in time.

Hope dinner is good.. imagine having a husband cook!

Actually, I can't imagine having a husband that cooks.
What Ron does is very sweet (he offers)
but it's pretty bland and unimaginative.
cook: Spaghetti + heat: jar of sauce + cut: Ital bread = supper
I suppose I should be happy he put some effort into it and didn't just open a can of spaghetti-o's. *shudder*

He's a really great guy... just not a cook. That's ok. :)

yeah... ONE time Dan "cooked". He bought a bag of some pasta in a bag with vegies and chicken stuff.. and heated it. I ate it. Whatever. lol. There was just the once.. :P

ok.. nighty night..

#70: Thanks, Claudia! I will take them.

Now we have matching socks, stas!

Cee.. I hope you have a pair for yourself?

glitter-graphics.com

this is what i've been seeing for the past couple of days!!

;-}

Nice, Jude! Snuggle down... keep warm!
I whipped up another pair for you....

18 inches of snow last night! That was a surprise, they said maybe 8, and I end up with EIGHTEEN! Looked pretty, I must say. How the ambulance guys will get auntie in the house today beggars my imagination.

My hubby is an ambulance driver... believe me... they'll do it! :}

I shudder to think of how much these guys' backs must ache after a shift.

Thanks, Claudia! I used to knit socks...might have a pair o'woolies around here somewhere...never did star-patterned, though...snowflakes? yes

I expect they'll get auntie in the house...very slowly, Richard....18 inches of snow? I dig me a burrow for the rest of the season!

;-}

The weather has been full of surprises this season. The weather forecasters were saying to expect 1-3 inches where we live, and we got a foot instead. Second straight big storm that we didn't get a Winter Storm Warning -- only a winter weather advisory. It was so bad, some school busses got stuck getting kids home in the rural areas. Nobody expected it to be that bad.

I walked home from work -- no boots, not with expecting only 1-3 inches -- and was glad to put on warm, dry socks when I got home. Not as nice as those ones on your thread . . . :)

Socks for Terri!

My knitting needles are getting a workout! :)

Thanks, Claudia!

We've had the snowiest January *ever* here. After 18in yesterday, when we thought we'd get 4-6in! Yeccch!

do you do mittens or hats?

not that I need them during the day in Florida but it has been creeping down in the upper 30's and lower 40's at night....chilly

I haven't had a nice pair of mittens or a soft knitted hat in ages

Sorry, RD. Maybe I've been doing too much snow dancing???

Kara-
I know, you fragile tropical flowers get chilled easily!
Here ya go...

That was quick!

oh! and a puff ball thing on top of the hat! :)

and they are matching! and in my favorite color...green! Thanks Claudia!

Cee.. you are very good at making people feel good :)

Yes, Kath

Claudia..you do be good!!!

Can I get another pair of socks in red? lol

hmm looks like you are in for it now, Cee. You are in for it now... you will have orders piling up... when will you read?

Hi Stasia -
Good news and bad news.

I managed to get these done for you:

Then:

My knitting needles burst into flames!

#93: LOL, Claudia!

93- Lol, I think Claudia is retired from knitting...for now...

Cee.. you are a hoot!

ROFL

"Claudzilla's Zombie Knitter's Circle Outlet Store, may I be of assistance?"

Hi there! Nice review for The Drama of the Gifted Child. That's a book that has been recommended to me here and there over the years and I really must seek it out. I'm a little bit of a self-help book junkie, I'm ashamed to admit. Plus, I teach youth theatre, so anything in the child psychology realm is interesting to me.

I see in your profile that you live in coastal Maine. That's an area that I've long wanted to visit. How lucky you are!

Sandy K

>97 richardderus: I'd like a new set of knitting needles, please. Denise Pink - Interchangeable set. No rush to deliver - my hands are recovering from the flash burns of my last knitting project!

>98 sandykaypax: Hi Sandy! Welcome! Thanks for the good words... this book made some valid points to think about.
One thing about LT... you don't have to be "ashamed" to read anything. All reading is good!
I do consider myself very lucky living on the coast of Maine! I love it here. Where do you live?

I would say .. that is the good thing about the 75ers. There are groups that look down on certain reads.. I have been to one or two. There are also groups less friendly in general. Just so you are a little bit warned. MOST groups/people here are nice..

since you are posting in the 75ers group..
you are good and safe :)

here you are! Are you reading with your hands wrapped in cotton from the speed knitting?

Right, Kath! Makes it difficult to turn the pages! lol

I finally finished my ER book! A Lonely Death by Charles Todd. It was typically good for the Ian Rutledge series - will review later today. I think I will give it 3.5 or 4 stars. It kinda belongs somewhere in-between.

Just enough new snow this AM to make everything pristine again. :)
God! I love this winter... makes up for last year when it was so dang warm.

Morning Claudia- I have never read Charles Todd. He seems to have a lot of fans here. I finally posted my review of Cloud Atlas. This might have been my favorite Group Read, due to a great book and incredible participation.

Good morning Claudial! I also recieved A Lonely Death as an ER book but I've been bad and haven't started it. Maybe after the one I just started. I won't read your review until I finish the book but it sounds like it's typical of the series. Have you read them all? I've only read the first few.

Yay for snow - it must be so pretty there in the winter with snow on the ground (as opposed to the pretty it is any other time of year).

We might get snow on Monday night - enough to shovel maybe! (My husband was walking around in shorts yesterday, it was 67F, my legs are way to pale for shorts in Jan.)

I will have to read those Ian Rutledge books one day.
I am thinking that I will be able to download them from the library...

>105 mckait: - I had been hoping the same thing, Kath, but my library only has the two most recent. It really is hard to borrow the early books in a series whether they are physical books or not. I hope you find them at your library!

hmmm We shall see. If all else fails, I guess I will
*whispers* start in the middle

shhhhhhh

Wow! The Georgetown library has Todd's early books! But... sorry... it's closed for the winter. :(

I think you would be fine not starting from the beginning of the Ian Rutledge mysteries as you get enough info from each book to make sense of it. There are, however, relationships that are being worked through from one book to another. On the idea of the 3 Pines mysteries.

#5 A Lonely Death, An Inspector Ian Rutledge Mystery by Charles Todd

Reading Charles Todd’s new Ian Rutledge mystery is like walking with trepidation down a winding and shadowy country road – and not so lonely! There are enough curves, twists, dark passages, and stumbles to make this story interesting and sometimes suspenseful. A serial killer is on the loose in a small town in England (early 1900s) and the first order of business is to find the connection among the victims. Misdirection and time constraints put pressure on Rutledge to find the killer before more good young men die. Of course, his own career and mortal life are in danger too!

Having read several of the earlier Rutledge mysteries, I find this one is not disappointing. A typical good read from Todd. More than merely who-dunnit stories, this series encompasses historical WW I experiences and the post war psychological battles of traumatized soldiers. Suffering guilt feelings of failed leadership and shell shock from his service in the war our hero, Rutledge, is working through personal emotions that bring him to the brink of ending it all. A strong character sensitive to others, Rutledge continues to struggle with romantic love, inner courage, clear thinking, and relationships with co-workers.

There are several storylines here – some continuing from previous books in the series. The voice in Rutledge’s head of a dead soldier, Hamish, cannot be ignored and at times creates an edgy state of mind. The strong control Rutledge uses to repress his own powerful emotions is also his defense against Hamish’s mental interference. The relationship between the two seems to have evolved from being antagonistic and hurtful to a more cooperative partnership over the course of the series. A sign, I believe, of slow but steady healing.

Rutledge’s desire to pursue a romance is leading him down a rocky path he may have to abandon. He also has a few close friends with grave issues. A natural inclination to respond to their needs diverts his attention and simultaneously helps him to pull all the pieces of his mysterious killer and the past together. A very tidy and complete ending.

Recommended. 3.5 stars

Tried to edit touchstone but had no luck... deleted above message to try again. Had to type in more info this time, I guess :P Think I got it now!

have a great weekend!

The magic meter of LT thinks I will LOVE that book.. but has low confidence. Apparently it is aware of my fickle nature when it comes to reading.

FAB! review , as always..

Hi Kara! Thanks. Hope your weekend is special! :)

Hi Kath - thanks for the never flagging encouragement! I do think you might like this one. All the "LOVES" have "low confidence" in my experience. I think this magic meter is the brainchild of a New England weatherman. Can't figure which way the wind is blowing and can't commit to a prediction! :P

I snagged I Shall Not Hate by Izzeldin Abuelaish from LT ER! I think this will be interesting - looking forward to it!

Hi Claudia

It is a cold, snowy, damp day and night. It is good to be home, hot chocolate in hand and LT friends only a click away.

Thumbs up from me for your excellent review of your most recent read.

Thanks, Linda!
Dare I ask if your life is back to any kind of normal now? Hope so. :)

Hey ho, Claudia ... finally getting some of my rhythm back and today marks the first day I'm actually able to spend more than 10 mins on LT.

Just waving as I check threads!

Good morning to you!

Your LTER looks good and also very serious.

There are salt trucks on my hill again today.. sigh
I am beginning to think that all of your snow energy might have
sprung out of control! There is another storm predicted! ye goddess!

Nothing much new.. so more later :)

Posting, because I can. Nothing much to say.. boring day. Went out to buy more ice melter stuff and coke.
read
tried to load LT
I was freaked out to have it gone so long..
:(

sweet dreams my friend..

#6 Cloud Atlas by David Mitchell

One of the most extraordinary and creative books I have ever read! I had much difficulty getting through the first third of this book but was richly rewarded for my perseverance – much thanks to the strength of encouragement from my LT friends. As soon as I started “getting it” I knew I needed to go back and re-read what I knew I must have missed. That will have to wait for another day. But that day will come!

This is an all time favorite of mine now. Many writing styles, characters, and genres are meticulously structured to produce an opus of extravagant scope. Jam packed philosophical ponderings on human nature, power, knowledge and slavery are woven throughout this masterpiece. The related stories sweep the reader through centuries of the rebirth of souls in their many forms and the eternal struggle of good and evil.

What are your beliefs? Mitchell’s last pitch is found on the last two pages.

“…history admits no rules; only outcomes.
What precipitates outcomes? Vicious acts & virtuous acts.
What precipitates acts? Belief.
Belief is both prize and battlefield, within the mind and in the mind’s mirror, the world…"

"A life spent shaping a world I want… (my son) to inherit, not one I fear... (he) shall inherit, this strikes me as a life worth the living.”

bold emphasis is author's

Highly recommended. 5 stars

ETA: touchstones working now!

I already own Cloud Atlas or your review would have caused me to WL it immediately. I'm really sorry I couldn't fit it in this month and join you guys on the GR. Glad to know it paid off for you in the end.

Claudia- Wow, loved the review! I knew you were starting to come around to it but I was not expecting a 5 star on the other end! Impressive. It was great to have you along for the ride. Once again, this may have been my favorite G.R. to date.

Thanks, Pat! Wish you had been with us... but, I know. Can't be everywhere all the time!

Mark... I was NOT expecting a 5 star rating on this one either. But hey! It blew me away once I got what he was talking about and the way he was doing it! I don't use 5 stars very often - and I got hit with 2 of them this month! Both attributable to you - thanks! Now leave me alone. I have other things to read! LOL

Woo Hoo! You not only finished it, you loved it. I did a complete turnaround on Cloud Atlas, too. I think the group read was a huge help in making sense of it. I'm ready to read some lighter things for awhile now. How 'bout you?

Wow Claudia, nice review. I tried to read Cloud Atlas a few years ago but didn't get very far. I should probably try again sometime.

Great review of Cloud Atlas, Claudia!

Loved your review of Cloud Atlas Claudia. If I didn't already have it on my obese wish list, your review would definitely have pushed me to do so.

Are you hunkered down for another snowy blast? I heard that there's going to be another huge blizzard this week

Thumbed your review.. it was wonderful.
I am very glad that you enjoyed it...
Hope you have a happy day.. and a calm one..

Well! Thanks for the accolades!

Donna , Hard to believe this turned out so well - never did such a "complete turnaround" on a book before. I'm picking up The Invention of Hugo Cabret next which should be visually pleasing and breezy reading!

Joanne, I hope you do read it someday - and I hope you like it. It's very different.

Thanks, Stasia, Caro, and Kath!

I don't know what I'll accomplish today - but I do know we are going out to dinner! So that makes my day! :)

Nice review on CA!...but I will pass on that one....for now :)

out to dinner? that sounds good! no cleaning after eating :) always a winner in my book!

Thanks, Kara!

#7 The Invention of Hugo Cabret by Brian Selznick

Hugo Cabret is mature beyond his 12 years in behavior and skill, but is missing the love and guidance of a family. His loneliness and fears keep him from developing his talent and socially interacting with others. The changes come slowly and painfully here because fighting the world is a tough thing to do.

Selznick has written a touching story of a young orphan's survival in Paris. His amazing artistic interpretations are a delight. An easy read - a beautiful experience.

As I get older, my memories of childhood thinking and feeling are fading. I refresh my memory by reading YA books. "Hugo Cabret" serves to remind me again... "A person's a person, no matter how small!" and that it is important to read and remember our childhood perspective.

Recommended for children and adults. 4 stars

That sounds like a fun read :)

Thanks for the cheerful thoughts in my thread..

There is a new one, to appease rdear.. you KNOW how he is..

Glad you liked Hugo Cabret, Claudia. Off to thumb your review.

Thanks, ladies! Now I must see how much of my book club read I can get done before tomorrow morning! Waited a little too long - but Mom had my book - so, not much choice there. Wasn't gonna rip it out of her hands.
My Own Country - so far it's interesting to me.

Will have to move Hugo up on my tbr. Thanks for the nudge.

Claudia- I'm glad you enjoyed Hugo Cabret. It's a wonderful book. I actually 5 starred it! I thought it was that good. Cannot wait for the film version.

#132: I loved Hugo Cabret, Claudia, so I am glad to see it has found another fan.

#135: My Own Country was the first of Verghese's books that I read. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did, Claudia!

Hi Cee! Hope you got a good amount of your book read for today :)

Hi Cindy! Hope you like it... can't imagine anyone wouldn't!

Hey Mark - Didn't know it was gonna be a film. Makes sense. Will it be animated?

Stasia, I have to say My Own Country is not what I expected - but interesting as it gives an insider's account of the beginning of the AIDS epidemic in this country in a very personal way.

Hi Kath! I got about half-way thru the book :( Wish I could have done better but I am a slow reader. I thought this book would go faster. I don't like to miss a thing! Can't let this happen again. Need to get to the books before Mom in the future. Or buy two of them! Just what I need! :P

To find some peace and quiet last night I was self-banished to my bedroom with no bright light for reading, uncomfortable chair, and only about 50 degrees. I should have climbed right in bed for the reading light and warmth of my comforter but was too disgruntled at being driven away by 2 tvs, yakking people and dog wanting to go in and out. Today I will find time to re-arrange the some quiet space in this house for comfy reading. I need a little hide-away spot.

Little Hide-Away Spot


glitter-graphics.com

Hi Claudia!! Thumbed your review of Cloud Atlas. I saw it on the shelf at Goodwill the other day and wondered why I wasn't reading it with everyone. Now I will have to read it.

>141 curlysue: Awwww... perfect, Kara! I love it, I love it!
And I love the "hug" gif on Kath's thread, too. You find good ones!

>142 tjblue: Good luck, Tammy. It's a great book, and you have to dedicate your reading to just that one. I was spreading myself too thin and I think that contributed to my difficulty at the beginning. There are things right from the start you will want/need to remember.

Greetings from Soggy Ohio!

Great review of Cloud Atlas!! I seem to have lost my copy..but found another on online....

Hide-away spot??? is my entire house....where I hide from the big bad noisy world.....fix yourself a good one, in-house. Every gal needs her own space!

It's wet, icy and miserable here. I made Scalloped Potatoes & Parsnips with Gorgonzola Cream Sauce....to die for!!! Will probably steam some broccoli for supper and have a green salad!

;-}

YUM!!!!! That does it! I'm moving in! :)

Well, my door is always open to you, Claudia....if you can get up this icy hill!!

You sure got a lotta stuff in that suitcase!! LOL!

;-0

You've done some great reviews lately, Claudia!

I especially enjoyed (and thumbed) the review of A Lonely Death. I read A Test of Wills last summer; I'm glad to see that series continues in good form so far into the series. I'm also pleased to note that our little library has the first 5 or 6 of the Rutledge series; some are missing in the middle of the series, but the county library seems to have them. I'll plan to continue to read them!

ETA to add I also am getting I Shall Not Hate as an ER book. I look forward to reading it!

Hope all of your family got through the ice with no problems :)
Is your book club tonight?
Is it friday yet? :P

Thanks, Jude!

Thanks, Terri! I missed some of the books in the middle of the Rutledge series - but that did not spoil A Lonely Death.

Kath, Haven't heard from daughters - I'm hoping no news is good news. I try not to "chase the school bus"... so to speak. Tomorrow looks like another slippery day for CT.

My book club was this morning. I had gotten about half way thru the book and it was enough to participate intelligently. One good thing about this group - we're all in a different place but it always works! We all agreed - My Own Country - good book! Will finish reading it now.

And, sadly, no. It's not Friday yet. Sorry. :(

#145: What? No books in the suitcase?!

>148 mckait: Is it Friday yet?

Uh....no not yet. Hold your horses Kath;-)

Stopping by to say hello!

151~ drat!

Good morning! Nothing to add here.. my evening was uneventful and brief..
i went to bed early. Hope everyone here has a good day!

>150 alcottacre: Really, Stasia! Do you think I could fit books in there? Truck is following with the good stuff! :)

>151 brenzi: I get your message, Bonnie. Time is already going much too fast!

>152 leperdbunny: Hi Tam! Good to "see" you! ;-)

>153 mckait: Started a new book Many Lives, Many Masters WOW!

What's with touchstones lately? Frustrating. Oh how quickly I've gotten spoiled by all the cool features on LT.

Good book.
I have read it several times.

Where ya been today?

#8 Many Lives, Many Masters by Brian Weiss

Dr Weiss (psychiatrist) records in detail his experiences with a young woman who seeks his expertise in overcoming severe fears and anxieties in her life. True story. After 18 months of unsucessful treatment, Weiss decides to try hypnosis to search her early childhood for traumas that may be causing her distress. Much to his surprise she goes back even further - to previous lives. Being well trained at Columbia and Yale in the scientific method of observation and discovery, he has a difficult time with this very personal experience. He finally gets to a point he can no longer NOT believe. Bottom line: the patient and doctor find the problems and cure the fears. But the experience is so much more than that for both of them.

Whether you believe in reincarnation or not, this book is fascinating. And frankly, I don't find it offensive in any way. The views in this book are consistent with many faiths around the world. The excesses, rites, and man-made structures of all religions are stripped away to expose the "secrets" of life and death.

This is a book to lessen anxiety and the fear of death. It aims to promote spiritualism and instill hope. It briefly outlines a path for evolving spirits and living in harmony... starting with do not kill and emphasizing balance. If you dare, read it and see what you think. Because you will think something!

Recommended. 4.5 stars

Nice review! Claudia :)

going to check this one out :) the whole previous lives thing has me intrigued

Glad you liked it!

Hi Kath, Here's where I've been ^(see above) ... reading a cool book. My own personal read-a-thon, you could say.
Now I gotta make supper...

#156: Ooh, that one's definitely going onto the wishlist - sounds amazing!

Hi Claudia- "Many Lives" sounds interesting! But no tigers? Hope you had a nice day!

Thanks, Kara. This one was really quite interesting.

Hi Amber! Happy to see you here. Hope you get to read this one. I think you will like it.

Hi Mark! Ya know, I just don't remember any tigers in this one. But if I run across any in my reading, you'll be the first to know! So glad you had today off.

Nope.. no tigers that I remember either.. :)

So how much new snow in your neck of the woods in the last 24/48 ?
I know that you love it.. but still..

Nothing new since last night.. just popping in to say good morning!

Oh, we got about a foot and a half if you add it all up. Expecting another 6-8 on Saturday and another storm on Tuesday (I think). Haven't had such a gorgeous winter in a few years now. This is great. But I won't talk about it if everyone is getting sick of it. At least it is not Hot and Humid! No mosquitoes!

Started Wesley the Owl last night. I'll like this one. Felt the need to read an animal book.

What's with touchstones? I think they blew them out of the water when they did their maintenance last weekend. :P

#99 Thanks for the kind reply, Claudia! I live in a suburb of Cleveland, Ohio. I'm feeling pretty lucky that we although we got hit by the blizzard/ice storm, it wasn't anything like what hit Chicago.

#100 Kath, thanks for the tip about the friendliness of the various LT groups. This group is sooo social and friendly; I'm enjoying navigating my way through the tons and tons of posts.

#156 Many Lives, Many Masters---I've never known ANYONE else who has read this book! I absolutely loved it. I read it about 10-12 years ago when I was going through a stressful time emotionally and it gave me great comfort. Brian Weiss has a second book called Messages from the Masters that you may enjoy as well. I completely scoffed at the concept of reincarnation until I read Weiss's book. Now I admit that I'm a believer. I don't like to talk about that kind of stuff much because I'm never sure who I will offend or who will think that I'm cuckoo!

Sandy K

>166 sandykaypax: Hi Sandy!

Kath read this book too - she rec'd it to me.

Thanks for the mention of Weiss's second book. I will definitely have to read that one too! I thought it was VERY interesting that the Bible had references to reincarnation until the Vatican deleted them around 500-600 AD. They did a lot of sneaky things back then. Some people make jokes about being reincarnated as other life forms, etc. So do I occasionally, e.g., I'd love to be a bird. But Weiss's book is no joke and makes so much sense.

Unless you call the guy a liar - and there was certainly no reason for him to go that route and risk his reputation - how can you dismiss his experience? I guess I'm coming to a time in my life that I am more interested in finding truth than in what others think of me. I've always left room in my thinking to believe in the reincarnation of human souls. I just needed someone to spell it out for me. And how can anyone dispute the wisdom of harmony and balance in life? Learning lessons of patience, being non-judgemental, sacrifice, kindness, etc... OK. I'm done for now. :)

A little quick quiz from Bonnie's thread (brenzi).
Other than wanting to meet Jackie O - it's not too far off.
Just got this book to read, too.

You're The Mists of Avalon!

by Marion Zimmer Bradley

You're obsessed with Camelot in all its forms, from Arthurian legend
to the Kennedy administration. Your favorite movie from childhood was "The Sword in
the Stone". But more than tales of wizardry and Cuban missiles, you've focused on
women. You know that they truly hold all the power. You always wished you could meet
Jackie Kennedy.


Take the Book Quiz
at the Blue Pyramid.

They are weirdly accurate....... I do wander around aimlessly A LOT!!!!!

I got the same one Claudia :)

you seen kath yet? she usually posts by now :/

And I'm very sure women truly hold all the power!

Oh we posted at the same time :P

Not yet, Kara. Hoping she went out to dinner. I have to keep telling myself she's a big girl and not to worry about her. On the surface, anyway.

I recently finished The Mists of Avalon - it's a great book, just kind of long! I just finished my review in my book journal and hope to post it on my thread soon.

Women hold all the power that matters..

I agree.. Messages from the Masters also well worth reading..

Goddess! I loved Mists of Avalon .. read it a zillion times.

Gotta keep track of you Sandy.. :)

Sorry to worry you. Long day .. long evening.

Hi Jess!!! Looking forward to your review.

Hey, Kath - got MFTM on my WL! Next time I order on Ammy - will check it out.

I'm hoping everyone gets a nice long night of peaceful rest. Lots of tired LTers tonight. :(

So glad to see touchstones are working!

Adding the Weiss book to the BlackHole.

I hope you enjoy Wesley the Owl, Claudia. I loved that one.

drive-by *smooch* Claudzilla! Too tired still to do much else.

Just curious, Stasia... how do you determine what to read next? Your "BlackHole" is probably about the size of a city library. Are there levels to your BlackHole?

I can't keep up with my WL. I used to try to keep it under 50 - but it's getting away from me. Oh well, better this problem than wondering where my next meal is coming from.

Hi RD! I've been lurking on your thread to keep up with your news...but not posting much. It's like a tsunami of concern and well wishes - count me as part of that even though silent. I just don't know what to say. You are being passed through a fire for sure! Rest when you can... :}

#179: Since I am a very moody reader, it just depends on the mood I am in. I also have a ton of library books out at any given time, so I have to watch due dates perpetually.

Gave this one to Kath and thought you'd enjoy it as well!


glitter-graphics.com

;-}

I loved the Wesley book.. and I sent it to my Amy.

I try to keep my wl down to two pages on Ammy..
sometimes it works.. other times.. not so much.

...

Thanks, Jude, Not a bad day.

Kath - love reading about animals. Owls are very funny and amazingly intelligent. One Man's Owl was very similar but the author released the owl back to the wild after a couple of years - so had to teach it to hunt, etc. I love ALL of Bernd Heinrich's books. He is a great biologist all around.

It is stilll snowing here, Claudia. If this keeps up, Texas is soon going to look like Maine :)

Awesome! :)

Harking back to message #167 and Many Lives, Many Masters--I agree, Claudia, Weiss is completely believable and sincere. Sometimes I wonder if certain areas of the country that I am drawn to and certain times in history as well are a clue to past lives that I have lived. About 11 years ago I was working at a summer camp in upstate New York in the Adirondacks and on one of my days off I drove to Burlington, Vermont (which was about 90 minutes away)with my husband (who was at that time my on-again, off-again boyfriend). We drove his car onto the ferry that takes you across Lake Champlain from New York to Vermont. As soon as we drove off of the ferry into Vermont, I had the most WONDERFUL feeling that I can't explain other than to say that I felt as though I had come home. I had never been to Vermont before. So, I wonder--past life as a Vermonter?

Sandy K

>Stasia, my sister in San Antonio got a 'snow day' today! She was chortling as she told me that the snow was almost measurable on the ground - the snide delight of a New Yorker transplanted first to Quebec, then Wisconsin, then Pennsylvania, and finally to a warm climate. That was in the afternoon, and I've had no further bulletins - last I heard she was off to read with her kitties on her feet.

Hi Sandy,
A Vermonter? Very possible, I'd say! Vermont has a very interesting history. I am currently working my way through a good book Vermont Tradition by Dorothy Canfield Fisher. Great insight on the people and history of this state - if you are interested.

Did you find it odd that the patient in Many Lives, Many Masters didn't want to pursue other past lives? I would be curious - but maybe it would be too painful?

ETA:
Oops! Hi Judy!
"the snow was almost measurable" LOL
The warm climate is not so very warm this winter! Thank goodness for kitties!

#187: I think we ended up with another 4" or so to go with the ice and snow we got the other day. It is supposed to warm up over the weekend here, but we are expecting more snow Tuesday and Wednesday of next week :)

Claudia- Have a nice weekend! I hope you are reading some good books!

I'd like to know about the place so I've added Vermont Tradition to the Giant Freaking Wishlist. My father always loved Vermont and wanted to live there. I still have his ashes in my hallway closet, thinking that one day I might actually go there again and take him with me.

Have y'all had your fill of snow down there yet stasia?
Cee is a snow lover.. hopelessly in love with the stuff. Clearly a hot blooded
woman! This year, it just makes me feel old. or cold. or both :P

Nope, I still love the snow. We are supposed to be getting more next week! I am with Claudia on the snow :)

Linda -- come up next summer and we'll find a place for them.

Vermont Tradition is a wonderful read -- there are some more recent ones too that are interesting let me find the titles and come back....

Another one I read and liked a lot is called Fast Lane on a Dirt Road by Joe Sherman -- it doesn't have the charm of Vermont Trad. but it picks up where she left off. The state has changed hugely since the 1950's - of course, it has moved on again since he wrote it, sometime in the 90's I think. But maybe there is a new ed. updated?

Here also is a shortish but not bad-looking bibliography -- tho' Fisher is not on it, an oversight, for sure! here

Hoorah! A little support in my cheering section!
For someone living in Texas and loving snow... this is your year, Stasia!

Hi Mark! I started reading a fantasy - The Crown Conspiracy. For the first couple of chapters I was thinking... this is no fantasy! It all sounded very normal-ish. Then out of nowhere there were casual comments made about the elves! Ha! Got me! Now I'm more interested.

>191 Fourpawz2: Hi Fourpawz - are you Linda? or Charlotte? Went to your profile to try to figure that out. Nice to see you. I was just about to refer you to Lucy (sibyx) as she is the one who has me reading Vermont Traditions and actually lives in VT. She has fantasticl recs for books! Hope you post them here, Lucy! Are you holding out on me????

Kath - I'm telling you.... TROPICAL VACATION!!!! It'll do the trick.

Happy Saturday to all - whatever the temperature! :)

It is supposed to snow again here today, but at present it is sunny, the sun just poking up over the pines....... ah!

#195: Fourpawz is Charlotte, Claudia :)

Sounds pretty Lucy!

Thanks, Stasia!

No problem.

I just added the Fast Lane Vermont book to the never-ending slush pile of TBR's--thanks, Sib. I would second or third or fourth what people are saying about Dorothy Canfield Fisher's Vermont Tradition, for anyone who is interested in Vermont. DCF calls it "the biography of an outlook on life." I loved it.

Two others I would recommend, and I think Lucy knows one or both of these authors, are Reading the Mountains of Home, by John Elder, and also A Year in the Maine Woods, by Bernd Heinrich. I know, it's Maine, not Vermont, but it's a fascinating read. Heinrich also draws, and his illustrations really add to the book. Oh cripes, now I've done it, spent 20 minutes with that book--I love it. "Oh, look at his drawings of the little winter woodland buds!" Good grief, I am so susceptible to going off down a rabbit hole. Anyway, happy Saturday!

Becky... I LOVE ALL of Bernd Heinrich's books. ALL of them!
One of my favorite authors...he is so fascinating. A dedicated biologist who unravels the miracles and beauty of nature. Makes me fall in love with owls, insects, trees, ravens... and oh so much more!

Reading the Mountains of Home I had not heard of. LT thingy thinks I will LOVE it... I tend to agree this time. Thanks for the rec!

Ooops, that was me, Charlotte, (the Linda error) I was just moving too quickly to stop and think...... Lucy

The Mamet I read last year, the essays, was pretty evocative of the place from a more contemporary angle too.

Raven=Quork=Heinrich.

They 'quork' overhead pretty much every day at some point, so you can imagine how often I think, 'Heinrich'.

The Mamet? The Fast Lane?

Lost me...

Fast Lane on a Dirt Road by Joe Sherman--the contemporary hx of Vermont.

The book of essays by David Mamet that I read last year is called South of the Northeast Kingdom -- It didn't seem to be listed on his author page, weirdly, but I know it exists 'cos I read it -- there were a couple of other Vermont-y sounding titles too, I'll have to look into those.

Fast Lane a little pricey for me at the moment (will keep checking)...

S of NE is in my cart.

Thanks, Ladies!

A Year in the Maine Woods is now on its way to me. The heck with the book ban. And there are two on crows that I am trying to decide between..
I LOVE crows.

I am making a cup of tea and going to have an oatmeal cookie..
Errands, cooking and laundry ( yes I know) done.. well into my book..
visited the nephlet, done for the day!

More reading.. I am going to have to tread carefully here, I think...

Aren't crows the best? How I wish I could get one to live on my property. They are just so smart. I am fascinated by them and I know that wherever my late crow-killing grandpa is, he is having a pluperfect fit!

Must be slim pickin's for the crows with all the snow here. They've been hanging around the bird feeders - well, actually under them - pecking at whatever they can find.

Well, Kath - if you have to break your book buying ban - Heinrich is the one to do it for IMO. Mind of the Raven was cool too. Birds are a lot smarter than most people give them credit for!

Oatmeal cookies?????


glitter-graphics.com

I have always known that crows are smart. I used to watch them with my gram .. many years ago. That is actually the one I chose.. Couldn't resist. I put one other on my list :) Where I work, there are MANY crows...common ravens..

I love it!

Well Kath, looks like you book buying ban lasted about a month. Not bad.
You can always try again later. Take it in steps. lol

I will just try restraint instead. Maybe try for only 2 a month?

That's a good idea. Set a limit - then you only have to wait til the next month if you find something you really want. Good luck!

Electricity just blipped off here for a minute. Didn't hear any tones - so I guess it is the wind rather than car-vs-pole. Now everything is blinking :P

Morning Claudia- I have noticed that you have not been reading any of my recommended books. What's up with that? Shuffles away, somewhat sadly...

Mark! Geeze... come back here! I just read Cloud Atlas with you! That was a feat - well worth the effort, I might add! I am in much demand with my other books. I find I am spread a bit thin lately. Just can't read as fast as everyone else. :P

AND... I AM reading a fantasy for your FF! First of a series, I might add... The Crown Conspiracy. Already looking forward to the second one as I really like this book and Caro says the 2nd one is even better.

Don't be sad - you are always coming up with great books - with a dash of oddballs.
You'll have me hooked again before long, I wager! :-}

Geeze, when did you read Cloud Atlas, like a week ago? Come on! I'm so glad you are tackling a FF read. Wow, The Crown Conspiracy sounds very good. I'm not familiar with that one and will be watching your thoughts.
"with a dash of oddballs" I love it!

FOR FANTASY FEBRUARY

#9 The Crown Conspiracy by Michael Sullivan

The first of six in a series called "The Riyria Revelations". This fast-paced read has all the elements of a good fantasy (e.g., wizards, royalty, thieves, spells, magic, dwarves and peasants) written with updated language and well placed humor to break some of the tension.

The king is murdered, his grown children are in danger, and the crown is up for grabs. Sullivan seems to be setting the stage in this first book for determining the good guys - and the evil... an epic in the making without a lot of torturous history.

This story never slows down and it all fits together well. You will find impossible escapes, treacherous journeys, unlikely friendships, and dangerous twists. The beginning is an end and the ending is a beginning. Sullivan does a great job with the cast of lovable and villianous characters - a well written book. This book can easily stand on its own - but I will be reading the other 5 books - for sure!

4 stars Recommended for light fantasy lovers.

>217 -Cee-: Recommended for light fantasy lovers.

Hmmm, that would have to be the kind of fantasy for me, a non-fantasy reader. Maybe I'll add it.

#217: I already added that one to the BlackHole because Caro just read it. I am glad to see you liked it to, Claudia!

I used to read a lot of fantasy, but I got away from it. Since you liked it, maybe you can try de Lint someday. Bet you would like him. Muse and Reverie is a book of short stories ..

#10 Wesley the Owl by Stacey O'Brien

Stacey O'Brien adopted a 4 day old barn owl and raised it with the tenderness and joy of a mother. A biologist at CalTech, she knew about birds but was unaware of the deep affectionate acceptance she would experience with Wesley, her owl. This story details an unexpected relationship between owl and human over the course of Wesley's 19 years.

Stacey joyfully writes about every nuance of behavior, antic and emotion that she and Wesley share. She teaches us what she calls (in her own words) "The Way of the Owl" with insights into owl perception and behavior. From Wesley's embarassment over missed landings to owl sex and lifetime mating, from owl hugs to recognizing himself in the mirror - there are no dull moments! You'll find lots of humor and fun in this book, e.g., Wesley's learning to fly and his adventures in the bathroom...

"When I opened the door, I could hardly believe my eyes. I had accidently left the toilet lid open, and Wesley had jumped in. He was soaked to the skin, with little wet punk rock feather spikes sticking out everywhere. He looked up at me happily with one wing slung casually over the seat."

...and there is much more!

You will undoubtedly enjoy this beautiful love story. One of Stacey's thoughts while looking back on Wesley's life and how it affected her own:
"Wesley made me realize that if all I had to give was love, that was enough."

4 stars - Recommended to all animal lovers.

He lived NINETEEN YEARS?!?!? Yow!

*smooch* to you, Claudzilla

Yeah, RD. Her vet told her that was equivalent to 120 human years! She took very good care of him.

Had to get my fix of animal stories. This did it royally! :)

checking in and catching up :)

great review, as always !

Claudia

I'm sorry to be so far behind on your thread.
Awhile back, Stasia recommended Wesley the Owl. Your comments prompt me to read it soon.

All the best!

Oh, Kath. You'd say that if it was crappy... but that's what friends are for??? Thanks.

Linda - never feel you need to say you're sorry. Come when you can - it's good to see you! I think you will love Wesley.

Kara, Hi!
(am I seeing double, is there 2 of you now, or is that a doubly enthusiastic hi! ???) Nice synchronicity!

it's my evil twin muhahahaha!

OOOO! ;-)

but we are doubly enthusiastic with our HI!....

we are harmless...really :P

Of course! Of Course!
Did you and twin have wine for supper, Kara? Just wondering. :)

Hi Claudia- I'm not sure what is being discussed over here, so Ill just saunter through and tip my cap. Have a nice evening!

I'm not sure either... thanks for stopping by, Mark!

I speak true woman! You have quite a way with a phrase..

I have been off in a reading chair with a book...
and I am wicked thirsty.. wine sounds helpful..
blasted corks...

Love your review of Wesley the Owl!!

Not my cuppa..but I know a young gal here who wants to study Veterinary Medicine...she loves animal stories..i told her about this and she read your review...and told me to tell you that "you rock"

.........but i knew that

;-}

no supper yet...
no wine yet....
still at work :)

Go Home dammmmmmit

are you looking sternly over your glasses? :)

I am right now....

see you gals tomorrow........ night!

*pushes glasses back up *

Thanks, Jude! Glad you referred this book to an animal lover. She'll love it.

Good work, Kath - getting Kara home. These young whipper-snappers need their rest too. They just won't admit it. Where is all that work going????
No where!

I loved Wesley the Owl, so I am always glad to see the book gain another fan!

Duplicate post below. Please ignore :)

kara is always working late.. she starts a bit later than I do.. but still, she stays late. I keep telling her.. but as you say.. young whipper-snappers !!!!
I just hope that they appreciate her.

most of the time Kath I don't feel like they do :(

would be nice to hear it every once in awhile...but isn't that everywhere?

Claudia have a wonderful, chilly, winter white day! I know you like those :)

Hi Stasia, Kath & Kara!

I used to put in waaaaay too many hours at work. I was salaried so there was no monetary compensation. There were nights Ron had to call me or actually come to my desk and drag me out to come home. Luckily at the time we only lived a few miles away.

I don't think I was appreciated in proportion to my efforts. I began to see that the more I did, the more was expected of me. I was assigned all the messy, complicated work - cuz I was so good at it. :P It was a stressful, downward spiral. Took a heavy toll on me - and I imagine those around me to some extent though I tried to hide it.

I wasn't aiming for more money or promotion. Just plain crazy! That strong inner drive to get things done and do them well... somehow misdirected. I now know I really didn't have to carry the weight of the world on my shoulders. But if I was gonna do it, they were gonna let me.

Probably nothing I can say will make a difference, Kara. Just try for balance. I think in the long run you will be happier. :)

I am hourly but...

Everything else you said is me exactly!

Maybe it is because we are nurses that we feel that we can carry the burden..and do it well....or maybe it is the personality of a strong woman...not sure

Balance I have been working on....there are some things that I have stopped doing, simply because the other nurses are quite capable of doing them....even though they don't do it my way :)

I am the fixer, the organizer, the brain stormer, the one floor nurses ask for direction....I am not the boss, so I am working on redirecting them to the ones that get paid to direct...it is hard, as I am sure you know......it is a work in progress

You are right...balance is the key! and you being a fellow nurse, wife, mother, what you say does make a difference to me :)

{{hug}}

Wesley the Owl sounds divine. I'll have to find a way to get my hands on it soon.

would be nice to hear it every once in awhile...but isn't that everywhere?
so true...

the more I did, the more was expected of me also true

been there .. still am~

Kara - I hear you loud and clear. I still struggle with balance. It's for life.

Jasmyn - Hi! You will no doubt love it when you get to it. You'll learn a lot about owls, too!

Kath - yep... lifelong struggle :}

Nice review of Wesley the Owl - I have that one on the TBR pile waiting for me to get to it.

Thanks, Jess!

#11 My Own Country by Abraham Verghese

Verghese writes a very personal account of his involvement as an infectious disease specialist at the beginning of the AIDS epidemic in Tennesee. He explores with compassion the attitudes, fears, and ignorance of healthcare workers, the homosexual community, and the general public. Dedicated to the care of his patients who presented new problems for treatment and prevention he shares intimate and public experiences and emotions.

This is an interesting historical view of HIV/AIDS and its impact on a rural American community. A product of clear thinking and soul searching, this well written book tells stories of the personal cost and sadness of a disease we are still trying to conquer.

Recommended. 4 stars

Great review, Claudia. I've wanted to read My Own Country ever since I read Verghese's The Tennis Partner last year. TTP takes place in El Paso, TX where Verghese is working at their hospital as a teacher while his marriage is falling apart. He becomes friends with one of his medical students who has a common interest in tennis and only gradually discovers he has a serious drug problem. It was really well written and Verghese talks a little bit about the AIDS patients he treated. I got Cutting for Stone for Christmas (from Laura(nav) thru Mark's Christmas Book Swap) and I'm looking forward to reading that too.

Hey, I'm glad to see you got started on the Riyria Revelations and that you liked The Crown Conspiracy, Claudia. So are you off to get the rest in the series? :-)

#252: I loved that book by Verghese and have since read a couple of others of his. I am glad to see you liked the book too, Claudia.

I have Cutting for Stone on my nook... and will read it soon..

Hi Pat, I imagine the next Verghese book I read will be The Tennis Partner.
Cutting for Stone is excellent.

Caro! Your ankle worries me - that it still hurts. Should you get it looked at? Is it even possible in Tokyo - or wherever you are now? Yup, liked the first book of the Riyria Revelations a lot - will be reading the rest of them for sure.

Hey Kath - how many books do you have on that new Nook? You adapt so well to technology... you must be a kid at heart!

Moving on.... follow me... new thread is here