Bahzah (Cee) goes 0 to 75 in less than a year - Starting My Engine!

"There is nothing in the world more beautiful than the forest clothed to its very hollows in snow. It is the still ecstasy of nature, wherein every spray, every blade of grass, every spire of reed, every intricacy of twig, is clad with radiance."
- William Sharp

Books read in 2012:

JANUARY
#1 The Tiger by John Vaillant (4.25 stars)
#2 The Elephant's Journey by Jose Saramago (4.5 stars)
#3 Cannery Row by John Steinbeck (4.5 stars)

So.... my favorites of 2011

Fiction:
Cloud Atlas by David Mitchell
The Sparrow by Mary Doria Russell
Angle of Repose by Wallace Stegner
No Great Mischief by Alistair MacLeod
The Memory of Love by Aminatta Forna
Three Day Road by Joseph Boyden
The Scent of Water by Elizabeth Goudge
The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern

Non-Fiction:
Radioactive: A Tale of Love and Fallout by Lauren Redniss
Let's Take the Long Way Home by Gail Caldwell
White Heat; The Friendship of Emily Dickinson and Thomas Wentworth Higginson by Brenda Wineapple
Every Man in This VIllage is a Liar by Megan Stack
The Road Washes Out in Spring by Baron Wormser
I Shall Not Hate: A Gaza Doctor's Journey by Izzeldin Abuelaish

I had a GREAT reading year! In addition to the above favorites - there were lots of honorable mentions. Too many to list really. Thanks to all my LT friends for their influence on my picks!


glitter-graphics.com

Welcome back!

Looking forward to another year of great chats and laughter with you, Cee. I love the icy picture on your thread .... needless to say, I'm still snow-less ... in fact, it rained today. Boooo.. Want the white fluffy stuff!

Wow! You're quick!
Thanks, Jim...
AND CARO!

LT Rocks ;-)

that's 'coz we keep an eye out for our fave peeps!



So what's going on for NY's Eve up in your neck of the woods, Cee?

Well, Caro...
I imagine the woodland critters are planning a huge celebration in our "neck of the woods".
Hope they are quiet, cuz I am planning on reading til I can't keep my eyes open.
If I make it to midnight - I'll toast 2012 with champagne. If I don't, I'll toast the new year tomorrow morning with cranberry juice :)

Happy New Year, my friend! I really enjoyed spending time with you this year. You always put a smile on my face and I love chatting books with you! Hugs!

Happy New Year Cee!!!!!!
got you starred :)

ahhhh ~ here you are !

Hi Cee! Glad I found you early on this time round. :) I hope you have a fantastic New Year and I look forward to seeing what great books you will read this year!

I agree with Mark, Cee, even just being on your thread puts a smile on my face. Will you be my fwiend? Oh, right... you already are! YAYYY!!! :-D

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

Happy New Year, Claudia!

Here you are....and now you're starred; wouldn't want to lose you Claudia:)

Glad to see you here Claudia. Look forward to keeping up again in 2012. Happy new year!

Claudia, it was 65 degrees here today. Very unwinter-like!!! I hope you get lots of snow days so you can cuddle up with Loki in front of a fire and read some good books in the early months of 2011.

Happy New Year!

It was nice here yesterday too.. but the cold and snow are on the way tonight..
I managed to stay up until midnight! yay~ but now I am tired.. and I hear Adam stirring ...
he leaves in a few hours.. :(

Happy New Year!!!

It was 70+ here in Sherman, Saturday. A cold front came through during the night though and the high for today has already been and gone.

Happy New Year, Cee!

1: Lovely quote, lovely photo, glad I'm further south.

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year, Cee!

Alan

Happy New Year, Cee! Wishing you all the best in 2012!
Hmmm, there may be some champagne left from last night. Mimosa's anyone?

Yay! I found you!!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

Yikes! Happy New Year and welcome to my new thread for 2012 Mark, Kara, Kath, Valerie, Ilana, Chelle, Stasia, Bonnie, Paul, Donna, Brit, Katherine, Alan, and Lynda!!!

Skip the OJ, Lynda, I'll have a glass of champagne please! ;-)

If I put a smile on your face, Mark, it's because you see the humor in my life more than I do. Keep smiling and maybe I'll catch on :)

Valerie, I'll be reading good books in 2012 - can't wait to get to them all! And to think there was a time in my life I just didn't know what to read! LT solved that big time.

Ilana, YAYYY! I'm happy to be your fwiend. :-D You make ME smile... not an easy task.

Chelle - it will be an exciting year for you! And we are all looking forward to sharing it with you.

So nice to have you stop by Stasia - I miss you. Hope I don't see 70 degrees for a long time. Good luck in school !

Bonnie, I don't think you will lose me. You're having too much fun growing my WL :)

Paul, Keeping up! I can only hope :} Don't know how you do it. Hope you are feeling much, much better...

Those are beautiful sentiments, Donna... cold, reading, snuggling... but the fire thing is sorta scary - I don't have a fireplace! Wish I did though :)

Kath - I did not make it. Had to turn out the light at 11:45 (I was most asleep) and was in another world by midnight ;-)
Today - REST for you!

Thanks, Brit. Hoping your household is healthy (?) by now. Have a peaceful day.

Hi Katherine! Thanks for living more-souther. Someone has to do it and you seem to enjoy it. :)

Happy New Year to you also, Alan. Hope it's a successful one for you...

Ah, thanks Lynda. I feel more festive now that I've had some champagne! :)

Hi Tammy!!! I think I had trouble finding you last night. Gotta go look for you again...

HAPPY 1st SUNDAY EVERYONE !!!

Happy first Sunday of the year, Cee. How's the cranberry juice this morning? Did you spike it with the champers you didn't get to drink last night?

I had a Quaker New Year myself...in bed by 10:30 after a glass of seltzer. I think you're livin' la vida loca by staying up til 11:45!

Well... no, Caro. But I had my juice with Orange Cranberry Nut Bread and coffee... what more could I ask for? Has already been a busy morning around here. This is a town of early risers and we have already had company twice today! *sigh*

:( Adam just left for the airport with Dan. Terrible of me.. 11 days is not enough..
He is so good to me.. I miss him already :(

Glad to find your thread so early this year, Cee. I was way, way behind last year.

The pic. at the top is great; very reminiscent of my childhood roaming in the woods...

A marvelous new year to you with lots of joy and very few, tiny problems.

Hey Cee! Happy New Year!

Having a quiet afternoon here waiting for the snow that we're supposed to get and starring threads.

Sandy K

Quiet day for me, C

I feel half way human...and cooked for the first time in days..I hate these sinus issues....and this ever-changing weather....*Whine over*

{{{Big Hug}}}

Happy New Year!! Best wishes for a great 2012. : )

Just popping in... I may hit the sack early tonight? dunno...sleepy.

I did not read.. not a funk I don't think...still distractions..now that all the
kids are home...maybe? How are your kids and their kids and ...ya know...
everyone...??

Poor Kath - I'm sorry your Adam can't stay til you get sick of him. But kids have a way of leading their own lives :)
Bridget had her annual cookie party today.
They made about 20 kinds of cookies and invited everyone... I would have liked to be there.
This is the first time they did this in their new house... so, I am wondering how it went.
Wendy's family has been sick - normal winter bugs, etc. They are taking turns and passing stuff around. That's one place I DON"T want to be right now.
Hope your reading picks up soon and the transition is easy. :)

Hi Gail! That was a very nice sentiment... thank you!
I know life cannot be problem free, but I would be happy if the problems were all small... and I think they are relative to many others. And yes, I remember roaming the woods - way back when!

Well Sandy, I hope you get some really good snow... it's way to warm here but that's about to change :-D

Oh thank you for the hug, Jude! Hugs back.
You can keep the wine flowing - with or without the "h".

Hi Kim! Hope your holidays were fun and now you get to rest? I'll be visiting your thread.

************
If I am not visiting threads as often as I should, pls forgive me. Right now, things are kinda crazy. I need to figure out how to handle LT with the rest of my life. I know we all seem to have this problem... so if anyone figures it out - PLEASE, let me know! Open to all suggestions on how to have it ALL! I'm greedy ;-)

My solution is more lurking, less commenting.

...

dang! still have to get the hang of it. ;-)

Hi Claudia- Hey, you found time to visit me and poke fun at my palm trees (I was trying to set a mood)! So I feel honored. Yes, this place can be overwhelming. Take it in moderation. If you have to skip some threads, do it, just make sure it's not mine. Hugs!

Nor mine. xox

>39 msf59:, >40 Smiler69: Nope. You two are SAFE! Neither of you are voted off :)

This sounds like "Survivor"!!

This sounds like "Survivor"!!

ROFLMAO!!!

And here I was, thinking I didn't have the *stuff* Survivor winners are made of...

Uh oh..........is this goodbye? :(

I will miss your visits.......

>44 mckait: No way, lady! You are definitely still on my island.


Just waiting for all the activity to subside enough on your thread for me to get a word in edgewise :P

I say no pressure! We are here so you post when you can. I know what you mean about crazy, crazy, head spinning. I hope things slow down a bit and you can catch a breath or two. :)

At least I do not have a thread for you to have to catch up to - yet ;)

Mark, palm trees, Survivor references. Have you had enough winter already??

Oh, hi Cee. Gee, I hope I am not the first one voted off. That is SOOOO embarrassing!! ; )

Really. Don't worry. You will find a way to balance it. And when you don't...well, you can ask Mark, I go AWOL sometimes when life gets in my way. But I always come back! It's just too much fun here. : )

I was AWOL from the group for almost 3 months, so I know whereof you speak. Life got in the way a lot last year!

BRRRRRRRrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr I think winter is here.. it should be there sometime today
:PPPPPPPPPP
my hands are almost too cold to type.

Good Morning Cee - family is getting healthy. Slowly, but surely.

Hang in there! Don't worry about getting to all the threads - I gave that up a long time ago (sorry everybody!).

Dear Cee...

Please remove me from the list of people who like snow, effective immediately.
Once upon a time I was that person. As the years ( after 50) have passed, I became less
that person. I am now officially a snow disliker.

Thank you

KMcW

Morning, Cee .... if you find the secret of managing LT effectively along with everything else we need to do in RL, please please share. I need help in that department too!

Relishing my last day of vacation and then it's back to work tomorrow!

29) Richard, I like that expression: A Quaker New Year, I have one of those every night! :)

49) Stasia, If I go AWOL for one or two days, I find the threads are a mile long! There will be no time to read books at this rate!

Alan

Good morning my dear friends!
You are all panicking about getting voted off the island?
Never fear. Keep all your torches burning :)

Obviously, Ilana, you have not mastered the art of lurking ;-) But then, I love you the way you are :)

Valerie I'm hoping this flurry of posts calms down a bit once everyone gets back to reading. It's easy to get caught up in the excitement of the new year and changing over. Last year was worse, I think.

Ah, Stasia you are such a sweetheart! At least you are not mowing me down with book bullets - YET And I do thank you for the reprieve ;-)

Kim - no, no, no How could I vote you off when I am in the middle of reading a great book you sent me? I'd be crazy. lol
I wouldn't mind going AWOL a bit - once in awhile - but then I go nuts trying to catch up on everyone. I don't want to miss anything... I'm my own worse enemy.

Warm hugs to you Kath!
KMcW,
Your name has been removed from the winter weather list for 30 days, but it may take a couple months to take effect. Please be patient if an errant storm or two hits. We will try to accomodate your wishes as soon as possible.
I'm thinking, maybe April or May.

Brit,
I'm hanging. Thanks ! I'm sooo not a fast enough typist :P

******************
I appreciate everyone dropping by. You guys are all great.

Sunny day - no headache! YAY!

See? How slow I type? 2 more messages snuck in...

Hi Caro! I promise to share whatever I learn. In the meantime, enjoy that last vaca day! ;-)

Alan -
I know what you mean about long threads. I love them and they make me a little crazy. Things will calm down. :)

Morning Claudia- It should be much quieter around here today, at least it will be for me. Lotsa chores to do! Enjoy your day, my friend!

Don't work too hard, Mark! If you get your chores done quickly, you can get back to reading? Good luck :)

Hi Cee! I finally found your thread and you have been starred so I don't lose you again.

Happy New Year to you!

HI Cee! Glad to see you are now head ache free! Hope it stays that way!
I thought of you earlier today when I looked out my window and everything was white! So much snow! I think I remember you saying you liked snow ... so you should come to Ontario because we have a ton now!

Hi Cee (first time I've called you that, feels weird). Here's me lurking again. I'm supposed to be on my own thread, answering all the messages I got today. It's bad when I can't keep up with my own thread! I know as the year settles, there'll be less activity as some of us will hone in on certain threads more than others. I know I can't keep up with too many people. What I don't understand is how you lot who actually have family and REAL LIFE to deal with, unlike me here in limbo land, can spend so much time here! I want to work on my art and spend more time reading, but you wonderful lot just compel me to come back over and over! I fell like I'm caught in a spell! HELP!

Luv you darlin'

And that's me trying to lurk again. Needs work. I'll get there... lurking on your thread seems all wrong though. My santa. ♥

here you are!

Anything good on your agenda today? I plan to avoid the cold as much as
I can. I am a wimp. Also, scraping ice from that monster's windows.. hate it.
And it takes so long to warm up !! ( lol ~ whine whine whine) I miss my tiny car so much..

I want to read today.. and?
dunno.. job hunting...

Hope your day is a good one.. all sprinkled with peace

Hi Joanne!
Happy to see you here ;-)

Good memory, Chelle - YES! I loooove snow! I want snow... I do snow dances and chants for snow! Must be doing something wrong? :(
How far away is Ontario?

Ilana, dear one -
It will be a crying shame if you ever learn to lurk. Your messages are so warm and fuzzy :)
I have to admit I spend waaay too much time on my laptop and am getting concerned it is an addiction. But, like you say, it's so hard to stay away from this great group of fun people. Many times it makes my day ;-)
Take care and stay warm, my friend!

Kath! Here we are again...so, you with cold and snow, me still hoping. Why do I always feel like I'm living in the wrong place for snow? Uh, maybe I am?

Book club this AM - we read The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks - great book, I thought. Interesting ethical dilemma, etc.
Then this afternoon, we need to take a trip to Portland to hit Sam's. Inventory of paper goods, cleaners, staples, etc getting low. Gonna be a busy and expen$ive day.

Probably only about 10-13 hours away from Maine, but don't worry we got almost a foot and a half of snow so it will still be here when you arrive. I'll find a recipe for homemade hot chocolate for you too :)

Uhhhmmm, Claudia? Dear? Could you please dim down on the snow thing, because as a fellow eastcoaster, *I* am gettin' morning dog-walking temps of under 20F...and it's all down to you, flappin' your arms and invitin' ol' man Boreas to blow his Arctic horn.

Just make it stop over, say, Massachusetts, and we're all good. Seems to me Caroline was asking for some snow between the 19th and the 29th of this month. Then the 40s can take hold here on Long Island! Everyone wins!

{{hug}}

We had a brown Christmas this year. :( I wouldn't have minded at least a bit of dusting just to make all the Christmas lights that much prettier. But I really should be careful of what I say because it IS only January and we should still be getting a huge dump sometime soon.

(((((hugs)))))

(warm ones, obviously)

:-)

I was asking for it NOT to snow between Jan 19 - 29 ... don't listen to Richard, Cee ... he's just crabby because I'm threatening to sick a giant cat on him for being a book gollum about The Child Thief

The Child Thief is A Sacred Object in my home. The story is mesmerizingly told, the art is spectacular, and the book itself is beautifully designed. Noli mi tangere, it says, loudly.

Well, I say it for it, since it has no vocal cords.

btw Richard ... do you check for silverfish in your bookshelves?

He keeps them in his books, not on the shelves..

Well! Good evening to every one of you jokesters!
It has already been proven that neither Mother Nature nor ol' man Boreas pay me any mind at all - no matter how hard I flap (tongue and arms)! And because of that woeful fact, Richard, you have nothing to fear except winter itself, Mmwhaaa-ha-ha!
And it WILL come!

Thanks, Chelle, for offering to share your snow and hot choc - I will bring some kahlua too!

{{{Kara}}} - Are you Floridians getting out your sweaters?

"...we should still be getting a huge dump sometime soon." One can only hope, Valerie... *sigh*

Ilana! You almost did it! (lurking) lol
The really important stuff got through... (warm hugs)
:-) Thanks! Coming back at you!

Not to worry Caro. I've got it! All snow between Jan 19-29 will be directed to Maine... none for MA

Counting on you both - Caro and Kath - to keep Richard in line while I am out. Good job today!

Guess I'll have to check out this Child Thief... but right now I am quite enthralled by The Tiger and plan to hop in bed with him soon... hehehe

hubba hubba, Cee ... come to me......

LOLOL - ok!

S...S...SILVERFISH!!!

*runs in panicky circles flapping arms*

NNNNNNNNNNOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

Hi Claudia- I was finishing up The Great Railway Bazaar today and near the end of the book the author was taking the Transiberian Express train, through desolate Siberia and I immediately thought of you and the tiger. Glad you are enjoying him. Careful with him in bed though, those claws are killers.

Whoa, Nelly.....what conniptions, here!

just sending a {{{warm hug}}} because Winter has arrived in SE Ohio...and, i hope it bought a return ticket!

Not much snow... but it is windy....my aging bones are making pitiful noises...and Kitteh is on the Rampage!

Ah, Richard - but they're so cute! :PPP~~

Hi Mark! Yeah. I'll probably never be able to think of Siberia w/o tigers again :{
I'm particularly interested in the cooperative and respectful relationship that existed between tigers & humans when you take away guns and dogs. Still scary imo.

Jude - how is Kitteh ever gonna keep you warm if he is always running around? hmmm - this training may take a few years. Good luck!
I know you are cold, dear lady... and now that you have air conditioning I guess you'll like summer more than winter. Too bad. Warm hugs!

There is nothing worse than skiing in the ....RAIN!!! Yup. That's what we had here in Portland, OREGON. Sigh. I mean Mt. Hood is supposed to be used by the Nat'l Ski team in the summer because there's SNOW still there. Awful. Just awful.

I want some snow too, Claudia, so if you get some would you send a bit my direction?

Good Morning Cee - dropping in!

Good morning!
Caro, I love the tiger pic.. if it were a little bigger it would be a desktop
on my nook! gorgeous :)

I did not sleep as well as I had hoped. I went to bed at nine pm and didn't bother
to take my book. My eyes were too tired. I watched NCIS .. and fell asleep at
ten thirty or so, up at 4 . Grr

Lots to do today. Have to do bedclothes from company to get ready for more company :)

Did you have a good day out yesterday?

For Ilana (in case you are lurking) - Hi there! Hope you have a gorgeous day! Hugs for you and Coco/kitties...

"...skiing in the ....RAIN..."
Kim, we actually tried that one time with the kids (when they were little). We went to NH on vaca and when we got there it was snowing like crazy... went to bed with visions of X-country skiing in our heads. Next morning snow had turned to rain - we tried to ski but it was no fun. The rest of our vaca rained! :P
Since Ron and the girls were NOT into reading, we went out and rented a TV and movies - carried them thru the lobby of the INN and felt foolish. But the only TV in the place was in the bar and I didn't want the kids in there! Ahhh... sweet memories....
It is sad when you get rain instead of snow in the mountains.

Stasia, You know I would share snow if I could... but I seem to recall you got snow early on and we did not have any. So, I hope you will remember me if it all goes your way again.

Hey Brit! Hope you have a great day!

Kath,
I agree - that tiger picture is gorgeous!
Day out yesterday was ok...
book club was v good discussion of The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks great book - well written
not overly fond of grocery shopping 60 miles from home - but ya gotta go where ya gotta go :P
We did get dinner out - YAY!
I actually got to sleep til 8:30 today - soooo nice :)
Today - laundry! No excuses!

Happy Wednesday to ALL!

No snow here. But it's possible that we may reach a high of +15. That's just ridiculous for my neck of the woods in the middle of winter...

yep. Laundry for me too..
I am trying to decide if it is worth it to fight to get a dinner out..
so cold.. but I do have errands.

I have stripped and re-made two beds so far.. Dan's is in process...
We are cleaning the attic.. old empty computer boxes into recycle.
"saved" gift boxes etc OUT

and maybe even a few old unused other things..
We shall see..

#84: Yes, we got snow in early December. I will try and remember you next time, Claudia!

Cold is nice. Snow is nice. Freezing biting windy cold with no snow is NOT nice.

I saw your nice haul on Kath's thread, Cee .... I still have Galileo's Daughter on one of my re-read shelves. The other 2 were good reads, but I didn't see myself having the time to read them multiple times, so I gave them to a couple of friends.

De-lurking to say that I'm here in Wisconsin (our first - we just moved here in June) eagerly awaiting snow. We were told this summer by the natives that we'd get tons of the stuff, but so far, nothing. Sigh.

OK - you all have no idea how hard it is for me to be here instead of Pochepnya - unless you have read The Tiger by John Vaillant. I had to leave in the midst of a tiger attack to make supper and I'm dying to get back. But - I love you guys!

Hi Valerie, Kath, Stasia, Caro and Amber ,
I think Kath is hogging all the white stuff - what's your price Kath?

I think she must be!

Just dropping in to say hello and pet the tiger. I have a way with Kittehs...

Sandy K

I don't mind snow. I hate ice. Cold wind sucks, if I have to go outside.

If I can stay inside reading by the fire, drinking scotch, and eating olives, mozzarella, hard salami, and toasted panne pugliese, knock yourselves out.

Well it's official here now: the ski resorts lost their Christmas season (although we did finally get some snow yesterday--too late) and, therefore, they will probably lose $ this season. Hasn't happened in 15 years. The little snow we got will be gone by the weekend as the temperatures will rise into the upper 40s on Friday and Saturday.

We're getting a light sprinkling of snow today over a very thick and very widespread layer of solid ice. It had been raining hard for a full day before the freeze set in. Negotiating the ice was feasible at a shuffling pace, but with that slight slippery powder on top it's now seriously dangerous. Ugh!

Glad you're enjoying The Tiger. I found it quite gripping too.

Cee - don't know why you feel my thread is daunting as there were 25 posts waiting for me on your own! Tiger shot was great by the way - apparently my indian friends tell me that a tiger is harmless if you maintain eye-contact. The old tiger hunters used to wear painted masks on back to front to avoid tigers attacking from the rear. When in mortal danger I also try to maintain eye-contact with SWMBO!

>94 brenzi: the seasons are getting later and later! The Queenstown Winter Festival last year here in NZ had no snow too :/
Meanwhile, here it was a lovely 25 deg C today.

started to post....got laplocked....Angus ..
lots of errands today...zero of interest as of now..
catch up later! :)

Hi Stasia, Sandy, Richard, Bonnie, Ilana, Paul, Megan and Kath!

I heartily agree ice is bad - unless you are on skates. Even so, ice skating is for the young. Do not like ice storms and situations such as you describe, Ilana. Please be careful. I know you will - just had to say it.

Personally, I think it is sad the weather is changing globally. I kinda liked it better 50 years ago. OMG - that makes me sound ancient :P

Paul - You definitely have a tiger by the tail in SWMBO! Lucky guy! I'm not sure I would trust the tiger eye contact theory. With or w/o a mask!

I wonder what their body temp is? They apparently have hot breath and melt the snow they lay in wait on. The last tiger in this book dragged a mattress out of a shack to lay on... while waiting for his prey. Huh? They are THAT smart? Scary!

Kath, you need a home in the woods... about 50 miles from decent shopping. You would have far fewer errands. Tho you would probably go nuts :(

Hope everyone gets a good surprise today!
I love surprises and I already got one. My daughter sent me a Kindle book on the horrors of wheat. OK it was a topic of her choice (and her diet is getting more weird by the day), but it sounds kinda interesting.

You made it to nearly 100 posts before I had a chance to check in. Yikes! But I wanted to pop in and say hello!

Michael must be reading the same book on wheat. ;)

Surprise!


glitter-graphics.com

I am not surprised that tigers are smart. My CAT is smart, and think how much bigger a tiger's brain is...scary! I love to look at tigers from a SAFE distance, like on tv!

Love the pic, Kara! That is what my cat does--he wants me to open the door so that he can look at the snow and sniff the air from inside the house.

Cee, has your daughter sworn off of eating wheat? I know someone who actually has celiac (sp?) disease, but I also have a couple of friends that just decided to stop eating it. I love bread so much, I don't think I could give it up.

Sandy K

I would love a home in the woods..

I would relearn my erranding habits :)

I haven't done any errands for about ten days.. I never got out at the beginning of the week..
my bread was moldy... no milk for coffee.. :PPP

I love the kitty cat gizmo..

I'm sorry Claudia, but that book on the horrors of wheat sounds more like a punishment to me than a surprise. :-D

Breezing through...up-to-date again!

Good, everything seems okie dokie around these parts.
Carry on good people.

Hi Claudia- I love all the tiger talk! Didn't the author do an incredible job describing and almost getting into the heads of these magnificent animals?
Hope you are having a nice evening!

Ah Claudia!! I'm so behind! Great to see you! Dropping a star! Happy New Year!

Oh, my cat loves to watch snow also.

*waving* as I head through the threads

YAY! I finished my Tiger book! It was great. 4 stars, I think.
Will figure it out tomorrow. Yes, Mark, the writing is incredibly engaging and informative.

Hi Luxx, Kara, Sandy, Kath, Ilana, Kim, Lynda, Mark and Deb!

The book about wheat is Wheat Belly by William Davis, MD. According to Bridget wheat has been genetically engineered and it is no longer compatible with many people's systems.
It is obviously a problem for celiacs. What seems to be the case is it also affects many other aspects of our health. She has cut out wheat/gluten from her diet and is feeling enormously better. She wants me to read about it. We do seem to have celiac disease (at varying levels) running through our family. I dunno - have to read it, I guess.

I can't even imagine giving up on bread, etc. It does seem like a punishment - unless it makes one feel better health-wise.

Thanks for the kitty gif! When Woolly is near an open door with cold air blowing in she shakes her paws and backs up to where it's warm.

Was looking but could not find your 2012 thread Deb. I'll go look again - maybe you have it up now?

I hadn't really thought about the fact that wheat has been genetically engineered and that is why some people have a hard time eating it. Makes sense. Why is so much of our food engineered? Well, money, I suppose...

Sandy K

Hi Cee! Good luck with the wheat book. I think I would live a very sad life without bread (especially since I got a bread maker for Christmas!)

Any snow your way yet?

I hadn't thought about the fact that wheat has been genetically engineered either...
no wonder we die from cancer at such an alarming rate..

My day had a crazy start.. and promises to be hectic..
My payday errands .. gas for the Hulk.. trip to the bank for cash for Dan
trip to the store for fresh vegies ..
make a big pot of chili..
the regular stuff..

Amy will be home from tonight..
hopefully not too late, if she can
get out of work early.. until sunday morning..
no Tom though.. long story, but he will come up with her when Owen
shows up ( kim's baby)

Anyway... it is warm and nice here this morning, thank goodness!
I hate trying to reach all the places Hulk gathers ice.

oh.. speaking of Amy.. she told me that she is not eating bread ..
or potatoes, or noodles or anything white...
sigh

So.. I guess her salami and cheese will be roll ups and I will
figure out the other stuff.. So much for the goodies I planned..
and a major rethink on menu ( spaghetti.. and no.. she isn't eating whole wheat either right now.)

I was up from 3:30 -5:30 and then managed to get some more sleep.. so I am getting a late start..
See ya later if I can!

Hi Sandy, Chelle and Kath!

It looks like I will have to report on the wheat book as I go along - so we will all know what they are doing to our food and as a consequence, our bodies. :(

I'm sure it's all about money, profit, economy Sandy. That always seems to be the driving force.

I know what you mean, Chelle. I LOVE all the wheat stuff. Bread is a favorite... not to mention cookies. (Oh, I won't mention those.)

YAY, Kath! Amy is coming for a visit! I'm telling ya... these kids are so much more informed than we ever were about health, diets, etc. But, Bridget is very determined to feel well - whatever it takes. I'm thinking that is good news for my grandchildren too.

So... Bridget told me that there is a mention in this book about a woman who went over to Iraq (I think it was) and got some very old wheat to grow back here in Massachusetts. Field trip!
Though I would rather go to UK and go book shopping! ;-)
priorities!

You could always stop off in the UK before you go to Iraq, Claudia!

I expect you will be at the top of your new class, Stasia! Smart thinker!

I know.. I am happy that Amy is coming.. no Tom though and
that makes me sad.. and the reason makes me mad..
but I will take what I can get..

Good on the traveling wheat lady..

I am breaking for some lunch.

here ya go

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U1ZxracYCpI

#1 The Tiger by John Vaillant



Primorye, a slim territory of far east Russia, lies between the northeastern tip of China and the Sea of Japan. Remote, poor, heavily forested, and mountainous, it is where the last Siberian tigers roam. Natives have co-existed with these beasts in relative peace since before the Ice Age. However, having always been recognized as the primary predator in the past, these gorgeous and dangerous tigers are now in danger of extinction by humans.

Here is a powerful narrative non-fiction about the struggle of these tigers, those who are trying to save them, and those who are hunting them. Author John Vaillant writes a suspenseful story of one tiger that has turned into a man-killer. The fear, cunning, and courage of both man and beast are palpable. Survival is edgy for the hunters, loggers, villagers and the very predator they seek.

The Siberian tigers have been “both sacred and a scourge” to the native inhabitants of this region. These tigers were believed to have supernatural attributes. Poachers killed these animals for their body parts to be exported and consumed by humans who wanted to share in this revered strength and power. This previously unknown aggressive behavior of illegal hunters toward the tigers resulted in terrible consequences in return. They are dealing with a cunning intelligence and targeted vengeance.

“To say that a tiger is an ‘outside’ animal is an understatement that is best appreciated when a tiger is inside. Cabins are small, of necessity, and the tiger filled this one the way a cat would a fish tank. Much to the tiger’s irritation, Grisha Tsibenko was not at home. In the course of searching for something – anything- made of meat, the tiger destroyed the place. When he got around to the mattress which smelled richly of Tsibenko … the tiger tore it apart and then lay down on its harrowed remains…the tiger had arrived at a more efficient method: building on his success with cabin stake-outs and with mattresses, he combined the two here in a way that also warmed him in the process… now it was only a matter of time.”

But this book is about more than one man and one tiger. It is a look at the evolution of powerful predators, tigers and humans. There are unresolved conflicts between men who are marginally surviving on the land, the greedy who abuse this need, and those that see the future of the earth’s environment. Read it for the science – or read it for the suspense. And watch out! It will grab you!
Recommended. 4.25 stars

What a great review, Cee .... this sounds like something definitely up my alley. I've got to add this to my obese wish list.

Still snowing up your way? Still nada down by me. If anything, it's warmed up a little today and supposed to head towards 50 tomorrow.

Well, thanks, Caro! You are very quick - but no surprise there!
I do think you would like this one :)

Still snowing lightly... very pretty. Supposed to get warm here tomorrow too. So... I guess it won't last all that long. But today is lovely!

Great review, you get a thumb from me

Wonderful review, Cee! Gave me a lot to think about.

Sandy K

Thanks, Chelle and Sandy! You are all flash readers with an acute sense of new books and/or reviews!

And special thanks to Kim (berly) who gave me this book in Mark's Christmas Swap... it's a goodie!
Now I'm reading The Elephant's Journey by Saramago. Looks like this is turning into an exotic animal year for me - lol.

ETA: Kath - thanks for the link to "my birth song" :P

ouch!
BB :)

Great review of The Tiger, Claudia, and you got you're fourth thumb from me! I've got this on my shelf and hope to get to it this year.

Claudia- I loved your review! You earned a Big Fat Thumb! I'm not sure there's a better feeling than someone reading a book, I recommended and they end up loving it.
Now, lets see you snag a few potential readers. The LT Domino Effect! Nothing better.

So glad you liked The Tiger. I'm still not sure it's a book for me but your review is enticing! Well done.

Sorry, Kara ;-)

Thanks, Pat! Hope you like it too!

Mark - Gee, thanks! There have been several books you've rec'd that I liked or even loved. You read a lot of good ones - we won't mention the others eeeeeewwwwww. I mean that in the nicest way :}

Joanne, Thanks - but I forgot to mention - dogs get a bad part in this book. Might not be the read for everyone. I was none too pleased, but tigers are wild creatures. so... ya know...

KATH - DO NOT READ THIS BOOK!!!!

ok.

Thumb for the review though :)

Great review Claudia. You got a thumb from me too. I'm so jealous that you're reading The Elephant's Journey. I might have to dump a few planned books and finally read that one as I've been wanting to do seemingly for ages.

Food: I've always has a mostly vegetarian diet, with meat maybe once a week, if that sometimes. Always had a portion of organic and recently made a conversion to almost exclusively organic. It's horribly expensive, and it doesn't get me to cook more often, but I feel better psychologically about it, if anything. Not that I think it'll prolong my life or anything. But while I'm here I try to do what needs to be done to maintain this strange machine which we've been given to experience life in.

I'm in a strange mood. Can you tell?

Nice review, Claudia. I have got to get to that book some time. I know Mark thought highly of it too.

Great review, Claudia!! I'm not sure that The Tiger is my type of book -but you've created an enticing review...

Thanks for all the kind words and thumbs, Kath, Ilana, Stasia and Deb!

The more I read about food production, the more I want to move where there is dirt and grow my own stuff. Even if only half of all the nasty stuff that's reported were true, that's too much. I admire anyone who has the determination and fortitude to seriously take charge of what they eat in an intelligent way. Hard to know what to believe. Hard to go against the current. Yeah, expensive too!

And yes, Ilana - you are certainly a strange machine in a strange mood. :D Keep up the good work!

Hope everyone has a great weekend - whatever that means to you ;-)

120: Read it for the science – or read it for the suspense. And watch out! It will grab you!
Attacked by The Tiger... Onto the wishlist.

Cee if you keep writing reviews as good as the one for The Tiger none of your pals will have any thumbs left.

Saturday *smooch* and a thumbs up!

#135: I know what you mean, Cee, about wanting to grow your own food. I wish I could do that too, and I've tried a little but with my exponentially impressive talent for killing all green things who were unfortunate enough to come under my care, I have come to accept that I am no budding farmer. I try, where I can, to support all the small farms around the area since they succeed where I cannot.

Are you enjoying The Elephant's Journey, Cee?

Hey Claudia, I've had The Tiger in my sights (Hah!) ever since Mark recommended it. Thumb for your excellent review.

Well! I'm all thumbs! Thanks everyone!

Hi Katherine, Paul, Richard Caro and Bonnie!

Katherine - I try to keep my WL under 100 - but not having much luck. That seems so crazy! I won't read that many books in a year, but if I don't make the list I will surely forget.

Paul - Seems I have quite a collection of thumbian digits here. Let me know if you ever need one! Though I think you are quite the collector yourself :)

Richard - *smooch* back to you on this lovely-turned-cloudy-but-it's-still-ok day :-D

Caro - I am loving The Elephant's Journey now that I am more into it. At first, Saramago was making so much fun of every character that I thought to myself - this guy hated everyone. But now that I am into the flow, starting to get the drift, and one decent character has appeared - it's kinda funny.

Brenzi - Hope you read and like Tiger :) It sure gives you a strong sense of place. Still can't decide if I'd want to visit that place or stay the heck away! It must be very beautiful...

It's not a blind elephant, is it? Ducks and runs...

Dear, dear Mark,

:PPPPPPPPPPPPPPP

*waving* at Claudia

>143 -Cee-: It's a mob of blind elephants, no?

Hi Stasia - waves back! I'm thinking today is the big day? You are starting a new 2012 thread for the masses? :)

Hi Joanne! You were up late! Good grief! Can you imagine a herd of blind elephants? Yikes! Luckily Saramago is no longer in a position to write that one!

Another sunny, above-freezing, high tide day! I've just about given up on winter and I hope those who dislike cold and snow will remember this winter with fondness - you're getting an unusual break this year. :}

Don't know where today will take me - but I think I will make a new recipe for chicken white lasagna. I'm missing one ingredient - cream cheese - and I won't drive 25 miles for that. Maybe (???) our little country store will have some.

Happy SUNday, everyone! :)

#146: I do not know about a thread for the masses, but my thread is up and running now, yes.

Sorry to be behind, but I know you understand..
It is going to be in the high 30's here today.. but getting to
near 50 by Wednesday.. weird weather indeed.

Nothing much to add to what I posted in my thread, it has been pretty quiet..

Cee, I loved your review of The Tiger and appreciated the warning about dogs in the book. I think this will have to be a book I stay away from. I'm still in therapy after watching War Horse at the theater!

Happy SUNday to you, too. I may be on the computer all day trying to catch up with threads.

@Donna828 - you're a braver woman than me - I read War Horse as a child and haven't braved seeing the theatre production, and won't be seeing it at the cinema. Can't bear to see it.

Doesn't help now I have my own horse, and it breaks my heart when any animal gets hurt in books/films. Affects me so much more than people! Not sure what that says about me though :/

Chicken white lasagne, Cee? You've intrigued me with this ... what goes into it?

Stasia, You are the magnet! ;-)

Kath, Hope by now you are at peace knowing Amy is home safe and you are settling in and slowing down a bit. :)

Donna - This book was not hopelessly graphic, but I think when something happens to a dog, it makes me cringe. I know they are working dogs, but a dog in my mind is a family member.

Caro - Didn't make this yet... ingredients incl cooked chicken, mushrooms, cheddar cheese, sour cream, cream cheese, garlic, nutmeg (?) and spinach. Oh yeah - lasagna noodles too. It's a weight watcher's recipe I found that says to use all fat free stuff - but I will make it real and yummy. It sounds like Alfredo style. Will let you know.

Since I'm reading the book on wheat - I shudder a little thinking of pasta! That's just wrong. Wah! I love wheat.
Do they have rice lasagna noodles, I wonder?

Mmm, chicken lasagna sounds good, well, without the mushrooms, that is. Let us know how it turns out.

Weather warm here in Ohio today, too--in the 40's. Supposed to get cold and snowy this weekend. Honestly, I don't mind it because in March I will be SICK of snow and cold.

Sandy K

We have egg noodles here, not sure if there is any wheat in them or not ... they taste ok, just ok.

OMG The Divine Miss's gentleman caller made us lasagne tonight...it was *stellar* and I ate four helpings. *oink*

Stopping by to say hi! Hmmm I'm pretty sure that egg noodles have wheat in them, but don't quote me on that....

Hi Sandy - I expect this lasagna recipe is pretty forgiving if you tweak it. I'll let you know as I will def be changing things around...I'm not on Weight Watchers anymore but the recipe looked interesting :)

Oh yeah, egg noodles have wheat, Chelle. Most pasta does - unless you search out the non-gluten stuff in the grocer's.

Hi Richard - haven't had lasagna in awhile and am looking forward to this. So far it's all talk!
Lucky you! Hope you did not suffer the potential consequences of 4 helpings!

Hi Deb - I don't even know why I am looking into this gluten free food thing :P (Maybe cuz it might be helpful to my body?) I really can't see myself giving up wheat and all the goodies that rely on it. *groan*

After all my suffering and complaining last summer about the heat, I was looking forward to exclaiming in joy about the winter cold - and I'm still complaining. I'll try to tone that down.

Another stupid sunny day - no snow!

How'd I do? ;-)

As you said.. and in my opinion.. it is not our food that is bad for us but,
it is what we do to it before it gets to our table radiation, tinkering and poisons..
drugs given to our food animals like estrogen and antibiotics

I hate going into a grocery store and finding picture perfect tomatoes and apples and so on..
it wasn't meant to grow up into art, it was meant to grow into food.. and keep the blasted wax off my
apples etc. Grr

ahem.

Good morning Cee!

and cucumbers, too! Off with the wax! If they can't make it off-season on their own, then I'll pick something else.
I do get nervous about foodstuff coming in from far away countries/states
AND
they are not picked at the proper ripeness = tasteless So, what's the sense? Bah!
Oh, Hi! Kath!

Yep. I mean translucent tomatoes? really??
I swear that I could read through some of them. Bah!

Morning Claudia- Early food talk! Mmmmmmm...I actually set up a roast dinner in the crock pot. The DW gave very specific instructions, which I hope I followed to the T. Hey, it looks good!
Good luck with your shopping day!

Cee - hungry reading your thread this evening. You should try out Fast Food Nation by Eric Schlosser which lifts the lid on eating habits and the companies which dictate those habits.

mostly vegie talk... speaking of...
I am making baked potatoes with broccoli (and cheese?) for lunch..
and cole slaw for later..

Had a strange dream about tomatoes last night - they were VERY *red* and yummy looking, so I KNOW I dream in color :) However, I did not eat them... I was using them to write on...? whatever.

Mark - you are too, too good! If you ever feel like cooking again - come on over!
btw, did I say I was going shopping today? hmmm... just gave Ron a short list to pick up while he is in town. Hope that does it!

Hi Paul! Fast Food Nation huh? I'm not nervous enough about my food yet? Will check the library.

I did sign up for a couple years of a CSA farm awhile back. The veggies were so yummy - even tho I could not identify half of them. Actually, that was fun - as I made the rounds asking others if they knew and got quite a few interesting but wrong answers. Had to call the farmer a few times :}

Anyway, the farm was waaaaay too far away. It took 2 hours to collect my bag(s) of goodies... in all kinds of weather. Had to give it up.

Can't do my own growing - no dirt here... mostly granite ledge. (Wish I could turn that granite into a nice counter top for my kitchen.) Also, tried container growing - not enough sun. I gave up. :(
Sorry. Got a little carried away here!

Kath - I thought of you last night as I made a corned beef dinner - and for the first time EVER *eliminated* the dang cabbage. Fabulous - no icky, soggy, cooked cabbage wimping around on the platter :)

Don't forget the pineapple in your cole slaw LOL

I will have pineapple on the side, thank you ..

LOL! Complaining about a sunny day!! Oh, I can hardly remember the last day it was not overcast or raining. They promise us that we might see the sun tomorrow. Here's hoping! :)

Loved the review of The Tiger, Cee, a deserved thumb!

Your time frame for not complaining about the weather is about like mine! I love a light dusting of snow, especially when I don't have to drive till it's gone. Very wet and foggy here, typical winter.

I have to agree with Kath on the pineapple...ewww if it's in the coleslaw.

So how's the elephant book?

Well, Kath - You are a very good girl - as long as you eat all your fruit and veggies :)
You certainly don't have to mix it up.
(Pssst... don't anyone tell Kath about all the food going to the same place in tummy.)

Deb, I'm perfectly ok with sunshine - as long as it's snowing! Did you ever see a snowbow? Nice. Rare though.

Gail - Thank you. I love foggy too. The Elephant's Journey is quite interesting - sorta funny and a bit whacky. Just don't know what to say about it yet. Almost done.

I'm back to reading 2 books at once. I was getting too antsy with just one at a time. So, at least now I know.

Cee / Gail - the weather over there sounds very atmospheric. Hope you are not going to read any creepy tales this evening.

Pineapple in coleslaw?! I've never heard of such a thing

Still sitting atop an Indian elephant on it's way through the Alps, Paul (so to speak) ...above the atmosphere of mere mortals :)

Chelle - Yes indeed. So simple and delish. I use a prepared bag of shredded cabbage w/ carrots, add a can of pineapple tidbits (if I have chunks I cut them smaller) and a cole slaw dressing of mayo, a little pineapple juice, wee bit of sugar and celery seeds.
I suppose you could also add raisins or nuts - but my crew won't eat them. They do love the pineapple though.

pineapple cole slaw!!! yum!!! my mama makes that kind :)
I'll take any that Kath doesn't want ;)

gently pushes entire bowl in kara's direction....

makes more cole slaw for chelle and me

what is it with people putting sugar into perfectly good food gaH!

Kara - Your Mama'a a good woman! Plenty to go around - it's a big bowl.

Kath - you don't have to add sugar. It's still good. Cole slaw is like tossed salad - make it anyway you like :)

Time to do the med rounds - then to the Alps with my elephant. ;-)

Nighty Night All!

nighty night... I am outta here too... sweet dreams

;-)

Monday evening greetings, Cee.

I've been meaning to congratulate you on the staying power of your Tiger review as a Hot Review. It was well deserving of such a great response.

wow, that sounds good. but in my house Nate would side with Kath, no pineapple allowed.
I would be forced to eat the whole bowl (oh darn! ;)

Cee, your thread has made me so hungry!

Claudia, I thought of you yesterday as I went grocery shopping. I checked in the pasta aisle - the health food/ organic aisle and guess what? They had pasta made from brown rice in all sort of shapes and sizes. I cannot tell you what it tastes like - but it is gluten free and it does exist.. I'm sure there must be some in your area? Funny how we keep our LT friends front of mind even while grocery shopping! :)

Deb... it is funny how often one of my LT friends will pop into my mind while doing
other things..

Good morning Cee... what is on the agenda for today?

Hi Claudia, my sweet and wonderful friend. Hope you're having a good day today. xx

Coleslaw with pineapple?? What is the world coming to.

#2 The Elephant's Journey by Jose Saramago



Written toward the end of his life, Saramago gives us his view of uneven societal struggles for power, acceptance, survival, value, and relationship to the natural world. He has written a satire which at times is quite humorous. But more importantly, in this story set at the end of the Middle Ages, Saramago ridicules vices and deficiencies of the human condition that are still apparent in the 21st century.

As the story opens in the court of a Portugese king, every character seems to be portrayed as laughable, blundering and weak. Saramago seems to detest and scorn everyone at every level of society. However, as the story continues, a diversity of characters emerge and the journey becomes more complex and interesting. The astonishing trek of Solomon, the elephant, captures a sense of adventure as he plods through rough terrain and extreme climates. The corresponding odyssey of the main character - his mahout (rider) - is one of observation and self discovery.

This book is lighter in tone from other writings of Saramago. Easily readable (despite the sparse punctuation) and absorbing, the reader is taken on an intimate psychological and philosophical jaunt into the hearts, actions, and minds of men – all the while recognizing that there is a limit imposed by our own thinking to understanding others.

“On the ground there wasn’t a trace of the food they had left him, not even a piece of straw, which at least meant that they could reasonably expect that he wouldn’t start whining with hunger as small children do, even though, and this is not widely known, he, the elephant, is really another kind of child, not in his physical makeup, but as regards his imperfect intellect. In fact, we don’t know what the elephant is thinking, but then we don’t know what a child is thinking either, apart from what the child chooses to tell us, and one shouldn’t, on principle, place too much trust in that.”

A fun and thoughtful book. There is much posturing but no violence. No animals are hurt. Highly recommended.

4.5 stars

Thanks, Lynda! I must have had a few moments of clarity there... it seemed easy to write the Tiger review. Now I'm back to foggy struggling. :{

Chelle - I was quite surprised that Ron loved the pineapple addition... as did the kids when they were younger! You could always throw pineapple in your own bowl :)

Sorry, Brit... I'm not a complicated cook - but I do love food. Reading and food - food and reading! :D Is that why I need more exercise? :P

Deb , Thanks for thinking of me and letting me know what you found. I have yet to shop in the gluten free section of my store - but I know there's stuff out there. An adventure on which I have yet to embark. :}

Today, Kath, as every other day will be a surprise as it unfolds. In other words - I dunno?

Hi Ilana! Thanks for the kind words - your check is in the mail - lol

I truly don't know, Jenny! But if coleslaw w/pineapple brings you to visit me, I like the way it's going!
BTW...apparently I'm not the only one who eats this stuff
http://allrecipes.com/recipe/pineapple-coleslaw/
oooo - they put in some horseradish! interesting...

Happy, healthy Tuesday!

nice review! Thumbed!

Hope the way today turns out is good!

I could do without the raisins but the horsey sauce! bring it on! bet that's good....nice little bite to it :)

So you liked this one but not Blindness...huh!
I'm surprised you even attempted this one after the Blindness horror ;) but I'm glad you liked it!
good review Cee :)

Great review of The Elephant's Journey. I know how much you hated Blindness so good job on giving Saramago another try. I'm off to thumb your review.

Terrific review of The Elephant's Journey Claudia. I have two Saramagos on my shelf waiting for me: The History of the Siege of Lisbon and Blindness (said in a really low voice;-)

Claudia- Good review of The Elephant's Journey! I love the sound of it and no blind elephants! Yah! I have to get to this one.

Thanks Kath, Kara, Pat, Bonnie and Mark !
This is a VERY different book from Blindness in tone and sensitivity but it is similar in that Saramago seems to be always dredging up the failings of people/society. And, as much as I truly hated some aspects of Blindness, I have to admit it was well written and creative - still :PPPPPP!

ETA: I rated Blindness 3.5 stars - but it was a mathematical equation that got me there - not my gut reaction.

Great review, Cee, thumbed; fortunately, already on the W.L.

Hi Cee! Great review. But I am not sure how often I can visit though...yet another thread that makes me hungry!! LOL.

It really is a great review Claudia. You get another thumb from me. This one has been on my TBR Right Now pile for a few months now. I'll get to it eventually. Someone also chose Blindness for me to read in 2012 and to be honest, I don't look forward to it at all, especially considering the person who originally recommended it to me (not on LT; in RL, long story). But I'll be glad to put it behind me once I've gotten through it. Now I'm just wondering whether I should keep The Elephant's Journey as a reward for reading the other. I'm not worried about being put off by Saramago since I already read and liked another book by him, i.e. Baltasar and Blimunda.

Good morning!

New book day for me.. meaning I will start a Vine book today.
I wanted to last night but never got to it. So... whats for dinner today?

So did you make the chicken lasagne and how did it turn out, Cee?

Thanks, Gail, Kim & Ilana!
***************
ok, Ilana... Blindness
(I don't think the following contains a spoiler - ??? Nothing specific here. But don't read if you don't want to know anything.)
Good stuff:
idea of story line is very creative;
writing is exquisite
Bad stuff:
Plentiful violence with attitude
disgustingly filthy living environment (excrement, dead bodies, etc)
female victims raped to death
complete breakdown of social order
So... you decide. I warned ya!
Perhaps someone noticed something else for the "good" column?
***************

Kath - salmon for dinner tonight (nothing fancy)

Caro - lasagna tomorrow night

My my, what's going on, where's the party at? Not that I care. I came to see you Claudia, so I'm quite happy with a quiet scene.

You've described Blindness pretty much as I expect it to be. The person who recommended it to me said I had to read it if I thought I knew anything about life. Or something like that. He was one of those insufferable intellectual snobs, which I can't believe I used to consider as a friend of mine. He came to stay with me, overstayed his welcome by about two month, emptied my fridge and left empty jars of condiments there which I kept finding for months afterwards, used my mobile phone to make long distance calls, used up my emergency petty cash, left me penniless and alone during the Christmas holidays. Then 18 months later, I found out he'd drank a valuable bottle of wine I'd been keeping for a special occasion and replaced the contents with water. Who does that?!?! Maybe he was out to teach me a lesson about life? Anyway, apart from the "female victims raped to death" part, nothing in that book can possibly shock me more than that supposed friend did. Needless to say, he's a friend no more and good riddance...

Must admit that I found Blindness very heavy going after a promising start. Liked his The Year of the Death of Ricardo Reis but I couldn't enjoy Blindness at all.

Well.. What is going on in Cee-land?

What is your current read?

Pretty quiet here yesterday...hope today is the same :) for both of us!
Suddenly laplocked....guess who?
More later :)

Mornin' friends,

It's snowing now - plow just went by - but looks like it will be turning to ice/rain. :P
Would rather have the ice on top of snow than the other way around, I guess.

Hi Ilana!
Sounds like you could write your own book... what a jerk that guy was! I believe Saramago saw the underbelly of society (eg people like your "friend") and was dismayed. Your "friend" probably thought - ah, here's someone that understands what life is really like in my world. :P

Re filling wine bottle w/water - maybe he was hoping for a miracle! Again :P
Ron used to work at Lowe's (home improvement store) and would tell tales of how customers cheated the store. There was one guy who bought several huge buckets of paint and later returned them filled with water. The cashiers had been trained to tell the difference in weight between paint and water and he got caught. :)
Sometimes they don't get away with it!

Hi Paul, I'm very glad to hear you could not enjoy Blindness - and I can't imagine why anyone would. Actually, I can't believe I still remember it so vividly and am still talking about it. I wish he had used his obvious talent for writing on something more readable - and I guess he did. I'm just approaching cautiously...

Hi Kath and Angus! Have things calmed down a bit in your neighborhood? Hope so.

Not much going on here today. Was planning a day out, but it's not looking so good on the roads. So - I'll stay put because I can. Finishing up Cannery Row. So glad I am re-reading this one. It's been so long I forgot the nuances of this book. I love Steinbeck's writing.
Also continuing to read Wheat Belly and contemplating a change in diet. Frankly though, I don't think I can do it. Wheat is a biggie!

Angus says to say PUUuuurrrrrrrrrrrRRRR

to Auntie Cee

I'm trying so hard not to put books on my wishlist..... but The Tiger is a must. So you are getting your revenge, my friend.

P.S. I lost your thread somehow for awhile, do forgive me!

Re filling wine bottle w/water - maybe he was hoping for a miracle! Again :P

Maybe he thought he could *do* a miracle! :)

Afternoon, Cee. Got a bunch of housework done...yuck. Dh helped with food prep. and storage, very nice of him.

Somehow last year I got bogged way, way down and am now spending many hours adding books to my "2011" tag. Not gonna happen this year---maybe.

Eeek, I dont think I can handle Blindness - harrowing would be putting it lightly?

>199 Smiler69: The person who recommended it to me said I had to read it if I thought I knew anything about life
That sounds like an arrogant thing to say, as if all you needed to know in life was confined to the contents of one book. Hmph to him.

>202 -Cee-: continuing to read Wheat Belly and contemplating a change in diet. Frankly though, I don't think I can do it. Wheat is a biggie
I've been contemplating becoming a vegetarian for about 12 years now, and have never quite been able to do it :/ Good to arm yourself with the info though.

PS your cats name is Woolly? I like it!

#3 Cannery Row by John Steinbeck (re-read)


No review - just praise for a favorite author of mine.

4.5 stars ~~ Highly recommended
Why I like this author:
Steinbeck looks deeper than mere actions, recognizes intent, and does not begrudge forgiveness. He embraces the good in people and I like that.
He just makes me feel better about the human condition ... the potential of acceptance without bitterness or the need to control.
He also sees the heroic in the ordinary.

Why I liked this book:
Very poetic indeed.
Imagery - stunning and clear
Characters - a study in individuality/community, weak/strong
Point of view/insight - compassionate and heartbreaking
Conflicts - destruction, compromise and resolution
Hope and comfort in misfortune

Ah, Cannery Row...one of my favorites....Steinbeck or otherwise...my favorite Steinbeck is East of Eden

Going back to Saramago....i read Blindness and, thought the subject matter was very "rough"...i think it is a great book....Discomfort doesn't bother me as much as it does other people....just saying

CANNERY ROW was a movie????? I think...

;-}

Hugs to Angus!

Lucy, There is never anything to forgive you!
I think you will like The Tiger as you are quite rural and into nature. :)

LOL, Jim! That tickled me! ;-)
Sounds like you understand that guy better than I do!

Hi Gail! I'm pretty jealous! Now that the housework is DONE, you can rejoice! Wish I could say the same :(
BTW - Come join us in 2012!

Harrowing is a good word, Megan! :pppppp~~~~~~
And it is such a horrible view of humaness. I know there are truly awful people in the world, but not everybody!

LOL - 12 years! Now that I see the restrictions for gluten-free, being a vegetarian doesn't look so bad. My daughter is both. That's gotta be HARD!

Yup - Woolly - my sweet old lady cat:



Looks kinda mean - but she's not
She doesn't like cameras :)

Oh, hi Jude!
I think East of Eden is coming up in the Steinbeckathon...
although that will be a re-read for me, I expect I'll do that too.
I remember loving that one too, but it was a loooong time ago.

Don't know about the Cannery movie????

Love the picture of Woolly, Claudia. She's a good looking cat.

I just looked up Cannery Row, the movie, on Wikipedia. It was made in 1982 and starred Nick Nolte as Doc. The other starring role was Debra Winger, as a hooker named Suzy, who Doc falls in love with. Obviously, a departure from the book. I never saw the movie and now have no desire to. I hate when they change the story in a major way.

Uh oh...somebody canned the Movie...

It was just a suggestion, on my part, not an endorsement...Jeesh!

Re filling wine bottle w/water - maybe he was hoping for a miracle! Again :P

I think Jim got it right... he probably thought he could perform a miracle. He would think that, of all people. I've come across plenty of people who were full of themselves, but this one was quite a remarkable specimen of such!

And Cee, you're right, I probably could write a novel with him as one of the main characters. He's the kind of person you read about because he's so incredibly complex that you can never quite figure out what to make of them. Huh. There's an idea. Maybe I will... I keep trying to think of what I could possibly write about that's not straight autobiography. There's lots of things in my life I "never got over", and this, even though it only happened a couple of years ago, certainly has the making of an indelible experience.

If I found an idea for my first novel, it would happen on your thread!

Loved loved LOVED your *non-review* of Cannery Row. I understand why you present it as such though... I mean... what kind of review could one possibly write about it? I'm not sure I'll attempt it. Maybe I'll just steal what you said and repost it on my thread. That would be in keeping with something the "character" above might do in my novel! :-P

Oh God it's been soooo long since I read Cannery Row that I can't remember a thing about it. I do plan to reread The Grapes of Wrath this year.

I took me so long to type up my last message that a bunch of new ones were up by the time I posted!

Woolly is gorgeous. I want to cuddle with her.

I just looked up Cannery Row, the movie at the library and they have it... I'm not sure whether I want to see it or not. Anyone here seen it?

The Grapes of Wrath is slated for May, and East of Eden is coming up in July for the Steinbeckathon.

Claudia- I also loved your thoughts on Cannery Row. I don't think I'll be joining in on the G.R. this time, since I've read it a couple times but it's great to hear everyone enjoying it.
Well, you know, I'm a big fan of Blindness and will continue to defend it. It's not a book for everyone, I can't argue that.

I saw the Nolte/Winger film many years ago but just don't remember it very well. I do recall it, steering away from the book.

>210 -Cee-: lovely old lady cat! She looks gorgeous.

I think I put my foot in...regarding CANNERY ROW: The Movie

think I'll slink off...stage left

))))))

What a gorgeous cat! I am sooo envious...

Must try Cannery Row later this year; you make it sound really interesting.

Hi Pat! Thanks for kind words for Woolly. She's smiling now :)
Youe comment on the Cannery movie is interesting. On the back cover of the book it says Doc "...unexpectedly finds true love..." Now, I wondered about that. WHO was Doc's true love? Then I thought... maybe Cannery Row was his true love??? Did I miss something?

Jude, I wouldn't rule the movie out. I want to see Doc's "true love"! Come back!

Ilana - I'm anxiously awaiting your first novel! Please make sure Coco gets in there somehow :)
You are entirely welcome to take anything from me (not stealing) - it's so little I have to offer...
You can cuddle Woolly anytime... she's so soft.

Hi there Bonnie, Cannery Row was a relatively quick and satisfying re-read. Don't now if I will re-read Grapes of Wrath since I read it not too long ago. It was our community read. Great choice!

Hey Mark, I heard on the news your weather was a bit messy today. Ours too... half rain/half snow. 1/2 mile inland they got 6 inches of snow. I can't win this year :(

I know you liked Blindness a lot... that's ok. I still love ya!

Thanks, Megan and Gail! She thinks she's pretty gorgeous too! lol

Anyone thinking of reading Cannery Row should just go ahead and do it! It's not long - and very easy to read.

Pretty Kitty!! Mine is currently hiding from the painting process that I have going on, she doesn't like change.

I think I will try and start Cannery Row as soon as I finish my current eBook. So maybe tomorrow-ish

Oh! Forgot about the chicken lasagna - it was GREAT! I started with a recipe but quickly changed it around to suit.
I believe you could do most anything with this and it would be good :)

So, if I can remember -

Chicken Lasagna

Lasagna noodles (I cooked whole pkg but only used 12)
Parm cheese - grated

FILLING
1 can crm of mushroom soup
1 can chicken broth
1 sm can sliced mushrooms
- this is where I veer off-
2 cups cut up cooked chicken
1/2 cup sour cream
1 cup ricotta cheese
1 egg
1/3 block crm cheese (tiny cubes)
1 pkg frozen spinach (thawed, squeezed dry and chopped)
Garlic powder and Onion powder (could use real onions and garlic, I have to hide it)

-what I did not use that was called for-
1 teaspoon nutmeg (???)

Instructions:
Cook lasagna noodles
Mix ingredients for FILLING together in large bowl
use 9x13 glass dish, sprayed with PAM

Noodles, filling, and sprinkle with parm cheese - repeat for about 3 layers. Cover.
Bake at 375 for 55 minutes
Uncover and bake about 10-15 minutes more.
Let sit another 10 minutes before cutting... or not (hehehe)

I just served it with cranberry sauce and sourdough rolls.
Everybody loved it as I did not divulge all ingredients. LOL

OMG that sounds delicious, and creeeaaamy.

Hi Chelle!
I don't envy all the work you have to do to move - but at least you are energetic and excited. Oh.. your poor, poor kitty. It won't be long and you'll be all settled and loving your new home!

Megan- This lasagna is not thickly creamy - though you could adjust the ingredients to make it so. It's more the texture of regular lasagna but quite different and yes - yummy.

Hello! Sorry to be late to marking my spot on your thread. Happy New Year to you my dear!

Hi Linda! Welcome! Good to see you again :)
and ... Healthy New Year to you!

Claudia, that's a strange comment on your copy of Cannery Row. Was it published in connection with the movie by any chance? If you missed something in the book, then so did I!

Jude, I thought you were asking whether a movie had been made of Cannery Row. Sorry if my post sounded abrupt. :(

Whoa, I have missed a lot of posts here!

I have seen the film version of Cannery Row with Nolte and Winger. Audra Lindley plays Dora. It is a little different from the book, but has the spirit of the book. I remember enjoying the film but it has been many years since I've seen it. I do remember enjoying Nick Nolte's performance.

Sandy K

I have about 20 pages left in Cannery Row and am hoping to read more in the 2012 Steinbeckathon. The friend way up in Smiler's post #199 is no friend at all! Almost the weekend!

Glad you enjoyed Cannery Row! I'm working through it! I just need more time!

That does sound very yummy, and I would have left out
the nutmeg, too. Good thinkin' to not tell what was in it.
Thanks for posting the recipe.

My reading is currently confined to Vine books..
I always feel like I should review ARCs promptly.. and
these are from December..! eek! I will read a China Bayles
next, because it came to me from the digital library. fluff!
Anyway.. I hope to get my current read and the Bayles book done before the weekend is over..
as I have another one (or three ) that I am anxious to read.

I had a kitchen disaster yesterday.. but I have been typing so much
already, I will tell about it later.

dreaded double post!

Hi Pat!
ROFL! I think I just figured this out. I looked all over the edition I read of Cannery Row to see if they mention the movie. Not a word! So after puzzling this out:
*The movie was made in 1982
*My Cannery edition was Penguin 1992
= the person who wrote up the blurb for the cover never read the book - tried to get away with only watching the movie! HAHAHA!
This is what happens when teachers let kids get away with cheating. What do you think?

Hi Sandy,
I just might look for that movie sometime. Could be interesting. Actors are good :)

Hi Kim! TGIF for you!
I love this opportunity to read Steinbeck again... I don't do much re-reading, but in this case it's proving to be a good experience :)

Poor Brit! I remember never having enough time to read. Someday, you'll have more time.
I'm thankful to be retired with time for most of what I want to do - just wish my eyes still had the great reading ability of years gone by. Give your family a hug and feel the joy!

HI Kath! Hope you are feeling better today (back-wise) and your kitchen is still standing.
Woman, you have GOT to slow down! *heavy sigh* (and I did actually sigh very heavily just now)

Re recipe secrets:
Mom will NOT eat cheese. Thinks it will kill her. But she loved the lasagna :)
Ron says he does NOT like garlic and onions, so I used the powders. Not as good to me, but he never knew the difference :)
I do not generally like nutmeg in anything.
Once I had a jar of Indian(I think) nutmeg that was surprisingly good, but have not seen it since. Maybe I am looking for the wrong thing - maybe it was Spanish or somethng else?

So - at least it is white out today. Though I fear a warmup and rain. Fun to watch all the little backyard critters scrounging for food... what a life!

Currently Reading:
Wheat Belly
Big Miracle
The Warmth of Other Suns
Back to reading several books at once and feel more comfortable now ;-)

Your kitty looks like a darling! I love gray cats.

Great review of Cannery Row too. Excellent!

Mom doesn't eat cheese?! Ron doesn't like garlic and onions?! So, pizza is pretty much out of the picture at your house?

I have a friend who is allergic to garlic. She basically cannot eat at any Italian restaurant or pizza place. She found one pizza place in college that did not use garlic in their sauce and was so happy. Although, tomato sauce with NO garlic? Questionable.

I know that on a lot of the cooking shows, they always put nutmeg in any type of white or bechamel sauce. But nutmeg seems like it should be used for baking...

The blurb on the back of your copy of Cannery Row is SHAMEFUL!

Have a lovely day, Cee!

Sandy K

Thanks, Lucy! (on both counts)

Oops... cross-posted Sandy!
Oh, yeah. No pizza around here. Sometimes, we go to a restaurant that has pizza - and I could get it. But it's not like the really good sinful pizza from a pizza house. Double crust, lots of cheese, and tons of topping choices. O - groan. Now I want PIZZA!!!!!

That's kinda sad Cee! No pizza?! I heart pizza!!

Wow....Claudia....so good to catch up to you. I've been quite busy and taking my time going through the Meet your fellow readers thread. Got you starred now, and can't wait to see what's happening three peninsulas down the road.

We really MUST do lunch sometime this spring. So here's a possibility: The Farnsworth Museum is doing an exhibit called "The Art of the Book" now through April 1st. If you can get yourself up here to Rockland, I'll buy lunch. here's the link it's called the Art of the Book

Hi Claudia- I have The Warmth of Other Suns all locked & loaded on audio. Of course, the plan was to start it today but health issues interfered. Maybe tomorrow??
Are you enjoying it so far?

If we didn't eat pizza at my house, we'd starve.

Hi Chelle -
I heart pizza too! It's been a long time :(

What a great idea Tina! Let's do it! I'll check out the link and we'll pick a date.

Hey, Mark! Haven't gotten too far yet - but it's interesting so far. As they mentioned in the book - this migration was huge and has not been documented in any comprehensive way. That's what they are trying to do here in The Warmth of Other Suns and I think it will be quite readable.

I know, Joanne. It is sorely missed here. We have a great pizza place nearby - which is a minor miracle in itself since there is not much around these parts. Ron and I used to go every week or two. Can't remember when we were last there... but someday we'll get there again.

wow! You are very fortunate -and hard working to get so many books through the vine program, Cee! Good for you!

Hmmm- Wheat Belly. You'll have to tell me what you think of that one. And oh! That Chicken Lasagna looks very yummy! Thanks for sharing the recipe!

Hi Deb,
Nah - it's not me that's in the Vine program - Kath?
I could never keep up with it, I'm quite sure.

Wheat Belly is getting me nervous. It's looking like wheat is pretty bad... especially for those who have gluten intolerance which seems to permeate our family.
It's simple and complicated... and I can see all the sense it makes. I have to decide if I want to love what I eat, suffer, and die - or eliminate wheat and work toward living healthier and longer. Hard choice :{

If we didn't eat pizza at my house, we'd starve.

hahaha Joanne/Cee Malaysia is not renowned for pizza but there are three main chains that deliver - Domino, Pizza Hut and Canadian Pizza. The first make a locally devised thin crust sambal pizza which is heavenly.

I don't generally read books about food.
I prefer the bliss provided by ignorance.
true story

cold cold cold here.

Good Morning Claudia!!! I'm firing the weatherman. He sent us your snow again!!! We got about 5 inches. I spent all day Thursday shoveling and at work there are 38 steps down to the back driveway. Not so bad being outside and getting exercise though.

Glad you liked Cannery Row. I read the collection of Steinbecks short novels last year and Cannery Row was one I liked.

The chicken lasagna recipe looks good. I'm going to try it at work. It's hard to get some of our guys to eat veggies, so hiding them in casseroles is the best.

:-)

Yeah, Paul ... I'm really hankering for some pizza now. Though I prefer the thick crust. Oh I looooove my wheat. Maybe I will buy some to take out and bring it home to be warmed up later. :)

Good thinking, Kath - but I didn't choose this book. Bridget bought it for me and sent it to my Kindle. So... I kinda hadta read it. She's pesky like that. And then, of course, she calls and wants to know what I think, etc., etc. I'm doomed.

Hi Tammy! I think I have finally given up on the snow this year. We are so close to the ocean (and the Gulf Stream) that we keep getting mixed precip - more freezing rain than snow. Just a mile inland from us gets all snow. That happens a lot, but this year is really bad that way. Thanks for trying to redirect it... it's just a lost cause. I probably should have headed for the mountains, but I do love the coast.

I see you try to get away with hiding stuff in your cooking too! Good luck! It's a challenge...

******************
I want to go to a real bookstore and check out cookbooks. Not the kind of thing you can do online. But the only sizable one around is in Portland - 50+ miles away. How bad do I want to go? hmmmm

yep. I hate it when my kids try to override my bliss.