Richardderus thread 8

Spring has finally sprung, and here's a beautiful acknowledgment of that:



It's a formal, completely unlikely to remain this pristine composition; the artist, Ambrosius Bosschaert the Elder, probably couldn't get into a juried show today but he was very well thought of in the late sixteenth century. He even got a thousand guilders for one of his flower pictures! (About $500,000 now.)

It makes me happy to look at this pristine, unreal, and ever-lovely artwork. The artist unabashedly restyled nature for his own purposes, coming up with something that can't be called real, only realistic. It's a wonderful chew-toy for the brain, that distinction.

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.




Review #1: ...thread 3
Review #2: thread 4
Review #3: thread 5
Reviews 4 & 5: thread 6
Reviews 6-8: thread 7

Books reviewed in post:

10. The Storm at the Door...#144.

9. Eromenos...#101.

I cannot believe I am numero uno to such a poppuler fella.
I won't be if I'm slow here -- just want to add my vote to the hospice care -- they are amazing, wonderful, words fail me!

xo

a wonderful chew-toy for the brain I really like that expression. I intend to steal it. Oh, and I like the painting too. Vibrant, isn't it?

Hi Richard, so pleased to hear that you and Auntie are getting the help you need.



Edit to add - that is a stunning painting *like*!

>3 sibylline: Hi Lucy! I suspect I've fallen off a lot of folks' radar since I'm not hear as much these days. Glad you're still here!

>4 mckait: Oh dear...then there are those who can't be shook off...;-P~~~~

>5 laytonwoman3rd: Steal away! I did...my brother once said of me, "he's only dangerous if his brain doesn't have a chew-toy," so that's where I got it.

>6 calm: Hiya calm! Y'know, maybe if we have a transAtlantic movement, they'll give us a "like" button.

I also love your picture! And you. I knew your thread would surface to the top one of these days!

Hope all's well!

PffffffffffffffT!!!

Beautiful picture, Richarddear!

Hugs and smooches from Horrible.

Dropping by to wave hallo (having miserably failed to keep up with your last thread) *waves*!

Ah ha! I'm early this time - see I do learn from my previous chastisement...

Thought I should check in and wish you a good day. I love the picture, expecially the little ladybug and bee he added to the bottom flowers. I do follow your thread religiously, but mostly I lurk.

*Waves* Hi Richard! :)

Gorgeous picture! The artist unabashedly restyled nature for his own purposes, coming up with something that can't be called real, only realistic. It's a wonderful chew-toy for the brain, that distinction.

I'll be chewing on your way with words for awhile, Richard. I plan to steal the "can't be called real, only realistic" part of the statement. Deep!

The Hospice people will enrich your life as well as Auntie's. Peace of mind and having somone to talk to about her condition will make your life infinitely better.

i lost you
how did that happen?
well got you starred now :)

hospice=angels ....happy for you and auntie :)

>9 tloeffler: Hey TLo! Glad you like it...purty, ain't it?

>10 mckait: Nyah nyah nyah

>11 karenmarie: *smooch* back to Horrible

>12 flissp: Hey there fliss! Since I ain't up on no threads you don't feel guilty no way no how.

>13 BekkaJo: Hidy Bekka...I make a Firm Purpose of Amendment, as my catechism class taught me a million years back, but I end up forgetting to keep up.

>14 DeltaQueen50: I know! He's a master at the hidden detail, and it make everything so much more fun.

>15 Ape: *smooch*

>16 Donna828: It's already working...I was on the phone, relatively undisturbed and relaxed, for over an hour! W00t!

>17 curlysue: You so right Miss Lady ma'am. So right.

I never lost you...it's more...do i have the fortitude to tread these waters???

*Big Sloppy Hug*

J

((Hugs)) and xx smooches xx, RD!

Love the pic - it's the dark, dark background which makes those blooms stand out in hyper-real fashion. Makes you wonder where the light is coming from.

Oh, what a lovely, lovely picture!

I've never heard of this artist, but will be sure to search for more of his stunningly beautiful works!

nice pic! :)

Hi Richard -- lovely painting. Happy spring!

Happy spring, happy picture, happy Auntie, happy Richard!! Lots of Love, B

Another lovely painting!

And just chiming in on hospice care. My dad could not have stayed in his own home for his last six months without it. It was such a relief for my mom - she couldn't have cared for him alone. So glad it's available for you and Auntie.

*waves*

>19 jdthloue: Hi Jude...fortitude...huh! I can see that.

>20 alcottacre: *smooch* right back at'cha!

>21 gennyt: I think Ambrosius had an arc-welder. At least that's what the light looks like to me.

>22 Whisper1: A lot of his work isn't very interesting, Linda, so don't be disappointed if you're left a little flat by it...I like this one, and almost no others.

>23 suslyn: Hiya Suse! Glad to see you!

>24 AMQS: Happy spring, Miss Anne!

>25 Berly: *smooch* to my Berly-boo

>26 Copperskye: It really is, isn't it, Joanne? And I think hospice care is the most sensible thing Medicare pays for. It's just extremely cost-effective, so shortly the party in power in the lower house of the legislature will cut it. Not enough profits for the corporations. It's already on the chopping block.

>27 -Cee-: *waves back* How's the winter/spring transition going, Miss Lady ma'am? xo

Reading anything these days rdear?

Why yes I am! I thought you'd never ask. It's my review of Don't Look Back by Karin Fossum. Go take a look!

I disappeared for most of March, but have found your latest thread. Whole-heartedly agree with all the compliments on the lovely spring flower arrangement. Thanks for brightening my day!

I love the painting, too. Flowers are the best part of Spring.
--BJ

>32 thomasandmary: Hi Regina! I was AWOL for most of the month, too, so I understand how it feels to get back into the groove after an absence. Glad to see you!

>33 billiejean: Flowers are, indeed. My hyacinths are just coming out in bloom, the forsythias are going mad, and the *shudder* lilies of the valley are even threatening to make their annual stink.

#34 RD - I'm from Southern California and had never seen forsythia in my entire life before moving to North Carolina in 1991. I was entranced with the pretty little yellow flowers that came out in the early spring. I asked one of the women I worked with what they were called and she said "yellow bells". Later on I found out that they were forsythia, but I always think of them as yellow bells.

Hi Horrible...my dad's parents who lived in Venice had forsythias...they had a block of property on Moore Ave and, as their variously gendered five kids grew up, built each of them a separate little cottage instead of building a bigger house. The paths among the cottages were lined with forsythias.

I've always thought that they had the best-ever idea for dealing with adolescents. My father and his siblings are much closer than most adult kids that I know.

nothing is blooming here. It is like the Bleak Midwinter.

Richard- Good review of Don't Look Back. I enjoyed it quite a bit myself and plan on reading the next one, next month.

>37 mckait: Bleak midwinter *shudder*

>38 msf59: Thanks, Mark! I suspect I'll read on until I run across that one-too-manyeth child in jeopardy. That trope wears on me and fast.

Have a great time this weekend! (BotNS is this weekend, isn't it?)

Loved the review of Don't Look Back, RD.

((Hugs)) and xx smooches xx - I figure you can never get enough

>40 alcottacre: How right you are! And it helps they're from someone who gives great hugs and smooches. *smooch* and {{{hug}}} back at'cha!

Auntie suffers with pulmonary effusion due to congestive heart failure. Not unusual in a person who's bed-bound. Normally this would mean many visits to the hospital, but now, with hospice care, they've instructed me in the administration of a few new meds and said, "go to it, dude." So IF she gets to the point where she needs a chest tube, she'll have to go out of the house...until then, I can keep her comfies and help dry up the effusions. A nurse is here daily. An aide comes in to sit with her and change her and wash her for FOUR WHOLE HOURS while I sleep, or cook, or talk on the phone, or walk the dog without lingering anxiety.

Stasia, whatever prayers you said, they was answered mah sistah they was answered! I slept one entire hour without having to start up, waiting to see if the commotion would die down. *bliss*

I am a firm believer in the power of prayer, RD!

It can only help. No bad can come of it. So what's the harm, balanced against the potential for good?

Night aide just left. Auntie's face, feet, and hands are now clean. When I was in the hospital for 21 days once, I remember how much I longed to feel clean, and those were the key areas I could do something about. I think she knows, somewhere, that if she's got clean hands, she's being paid attention to.

I am sure Auntie knows it too even if just subconsciously. I am so glad that the hospice people are relieving some of the burden off your shoulders.

*waves*

*resumes drowning in posts*

#45 *waves*

*resumes drowning in posts*

LOL! Me too!

But, Richard, let me stop a moment to say I'm very happy to hear that you have the help you need for Autie now. I think hospice care is a wonderful thing.

seconded!

#36 RD - wonderful memory for you! I've never walked among forsythia bushes but it's a cheering thought.

It's definitely spring her in central NC - our redbud tree is gorgeous as are the dogwoods.

I'm so glad that things are stable with Auntie and that you're getting help and rest. :)

Morning RD- Thanks! Yes, the Retreat is coming! Looking forward to it. Just wish a few of my LT pals could be going along. I'll make sure I say hi to Bohjalian for you!
Ducks...

Mark..I wish I could go to the retreat too.. you have no idea how much!

I am getting very sad about the lack of spring in my neck of the woods..

>44 alcottacre: I think that's true, Stasia. She knows somewhere that this means being cared for.

>45 kidzdoc: Oh amen, amen I say to you, Brother Darryl. (Sometimes I'm so Southern it hurts.)

>46 tymfos: Terri, I can't believe the difference in our lives. It's simply amazing.

>47 flissp: Hiya Fliss!

>48 karenmarie: Y'know, Karen, I was there maybe five times in my life because of my mother being nuts, but it made such a strong impression on me...how cool the idea was, how pretty the place was...and forsythias are among my favorite flowers, along with daffodils, because that kind of saturated yellow is a mood-lifter for me. The Perfect Storm for memory formation!

>49 msf59: Oh, you do that, Mark-a-doodle-doo...with a lead pipe and a blowtorch, k? I really wanted to come and be there, since it's relatively close by (I still think in Texas measures), but I'm going to Austin in a few weeks for a wedding.

>50 mckait: *sings* Spring will be/a little laaaate this year....

My daughter is getting married in Austin in a few weeks! Yea!
--BJ

Hi RD! The more I look at your flowers (up top), the more I'm liking them. Lots of texture and a nice balance of selective colors. I'm no artist and don't know how to truly appreciate art - but some of it just strikes a chord! This is a melodic one. :)

Hi Richard. Thanks for the review of the Fossum book. I'm wondering about starting that series (though I know what you mean about yet another series which, if its any good, means a whole pile more books to add to the unending pile to be read...).

I'm so glad to hear that Aunty is getting some care from the hospice and that gives you a few hours for yourself too.

#52 I'm thinking we skipped spring and went straight to Summer - yesterday was the hottest 6th April in Jersey since records began... ooof.

>53 billiejean: BJ! Really?! I'm there from 4/25...when'll you be there?

>54 -Cee-: I've always found it very, well, invigorating in a strange way. Something about the way Dutch still lifes are painted elicits a strong response, pos or neg, in me Right Away.

>55 gennyt: Hi Genny! Thanks. It really does make a lot of difference.

Her big day is May 14th. I will get there about the 12th. Hope you have a wonderful time. Austin is beautiful this time of year.
--BJ

do you hear the "sizzle" ?

you got a HOT review! congrats :)

Oh those flowers at the top of the page are gorgeous Richard. How do you continually surprise and make us smile??

The Dutch have beautiful paper money, too!

drive by wave...

I love the Dutch flower painting... They used to use big illustrations like that as catalogues for flower growers/bulb merchants! I've always wanted to lay my hands on one...

I admit I was underwhelmed by Fossum's books and am in NO hurry to read another one. Especially given all the other stuff on my TBR mountain.

>58 billiejean: Too bad, we could've met!

>59 curlysue: W00t! Thanks for letting me know, Kara!

>60 brenzi: I like a lot of different kinds of art...bound to hit you with a good'un sooner or later, eh Bonnie?

>61 -Cee-: Most places that aren't here have pretty money, C, we're the only monetary puritans.

>62 Chatterbox: Soon you'll own several, m'dear.

Drive by ((hugs)) and xx smooches xx for today, RD.

If you are going to Austin, are you coming through Sherman? You had better be, buster! :)

Just saying Hello on your 8th thread - and I love the flower picture too! Glad you and auntie are getting the wonderful help from hospice. I have lots of respect for the people who choose to do that for a living.

Wanted to pop in to say that that sure is one heck of a beautiful painting, and I'm so happy to hear that Auntie is getting a little more outside care so you can take some much-needed and well-deserved breaks!

*smooch* to you, Richard! Now go and take a blissfully uninterrupted nap!

((Hugs)) and xx smooches xx for today!

great. Forty Words for Sorrow is now sitting right here adding to
all of the distractions around me.

Richard! I was shocked earlier today when I was reading my book and came across the word tchotchkes. I thought it was one of those absurdly obcure words that only YOU would know/use, but I guess not. :P

At least I didn't have to get up and look the word up, having already came across the word on your thread.

Goodness---anyone remotely descended from Eastern European stock knows about tchotchkes. At least in this corner of the planet.
Even Kevin Bacon...

Just a note to say I'm thinking of you, Claudia and Vicki today.

Gentle hugs to you!

Daily ((Hugs)) and xx smooches xx from Texas too!

Good morning, all! Many thanks for the well-wishes. We had an eventful weekend of melodrama, but none of it, for once, was directly connected to auntie! The Divine Miss is in a rocky period, not least due to auntie, but exacerbated by a zillion other factors, so I spent my weekend "there there, pat pat"ting. Poor thing, she really carries a lot of responsibility, and sometimes that gets to one. I did my comfort-and-support best.

Stasia, I'm flying over Sherman...does that count? xo

Group hug!!

#73: No, it decidedly does not count! xo any way :(

ETA: Claudia is lucky to have you. Your comfort-and-support best is very good!

{{{Hugs}}} for all those in your hiome who struggle and need comfort. I guess right now, that's everyone. Sending some strengthening energy to get you through the day and wishing you peace of mind and soul.

70: I've never in my life heard the word until it was posted here! Of course, it's possible I've heard it spoken and am not realizing it because I'm pronouncing it wrong. But I've never seen it written regardless...

ch + ah + ch + kah. does that help?

Yes, that helps! And no, I've never heard it.

Then again, sometimes I think I simply block out certain words. When I was a teenager I laughed at my mom when she said the water was "lukewarm." I cackled and poked fun at her for using an 'old person word.' "Maybe it was a word in the, y'know, 40's!!"

After she called me a silly boy about never having heard the word, I started hearing it everywhere. On TV shows and in movies and I must have read it in a book at least every few weeks or so. Not sure how I had never the word before that. I must have been blocking it out or something, that's the only thing that makes sense! :)

#78 Ape - the same situation occurs when you buy a different model car than you've ever had - all of a sudden, that's all you see on the road.

good morning rd.. sorry about the drama.. hope that things settle down for Claudia.. or.. probably I hope that they don't? whichever helps :)

>74 alcottacre: Don't feel too bad, love, I might not be going at all if I can't get my infected tooth uninfected...specifically told not to fly while the medicine takes out the infection because of gas pockets in the root of the affected teeth. If it doesn't go away, no flying for me. >:-{

>75 -Cee-: Thank you, dear Claudski. I accept healing energy with glee, since it's sorely needed!

>76 Ape:, 78 My bubbe (Jewish grandmother) was a fund of cool words and phrases. "Are you kvelling?" she asked when my son was born. "Of course!" I replied, since I was absolutely puffed up with pride and happiness. (To kvell: to puff up with pride and happiness at the success of something.) See, we're not just online pals, we're a mini-university education!

>77 ffortsa: I never thought of doing it that way! What a great idea! I'm stealing the plus signs and using them.

>79 karenmarie: I hope to rediscover that feeling one day soon. Really, I do.

>80 mckait: Help is what I'm working on...calmer = better IMHO. *smooch*

Oh, no. Tooth pain is the worst. I hope the bad buggies are slain soon.

Hope your tooth heals quickly! *smooches*

*Pops head in then wanders off to see if she can use the term kvelling before bedtime*

#76, 78 Check the link in NO. 70 like I told you...you'll HEAR Kevin Bacon say it. Kids these days...I dunno.
#79 Also happens when you're pregnant, or when you're schlepping a baby everywhere---suddenly you see so many other incipient or actual babies that you never noticed before.
#81 Other than feeling nasty, what do these wicked gas pockets DO to you if you're up in the air? I have a vision of your tooth exploding out of your head, puncturing the air frame and causing cabin decompression. (I hate to fly, you see, and can imagine catastrophes that never were.)

>85 laytonwoman3rd: re#81 - yep, I think that's it. Not that the cabin would decompress, but the gas does expand, causing great pain. I assume that in extreme situations, the tooth might explode.

Youch! I hope the tooth fairy visits soon and takes the pain away!

((Hugs)) and xx smooches xx



#86: That is not a pretty picture!

85: I tried when you posted it, but I can't load it on my slow dial-up connection unfortunately. :(

Aww...sorry about that.

crummy, crummy day. cable just back on, w/internet and phone, for about an hour. auntie restless w/o her entertainment!

hatin' on this day, want it to be over, now going off to read a book since auntie's asleep at last and hell w/dinner. see y'all

Richard, sorry about your crummy day. Hopefully this evening will be better.

The problem with e-hugs: they don't work when the internet is down. :( I'll just have to send them through the astral plane, just in case! *Astral hugs*

...I hope astral hugs don't have any odd side effects...

Richard- Sorry to hear about your lousy day! Hope you can kick back and relax tonight!

Finally.....I knew you couldn't have been MIA that long! You do have a way of slipping off my radar.! So glad to hear auntie is being tenderly ministered to (and I don't care if the sentence ends in a preposition!). Also glad you are getting rest.....LOVE THE PICTURE, cannot prescribe anything other than a good swig of Jameson's for the tooth and....

I too am flying to Dallas for a god-daughter's wedding on May 14th. Is anyone going to be in the area? Stasia? I should probably take this discussion to the kitchen or to her thread in stead of highjacking yours.

Hope your reading continues to please, someday maybe we'll all get over life and be able to report on books again. Hugs and smooches!

It's a new day Richard, may this one be de-loused completely. (Incorrect word usage, yet I like it, so I shall use it and expect Eglish to adapt to my whim. De-lousied just doesn't have the same ring).

Should this day persist to bother you, just send it my way and I'll give it a good talking to.

yikes!

xo

You're all balm (lemon, my favorite) for a wounded man's spirit. Infected tooth is worrying the dentist, who wants me to have oral surgery on the 28th (soonest I can be fit in on a non-emergent basis). He's said I may not fly. The infection will cause severe pain, and the pressure changes could force infected material into the jaw, creating new problems. At least so far I don't have THAT to worry about, but it's very probable if the whatchamacillin doesn't work.

Now how do I explain to my friend who's paid for my ticket that I can't perform her wedding?! I hate this.

I read Eromenos by Melanie McDonald, an ER book, while sitting around. It was excellent. A formal review forthcoming soon.

Richard

Darn planets are just not aligning for you! What a winter...and now tooth problems as well.

Yeah gads! I wish I had a magic wand to zap the negative crap away.

98- I agree. That is an awful shame.

Hey Richard, as anyone ever told you if you were to grow a bigger beard, you'dbear an uncanny resemblance to Baldassare Castiglione?

Review: 9 of seventy-five

Title: EROMENOS

Author: MELANIE MCDONALD

Rating: 4* of five

The Book Report: There have been books aplenty in the voice of Hadrian, Emperor of Rome, but so far as I know none in the voice of his beloved Antious of Bithynia. Antinous is portrayed in this book as he reflects on his life at its end. How and why his life is ending, if one isn't familiar with the story, is a question still of some interest to scholars, who don't have a solid consensus about causes and motivations. Hey, it's almost 2,000 years ago! No one knows *any*thing for sure at that distance in time. But Melanie McDonald creates a composed, mature voice for this important and vital character in her novel, titled after the Greek word describing Antinous's relationship to Hadrian. The course of Antinous's life, the exciting events in it, and the reasons for his long tenure as Hadrian's eromenos, are presented in swift, sure prose; the inevitable, it would seem, conclusion is very nicely handled; and the narrative frame, the temple offering of a manuscript in Serapis's sacrificial fire, gives the book a very agreeable frisson of the supernatural.

My Review: This is a first novel for both author and publisher. The degree to which this surprises me is a testament to the very high design, production, and editorial standards the publisher adhered to. I think the book is very, very well-conceived, but I know that it owes a great deal to the vision of a small, new publishing venture that it came out at all, and that it looks and feels so good in its present form.

Experiencing the joy, pain, humiliation, love, lust, and hate that Antinous feels for his old-man lover is extraordinary. That the author is a married straight lady makes me think she's channeling a past life! (That was a joke, Ms. McD, should you chance to read this review...I think it is, anyway....)

The book posits a reason for the mysterious death of Antinous, an event that caused Hadrian such acute agony that his final 8 years were spent in a kind of mourning for his lost love, that had not occurred to me...an explanation that accounts for some of the strangeness of the timing of his death, which has always made me think that the hints and rumors of murder were just off. It's a valid reason, or complex of reasons, and it rings true enough that I wish it were possible to research it. (Absent time travel to the past, an unlikely development, it isn't. Drat you, Albert Einstein!)

My quibbles are few, the largest being that I find references made by Antinous to Christianity to be extremely unlikely to be accurate; a minor Jewish cult would not have made the radar screens of a person at such a rareified remove from ancient Palestine's nasty, squabbling inhabitants; the Christians hadn't made it big enough yet for someone not Palestinian to know the things Antinous is portrayed as knowing.

It didn't ruin the book for me, though, and I certainly hope you'll all zip right out to Amazon or somewhere and get a copy of this beautiful, well-written, and very engrossing story.

Horrible news.. so sorry.

((Hugs)) and xx smooches xx, RD. Sorry to hear about the latest round of troubles.

#101: Nice review! I am off to see if the local library has it. . .

Not sure that period, or person is high on my must read list, but you certainly make it worth looking at should it hop off a shelf in my presence. I hope you continue to rest, stay pain-free, and enjoy good reads and good sleeps for you, Claudia, and auntie.

I really enjoyed your review of Eromenos and it is has gone straight to my TBR list! Thanks!

Just when you thought I'd disappeared into the black hole of travel, back I pop ... to plague you once again, Richard. Hellllooooooooooooooooo again.

>98 Whisper1: Hi Linda! When you find the wand, zap yourself first, then give me a dose, k? xoxo

>99 BookAngel_a: Thanks, Angela! Sympathetic pats help.

>100 Ape: Silly mortal. I **AM** Baldassare Castiglione! And I know where you live. *muaaahaaahaaaaaaa*

>102 mckait: It's not that pleasant. But y'know what? No one will die. No one can say it's easy, but heck, what ever was?

>103 alcottacre: Thank you, my dear Stasia. Glad you enjoyed the review, too!

>104 tututhefirst: Well, now, Tina...I think this book deserves your attention, and I think you'll really enjoy its understated, beautifully crafted prose. Just sayin'

>105 weejane: Why thank you kindly! I enjoy knowing that my reviews have influenced others' decision-making processes. *smooch*

>106 cameling: RUUUN!! HIIIDE!! The Evil Cameling, Fifth Horsewoman of the Apocalypse, hath returned and the End Times are upon us! xo

Well, you've hidden from Cameling, but there's no hiding from me, Sir. Just as you were breathing easily once again...here I am. Sorry.

Great review. Putting the book on the WL.

Stunningly beautiful picture. How do you find these obscure fellows and their marvelous art?

So sorry about your tooth, er, teeth. Can't imagine what's worse than tooth problems. Of course, there's the pain drugs to consider...Don't let your head explode, please.

Oh, my goodness! You DO look like Baldassare Castiglione! I love the outfit!

I do hope that your tooth gets better, that Claudia gets better, that television gets better for Vickie, and that all the planets align for you to have a wonderful weekend!

I'll give your best to Stephen if I can hunt him down this weekend....

Just checking in to give daily ((Hugs)) and xx smooches xx

Over on GR I received a nice message from Melanie McDonald, the upshot of which is that I am receiving a copy of her book. Thanks for letting her know about me and my interest, RD!

Well, Richard, I do feel your pain--at least in part because I, too, have a tooth requiring aggressive attention. I know of several other people who have recently had to delay an actual dental procedure until infection subsides. And we all know that waiting is truly the worst part--so much scope for impressively active imaginations, of course!

However, you retain the dubious distinction of worst situation, as, firstly, I don't have an Auntie or a Divine Miss to distract me from catering to a furry distraction or kitchen inspirations or a wedding that requires an airplane flight. Fuhgeddaboutit. And I am leaving out the fact that you have an audience awaiting opportunities to puff up their wish lists to infinity (BTW, Bury Your Dead is waiting for me even as I type. I am avoiding spoilers, but your simple intro with "Lousy Louise Penny" has me nervous as a long-tailed, um, critter near rocking chairs.

I am nearly dizzy at how quickly a dentist and an orthodontist slipped me into their schedules. Wednesday night: tentative email to a new--for me--dentist. Early Thursday morning: appt. set for 11 that day. Thursday noon: off to an orthodontist for a consult, a fistful of scripts, and a Friday afternoon root canal appointment (le sigh! But I had seen the warning signs). And apparently, an anxious patient warrants nitrous oxide--something I hadn't even thought to ask about.

As I have already jacked your thread somewhat and stolen your thunder, I will wrap up with a silver lining to my sad tale.
(Not only is silver one of my favorite colors but I'm such a whiney baby that I need to prevent annoying myself!)

1 - I have been procrastinating, so I needed this kick in the pants.
2 - The new dentist seems like a sweetie, but is actually competent as well. He even threatened to deal with my boss (she referred me to him!) if she isn't really as nice to work for as she seems (she was already my favorite boss ever, or I wouldn't have wanted the referral.)
3 - I get to try laughing gas, which I though belonged in stories from the turn of the *previous* century; I only recently learned was still used for dentistry.
Oh, and,
4 - I've recently found something that is helping my sinuses, so most dental appointments will be less stressful. Being able to breathe through the nose seems more critical than usual when the mouth is crammed with plastic and metal and gloved hands and *water* for heaven's sake. I'm 4'10" and I know I can *talk* the ear off a tin donkey, but my mouth couldn't possibly be *that big*. Seriously. Hmphf. or do I mean mmphph?

I apologize for hijacking your thread. Some people keep telling me about some "inner monolog/monologue" concept that I need to understand.

Hope your Friday delivers a pleasant change in your week.

I think it is unanimous in this neighborhood that you are due for several seasons of good stuff!

Signing off (at last!)
Michele in PA

Hello there Padre dear - just popping in to share a smooch and enjoy your flowers. :-*

Sorry to be sans Richard at last night's gathering. It was a lively discussion with many disagreements, and a lot of fun. Next time?

How is your tooth or teeth doing? any possibility of making that flight? Or will the pledged couple have to continue pledged for a while?

Pausing long enough to say "Top o'the mornin' to ye."

>108 Matke: Hiya Missie Gail! Glad to see you. I suspect you'll really enjoy the book. Remember to cross-post your review!

>109 tloeffler: I told Stephen, my dear madam...I AM Baldassare Castigliano. *evil leer*

Most problems are solved, TG, but the tooth. Actually, tooth and jaw, I am told now. *grumble*

>110 alcottacre: I'm doing her a favor, dear lady, because a mere mention from your illustrious self will vault the book onto wishlists across the universe. Plus I think you'll really like it!
xoxo

>111 littleshell: Michele, no need to worry about the "jacking" of my thread. I don't care about lengthy posts so long as they're interesting, and yours fits the criterion.

Nitrous oxide doesn't work for me. I have to be sedated into sleep or I thrash and scream. I ***really*** hate going to the dentist. A LOT.

Four feet ten? How big are your feet? I'm thinkin' hobbit here, he opined from his luxurious six feet three distance. *smooch*

>112 London_StJ: Hi there, Crypto! Happy Friday, and go score a copy of Eromenos...I'm bettin' you'll really like it.

>113 ffortsa: Yeah, so sorry I missed it, he said insincerely. I can't ABIDE this kind of woman-book, and I was secretly relieved when the home aide didn't show up. Annoyed that no one called me to say she was taking her son to the hospital, but still glad I didn't have to face Barbara's whining. Woman annoys me beyond endurance!

>114 sibylline: Woooo-hooo, Miss Lucy!

I can sympathize. However, it was mostly other people who spoke and argued. Not quite boys against the girls - Lee liked the book, and some of the ladies didn't (Claudia, of course, who couldn't even get past pate 57). But I liked it, and Jim liked it, and I will read more Bowen eventually.

Hi Richard, sorry to hear about the tooth pain, hope the dentist can sort it out as soon as possible.

Nice review of Eromenos, I considered requesting that from ER but chose to just request the other book from the same publisher in that batch. Nice looking book, seems like a good quality publisher. I hope that they really take off.

>118 ffortsa: Bowen's a writer of short stories who simply can't be beat. Her short fiction doesn't wander and divagate and generally lose its way, like this book did in the Karen/Max section. I was ready to slap everyone on the book by then! The ending was at least plausible, though sub-ideal.

>119 calm: Thanks, calm! I hope for the same thing re: Seriously Good Books.

*naps in corner*

Now how weird is this: I won an Early Reviewers copy of Home, Away last year; now I've won a Goodreads giveaway of Where We Know: New Orleans as Home; both published by Chin Music Press! I seem destined to get their books.

>121 mckait: Wakey-wakey! Up! Up! Up! Join the conversation! Yooooooooooooo hoo!

*swats @ rd*

*wanders off to find a cold drink*

#122 I got a copy of the New Orleans book from Chin Music press from the ER program, Richard. It was a lovely little edition; a bit of a mixed bag as far as content, but grand to hold and look at. I passed it on to dear Todd, who I guess has left the planet.

#111 Michele, any chance you might share what it is that's helping your sinuses? My husband suffers mightily.

>123 mckait: *ducks* xo Long Island iced tea, dearest?

>124 laytonwoman3rd: Oh, it is a beee-yooo-teee-full book! So very well-made, so nicely designed, just a joy. I almost don't care what's inside. BTW, hi Linda3rd! So glad to see youse!

actually, it was a cold Killian's

Was it the heat in the kitchen that got to you, Kath?

no.. the sun was hot.. I was wearing a flannel shirt to help keep the thorns off
when I was doing some trimming.. I decided that was just the ticket to cool down :)

Want one?

If you haven't got a nice Yuengling lager on tap, then I will happily take the Killian's, yes. Am heading home to fry up a batch of Linda's Pretty Good Hot Wings, and cold beer is a must for accompaniment.

Sounds like a great plan!

*hands over a frosty Killian's

*drinks the Long Island iced tea* Pass me a wing, please?

lol rd

Hi Richard- Where We Know: New Orleans as Home sounds interesting. I'll be watching for your thoughts. Did you watch the 1st season of "Treme"? It's an HBO show. Terrific stuff.
You mentioned Good Reads giveaways. They have a very impressive list of books over there. Do you hear that LT ER program?

*drinks another margarita* to recover from the stupid (and completely unnecessary) conference call I was dragged (drumming my heels the whole way) into.

I feel your pain Caroline. That kind of thing happens to me all the time. The margarita should fix it.

Daily ((Hugs)) and xx smooches xx, RD. Thanks again for your input to Melanie McDonald on my behalf.

116 Thanks, O kind one! That's a nice 'atta girl' coming from a review-writer of your ilk. So sorry to hear your sedation requirements--I have considered total sedation dentistry, but haven't researched it enough. I was also concerned that it could cost more than I could afford, which would have been disappointing. I did need minor credit help, which they offered, but it's a no-interest short-term credit card. After today's successful treatment, I am slightly less phobic and a little braver about next time (for dentist, NOT another root canal, please God! I will do better by my teeth, I will, I will!).

Both dentist and orthodontist and their respective support people have been gracious and non-judgemental--a comforting outcome to a less-than-stellar week. I would love to pass my quick and nearly painless experience on to you, but I lack that elusive magic wand mentioned above. I was pleasantly surprised at how nitrous oxide worked. I expected to be giggly or drowsy, but it just eased things up a little bit. I had to work with it, though, I think I was fighting it at first.

Bring things briefly back on topic: I am enjoying Pat Conroy's memoirs, so thanks for that review.

And regarding my feet, that's a little personal, doncha think? What do you mean, I started it? Oh, right *ahem* Well my toes are hair-free, but otherwise resemble hobbit farmer feet, being small (Women's 5...Girl's **4**) but wide and squared off. No elegantly tapering toes to bring me up to the reasonable selection of adult women's shoes. Now, I like glitter as much as the next chick, but I stopped wearing pink after high school a few d*c*d*s ago. However, I would looove a pair of light-up shoes. I might even wear pink ones if they flash. But they have to look like kids would wear them. I draw the line at lucite red-light-district nonsense that even Vegas dancers might consider tacky.

124 lw3rd: Another resident of Pennsylvania! Hi, neighbor. What a sweet furry friend on your page. At the risk of bringing TMI to this thread, I will reply on your profile page. Others can check it out if interested.

Richard, I'm thinking of you this morning.

>137 littleshell: Another squared off size 5! We should really start a shoe line - think of the grateful women with little feet who would carry us on their shoulders in mad triumph!

If you are Baldassare Castiglione, then I want to borrow your hat and coat.

136- When I was a child I was horrified when I saw that my "Aunt" Louise (family friend) had long dark hair growing on her big toes. I clearly remember that she was wearing gold strappy sandals at the time. When I was old enough to start shaving my legs I began running the razor over my toes, too, just in case. *shiver*

OMG ... what a horrific visual, Luxx!!! Then again, maybe your 'Aunt' Louise was a hobbit? They have large hairy feet too. ;-)

I can work with that.

Review: 10 of seventy-five

Title: THE STORM AT THE DOOR: A Novel

Author: STEFAN MERRILL BLOCK

The Book Report: What happens when a naive young woman meets a tall, dark, and handsome young man on the eve of WWII? He's charming, he's witty, he's intense, and he's going away to war in the Navy. Give up? They get married! When TD&H comes home after only a few months, spends some time in a hospital for the non-physically wounded, and is discharged, the course of the future is set.

The author's maternal grandparents are the protagonists of this novel. He wrote it as a novel, in my opinion, because the drama inherent in this tale of madness, manic depression, motherhood, and untimely death demands things that mere reportage can't deliver. I can't imagine how Mr. Block's mother must feel, seeing her parents' hellish agonies spread wide for the world to view. I can't think it was done without at the minimum consulting her. But this act of revelation, this telling of the disintegration of a family, of a man's mind, and of the consequences of naivete, cannot have been easy for the lady to take in, even fictionalized and told through her son's eyes. I don't know if this is a brave book, or merely a sensational appropriation of the pain of the past.

My Review: NOT FOR THE SQUEAMISH. The scenes in the fictionalized madhouse outside Boston are extremely hard to read with equanimity. It's not some neo-Victorian hotbed of cruelty; no, it's far worse; it's modern bureaucratized Kafkaesque insensitivity, callousness, and self-aggrandizement causing the final dissolution of a man's mind and spirit. It's horrible, in that sense. The author's rather dead-pan prose makes this quality of coldness so much more vicious than a highly emotive or overblown and descriptive style would have done.

The author's grandfather died many years before he was born. His grandmother, however, lived on to be a burden to her family during her own descent into dementia. Mr. Block deals with every strain of mental disease in this book. It isn't a jolly little bagatelle, but it is quite an accomplishment for someone so obnoxiously young (not even thirty!) to come to grips with so many strands of the pain of the past in this public way. It makes up in courage and rightness for what it lacks in smiling, sunshiney pleasures of reading. It's the kind of book I don't exactly recommend to people, so much as alert them to it and allow them to decide what to do with the knowledge. Don't be fooled. This book will change you, it will challenge you, and it will make your synapses fire in strange and new constellations of emotion and empathy.

You may not like that. Prepare for it. I think you'll be better off for having read the book.

edited/cranky touchstones still uncooperative

@141, 142 Didn't Frodo have a cousin Lobelia? Louise, Lobelia, close enough.

@139 We could call the company Littlefeet. Hmmm, sounds familar, *grin*. I left you a longer response on your profile page.

Hi Richard,

I was trying to decide whether to finish Stross' Merchant Princes series (I've read the first four). I noticed you wrote a (generally favorable) review of the sixth book. I'm curious about your responses to plethora of comments I've heard/read along the lines of:

* The story started as a character-driven tale about Miriam and has switched to a plot-driven action thriller a la Tom Clancy where Miriam is largely a minor character.

* The final resolution is unimaginative.

* Stross' overwhelming desire to castigate Bush/Cheney became a bit intrusive.

* There's an unevenness between the leisurely pace of the first books and a let's-rush-through-it feeling toward the end, especially the last book.

* Very little actually gets resolved for the reader, even though Stross has said he is ending this set of characters with Book Six.

Oh dear...I go away for the weekend and I have too many responses to make for my throbbing head to endure. Can't see the dentist for another week, he's off for Passover. *sigh* I drug myself up. It keeps me from screaming imprecations at passers-by, and lobbing homemade Molotov cocktails at random cars. It also means I don't make a lot of sense when I try to come here!

xoxo to each and all...and TLo, you can have my duds when I die. Feels like it'd be nice for that to be shortly, but god being what she is, I'm bettin' not.

Tad: Well, all those are valid criticisms. They're not the whole picture, though: Stross develops the worlds he's working in via the more high-level approach he takes from book 4 to book 6. He's leaving these characters, IMHO, so he can develop the worlds without having to worry about making sure the characters remain consistent with the complex backstory that he's created. He'll get to work in the worlds with a freer hand this way.

That said, I didn't like the last two books as much as I liked the first four, but I really like the ideas he's playing with, so I kept going.

xo back at ya

Your dentist doesn't have a backup???? You need a new dentist. If you were in the city, I'd have good people to recommend to you, but alas, you're in Hempstead. let me know if you want a name anyway.

>148 richardderus:: Hmmm, that's an interesting perspective. So, the proof of this approach will be in how well he does the future, non-Miriam, books.

Richard - I haven't been on the computer much for the past few months - disgustingly busy, sick for over a month, etc., etc., - so am just catching up with you now. Sorry you have had such a rough few months and I hope you get the tooth issue taken care of soon. (((HUGS)))

Big smooch delivered on the cheek that doesn't hurt! xoxo BerlyBoo

ditto what Kim said! And, thumbs up on a great review!

Tried to thumb your review, but it isn't posted....

Maybe the book review isn't showing because the work is still so new...?

http://www.librarything.com/work/10806661/reviews/72221017

There it is.

Complete crap day. Worse than usual. The son of an old friend died, the basement, the plumbing, the emotional mishegas, this that and the other blessed thing. I feel used up.

Ugh, so sorry to hear that your teeth still can't be fixed, friend's son's death, basement, plumbing and various emotionally suckers, Richard.

*sends big big hugs and waves of fresh churros- scented healing waves*

If you do 5 jumping jacks while reciting the alphabet backwards, your bad karma will be nixed and tomorrow will bring you lots of laughter (ok, they may be a little maniacal but laughter is laughter, right?)

Poor sweet baby...

Hugs and smooches, RichardDear. Hang in there.

Hope this bad patch passes soon..

My sympathies and all....

Good review of Storm, I'll have to think about if I can read it.

I agree about the Stross -- I'm around book 5 I think, and I have struggled with his abandonment of the characters in favor of the world..... I am firmly of the school that no matter what else you are up to in a novel without at least one or two decent characters it isn't actually a novel..... are the worlds' themselves good enough characters? No.
I don't know why he couldn't pull himself together, he's smart enough, good enough. grumble grumble

>157 cameling: I tried the jumping jacks. I sprained my ankle. *sigh*

I *could* go to the coverage dentist, whose office is 20+mi away, except that he wants to be paid in full before he'll do anything. The anti-infection prescription is doing wonders, so I soldier on. The pain is down from 9 to 7 out of 10, and that is *huge*.

>158 tloeffler: Thanks, TLo. Looks like my Castiglione hat stays in MY closet for a while longer, sorry.

>159 karenmarie: *smooch* back, Horrible...just read a good mystery that you need to read: Murder at Plimoth Plantation. Yep, it starts a series! *mwaaahaaahaaaaaa*

>160 mckait: Good stuff passes so quickly, why does bad stuff seem to linger?

>161 sibylline: Stross's six books might shoulda been published as two much longer ones, one in 2004 and one in 2005. The Bush/Cheney-hatin' wouldn't have obtruded so much, and some of the more violent tropes would've seemed more in keeping with the times. Not that we live in some peaceful, halcyon age now; just that hate and fear were official policy to a degree they aren't today.

I'm glad the pain is going down. I'd wish pineapple bliss cupcake on you, but I'm not sure if that would make things better or worse.

Wishing you a day filled with books and soft choc. chip cookies.

RichardDear - okay, another new series. I've wishlisted it on Bookmooch. Sigh. So many books, so little time.

Maybe some of the following books can lead to a new wail of "Horrible! How dare you!"

The newest Simon Serrailler The Shadows in the Street which was excellent,
The Calligrapher by Edward Docx (title touchstone won't let me select the correct one) which was deliciously intellectual AND bitchy at the same time,
and a very strange book called The Lecturer's Tale about a college professor whose finger acquires strange properties after having been severed and re-attached. I'm about 50 pages from the end.

Oh. And I finished Bury Your Dead, thinking about you the entire time and remembering your review of the book in which a major character is...... (removed the spoilerish nature of the last phrase). I somehow missed your review of Bury Your Dead but caught up on it after reading the book. Good one. Review, that is.

Down to 7 of 10, hope it goes lower soonest!

I think I'll duck the new series for now. Too many books, too little...... Besides, I'm waiting in agony for the paperback edition of Bury Your Dead. I checked Penny's website for a mention of paperback publication - nada. Sigh. I'll just have to make do with the other 563 books on my TBR.

new series? *flees*

Just adding to the good wishes re: your pain level. Hoping that it drops like the countdown on New Year's Eve--3, 2, 1--woohoo! So glad to hear that the meds are doing their job. I almost feel guilty for my more rapid recovery, but the near-guilt is offset by the pain in my checking account. Feeling a greater sense of anticipation and gratitude for my next paycheck--more than usual.

>163 London_StJ: Pain is down to 5 of 10!! I love zithromycin. I didn't even need painkillers to sleep last night.

>164 Whisper1: chocolate *shudder* but the soft cookies, if snickerdoodles, sound fabOO! xo

>165 karenmarie: Odd...a strange phenomenon seems to occur when I look at the message...all I can see is Horrible's name, then a bunch of Sanskrit text I don't understand. Anyone else having this problem?

>166 ffortsa: I truly don't know how you're able to wait. I can't possess my soul in patience more than 15-20sec when I know there's more Gamache to read.

>167 cameling: Oh dear, Caro must've rmembered a pot on the stove or something, so I left the info on the series over on her thread. *evil Muttley laugh*

>168 littleshell: Oh, yeah. I can only imagine. I don't know how this round of stuff will get paid for, but it's not optional. *heavy, heavy sigh*

Smooch!

>170 Berly: *smooch* right back!

Sorry to hear about your dental problems, but I'm glad that the Zithromax is helping.

They're self-created. I fear the dentist so much that I don't ever go in. When I do go in, if I'm not unconscious, I scream and flail about. Truly phobic responses.

Understandable; I HATE going to the dentist.

It's the drill. I can't listen to the drill. I'm getting sweaty-palmed even thinking about it.

Finally catching up here - sorry about the tooth pain. Add me to the list of people who hates going to the dentist, ugh. Glad the pain's down to 5/10.

CUSHLA!! How lovely to see you!! And I have been remiss...haven't mentioned how much I adore your profile pic. I feel the way you look on roller coasters.

#175: Absolutely! I can't stand hearing that damned thing, even when it isn't being used on me.

Richard, I am on here because I'm meant to be packing to go back to the home of that roller coaster (Legoland) for our 3rd visit. I'm steering clear of that thing this time though - ugh!

Glad the pain is ramping down--hope it continues. *smooches*

The only thing I hate about going to the dentist is the huge needle with the anesthetic in it. After that, I'm just fine. Since you folks are phobic, I'll spare you the (fascinating to me) description of my implant procedure.

Richard, if you are phobic about seeing the dentist, I hope you use some device such as a Waterpik. It's improved my efforts at dental hygiene with no fuss or pain, which is good, since I hate to floss - it feels like I have both fists in my mouth, and even when it's MY fists, I don't much like it.

My former dentist gave me a valium in the office each time I went in...even for a cleaning. Hated going, but he (and the drugs, of course) helped me to get beyond that.

A big *smooch* for you and hope that this will all fade into that pleasant area of things barely remembered.

Oh good - I was going to suggest that.

Whoa...all this talk of Pain is makin' me queasy...I just scored some Vicodin....wish I could get it to you toot-sweet.....Soldier on, Dahling!

;-p

>178 kidzdoc: *shudders*

>179 cushlareads: *shudders*

>180 ronincats: Hiya Roni! *smooch* back!

>181 ffortsa: The waterpik and its kind save me, I am convinced. I'm already having fantods about this trip to the dentist!

>182 Matke:, 183 Valium *snort* I have to be anesthetized! As in, they could do a kidney transplant on me! Oh god oh god maybe I can live with this....

>184 jdthloue: Oddly enough, the after-pain isn't that awful for me. I suppose my natural level of pain keeps me from being a wussy about it.

xo

We are truly opposite, Richard. I think all the big dentist tools are cool! In fact, I was kind of disappointed they used this technique to keep all the neat instruments out of my eyesight when they were yanking my tooth out.

Yet the thought of any kind of social gathering elicits a similar reaction out of me. *shudderCRINGEomg*

Unfortunately going to the dentist is still scary for me, simply because I have to talk to receptionists and whatnot. Wah!

ऋइच्हर्द्डेअर् - ओकय्, अनोथेर् नेw सेरिएस्. ई'वे wइस्ह्लिस्तेद् इत् ओन् Bओओक्मोओच्ह्. षिघ्. षो मन्य् बोओक्स्, सो लित्त्ले तिमे.

ंअय्बे सोमे ओf थे fओल्लोwइन्ग् बोओक्स् चन् लेअद् तो अ नेw wऐल् ओf "ःओर्रिब्ले! ःओw दरे योउ!"

ठे नेwएस्त् षिमोन् षेर्रैल्लेर् ठे ष्हदोwस् इन् थे ष्त्रेएत् wहिच्ह् wअस् एxचेल्लेन्त्,
ठे छल्लिग्रफेर् ब्य् Eद्wअर्द् डोच्x (तित्ले तोउच्ह्स्तोने wओन्'त् लेत् मे सेलेच्त् थे चोर्रेच्त् ओने) wहिच्ह् wअस् देलिचिओउस्ल्य् इन्तेल्लेच्तुअल् आण्ड् बित्च्ह्य् अत् थे समे तिमे,
अन्द् अ वेर्य् स्त्रन्गे बोओक् चल्लेद् ठे Lएच्तुरेर्'स् टले अबोउत् अ चोल्लेगे प्रोfएस्सोर् wहोसे fइन्गेर् अच्qउइरेस् स्त्रन्गे प्रोपेर्तिएस् अfतेर् हविन्ग् बेएन् सेवेरेद् अन्द् रे-अत्तच्हेद्. ई'म् अबोउत् 50 पगेस् fरोम् थे एन्द्.

Oह्. आन्द् ई fइनिस्हेद् Bउर्य् Yओउर् डेअद्, थिन्किन्ग् अबोउत् योउ थे एन्तिरे तिमे अन्द् रेमेम्बेरिन्ग् योउर् रेविएw ओf थे बोओक् इन् wहिच्ह् अ मजोर् च्हरच्तेर् इस्...... (रेमोवेद् थे स्पोइलेरिस्ह् नतुरे ओf थे लस्त् फ्रसे). ई सोमेहोw मिस्सेद् योउर् रेविएw ओf Bउर्य् Yओउर् डेअद् बुत् चौघ्त् उप् ओन् इत् अfतेर् रेअदिन्ग् थे बोओक्. ङोओद् ओने. ऋएविएw, थत् इस्.

डोwन् तो 7 ओf 10, होपे इत् गोएस् लोwएर् सोओनेस्त्!

xo Horrible

#188 HUH?

#188 OK?

#188 I Love it!!!!

#188 : Very pretty .....but what does it say?

Richard -- ask for gas when you go. Seriously. Insist on it. Nitrous oxide is divine. Had I had dentists willing to use it, I could have saved myself a LOT of dental woes. You float on the ceiling, let them do their stuff, and don't come down to earth until it's all over. Especially if you go in there in pain, and come out after having been blissfully out of it during the procedure, to have the pain vanish...

But get it seen to asap, if you can.

And feel better. Even the cats are worried about you...

#188 is a translation of my message #165 into Sanskrit. I figured if his eyes are translating English into Sanskrit on my messages, then if I wrote it in Sanskrit his eyes would translate it into English. (see RichardDear's message #169)

That way he has no excuse NOT to read some of the excellent books I've been reading.

:)

>188 karenmarie: That's hilarious, Horrible! Really, really good laugh...much needed.

Auntie's doing very, very poorly. Much trouble breathing. It is, I suspect, the beginning of the end. It had to happen, but I was hoping to eke out a bit more time.

Morning Richard- Glad you got a good laugh, looks like you could use it! I started a new Mystery thread for May, over on the 75. You should join us for a couple:Right Here

Hope you feel better and have a nice Easter weekend!

I am so sorry, Rdear. Much love and {{{{{{{{{{{{{Richard and family}}}}}}}}}}}}} to you and yours.

Keeping you and yours in my Warm Thought-ful Place, Richard. May it all play out as peacefully as possible.

Thinking of you and Auntie. Sending lots of love. When you get time, you should read The Tiger's Wife -- awesome! xoxo

Richard, I'm so sorry to hear about Auntie. I'm glad you have the support of hospice though. I'll be thinking of you and Auntie and Claudia.

popping in....

hugs

more fly by hugs...

So sorry to hear about Auntie. I will be thinking of all of you.

*hugs* this time, my dear. Thinking of you and Claudia and Auntie.

*general smooch* Doctor's on her way...nurse agrees with me, we're looking at the end. Flights of angels, dear old Vicki. Flights of angels.

Sending lots of light and love.

Hi Richard,
I guess things are painful at your house. My teeth now hurt - thanks! Hope you can get a fix very soon for yours. I agree on the drill noise. EEEEEKKK!

Auntie is surrounded by love and can't ask for more at this point. I'm sure you are keeping her comfy as much as possible. Praying for all of you... and flights of angels!

Thinking of you at this time. (((Hugs)))

Love to you & C & Vickie...

Thanks all...no way would I have believed it, but a nebulizer treatment has helped the old gals breathing a lot. A few extra days, maybe even weeks! It's some kind of drug I've never heard of, and it's apparently hideously expensive, but the doc ordered it and after a half-hour of bureaucratic wrangling it was approved. Things could definitely be worse, and until recently, I thought they were!

{{{{Hugs}}} Richard.

Well, I hope the remaining days/weeks are as tranquil and pain-free as poss, for both you guys and Vickie.

Sending all good thoughts to you and yours, Richard, and hope for a peaceful time.

It looks like the end will come this weekend. Vicki has decided to go. She refuses water, pudding (which would NEVER have happened in life!), and her meds. I can use comfort medications, all in liquid form, because she needn't swallow them, the body absorbs them via mucous membranes. I can be sure she's not in physical distress, which is mostly a comfort to me.

It's emotionally draining to do this work; my body responds viscerally to her body's struggle, and has to be firmly reminded that there isn't a better to get. Honestly, it's the hardest thing to do, is wait, and watch, and struggle against the impulse to shout encouragements to live, live live live!! She can't. Seeing the end come, even after 92 years more good than bad, isn't a task I can relish, though I can and do glory in the fact that she's dying in her own home, in her bed, with people who love and care for her around her.

I don't expect I'll be able to come back until after she's died. All of y'all who have come and offered love and support have made a very big difference in my experience of Vicki's dying. I feel so lucky to have people in my life, online and off, who care enough to make my way a bit easier and a lot more comfortable. It is beyond price. I thank each of you very much.

Thoughts and prayers and cyber kisses and hugs to you all, my dear, at this horrid time. I hope that Vicki's last journey is a peaceful transition. My love to you.

What bohemima said. {{{{hugs}}}}

she's dying in her own home, in her bed, with people who love and care for her around her This is the best passing any of us can hope for, Richard. Bless you for making it possible for Auntie. Peace and strength be with you.

Richard - my thoughts are with you. May things be as peaceful as possible for you and yours. {{{hugs}}}

Richard - my thoughts also with you at this time.

Auntie's lived a full life and she's where she wants to be now, at home, with people who love her by her side. Huge hugs, thoughts and prayers go out to you and TDM during this difficult time. I hope she goes peacefully onto her next journey.

Hugs and kisses, RichardDear to you and your family.

Horrible

Holding you and your family in the Light.

Same here!

I don't suppose it's ever easy to ponder this stuff "during", but the blessings are so numerous. Vicki is surrounded by people who love and have cared for her; she is as comfortable as she can be; she has had 92 years on this earth (a good, long innings); she has made the decision herself, in some corner of her mind, that this is the right time to leave. You & C will be left to grieve, true; but it sounds as if, given the inevitability of death itself, this is the best kind of death possible. And you both can will be able to take comfort -- eventually -- in having made that possible.

*tender hugs*

Richard, my thoughts are with you, sending prayers of peace and comfort.

What everyone's said. A difficult passage for everyone, but at least she has had the opportunity to decide, and to be home, with you and C.

Delurking to wish you strength and comfort...

My thoughts are with you.

She is so lucky to have you with her.

Richard
I can't say it any better than Suz...Blessings to all.

Much love

To my shocked amazement, tough old Vicki is still with us. She's not responsive any more, but she's breathing comfortably, and we take turns spending time talking to her, so she knows she's surrounded by people who care.

Honestly, y'all, it's the best, most comfortable death I could wish for anyone, and I sincerely hope and pray that I'll have something similar when it's my time.

I went to the liquor store on Sunday, since without Scotch I was not going to get through this in any way sane, and it hit me: I got a bottle of bubbly, too, so when Vicki leaves, we can stand at her bedside and toast the many memories and the wonderful times we have had. Don't exactly know that would make some people happy to know was being done for them, but ol' Vick was always one for a party. It seemed fitting somehow. The Divine Miss, after she got past the surprise, was touched and amused and happy that I'd thought of a celebratory way to mark the occasion.

My thanks again for the messages of support and kind prayers. It is a comfort to know y'all're with me, TDM, and Vicki in our passage.

#232 I really love that idea - it's what I'd hope my family would do for me. In fact what they will be told in advance to do...

Just adding my hugs to the general pile. It sounds like her passing will at least be gentle - for her if not for you. XX

What a wonderful thought.

Richard- Thanks for the update! You know we are here, if you need us. Hope your day goes as well, as it can.

Richard, I'm so glad Vickie seems comfortable and that you and Claudia seem to be doing well too. I remember listening to a friend describe her grandmother's death with her family in the room with her telling stories and having a great time celebrating her life. I think the champagne is a great idea.

(((HUGS)))

Richard

You are an angel!

Richard, my thoughts and prayers are with you all in this time of transition. I spent a week with my Grandmother at home, taking shifts with family members, waiting for her to pass on when she was ready. It was sad, but wonderful at the same time, and it's something that I hope I can experience myself when the time comes.

*Smooches* and (Hugs) to you all!

Richard, I think the bubbly was a wonderful idea. I believe Vicki would have loved it. I'm so glad I got the opportunity to meet her at your house last fall. And I'll never forget when she told us all it was time to leave now.

You tell her from me: "It's time to leave now. Enjoy the journey!"

ETA: And give my best to dear Claudia.

Thinking of you from over here, and I love the champagne idea.

Although the end is always hard, I am so proud of you for offering her such a comfortable and loving passing. Love to you and yours.

Just wanted to let you know I'm thinking of you and TDM and Auntie. Other than that, I can't really add anything else to what everyone else has been saying, but I echo their thoughts.

Need I say anything? {{{{RICHAD}}}}

My thoughts keep returning to you and the TDM and Vickie. I hope she is still comfortable and all is serene.

I think the champagne is a wonderful idea as well. Thinking of you all.

I am just stepping in with a message from rdear..
I spoke with him a short time ago, and he told me
that Vickie has passed. She went quietly..
He appreciates everyone's visits here and will be back
as soon as he can to update everyone. . .

Gentle Journey Vickie..

Thanks for posting here.

Thanks for letting us know, Kath.

Rest in peace, Vickie.

Stopping by to wish you peace and blessings of comfort. {{{RD}}}

The most any of us could wish or hope for: to die quietly, peacefully, as if slipping to sleep, well cared for and well loved. You gave her it all.

take care

Thanks for letting us know, Kath.

Thinking of TDM and you, Richard.

Gentle hugs to you and Claudia!

You're in our hearts Richard.

Richard, comfort yourself with the knowledge that you gave Auntie everything you could. Love and comforting thoughts to you.

Somewhere in the spirit world, there is someone named Vicki who is now going to take very special care of you my friend. My loving thoughts go out to you and Claudia. You are both very special people, and we are all honored to know you, just as you honored Vicki by your caring.

Special thoughts to you.

{{{Richard}}}

Richard, you and Claudia are in my thoughts today. I'm glad that Vicki had a peaceful passing.

Thanks for the update Kath.

Thinking of you Richard.

Richard, I am so sorry for your loss.

What a beautiful smile she had. I'm sure she's smiling down on you now.

Thanks for letting us know Kath.

Richard I'm thinking of you and Claudia {{{hugs}}} and sympathy.

Terry - thanks for a lovely picture of Vicky, she has a wonderful smile.

Kath, Thanks for letting us know.

Richard - Thinking of you and Claudia. What a wonderful smile she had! I am so sorry for your loss.

Thank you all for the wishes, duly conveyed to The Divine Miss. We're touched, we're amazed in fact, at the kindness of y'all's hearts to spend time sharing your sympathy so generously.

I am flat worn out. I don't have any more medical chores to do; I've disposed of the many, many partially used bottle of medicine in the currently prescribed fashion, pouring pills into containers of salt and double bagging them before sending them to the landfill; the durable medical equipment is about to be picked up and sent to help others; the wheelchairs are in the trunk of the car awaiting a trip to the Salvation Army; the wound-care supplies went off with the hospice nurse to help the immediate needs of new hospice patients before supplies can be sent to them.

I made chicken baked in wine and herbs, the greens and rice I love so much, prune whip, and spice cake with mocha sauce for our celebratory dinner. Then I sat down, and I've only in the last hour gotten up! I intend to be a big, ugly turnip on the settee and in the bed until next week.

You're all smooched and hugged.

Rx: For Richard Derus
Eat, sleep, imbibe. Sleep, eat, imbibe.
Repeat as necessary until the urge to do something else comes back.

Deepest condolences to you and TDM, Richard. Auntie was blessed to have both you and TDM at her side at the end.

I was about to reach out to give you a big big hug ...but then I read that you just ate prune whip! What the heck, Richard? Have you taken leave of your senses?!! Gadzooks .... that sounds positively revolting, and I can only surmise that your tiredness from all those hours, days, weeks and months of looking after Auntie with the patience and love of a saint has resulted in befuddled tastebuds! Quick .... whip up a batch of super buttery shortbread cookies .... that'll put you to rights soon enough.....and if you fall asleep eating them, I'll quietly tiptoe in and finish them off for you..... no sense wasting and letting the ants come along to carry them away, right? *snigger*

Richard- Hope you are doing well, my friend! You are in our prayers! Now go have a drink!

Thinking of you, and wishing you comfort and peace.

Be kind to yourself now -- as you were kind a loving to her for so long.

Hugs!

{{{{Hugs}}}} and ***smooches***--we were sending loving thoughts and prayers to you at our LT lunch on Tuesday, before we got the news. And are continuing. Take care!

Best wishes to you, Richard. I hope your memories and celebrations of her life bring you comfort.

My thoughts have been with auntie, you and TDM for the last days and I want to say how sorry I am for your loss. It's good to know she had a peaceful passing with her loved ones by her side.

Rdear, do you have a recipe for the greens and rice you love? Sounds perfect for my little family here.

{{{{{{{{{Richard and Claudia}}}}}}}}

xo

{{hugs}}

I'm very sorry to learn of the passing of your beloved aunt, Richard. My thoughts are with you.

Hugs and Kisses from
Horrible

My condolences, Richard. You obviously went through a lot together, and this must be hard.

I'm so sorry for your loss. Thinking of you.

I am sorry for your loss Richard.

I do hope you are getting a lot of time to relax and read though.

Richard, prayers are with you as you transition to a different kind of life. You can hold your head high when you remember Aunt Vickie and the wonderful gift you gave to her in the last months.

Oh my goodness, what a moment to pay you a visit, Richard. Please accept my sincere condolences on Auntie's passing. You went above and beyond the call of duty in so many different ways. I would think that both you and Auntie gained and learned so much from each other.
RIP Auntie and peace to you, Richard.

Ah Richard, So sorry. You were the finest caregiver I can imagine. You two worked so hard, fought for her to have the best, went without and suffered to give her what she needed. I'm so glad you had her this long. SOrry it wasn't longer! hate that.

xoxo

Adding my condolences, Richard. My heart goes out to you as you recover from your loss and all that you have gone through this past year.

Richard
Re. message #277, I tried to post photos, but wasn't successful. If you have a minute, please check your email. There are three photos of Vicki.

Love to you and Claudia.

*waves at Richard* - enjoy the beautiful weather ... does Ms Stella suffer from Spring allergies?

Stella has been down in the dumps here lately. She's mopey and draggy. I took her to the vet today and he said she's sad. Healthy, unflea-ful, and sad. Jindos are extremely sensitive to the mood of a home, and we're not gleeful and heel-clicky just yet. She's making a slow comeback, the vet said, and don't worry unless she shows some sort of physical sign like urping, coughing, or diarrhea.

Now on to the really important things: The Royal Wedding. The Prime Minister's wife. *GASP* WHO LET HER OUT dressed like she was off to the Denny's for brunch with the gals?

Princess Beatrice's hat. *retch* Who knew they had hat shops in Whoville? Cindy Lou Who must be *so* pleased her hat was seen on royalty!

Victoria Beckham's dark-blue mourning trapezoid. *snort* Pregnant she might well be, but damn good and depressed with it.

LOVE the fashion critique, my dear. Makes me want to find some video and actually watch the darn thing, just to see what inspired you!

Hope Stella, TDM, and you all continue making that slow comeback--it's a process.