Carmenere’s(Lynda’s) Home for the Tipping Tower of Tomes – The Basement

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Hi and welcome to my 2012 thread!
This year, I hope to concentrate on books off my shelf also lovingly referred to as the Tipping Tower of Tomes but will undoubtedly be enticed by my fellow 75er’s to look into books, authors and genres I may have overlooked or may be new to me. In any case, I know it will be another exciting year in literature and I’m happy to have you along for the adventure.

This year I'm challenging myself to read 77 books, one more book than last year, including a number of large books for my 12 in ’12 Chunkster Challenge found here many of which have been languishing on my shelves for too long and taking up too much space.

I also plan to complete a couple of challenges I began in years past: Alpha Order Challenge, found here I only need an author with a surname beginning with U to complete this challenge and the State Challenge found here of which I need 37 more states! Hopefully, by again playing along with TIOLI, I’ll be able to insert a needed book here and there. I just can't help myself, I've joined a another challenge for this year BOMBS and it's here

If 2011 was the year of Hemingway 2012 is looking to be the year to reintroduce myself to Dickens and Steinbeck.
So …………let the new year begin!!

Currently reading



Currently listening to


Books completed in the first half of 2012
January:
1) The Awakening - Kate Chopin - 4/5
2) Matterhorn - Karl Marlantes - 5+/5
3) Stories I Only Tell My Friends - Rob Lowe 4/5
4) Cannery Row - John Steinbeck 4.5/5
5) Seriously...I'm Kidding - Ellen Degeneres 2.5/5
6) My Seinfeld Year - Fred Stoller 2.75/5

February:
7) The Ledge: An Adventure Story of Friendship and Survival on Mount Rainier - Jim Davidson 4/5
8) The Wayward Bus - John Steinbeck 4.75/5
9) All My Life: A memoir - Susan Lucci 3/5
10) The Zen of Steve Jobs - Caleb Melby 4/5

March:
April:
May:
June:

Books completed in the second half of 2012

July:
August:
September:
October:
November:
December:

Morning Lynda! I love the "under construction" signs! I hope to read books "Off the Shelf" too! That is such a challenge, isn't it? LT throws so many obstacles in the way!

Happy New Year!

Hey Mark, aka #1 culprit adding to the tower! Happy New Year to you and yours!

Happy New Year, Lynda!

ETA: I hope you like Matterhorn. It was one of my top reads in 2010.

The Tipping Tower of Tomes! I love it. :D

Wishing you luck on your trip through the tower of tomes!

Hi Lynda - I love your 12-12 categories and the image you posted on your thread. Happy New Year!

Forgive me for not catching up... I am just trying to stake a place :)

Hi Lynda!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

I think I will have to join you in making it a goal to read some more Steinbeck and Dickens since those books have been woefully ignored thus far.

Tittering Tower of Tomes....I LOVE that..haha!

PS - Starred, of course. :D

I just realized I replaced Tipping with Tittering... I guess it works both ways. Mine is definitely tittering...

the tipping tower of tomes love the alliteration Lynda.

Look forward to keeping up in 2012.

Welcome back!

Happy New Year, Lynda ... be sure not to stand under the tipping tower of tomes when it tilts at a far enough angle.

Starred!


HAPPY NEW YEAR, LYNDA!!!

Happy New Year Lynda! Am looking forward to following your reading again this year!

Hi Lynda, doing the rounds and dropping stars here and there. My goal for 2012 is more lurking = less time on LT = more time reading. We'll see how that goes.

Happy New Year!

A happy and healthy new year filled with good reading, Lynda.

Hi Lynda! Hoping you have a great New Year!!

Happy New Year Lynda. As it is now 2012 I think it's time to start dropping off some



Here's to another good year of reading:)

Happy New Year, Lynda! And good luck with your Chunkster Challenge.

Oops, so busy traveling the threads this morning that I simply forgot about mine!
Here's a tip of my Mimosa to Stasia (patiently waiting), Faith, Cheli (how can I add the accent to the e), Heather and Kath, Richard (didn't use the yellow label for the mimosa's), Valerie (give the little monkey a hug for me), Jim and Caro (hardhats recommended), Cee and Cushla, Ilana and Gail, Chelle, calm and Darryl!

And best wishes, to all others who lurk or pass through, for a healthy, happy and prosperous New Year!!!

Happy New Year, Lynda! I also love the "tipping tower of Tomes" - both the graphic and the alliteration! Most entertaining : ).

I have Matterhorn out and ready to go... along with about ten other books I want to read this month. Hey, I'm supposed to be slowing down to read between the lines!!!

Happy New Year, Lynda.

Happy New Year, Linda. Looking forward to following along with you in 2012. Hope you are enjoying Matterhorn, it was one of my top reads in 2010.

Dropping off my star!

Sandy K

The threads are crazy lately, Lynda... don't let me lose you !!!

Ugh, I told myself this morning that I would
1. feed the cats...............check
2. make coffee.................check
3. read from Matterhorn .............sit down to LT just to see who's talking then read.
4. Put in 30 minutes of LT time.............turned into 60 minutes! Now, Matterhorn will have to wait till house is cleaned.
5. Shower, dress, clean house, take down decorations.......

Hey Nancy! happy new year back at cha!

Oh Donna, good luck reading between the lines! I can barely read lines and still have time for everything else.

Judy, I'm loving Matterhorn thus far. I enjoy the way Marlantes is setting up the story. The reader is favoring some characters, others not, and now I'm just waiting for the conflict to begin........on many fronts as it's looking.

Sandy, I've finally discovered your thread! Hey, where's all that snow they've been talking about for a week?

I will not let you lose me, Kath. I know where your thread lives.

What a way to start the year! Our house was egged sometime early NY's day. Other neighbor's had destruction as well. Spent the whole first day of the year cleaning egg off of windows and siding and mending Snowman inflatable. That's ok, The karma will come back at them.

In the spirit of Jimmy Fallon thank you notes.............(sappy music, please) Thank you, person who chose to be an idiot on new year's eve................If you hadn't tried to destroy our little inflatable display I would have never known I had it in me to repair a nylon balloon.

Morning Lynda- Matterhorn is such a great read! I am so glad you are enjoying it. It was my top book of 2010. Have a good day and good luck with that to-do list.

29) Lynda, I don't think I will bother to read 75 books, I will just read 75 LT threads in 2012! :)

Alan

LT time very easily turns into hours, Lynda. I can personally attest to that!

Happy New Year! Wishing you luck reading books off your own shelf. Hard to do with everyone sharing about so many other wonderful books out there!

Hi Lynda. Like Mark, I loved Matterhorn. It was easily my favorite book of 2011.

I totally understand getting distracted by the LT threads though. I feel like it's almost impossible to keep up with the 2012 switch over.

Gah, the Matterhorn guilt level keeps climbing...

I've been postponing making the rounds until I finished my first book of the year, only to discover that some already have 100 posts. How will I ever keep up?? I can't believe that on Jan 2, I'm already asking myself this...

Hi Lynda, in all the absolute madness that is LT lately, I had to use the Threadbook to find you. GAH! I loved Matterhorn and don't really know anyone who read it who didn't feel the same way. Sorry to hear about the vandalism. There's no accounting for stupidity I'm afraid. Like you, I'm going to try to clear some of my shelves this year. I'm taking on the Non-Fiction challenge because I have 42 unread NF books on my shelf!

By the way, I wrote up a review of The Question of Hu over on my thread. It was very good! Thanks for picking for our Secret Santa exchange.

There's been so much hype around Matterhorn, I think I haven't read a single negative comment. Somehow it never appealed to me though - maybe it's the clash between my expectations connected with the title (something Alpine) and the Vietnam war.
Anyway - I ordered the Kindle sample now, and the whole thing is only $ 5, the cheapest non-classic Kindle book I've ever seen. If I like the sample I am going to buy it.

I hate it when people are like that.
What on earth did they got out of ruining your decoration..
or trying to, since you were able to fix it.. well done!!

Deern.. I have never been drawn to it either... let us know what you decide..

Greetings Mark, Alan, Stasia, Laura, Pat (Is your 2012 thread up?), Suzanne (You of all readers should not at all feel guilty, ever ), Bonnie (my hopes are high for Matterhorn considering the great feedback), Jim (I read your review yesterday and need to read this book myself, what an interesting story!), Nathalie (I was thrown by the title too - maybe the name is symbolic to the story, will see), and Kath (my feeling is the culprit doesn't even remember he/she/they did anything).

Well, in 2012 I've decided to limit my LT time to approx 30 minutes and to visit and post to as many threads as possible. So my apologies if I don't get around to many of your threads but I've got to save more time for reading, of all things!

BTW: beginning tomorrow I'll be driving my mom to hospital for hyperbaric treatment of her wound. Eight to 10 weeks 2 hours a day, except weekends, so my time here may even be more limiited, but I relish the thought of 2 hours uninterrupted reading!

Have a good day everybody :0)

Hi Lynda. I've started a discussion on this year's tutored reads thread about the tutored read of A Tale of Two Cities that we discussed last year. Would love to hear your thoughts if you're interested.

Hope your mum's first hyperbaric treatment goes well and you can get some good reading done. I think once things kick off at work again I might need to limit LT time too so I completely understand.

Lynda, I hope the hyperbaric treatments go well for your Mom. They worked magic for my Dad. Are you going to be reading Matterhorn while you wait?

Good Morning Lynda!
There has been so much activity on LT recently that half an hour is NOT enough time to go through everyone's thread. It doesn't help that I've starred more threads than is realistically possible to stay on top of...oh well, just plug along right?
Sorry to hear about the egging, but you have such a great attitude about it!

Congrats on the 2 hours of uninterrupted reading time, Lynda. I hope the hyperbaric treatments work for your mother!

2 hours of reading are good repayment for the trip..
I hope it helps and that her wound heals well and asap!

I hope all goes well with the treatments and enjoy your reading time.

Hey Heather, I'll check out the thread ASAP!

Pat, I'll start with two smaller books that I hope to finish with a couple of visits The Awakening and Cannery Row. Until then, I'll save Matterhorn for after dinner reading.

1/2 an hour is definately NOT enough time, Valerie, but how silly that the people I live with want to eat a homemade meal now and then, and can you believe they actually want clean clothes! Oh, the newv!!!

I'm so looking forward to it, Stasia. It's like a mini vacation!

Yeah, that's a good way to look at it, Kath!

Thanks calm and all others who have expressed good wishes on the treatment. This has gone on way too long, just want it done already.

Well, my 30 mins are up. I'll take my iTouch along with me today so I can take reading breaks by catching up a bit more.

That is totally unreasonable...
As unreasonable as my little guy expecting to be changed, feed, and put down for a nap. Such ridiculous needs... :)

LOL, yes they do start early don't they, Valerie.

Just about done with today's treatment and it wasn't too bad. I feel a little guilty when Others come intO the waiting roOm. I smile but rather than make small talk I keeP reading. Hmm, I wonder where the awakening is taking me.

#49: I wonder where the awakening is taking me.

Sometimes I wish books would say 'You have arrived at your destination' when you finally get to where you were heading all along.

I applaud your discipline, Lynda. I probably spent 90 minutes a day here last year, but this year I have had day long marathons and still I am barely catching up! Although I do believe it is slowing down somewhat.

Hope everything is going well with your Mom's treatments.

Hope your mom's treatments go well, Lynda! 2 hours to sit and read--beautiful!

Sandy K

a late daily *smooch* for Lynda and mom

#50 I need huge yellow signs to make me aware of a lot of things, Stasia!!:}

#51 I'm trying to keep it a 30 mins, Judy, but it is so hard to do especially on a day like today when my computer is running so slow, Ugh!!!

#52 Two hours of virtually uninterrupted reading was delightful, Sandy.

#53 a smooch at any time of the day is a good smooch, Richard.

Time's up, gotta get moving, although a little slower today, I'm suffering from fiftyitis, everything hurts. What did I do to make everything ache? double ugh

I hope the treatments go well. I like your idea of limiting your time - I always feel guilty on here, and tend to rush through and then come back several times a day. Maybe if I set a timer...

Hi Lynda!
After truly wishing for a better year than 2011, we had a bit of a rough start to 2012. Sounds like you did too... and now that you can repair inflatable balloons - maybe you could build yourself a real hot air balloon! Lots of fun! We used to love to take the kids to the festivals.

Good idea to limit LT time - but - I'm having a hard time with that. Ah well... a balance in life is important. Keep the faith!

Eeek! No timers, Luxx you might keep your eye on the clock and not the threads. The little clock in the corner of your monitor's screen should be adequate and of course cheating is acceptable.

Your post seems ominous, Cee. I must come and visit to see what's been up. Sending waves of strength to the coast of Maine.

Lynda,
I try not to obsess on rough stuff on LT - sometimes I slip.
But ominous is too strong a word for 2012 so far - just a few freaky mishaps, etc that got resolved fairly easily.

AND - I finished book #1 for this year. That makes me happy :)

#1-2012

The Awakening
Kate Chopin
1899
117 pages
4/5 stars



Review under construction

#58 Glad all was resolved, Cee!

I'm also having trouble keeping up with LT. It helps that my DH has been traveling for work. He's a fairly simple guy but still has to be fed and talked to occasionally. ;-)

Perhaps the clinic waiting room would be a good place to hand out books so everyone can read?

Fiftyitis??? Those were the good years! ;-)

Perhaps the clinic waiting room would be a good place to hand out books so everyone can read?

You may be on to something, Donna! Perhaps I will scatter a few of the books I have put aside to donate. I do believe in serendipity and the book will find the right person at the right time. Thanks for the idea!

Here's a little quiz for all you Downtown Abbey fans.
I copied the link from Facebook and although I would have preferred to be one of the ladies I think John Bates, valet to Lord Grantham, is a fairly good description of me.

http://www.weta.org/tv/picks/downtonabbey/quiz

>59 Carmenere: review under construction
I like that.

#1-2012
The Awakening
Kate Chopin
1899
4/5 stars

I read it now because……………1. It was one of my Christmas Swap books received from Fourpawz (Charlotte), thanks so much!
2. Fits TIOLI Challenge #1 Read a book set in a state mentioned in Dr. Martin Luther King's "I Have a Dream" speech, as well as, States Challenge (Louisiana) and my first from my BOOKS OFF THE SHELF Challenge.

Book Blurb…………A thought provoking study of one woman’s desire to live outside the box of late 19th century norms and follow her heart’s desire however doing so has its costs and a single line often sung to her foreshadows all, “Ah! Si tu savais”.

I would……………..Highly recommend.

Morning Lynda- thanks for the quirky quiz! I ended up being Robert, which of course is a stretch. LOL. My favorite character is Bates, so you did well.

#64: I get to dodge that particular BB since I have already read the book, although I will give it serious consideration for a re-read. A couple years back, I purchased an edition that Deborah (Cariola) recommended and have not yet read it.

Hey there, Lynda! Sorry I'm so late, I'm still trying to track down everyone's threads. Happy reading! :)

I'm John Bates, too. So excited about tonight's Downton Abbey. I'm going to try and wait to watch it until I have a few of the episodes recorded. Maybe I'll do a marathon of the first showing first to get in the mood. I love these people, esp. my namesake!

Somehow I missed your thread! Now it's starred.

I there Linda, half an hour per day for LT threads huh?? Ive been busy the past couple of days and didn't have much time for LT and, YES, I'd like to devote more time for actual reading, but it's absolutely impossible to keep up. At least for me. I'll keep trying though. Haphazard and willy-nilly as it may be;-)

hopelessly behind on so many threads, I am just stoppin in to keep you on my radar..

#59 &64 Hi Lynda - I'm hoping to read that one this month too. Glad you enjoyed it.

And can I shamefully admit that I haven't watched one episode of Downton Abbey?

I took the Downtown Abbey quiz and I was linked to Anna Smith, the head housemaid! That's kinda funny since I've been avoiding housework in order to spend more time here on LT!

Hi Lynda, I'm glad you liked The Awakening. It was one of the pleasant surprises in my 2011 reading, I think it well deserves its place on the 1001 list.

#65 Mark, I like Bates now, but not at first. I had a hard time figuring him out.

#66 Drat Stasia, I'll get you next time my pretty.

#67 I'm crushed that your late, Stephen, but your here now so my thread is offically cool.

#68 Hi fellow Batesian! I really need to find time to re-watch the first season, Donna, I think I missed a lot of the humor but as I get to know the characters I understand them a little better.

#69 So glad you've found me DV!

#70 Hi Bonnie, I'll never be able to keep up with everyone but I thoroughly read a few threads a day and touch base.

#71 I think most of us are behind, Kath. But it's a good thing that we've become familiar with so many nice people over the years that our stars continue to explode and create more stars :0)

#72 I hope you enjoy, The Awakening, Heather. What?! No DA?! Please take my advice, give up a little reading time and give it a try.

#73 Oh, Judy, Anna is such a sweet character. I'd play up that attribute and forget about the housecleaning!

#74 Did not know it was on the 1001 list, Nathalie. I could see why, it must have been groundbreaking.

Well, I put in my 30 minutes........ok a little more.........

Donna.....I'm taking three Maeve Binchey's to the waiting room today and leaving them there. Hopefully, they'll find a good home. I am happy to see Maeve leave my home, they were not going to be read here since I'm not a great fan of hers.

I've heard the song Maggie Mae about a zillion times but it was only yesterday that I finally clearly heard the line "or steal my daddy's cue and make a living out of playing pool". I always thought the word was fool and the line hadn't made any sense to me.

Hope you all have a lovely day!! :0)

Hi Lynda!
You must be a morning person! *yawn* I got up an hour ago and am still trying to wake up.
Will check out The Awakening - sounds like I should :)

Well I haven't watched Downtown Abbey but did the quiz and will let those who know better decide if it is good or bad:)

I am - Lady Sybil Crawley

Hope you have a great day:)

Those quizzes are fun at times... but often I find myself
looking at a list of things I would not answer.. no doubt a testament
to my misfitness.. still.. I think they are fun, and often at least try them.

I want to try watch Downton Abbey... I can get it on Roku..
time is the thing..

Hope all is nice and calm

Lynda - I like your review style. Not verbose and with just the right amount of info we need to get. I have the book buried somewhere on my shelves and hope to get round to it sometime this year.

#76 Definately a morning person, Cee. If I sleep past 7am I feel like I've missed half the day.

#77 Lady Sybil is very cool, calm. I like her, she's somewhat of a rebel.

#78 Hey Kath, see if your library has season 1 on dvd then you can watch at your leisure.

#79 Well, not verbose is going to be my style this year, Paul. I began dreading reviews because I took so much time with them, phooey, I'm just going to be brief and to the point this year.

-----------
Attended the continuation of last fall's Bible Timeline. Ugh, this years moderator would rather put Jeff Cravins wonderful video presentations into his own words and lectured for an hour and half. Hope it was just for the first class, if not, we're going to have a little discussion.
So, homework is to read Joshua and begin reading Judges.

Thoroughly immersed in Matterhorn and loving Marlantes' writing. Huge book but reads easy.

See ya's later :0)

Ok, as mentioned on Stephen's thread I should be stimulating my thread, so here goes.

I've been on for about 45 minutes and I've got to get scooting. Back to hyperbaric where the Binchy's have been moved around a bit but still there.

I want to get back to Cannery Row but I've got a problem, I can not put Matterhorn down. Fascinating read and it is beginning to urge me on to read more about the Vietnam War. Seriously, were our troops so poorly treated by their commanders?!

Maeve Binchy sounds like perfect waiting room reading. Light stuff that takes one to a quieter, gentler world. I used to be a MB fan but can't do her most recent works.

I'm glad you are loving Matterhorn. I'm afraid to start reading it for the very reason of its "unputdownable" nature. One of these days...

I will certainly give Matterhorn a try some time this year, but maybe I'll read a translation. The test chapter kind of exhausted me, maybe it was all those military expressions. I am not used any more to look up words when reading English books, I fear I have become lazy.

I'm taking three Maeve Binchey's to the waiting room today and leaving them there. Hopefully, they'll find a good home.
I love that - it's so thoughtful. Even books we don't like deserve a good home.

Nathalie, if it helps (and it did me), Matterhorn has an extensive glossary at the end with all the military terms explained.

Lynda, I'm so glad you're loving Matterhorn. It was my favorite book of 2011. And I just finished Cannery Row which was also fantastic. Both were five star reads for me.

#84: thanks for the info!! that will certainly help once I get the full version

Being torn between Matterhorn and Cannery Row - it doesn't get much better than that!

Well, no one can accuse you of reading nothing but fluff! Two very serious books under way..
Maeve Binchy! It has been a while, but I have read a few of hers as well. I might evenhave 1-2 unread ones on the shelf.. ( or I may have purged them) she offers a good story but somewhere along the way I lost my taste for her books..

How are you and mom doing?

#82 Yeah really, Donna, you'll need to have a clean plate when you decide to read Matterhorn. I told my mom I'm going to ask the technicians to keep her in the chamber longer so I have more reading time. I can't understand why she didn't like the idea.....go figure.

#83 I hope you give it a shot, Nathalie and Pat's correct a very nice glossary which I have referred to often because military speak is as foreign to me as any other second language.

#84 Pat, it's you I thank for pointing me in the direction of Matterhorn. You really know a good book when you see one.

#86 And to make matters worse, Joe, I've started Bel Canto too. Oh, people just don't know how tough I have it! ;}

#87 Kath, after five sessions mom is ready to be done with it. But she's got it easy, she's not the one driving 55 miles a day.......sheesh, she only has to lay still for 2 hours and watch the tv above the chamber. Hey only 25 more sessions to go!

--------

Tomorrow mom with have a skin graft to expedite the healing of this wound which should work out really well along with the hyperbaric gizmo.

Ugh, snow is forecast for overnight, maybe up to 5 inches......

Listen to this, I saw a sight I have never seen before in all my years as a Clevelander. Yesterday, I saw a man riding a bicycle. That alone is not surprising but IN JANUARY! It's just not done around these parts but the unusual weather we've been having is springlike so a little snow is to be expected just so long as it doesn't linger.

Have a good one, my friends.

Lynda, that made me laugh--guy on a bike in JANUARY in northeast Ohio! I saw a kid on a bike the other day, too!

Ready for the snow tomorrow over here--made beef stew in the crockpot for dinner tonight, leftovers tomorrow. It always tastes even better on the second day.

Glad to hear that you are enjoying your more serious reading! I'm in a fluffy mood, myself...gonna tackle some Dickens soon, though.

Sandy K

Yeah for stew, Sandy! I made goulash which is stewish but no leftovers remain for tonight......so probably order in pizza. I hope to get to some Dickens in the next few months too.
CVLT is putting on Enchanted April, may try to take that one in.

I've got nothing really to say today....cold, snowy, I don't want to leave the house but I must. Officially half way through Matterhorn and hope to finish it this weekend. The other books are yelling "What about us?!!"

Lynda- I have to chime in on Matterhorn. You are in for such a treat! It was my top read of '10. I need to get to Bel Canto, but not a free spot open. Anyone seen my book-horn?

Matterhorn is going onto my TBR/wish list.

Hey, let me know if you go to see Enchanted April--I'm going on February 3. A friend of mine is the director, and some other friends are in the show. It is such a lovely play. I wish they had better parking at CVLT, though.

Sandy K

Oh my gosh, Lynda.... 25 more sessions to go? That's a lot of miles! I hope it works well for your Mom's healing. You are such a good daughter. HUGS!

Laying still for my Mom would drive her nuts! Something about that generation. Dunno...

Remember - the less snow you have, the less you have to drive through. You can send any potential snow to me ;-)

Took the quiz and I'm Matthew Crawley.

The funniest "cold" weather thing I ever witnessed was in northern Thailand where, when the nighttime temps dipped into the high 60s, the Buddhist monks dressed the stray dogs they looked after in T-shirts so they wouldn't catch cold. True fact.

#91 Hey Mark, If your book-horn is a book lovers instrument which calls all the books you want to your house, then I indeed have it. If however your book-horn squeeeezes more reads into your schedule, I have absolutely, definately I not seen such a device........If you could invent one I think you'd be able to hang up your mailbag and live in comfort for the rest of your days!

#92 Matterhorn is going onto my TBR/wish list.
Good Lori, that's just where it should be!

#93 I really enjoyed reading Enchanted April, Sandy, and think it would make for a great production. I hope to find time to get over there to see it.

#94 Cee, I just picked up the audio version of Rob Lowe's new autobio. It should make the drive more tolerable. So far, so good.

#95 Suz! Matthew Crawley is surely my favorite character. He's a down to earth middle class character who's just discovered he is heir to Downton. Presently, he shuns the entitlements of aristocracy..yet,me thinks that's a good set up for a big character adjustment in the future, though I hope not. Besides that, actor, Dan Stevens has such dreamy blue eyes.

Thanks for stopping in and I wish all of you a good Sunday..........espcially those who are in St. Croix and have to deal with breezes whipping up the pages of your books.

LOL at St Croix comment..

All those miles to go and in winter, too.. ugh! I hope your mom heals more quickly
than expected...

I don't understand Lynda. You have to drive 55 miles to get to a place with a hyperbaric chamber? Don't you live in Cleveland? As in Cleveland Clinic?

Add me to the list of people who enjoyed Matterhorn. It made my Top Reads last year too.

St Croix! *groan* Will I ever get there again?
I need a REAL vacation...

Yeah DA!

#97 Thanks, Kath. I hope so too!

#98 I live in a semi-rural area on the outskirts of Cleveland, Bonnie. Fortunately, I don't have to drive to the main Cleve Clinic campus but one of their satellite hospitals which is a little closer to me. My mileage is so high because I need to p-u mom first then backtrack to get to the freeway and then backtrack to get back to my house at the end of the day after I drop her off at her apt., so backtracking adds about 12 miles to the trip.

#99 Cee asksSt Croix! *groan* Will I ever get there again?
Lynda asks St Croix! *deep sigh* Will I ever get there at all?

#100 Yes, Downton Abbey won a Golden Globe last night and well deserving of it, although I have never watched any of the other nominated shows, so I guess I'm not a good judge.

But I've been thinking about DA alot lately, it seems to me I do everything that the downstairs people do AND play the Lady part too! It gets me a little bit perturbed to say the least that when Women's Lib fought for my rights (I was too young at the time) they didn't stipulate and make it a law that men pick up the slack.
I know, some men do......just sayin.

The thought that the government would regulate people's social lives is a very scary thought, Lynda. To be honest, legally the sexes are entirely equal as far as I know. There are no laws prohibiting women from doing anything a man can do, for all I know. Is there anything I'm unaware of?

Right now all the imbalance among the sexes are social ones. We are dealing with prejudice now. Women still expect men to behave a certain way and do certain things and men still expect women to do the same. The government can't fix that, it's on the part of people to start treating one another equally.

I'm still not sure why many men still expect women to be housekeepers. Then again, I don't know why many women expect men to be house fixer-uppers. There is nothing wrong with being either if it is the person's desire to be such but to expect someone to behave in such away based on nothing other than their gender is all quite a bit silly.

Still, I can't complain. I don't exactly fit into the mould of 'big masculine manly man' that seems so appealing to women but compared to what other people have to go through I figure I have it okay. I mean, homosexuals can't even get married! That is a government regulation limiting a person from doing some based on nothing other than their sexuality. How appalling! :(

ETA: Sorry, I always get this way when this topic comes up. Being an equalist is tiring.

Srsly, Stephen, I'm one who believes that the last thing this country needs are more laws. I just think that in the women's fight for equality little thought was given as to who
was going to pick up the slack while women pursued their dreams. IMO it always has been and always will be a man's world, at least for the foreseeable future.
Change happens one person at a time and I hope I have taught my son that although I appear to be old school he needs to learn that he must be an equal participate in his relationships.

Lynda- I didn't see DA last night, I'll save it for tonight. Looking forward to it. I never thought of the book-horn being a sounding horn. LOL. We don't need a siren call for more books, I'm sure most of us have plenty. No, I was referring to the old-fashioned shoe-horn type.

Lynda: I agree for the most part, although I'm definitely noticing a shift in my area. Men don't get hired around here anymore. Every cash register at every store you go to around here will have a woman operating it, every librarian here is a woman, and every person I've ever seen stocking a shelf has been a woman. There was a man working in Gamestop in my town, and sometimes the Electronic section at Walmart will have a man, but other than that it's all women at every store you go to.

It is sad that men aren't pulling their weight in a domestic sense, ESPECIALLY if women are the ones working more often. Any man who sits at home and has a working wife but still expects her to do the house work is a fool. I wish it weren't so. :(

However, how many women have jobs, making an equal amount of money as a man, still expect them to pay for meals during dates? Because it's "chivalrous" and romantic or whatever? Bah, it's all a mess. Things are better than they ever have been, but we're a LOOOONG way off from absolute equality.

Lynda, Hello.

I loved The Awakening, and must reread it. And I'm so glad to find all the D.A. fans here. I was hooked completely as soon as Maggie Smith deadpanned, "What is a week-end?" Already reserved the second season, unedited Brit. version, on the Internet Shop of Doom.

Some of the younger men really are picking up the slack, to be fair, but it's an uphill slog to change social mores.

>105 Ape: how many women have jobs, making an equal amount of money as a man, still expect them to pay for meals during dates? Because it's "chivalrous" and romantic or whatever?

I love offering to pay for my partner whenever we go out anywhere. Its like an in joke for us because our cash cards both link to the exact same account. I crack up laughing when I think about one of us sticking our chin in the air and proudly saying "Ill get this one darling!".

PS being an equalist IS tiring :)

Gail: I like to think I do my part, but to be honest, some men my age have some VERY concerning views about women. I know men have always been viewed as sex-obsessed brutes, and I can't compare my generation with those previous, but many men my age look upon women in the most demeaning ways! We can blame internet pornography, it's a likely suspect, but a lot of these young men really do seem to look at women as sex objects. I think we're seeing a lot of social progress, but I hope we aren't taking a step backwards in this regard. =/

Megan: You should definitely start making an argument to split the bill when he disagrees about you paying for the meal. :P

#104 Hi Mark, I noticed on your thread that you watched DA last night. What did you think of it? I thought lacking in some way, perhaps they were still recovering from the two hour premiere.

#105 Funny Stephen, our Gamestop just recently hired their first female employee. She's quite the gamer and offers terrific advice. Otherwise, it's still pretty much male dominated up here.

I agree with you, things are better but indeed equality is a loooong way off. I think the generation after mine (like your age group) is beginning to show positive signs of gender equality.

As for porn, I always felt that women were just as much to blame as men. They offer up their bodies for what, a few bucks, drugs, a shot at stardom, I don't know, whatever. But as long as there are women who will do it and men who buy it, I think it's a step backward. Unfortunately, I think it's here to stay.

#106 I was hooked completely as soon as Maggie Smith deadpanned, "What is a week-end?"
So right, Gail! She's an absolutely wonderful actress and I've just Googled her to see past films, which are quite a few. I will certainly look for them.

#107 That is funny, Megan! I must admit, I never paid for a dinner out with guys I wasn't serious about. A girl has to have some principles, you know ;}

#108 Thanks for keeping the conversation going in my absence, Stephen :0)

Got to go, running late! I spent the majority of my free time this morning getting a beef stew in the crockpot. I looks like the most fabulous crockpot stew I've ever made. Hope it doesn't fail me.

I'll try to check in on my iTouch later, Adios.

The best crockpot stew of my life was thoroughly enjoyed by all last night and a couple of glasses of a great wine and the winds lashing outside made for a perfect evening.

I'm sure to finish Matterhorn today and I'll bring kleenex to the waiting room just in case the ending is too brutal.

Hope the wait goes quickly today.. I admire your patience and dedication to your mom..

On the topic of bills and sharing and going Dutch etc - doesn't really apply to me I guess. I employ SWMBO through my company and pay her a handsome salary too on the strict proviso that she never ever goes anywhere near the office. She works on the principle that she has soundly developed over the years that what is hers is hers and what is mine is there to be shared equally! Love taking care of my lady and wouldn't enjoy eating alone!

Mmmm...crockpot stew. The wife and I had a leftover steak I cooked on the grill the other day, so I cubed it and faked up some steak chili in the crockpot. It was awesome, and now I'm going to have to figure out how I did it so I can do it again!

Hi Lynda,
I'm doing the beef stew thing tonight - but I use the pressure cooker. Haven't met a crockpot recipe yet that I love... for anything. I have 2 crockpot cookbooks and they both suck! I tried.

Will be tackling Matterhorn myself sometime this year - so I'll be interested to see how you like it.

#112 Be prepared to be cloned, Paul!

#113 Great idea, Jim! On the very rare occasion we have left over steak I make stroganoff cause on it's own left over steak is blaaaah.

#114 Cee, similarly, I've never had luck with a pressure cooker. When I get home I'll post the recipe for this crockpot stew because it is the first that looked good enough for a magazine and tasty too.

Oh, this capsized ship story is so horrible. If only there were a way to right it to make searching the cabins faster.

Lynda, if you're looking for/at Maggie Smith films, one of her earlier ones, "The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie" is an absolute knock-out.

Crockpot stew which is now my favorite is here .

Next time I make this I would add a clove or two of garlic.

#116 Thanks, Gail!! Her filmography was so extensive I wasn't sure which one to choose. Your suggestion helps alot!

Stephen, a fair # of the jobs you mention are low-wage jobs that often are the only ones available to women without college degrees and experience at some higher level. Where women are hampered today, it's because they still bear the childcare burden. If they divorce, in theory they can claim alimony and child support. In fact, the number of deadbeat dads is astonishingly high. So if a woman marries when young and then is divorced, she is in a horrible position. It's still too easy for an ex husband to avoid paying a fair share. The same is true of older women, who help their husbands build a career, don't work but host parties for their husbands, raise the children, run the household, etc. -- things without which the husband couldn't devote all the time he does to becoming a success. Then comes the divorce, and she's told to go and support herself at the age of 55. I don't believe either of those situations are equitable, and more equitable attitudes on the part of those enforcing existing rules or judges in divorce actions would help. (Full disclosure: my mother is one of the latter cases. My father never bothered to finish paying court-ordered alimony, which was only for five years anyway; he now lives comfortably on his pension, while my mother, after getting mininum wage clerical jobs for years, has been able to get only $320 a month in Canadian social insurance payments.)

LOL re books in St Croix! Actually, the biggest headache is that the level of humidity causes the pages to curl up -- I know, it's dreadful, isn't it, the problems some of us have??

Stephen, a fair # of the jobs you mention are low-wage jobs that often are the only ones available to women without college degrees and experience at some higher level.

But I always here women are more educated than men. They are going on into college more often then men are, so wouldn't that mean there would be more men in the lower-wage job market?

The divorce issue is still troublesome. The same thing happened to my own mother, she raised my sister and I but after a divorce she was stuck raising two kids without ever having had a job. She scrabbled for a minimum-wage job and somehow managed to make everythig work with so little money. I don't envy women in that position.

Then again, I don't envy men who are wonderful fathers but get their kids torn away from them by incompetent mothers simply because they are men. Bah. At least that is rare, I assume. *Shrug*

Lynda, thanks for giving us the link to your stew recipe. It looks really good and I am going to give it a try next week. Hubby loves stew and I love the ease of the crockpot!

Lynda- I liked the last episode of DA. There are always a few major highlights. I think it might try to visit to many characters, I'd like it to slow down a little in that department.
Matterhorn is a powerful, moving book! Enjoy and yes, keep the Kleenex near.

#118/119 Suzanne and Stephen, I have nothing to add to your outstanding remarks except this.

#120 I hope you enjoy it, Judy.

#121 I've completed Matterhorn. Wow! Must organize my thoughts before I say any more.
Now, I can get back to Cannery Row which I am very much enjoying.

Oooooo, wear your warm gotchies tonight everybody. It's going to be a bitterly cold one if you're in the midwest. I'm going up to bed with Steinbeck so nighty night.

Hi Lynda, I've finally found your thread and have you starred! Now I can follow you when I have time to check LT. Also, as I have time I am starring those persons whose threads I like.

Yes, it's horribly cold here in Wisconsin too! It's -2 degrees right now but I'd like to think it sounds even better in Celsius-- 19 below!l Brrrrr.

#123 So happy to be starred by you, Manuel.

Hey everybody, the snows are headed this way and 4 to 6 inches are predicted. We've got a great weekend planned so I'm not sure if I'll be checking in but I wanted to wish you all a very good weekend!

Have a wonderful weekend, Lynda!

Thanks for the beef stew recipe, Lynda.
I'll give it a try next time. :)

When you start watching Maggie Smith's films, Lynda, you must see Gosford Park which is very Downton Abbey-esque (possibly because the screenplay was written by Julian Fellowes who is responsible for DA). I love GP and have seen it about twenty times - so far.

Hey Lynda! Yes, I agree with Fourpawz--Gosford Park! I have the dvd of Gosford Park--it's one of those films that rewards on repeat viewings. There are so many characters that on first viewing, it's best not to worry about keeping them all straight, just enjoy the atmosphere.

I also absolutely LOVE Smith's performance in A Room with a View.

Hope you don't get snowed in tonight! I am stocked up with movies and books, just in case we get hit with a ton of snow.

Sandy K

*waving* at Lynda

#125 Thanks Nathalie! It was a very relaxing weekend for my little family. We drove to, what we call, Ohio's wine region along the shores of Lake Erie. Checked out a few wineries, tried a little cross-country skiing and stayed at a very cozy lodge with great views, good food and peace and quiet :)

#126 I hope you enjoy it Cee!

#127/128 thanks for the tips Charlotte and Sandy. I will certainly look into Gosford Park and I have seen Room with a View but since I didn't know much of Maggie Smith at the time I need to watch it again.

Hey Sandy, I was really looking forward to lots and lots of snow - once again, it was a dud. I think the forecasters are hoping that each storm will be the BIG one and it's just not happening.

#129 Waving back, Stasia, so everybody in Texas can see me
glitter-graphics.com

#2-2012
Matterhorn

Karl Marlantes
2010
5+/5 stars

I read it now because……………1. It is off my 12 in ’12 challenge and 2. Fits TIOLI Challenge #19: Read a book which has a beverage mentioned on page 10 and BOOKS OFF THE SHELF Challenge.

Book Blurb…………If you thought the Vietnam War was only about fighting the North Vietnamese and Communism you must read this book. Marlantes describes, through his personal experiences, that sometimes a troop’s worst enemies were the miscues, missteps, misinformation, misguided direction and personal agenda’s of their own superiors. If this were not enough, let’s add wild animals, parasites, weather, disease and prejudice and, at times, an unsupportive nation. In a jungle that is unrelenting, the fledgling brotherhood of Bravo Company is tested day after day, minute by minute and, as each character develops and becomes very real, the reader will rise and fall with every achievement and at the possibilty of pending doom. For a generation too young to remember the sacrifices of these young men and, in fact, anyone who needs to refresh their memory, this novel is a must read. "There it is."

I would……………..Very highly recommended and a big thank you to Pat (phebj), the first 75er to bring this book to my attention.

Hi Lynda!
Yup, another good review to tell me I have to read this one! I have it waiting for me - and I need a 5 star book right now.
Soon... very soon.

Sounds like you had a very nice weekend! Yay! :)

5+ of 5 - that's a convincing argument! So okay, I promise I'll read it.

That really sounds like a wonderful weekend. I am glad you had such a good time.

Loved your review of Matterhorn, Linda. And I agree about the 5+ rating. The only downside I can see to reading the book is that it's very hard to find another one that compares to the total immersion experience of reading it. I also loved that you worked "There it is" into your review. :)

Glad you had such a fun weekend. How's your Mom doing these days?

#132 Be prepared for an emotional roller coaster, Cee.

#133 and I promise you'll be glad you did, Nathalie.

#134 It will be tough to follow this one, Pat. I've got The Brothers Karamazov lined up for February and I don't know what to expect but it surely can't compare to Matterhorn. BTW: I added a thank you to you on my review for recommending it to me.
Mom's skin graft is adapting very well and the doc is please with the results of both the graft and HBC but it still has a long way to go.

-----------

Just about time to head out for Bible Timeline. Last week I surprised our instructor by mentioning I really didn't like the Israelites as presented in Judges and he made the point that they're really no different from us, we make mistakes, we dwell on them and needless to say often repeat them. True, I guess, yet why did I expect so much more from them? We're reviewing Kings today and the stories of David and Solomon and once again I was surprised at their actions. I really do have a lot to learn about what the bible is all about.

Wow, I didn't realize I was the first 75er to bring Matterhorn to your attention. It gives me a warm fuzzy feeling to know that. :)

Sounds like your Mom is doing well. I do remember the hyperbaric treatment being a big time commitment.

Yay! for your nice weekend!

Oh.. and for your good review!

Lynda- Loved the review of Matterhorn. 5 plus stars. You said it, my friend. I need to track down his latest one.
That's a tiny book cover!

Lynda want to add my voice to those appreciating your recommendations for Matterhorn. I remember Rebecca last year being an ardent advocate of this and I bought it accordingly. Will definitely get round to it at some stage soon.

Lynda, compelling endorsement of Matterhorn. Thanks for that!

Hi Lynda, excellent review of Matterhorn my friend. One of the things that stood out for me was how young these"kids" were who fought the war (and all wars, I guess).

I think of your 2 hour daily trip often.. you are a saint..

#136 Warm fuzzies are always nice, Pat. Glad I was able to send some your way.

#137 - 141 Thanks Kath, Mark, Paul, Nancy and Bonnie for your nice comments on my review.

#142 Ha! I make up for my sainthood days by having a devilish weekend, once in awhile.

Here's a couple of pics from the beer and wine tastings this past weekend.

Nice! Glad you had a chance to be devilish! ;-}

Lynda, your week end getaway sounds like the perfect way to embrace your screen name. I can't wait to get to a 5+ book. I'll probable jump in after my class is over in May. It's a good thing books are patient!

#143 - Lovely! That's looks like fun. I'm not very knowledgeable about wine, but I am quite the beer connoisseur. Also, my husband makes beer, via an elaborate brewing system that lives in the garage, which we then drink from an elaborate tap system in the den....in moderation of course.

Wow, that looks like a major tasting. We did a wine tasting class once and were instructed to spit the wine out after each tasting, instructions we did not follow! It made for a wobbly walk back to our commuter train.

#144 It was imperative, Cee!

#145 Oh Donna, books, I think, are way too patient! If they would jump off the shelves, squeel like pigs, tear the curtins and pour wine all over my clothes perhaps I would learn to read faster. Thus the patient books are enablers!

#146 For better or worse, Kerri, I enjoy both beer and wine and, well, cocktails too. Oh dear! But, but, but I also like coffee, tea and cocoa :}
Your husband sounds like mine only our garage is filled with machinery to turn sap into maple syrup. Oh year, I enjoy that too.

#147 LOL, This was really nice, Pat. The lodge provided a van to take a small group of us to four wineries so you didn't have to worry about finding your way back.

-----

I just finished Stories I Only Tell My Friends and I'll jot down a few words about it soon enough.
Next Ellen Degeneres will be riding in the car with us reading her autobio.

Looks like you had a fun weekend, Lynda! Was the pic of the beer from the brewery in Madison village on the square? I've often wondered about that place. I work at the theatre in Madison every summer, and some friends of mine live right down the street from that brewpub.

Sandy K

Lynda - looks like a splendidly organised event - are the clear glasses water to cleanse your palate? lol Pat's comment about not being able to spit out the offerings - I think she belongs to my school of wine sampling. What was the beer? It looks a tad flat?

This looks completely different from the wine tastings I know from Germany and Italy, but much like one I once had in Australia - so well organised with all the information on the paper and the glasses in the right order to make sure everyone tries the same wine at the same time (just remembering the last chaotic wine and schnaps tasting here in Merano). I never had a beer tasting, that looks very interesting as well. Was it all ales?

#148 - I definitely wouldn't mind a maple syrup factory in my garage!

Sandy's right... looks like you did have fun!
Good on you !!

Hi Lynda- I love the beer samples! Mmmmmmm! I hope you took notes.

#148/152 Ooh, I remember all your pictures last year of tapping your maple trees for syrup. Are you going to do that again this year?

#149 Sandy, The beer was sampled, surprisingly, at Debonne Vineyards, which I think, is in Madison but not on a square.

#150 It wasn't quite as organized as it looks, Paul! We purchased a flight of wine, about $6, and then you're on your own. We simply drank the samples and read the brochure. We did our own version of swirling, sniffing and sipping, but definately no spitting! (the clear glasses were the white wines)
The beer came from the winery's microbrewery, Celler Rat Brewery, and we purchased one of the ale's we sampled, Field Rat Wheat.
Some of the beer samples came from the tap others from open bottles so, yeah, they could be a little flat, but after you've already and a flight of 8 wines who cares. :}

#151 Ales and lagers, Nathalie. I really can't tell the difference except for the color. Oooooh, a schnapps tasting sounds very interesting!

#152 A maple syrup factory's not such a bad thing to have, Kerri, only wish the sap would run in June not in February and March when it's so bitterly cold, at times.

#153 Drinking was only the half of it, Kath. Swimming, hot tubbing and x-country skiing rounded out the weekend. Niiiiiice!

#154 I thought you might like that, Mark. Believe me, I did not take notes.

#155 Yup, we're going to give it a try this year, Pat. Last year with the mom's issues we abandoned it after one day. We'll not tap so many trees just because after a certain point, it's just not fun anymore.

------

We saw George Lucas' Redtails this evening. All three of us were not so impressed with what is an otherwise terrific story. The writing was predictable and the action was scarce. Sort of felt like a propaganda film to me.

Night all!

#3-2012
Stories I Only Tell My Friends

Rob Lowe
2011
4/5

I read it now because………………it was recommended by sandykaypax (Thank you) and I found it also fits TIOLI Challenge # 13. Read a book written by someone who was already famous for something OTHER than writing

Book Blurb……………….I had the good fortune of listening to Rob Lowe read his new book on CD and I’m so pleased I opted for this version because there is nothing like hearing the author read his own life’s story. He begins the audio where it eventually will end, learning of the untimely death of his friend John Kennedy, Jr. at approximately the same time his show, The West Wing, was doing a photo shoot for Kennedy’s magazine, George.
He then proceeds to recant his life beginning with his childhood in Dayton, Ohio, his early professional experiences and the trials and tribulations of beginning his professional acting career in Hollywood. While his friends are making the likes of Risky Business and Wall Street he’s making clunkers but there is something about him that has staying power and he somehow manages to remain in the spotlight, sometimes for the wrong reasons. He does some spot on impersonations of famous people that, in themselves, are entertaining. He speaks affably and honestly, a down to earth kind of guy who seems to remain humble in spite of his celebrity. One cannot help but like this guy. Too much use of the f word was a bit distasteful and really unnecessary.

Would I recommend ………………..yes, especially if you grew up in the 80’s.

Oooh, fab wine-tasting!!! (*envy*)

Just a quick note re Stephen's comment: Women may end up in college more often, but even when they do, they are under-represented in courses that lead to professions, especially lucrative professions. When they graduate, they appear less likely than men to select a profession or employer based on potential financial rewards. Look at professions like social work, which are still dominated by women. That's leaving aside the "glass ceiling", which is very real indeed (even Carly Fiorina, who insisted it didn't exist when she became CEO of Hewlett Packard, had to admit it did by the time she left.) When women don't go on to college, however, the real problem materializes. Blue collar jobs that pay higher wages tend to be those that involve specialist technical skills or brute strength. Somewhere about 60% of women workers are stuck in what is called the "pink ghetto" of clerical work, PR, human relations, etc. Very, very few people in those jobs get a chance to run divisions of companies that generate profits, which is the way to rise in a company. So even with a college degree, women end up stuck in lower-wage, relatively dead-end jobs. All full time workers, regardless of education level, still earn an average of 77% of what men earn. And women disproportionately are those who take time off to raise children, which affects what they earn and the kinds of jobs they can hold (even with a college degree, which after a decade or so simply becomes a basic qualification, less important than what the individual has done in recent years.) One of the fab things about freelancing is that freelance rates tend to be gender neutral, whereas salaries are not.

OK, shall cease flogging that nearly moribund horse, I promise!

I remember that Rob Lowe was also very popular in Europe in the 80s - your typical Hollywood heart-throb. Then came that scandal, and I am sorry, I will forever connect him with one very explicit picture from 'that tape' I saw in a German lifestyle magazine. I found the whole thing unfair (honestly: which young man would really control a girl's identity card for her age when she claims to be of age and looks it?). I was never a fan, but still was glad when a couple of years later he returned to the big screen (was it in Austin Powers?).

Yeah... now you've done it. That Rob Low book is not firmly on my WL
Sandy liked it, and now you
drat

Hi Lynda! The description of your get-away is stirring up my vacation desire... gotta find a way! :)

>158 Chatterbox: Suzanne - your comments are insightful and SO right. :(

Hey Lynda! We've been to Debonne Vineyards--my husband lived near there as a teenager, before I met him--but I had no idea that that had beer, too. Gotta check that out.

Nice review of the Rob Lowe book.

Suzanne, your post was enlightening, although somewhat depressing...

Sandy K

#158 Suz, you express yourself so well! Thank you for saying what I do not have the ability to put so eloquently. BTW: My head hit the glass ceiling so often that that I'm still seeing stars. College, years of experience nothing mattered. The old guard of golf and cigars, panelled walls and bourbon still exist in many cases.

#159 Lowe explains the under age situation very clearly in his book, Nathalie. Even though the bouncer knew who he was, he was not permitted to enter the club without his id. So he went back to his car to get it. He incorrectly assumed that all people were just as strictly id'd and took it for granted that these women were of legal age.

#160 Sorry Kath! It's difficult to escape unscathed when you're double teamed.

#161 Hope you do find a way to get away, Cee! Although, in Maine you're almost there.

#162 We were pleasantly surprised about the beer tasting too, Sandy.

------------

Patiently, ok not so patiently awaiting for the February TIOLI to go up.

#4-2012
Cannery Row

John Steinbeck
1945
196 pages
4.5/5

I read it because…………It is the Steinbeckathon’s January selection and it was able to fit into TIOLI Challenge #1 Read a book set in a state mentioned in Dr. Martin Luther King's "I Have a Dream" speech.

Book Blurb……………..My goodness, can this guy write! One line in particular, though describing sea creatures, perfectly sums up the residents of Cannery Row, “The starfish were twisted and knotted up for a starfish loves to hang on to something and for an hour these had found only each other.” Cannery Row is like the end of the world for many of its inhabitants. It is a promise, a lie, a nightmare and a dream. It is beautiful and it is ugly and disgusting. It is good intentions until a weakness prevents them from coming to fruition. Although many of the characters are misfits with talents, fear seems to hold them back.
Steinbeck captures the underbelly of society in Monterey but it can easily be applied to life anywhere at any time. Cannery Row is definitely a book to be read again and again.

Would I recommend…………..wholeheartedly, yes!

As I said before Lynda I love your review technique - before getting to the nitty gritty I always look at Would I recommend first.
The Rob Lowe book I have heard about and is one for my hitlist when it makes it to these shores.

Lynda- Good review of the Lowe memoir. I've had this one on my radar for awhile. I've liked his work on TV the best, especially The West Wing. Do you watch Parks & Recs? He plays a quirky character on that show.

I loved West Wing... such a great show, for a while.

Great review of Rob Lowe's book, and I have now made up my mind to add it to my wishlist. I was too old to swoon over him when he was younger, but my older daughter had posters of him in her room. I became a fan when he was in The West Wing.

#165 Thank you, Paul. I really appreciate your kind words regarding my reviews.

#166 Mark, I did not know that he was on P & R till I listened to the book. One more show I need to check into. I checked my library for West Wing but the only had the fifth season. No good, Lowe left after the fourth. I'll need to put a request in for it from ILL.

#167 Never watched, Kath, though I will soon enough.

#168 Oh, Judy, you're never too old to swoon but I understand. I didn't either and I'm not sure why.

More hyperbaric news: This past Friday the doc suggested my mom continue for another 20 sessions after this group of twenty is finished this Friday. So that will takes us to mid to late February. He's very pleased with the progress and doesn't want to stop what's working so far. How can I say that's enough? I wouldn't, and I do get a lot of reading done, so carry on.

#5-2012
Seriously, I’m kidding

Ellen Degeneres
2011
Audio
2.5/5

I listened to it now because……………………..Kath/mckait read it and I like Ellen so thought I’d give it a try.

Book Blurb…………………….Seriously, I like Ellen. All she needs to do is open her mouth and her sweet voice pulls you in. She’s kind and cute and for goodness sake she was Dory in Finding Nemo! Last but not least she’s funny, ah, well, usually she’s funny. Unfortunately, I found little to laugh chuckle giggle at in her latest book. Almost fifty chapters ranging from being punctual to her pets to chapters with merely one word but nothing thrown onto the wall seems to stick. It all just slides off the wall into a messy puddle, unmemorable and tiresome.

Would I recommend……………..A resounding yes!.........Seriously, I’m kidding. I don’t want to be mean but, no, I would not recommend this unless you would buy anything associated with Ellen, seriously.

It's good to hear that your mother's progress has been positive so far - enjoy the extra reading time.

I think I'll skip Ellen this time.

*groan* another 20 treatments... Time to read is good - but I hope this round does it so you can have your life almost back.

*groan* Ellen's book is not good. Too bad. :(
I like her. But I have to pick up the caliber of my reading so I don't slip into a funk.

Have a good reading week! :)

Lynda- If you like your comedy quirky, but grounded, give P & R a try. Seasons 1-3 are nearly perfect. And yes, catch the 1st few seasons of "West Wing". You'll keep asking yourself: Why can't we get a president like this?

Lynda - I will give Ellen a miss - there is a lot to like about Ellen but I must admit that, although her chat show can be amusing occasionally, I have never found her very funny. Read a memoir of sorts from Bob Newhart last year that similarly also failed to get close to the spot.

#171 Hi Dejah! Today, rather than read, I'm going to visit a kitchen remodel showroom and see if they can work with what we want to do to our kitchen. Might as well do something constructive with my time. Later in the week I'll have lunch with a dear friend. It's just getting a little too lonely in the waiting room, even with my book companions.

#172 Sorry for the double groans , Cee. I'll post more uplifing material next time.

#173 OK, Mark, I'll give them both a try. If only I were able to read and watch tv simultaneouly and comprehend both.
Did ya catch DA last night? Is Sir Anthony played by a different actor this season? He looks better to me. Not so nerdish.
Maybe I'm thinking of Edith's beau.
#174 Paul, I like my wine and humor dry but in some circumstances you need something else.

ok, gotta run but first another review.

I agree with everything you said about Ellen and her book ....
I love her too.. but her books are pretty "meh"

I am glad you have such a great attitude about your 2 hour trips1

#6-2012
My Seinfeld Year (Kindle Single)
Fred Stoller
2012
2.75/5

I read it now because…………….Intrigued by title and wanted to see what it had to do with Seinfeld.

Book Blurb……………………. Pro: interesting tid bits on how a tv show such as Seinfeld works behind the scenes and how brutal the world of up and coming showbiz types can be.
Con: Stoller talks about how he doesn’t click with others, his mothers doting ways, his inability to find steady employment and his failure to find the right girl are real downers and unfortunately, Stoller comes off as rather sad.

Would I recommend …………………. It is fairly well written, quick read and for the Kindle Single price of $1.99, yes. Kindle Singles have too many typos.

Lynda, I am way behind although hopefully temporarily caught up now. Glad to see you've enjoyed the Steinbeckathon so far.

Hi Heather! Take heart, I think many of us are way behind on threads. I've discovered though, that it is not such a bad thing because I've/we've cultivated so many nice posters through the years that I feel the need to visit far more people than I did even a year ago. Plus all of the readatons, challenges, group reads. Yikes! No wonder I'm always so exhausted!!

Whoo Hoo, Springlike weather here today. What to do, what to do? I know, lunch outdoors.

I feel like the luckiest girl in the world! I'm reading three outstanding books and listening to an audio that's edge of my car seat exciting. Does it get any better than that!?

BTW: Thanks for the recommendations re: Gosford Park. I watched Gosford Park over the weekend but need to rewatch do to too many interruptions. And of course I need to watch all the scenes with Clive Owen at least one more time. And yes, Maggie Smith is one amazing actress.

Sounds like a good day Lynda - hope you have a great lunch and I look forward to finding out what the outstanding books are:)

Hi Lynda! Glad to see you enjoyed Cannery Row. I still need to get my hands on a copy of wayward bus for the february thread.

Spring-like weather is the best! I can't wait until it's warm enough to sit outside with a book. Come on summer!! ;0

#180 calm, the stiff breeze made it feel cooler than it was so opted for eating inside. We did take a walk after dinner which is never, ever done in January.
And a sure sign of spring; the usual April kitchen ants are making a January appearance. Very weird.

#181 Hi Chelle! Hope you find a copy of The Wayward Bus. So far, it's pretty good.

Bible timeline update: It's one thing to read the bible cover to cover but it's another thing to try to understand it and comprehend all the little nuances, lifestyle, customs and language. Mind boggling, to say the least.

BTW: Off to a good start with Wayward Bus so I'm going to try to finish that (long way to go) before I get back to The Brothers Karamazov and Winter of our Discontent (I want to get a jump on my March hosting of this Steinbeckathon read).
Oh, and I'm listening to The Ledge Two mountain climbers fall into a crevasse on Mt. Ranier. It's got me so interested I have to remind myself that I'm driving and need to watch speed and red lights and the occasional pedestrian.

Have a great day all ye visitors :)

How do you do it? After 4 hours in Walters Hospital room yesterday I felt as if
I could fall into bed and sleep for days. You are truly a saint. And a superwoman

The Brothers Karamazov was very popular here for a while.. it never called out to me ...
hope you like it though! The Ledge sounds good....!

#177 - I'll have to check out these Kindle singles. I'm a new Kindle owner, and I'm not sure what they are, but I'm looking for ways to bump up my book count this year (as silly as that may be.)

Lynda, Paul, kath, et al. - I'm glad it's the other Ellen whose book you're dissing.... of course, I haven't actually written a book, so it could hardly be me! ;-)
Actually, I agree wholeheartedly that the woman should stick with comedy and leave the writing to someone (almost anyone) else.

Knowing one's strengths is, well, a strength.

Hi Lynda!
I'm sure glad I am not driving in OHIO right about now... with you on the edge of your car seat, speeding and running people down... ack!

Sounds like you are a busy bee reading lots of good stuff.

And don't you have Jan thaw around there? It's waay too early for Spring!

Just popping in to say good morning.. and wish you a happy day :)
My brain is not giving up anything more interesting.. :PP

thanks to all the librarians among us

check his out. they work so hard for us

Hi Lynda- I like your current book reading choices. I'll be starting The Wayward Bus tomorrow. Glad you liked "Gosford Park". I haven't seen it in many years. I am way overdue.

#183 Stop it, Kath! Thanks, but I am not a saint! I am an only child with a car. That's it.
And.....since the weather's been nice I've gone out for lunch with buddies and went to a kitchen remodeling place, they'll come by the house Tuesday night to take measurements and hear my ideas. Hopefully, they can work something out for me. Back to yucky means back to the waiting room and books. Not a bad deal.

#184 Kerri, for 1.99 they are not all that bad. If you go into them not expecting much you will not be disappointed and once in a while you may just hit upon a really good one.

#185 Lol, Ellen I actually enjoy chatting with you, the other Ellen would drive me crazy with her silliness.

#186 Cee, I've just thought of a great idea! We should make yellow signs with a black border with suction cups on the back so they'll stick to windows and say "Audiobook listener on board". That would 'splain the erratic driving. Never been done before so they should go over really big. Ya think?! ; )

#187 Hope your brain in more functional today, Kath.

#189 another show I have on my viewing list, Mark, is Upstairs/Downstairs. Have you ever watched it?

--------
I like the recent talk about cruise ships from Cleveland to Port Stanley, Ontario. I've heard this talk years ago too but perhaps they'll finally work something out.

Have a "super' duper weekend, my friends! Anyone having a big party for the superbowl.? I'll bring mini wienies in bbq sauce and Corona.

ETA: Looks like Jeremy's shout out to us 75er's in the State of the Thing stimulated are family to grow to 711 members! Yeesh, no wonder we can't keep up!

Good morning Lynda - hope you have a great day.

I'm sure Jeremy blogging the 75ers had something to do with the numbers explosion - but every year some people start a thread and then drop away. Last year the group went over 1000 members but it didn't seem so difficult to keep up:)

Calm, I've never paid attention to the number of members before this year. So it was a surprise to see the jump from 300 something a couple of weeks ago to 715 today. Over a 1,000! Well, I guess people can see where all the nicest, most interesting people hang out.

How did I miss that you are reading the Bible from cover to cover?
I seriously considered doing that last year, but then couldn't decide on a translation, and then thought I should better first finish the 5700 page book and the 2600 page book I already had on 'currently reading' status.
My reading of Thomas Mann's Joseph and His Brothers just brought this project back into my focus. Maybe one day, and at least the old testament.

Rob Lowe, Ellen Degeneres: some celebrity authors there! Shame Ellens one wasnt more enjoyable for you. She is so fnny, I wonder how it didnt translate into hr book? Shame. Rob Lowe is so pretty that his book will sell on the cover alone.
And niiiice pics of wine and beer tasting. Id like to try ALL of them :)

Hi Lynda- No I have not seen Upstairs/Downstairs. Maybe, after DA, I'll need a fix and start looking.

Ellen is funny.. but she writes like she talks on her show.. and somehow.. it just doesn't
translate. I think she has written 3 books? I have bought and read them all and frankly.. none
of them were much fun.. sigh

I do love her though!

Hi Lynda. Mark, I'm adding my recommendation for the old Upstairs Downstairs series. We got it from PBS (I don't usually accept the "gift" when I make a donation, but I wanted this set of DVDs!) and I'm still working my way through them. I had to stop while DA is on to reduce my level of confusion. The brain cells aren't what they used to be.
Lynda, have you started The Wayward Bus yet? I won't get to it until later this month.
You're reading the entire Bible cover to cover. Wow. That's a terrific project, especially since it sounds like you're really trying to attend to the context and delve a bit into the nuances.

Hi Linda, I have to say that I am almost never drawn to celebrity books. I say almost because right now I'm listening to Tina Fey's Bossypants and I haven't listened to an audiobook in probably ten years or so and apparently for good reason. Although Fey is very funny, and who better to read this book, I find myself wishing I was reading it. For one thing, I can't mark passages that are important or interesting or....funny, for that matter. And I seem to be having trouble concentrating on what she's saying. But at least she's using great material unlike Ellen.

#193 Hi Nathalie, I've already decided that when this course is finished I need to go back and reread everything we've covered. I think I would like some companion books to help with the times, location and people.
I had never known that the 12 tribes of Israel, when crossing into the promised land. seperated into different areas of Israel. I always took for granted that they were united in settling the land. But not so.
Good luck with your chunk chunksters!

#194 Hey Megan, I'm thinking that so much of a comedians delivery depends on their facial expressions, stature, audience participation etc. which just can't be transferred to audio. Maybe that's why it didn't work for me, not sure.

#195 Yeah, Mark, I think I'll watch Us/Ds during DA's hiatus so I can continue getting my dose of British sophistication over the summer.

#196 Kath, Wow, you really are a big fan of Ellens. I would think that she would feel really bad if you disliked all of her books that she just might buy you a ticket to Hollywood to see her show. She seems like that kind of person.

#197 Yes, I'm almost half way through The Wayward Bus, Ellen. I'm enjoying this read just as much as CR, Possible Spoiler Alert: but I'm still waiting for the redeeming character, such as Doc was.

#198 Bonnie, up until these long drives with mom (there's only so much we can talk about) I was completely turned off by audio books. My brain can't handle the concept of plot in that manner, but the autobio's have been working out pretty well. I can follow a person's life story much better than following fictional names and descriptions etc.
I listened to Bossypants last year when my mom was in hospital and actually laughed outloud for much of it. But I certainly agree with you because I make notes and highlight, while reading, all the time.

I picked up Season One/Disk four of The West Wing. When they all come in I plan on taking our portable DVD player to hospital and watch them in the waiting room. It sure beats Let's Make a Deal and The Price is Right.

Have a great evening everyone! and............Goooo ___________! Fill in the blank, cause it really doesn't matter to me who wins the Super Bowl, I just like watching two great teams compete. Commericials and Half Time aren't bad either!

#7-2012
The Ledge: An Adventure Story of Friendship and Survival on Mount Rainier

Jim Davidson and Kevin Vaughan
2011
Audio read by Jim Davidson
4/5

I read listened to it now because………………I was looking for an interesting non-fiction audio book and this one caught my eye because I’m intrigued as to why thrill seekers take such risks.

Book Blurb………………..Jim and his climbing partner Mike Price summit Mount Rainier only to suffer tragedy when they tumble one hundred feet into a crevasse. Although, not as experienced in mountain climbing as Price, Davidson uses the skills he has learned from painting houses and such with his father to pull himself out of a dire situation; either he will once again see the light of day, his family and new wife or he will succumb to the darkness of the glacier and become a part of it for eternity.
It’s been ten years since the accident but you sense that he still wonders how he was the one to survive and the guilt that it entails. He’s done all he can do for Mike, perhaps this will be the final cleansing.

Would I recommend…………………………. Despite Davidson’s monochromatic tone of voice and the fact that he sounds exactly like someone I know within my family, this must have been a very difficult thing for him to do. The audio version is mesmerizing and I highly recommend it to anyone who has the slightest interest in this sport or one person’s struggle for survival.

ahh Ellen... that is one of the things I love about her... she is so generous!
I love when she surprises people with things they need.. even asking
for help finding people jobs.. I enjoy her show.

Hi Lynda - hope all is well with you, no BB for me from your latest but I'm pleased you liked it.

Great review of The Ledge Linda! Enjoy watching The Super Bowl today. My husband and I are not big sports fans but he's going to make guacamole and Mexican food for a celebration anyway!

>185 EBT1002:: A little Ellen (DeGeneres) goes a looong way! Ellen in Seattle, however, is a different story. ;-)

>199 Carmenere:: Lynda, I think watching The West Wing while you're waiting for your mother's treatments is brilliant! I think I'd be sitting next to you in that waiting room and eavesdropping. Would I have to bring my own earbuds?

I listened to most of Bossypants before I had to return it to the library. One of the few audiobooks that worked for me.

I'll be getting on The Wayward Bus soon. It's a bit longer than I thought it would be. Most of my "fun" reading is done on the weekends now so it will have to wait its turn. I'm so glad that books are patient.

Hey happy monday to all! Good game last night but missed a bit because I had to watch Downton Abbey. Soooo, very very good!

#201 I do too, kath!

#202 Hi calm, I'll get you next time my pretty!

#203 I'm all for celebrating any event, super bowl, grammy's, oscar's you name it. Hope you two had a good time and enjoyed the commericals etc.

#204 Donna, I'll save you a seat in the waiting room. West Wing should be fun, I just hope it doesn't distract the docs and nurses from doing their jobs. ;}
See you on the Bus! I think you'll enjoy the ride.

Hope your week is a good one.. not too crazy :)

204: as Richard says, *smooch* :-)

Hey Kath, I feel really laid back today. I hope that feeling stays around all week. Hope Walter's adjusting to his stay in rehab.

Ellen, Smooches are always allowed and welcome on my thread no matter who they're directed to.

I love Jimmy Fallon. I hope he never,ever, ever records an audio book. Just sayin.

I want all of Steinbeck's work. Just thinkin.

When will the justice system and social services protect victims? RIP Powell boys. Just feeling sad

>201 mckait: she is so generous!
I love when she surprises people with things they need.. even asking for help finding people jobs
Me too Kath

Just a wave...

Catching up on threads...
Upstairs Downstairs is great, but avoid the new show (it's only 3 episodes) at all costs. Downton Abbey is fab; just watched the DVD of the Christmas special, and all I will say is that it neatly resolves one plot line at the 11th hour and 59th minute, and will keep you in suspense about another character's fate nearly as long!! (hehehehe)

I should read the Bible, not so much for religious reasons as because so much literature is based on it, or written by those who assumed his/her readers were intimately familiar with it. Anything pre-18th century, really, and knowing the Bible helps.

Delurking to wave HI!

Hi Lynda- I'm glad you found enjoyment in the latest DA. Alas, I found very little. Stop by my thread and access the damage. I hope it rebounds next week.
I am also loving The Wayward Bus. I'm just past the halfway point.

Hi Lynda, I'm trying to catch up reading threads and of course yours is one that I always try to read as it is most interesting. Unfortunately, work for me has been hectic this year so far and I have not been able to do much reading (either LT or even books!).

You made my day with the info you left in my thread Lynda..
I plan to look into it. Many thanks..

Hey Lynda! The Ledge sounds like it would not be for me...I hear you, though, about wanting to understand why thrill seekers do the things that they do. I do not like heights, so mountain or rock climbing is RIGHT OUT. I find it odd that so many people would be terrified to get on a stage, yet are completely fine with the possibility of falling...I am the exact opposite. I fear physical pain waaaaaay more than people's judgement.

Sandy K

With you Sandy :)

So many DA fans.. I wonder if I will ever get to it?
It sounds wonderful!

#209 Hi Megan! Generous was on my things to do list, but I didn't win PowerBall last night. It's up to 310 million for next week so possibility is still there.

#210 Greetings Suzanne! Upstairs/Downstairs: Avoid the new 3 episodes - Check
DA: Ooooo, Which plot line will it beeeee?! Ponder, ponder, ponder
Literature and the Bible: Good point! Personally, I like the historical aspect. Having never read this far in the Bible before I assumed that the tribes of Israel were always mingled together but now I'm reading that in the divided kingdoms 10 tribes were in Israel and only 2 in Judah. I would think there were exceptions but I'm just fascinated by it all.

#211 Waving Back at cha, Cee. Sending snow particles your way.

#212 Wayward Bus: Just started Chapter 15 last night, Mark. I'm loving this book more than CR.

#213 Manuel, your visits are always a pleasure. So sorry business is taking up so much of your time but being busy at work is surely a good thing in these tough economic times, right? Keep in mind, though, that even a little reading can be a great stress reliever.

#214 Great, Kath! I hope in some small way it is able to help you.

#215 Hi Sandy, I truly am terrified of heights and I so want to ride all the roller coasters at Cedar Point but I can't bring myself to do it. uh uh, no way.

#216 Hi again, Kath. I hope you do find time to take in a few episodes of DA. It may or may not be your cup of tea but take a sip if you get the chance.

Good news, we're planning a trip up to Toronto soon. Does anyone know of good bookstores in PATH? or any Hemingway haunts while he lived in Toronto?

Hi Lynda - exciting news about the Toronto trip. No idea about the place but hope you have a fabulous time.

I think I would enjoy DA .. but watching something always slips off of my radar...
I will have to make an effort sometime, but I am in no rush.. it will be out there somewhere...
oooh! a nice trip in your future... very cool!!!!!

Lynda, in my late teens and early 20's, I rode all of the coasters at Cedar Point. This is when the Gemini and the Blue Streak were the main coasters, not the crazy ones that are even higher now. I would enjoy the ride from about halfway down the first hill to the end. But the endless tick-tick-tick getting up the first and highest hill and the endless second of teetering on the crest before descent would just about kill me every time. So I finally gave up trying to be a good sport and stopped torturing myself. I blame wanting to have a boyfriend think that I was the perfect girl. Glad I grew out of that nonsense. Ah, youth, bastion of low self-esteem!

Kath, if you like English country house stuff, you will like Downton Abbey.

Sandy K

Hi calm, We enjoy the international feel and cuisine of Toronto so it should be fun.

Hi Kath, just like books, videos are patient. DA will be there when you're ready.

Sandy, just one ride on the double loop convinced me that I'm more of a Tilt a whirl kind of girl. I do try to swallow my fear and go on the not so high coasters to appease my son.

Just wanted to say I've disembarked The Wayward Bus. boy, my traveling companions had some major issues.

Also finished Susan Lucci's memoir on the way to hospital this morning. More on those two items later. I have three audio books to choose from. Think I'll go with the one with the least disks.
I've picked up all season 1 disks of West Wing. Should be good for the snowy weekend on tap.

Tonight we are going to see star wars #1 in 3D. Hope it's well done and worth $10 a person.

Later :0)

ETA my son is taking the ACT for the first time. Yeah, he's only in 7th grade but he was offered it and he may have a heads up on it when it means something. Anyone know if these are helpful or detrimental at this age?

Re Toronto, I'll ask my mother about Hemingway haunts; either she or one of her friends will know.

The largest Toronto bookstore (it's just on the N. fringes of the PATH) is "The World's Biggest Bookstore". You walk all the way to the N. end of Eaton center, then through the next underground mall on the N side of Yonge and Dundas. Go upstairs to ground level, and exit midway through the mall on the N. side. Right across the street (Edward Street), you'll see a vast bookstore occupying what once was a bowling alley. Full disclosure: I used to work there in the late 80s! It's the most comprehensive selection of books, I think. There's an Indigo (or is it Chapters??) in the Eaton Centre -- it's on the top level, toward the N. end of the mall; a two-storey bookstore with all the books upstairs. Nicer ambiance, not quite as many books usually. There's another nice one at Bay & Bloor. Re indies, I'll ask my mother; there are some good antiquarian ones if you want to check them out, though not on PATH.

Hi Lynda. Just swinging by to catch up after a crazy week.
ACT in the 7th grade? My, things are changing. I don't know for sure, but it doesn't seem to me that taking the test would be detrimental or helpful, per se. It seems to me that it's the attitude you encourage him to take that might make a difference. In our current cultural climate, it's easy for kids to start believing they have to achieve amazing things to be successful or happy. In fact, many people (most people, in fact!) get their college degrees from somewhere other than Stanford, Yale, Harvard, Duke, etc..... and they live happy, fulfilling, meaningful lives. I think the press for kids to start preparing for college at age 12 does them a disservice in the long run. So -- the heads up and practice won't hurt, but your reminder that life is more than ACT scores will be important for someone his age. IMHO. :-)

One of my kids.. I think it was Cory, took ACT in grade 7 .. or maybe SAT?
It was a long time ago. It had no real effect whatsoever. They were in accelerated
( lol..supposedly ) classes anyway.. and it really ended up as just something else to do....

#222 Thanks Suzanne. I Google Earthed The World's Biggest Bookstore and it looks very doable. So if anything, we'll check that one out.

#223 Hey Ellen, The one thing I stressed to Will is not to stress. This ACT is just a look see. It holds no importance at this time, just get a feel for what it's like and if you don't want to take it again till it counts, fine.
So I drove him to the testing place in blizzard like conditions this morning after all kinds of protests and excuses were exasperated. 4 hours later he walks out happy as a could be. Although the math was the most difficult, as he as not had any geometry or trig, he thought reading and English went well. Science, so so. This has truly been a learning experience, Ellen. Especially,for me!!

#224 Yeah, Kath, I don't see it having a lasting effect on him, either. However, it's an honor to be chosen to do this and I told him if you don't grab the brass ring when it's offered it may not come around again. Just sayin'

Lake effect snow alllllll day long! All of a sudden it seems like winter is here.
Later on, I'll cozy up to some West Wing but until then it's laundry.

And if you love mysteries, you really need to check out Sleuth of Baker Street. You'll need a taxi there and back with limited time, though I think you can still get there on the bus (from the St. Clair subway). It's run by JD and Marian; they import mysteries from all over the world and have an eclectic and very thorough collection, both new books and second-hand as well as first editions. I think their opening hours are more limited than they once were, but definitely worth the trip!! They used to have bookstore cats (Paddington and Princess were two of them), but in a sign of how much time has passed since I used to go there, there are now bookstore dogs instead... http://sleuthofbakerstreet.ca/ Honestly, I love this place; I've been shopping there more than 25 years and in the pre-Internet days would place about four giant orders a year.

Another tip: Book City is a small version of The Strand, with great books for smart people usually discounted, including lots of older titles marked down considerably. It's a Toronto institution. The oldest & best is in the area of toronto known as "The Annex", on Bloor St. W between Bathurst and Spadina. easy to get to via subway, then just walk a few blocks. Lots of cafes & restaurants in the neighborhood; there used to be some great Hungarian places that were opened by the refugees who arrived in Toronto post 1956.

And Nicholas Hoare is right downtown, Front & Church, walkable easily from Union Station (which is on Front, and part of the PATH). Lovely comfy squashy armchairs.

For antiquarian books, David Mason on Queen St. W (around Spadina). That's where my early edition of Johnson's "Rambler" (circa 1805) came from. And my much-prized first edition of Hazlitt's On the English Poets.

Brace yourself for some astonishingly pricey books, however. Canadian hardcovers are routinely $32 or higher; a paperback can run you $15 to $22. Now that the dollars are more or less at par, that's horrifying. but most bookstores will take your US$ currency and give you a reasonable rate of exchange -- at the WBB, it's programmed into their registers.

Hi Lynda! How exciting - a trip to Toronto! And bookstores!
Lucky Lady!
So much fun to plan a trip! :)
I'll be enjoying whatever you do right along with you!

Hi Lynda, we haven't been to Toronto in a couple of years. My hubby has lots of relatives there and we used to go quite often. There's always so much to do there. I know you'll have a great time.

I agree... always take those opportunities..

Hope you plan on taing pics of Toronto!

#226 Once again, some great info, Suzanne! I'll copy the post and bring it along with me. Many stops depend on my traveling companions, who of course, have agenda's of their own. We only have a short amount of time there, so we'll pack in as much as possible. No doubt, my husband will want to hit the Hungarian restaurants!

#227 Yes Cee, it's great to get away even if it is for a short time even to a city that is bound to be just as or colder than where were coming from. Brrr.

#228 No doubt Bonnie, Toronto is a great city and reminds me of NYC, the melting pot feel.

#229 Besides, Kath, my son needs to be prodded a bit. Otherwise, he'll vegitate and morph into a cushion on the couch.
I'll indeed take pics :0)

Watched the first episode of West Wing last night and was quite taken by surprise. Smart, humorous and held my interest through out.

Have a relaxing Sunday, everyone.

So sad about Whitney Houston! My generation of celebrity icons is slowly be taken way too soon. Princess Diana, JFK, Jr., Michael Jackson and now Whitney. RIP

#8-2012
The Wayward Bus

John Steinbeck
1947
312 pages
4.75/5

I read it now because………………………it is the February Selection for the Steinbeckathon and also fit February TIOLI Challenge #6 Read a book whose author's surname has a "Scrabble value" of 12 or more.

Book Blurb………………………I like to refer to this book as The Bus of Wayward Dreams. Steinbeck creates a colorful busload of characters like, Juan and Alice Chicoy, Pimples Carson, Bernice, Elliott and Mildred Pritchard, Norma, Camille, Ernest Horton and, last but not least, Van Brunt. All characters seem to hold little in common except one integral detail; they are not satisfied with their lives and are on the run to fulfill their desire to make another. When all is said and done and the passengers disembark some lives are indeed changed others, no so. Alice, the character left behind in more ways than one may be the only one not to feel the immediate outcome. Once again, I am in awe of Steinbeck’s ability to describe a scene with the intricacy of a fine paint brush and each character drawn so vividly as to jump from the pages.

Would I recommend………………………..Other than some feminine slurs, which some may take offense to, this is a remarkably well told story which I highly recommend it.

Once again, I am in awe of Steinbeck’s ability to describe a scene with the intricacy of a fine paint brush and each character drawn so vividly as to jump from the pages.

Ooh, you are making me want to read The Wayward Bus now but I need to finish my current reads first. Did you like it better than Cannery Row? I can't remember if it was you who said that. Great review and I will be giving it a thumb as soon as I finish this post.

When do you go to Toronto? And, how is your Mom doing?

ETA: I will check back later to thumb your review. I didn't see it posted yet.

#231 - Hi Lynda! Nice review! I love Steinbeck, but haven't read that one yet. Wish list.

#9-2012
All My Life: A Memoir

Susan Lucci
Audio
3/5

I read it now…………………………Needed a drive time diversion in non-fiction.

Book Blurb…………………………For many, Susan Lucci is synonymous with the character Erica Kane from the long time yet cancelled soap opera All My Children. As she reads her book one can’t help but slip her into character yet there are some standout differences. Where Erica has been married, give or take, ten times, Susan has been married only once to Helmut Huber since 1969. She sounds warm, gracious and candid as she presents her story in, somewhat, chronological order. Yet, at times, she sounds a bit melodramatic and it is at these times that she sounds so much like her counterpart.

Would I recommend…………….if you are a big fan of Ms. Lucci, of course. Otherwise, I would suggest hanging your book bag on another star.

#232 Yes, Pat, you read it correctly. I enjoyed The Wayward Bus just a little bit more than Cannery Row. So looking forward to The Winter of Our Discontent in March. Will you be joining in?

We're headed to Toronto for President's Day weekend.
My son has 4 days off but we won't stay that long.

Mom's coming along. Tired. About 16 more sessions to go.

Hope all is going well with you. :0)

#233 Hi Kerri. Yes! Please add it to the wishlist, I'd love to see what you think.

I'll be going up in April, Lynda; too bad we will miss each other. February in T.O.??? Brrrr....

Lynda, lol at the story of taking your son to the ACT. I'm glad he had a good experience. It sounds like it was a confidence-builder and that he was able to recognize that he will know a lot more in a few years "when it really counts." But now he knows what it's like.

Lake-effect snows all day --- I love snow, but I have to say that I also love living in a place where spring comes in February and lasts through June (usually by the end of June, I'm sick of spring and ready for summer). We've got daffodils and tulips pushing their way up and the birdsong in the mornings has livened up in the past week or so.

#236 It is too bad, Suzanne. Not only would it be a joy to meet you but Toronto in April will be balmy compared to February!

#237 What was that?! Spring comes early in Seattle?! I never knew that, Ellen. Sooooooo jealous!

Downton Abbey was phenomenal last night! So many twists and turns. I fear Matthew and Mary will never find happiness as a couple or seperate. The best they can do is join hands and jump in the Thames!
OMG! Lord Grantham can be a naughty boy.
Will Thomas be a good boy from this point or once a bad seed always a bad seed.
Stay tuned, one more two hour episode to come, the Christmas special.

So we saw Star Wars episode 1 in 3D at the theatre Friday night. As I suspected, it was not very 3D-ish and the previews for Titanic in 3D don't look much better.

#10-2011

The Zen of Steve Jobs
2012
80 pages
4/5

I read it now because……………………….I was looking for a short read while I was waiting in the library for my son.

Book Blurb………………….In 1985, Steve Jobs was floundering at an upstart company known as Apple. Under turmoil he left the corporation and delved into the study of Zen with Kobun Chino Otogawa, whom he met in 1971, at Tassajara Zen Mountain Center in California. In the course of his study, Jobs learns that it is through simplicity that he will change the world. On returning to Apple in 1997 he began plans for a simplified product line that would give birth to the iPod. The rest is history of course, but the relationship between Kobun and Jobs was enlightening. Although the author of this Graphic Novel calls his story telling “reimagining” the conversations between the two makes this story soundvery convincing.

Would I recommend…………………….Highly, it is a different slant to the Apple/Steve Jobs legacy which I had not known.

Oh dear.. more Downton Abby.. I am glad to hear that everyone is enjoying it so much..
but, I am thinking that I might end up letting it go for now. I can't seem to work up the
interest to find it to watch :P

Lynda- You were right! I really enjoyed DA too! I'm glad the naughty Lord Grantham angle turned out for the better and I still would not trust wormy Thomas.

The Zen of Steve Jobs sounds muy intriguing, Lynda. I'm going to track down a copy. Good review!

Hi Lynda - just checking in:)

Books, films, tv, vacation ... sounds like things are going well.

Hi Lynda, I see you are planning a trip to Canada, which I hope you'll enjoy but it's too bad you're not heading out here to Vancouver where February can be almost spring-like.

Hi Lynda,
Hope your Mom is up to your trip. She's had so many treatments... is it still working for her?

I want to go somewhere - anywhere - so bad I'm thinking of packing my Mom in the car and going as far as she can take it :) Wherever that may be!

By the time I get to see Downton Abbey, it'll be a fading memory for the rest of you. That's ok... I'll be surprised when I get the notice it is in the library. I'm usually behind the curve now-a-days. It's life in the slow lane and I'm loving it...

glitter-graphics.com

#240 Kath, take heed, after this coming Sunday's two hour episode DA talk may slow a bit. But I do hope you have time to sit down, relax and watch a few episodes. Good escapist television.

#241 I'm so glad you enjoyed this episode, Mark. Suzanne's mentioned that she enjoyed the Christmas episode, so I have high hopes for another great show.

#242 Hey Joe! TZOSJ was indeed muy interesting and it's such a short read you'll be through it before you can ground a pound of coffee beans.

#243 Hi calm! knock on wood, touch wood as they say on DA. Things are okie dokie.

#244 Ya know Judy, you and Ellen from Seattle are really expanding my knowledge of the northwestern corner of the US. Early spring, daffodil's in February. Nice. Now stop it!!! ;0)

#245 Hiya, Cee! The treatments are going well, thanks for asking. But it's tiring for both of us to go through the same ritual everyday.

I am glad you will get a break from the grind of the treatments.. it will be good for you :)
As for DA, I know.. it sounds really good. I might try to ROKU it.. if I can get that ambitious.. :P

I will just say that I think you will be happy with the DA Christmas special, which addresses many unresolved questions...
*firmly sealing lips to avoid spoilers*

#245 continued: sorry Cee, my son called from school . Forgot stuff for first period. Then I had to get out the door for hyperbaric. So......... The mom's are staying home at their sr apts. Love mom of course but being with her everyday? We're sick of each other and need time apart.
Thanks for the beautiful valentine. Made me smile.

# 248 oh I agree, Kath!

#250 come on Suzanne. Not one little hint? You writer types know how to create suspence, don't cha?

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