Bahzah/ Cee's Comfy Corner Series - Book 12

2011 Books read:

JANUARY
#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)
FEBRUARY
#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)
#12 Where the Mountain Meets the Moon by Grace Lin (4.25 stars)
#13 Jamaica Inn by Daphne du Maurier (4 stars)
MARCH
#14 I Shall Not Hate: A Gaza Doctor's Journey by Izzeldin Abuelaish (4.5 stars)
#15 Room by Emma Donoghue (3.5 stars)
#16 Winter's Bone: A Novel by Daniel Woodrell (4 stars)
#17 On Stranger Tides by Tim Powers (4 stars)
#18 A Rule Against Murder by Louise Penny (3.5 stars)
#19 Sophia Tolstoy: A Biography by Alexandra Popoff (4.5 stars)
#20 The Lost Garden by Helen Humphreys (4.25 stars)
APRIL
#21 The Sparrow by Mary Doria Russell (4.75 stars)
#22 The Sisters: The Saga of the Mitford Family by Mary S Lovell (3.75 stars)
#23 The Tiger's Wife by Tea Obreht (4 stars)
MAY
#24 Angle of Repose by Wallace Stegner (5 stars)
#25 Lavender Lies by Susan Whittig Albert (3 stars)
#26 In Earshot of Water: Notes from the Columbia Plateau by Paul Lindholdt (4.25 stars)
#27 Radioactive: A Tale of Love and Fallout by Lauren Redniss (5 stars)
#28 The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot (4.5 stars)
#29 Cogslea Revisited by M Juanita Taylor (3.5 stars)
#30 Our Only May Amelia by Jennifer L. Holm (4 stars)
#31 Gandhi The Man How One Man Changed Himself to Change the World by Eknath Easwaran (4.5 stars)
#32 Let's Take the Long Way Home by Gail Caldwell (5 stars)
JUNE
#33 No Great Mischief by Alistair MacLeod (4.5 stars)
#34 Cleopatra VII by Kristiana Gregory (3.5 stars)
#35 The Trumpet of the Swan by E.B. White (4.5 stars)
JULY
#36 Blueberry Chowder by Rose Whitney Smith (4 stars)
#37 The Thousand Autumns of Jacob de Zoet by David Mitchell (4.5 stars)
#38 Still Alice by Lisa Genova (4 stars)
#39 Charlotte's Web by E.B. White (5 stars)
#40 White Heat; The Friendship of Emily Dickinson and Thomas Wentworth Higginson by Brenda Wineapple (4.5 stars)
AUGUST
#41 The Wild Blueberry Book by Virginia Wright (4 stars)
#42 Wintersmith by Terry Pratchett (3.8 stars)
#43 Going Home: Finding Peace When Pets Die by Jon Katz (4.5 stars)
#44 The Memory of Love by Aminatta Forna (5 stars)
#45 Flush: A Biography bu Virginia Woolf (4.25 stars)
#46 Parnassus on Wheels by Christopher Morley (4 stars)
#47 The Girl Who Would Speak for the Dead by Paul Elwork (3.5 stars)
#48 The Haunted Bookshop by Christopher Morley (4 stars)
SEPTEMBER
#49 Three Day Road by Joesph Boyden (4.5 stars)
#50 Death Comes for the Archbishop by Willa Cather (4 stars)
#51 The Brutal Telling by Louise Penny (4 stars)
#52 Red Dog by Louis de Bernieres (3 stars)
#53 Hinges: Meditations on the Portals of the Imagination by Grace Dane Mazur (4.5 stars)
#54 Case Histories by Kate Atkinson (2.5 stars)
#55 I Was Amelia Earhart by Jane Mendelsohn (4.5 stars)
#56 Owls Do Cry by Janet Frame (4 stars)
#57 Stitches by David Small (4 stars)
#58 Every Man in This VIllage is a Liar by Megan Stack (5 stars)
#59 Asterios Polyp by David Mazzucchelli (4 stars)
OCTOBER
#60 A Month in the Country by JL Carr (4 star)
#61 Green Grass, Running Water by Thomas King (4 stars)
#62 A Dog's Purpose by W. Bruce Cameron (4.5 stars)
#63 Bury Your Dead by Louise Penny (4.5 stars)
#64 The Tea Rose by Jennifer Donnelly (4 stars)
#65 The Winter Rose by Jennifer Donnelly (4 stars)
#66 The Wild Rose by Jennifer Donnelly (3.5 stars)
#67 Inside New England by Judson Hale (4 stars)

Wow, am I first?? Hooray! I like your 3 wishes but anything to do with the Arctic, would be off my list.

I like your wishes! And I love your best of list, we share so many great reads this year.

Aww, cute! Such lovely wishes!

(I could use a half dozen kittens to help keep my icy feet warm.)

Starred! I love your wishes!

My three wishes are:
Bed (because I'm working nights),
my electric blanket (because my office is freezing!),
a nice hot cup of tea (for same reason as above!)

Hello,
3 wishes.....
(1) world peace (come on! It could happen!)
(2) 2 kids that sleep through the night
(3) all my CDs fully loaded onto a purple iPod

Three wishes
Cabin in the woods... lake and speedy internet...Virginia, Blue Ridge area
Lottery, enough to share and keep us in comfort
Someone to come in and cook and clean two days a week.

Good Morning, All!

Mark the First! That's why the earth is so varied... something for everyone. Now. Just gotta figure how to get there. Looks like Russia wants the Arctic too. That could be a problem.

Hi Lucy - You just keep finding them and I'll keep reading them! ;-)

Hi Joanne! Cold feet, warm heart. One kitten would probably do the job... but I'll need some company up there in my (electrified) igloo! lol

Poof! You can make your wishes come true, Chelle... you need to get warm and get some sleep. I remember those days... when all I wanted to do was sleep for a week! Did you ever try an electric mattress pad? We like those even better. Dual control, of course :)

Megan, you remind me of my daughter. When her kids want something unattainable she counters with "Yeah, and I want world peace!" At least wishes 2 and 3 should happen someday. Keep the faith! ;-)

Kath - I like your wishes too... especially the last one. But if I am all alone in my igloo I might not need that.

So, back to reality. Think I will do some painting today - of the doors and trim variety. Not a great drying day, but can't wait for Mother Nature to cooperate.

I am reading Owls Do Cry as my upstairs book. Oh, this book is so sad. Takes place in NZ! Not that it gives any sense of the beauty there. But when they mentioned "greenstone" I knew what they were talking about! Cool, huh Megan? I might ask Santa for a piece of that in a necklace. Saw it on the web :D

Happy Saturday!

Yay that is cool!
*proudly spreading the word about NZ on LT*
Although it is a sad book, you're right. Sad and beautiful.

>9 mckait: Love the cabin in the woods wish, maybe Ill visit you there, listening to my tunes on my purple iPod on the way :-), while someone is cleaning your house for you....

Hi Claudia
We have a queen electric blanket that has the dual control so I can keep my side toasty warm and my fiance can keep his turned off.

Half the painting done! (trim and doors in the guest room, that is) Will finish up tomorrow - hopefully.
What a difference... looks good.
Next I want to do the other guest room - which is currently our room while Mom occupies the master suite.
I guess it's good that we are upstairs so this will bug me enough to get it done. :)
Really could use a better drying day. Rainy and damp here.

Megan - NZ is calling me! But it's so dang far away. So, I will dream for now.

Perfect, Chelle! No fights that way. ;-)
When Ron and I were first married, he was the furnace and I was always cold. Now it's just the opposite. Go figure!

Hi Claudia- Sounds like you had a busy & productive day! Good for you! It was a pleasant enough day here. I'm kicking back tonight, reading, maybe start a movie. The daughter is out for the night with friends.

Hmmmm....three wishes...a child to happily share life with Mike and I for many many years...to be at a healthy weight...and enough money to live a simple life in this awful economy. A girl can dream. :)

Mark - Yeah, I guess you have to share her, huh? It's nice you've had some time together. :) My daughter is coming with a friend to run the Maine Marathon next weekend. She's nuts! (but I love her)

Angela - those are 3 beautiful wishes and I hope they all come true for you! and soon!
ok, I tend to be a bit impatient myownself. Hang in there... I'm hanging w/you.

More painting today... the more I look around, the more trim I see that needs a new coat of paint. This is gonna turn into a winter project methinks.

So muggy here. Want cold, dry arctic air, pleeeeez! Common Canada... share!

With you on the weather woes.

What color are you painting??
How does your hair look that color?
( well, if it were me, my hair would be that color too..
and my hands ,clothes and etc)

When I checked temps this am, we were warmer than you! :P
ETA - oh! I already told you that. CRS!

Now it's 80 degrees and muggy. :P~~~~

so far - just painting trim. So it's white. Actual name - "snowy egret"
My hair has enough of that color in it already, so...
I did get some on the back of my arm... dunno how?

was gonna finish up today, but everytime I move I get HOT!
So... I'm enjoying my new LR fan (ahhhhhhh) until the sun goes away.
Then we'll see.

No painting at night. Day off.. days off, until coolness returns ..
So says the kath.

I just sat down about 10 minutes ago... but the furkids are staring .. they want some food.
It is useless to resist...

I found you Cee! I agree with Kath, no night painting. The bugs will be attracted to the light on the miners hat that you will inevitably need to wear and then they'll stick to your trim and then you'll need to pluck them off tomorrow doubling your work, so just read about painting instead.

"The Kath"? Out of all the Kaths in the world, you da ONE! ;-)

So sorry - had to finish up the first coat on guest room. Now I get to do it all over again. One coat is not acceptable. :P I've never been happy with one coat of paint on anything.

Deep into Every Man in This Village is a Liar . Really good book.
No matter how many times I read this stuff, from every perspective, it's a punch in the stomach. So much violence. Everyday. It really hurts us all. We are so lucky to be Americans, So far, anyway. :}

Found your new thread.
I've just bought Every man in this village as a present for my god-daughter who is interested in war journalism, and I'm wondering whether to read it myself first, or get another copy...

Yeah, I know, I can never get away with just one coat of paint either it seems. And I can understand why you painted at night. Whenever I paint I am SO ready to get it DONE that I usually have marathon painting sessions. It's a pain to keep dragging all the painting stuff out again the next day, and move all the furniture, so once I get the paint prep ready I figure I might as well keep going. Good for you for not getting it in your hair! :) I've done that before too...

Hi Genny, You should definitely read the book- however you want to do that.
I've also read and recommend I Shall Not Hate by Izzeldin Abuelaish which was about living in the Gaza Strip. Both of these books seem very honest. It's crazy to keep listening to media news clips, internet hype, etc and expect to start understanding what is going on. The problems are so old, so deep, so other-culture, and so heart breaking.
As for war journalism and military service... "Liar" gives some insight on how hard it is to "come back home". *heavy sigh*

Hi Angela - exactly! All that! Bottom line... just want to get it DONE! But then, is it ever done? Another reason I'd like an igloo! You don't have to paint them. Right?

Second beauteous day in a week predicted to be all clouds and showers... just need to find the sun's thermostat and turn the temp down out there. It's ok right now - 60s. BUT ...it's early.

I also think my own personal thermostat is broken. Does anyone know if there is a disorder where the body is ALWAYS too dang hot? Can you die from it? :P~~~~

I hope everyone finds something unexpected to sweeten up your day today!

I am still staying away from disturbing reads..
I want a book that is enjoyable not one that makes me feel bad :P
I make no apologies for it either :)

Nothing going on here, I finally remembered to buy apples. I am going to
make apple cake in a day or three.

I do marathon painting too.. but I start at 6 am and quit at suppertime..
usually.

60 is good painting weather.. 50 is better :)
hot here again. and muggy as heck .. rain later..
rain yesterday and that made it really muggy yesterday.

#56 Owls Do Cry by Janet Frame



Oh, the futility of life...where the "sane" partake of what appears to be the nectar of life and the "insane" are sadly dispossessed - but perhaps nearer to the truth.

This book follows a poverty stricken family in New Zealand but could have been anywhere on earth. All family members lead individually distinct emotional lives and Janet Frame takes the reader on an exploration of the intimate musings of each. As crowded together physically and economically as they are, there is a vast distance separating them.

It occurred to me that perhaps you have to be a bit crazy to understand this book... I just might be...
I really liked this one! Very sad but insightful.

4 stars

I've read such good reviews of I shall not hate on here, I would love to read that one too.

Hi Claudia!!!

#26 - Owls Do Cry sounds like something I'd be interested in, and I just put it on the wishlist. Thanks for the review!

Hope you didn't have to paint all day...
nice storm brewing here... so I am going to have
a go at reading for a while...
sleep tight!

Hi Genny,
>27 gennyt: I think you would definitely like it a lot!

Hi there Tammy!!!
Good to see you here! Stop by anytime! :)

Hi Kerri,
Hope you enjoy it when you get to it!

Kath -
Nope. I only painted about an hour or so today.
Only 1 coat on 1 door left.
The doors are louvered - :P
Catch ya tomorrow ;-)

Hi Cee, my three wishes change from day to day. How about if I wish for 3 new wishes each day... or is that cheating?

Your poignant review on Owls Do Cry made me want to read it. I share your "craziness" in liking these intense soul-searching type of books. Oh, I also have Every Man in this Village... checked out from the library. Another book about crazy stuff that I've wanted to read ever since Suzanne and Bonnie talked about it.

Hi Donna, I know what you mean... that's why I asked "What are your three wishes today". lol I think your answer is very crafty and a good start to a lifetime of wishes! I was just having some fun and trying to get to know others a bit better. Now I know... you are the smart one!

I find my reading patterns have changed recently. It's kinda bits and pieces instead of long periods of escape to another world. So, the chunksters are not doing it for me right now - though there are several I want to read. The shorter books with hidden (or not so hidden) messages are giving me more pleasure and stuff to think about. I'll go with it for now and see what the future brings. :)

Painting finished ? Louvers ? ugh!

Nothing new.. dr this morning.. after some laundry, then rapid fire
cleaning up.. a swipe at the floors and then some more vacuuming. Dunkers is shedding like mad.
I want to sit and do nuthin for a bit, but I need to eat first. Haven't yet. Then I will let the day begin.. which reminds me I have to pack a lunch for dan...................

I am not sure that I will be back later.. so I just stopped by to say good night.
I am just so darned sleepy! Barely 4 hours last night just didn't do it for me I guess..
Tomorrow is another ay :)
Sweet dreams tonight and good luck finding a menu for the weekend!

#57 Stitches by David Small



I'm always amazed at how much gets across in a GN. Yes, a picture must be worth a thousand words.
Autobiographical. Sad, emotionally abusive childhood. Can David forgive when he finds out the truth about himself, his mother, his father? Would it make any difference? Or is he too damaged and his family too messed up? There is much anger and fear in this art. Makes you want to hug a child.

4 stars

Hi Claudia- I'm so glad you liked Stitches. I know it was a dark, sometimes disturbing read, but it also showed how powerful graphics can be. I'm so glad you are giving them a try! Happy Mark!

Hi Cee, I'm also glad you liked Stitches. I thought it was a perfect way for an illustrator to tell his story. So sad though.

Hi Claudia! Mark let me know that you had just read Stitches and enjoyed it. I just received my copy in mail today and once I finish my current book, I can't wait to get to Stitches! It will be my first graphic novel.

As well - I noticed that you had advised Genny T to read I Shall Not Hate. I read it too and I've never seen Palestine and Israel in the same light since reading the book - so poor old Genny has another recommendation from me!:)

*waves* Hope you have a great day!

I'm also glad you liked Stitches. The pictures do burn into your heart like nothing else can.

Hi Mark - I do like graphics. I just wish they would put them all in one section in the book stores instead of interspersed with their particular genre... like biographies, etc. I have done well with the ones suggested here on LT though - and most have been at my library. Funny how some people really resist reading them. Like my DH. ???

Hi Joanne - You're right about that. The combination of the story to be told and the impact of the graphics was perfect.

Hi Deborah! (Do you prefer Deb?) Welcome! I feel the same way you feel about not seeing Palestine/Israel quite the same anymore. And... Every Man in This Village is a Liar reinforces that.

Hi Lynda! *waves back* I think all books should have a few pictures - or a MAP! :) Never enough maps.

Hope everyone has a great day!

>41 -Cee-:: Cee, I'm glad the graphic format works for you. I've tried a few with mixed success. I haven't completely ruled them out but will be very selective. Stitches was my first and I too wanted to hug a child after reading it. A very emotional book.

I'm going to be reading some shorter books in October... right after I finish the 843 pages of Lonesome Dove for next week's book group. My book is a HC and I'm lugging it to Texas this weekend so I can keep plugging along in it. It's a great book so I don't consider it a hardship!

Oh yes, the shorter books I have planned come directly from your recommendations: Parnassus on Wheels and The Haunted Bookshop. I may have to take Parnassus with me this weekend for a purse book. If I could read in the car, my life would be so much better. ;-)

Oh, Donna... I am pretty selective with GNs. I would never try one out of the blue... luckily I have a lot of great recs on LT. You're gonna love those 2 books coming up!

I'm NOT happy w/War & Peace - HC. Too dang heavy. Hurts my hands and lap. I'll probably break down and get it on my Kindle. I don't even really want to read it anymore. :(

Hi Claudia, three wishes? Hmmm, well here's some very self-serving wishes: good weather on 10/22, somehow that I get everything done by then, and that everyone who says they're coming actually comes to the wedding and we don't end up paying for people that don't come. I know, where's my wish for world peace?

I hope you're enjoying Every Man in this Village is a Liar. That's one that will stay with me for a long time.

#58 Every Man in This Village is a Liar by Megan Stack



Wow. Megan Stack was a finalist in 2007 for the Pulitzer Prize in international reporting. After reading this book, I am not surprised she was a finalist, only that she didn't win. She has fearlessly taken on a subject of great world controversy sparing no danger to herself both physically and mentally. Her writing is stunningly beautiful and poetic. It is also clear, explicitly honest, and heartbreakingly blunt.

This is not a book about one experience in one country. It covers several countires in the Middle East region over a critical timeframe. Each chapter is a definitive account of a different country with her analysis of the situation as she was able to absorb and interpret what she saw and heard. Stack cuts to the heart of the problems, exposes the beauty and the ugliness of humanity, and holds up a mirror for Americans to see the reflection of their own policies and actions in this war.

The tension and fear never let up. The realities of living in the midst of war hit the reader like the bombs that were dropped on villages of the innocent. Words on a page are never the same as real life experience. But this book is truly "an education in war" (as the title proclaims) to a nation that is far removed from its everyday horror and we had best pay attention. Everyone should read this one.

5 stars Highly recommended.

Hi Bonnie! Yes, that was some book!

I hope you get ALL your wishes... but even if it is not perfect - it WILL be perfect as long as they get married. That's the goal. lol

No matter what, I expect they will be happy. Everything that NEEDS to get done, WILL be done. And I imagine the cost of anyone who does not show up will pale in comparison to the whole. Just make sure you get LOTS of pictures - cuz you will look back on this day many times over the years with joy.

I hope you and hubby are planning a "second honeymoon" for yourselves to follow the big day. You will need rest and renewal. We did this after our youngest daughter's wedding - it was the best thing we ever could have done. Highly recommended. :)

#59 Asterios Polyp by David Mazzucchelli



Thoughtful, funny at times, great characters, expressive art, somewhat unpredictable, and love the ending!
I'm going to read this one again before I return it to the library. I know I'll get more out of it.

4 stars Recommended.

Claudia- Wow, 2 good books! Good review of "Every Man". I've had this on the WL, since Bonnie raved about it awhile back. I'm so glad Asterios worked for you. I should re-read it again too, there is so much to take in. You are impressing me...

Well, thanks Mark -

Just started A Month in the Country today. Didn't get too far yet. Busy day.

Its been so long since I visited....not reading the whole lot today sorry, but just wanted to say that one of my wishes came true!! (not world peace sadly)....
I was randomly given an iPod nano for my birthday from someone who won one and didnt want it. I never thought in a million years I'd actually acquire one! The world an its mysterious ways!

Just a quick hello!

Hope you had a good weekend with Bridgit.
Will try to catch up soon...

Hi Megan - WooHoo! A wish come true! And a surprise at that! YAY!

Hi Kath! Bridget and her friend Sarah are at this very moment running (and I imagine freezing) in a downpour. Doesn't look like it will let up. I only hope they give it up early. But I doubt it. Well, then. I hope they don't get sick in this wet and windy cold. It seem like this small area (and your small area) are the only two places it is raining in the entire country! OY.

Hope things are better for you. Smile.

Thoughtful and intriguing reviews, thank you -- !

#60 A Month in the Country by JL Carr



South Africa has diamonds. England has literary gems. This book is a sparkling English treasure.
It's short. I wish it was longer. However, I see that it had to end when it did, the way it did, to make the impact intended.

A veteran of WWI takes on the job of refurbishing a very old, hidden work of art in a country church in the north of England. This task fills his summer and gives him a chance to begin a healing process from shell shock. He discovers a masterpiece under the filth of centuries and connects in spirit with the artist. A tender love relationship also begins to open possibilities... It's a beautiful summer.

4 stars Recommended

Thanks, Lucy! :D

Also, thanks to Joanne for recommending A Month in the Country ... great little book!

Still rainy - what's the deal? I only wish it was snow... hehehe!

Thank goodness for dryers as I have a lot of wash to do today. Remember the days of hanging the clothes outside? I was just a kid ;-) Poor Mom had to do a wash every morning before she went to work and hang the clothes out to dry - regardless of the weather. Dad felt bad for her one Christmas and bought her a dryer. Mom was very happy except for one thing. Dad bought it on time and handed her the bill along with the dryer. (She paid the bills). It was the thought that counted. Right?

Hope everyone has a good day!

Hmmm that sounds like Dan's version of gifting...

Rain here too.. did the single errand I had so.. That is done..
Throw rugs in the dryer.. because Morgan objects to ..
something. They are all mad at Angus lately, especially when he
get back from the vet. Anyway.. she is using my kitchen throw rugs instead of the litter box.
No wonder I woke up with a headache!

Hope your day is a good one.

#54 I loved that one too. Can't remember the details anymore, or how it ends, but just remember him working away in that church on the wall paintings - and the atmosphere of it.

I know Kath...
It's so frustrating when the furkids decide to act up and you're not really sure why. :P
Sorry about the headaches -
So, why is it our heads hurt when things go wrong?
Couldn't our bodies do something else? Like sneeze a few times and get on with life?

Hi Genny - Must be an added dimension to live in a country with so much history. Got to get over there sometime. I hope. I hope. :)

Hi Claudia- A Month in the Country sounds quite appealing. I might have to put that one on the WL.

#58 As for history - you've got plenty over there too, but less of it is in the form of ancient buildings, I guess! Can we do a swap - I'd love to get over your side especially to see both cities and the landscape - the vastness and extremes of which are so different from England.

I do enjoy though having the centuries of history reflected in the architecture and shape of our towns and villages. My church is celebrating its 125th anniversary next year, so it's a fairly new building! (The previous church buildings I've worked in have all been medieval ones - though none of them had wall paintings, sadly).

>45 -Cee-:: I seem to be following in your reading footsteps, Cee. I have Every Man in This Village is A Liar checked out from the library. It has to wait its turn. I'm reading Edith Wharton for my class and Lonesome Dove for a Thursday book group. LD is about the size of your War and Peace, but thankfully it reads much more quickly. Cattle drives are pretty simple things compared to Russian history!

hmmmm A Month in the Country does sound quite appealing...
but more as a vacation! or at least as much as a vacation as the book sounds
good too. I read the reviews and it sounds like a lot of good packed into a small package.

Hope things are going well for you and the fam.. and that you are recovered from
your weekend being a B&B :)

Good morning, Cee - So glad you liked A Month in the Country. Such a little gem!

Hi Mark... It would be a quick read for you. :)

Hi Genny - a swap would be great sometime... Someday I hope to spend some quality time in the UK. We do have a lot more elbow room over here. I've been to Ireland, France and Holland so I know how space is at a premium in the "old world".

Donna... I don't think I would be reading W&P if it were not for the bookclub. I had pretty much decided to let it go, but our meeting today fired me up again. It's really not bad...just too dang heavy and long. I'm seriously considering getting it on my Kindle so that will not distract me.

Hey Kath, All is well.

Yup. It really is a gem. I always know I can trust your judgement on books, Joanne. ;-)

Almost finished with Green Grass, Running Water. Love it! Rec by Lucy, I believe.

I did it! I got my wishlist down below 100 - so now I'll allow myself more splurging, reading more blue words, adding more books. LOL

Making a trip to the library today. I remember when I was easily able to *walk* to a library. Now it's a "trip". Still great fun.

Hope everyone is having a wonder-full day!
Sending out all the positive energy I seem to have an abundance of today....
:)

What are you getting at the library?

I can't believe you got sucked back into W&P!

Hope you get through it soon..

I don't know if I'll ever read War and Peace but I do have Crime and Punishment, Anna Karenina and Fathers and Sons on my shelf so I think I'll get to some of the Russian masters in sooner rather than later. I loved A Month in the Country too.

Anna I read and liked :)

W+P..... doorstop :P

ditto, what kara said, but it was a zillion years ago............

I know. I'm hopeless. But there is a lot of Russian history in W&P. We have some knowledgeable ladies in the book club to share insights. It's not a bad book. Just too dang heavy! I'm almost ready to get it on my Kindle. (Think I said that before) *heavy sigh*

Hi Claudia- How is your 1st venture into the audio world going? Inquiring minds and all that.

#61 Green Grass, Running Water by Thomas King



Four very old (ancient) Indian women want to fix the world - and realizing the limitations of old age, they go about it a little at a time. They are confined to a mental hospital until they need to go to work. Then, they inexplicably "escape" and go about their business.

The focus is on the value of Native American culture, wacky interpretations of the story of creation, and what is most important in life. There is humor, angst, and irony. It's a book of hope, frustration, and introspection. Fun and funny.

Can't say I understood all the symbolism. However, I doubt a second reading would remedy that. Even taken superficially with an appreciation of the beliefs and culture of others, this was a very enjoyable read. Recommended for something different!

4 stars

That sure looks a lot better than W&P
I thought about what you said about it...
Russian history.... and decided I just don't care about it ..
Make of that what you will.

My last few days have been hectic..
I think Dan fixed the dryer for now. That is good. It
will at least give me some time to recover from the last few months..
I hope.

No reading today...
probably none tonight.. but we shall see..

How was your day? What did you get from the library?

Library: Bury Your Dead (recognize that one?) Gotta get that one read so I can get to A Trick of the Light. :)

Oh dear... Steve Jobs died. Why do we lose the smart ones so early? :(

I'm so glad you loved Green Grass, Running Water too -- it was clever and funny and sweet without being too much of any of those, I thought.

So, anyway Kath... I do find Russian history interesting. Furthermore I think I'd better learn more about the Russians since they and I both want the Arctic region. :P
Hope things settle down for you a bit... not too much though since you seem to adore living in chaos (LOL).
Just kidding.
When are you gonna get that massage?????

Hi Lucy... yup. I thought so too. "clever" is a good description.

I got The Vinyl Cafe in the mail yesterday. Will hopefully get to that soon, but I do have some W&P to catch up on.

Also, have begun to tune in to the Kindle Daily Deals - which really are! I got Winter Sea for $1.99. I was thinkng I wanted to read this one - but didn't want to spend big $$$ on it. So, I am happy. I subscribed to an email notification of these daily deals which could be dangerous. :}

Today is MY day for the week. Going out to lunch w/friends and ??? maye a walk along the river. Looks like the rain has finally cleared out. :)

Hi Claudia! I so enjoyed your review of Green Grass, Running Water. It's been on my wishlist for quite some time now, but reading your review, I'll have to speed that up!

I see that you too have picked up on the Vinyl Cafe series of books. I've just started reading Extreme Vinyl Cafe and it's proving to be quite fun so far.

Hmmm... I just got a kindle about a month ago. I think I'll have to subscribe to the Kindle Daily Deals as you have done, but I can imagine it could be dangerous! But what a deal on Winter Sea! Nice to " meet " you properly!

Enjoy your day!

Steve Jobs died. Why do we lose the smart ones so early?
My son said the same thing last night, Cee. So True. How different our world would have been without him.

I too purchased Winter Sea @ 1.99. I think Kath recommended it.

I think Graphics are a nice change of pace from the same ole same ole. Glad you're enjoying them.

Furthermore I think I'd better learn more about the Russians since they and I both want the Arctic region.

love it!

have a lovely lunch and stroll today :)

I predict that you will both like Winter Sea

Hope you have/had a lovely lunch out and ?walk.

Lunch and walk were lovely for sure. :)
Also shopped at the used bookstore and got a Terry Pratchett book and Stormy Weather by Paulette Jiles. Jiles wrote Enemy Women which I liked a lot and hope someday she writes a sequel to it.

Since Ron has stopped working at Lowe's, we can plan time to ourselves much more easily by taking turns at home with Mom. More an advantage for me than him - but I really needed it. I can really relax if I know Ron is home and Mom is supervised.

Hi Deb! Glad I am bumping into all these fun books. I was getting a little bogged down with serious... which I like but I tend to OD on them. Gotta mix things up. :)

Hi Lynda, Don't know when Amazon started the Kindle daily deals, but (I think) I'm glad I found them. They needed to do something to compete with Nook - I think. When the word toxins start building up in the brain cells - graphics are a great flush! Some of them are so dang good.

Thanks, Kara. I did! Lunch was with 2 women I worked with in the town office. We decided to try to make this a monthly event.

Hi Kath! Good. It sounded interesting, but I did not want to spend the price. Was waiting til it came down. But, wow! That price was fantastic! ;-)

Thanks, Genny. There is a walking/biking path beside the Androscoggin River in Brunswisk which is really nice... a little short for biking for me, but a good length for walking. It's only about 4 miles r/t.
We have no good bike paths around here :( Wish we did.

OK enough babble... back to my pork roast.

I am glad to know that Ron being home makes things better for you..
huge plus!

good on Ron :)

Yoohoooo.....here I am again, Cee ... back for a couple of days before I head out again. Couldn't be home without a pit stop here to visit.

Great to see you Caro! Thanks for stopping by...I'm honored! You were missed. :)

#82 Was that the Tiffany Aching one that I see you have just added? I haven't tried those particular Pratchetts yet.

Hmm I still have Benedryl written on my hand..
didn't want to forget...have to scrub it off..

I came home and had to get cooking ..hot sausage..
I am cooking all the things Cory won't eat while he is gone.
Amy leaves today. I am hoping she has a wonderful time..
but ya know.. kids.. travel.. ugh! worry!

B&N ... BAH!

nighty night..
hugs

Hi Genny! Yup. That's it. I read Wintersmith not long ago (choosing it because it promised winter in the title) and liked it. The used bookstore I go to (benefits our library) had Hat Full of Sky which is related - so I bought it. Don't ask me why. I don't know. But I really enjoy his books.

Hi Kath - B&N trouble??? BAH! Don't worry too much about Amy. I'm pretty sure she will have a great time! Before you know it, she'll be home showing you all her pictures. Sleep tight....

Hi Cee.. I am off to the Apple fest this morning..
Have to help set up and work the booth for a while. Not too long..
payoff for taking the earliest shift. I don't want to go.

Then? Home again and hopefully nothing to do.

Yeah B&N. Long story but they really ticked me off yesterday. REALLY did.

Amy arrived in Germany, and Tom, Bless him.. emailed me from his work phone
to let me know. Now the fun begins. I believe the ... dinner etc is tonight..
and Tom will have some schmoozing to do in the next few days... but for the most part they will be
on their own and have made all sorts of plans..

ok.. off to get ready to leave.. i have 10 minutes !

Mornin' Kath!
Sounds like a great trip for Amy & Tom... what I don't understand is how could they forget about the MIL? Surely, you should be recognized as well. :)

Bright, sunny day. Fire Dept Bean supper tonight. Beans in the oven - still have to do apple crisp and salad. I'm thinking.... Throw a few hotdogs on the grill and I have a good supper here. I'll send them a check! LOL

Sounds like a plan to me...
I bought Apple Butter at the Apple fest :)
I look forward to toast and tea later !

have fun at the beanthing

:)

#62 A Dog's Purpose by W. Bruce Cameron



What can dogs teach us? Lots.

If anthropomorphism irritates you, this is not your book. It is a delightful story of a dog seeking his purpose in living and trying to make sense of the world, especially the complicated humans. This is a smart, "good dog" living in joyful abandonment, good humor, and curious puzzlement. Being quite sensitive to conflicting emotions and danger, he weaves them all together in unconditional love and protection for his humans. It takes several lifetimes to put the puzzle together.

Exploring what dogs think about humans, other animals, and their actions, some of the solutions and answers are just plain hilarious. For example, there is never an answer to what purpose cats serve, if any. However, there is a trusting acceptance that even when the world is not making sense, it is as it should be. Mostly. There is an undertow of fear and vulnerability in life. A "good dog" should stay alert, figure it out, and be a positive force in the mystery of a purposeful relationship with humans.

Recommended for those who can deal with emotional material.

4.5 stars

I somewhat resent the fact that LT is counting A Dog's Purpose review as an ER...
oh yeah, I won it in May 2010 - but I never got it. And they know that.
Had to go out and buy it myownself.
Whatever.... I still liked it! :)

Also, I've noticed the LT oracle thinks I'll "probably like - low confidence" everything lately.
A little while ago, it thought I would "LOVE" everything.
Go figure. It's just no fun anymore. :P

Think my blood sugar is low. No lunch. Saving room for Bean Supper.
Ready to go........

#93 - That sounds fascinating! I'm currently reading Bones Would Rain from the Sky and while it's not fiction, it does deal with dog emotions and what dogs might be thinking, etc. (We adopted our dog in June, so I've been reading a lot of dog stuff lately!)

Don't resent it. This book might just help to bring other ARCs your way...
I was two books behind, not having received July or August's selections.
Both just turned up. I don't know why in the world I requested one of them,
although I know that I did. And the one I will be getting from September might languish
on the shelf until I feel up to reading it.. another what was I thinking book! A Small Furry Prayer

For now though, I will turn to Augusts offering... much more my style I think? Maybe?

Have fun at the Bean thing !

No skinny dipping like last year though!

Hi Kerri!
A new dog? What kind? Name? Is that the one in your picture gallery?
Looks like a happy dog!
So, is Bones Would Rain from the Sky any good?

Hey Kath -
Huh? Skinny Dipping? Do you have that in writing or pictures?
Was it in the cove? Brrrrrr Well I probably had to cool off. Always hot. :P
Geeze. I can't do anything w/o getting caught ... lol
We did quite good this year at our supper... surprised all of us. :)

And, I too won A Small Furry Prayer from ER. Didn't get it yet.
I requested another one also
A More Perfect Heaven
- but LT thinks the only books I like are about animals.
OK by me... I do like them and what the heck... It's free.

Tired and full of apple crisp... yum!

Hi Claudia! Thanks so much for visiting my crazy thread!;) We've been having a lot of fun on the thread. What we will do get our curly hair straight...

Hey! I won a copy of A Small Furry Prayer too. I'm looking forward to it, but my August win - Remembering the Music , only arrived about a week ago. I got straight to reading and reviewing it . It was my first ER snag.

I popped into the bookstore yesterday and had a look at A Small Furry Prayer. I think it will be interesting, but it is definitely non -fiiction. LT has me pegged as a memoir/ biography reader, as far as I can tell!;)

A Dog's Purpose sound really good! Nice review!

Glad you enjoyed you dinner!

I'm sorry you never got your ER copy of A Dog's Purpose, Cee, but I'm glad you finally got to read it. It was a sweet story!

Sounds like a few of you will be reading A Small Furry Prayer. I won it when it was offered the first time, about a year ago. I'll be interested in everyone's opinions!

My current doggie ER book is The Puppy Diaries which seems to have gotten some mixed reactions. I haven't started it yet.

Cee, your thread it such a joy to read. I always leave with a smile :)

#97 - Yes - that's Geezer! The shelter thinks he's between 4 and 6 years old and was part of a hunting pack in southern Illinois, where he probably lived in a kennel outside, with minimal human contact. He was very shy and nervous when we first got him, but he's made dramatic improvements and seems to love his new home. He's even a bit of a clown. And I am enjoying Bones Would Rain from the Sky, although I haven't picked it up for a while. She tells a lot about her dog training experiences and a few of the stories have made me tear up. It's a good one.

yeah.. skinny dipping, that was you wasn't it?
If not, it should be, if you have a cove all to yourself and all..
I think I would..
srsly

Deb -
I think I'm really ready for a NF book on dogs. Glad it looks promising. I never thought to check it out at a bookstore. huh. Well... the nearest *real* bookstore to me now is about an hour away. I'm afraid if I walk into B&N I will faint... overcome by the vast array of books!

Joanne -
I guess I really, really wanted A Dog's Purpose! It was worth paying for :) I congratulate myself on being so very patient and waiting 1 1/2 years.
My August ER win is In A Dog's Heart - have not received it yet. I always get nervous when I don't get these books right away. They make me drool over the ER book, then they take forever to come. :{

Lynda -
I love reading this thread too - many reasons to smile. A blessing to me.

Kerri -
Awww... poor Geezer. But he looks happy in your picture! I can believe he could clown around just by looking at him. So happy to have a good and loving home now. It takes a lot of patience to re-acclimate a shelter dog - but so rewarding :)

Kath -
might have been me... was she gorgeous, voluptuous, and laughing? oh... then it MUST have been me! LOL Tell you what... you come up and head for the cove, I'll be right behind ya! That water is usually about 40-50 degrees. Nice!
Ron got called out to save a sinking boat this morning. What will they think of next?

HAVE A HAPPY

glitter-graphics.com

I am getting back to Sanctus and then some mindless TV, maybe?

sweet dreams!

Started Sanctus yesterday, now halfway done. It's pretty good so far! Dan Brown, except decently written. :)

It sucked me in by page 6...
I have no quibble with Dan brown.. I like his books, too
This is quite good though :)

Hi Claudia- Trying to catch up with my pals, after being absent is quite the chore. I liked your review of A Dog's Purpose. I think my wife & daughter would love this book.
I have a copy of Enemy Women in the stacks. I need to get to it. Jiles sounds like my kind of writer.
Hope you had a great weekend.

No Doggy/Puppy books on offer

busy getting this place ready for Winter (that *bad word*)

I have an ARC of Sanctus...somewhere

I loved Enemy Women...and know exactly where that one lives

am too far behind here to make sensible comments

I see fish chowder in my future...when the weather cools...otherwise, clam fritters..

;-}

Enemy Women looks pretty good!

Nothing much to say, the day is still too new.
Just stopped to say good morning :)

Hi Kath,
Sanctus huh? Lots of chatter on this one. I feel like I'm being pulled under... ;-)
I enjoyed Dan Brown's books too.
I can't always predict what you would like...
but I think you would take to Enemy Women. :)

Jim! Hey! Thanks for stopping by. This must be a conspiracy to get me to read Sanctus. OK. Will check it out.

Hi Mark -
Have to scoot over to your thread to see how your weekend went. Mine was great. The beach was a bit crowded though (due to warm weather). Luckily they close off half of it to cars after Labor Day, so there is a nice quiet place to walk. In a few days, there will be lots of quiet places to read :)

Oh Jude...
What a wonderful message you left... winter...fish chowder... and don't you wish Jiles would write a sequel to EW? She kinda left it open for one, I thought.

Hope everyone has a wonderful day - and Happy Thanksgiving to all my Canadian friends!

As in check it out of the Library? :)
It is really good. I want to read, but I have been busy.. as usual..
including a trip to the PO only to realize that it was closed so we could
honor the achievement of Columbus, who probably did not get here "first",
but probably DID steal it from those who were already here..

whatever.

sigh

cooking bacon for whenever Dan gets up...

Well, I meant "check it out" - like review the reviews, look at Ammy $, etc.
I could check the library, but then I am forced to read it in a limited timeframe.
Sometimes that works, sometimes not.
First, I have to determine my interest level.

Sorry about the PO. Can't tell you how many times I have done that same kind of thing on obscure holidays. :P~~

ETA: ok...checked it. Too expensive. I can wait. Maybe it will be a Kindle Deal someday - or I'll see it in the used bookstore. Reviews are mixed.

outta here for the night... either to read or watch mindless tv :P

or text... my sister keeps texing me, I can't concentrate !

nighty night..

sleep well! zzzzzz

Claudia - I know what you mean about the challenges of reading within the libraries time frame! Not always easy is it! And moods for books change, at least mine do!Hmmm maybe I need to look into what Sanctus is- all this buzz!

A Dog's Purpose sounds like a winner!

>115 vancouverdeb: ( pssst actually, I was joking.. I knew what she meant...)

I feel like I hit the floor running today..
oh wait.. I did..

well.. more time later.. I have got to finish that book.. I really like it but
so many distractions.. ya know.. as in life going on! lol

Hi Deb,
Me too... moody reader at times. I did so much assigned reading over the years and now that I am retired, I promised myself to read what moves me - not what is expected of me. AND at my own pace!

Hi Lucy,
Yep. It was a sweet book - I liked it. I can relate to the dog - always wondering "what is my purpose?". Have to admit the dog is smarter than I to figure it all out! LOL

Mornin' Kath!
Are you saying ... you were running and fell down and hit the floor? literally? or are you just using a figure of speech? I wouldn't put either past you...

Well... today is our 42nd anniversary. Ron is on his way to the dentist (second one of the day) and I have a headache - "fully involved" as the firefighters would say. Our plans to walk the beach early this morning and have a picnic breakfast were dashed. Also, we will not be going out for dinner tonight. I imagine Ron will be eating crm of mushroom soup at home - if that. So much for the plans of mice and men.

As I fell asleep last night, I realized I can not remember what car I was in or who drove me to the church 42 years ago. Drat. No pictures to jog my memory. It's not important. Just hate losing that memory. I think I'm catching it. :(

>118 -Cee-:: Happy Anniversary, Cee! Sorry about your DH and the dentist. You might give him a coupon for a steak and lobstah dinner to be redeemed at a later date.

About the hazy memories... Do what I do and make up a new scenario. If you run it through your head a few times, it seems real. I think Paul Newman driving you in a a 1969 Chrysler Imperial sounds divine. ;-)

Oh! Yeah... now I remember! Paul and the Chrysler! It was a rip-roarin' ride! Thanks for the memory! LOL

42 years huh? Long time to spend with one person! We have 40 years ...

I didn't mean to get off to a fast start, it is just the way it happened. Too complicated to explain.
But, I will have at least a couple of hours of down time before I go to Kim's.

As for celebrating, after 42 years, I guess having to wait a few days for a dinner out will go pretty fast!

My dinner will be, pumpkin soup. It is so funny... Kim made it one time, and served it and of course I
told her how wonderful it was. It is good.. I don't mind it, but I don't love it. I must have overdone it though, because Kim thinks I LOVE LOVE LOVE it, and if she doesn't invite me to eat it ..she sends me some! LOL

Have you looked at my FB lately? I put up some pix of the nephlet. He is getting SO big!
I have to remember to take him some chips ( halloween size ) and a quarter. Kim didn't have
a quarter to let him ride the bouncing horse at the pumpkin farm.. next time, he will have his own!
LOL

Happy Anniversary!! Sorry about your plans being ruined, maybe you can do them tomorrow instead?

I feel you about the 'fully involved' headache! I thought I was dying when I woke up this morning with an exploding head! Couple of pills and back to bed for a few hours seemed to help!

Maybe you could have a romantic dinner of mushroom soup together? Light some candles or something ;)

Happy Anniversary, Claudia! I hope you are making the best of it, this evening. Did you join Ron, as he slurped his cream of mushroom?

Well... DH spent from 8-2 with dentists and drug store. Came home and slept til 5 (as he didn't get much sleep last night - neither did I come to think of it).
Frozen ravioli for supper... no candles. But we did have Mom crabbing about the news thruout. Not that she even knows what she is talking about half the time. She also does not know it is our anniversary today - even though I told her x3. :(

AND...
we now have a full moon and crisp ocean air - good for romance and hugs. Whatever...

Can you tell I'm bummed?
We did spend about a half hour trying to remember details of our wedding.
Exciting for a couple of old farts, I guess. When did we get so old? :P~
I'll get over it. Maybe. :(
Some days I should just stay in bed. This was one.
Ok. Done whining. Sorry.

I DID see your pictures, Kath. V cute! Nephlet is growing into a full sized nephew! It happens. :(

Chelle - Thanks for the anniversary sentiment. I'm sorry you had a bad headache too. Hope it's gone now. Tomnorrow's another day, right?

Mark - Thanks! Almost missed you there! No. No mushroom soup for me. Campbell's. yuk.

Just a quick hello! Nothing much to say..
I heard from Amy today, which was nice.. apparently the weather there
isn't great.. and they felt that they should visit a concentration camp..didn't want to
and said it weighed very heavy on them. They went to a pretty castle after to cheer up..

Anyway.. I hope to be back with something interesting to say later.. cause my life is thankfully dull
right now. :)

Kath, I'm not sure I could do that - visit a concentration camp.
Castles are good! We stayed in one once in Ireland. Hugely awesome!
The ceilings in our suite were at least 20 feet high! So ornate.

Today was much, much better. :D Thank the sweet goddess!
Cloudy now - full moon is a thing of the past. Oh well. There will be more.

Now I think I will snuggle up with my book... antsy to get it finished so I can move on.

While I was stationed in Germany during the early 80s, I visited Dachau. I'm not into ghosts or the supernatural, but there is no question I felt some strong negative vibes emanating from that place.
I still can get the creeps thinking about it.

Ya know, Mark, I so believe you on that. When Ron and I went to Gettysburg a couple years ago, I experienced a strong feeling of pain, tragedy, and sorrow emanating from the ground, the woods, the fields, the rocks, the stream... just everywhere. It wasn't the same creepy you felt, I'm pretty sure. But strange and other-worldly - so sacred; so sad. I'll never forget it.

284 pgs left of The Wild Rose. :{

I felt the same way at Gettysburg. I can't for the life of me figure out why my sister
goes back there, year after year. I couldn't wait to get out of there!

I agree with the visit to the concentration camp. They said that they felt that they had to do it..
and I understand, but.. I am glad they did it early on in the trip and so will have better memories after to think back on.

Dan is off today, so ? What does that mean to me? Dunno.
What is this mysterious book anyway? Have I missed that somewhere?
I hope that you are nearly done! :)

Duncan has some new pics posted !

Made my day, as if it wasn't already good..

haven't picked up another book yet.... maybe tomorrow.

What did you do today?

Mysterious book is The Wild Rose - an ER book that is #3 of a trilogy.
I thought it might be good cuz it was written by Jennifer Donnelly.
She also wrote Revolution which I liked a lot better.
Before I could read the ER book, I had to buy (and read) the first two.
Maybe they are all too much alike and I'm tired of it now.

Today - same ol', same ol'
Feeling a bit under the rainy weather -

Going to check out pics!

see... You are more conscientious than I am.. I would have just read #3

:P

Hi Claudia, a little late but Happy Anniversary! Sorry you've feeling a bit under the weather.

Please teach me how to do that, Kath. It would make my life a lot simpler!

Thanks, Bonnie! I have been surrounded by people w/colds and flu. I'm fighting it! (but I think I may be losing a little ground). With any luck, I'll recover by tomorrow. Ron will be away visiting the kids and grandkids in CT all weekend. I will be home w/Mom. Looks like a lot of rain coming this way too. With any luck, I'll finish my book. (I hope, I hope) Make sure you get enough rest so you will be the picture of health and happiness on Oct 22!

Claudia- I hope your cold is very short-lived. Fingers crossed. Sorry The Wild Rose wasn't better. As you know, I was crazy for Revolution and have been looking forward to reading more of Donnelly's work.

Wow Claudia! 42 years together! Good for you!! I hope you enjoyed the mushroom soup with candles!! I'm up to 28 years - and I thought that was long! Congratulations!

Wow
42 years. Good work!! :)

Thanks. Mark.
I know, huh? Revolution was so great. This trilogy is way too long and a little too sappy. There are some parts that are interesting - but... not really worth the effort imo. 1/2 of one of the three books would have satisfied me.

Hi Deb... candles & Campbell's crm of mushroom soup :P
28 years IS a long time! Keep up the good work - blessings on you both!

Yeah, Megan. Thanks. Sometimes it's work... sometimes it's the "wind beneath your wings". Right?

Still raining today... not much sleep last night. sinuses stuffy -> causing headache
Everything aches :(
BUT,
I did get to read a few extra chapters of Bury Your Dead in the middle of the night.
Interesting book - quite different from her usual... more complicated... more subplots.
Actually - which one is the MAIN plot??? dunno anymore

Hope everyone has a quiet moment to themselves today - and an unexpected hug!

{{{everyone}}}

Lovey rainy morning..
did some shopping. I think I am going to make lasagna on sunday....

I dunno Cee... one day I just looked at a series, and decided that if I start in the middle,
no harm no foul. I started in the middle with Three Pines, and then went back and started over..
not a problem :P

Bury Your Dead was the one I liked least of hers..
I was really glad to go back to Three Pines in the latest one.

40 years here. yeesh.

De-lurking to wish you a great anniversary. :) Did I read right that you are celebrating 42 years?? That is an inspiration to say that least!

Good morning! I have already been cooking.. hot sausage for dan, but I dont know if he is going to eat it or not :P He is planning to join the Occupy PGH protest .. we shall see.

Nothing to report.. nothing else happening.. aside from Amy coming home.. Cory finding work ( yay)
and me not reading much.. don't feel like it :)

What is your plan for the weekend? Dinner out to catch up with your anniversary?

Mornin' Kath!
Finished Bury Your Dead. It was a goodie, albeit quite different.

Hi Valerie!
Thanks. Yup, 42 years! Makes me feel ridiculously old when I think about it.

This weekend no celebrating. Ron is in CT visiting the kids. I am holding down the fort with Loki and Woolly.
Took Mom out yesterday and have to admit if there was a cliff nearby, I would perhaps have driven over it! :P OK now. I think. lol

We are hoping to spend a night or two AWAY this coming week as my cousin and aunt (Mom's sister) will be coming up to give us a bit of relief. I soooo hope this actually happens. We'll probably just stay in town. There's a beautiful B&B we've always wanted to try...
Grey Havens - The Sunrise Suite
http://www.greyhavens.com/

Anywho - nice, windy, sunny day today - hope everyone has a cool weekend!

Now that would be great! I forgot about Ron being away.. will they be putting him to work?
Glad there was no cliff... those things do tend to pass.. eventually..

cool and windy here too!

#63 Bury Your Dead by Louise Penny



It's true. Each Penny book is better than the last. Here is a triple-plot, murder mystery, historical novel, and psyhcological intrigue with a strong sense of time and place. This book answers questions raised in the last one. Penny developes familiar characters and deepens the bond between series and reader.

No longer satisfied with being on the bus to Three Pines, I am dreaming of buying a cozy, snowy piece of real estate in the vicinity - despite all the murders!

4.5 stars Series recommended

Just a little Fall greeting...the trees haven't been as pretty this year...what with the alternating rain/scorching heat...but the trees that are aflame have been lovely



;-}

Thanks for stopping by, Jude. Not much in the way of coloor around here yet. Still too warm. The leaves are dying before they can turn red.

C

the leaves died before they were 'pretty" here

too warm..then too cold...Ohio weather......

;-?????

Ahhh such lovely colour! Where I live we have mainly evergreens, so there is not that much colour to be had in the fall - nor the winter, during which we seldom see the sun because it mainly overcast and raining! Oh well! Oh Claudia! A move in your future brought on by Three Pines! :)

One more to go, Cee! Bury Your Dead remains my favorite.

Grey Havens looks like heaven to me!

Sunday! YAY! It doesn't mean the same when you're retired, but it's still special I think.
And tonight my DH is coming home from CT- double YAY!
Loki is driving me a bit nuts - looking for his man friend. I know how he feels.

Hi Jude -
This has got to be the strangest fall I can remember. Still waiting for a good freeze and fall color. This seems like "The Endless Summer"! I guess I would be happy if I were a lobsterman or had a boat. Not this year :(

Deb -
I wish! My ancesters actually come from the Quebec area. I should at least visit. Now that I have read Bury Your Dead I'm even more tempted.

Hi Joanne -
I have A Trick of the Light waiting - thanks to a lovely LT friend :)
Hopefully, we'll finally get to stay at Grey Havens. It's really in a beautiful spot and with new owners - all spiffed up! This is the first year in a long time they have served dinner and I hear the chef is awesome. Gotta be better than my frozen raviolis! or cream of mush soup...
Hope they have candles :o

Now reading Inside New England written in the 1980s by editor-in-cheif of Yankee magazine. The first chapter is about small towns in NE. In an effort to be funny, he's focusing on the insulting and the negative - but - he's pretty much got it right from a wealthy outsider's view.

Morning Claudia- Hope you have a nice Sunday! Kick back with a good book. It's gloomy & cool here. I think it's supposed to clear up later. Hugs!

Good Morning Claudia and Happy Sunday to you. Are the leaves changing where you are? We've had so darn much rain this fall that the leaves are brown.

Hi Mark!
Trying hard to finish The Wild Rose. Only about 100 pages to go. Action picked up a bit - hard to know what to say about this book. I'm not an objective critic so I can't really say what's wrong with this one - just want to get it over with so I can write my ER review.

Hi Linda!
Happiness to you today, too!
Leaves are reluctant to do much of anything this year. I think the weather has been just a bit too warm - no good frosts. Most of the leaves that are falling are just giving up and dying.
I'm worried that winter has lost its way and will never get here. :(
I may have to go to Canada to see snow this year.

It's okay to simply not like a book for no particular reason except that it
just isn't your cup of tea, I think? Sorry that this turned out to be be
not a great read for you, especially since it is so long..

#64 The Tea Rose by Jennifer Donnelly (4 stars) 544 pgs
#65 The Winter Rose by Jennifer Donnelly (4 stars) 707 pgs

and #66 The Wild Rose by Jennifer Donnelly (3.5 stars) 614 pgs



The story of the Finnegan family begins in the slums of London and follows its strong characters who are involved in and escape (literally) the rampant crime and poverty. Three generations of this family fight for their lives and ultimately British civil rights throughout the early twentieth century, a turbulent time in history. Having read all the books of Donnelly's Rose Trilogy, the reader will find the "Wild Rose" finale flows evenly to a fitting ending of this family saga, but is not quite as good as the first two books. Is it worth all the reading? I'd say only if you like romance that skims over brutality then cleans itself up and wraps itself in a somewhat happily-ever-after bow.

"The Wild Rose" focuses on the WWI timeframe. Several story lines compete in this novel; some interesting, some not. I was unable to really like most of the characters - especially the important ones. Many of the plots came across too contrived. The book was mostly predictable with a few quick twists that weakly bolstered the overall tiresome aspects.

I wanted to like these books because I really liked Donnelly's writing in her book "Revolution". It seems she did a lot of research to write these three novels and I don't question her historical facts. London came across real and strong, but other locations were weak and the sense of time and place are elusive.

Unfortunately, I found The Wild Rose was not satisfying and not worth the time it takes to read ... for me anyway. I got tired of the same characters incredibly cheating death over and over. I found it somewhat annoying. It was like watching a tv series where you know the good guys are bound to win.... just not sure who the good guys really were in this one... or if they won?

Well, Kath. This trilogy wasn't horribly bad - and not fantastically great. Just too dang long to not be bad enough to throw against the wall or good enough to greedily lap it all up.

Actually took me over 4 months to read these 3 books. :P

How can it be Monday already?

Cory coming home today..Amy back to work..
Tom took the day off :P
At least Tom will make a good dinner :) he is a wonderful cook!

Whats doing today?

Mostly checking in -- I've been on the road for the last few days without my 'charger' which has limited internet! I'm using the lobby computer where I am now..... grateful they offer one! Glad you are through the trilogy. It's funny how we commit ourselves to read things, isn't it?

Mornin' Ladies!
If you stay retired Kath,
you will soon be asking "How can it be October (or Nov, Dec, etc) already?"
Can't you send Cory a bill to pay you back in monthly installments so you will not have to search for a job this winter?

Lucy!
Nice to see you here. :) Since there are soooo many books I want to read now that I'm on LT, I have to start being more selective - especially for series and trilogies! I always learn the hard way.
Hope you are having some fun!

Today - hafta, hafta, hafta go groc shopping. Have been ignoring it way too long. At least it's a nice day for driving - though I dread discussing the state of the leaves 40 more times! Lawd 'a mercy!

Hope you get some good yummies at the grocery store. I also have to make a trip, but I have to get nightshift food so it will be a BORING trip!!
How is the state of the leaves these day? (hee hee hee)

"How is the state of the leaves these day?"

First two miles...

"All the leaves are falling"
"Gee, most of the leaves are still green"
"Pretty soon the leaves will be all gone and they'll be bare"
"Oh! There's a pretty tree"
"What kind of tree is that red one?"
"All the leaves are falling"
"Pretty soon there won't be any more leaves and the trees will be covered in snow"
"All the leaves are falling"
"I wish they'd paint that house all one color"
"All the leaves are falling"
"Who sweeps up the road?"
"Oh, that poor tree. It's losing all its leaves."
"Not a cloud in the sky today!"
"All the leaves are falling"

Come to think of it, we'll be discussing these leaves way more than 40 times today - long ride to Portland.

deep breath, inner screaming, big smile, very sad

ETA: We all made it back in one piece! :)

I'm late in today.. busy morning..

Your mom sounds very observant and interested in nature :)

So you did a grocery run, what are you cooking today?
Reading today?

The Cat's Table is good.. I am making slow progress due to brain melt.

Mom is an outdoor girl. But the outdoors confuses her at times.
It's the constant babble that gets to me.

I am reading a new book on Alzheimer's that is a bit different and interesting.
The Best Friends Approach to Alzheimer's Care by Virginia Bell and David Troxel.
It's helpful in some ways.
At least it's more optimistic and helps the caregiver view the patient as a person. Which is what I've been trying to do...
This book encourages me since it advocates things we've been doing right along.
So I feel better about how we are handling things.
Still - I need the emotional strength to do it... and that is one thing that doesn't come in a pil.

Thursday is coming! We will have 2 days off! Can hardly wait. :)

Anywho... I will be making a big casserole of rice pilaf for a pot luck supper tonight.
Since we went to Sam's yesterday, I need to do my laundry today. :P

Some of the best things don't come in a pill.. too bad sometimes..
Pot Luck Supper? you are always on the go! Excited for the weekend I bet :)
Nothing like time off from work to soothe your soul.. and you don't get that very often.

Laundry done - floors clean! Are you proud of me, Kath? lol
Rice pilaf in the oven... smells good.
The pot luck supper tonight is the last big event of the year for the GHS.
Thank the most high Goddess!

I am getting v excited and pray nothing happens to foil my plans.
Paid out $300 for our room Thursday night. :) non-refundable, of course.
Tomorrow is prepare the house for guests day - and plan 3 days of gluten-free food. :P
I swear I'm the only normal eater in my family!

I think you sure are... gluten free? ye gods.....

You sound busy busy!! Hope you still have time for reading in there somewhere :)

Claudia - floors clean!Dinner in the oven.... you are making me feel very guilty!!!! I was planning a trip to the grocery store as our 21 year suddenly ate us out of house and home - when my husband said he would go - so I took the opportunity to check on my LT friends!

Sorry your last read was not what you had hoped for!

My partner Will now does the grocery shopping and he does a remarkable job! I help put stuff away and he lugs the bags up the incline in our driveway to our house.

Cooking for two is difficult. I tend to cook way too much. Now, he does most of the cooking and I'm fine with that. I bake; he cooks.

We took a trip to the Hudson Valley of New York last weekend. We hoped for colored leaves, but alas that didn't happen.

I envy your life in Maine...A state I love!

Hi Cee! When do you leave???

Hi Chelle,
My reading has slowed down a bit, but it'll pick up next week (I hope).

Deb - no reason to feel guilty. This only happens around here infrequently. Lucky you that hubby shops for groc! I'm just happy if Ron is around to help me carry the bags upstairs.

Linda - another lucky lady! Of course you need to have help with the bags. But the best part is he cooks! wow! I would almost trade Maine for a husband that cooks! My daughters did well on that count - both their hubbies are great cooks.

Kath - We leave sometime tomorrow afternoon if all goes as planned. Those two days are gonna go awfully quick!

Continuing with Inside New England - chapter 2 is about NE food. It's fun to read about yourself and your food culture... traditional meals, food terminology, food preparation, etc.

So true.. good times so often do!

Conversely.. new door days go slowly

GAK!

Claudia - just stopping by! I do hope you get a copy of The Twin and enjoy it as much as I did. Enjoy Inside New England.

Today The Adulterous Woman arrived in the mail from Belgium! lol - no, really!
Ron handed me a smallish envelope with the mysterious postmark and wanted to know if I was an international spy! The envelope said something like "important papers".

I had forgotten I ordered it - it didn't look like a book - turns out this book is tiny.
I believe it was Megan (NZ) who rec this one. I love that LT is worldwide and I'm exposed to and getting stuff from everywhere!

Congrats on your new doors, Kath! Only one day to go... hugs to the kitties!

Hi Deb! Thanks for stopping by! I'll be getting a verrry nice Amazon gift cert soon - so ... The Twin will no doubt be included in my order. Lots of good comments on that one. :)

Gift Card? Nice!

I have coasted all through the year with my B&N gift cards and freebies for nook.
I think my next read will be on nook.. maybe?

just a few pages from the end of Cats Table.. VERY good !

I am excited for your days off... I hope you have a wonderful time !

A delivery from Belgium?! How cool is that!

All packed and ready? Will you be taking any books?
What are your plans for this trip.. just soaking up the
quiet and lack of pressure? I hope your weather is perfect for you and
that the whole trip is magical and fills you up!

Hi Cee, The 36 Hour Day was recommended to us when we told a friend about my MIL. I haven't read it as yet, but thought I'd share it with you just in case you're looking for more info on the subject.

Have an enjoyable get a way!!

Claudia- Hope you have a nice trip and I hope the weather is better there. It's gloomy here, with rain & wind!

Dunno Mark.. that sounds pretty good to me.

Have a great time off! :)

I hope that the last 24 hours have been absolutely blissful for you, and that the next 48 are even better!
Miss seeing you here, my friend :)

>162 mckait: Your mom sounds very observant and interested in nature :)
LOL

Hey, just trying to put a positive spin on things :)

I hope this is another day in Cee Paradise.. I hope you know we expect a full report..
or, maybe not FULL, full.. but almost full.. ya know ?

ahem.

It's your birthday!!!! Happy Happy Happy one!
You let this sneak up on us :( woe is me ..
I am sorry that I didn't know until just now..

I hope that you are having an extra special birthday wonderful time
xoxo

Have a wonderful birthday, Claudia!

An extra special weekend away!!

Happy Birthday, Cee!

Happy Day after your birthday :)
Do you go home today?? so sorry ..
I hope it was a wonderful trip..
did you walk?
did you read?
did you take pictures?
what else did you do?
did you shop?
did you have to come home and cook for the mom sitters?
Did they cook for you ?
Do tell!

I hope you had a wonderful birthday! Big Hugs!!

I knew there was a reason why I felt better today ... I had to get up to wish you a Happy Belated Birthday, Cee. Hope you had a great time with all who love you. Good cake? ;-)

She's baaaaack! Hi All!
We had a wonderful mini-vaca and really got rested. Felt footloose and fancy free for 3 days...it was wonderful! Coming hoime to Mom, aunt and cousin was fun. We all cooked together, gabbed and watched a movie. It was a very strange birthday weekend... no cake w/ candles (long story) but will have one next weekend. It's all good :)

Kath - I knew you would keep the dust from accumulating on my thread! Nice job. ;-)

The first B&B we stayed in was perfect in so many ways. No TV (also no hairdryer :P).
Oh well. I survived.
We stayed in the Sunrise Suite (aptly named) with it's own large balcony.
Great view of the ocean, lighthouse, etc.
At night the sky was sparkling with stars and crescent moon. Waves rolling in - cool night sea air- windows open.
I saw the sun rise! Oh, yes I did!
Coffee on the balcony. Awesome weather, food and accomodations.
We BOTH did some reading.
(btw, Ron wants everyone to know he is actually reading 2 books at the same time right now! New concept for him...lol.)

Spent time at the beach, driving around, birthday shopping (incl book store), eating out, napping, relaxing... It was so nice to not have to think about meals, meds, safety, routines, housework, demands, responsibilities, headaches... so v v good!

Thanks for stopping by Chelle, Lynda, Mark, Valerie, Megan, Pat, Joanne, Mark and Caro Thanks for all the good wishes and Happy Birthdays!

Lynda - Thanks for the rec... I have read The 36 Hour Day. It was actually the first book I read about 3 years ago. It scared the heck out of me and I was sorry it was my first exposure. I may pick it up again someday. But I like the book I am now reading The Best Friends Approach to Alzheimer's Care. It is more optimistic and helpful to me. I may have my "head in the sand" to a certain degree, but I can't dwell on the end stages just yet. I'll handle that as it comes.

Caro - I have to go catch up on your past week or so... hope you are home now and were you unwell? Oh dear - you need to rest. So much traveling!

*heading out to try catching up on threads :}*

Claudia, your birthday vacation sounds wonderful. I'm so glad you were able to get away. Hope that your rested feeling lasts a long time!

;-}

Happy Birthday!!

Hope you get your hope, Pat! :)

Jude - thanks for the balloon and greeting. nice gif!

Thanks for my only (cup)cake w/candle, Chelle. I'll make a wish!

It was a highly unusual birthday - but more appropriate for my age, I guess.
Everyone went home and it's quiet around here - ahhhhhhhhhhhhhh nice

I don't have birthdays any more..i tell people i was "hatched"

Oh I see that everyone has gone.. that is a good thing.
I think that if you didn't have a birthday cake.. you should bake something good, soon.
It is calorie free around birthday time.
Glad you are back!

A belated Happy Birthday, Claudia! Sounds like you had a wonderful weekend away!

>196 jdthloue: Somehow Jude, I almost believe it! Would that be like... you and Lady GaGa?
My mom says I came from the cabbage patch - but I still like birthdays ;-)

>197 mckait: I will be getting a yummy, yummy carrot cake next weekend.
The cake lady of G'twn had my order for yesterday, but there was a death in her family -
so with all that was going on for her, I told her to postpone till next week.
Ron offered to go get me an ice cream cake, but I'm not fond of them. at all. :P

Thanks, Deb! We did have a great weekend. Needed it badly - came just in time! :)

Finishing up Inside New England... lots of humor and cool trivia. I'm taking the NE language test included. Fun.

Wow, you pulled off keeping the birthday under wraps pretty well. Thanks, Kath, for the scoop! And a belated Happy Birthday to you, Cee. It sounds like a perfect week end. Thumbs up to Ron for reading two books. The LT bug must have bitten him!

My husband always wants an ice cream cake. What's the fun in that? It's like a non-cake to me. I want chewy insides and gooey outside! Now you have something delicious to look forward to all week. Have a good one!

mmm carrot cake! I have a great recipe for that..
used to be Craig's favorite... his birthday cake !
I haven't made it for ages...

Nothing much going on here.. have to wait and see what the day brings.

After spending most of the day in bed and taking multiple doses of med, my migrain is pretty much gonzo!
Yay!
That one was persistent and nasty! Lost me a day :( Dang it!

Thanks, Donna! As for Ron reading 2 books - we'll see how that goes. I agree w/you.
ice cream cake = non-cake
Need chewy, moist and flavorous! mmmmm

Kath - I always thought a really good carrot cake was too much work. So I hardly ever make it.
Hope your day was a good one!

Oh migraines are dreadful!!! Glad you feeling better. I've never had a full blown migraine, but I've had the so called visual migraine where all you can see is spots in front of your eyes and your vision is not good. That can last for up to an hour for me, and then I get just a mild headache after. Knock on wood, it's been a couple of years since I've had one.

Yes, I'd want a nice chewy moist cake. I gave into a craving last Friday and bought an apple strudel from the bakery. Yum! Lucky thing I have my 21 year old son and husband to help me eat such a sinful dessert!

Hi Cee .. glad to hear your migraine's gone. My mom used to get migraines and when she'd feel one coming on, if she took her meds in time, she'd manage to avoid one actually blooming. But if she didn't take it on time, she'd have to go lie down in her darkened room and we were told if we tried to kill each other, she wasn't going to come to our rescue.

Thankfully I don't seem to have inherited her migraine genes.

Your birthday vacation sounds absolutely wonderful! May you continue to enjoy some lingering relaxation for the rest of this week too.

Hope today is headache free!

So, assuming that it is, what is the plan?


Is your little library still up and running?
I have to catch my thread up to my reads later..
I have been lazy about it :P

Hi Deb... I hope you never get another migraine - ever! That apple strudel sounds yum!

Hi Caro - It's true if I take my med when I feel a migraine coming on, I can avoid becoming non-functional. Love her warning to you kids! I can totally understand. lol I think the problem this time was my meds... I did take them, but they must have been past their prime effective date. I called in for more but no one avail here to go get them - and I was in too bad a place to drive. Oh well - it's over! Glad this did not happen on my mini-vaca!

Hi Kath!
Going out to lunch at the country store with a couple lady friends from the town office. Two of us retired; one still working there.
This week is Blizzard Week for books! Maybe I will stop in to check out what's avail. Gotta keep those books warm for the winter! ;-)

Morning Claudia- Blizzard Week for books! Sounds enticing. Enjoy your lunch today!

Hi Claudia!!! Is Blizzard Week when your library closes for the winter? I remember you talking about it last year. I think I would go beserk if my library closed for the winter. That's were I go when I need to get out of the house during a blizzard or where I send Tylan when he is driving me crazy!!!
Hope you have a nice lunch with your lady friends!!!

Hi Claudia! Happy belated birthday AND anniversary to you!

I had to laugh when I read your post about the car ride with your mom and her repeated comments about the leaves. My mother seems to be past that stage. Now when she rides in the car she will whisper under her breath things like "turn right." Or "why are they going the wrong way." We have decided to laugh about it.

Sandy K

So sorry to have missed your birthday Claudia but I'm with you about the real cake. Ice cream cake is fine but I want the real thing.

Today was lovely, and sunny...still too wet to do much outside but i managed to pick up most of the tree trash in the yard!

The library in town is having a book sale this week...don't know if I'm going or not..i look around at all the books I have yet to shelve and my Good Witch says "no way"

Hope the migraine is gone.....my brother got the Migraines in our family...but my sinus headaches can sometimes do a good imitation..."aura" and all.....for the past few days I've had Stuffy Head & Earache as companions...wish they'd pack up and leave

Tomorrow I do the grocery/bank/drugstore run...i am thrilled (not)...but need food for the cat...and me

;-}

I too am sorry I missed your birthday! But I'll say it anyway! HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

The 36 Hour Day just about did me in too -- and yet..... it was helpful, if only to know, I wasn't alone. All of those books comfort one in that way.

#67 Inside New England by Judson Hale



This book is basically written for New Englanders. It's an insider's perspective on small towns, food, humor, weather, legends and more. Full of NE humor and trivia, this was written by the editor of Yankee Magazine.

A bit of outrageous humor from Maine:
"When the bear charged me, I stood my ground, put my hand right into his mouth down his throat through his intestines and out the other side. Then I grabbed his tail and gave it a yank and pulled that bear inside out. The bear kept running, but it was in the other direction."

Recommended to anyone having lived in or visited New England
4 stars

ETA: The author did warn that what NEnglanders find funny, may not be so to others.
I thought the bear thing was funny! LOL

Glad to hear your headache is gone and happy belated birthday Cee! :)

Hi Mark...
Blizzard Week is very exciting. As many books as you can carry out to the car! I think the average is about 40.

Taaaammmmyyyyyy!
Yes indeed! The library will soon be closed for the winter. This is not a library you would want to go to in a blizzard...
no heat and...
a good chance no electricity as the whole island generally loses it in every storm of consequence.
This is an act of kindness for the books - taking them home and keeping them warm so the spines don't crack.

Hey Sandy!
Glad to have you here. Thanks for the good wishes!
Well... now I know what to expect next. If it's whispering, that's cool... my bad ear is on her side. There are certainly times if you don't laugh, you will want to cry.

Bonnie -
duh! My bday was your daughter's wedding day! What's more important here??? ;-)

Hi Jude,
I know. I keep hearing that Good Witch whispering in my ear. But the Bad Witch must be on the side of my good ear...who just keeps saying "So? Buy these cool cheap books then go buy more shelves!"
The only thing saving me is there are so few book sales around here.

I had soooo many earaches when I was a kid/young adult - pure torture! I empathize completely. My migraine is almost all gone. Just feel like I have some kind of hangover - from headache or meds? Dunno.
Still have to call my new doctor. Drug store will not refill my Rx cuz they called the old dr who is no longer in state... I need a new Rx. Oh good grief!

Thanks, Lucy! You're not too late... I have yet to get/eat my bday cake.
Possible snow Thurs-Fri for us!!!! YAY! You too???

OOPS! Hi Valerie...
due to my slow thinking and typing, we cross-posted.
Thanks!

Blizzard Week! But sorry your library closes though - makes for a long winter.

I didn't know you get migraines too. There seem to be a lot of us that suffer from them around here...

Snow? We are expecting 6-12" tonight and tomorrow. It was 61 today and 80 yesterday...such is Colorado.

Hey Joanne - I LOVE long winters!
I like to think that our little library "disperses" itself around town rather than closing. We do get to use the library about 15 miles away... tough drive in the snow, but then we all have 4wd!

As I get older, the migraines are somewhat less frequent... but when they hit... :{ very bad news.

oooooooooooooooo - yes! yes! 6-12" I know it will evaporate quickly for you - but enjoy the beauty and the cold! Feel free to post pictures on my thread ... you know I'll be checking yours!

Wow!! Where you live must get very cold!! And you love long winters! Not me, Claudia!!! We rarely get snow,but we do get a lot rain and overcast. It's been a lovely week so far - a little nippy but nice and sunny! Thank heavens the four libraries near to me stay open all year long!One even had a area called " The Living Room" and they've got plenty of seating and a gas fireplace. It's lovely in the winter ( and also the summer if you need a little a/c.

Hi Birthday Girl, so sorry I missed the festivities but I hope you're still celebrating. Blizzard Day sounds awesome. I love the feel of hunkering down for a long winter surrounded by books.
After seeing the book you're reading, The best friends approach to Alzheimer's care, I'll see if my library has that and The 36 Hour Day. Better follow those two with something really funny. Any recs for funny!

ETA: Shew! They only have 36 hour day. kind of relieved.

Hi Deb,
FOUR libraries! Cool. And one with a living room and fireplace. Ah, that would be heaven... there are no chairs to read in at our library - no room. It's tiny. Used to be a one-room schoolhouse. Quaint but not comfy.

Hi Lynda -
This is kinda nice having a well extended birthday... cake still coming...
There's one other book you might like to read: Still Alice . Although it is ficion, it could very well be a true story.
I looked over the books I've read this year. Not much in the way of humor - and what little there is - not haha ROFL funny. I realize everyone's sense of humor is different (or maybe it's just me?). Perhaps I need a little more levity in my own reading.

Lovely fall day! :)

The library with the fireplace sounds wonderful!
So much better than a tv and drums.. sigh

I like the thought of the library dispersing itself too :)

We have a lot of library locations around the city as well but as far as I know, none with a fireplace. My feet are freezing right now so a nice warm fireplace sounds heavenly!

Here ya go, Kath & Valerie - for your libraries:

Oooh, that looks like a "good fire' in my Buck Stove

***big hug****
.
.
.
.
to "C""

;-}

Awww. Thanks, Jude. Your hugs are always good ones! ;-)

Anyone want a piece of hot apple pie - fresh out of the oven? mmmmm

WOW, a fireplace and hot apple pie?! I love this thread!

mmmmmm pie!

Do you have a good crust recipe?

Betty Crocker

Yes, we do have a very wonderful library system here! I'm very fortunate. It's very well used, too. Ha! Betty Crocker would be my crust recipe too - but we seldom have pie.

As far as laughing out loud as I read , I have to say that Sisters Brothers nearly had me drooling at the mouth I found parts of it so funny. But everyone is so different. It's definitely a plus to have a little humour in a book. Major Pettigrew's Last Stand was a cheerful but thoughtful book that really made me smile. And I know that Joanne, Coppers, enjoyed my suggestion of The Vinyl Cafe short stores by Stuart McLean. I think I've read all in the series. Just a few suggestions for a bit of levity.

My library has a fireplace but it's not really cozy. The decor is too modern for me to consider it cozy but it's kind of nice. No pie though...

Yay for Stuart McLean! I've only read Vinyl Cafe Unplugged but I'm amassing quite a collection! Can't wait to get to the next one.

Your witch...up top...could have been me, in my 30s.....skinny bod...good broom....my legs are still good, but lose the pumpkin in my lap!

I haven't made an apple " anything" this year.....those on offer in the store aren't that good....yet....I am hoping for better...later

;-}

I just started Stories from the Vinyl Cafe and am finding it funny. Didn't get too far yet... looks promising ;-)

Oh Jude... I thought of you when I posted my Halloween picture. I'll bet you were a sexy witch!

me too... in my youth. The similarities now are just the broom, the cat and the bare feet!
I still love full moons, too!

I love your witch!

Stories From the Vinyl Cafe is the next one I'm planning to read.

:) I was just thinking that the witch was sexy but a little too thin... lol..
I too, was thing once upon a time.. in a land far far away...

Witch needs some socks lol.. I do anyway.. cold feet!

Joanne, I had started to say Stories From the Vinyl Cafe was starting out funny - then I read a bit more before bed last night and found it to be leaning toward kinda sad. Maybe it was me. I'll have to see how it goes.

Kath - I knew you would think my witch was too skinny. :)
I think witches generally are... I don't care. Skinny or plump - it's all good.
I just like that she was barefoot!
I got Mom some fleece socks because her feet are always cold.
She keeps forgetting she has them - so I have to be more on top of that.
Hope they work.

yeah... I like a little more curve in a woman... just sayin'

fleece socks are wonderful!!!!

Following you again Kath...have to agree with both your points above!

Has anyone seen a fat witch though? A fat good witch yes, but a fat wicked witch? I always think of wicked witches as skinny and grumpy.

I need to dig out my fleece socks, it's going to snow tonight.

Hahah, the fireplace reminds me of the TV program they run every Christmas where you are essentially just watching the yule log burn through the night. I guess it's convenient for those who don't have an actual fireplace, they can get the same effect via the TV, but of course none of the warmth. ;)

My kids always put that fireplace tv thing on.. lol.. even though I have a gas fire !

Snow Caro?!?

Claudia- I love the witch! If only she had a beer in her hand, I would be in heaven.

Claudia, I think you'll find that The Vinyl Cafe and all in the series are a combo of a laugh out loud funny with some sadness and real life stuff tossed in. I hope you enjoy it. I think one of my favourite stories was one that they turned into a tiny book all on it's own Dave Cooks The Turkey. It was truly hilarious! But it's in one of the first one or two Vinyl Cafe Series, if my memory serves.

Yup, Kath.... getting some snow tonight. WTF ... too early, too early! Go back up into the sky, I'm not ready for snow yet. Not sticking though, so that's good.

Good Morning All!
Special HI this morning to Kath, Megan, Caro, Valerie, Mark & Deb!
Well, it looks like everyone knew about fleece socks but me. No surprise. I don't care for heavy socks - but Mom needs them so I'm getting an education. They do seem to be much better - but then, it's not winter yet.
It did get down to 32 last night - but if it snowed I missed it. Went to bed early... just wet now. Still cold though - yay! Now starts the season I pine for a real fireplace... never happy! :P

Stories From the Vinyl Cafe - What an eclectic mix of short stories! Like Deb says - "real life stuff..."
I was reading this book in bed last night with the cat on my feet. Two of the stories were so uproariously funny I was laughing hard, shaking the bed, etc. The cat must have wondered if I was in the final throes of a life-ending seizure - and that added to the hilarity. She stuck with me though!
The story of Stanley (a dog) had tears rolling down my face! Loving it!

Hope everyone has a great day - getting ready for a snow storm tomorrow (Nor'easter). ;-)

Glad to hear that you found a fun read :)
I read nothing yesterday evening..
It was cold here too.... 32 this morning and I had ice on the windshield.
Crazy.. no snow though.. not yet !
Fleece socks are fab! I am wearing terrible thin socks today because they
are Halloween Socks.. :P

I hope you have enough influence over the stars
to get mine aligned... It has been quite a day already!

I wish there was such a thing as electric socks. My feet are always freezing!

Glad you didn't get snow yet! It feels like it still too early for that!
It froze here last night, down to -2c. There was frost on my car when I left work at 7am and I forgot to put my scraper in the car, must remember to do that today!
Enjoy your weekend!

Oh glad to hear that you are enjoying the The Vinyl Cafe after all. Stuart McLean has written about 4 more Vinyl Cafe books with slightly different titles, all of them similar in that they are hilarious and a sometimes a bit sad - eclectic and a slice of life. He's practially a legend in Canada! :)

i love fleece socks around the house, Cee ... and Bath and Body Works have great soft ones. *note to self ... get some for this winter on Sunday*

We had snow last night which stayed on the ground and turned to ice this morning. Not fun. hmph!

good! I didn't miss a new start yet.. hope to try to keep up better in the days to come.

Cee, you should try some fleece socks for yourself.. you might like warm feet! :)

Hi Val - I think there is a such thing as electric socks/booties. Only problem is you have to sit still in one place. Good for reading or watching TV, I guess.

Chelle - I guess if I had to scrape off my car of ice and snow, I might not like the cold wintry weather as much. Still -2 sounds very nice... C or F!

Deb, Whenever I read a bunch of short stories there are some that I like better than others. (True for this book also.) They are each interesting though... in its own way. I like getting to know Canadian writers more and more.

Poor Caro! I am NOT a fan of ice. Too dangerous. Pleeeeze be careful!
*back to worrying about Caro!*

Mornin' Kath - I'll be starting a new thread soon. No time right now. It kinda crept up on me.
My feet are plenty warm all by theirownselves! Ick! Hot feet! Makes me cranky...

Taking Mom out today - I think she's getting cabin fever. Maybe I can work in some lunch out ;-)

No ice today, Cee ..... no need to worry. I'm only making pulled pork, a blueberry pie and finishing up my costume today. What could happen? ;-)

Hate to even imagine - just keep the costume away from the oven! :}

Really?? I wonder if they use abattery pack, which would mean you are mobile, or else plugged into the wall, to which then you are stuck in one place. Off to go search and see!

Valerie - here's to happy feet!

Kinda pricey: http://www.thunderboltsocks.com/heatedsocks_ladies.html

More reasonable: http://www.nextag.com/foot-warmer/stores-html

or: http://www.squidoo.com/electricsocks

Apparently you are not alone with cold feet!

sorry to be so late checking in

weird day...snow, this morning when i woke up...Not Happy

spent a few hours whining and meeping..to no effect...damn!

need fleece socks...or else i get off my duff and knit me some woolies

***hug*** to you, C...my friend

Jude! You too? Cold feet?
But... you have a cat!

You're a good knitter - whip up some woolies!



Hey, those look cozy!

LOL, that thunderbolt site was actually the first place I checked when I did a search. I still can't believe it's actually out there but when you think about it, makes a lot of sense, so why not!

My cat is an "outside cat"....that I actually brought indoors today...twice...for a few minutes

I love my ISHIE...but, he's an "un altered" male...with claws...never been to a vet (as far as I know)...and runs away from people....except myself, my Mark, and Bob).....

this could be a problem..if i bring him indoors...there is no Vet..in town...if he gets sick

oh, i got way off topic...sorry...i knitted socks like that....years ago when i knit

you scare me, C.....really

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Thanks!
I saw those socks and said to myself.... "Self, that's Jude!"
Stay warm - - - -
my breath is messing up my windows looking for the snow! :)

NEW THREAD:

http://www.librarything.com/topic/125896

pretty snow pic.

lap locked :P

I am beat! cooked all day... cleaned and now sitting down finally..
maybe catch up tomorrow??

Dunkers ate today :)

Good boy, Dunk!

Sleep tight, Kath!

you too, my friend...
sweet dreams...about flakes from the sky :)