bohemima's books, part two

Whoa! Could it be this easy? Surely not!

February Reads
7. The Guersey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society
8. Duplicate Death
9. Reflections in a Golden Eye
10. The Wee Free Men
11. A Hat Full of Sky
12. Persuasion
13. Book by Book
14. His Monkey Wife
15. Book Lust

March Reads
16. If I'd Killed Him Whne I Met Him
17. Peachtree Road
18. Lament for a Maker
19. A Reading Life: Books for the Ages
20. The Various Haunts of Men
21. Death of a Fat God
22. Overture to Death
23. Chaim Potok
24. Skeleton Looking for a Closet
25. Death at La Fenice
26. The Kentish Manor Murders

hey Look, I'm 1st!! :)

*coffee and cinnamon rolls for the first visitor*

And any others that grace my thread.

Well, that's good because (a) I need the caffeine and (2) I'm starving and it's still 2 hours before lunch...

OOO more cinnamon rolls! *takes two more*

Oh, and welcome to Jim *here, I insist you have another roll and let me fill your cup as well* and Rdear!

Mornings can be pleasant, popular sentiment to the contrary.

I found you :)

Mmm, cinnamon rolls. Thanks, Gail!

Oooh, I'll take you up on both! Cream and sugar with the coffee, if you don't mind. :)

Hi Gail!
It WAS easy, wasn't it? I love this new feature for the new threads.

It's kind of late over here, can I get a raincheck on today's offer for tomorrow when I get up?

Congrats on the new thread and hugs to you dear Gail.

*sniff, sniff*
Do I smell cinnamon rolls?
Any left?

Oh, hi Gail! :)

Cinnamon rolls?!? Oh good, I'm starving...

Gail congrats on the new thread - coffee and cinnamon a match made in heaven.

Hello! Happy to be here in your new thread! :-)

Hi Gail, boy the smell of food really brings us LTer's running! Nothing better than cinnamon buns and hot coffee on a cool winter's day!

What does the 18th visitor get, Gail? I know all the greedy hordes before me would have scoffed up all the cinnamon rolls and drunk the coffee down to the dredges.

Hi, Gail! I'm not here begging for food -- just stopping by to say hello! :-)

Good morning Gail! I wanted to be sure to stop by before things go crazy..
hopefully that just won't happen, but I do have a feeling..

How has life been treating you lately? I hope the vacation glow is still
with you and that things are calm and gentle all around you. I have nothing to report
on the reading front, how about you? What have you been reading?

My poor furkids are puzzled that we were up so early.. (4 am )
I am not best pleased myself.. but it is what it is.
Sometimes there is just no going back to bed.. lol.

Stopping to say Hi and get caught up. Now I have the urge to go out and buy cinnamon rolls.

Nothing special today, alas: New England style Potato Salad made with taters, cukes, onion, mayo, celery seed---and a bit of shrimp just for fun. Everyone is always welcome, though; the coffee is always on and biscuits or cookies of some sort are available at all times.

Life is...well...life. On the good side, Dh, never a man to make a hasty move regarding furniture, has at last concluded that our 40-year-old coffee and end tables need to be replaced. At last. Then he up and agreed that perhaps the sofa with the palm tree upholstery, whilst chic and stylish in FL, is quite a bit less so here in Alahell, so we've ordered a new sofa as well. We did pretty well: it only took us one hour to agree on an upholstery fabric. Not bad.

We had a nice visit yesterday from the Alum. person from Dh's Alma Mater, to chat and invite us to stuff. That's our main charity--an endowed scholarship--so we made another donation to that, a good feeling. However, Dh got soooo tired; he was still tired today and struggled at bridge; I didn't realize how much stress it is for him to carry the conversational ball...in fact, if the Alum. person hadn't left when she did, I was going to be forced to say, "I'm sorry, but Mr. Bo needs a nap now." which was something I didn't want to have to say. But he was visibly flagging.

Anyway, I've read the amazing satire His Monkey Wife, surely one of the oddest books I've seen; also very funny. Just started Cutting for Stone for the R.L. bookclub.

Goodness! Time to get Dh up from his nap and eat dinner! Yikes, the time gets away from me...

stopping by and waving hi!

Good to hear from you Gail. That salad sounds yummy. I'd invite myself over if I didn't already have a fridge full of stuff I need to eat before it goes bad.

And I had shrimp for lunch, so I'm good. Happy New Thread, and congratulations on new furniture! I truly can't imagine.

Yikes! for a while there I couldn't find your thread anywhere..

We put cukes in our macaroni salad.. I love it!
We do not put them in potato salad, but I
have to wonder why not? Habit.......

Happy Saturday :)

Hi Gail. Nice when things are easy, yes?
I'm glad it was also easy to find your new thread after so many days away.

26> Cukes in macaroni salad. Sounds yummy; I'll be trying that!

Just passing through so I can keep the path to your thread clear...
Hope the weekend is a happy one for you..

Hi Gail! Congrats on new tables and sofa! You are so patient... 40 yrs :)

I did not mean to neglect you my dear friend..
I have had a hectic morning.
hugs

pls forgive.

Pouring rain here today. They are saying rain all day.
Hopefully, I will manage some reading time. Books have eluded
me again for the last few days. Not sure why..
I really do want to read the fluffy book that is waiting on the arm of my chair.

What are reading, thinking, cooking and doing these days?

hugs

Hello and weclome to Linda, Ilana, Peggy, Kath, Ellen, and Cee and any lurkers here about...I know you're out there...

Oh dear. Mostly what I've been doing is shamefully neglecting my own thread...sigh. Don't want to be boring...

Let's see: Dh sold the sofa and tables, as I mentioned on Kath's thread, leaving our (really large) living room sort of bare...we do have some extra tables hanging about, so they were pressed into service as side tables for our chairs. The nice man (an acquaintance) kept trying to get me to sell him the recliners as well--sorry, no; we have to have something to sit on...

We had steak for dinner, grilled by Dh. I'm a bit concerned as he faded at bridge quite noticeably in the middle of the afternoon, but picked up later; then he slept very hard for 3 hours this afternoon; then couldn't begin to finish his dinner tonight, which is practically unheard of. Not sure what's going on, but have noticed a, um, sinking in his general abilities. His aphasia (inability to recall the correct word) has increased quite a bit and is driving him crazy. Sad. Really, you can't imagine how sad.

Anyway, I picked around in the flowers this morning---furniture guy loved them and always calls me "the flower lady". Would that it were true. Got to get some new sunflower seeds to start in peat pots this week-end...I start some, and then two weeks later start some more, and then two weeks later, etc. until I run out of seeds and/or patience...that way we have a looooong blooming season. They're Dh's favorite flowers. If started in peat pots (or any little pots) and kept well-watered, they grow and do something called "harden off", which I know sounds obscene but I think just means that they get strong enough to be planted in the ground. Easy to maintain, although the really tall ones (as tall as I am) have to be staked.

Cloudy here today and rain for tomorrow and Friday, I think. We did get some sun, but not much. I think the plants will really take off once we get over the rain. It's warm, almost too warm, but will cool off this week-end.

Oh! I got some of those ancient Ed Emberley drawing books from the library and have been drawing those silly little things he makes. Just therapy.

ETA because I will never, but never, learn to spell that word for someone you know casually who isn't close enough to be a friend.

Perhaps a bit of a book update is in order.

Book 5 of 75:
A Civil Tongue
is an old chestnut by Edwin Newman (and if you remember who he was, you're a friend of mine for sure) on the stupidity of the English language as she is spoke, especially by politicians and newscasters. Oddly, even though the context was that of the Viet Nam War and the Johnson, Nixon, and Ford presidencies, the language he writes about is pretty much the same sort of thing we hear today, which made it even more maddening, if possible.

Book 6 of 75:
Cannery Row
Loved this book by Steinbeck, although it was a bit weak in plotting. His affection for the people shines through the book, without being at all cloying or smarmy.

Book 7 of 75:
The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society
was a read for my RL book club. I thought I'd hate it. Absolutely loved it instead. Something about it just struck exactly the right mood in myself to make this story, of life on a Channel Island during WW 2 and directly afterward, as marvelous. How sad that it was the only novel of its author.

Book 8 of 75:
Duplicate Death
was a re-read from long ago. I didn't like it nearly as much this time out; if it was a bit dated then, it's almost silly now, but it does pick up after the first 30 or so pages.

Book 9 of 75:
Reflections in a Golden Eye
Whoa! McCullers tells this creepy tale of sexual tension and misery in simple, straightforward prose. Really packs a punch.

More tomorrow, I hope.

I'm delurking to say hello, Gail, because you apparently know that I am here. Sadly, I've discovered the only way I can reasonably keep up with my people is by leaving fewer messages. I need a furniture "acquaintance" as I'd like to unload some of the living room furniture that is rarely used but doesn't really fit our space. Maybe I'll tell my DH that it would be just fine if we could knock out a wall! That ought to get his attention and get him onboard with some new stuff.

I've never had good luck growing sunflowers but I think they are so cool. My grandkids would get a kick out of them. I love driving across Kansas when fields of them are blooming in the late summer. Do you harvest the seeds?

Gail, I'm chuckling at your comments about The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society. It's been a couple of years since I read it, but I was also very skeptical. Ended up loving it. I think you nailed it --- for some reads, timing is everything. Well, that and a good text to start with.

Hi Gail, I guess you caught me lurking as well. I also loved The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society when I read it last year.

Another lurker de-lurking to proclaim her love of The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society. Also read it last year, also skeptical at first, also loved it.

I'm really *really* not a gardener - I'm a lover of the great indoors, mostly - but we last year we bought a grow-some-pumpkins kit for kids, for Charlie, and he loved watching them grow. So, I feel that I need to do something like that again this year, and I've bought a handful of seed packets to start in egg cartons and then transplant, one packet being something billed as kid-sized sunflowers. According to the packages, though, we're in a northern-enough zone that I should wait until end of April or so to start the seeds. Gah, I'm such a novice at this - I hope I don't kill off all the plants!

Lots of reading accomplished! Good for you, flower lady :)

I like sunflowers too, but I have never started them that way. I am more of a toss the seed
in the ground and hope for the best, kinda gal. I admire your more more advanced approach :)
Anything I plant in this house is in danger of being done in by the kitties. I have no plants.

Sorry that DH is going through a rough time. Surely this sad to watch and cope with :(
((((Gail)))) it must be very hard.

My word that I can never ever spell is the place that you go to, sit down and order and eat food. !

Good Morning Gail
Wishing you a sunflowery day!

That's a really cool sunflower, Lynda!
Hi Gail!

I have absolutely nothing resembling a green thumb (a trait I inherited from my mother) but the idea of starting plants at the beginning of March is just too weird for my brain to wrap itself around. Part of that could that it's snowing here today. :)

Donna: Hi! I don't harvest the seeds; the birds always beat me to it. One thing I absolutely love about sunflowers is the enormous bumblebees that buzz around them. I can work on the flowers and their attendant dwarf bedmates (whatever I put in there for groundcover--I'm considering some different things this year), and the bees just sort of float around me and never, ever become beligerant--we live in a symbiosis, I guess. Good thing, as I'm highly allergic to insect venom of any kind.

Ellen! So good to see you here, my dear. I can't tell you the number of books I've started and put aside, thinking, "Perhaps this is not for me," only to pick them up months or even years later and think, "Wow! This is great!" Timing is everything.

Judy! Welcome to the Intermittent Thread! I thought G.L.and P.P.S. was super, especially all the humor. I was so sorry to learn that the author, a late bloomer, died before she could finish it, and see how successful it was/is. Now that's sad. Oh, I've read my first mystery for March.

Amber! How is Charley? And Mr. Scaifea? And your sweet self? I know you'll do fine with the kidlet sunflowers. They're very forgiving of novice gardeners. You might want to get a bit of snail bait, though, as snails love sunflower leaves above all other things.

Afternoon, My Dear Kath. Don't I recall some rockin' porch plants from your pics? That's where I start most things, as it's sheltered from the cold and/or the frying sun...oh life around here...you won't believe what I did...

Linda! What an amazing pic of a sunflower! I love it. Hope that you are well and things are better this year than last.

Micky Hey! How ah ya, as we used to say in Mass.! Yeah, life in the South is a trip if you're a transplant from a fairly northern clime. A trip in many ways, I might add.

Now, I know that no one here is quite so stupid as to do what I did last night. Dh has oodles of medications that he takes, all on the first shelf of a narrow kitchen cabinet. I have some myself, on the second shelf. There is one we share, that I usually keep on the second shelf. Well, last night, I thought I was getting the shared med, which is a large white pill. Didn't feel too hot, so took two.

Yes, boys and girls, I inadvertently took the wrong medicine. Unfortunately it was glypizide, a diabetic medication. Within fifteen minutes I had all the symptoms of quickly sinking blood sugar. As that happens (once in a blue moon) to me, I took what I presumed were appropriate measures. Um, no. Fought low blood sugar all night and well into the morning. Rotten stinking feeling, too. So...let this be a lesson to you should you need one (she said darkly) to double check the labels of anything you take at any time, but especially at night, toward bedtime.

>42 Matke: Well I'm not the furthest north you can get in Canada (by a long shot) but I am in the provincial capital that's furthest north. :) I still remember in high school when I went to France on spring break (late March-early April) and we were in Monaco (which was beautiful) and we were horrified because the gardeners were pulling out daffodils. We asked why, and it was then explained that they were removing spring flowers so that they could plant summer ones. Once again, mind boggled.

Sorry to hear about your adventures with pharmaceuticals. I will always check the label, I promise. :)

Oh Gail, sorry to hear about the mix-up with the pills. I know as we get older we just seem to have to exist on one pill or another. Hubby and I try to keep our medications at the opposite ends of the kitchen, but still it pays to always be on guard.

Adventures with pharmaceuticals is an interesting way to describe it. I like it :)

Gail, OMG!!! Bad situation, I am so sorry that you had such a bad time of it. I
am also glad that it passed. YIKES woman, do be careful with yourself. You are the
only one of you that we have, you know. It wouldn't do for something terrible to happen.
I know that you will be more careful, now.. and we will all do the same thanks to your
reminder....(((Gail))))

Gail. I echo Kath's comments. I hope you are feeling much better.

Oh gosh, that's terrifying about the medicine! My mom is a diabetic, and she has to keep a notepad and pencil next to her pills and next to the fridge where her insulin lives, so that once she takes something, she can make a checkmark, so that she'll not forget and take it again 10 minutes later. For a diabetic's medication, that can be deadly, as you know!

And many thanks for the snail warning - *shudder* - I'm demonstrably not a fan and so will take the necessary precautions.

Just peeking in to say that I hope you will post and let us
know how you are feeling today?

Thank you all for the kind thoughts. I'm feeling much, much better today. I found that the effects last about 12 hours--I'd think I was better and then find that no, I wasn't. But all better now. Put my medication properly separate from DH's; finally dragged out the Daily Dose Box thingie and am using it as well. Dh, while demonstrably not happy with what happened, restrained himself admirably and was very patient. Unusual.

All better now, but sadly shaken in the self-confidence department.

Reading Peachtree Road for the RL bookclub--turns out Cutting for Stone is next month's choice. Really, really don't like it.

Oh dear, Gail. A hard lesson re meds. When we were taught about dispensing meds in nursing school, we had to check labels all the time and not trust that the way a pill looks one day will be the same in the future. So - no memorizing colors and shapes. Luckily that training has stuck. I am fanatic about meds even now.

Glad you are all better now. Whew!

You sound very concerned about your DH. I hope his health improves and you get a bit of relief too.
I have seen how frustrating it is to communicate with difficulty whatever the cause. Something we take for granted til we lose that ability.

Hugs for you and hubby.

I have seen how frustrating it is to communicate with difficulty whatever the cause. Something we take for granted til we lose that ability.

Very well written Claudia, and very true.

Will's Uncle (now deceased) sadly suffered from dementia. He was a WWII vet and experience quite a bit of horror. Sadly, as the dementia took over the needle in the record was stuck smack dab in the battle fields of Ardenz.

He stayed with us at various times and we had to hide his meds because he forgot when he took them and would try to take them 15 seconds after a full dose....

Communicating was most difficult. When the small breaks of lucidity broke through it was pure sunshine.

Gail, I'm so glad you're alright. That sounds like a very scary experience! Yikes.

I love your story (over on Kath's thread) about the hawks. What a wonderful moment, standing silently so as not to disturb the hawk who had landed so close to you! I love moments like that.

me too, Ellen.. Did I have my head together enough to say that?
It was a wonderful story.. :) I am not surprised to find that we have

I have always loved, and been somewhat in awe of hawks. We have
plenty of them around here.. No surprise that I admire you, as well :)

Good morning Gail! I am up and at 'em today... sort of. Well I am up.
I have chili started and might do a spaghetti sauce later. Or not.
Snowy here .. but no pone calls yet.. yay! :)

Meds! troublemakers they are. Linda.. my sister had my stepdad's meds out on the
kitchen counter on Saturday when she took him home. He was in there too. . she left
the room to use the bathroom and somehow ( his hands are bad from Raynaud's disease)
he had popped many of them out of the blister packs they were in. She had her hands full
for sure. This reminds me she wants me to go with her to the pharmacy later to talk to the
pharmacist. :P

Oh well.. there ya go, nothing going on of much interest here.. hope it is calm and quiet there
for you!

hugs

Gail? You are all right! Right?

hugs

Oh my goodness! Gail, you were so very fortunate, and I am so very glad it was no worse - even while being sorry for your rough 12 hours. I once came )( that close to putting my father's ear medication in his eyes. I shudder to think of it 32 years after the fact.
(Kathleen, I have a bit of Reynaud's too, and wouldn't live that far north for anything!!!)

Oh Gail, so glad you came out ok from that narrow escape. I've been here at Mom's going on the 2nd week, and medication issues are becoming VEry FRUSTRATING.....She is still very clear in her mind (when she's not doped up on percocet or benadryl) but.....she has pills in 5 different locations, and keeps saying "I know what I'm supposed to take and when" but then if I ask whether she's taken X Y XZ - she has to stop and try to remember if she took that dose or not. Fortunately, I brought my meds in daily containers, and yesterday said "Did I take my morning pills?" She swore I took them, but then I showed her that Sunday's pills were still in the little box marked Sunday Morning.

She maintains that if she's not sure whether she took a dose or not, then she just skips it, and I'm having the devil of a time explaining that can be almost as bad as double dosing. That her body depends on her taking those pills on a regular schedule. She has finally resurrected a plastic pill container that she got for Daddy (he's only been dead 5 years) and never used. She said she was going to fill it up "tomorrow." SO Please let's all keep fingers crossed.

I am so happy for you that you and DH seem to have a system worked out. Just promise--no more pills in the dark w/o reading the label.

Walter insists on some sort of system using
tape on different containers... because
" THAT is how I do things!"

Deb is trying to let him make some choices..
but after today, I don't know what changes, if any will be made.

I just wanted to say hello! and hope your day is a good one :)
I am not too sure how the day will go so I may not have the chance to do
so later :( Take care !!

Just popping in to say Good Morning!

Nothing much to talk about so far today, Thank the goddess!!

Hope it is a serene one for both of us ~

Hello to Cee, Linda, Ellen, Peggy, Tina, and Kath!

I'm fine but down and very very busy with dr. appts. for dh, etc. We had en excellent report from the nephrologist today, completely stabilized now for almost three years; may never have had a problem if it hadn't been for that pesky anyeurism...

Oh, I saw a hawk today on the way home from a few errands...Just resting and preening himself. So handsome.

So I'm using the daily dose-type boxes, which I've had Dh use for years, and everything seems to be okay with that plan. My dad and mum used them too, I remember. If one is on lots of meds, there's no way to remember without that sort of help, I think.

Other than the dr. visit, a quiet day. Some reading, a tiny bit of gardening; not much energy going on hereabouts, I'm afraid.

Oh yes, I'm reading another Michael Innes book, which is outstanding so far. Mystery March is one of my favorite challenges--I love mysteries, although police procedurals are not so much a favorite.

Gail, I have those daily dose boxes, too, to keep my pills and my son's pills separated -- as well as to keep track of what has/has not been taken at any point in time. I'm sure they've helped me avoid mistakes!

Glad to see that you had good news from the doctor. Damned aneurism. :(

Those boxes are good.. I am glad you started to use one...life can be hectic at times....
Hard to keep track of small things.

I hope today is a good one for you...

60> completely stabilized now for almost three years

Good news!

ETA: the thought of aneurisms scares the pants off me!

Kath, Terri, Ellen Thanks to all of you for keeping up with me. I've been in a down sort of mood for a while but am trying pretty hard to maintain, if you know what I mean.

Well, a bit good and a bit bad today. New podiatrist...the last dr. was fine from the care point of view, but over three years, Dh must have spent dozens and dozens of hours waiting, waiting, waiting...I mean, podiatrists are not drs. who commonly have emergencies...just a very, very poorly run office. So I asked my closest friend here, went to her hubster's "toe-ologist"; great office, great, great dr. (!--I tell ya, it's all a crap shoot where docs are concerned), but learned that Dh is "high-risk" for loss of limb because of severely impaired circulation---but both feet look good, nice a white and all, not that awful deep purple, almost black, that some folks get---have you all seen that??? Mlost scary. Dr. asked us why we were in the office three times; finally it dawned on me why we were there and so I blurted out, "because we don't want him to lose a foot," at which point we entered into a discussion re: circulation, dangers, and his (the dr.) main rule for his patients: Never, but never go barefoot anywhere except bed and one's own shower. So...anyway.

Oh, the Innes book is Lament for a Maker, a true tour-de-force that is making me see why Innes is considered so very good a writer. Really an amazing piece of work and lots of fun besides.

My FIL has the deep purple feet and I know they cause him great pain. He has Parkinson's and is pretty much using a wheel chair at all times now, which is part of the issue. I'm glad you blurted out the main concern, which may have seemed obvious on some level, but was instrumental in starting the important conversation!

Interesting rule about not going barefoot.....

Yay for the good new doctor find! So so important to like and trust those people.
Hope you find yourself on an upswing soon.

Ellen: He explained that the smallest wound to the foot, a needle or staple or some tiny thing, could be the start of a long downhill road to disaster, as the lack of circulation really inhibits healing...I wondered why he kept asking, because we had mentioned the diabetic foot issues, the hammer toes, the need to have a professional deal with cutting his nails...then I had a flash--"He wants the bottom line here!"

Amber: You're so right about having to be able to trust the dr. or nurse practitioner, or whomever one is seeing...
And here's one for you: book I'm reading, Lament for a Maker uses a poem title for it's own title. The tag line of each stanza is "Timor mortis conturbat me." I was sooo pleased that I could translate it to "The fear of death disturb(eth) me." Whee, I may have actually learned a bit of that there Latin lingo after all!

WooHoo for translating Latin!!

Oh good! I am a very bad waiter. And since I worked for doctors for years, I know
just how unnecessary it really is, if the schedule is made properly. At least in many cases. Of course, Doctors who do have emergencies commonly charge more for an emergency appointment, so they don't want to have an empty space lest they lose some dollars or have an unfilled appointment. . Very rare, but still.. it is about the money. I am glad that you found someone good, though.. that is golden..

I am glad that things look good for DH, and Sorry to hear about your FIL, Ellen :(

Dear Gail missed your thread for a few days and it makes quite worrying reading with medicinal f@*! ups and a case of the blues.
Sending considerable bear hugs across several oceans to you dear lady. I hope everything rights itself for you and that you are very soon the model of positivity that I have become so accustomed to.

Hi Gail :)

Whew... busy weekend here.. I hope yours was not so much?
I did get some reading done. So how are you my friend? I have
appreciated your visits to my thread, but I am wondering how life
is treating you? I wish some magic dust would rain down on you..
just enough to edge every day with happy... I have been sending energy
in that direction, Hope it works one day soon?

hugs

*fluffing pillows* * humming the soft kitty song*

Thanks to both Paul and Kath for keeping the thread tidy.

Oh, how I wish I had that kitty here right now...so soft...we could nap together...Do you all know how much cats can ease stress??? (And dogs as well, I know, Rdear).

Well, it's been quite busy, with many meetings for me and garden shopping and planting and so forth.

One of our daughters has determined to self-destruct. We are all--five caring adults--unable to do anything about it, as she herself is way, way over 21 and way, way beyond being reasoned with. Heartbreaking, but there it is. So I've been not here for a bit.

But I have been reading. The quick listings below may be considered as my personal form of avoidance therapy.

Book 10 of 75:
The Wee Free Men
This was an off-my-shelves re-read for Fantasy February (remember that?). I loved it just as much as the first time around. There's just enough silliness mixed with Pratchett's off-the-wall but all too accurate social commentary to make this a fun and worthwhile read.

Book 11 of 75:
A Hat Full of Sky
The second in the Tiffany Aching series, a first read from my shelves, again for F. F. I loved this but not quite as much as T.W.F.M. Tiffany grows up quite a bit and there's even more social criticism and lots of elements from mythology, witchcraft lore, and history. His very casual references to historical events often made me say, "Wait. What?" and go back to re-read just a bit. Great for anyone who likes fantasy that's not in the epic form.

Book 12 of 75:
Persuasion
This was off my Nook shelf. As I read my fifth Austen, it occurs to me that perhaps I may have been overly hasty in my first assessment of her work--think I mentioned that above, somewhere. I really enjoyed this one; the heroine and the plot seemed pretty realistic. And have I mentioned how much I like Emma? I've read that twice now, and just smiled all over myself at the end each time, even though Emma is, well, you know. But how many of us (especially me) are convinced that we have the answers to other people's problems?

Book 13 of 75:
If I'd Killed Him When I Met Him
A hilarious mystery read for Mystery March (wow, we're still in that, aren't we?). Although I got this at a book exchange, and so can't count it for my BOMBS project, I passed it right on to someone else, so it's not here taking up space. Anyway, I'd read this several years ago, but of course mostly forgotten the plot (and everythng else, apparently, except the title). Full of wit, sharp characterizations, and not a little feminist oomph, anyone who likes a light mystery is encouraged to explore not only this book, but Bimbos of the Death Sun and several other McCrumb titles. She is, as we say around here, just a mess.

Book 14 of 75:
Book by Book
I read this little guide to life by Michael Dirda almost every year. It's short, full of information on books, and some gentle musing on the vagaries of life. This is an off-my-shelves re-read.

Book 15 of 75:
Book Lust
A re-read from the library--note, not a purchase!--simply because I was bored one day, drove on over, and picked it up for fun. While it's an okay way to spend a couple or three hours, I had the same reaction to it as the first time: she loves everything, almost. Still, some good recs, and the invaluable Pearl Rule.

Book 16 of 75:
His Monkey Wife
An off-my-shelves read.
Meet Emily. She's the heroine of every Victorian morality tale, the epitome of the Victorian ideal of womanhood; intelligent, fiercely loyal to her love, playful, domestically adept, and not above fulfilling the male desire for an aquiescent helpmeet, yet all the while knowing what's best for him and trying to see that he gets it.
Did I mention that Emily is a chimp?
This hilarious satire had me smiling all the way through. Once in a great while the conceit would slip--or my mind would jog slightly loose from its bearings--and I would remember that Emily is, in fact, not human and that this cannot be happening, but what a great book. I've never read anything like it before and I'm awfully glad I found it.

Gail, I'm so sorry to hear about your daughter. I can only imagine how heartbreaking that must be to watch someone you love do themselves harm.

Jane Austen: seems you and I both have done a 180 with her books. I adored Emma as well, and now reading Northanger Abbey and finding it tremendously enjoyable. Persuasion is on the menu this year too. I'm finding that reading them in a tutorial setting with Liz adds greatly to my appreciation as she explains many details that would otherwise be completely lost on me.

His Monkey Wife sounds quite amazing. I looked it up at the library, but no. Which is very ok because I have more books than I know what to do with. Read them of course (duh!), but how. One at a time I guess. Sometimes I have to remind myself to break things down to their simplest parts.

Wish you well my dear. You deserve good things to come your way, but then, you are quite adept at finding joy in all the little things that really make life worth living. xx

I'll be keeping you and your daughter in my thoughts.

Hope everything rights itself for your daughter - having two of my own I can understand the terrors of seeing them do things that we would like to turn back time have have them not to do over.

Gail, I'm so sorry things are rocky in your world lately. Problems with a child are particularly painful, especially since you know you can fix them if they would just listen! Your reading and gardening "therapy" should help give you moments of pleasure to hold onto. Keep on doing as much for your mental health as you can - and know that your support group here on LT is always ready to listen. {{{Big Hugs}}}

So glad you've found some love for Jane Austen, Gail. As my favourite author, I'm always pleased when someone else discovers her better qualities. :)

{{{Gail}}}
So sorry you are suffering too much misery lately.
Wish I could wave a magic wand and make you Queen for a Day (remember that?)
You certainly have your hands full and are trying so valiantly to hold it all together. Good luck!
I suspect I don't know the half of it ...
Wishing you unexpected happy moments.
Pls take good care of yourself.

btw - Good progress in the reading department! :)

Nothing can bring us to our knees quicker than a child ( of any age ) in trouble, or in pain.
I am so sorry that your daughter is going through a bad time. I will be sending
as much positive energy as I can muster to her, through you... so you get the good of it too ..

I hope she comes around and sees how much she is loved, and soon.
(((Gail)))

Do try to take care of you, too.. you are a rock in their lives...
but need to see to yourself to stay that way..

Gail, so sorry to hear of your troubles. Hopefully you are able to escape into the comfort of a good book every now and again. Like the others above, I hope you take care of yourself. (((Hugs)))

Gail.. you are one that I think might enjoy If You Lived Here, I'd Know Your Name..
It is such a cozy and comfortable read.. filled with such interesting characters. I thought of Cee
because of her town newsletter.. and you for the comfy factor. That is what is making it so great a
read for me :)

Hope you have a calm and happy weekend !

Many thanks to Ilana, Amber, Paul, Donna, Micky, Cee, Kath and Judy for the kind good wishes in this messy, messy time.

The worst part is finally facing the fact that probably, no, she's not going to change or even modify. It's just getting worse and worse and worse...she seems to see nothing wrong, just "(Blank's) Excellent Homeless Adventure." There's more, but none of it good. Sigh, of the heavy sort.

On a lighter note, perhaps I was a bit, oh, pretentious about my...animal symbol. You know, the hawk. Of course the hawk has been here constantly for about 10 days, in and out and in and out...however.
So have bumblebees. Always diving around me, madly humming, on whatever bumblebee errands they're running. This morning two crazily divebombed Dh and me on the back porch, got so excited by something they ran into one another, one got knocked to the ground on his *back* and had to scramble mightily to his feet, when they proceeded with their game of...Keepaway? Catch me if you can? Come with me to the Bumblebee Casbah?

Added the book, Kath, it looks right up my alley.

Oh, and Cee, remind me to talk to you sometime...it's a crazy family; our motto used to be "We put the fun back in dysfunctional", but now it's not fun.

Dear Gail, I'm sorry about your daughter and willing you and your DH to accept what you can and can't do to help her.
Your books sound good - especially the one about Emily and, of course, Persuasion. It's a great favorite, and I feel some sort of proprietary interest that you liked it. Glad you are now secure with a good foot doctor. My mother's feet are quite purple, but her pulse is very strong down there. Curious. Also a prediction of things to come for me, I guess.
Speaking of comfort reads that are still entertaining, have you ever tried Nancy Clark's The Hills at Home? It's the first of a trilogy, recommended to me by Lucy, and a whole lot of fun. I need to get to at least the second book this year.
Anyway, thinking about you AND enjoying the bumblebees!

Sorry to hear about your daughter Gail, that sounds like a very tough situation to deal with. Glad to see you're enjoying the Tiffany Aching books.

Oh GOOD! I do think you will enjoy If You Lived Here, I'd Know Your Name! I also think you might
like the one Cee just finished, Little Chapel on the Riverwhich I read a couple of years ago. They are similar :) and both heartwarming, but as different from each other as they are similar. Does that make sense?

As for your daughter? All I can offer is ((((((((Gail))))))))) and fervent hope that she finds her way..
soon.

Sorry to hear about your troubles. Here's hoping for better days! (((Hugs)))

Just wishing you a good morning .. last full day of winter...
I hope that there were some smile makers in your yesterday :)

So sorry to hear about your daughter, Gail. Hugs to you!

I loved your little story about the bumblebees.

Just keeping your thread warm for when you get back :)

Gail, sorry to hear that things are tough with your daughter right now. I hope things improve for her -- and for you! -- very soon. Being a parent is so hard. Staying in there but also giving space and recognizing the limits to what you are able to do...... one of the toughest jobs on earth.

I love the bumblebee story. We get a lot of them around our back yard and I just adore them. So beautiful and so noisy!

It is going to be 80ish here again today. This is a little worrisome..
I am just trying not to think about it. Just call me Scarlett!

Not sure what the day will hold... I finished a book, and have been
mulling reading Hunger Games. I have it.......dunno.
Hope the day brings something good for each and every one of us!

Hmmm wouldn't that be great? Imagine if everyone in the world had something
very good happen for them today? Little good things happen all the time.. but if.. say..
at a moment in time, every single person had something wonderful happen.. I wonder if
the good energy generated would change the world as we know it?

I know.. I do tend to wander off into crazy thoughts at times.. but really.. what if?

Hi Gail,
Any chance you can get a really nice massage. It's so relaxing and then you smell so dang wonderful! I'm about ready for another myself.

Yes, Kath, that would be wonderful. Really wonderful! We can dream...

Well, hi to all. Let's see:

Peggy, It's surprising to me how much I've come to enjoy at least two of J.A.'s novels. P. and P. is also enjoyable, but S. and S. and M.P., well, not so much. I've looked up The Hills at Home...looks good!

Heather, Thank you for the kind thoughts. This is, as you may imagine, difficult. I'm always used to trying to fix things, but some things just can't be fixed, unfortunately. Anyway, I am enjoying Pratchett...I've always loved "Fractured Fairy Tales", and they haven't lost their charm for me, old lady that I am.

Porua, Terri, Ellen: Thank you for your kind thoughts as well. It's been a rough ride so far this year, but still, it could be worse. We continue to try to be calm and hopeful, or at least calm.

Kath Wow! That would be great. Tiny wonderful things happen to me all the time. The tinyness doesn't interfere with their being wonderful though. It's quite warm here as well, into the low 80's in the late afternoons, which is hot for March. Or April. But we try to get out in the cooler mornings to do our yard stuff, and just ease around in the afternoons, maybe sit on the porch with a cool beverage. I'm angling for one of those fake rattan rocking chairs, the kind that can be washed off with just the hose. They're a bit pricey, but I know I'll get one sooner or later this summer.

And last but by no means least, Cee! There are a couple of really good places within easy driving distance to get a massage. That's my next step. They are sooooo relaxing.

So: been doing lots of gardening sorts of work. Finally got a place laid out for a flower garden, marked off with brick-colored edging. Of course, it takes about 6 months to really get that going with compost and soil amendments, so won't be planting there until the fall and then next spring really get going with perenials; I hope to have, at last, a planned flower bed, instead of my usual, "Oh, that's pretty! Let's get 6 or 12 of those, and then...oooo...10 of these, and few of that over there." I like those gardens, they have a casual charm all their own, but it's been a long-time dream to have a "real" garden with some order and color coordination to it. Coninuing to plant sunflowers, and some dahlias, and, um, caladiums...and transplanting some canna lilies, which grow about 4 feet high and interfere with sprinklers and other plants.

On the reading front:
Book 17 of 75:
Peachtree Road
is a southern novel somewhat reminiscent of Pat Conroy (who thinks the sun rises and sets on this author's head). I read it for the RL book club, but didn't care for it too much. I probably would have loved it the 70's, but now that I've read so much more, and much more widely, this kind of left me feeling, "Eh. Okay, but wouldn't pick this one to read on my own."

Book 18 of 75
Lament for a Maker
which is considered Michael Innes's masterpiece. Even though I had an ancient copy printed in about 6 point type, I loved every second of it. A great, great mystery and highly recommended.

Gail impressed with the green fingers from the excellent gardening. Innes was pretty good at mysteries wasn't he?

Hi Gail, I am a fan of classic mysteries, yet I haven't read a Michael Innes. When visiting my family we often go to a vintage mystery store called The Haunted Bookshop, I will have to see if I can find some of his books.

Yes, tiny wonderful things happen to me, too ...
Thank goodness huh? I think it's what keeps us going...
hugs

Another day almost done... I hope there was an abundance of
tiny wonderful things and one or two bigger ones :)

How was Fiddler on the Roof?

Oh and fries... with butter? really? I have never heard of that..

hugs

Hi Gail, I've been a no-show on LT these past few weeks, but wanted to stop by and catch up with you. Gardening didn't appeal to me at all when I was a busy executive-type person, but now, with time on my hands and being city bound, it definitely sounds like a nice way to spend time. Soooo much upkeep though... good luck with it. And hope things are looking up? And if not, hope you're managing to keep it together.

Hugs from me too. xx

Hi, Paul. The green thumbs, and dirty hands, were a long time coming for me. Much trial and error, a bit of cursing, some badly mangled nails, and now we have gardening as a major hobby. About Innes: I find his books, of which I admit I've not read many, to be uneven. But that Lament for a Maker was super. I've several more hanging about so I can do further research on his work

Judy, hey. I'd certainly give Innes books a look when you can. They're very interesting, each being quite different from the last. And I'm probably preaching to the choir here, but I again recommend Ngaio Marsh. Even though I easily figured the whodunnit in the latest one I read, the book was a sheer delight. H.R.F Keating is another author you might want to check. Funny and not too bloody.

Kath! What! No butter on fries? My dear, what is a potato for if not to be a platform for yummy butter, salt and pepper? And if one is lucky, some homemade gravy once in a while. I don't care for potatoes very much in and of themselves; they're kind of like rice to me--ya gotta do something to them to make them worthwhile. Scalloped; hash-browned; baked with (right) butter, salt, pepper, maybe cheese; potatoes Anna; potato salad...the one prep. I don't like unless drowned in gravy is mashed. Urg. Bad childhood memories of being forced to sit for quite literally hours, until I ate the blasted stuff. Erk.

Oh, Fiddler was wonderful. Really. Extremely professional group, the original music and choreography, a receptive audience; just lots of fun. I wore an un-fancy dress and Dh a jacket and tie; he felt overdressed as almost no one else had a tie.

Ilana, welcome back to my thread, Dear. You're right about gardening being high maintenance. However, said maintenance provides a nice outlet for those, "Blast! Damn! Stupid Poeple who don't listen to me!" feelings with no one being hurt and lots of frustration worked off.

Two days without the internet brought home how much I rely on it for everything from information to friendship to billing to shopping...whoa. Amazing. Thank heavens I've got a really good access provider.

I love potatoes.. but, I love them for what you put on them... you're right.
For me, fries are vehicles for ketchup or fry sauce :) oh, and I do NOT like
potato salad, hot or cold :PPP

Mashed, dripping butter.. yes! or gravy... yes. Or with cheese.. yes ~

mmmm

Hi Gail,
Oh, how I would love gardening if there were no blasted hot sun, weeds, bugs, worms or snakes! So - I guess that means I would only like to water the plants...and even that I prefer to leave to Mother Nature.
Hm... not a green thumb on either hand :(

Glad you enjoyed Fiddler! I still marvel at how casual people are when they go out to performances now. Thought it was just Maine... but... no, guess not.

Thinking of you and sending love

Hi, Gail! Just stopping by to say hello.

I am not much of a gardener -- my father was fabulous at making things grow, but I didn't inherit that gene. I have a "brown" thumb -- can kill any plant except the ones I want to get rid of!

sadder, wiser *smooch*

So wish I was there, we'd have some Bloodys and a rip-snortin' good laugh over ribs, cole slaw, and spoon bread. All of which I make well.

I would like to join you for the Bloodys and a rip-snortin' good laugh over ribs, cole slaw, and spoon bread, minus the ribs.. I don't really like ribs.

I used to enjoy gardening. I have not changed my mind since last year though.
I would like to wake up tomorrow and find that all of the flowers around my house have been
replaced by grass. I wish I could just say "make it so" and enjoy the result.

Nothing much to say, but I wanted to stop by with wishes for a good sunday..

Just stopping by to say hello Gail.

A new week... hope yours will be filled with good things :)
I continue to send positive energy toward your daughter, in hope that
she sorts things out sooner, and allows you some peace of mind and heart.

hugs

Hi Gail...de-lurking to say you've really added a good jolt to my already blossoming gardening bug. Every 5-8 years I get really jazzed up, do the same thing you talked about: "I'll have 2 from column A, and oh -let's throw in a few of those, etc etc" and end up with an electic swathe of Mother Nature. But I've really gotten the farm garden bug again (we used to have a HUGE patch when we lived in VA) and I'm going to try again to have some fresh veggies here in my rather wooded lot in Maine. Just have to get rid of some lawn (sorry Kath), scare off the deer, possoms, and coons, and hope that we get enough sun, reasonable warmth, and the beetle traps work.

In the meantime, I'm hedging my bets with a CSA share in the local farm up the road, and I may buy another chicken -- I love getting the fresh eggs from "Martha", the chicken who lives up on the farm.

So glad tho that you have a project to enthuse and rejuvenate you. Just be sure to get a little pot of mint to have for all that iced tea you're going to need for hot summer days to come!

Getting rid of lawn is fine :) even scaring off deer. I used to do a big garden.
I have no plans for anything this year.. just keeping up with what I have already.
They took my tree down today and I am sad :(
(ash borers got it and I hate them. a lot. I loved my tree and it loved me back. )

just leaving a quick hello and a hug for you Gail..

Just stopping by to say hello. Hope you are enjoying spring so far, Gail.

Sandy K

Stopping in to say "Hi" before I retire for the night.
Limp, tired little wave :)
Be back tomorrow....

Thank you to: Terri, Rdear, Kath, Heather, Tina, Sandy, and Cee for keeping my sadly neglected thread warm and cozy. Sometimes it's hard for me to get on here--I mean on the computer and then come here--because, well, emotions overwhelm me and I hate, hate, hate that. So anyway...

Daughter is still off the rails and probably will remain so for some little time. I will say that she is one of the most creative, and entertaining, liars I've ever met. That's not much help in getting all together, but still...Nothing I can do. Nothing.

Dh is sliding a bit downhill, but this is mostly noticeable in situations where there are lots of people and he's required to concentrate quite a bit. The pressure is occasionally too much for him, resulting in slight meltdowns; very upsetting, but I'm working on deep breathing and inwardly repeating, "This is the disease. This is not him and certainly not you." I don't seem to hear myself very well, though.

They say confession is good for the soul...so I'm announcing my massive, but one hopes temporary, fail with the slowing down in book buying. As of this date, I've read 25 books, of which 15 were BOMBs, 6 were library books, and the rest new or borrowed. Not bad, right? Right, until one realizes that I've bought 28. So, not only have I bought more than I've read off the shelves, I've bought more than I've read, total. 19 of the purchases are e-books--so fatally easy to press those buttons!--and three were for my RL bookclub. But now, really, that's a failure.

Oh dear.

I was just on my way to see you here..
I am sorry that you are having a hard time right now. I keep wishing
that things would get better for you. It is so draining to be the "grown up"
for everyone :( I completely understand how hard it can be to believe yourself
when it comes to coping with the hardest times..

huge hugs

As for the book buying, I think books are therapeutic, and you should keep up the good work!
Maybe even some fluff..

rd just posted about this fluffer on fb..and I grabbed it
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B004Q9TGG0/?tag=afbm-20

Gail, I just had a mini book-buying spree today. I definitely think it's therapeutic!

one of the most creative, and entertaining, liars I've ever met.
Your daughter sounds like a friend of mine from high school. After years of all sorts of problems (including major mental health issues and 4 or 5 divorces) she did finally get her life together, last I heard.

Best wishes to you!

Gail, it's good to hear from you, even though it sounds like you're going through a rough patch, which is really too bad.

I don't know that there's much I can say to help with the situation with DD or DH, but on the book buying front, I can certainly try to make you feel better by telling you just how bad I've been. I've read 44 books this year so far (exactly half are audiobooks). 15 off the shelf, so to speak, even though nearly half of those are actually... audiobooks too. Books bought? Ummm... try nearly... SIXTY! Which is well over half of the 104 I was hoping to limit myself to this year. At this rate, I'm still buying way more than I can even hope to read this year. Sigh. But books a fun. And life? Not always, as we well know.

Hugs to you darling.

Hang in there, Gail! We're all here for you. (((Hugs)))

CLICK

Just wanted to share :)

Kath! Thank you as always for your kind thoughts. Things are a bit better; that is, I'm hanging on a bit better.

And my land! What a fantastic surprise #119 is! Whew. I'll be there many times. Mother and I used to collect kaleidoscopes...how did you...never mind...you just did.

xo

Terri and Ilana: Oh, yes, the book buying and then just scanning the shelves, idly turning pages, is very therapeutic, very soothing. But wow, Ilana! I know you get lots of audio books, but still...whew! Never mind; I think I have more books than I'll get to in this lifetime.

Porua! I'm so glad you stopped by. You can't imagine (well, maybe you can, at that) how comforting it is to know my Lt friends care and check in from time to time.

In actual book news, I've read several mysteries for Mystery March, but will give full list tomorrow, as I can't seem to find my little notes right now...

Oh, and on the good news front, another daughter, whose life is, um, different, has just applied for and got a great new job, with a huge pay raise and lots of new challenges in her chosen field, online publications. That was/is a real daybrightener.

Gail, I don't know if your confession helped, but I can certainly relate to the book-buying extreme! I'm running out of shelf space......

I'm glad for your daughter. It sounds like she is finding/creating success for herself.

Glad you liked it :) I have always been a huge fan of kaleidoscopes, too. I used to have one,
but I haven't seen it in ages.. I may have given it away :-/ or lost it?

And congratulations to the other daughter :) I am happy to hear good news!

Not much to share this morning.. the day is new. I am enjoying my read of
11/22/63, and in a weird way it feels like I myself have fallen back in time.
Some of the phrases, the descriptions.. they feel like I was there. Well, I was so?

Hope you have a peaceful Sunday :)

eta nook book freebie

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/murder-on-the-rocks-karen-macinerney/1100299932?...

Amen for day brighteners. It sounds like you could use many of those.

BIG hugs to you. I wish you could get a break from stress. You are a kind, loving soul!

I'm sending lots of stars to you!

Hi! Congrats on your other daughter's new job! :-)

I haven't read any mysteries for a while which is a shame really for a mystery lover like me. I have got to remedy that soon!

Ellen: Oh, yes, I just got the book mentioned by Kath, above; at least it's on the nook and not taking up shelf space--and free, too.

Kath: Hi, Dear. Sunday was peaceful, thank goodness. Got a call from my brother and he'll be up here for a couple of days in about a week; good news--haven't seen him for a while--added the book, it looks like a light cozy mystery, just the thing for heavy-duty days.

Linda: I'm so glad you dropped by. You are an inspiration to all of us...I may have mentioned that before. Love the picture! Charming but not sticky.

Porua: I know you're probably right out straight with one thing and another and hope that you can get to some mysteries for relaxation. Not that there's anything wrong with your more classical reading!

Book 19 of 75:
A Reading Life: Books for the Ages
No touchstone and I've already returned the book to the library, so don't know its ISBN. Anyway, this is all about the joys of re-reading books with layers of meaning over one's lifetime, and how (or if) they hold up to multiple reads. Funny, I keep reading books about re-reading, while I'm trying to do less of same. Huh.

Book 20 of 75:
The Various Haunts of Men
the first Simon Serailler mystery. Oddly, this book is much more concerned with a policewoman who works under Simon. Very enjoyable, but with a sad ending. Different from most mysteries. I'm not a fan of police procedurals, but this is much, much more than that. I'm looking forward to the next one.

Book 21 of 75:
Death of a Fat God
A very funny mystery by H.R.F. Keating. The story takes place during the opening of an opera, and there's plenty of the massive egos and interpersonal warfare we think of with opera. Most entertaining, and made me want to go back to read more of Keating; I liked his books very much a long, long time ago.

Book 22 of 75:
Overture to Death
A marvelous Ngaio Marsh mystery with Inspecter Alleyn called in to a small village in the middle of winter to investigate the murder of the supremely bossy Idris Campanula. Marsh is at her best here, lots of fun with the characters and plenty of village atmosphere. The murderer is easy to spot, relatively speaking, but who cares? It's just a good time for those who like classic British mysteries.

Book 23 of 75:
Chaim Potok
The first book-length critical work about Potok I've come across, this scholarly study, while a bit repetitious, is a nice introduction to Potok's themes and ideas. Would be of interest to any fan of Potok's work.

Book 24 of 75:
Skeleton Looking for a Clsoet
No touchstone. An odd family story--both the story and the family are very, very odd--about an old and a new murder, with an unsatisfactory ending. Just strange.

Book25 of 75:
Death at La Fenice
The first of the Brunetti series. I loved this story, which takes place in Venice; again, a murder occurs during the opening of an opera performance. Not as light-hearted as Book 21 above, but Brunetti is a great main character and the Venetian atmosphere aand the Italian point of view are well presented by Leon. Plenty of subtle humor, too. A winner!

Book 26 of 75:
The Kentish Manor Murders
is an homage to Sherlock Holmes by a serious student and critic of detective stories. Enjoyable for the most part.

So: 8 mysteries read for Mystery March! Yay!

A note: it occurs to me that
A. I love mysteries.
B. I love stories having to do with opera.
C. I love stories having to do with academia.

Conclusion: My ideal mystery would take place at a music school, perhaps Juliard or the Boston Conservatory of Music, during the production of an opera. I wonder if there is such a book?

Edited to correct an egregious punctuation error. Shame, shame on me.

Wow, Gail, that's quite an array of reviews. If I hear of a book that meets your criteria, I'll be sure to let you know. You may have to write one! Lol.

That's great news about other-Daughter. She sounds like a good role model for her sister.

Hi Gail, I am glad that enjoyed your mysteries that you read during March. Good news about one of your daughters, fingers crossed for the other to turn things around. Take care.

I confess to having spent some time yesterday trying to find your perfect book...
but had no luck :P That sounds like a tough combo, lol

Not sure what today will bring for either of us, but lets hope for good things, eh?

I seem to remember reading a book or two by Chaim Potok, but I have never
been inspired to read one about him...

The Simon Serailler books keep popping up, I really do want to go back to that series and
catch up. I really like Susan Hill...

Wishing you good things today...

Hi Gail!
How about Requiem in Vienna: A Viennese Mystery by J. Sydney Jones?
Doesn't meet all your criteria - but close. It's historical fiction.

I haven't read it - looks interesting (LT oracle thinks I will LOVE it - that's rare).

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/deadworld-j-n-duncan/1102187731?ean=978075826789...;

Cee's sounds better than the one I posted above, which was today find for free to nook..

Now, about your new car.. what sort? What color?
Does it have a sun/moon roof?
Do you love it?
Are you out cruising?

*folds hands to wait patiently*

Ah, yes. The new car!
Let's hear all about it... boy or girl?
What's your car's name?

I think she is out cruising....
with the top down..
and DH blowing bubbles
( Like I do when I go out with Margie)

Or they woke up and simultaneously shouted ROAD TRIP!!!
Grabbed undergutchies and peanut butter and roared off !
or..
hmm

hahahaha.

Okay, you two! It's a Ford Escape XLT; color is Matador Red with camel-colored leather seats. It does have a moon roof; Dh calls it Little Rig (as in very very small semi); I of course call it Carmen, in view of the color. So it's gender depends on who's driving it. Loaded with gadgets and whistles, my favorite being the--good grief, have I been living in a cave or something?--the backing-up camera, which shows up as an inset pic. in the rear-view mirror. Amazing. Also, the backing-up sensor dings when the vehicle gets close to an object, and stream dings when within 10 feet. This may be a considerable help to Dh as he drives. Of course, we have yet to get it cleaned up and serviced at the dealer's and must pay the really quite small bill--Dh traded his beloved truck in--get it registered and pay the dadblasted excise tax. We already transferred the insurance over with one simple phone call. Remaining paperwork to be tidied up tomorrow. It's always a thrill to get a brand-new car.

Although I had no intention or desire for a new vehicle right now, I am nevertheless quite relieved not to have to horse the F150 around parking lots designed for compact cars. This seems to be exactly the right size for me, and is much easier for Dh to get into and out of. Given his height, however, those other activities that may or may not take place in cars would be, at best, a problem in physics: how to get 10 pounds of person into a 5-pound bag.

On the order of unintended consequences, the gent. who sold us the car told me he'd hook my phone up to the Blue Tooth system in the car--hmmm...not wanting to be thought hopelessly archaic and out of the loop by a man clearly as old as I am, I bought a new phone today. I can see that my former maybe, oh, 60 minutes every six months is going to go up astronomically. 'Bout time, too.

Both of us woke up this a.m. and realized that this is our 26th anniversary, and we had nothing prepared. "So, look in the driveway," Dh said, " guess that'll do for a present for both of us."

Heh.

ETA: I still have my traveling sofa, a Buick Lucerne. It's nice too.

huh? Very nice! Maybe if THE BEAST had a moon roof, I would like it better...it also has a back up camera. I haven't warmed up to it yet, dinosaur that I am....

Who is your cell phone carrier?
It is really easy to hook up the blue tooth... I like mine, when it understands what I am saying.

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY!!!!

We we be at 41 years in August... time flies when your having.... something, I can't remember how that
phrase ends...

Thanks for the update :)

Happy Anniversary, Gail!

That is one super vehicle... go Carmen!
Safe driving wishes for many, many miles :)

Happy Anniversay!
And nice car! I haven't seen the backing up camera in action yet but it sounds handy to have!

Happy Anniversary, Gail! My parents will be celebrating their 30th one in about two months. :-)

Chiming in to add my Happy Anniversary to the list - congrats!

Love the car, too!

Good morning to you! So, in all seriousness..
Will you take a trip to break in the new car?

We haven't yet. Our car is a year old and has about 3,000 miles on it..
We are considering a trip to see my DC area kids.. The kitties pose no problem,
but one of Amy's two dogs is a very rambunctious Pit Bull ? mix .. who may be a problem
for Duncan.. She isn't mean or bad, just.. kinda crazy. I am considering the option of leaving
him with Cory for one night.. not sure.

Good morning!

Hoping today is a wonderful one for you.. !

A belated Happy Anniversary Gail. And congrats on the car! I've only ever had the one car, and never a new one. Must be pretty exciting. Good news about your daughter. Maybe it'll influence the other one? Good news anyway.

Hope you're well.

Kath, that kaleidoscope thing made me dizzy, but how cool! I actually started a collection a few years ago. I need to look at them more often, I just love kaleidoscopes too.

Belated Happy Anniversary, Gail! Hope you're enjoying the new vehicle. I loved A Death at La Fenice too. Seems like we have some similar tastes in books.

A note: it occurs to me that
A. I love mysteries.
B. I love stories having to do with opera.
C. I love stories having to do with academia.

Conclusion: My ideal mystery would take place at a music school, perhaps Juliard or the Boston Conservatory of Music, during the production of an opera. I wonder if there is such a book?

If there is, I'm sure I'd enjoy it! (If there are any mystery writers lurking here on the threads, here's your next assignment!)

Hi Gail....

We librarians aim to please --in answer to your plea, my handy-dandy plot finder machine has yielded up

Puccini's Ghost by Morag Joss
Vivaldi's Virgins by Barbara Quick

Not sure if there's too much academia, but mystery and opera definitely....

Enjoy your new car, bask in the happiness of being able to celebrate another anniversary together and have a great weekend.

Goodness, my thread got away from me here just a bit!

Donna: I did think about writing my own story to fit my criteria, but a sad lack of talent stands in the way. Sigh.

Judy: We're still crossing all crossables but with decreasing optimism. But on the good side, I always enjoy my mysteries. The number of mysteries I've read must be astronomical.

Kath: Do try those Serrailler books. Hill certainly does a great job with the first one. I think there something you'd like.

Cee! Requiem in Vienna is now on the Nook. Heh. Looks great, too.

To all: the vehicle is a Ford Escape Limited in Toreador red; I guess my excitement the other day made me a bit careless. It's a great ride, I really do love it. Probably it will be Dh's last new vehicle. He decided to buy it all on his own...just brought me along for color choice and to make sure I'd like it and be willing to drive it. It's easier for both of us to handle.

Kath: The phone is hooked up to the Blue Tooth thing now. I have the CHEAPO carrier, Virgin Mobile, because I truly don't do much with the cell. I'm not sure if we'll take a road trip...maybe a road trip of 600 miles or so...just not sure. We don't drive that much, really; maybe 12,000 between the two of us...

Many thanks to Kath, Cee, Chelle, Porua, Amber, Ilana, and Tina for good wishes on the car and the anniversary. I'm so glad we can still be together and have some fun. Got an email from my aunt, saying my uncle, much further along with the same condition, can do less and less. Soooooooooooooo sad.

Terri, I'm going to check out your library next week-end (we have company all week coming up).

Tina: both books on the Nook. Thanks for finding them...I often have times when nothing, but nothing in my usual reading will serve, so I'm always on the lookout for what I call Blue Day Books, like the ones you and Kath and Cee have recommended to me lately.

Seem to be caught up, I think. I read a great book off my shelf, The Style's the Man by one of my favorites, Louis Auchincloss. I'll do a proper review as soon as I can.

I forgot to mention Gail that I'd read Death at La Fenice a few years ago and really enjoyed it too, and that I was glad to notice that of the two Ngaio Marsh books I have in my (audio) collection, I happen to have Overture to Death also. The other Marsh I have is Artists in Crime, which I mistakenly got as an abridged version and I think my appreciation of it suffered much as a consequence.

yay! It looks like Cee and Tina were able to track down good ones :)
Doesn't that just make you want to hug yourself with glee ? LT is
a filled to the brim with enablers who find us books that we just have to have..
as my creaking shelves and nook can attest.

I did read the first two Serrailler books.. and I liked them.. Hill can tell a tale, alright :)
It is just squeezing them in that's the problem. I may not be quite as bad as rd when it comes to downloading freebies and cheapies onto a reader.. but I am pretty bad. I probably latch on to 5 a week or so.. Having both a nook and an iPad with a kindle app is perilous !

Company coming? I will miss you, but I hope that a wonderful time is had by all!

Oh, dear. Now you've all got me looking. Not much including the academic angle (no luck there), but searching "mystery" and "opera" as keywords in our state library database, these look like possibilities:

Gail, one of Linda Fairstein's Alexandra Cooper mysteries, Death Dance, takes place at the Met -- although it's actually a ballerina that's murdered. (Do you like ballet, too?) I seem to recall that it's pretty good.

Margaret Truman did a Murder at the Opera.

The Stranger in the Opera House by Helen Macie Osterman

Requiem in Vienna by J. Sydney Jones (Oh, Cee already found that one!)

Interrupted Aria: the first baroque mystery, by Beverle Graves Myers
The Painted Veil: the second baroque mystery, by Beverle Graves Myers
Cruel Music: the third baroque mystery, by Beverle Graves Myers
The Iron Tongue of Midnight: the fourth baroque mystery by Beverle Graves Myers
Her Deadly Mischief (fifth in series) by Beverle Graves Myers

Holy Guacamole! by Nancy Fairbanks (murder at an opera's post-production party)

Requiem for a Mezzo by Carola Dunn

Ransom at the Opera by Fred Hunter

Death of a Baritone by Karen Sturges

Bantam of the Opera by Mary Daheim

The Metropolitan Opera Murders by Helen Traubel

Murder at the Opera: great tales of mystery and suspense at the opera (no touchstone) ed. by Thomas Godfrey

And there's an anthology Murder to Music which contains some opera-related short-story mysteries.

I have no idea if any of them are any good, except for the Fairstein.

*faints*

* dabs at Gail's forehead with lace handkerchief soaked in lavender water*

*pours a stout whiskey...tastes it to make sure it is good...puts it to Gail's lips*

*spurts a bit...sips...revives slowly...sits up...grabs nook...*

.sits up...grabs nook...*

Uh, oh. Is it in "buy" mode?

Oh, Honey, it's always in the "buy" mode. Sometimes I can beat it into submission and it will find the "Add to Wishlist" button. Sometimes.

LOL I feel your pain, Gail.. mine is always in BUY mode, too :)
So is the kindle! Wishlists .. oh my.. more damage waiting to happen, sigh.

Terri.. you are one that is an enabler for me, too :)
You suggest or read books that I want to read too!

Wishing you a day so good, Gail.. that when it is nearly over.. you hope for a repeat tomorrow!

HAPPY EASTER, GAIL!

So does your company come today?
Hope it is a great week filled with lots of quiet good times..
and spots of hilarity here and there, just for fun :)

Wishing you a belated Happy Easter, dear Gail! :-)

Okay, way behind here, but just catching up on the new car bit.
When we were buying our new Subaru, the sales guy was bragging about the back-up mirror and my reaction was "yeah, yeah, whatever." It came with the car we'd picked, and I LOVE THE BACK-UP MIRROR! It now goes on the list, along with heated seats, of "things all my future cars must have." I am now a near-perfect parallel parker. In a city. Take that, 10th-grade driver's ed teacher. (actually, I was always pretty good at it, but now I'm downright talented!)

Gail - catching up after getting embarrasingly behind. Belated new car, Easter and anniversary celebrations in whichever order you wish to place them my dear.

Heated seats... I do not have them... I wish I had them.
I also want to know why they can't come up with a better way to de-fog and de- ice
windshields ? Srsly.. it's time.

Ellen.. I used to be much better at parking, but for many years I drove a small car. A cavalier. I had a series of them.. then gave them to my kids. ( weep) I loved my cavaliers. Now I have this horrid beast...
and no matter how many cameras it has ( one) I can't warm up to it.. nor can I park it with any degree of
ability. I park in ridiculous places and I downright dislike it. :( I would trade it for a ten year old cavalier any day of the week.

oops! sorry for grumping up your thread, Gail...
Hope your day is a pleasant and happy one :)

Cee, love the chick! How cute!

Porua Hope that your Easter was spring-like, calm and beautiful.

Ellen! I love that mirror. It's like being in a whole new world. We have the heated seats as well. And heated rear-view mirrors, some sort of defrost thing going on in the rear windshield as well.

Paul, It's so nice to see you here. You're such a busy guy; can't keep up with half of what you're doing.

Kath, I'm dyin' of curiousity here...what exactly is The Beast? One of the things I seriously disliked about Dh's F150 was the whole parking issue...it's too big, too wide, too damned unwieldy to comfortably park. And then there was the time that I was having dreadful difficulty steering, exhausting myself each time I drove it--turns out the whole rack-and-pinion system had given way. Urg.
You can grump up my thread any old time.

Well, we have some company. They stay at a local motel, very wise of them. Brother has serious health issues from a stroke, so needs special care, but remains mentally very very sharp and it's always a joy to talk about family with him...we're four years apart, so we each know stuff the other one doesn't. One funny thing is that he brought down small school pics from when he was 10 and I was 6. The resemblance is astonishing, and one I didn't recognize until I first saw these little photos. And of course we talk about and share books...he brought me the complete works of Thoreau in a Library of America edition, and I gave him Team of Rivals, which I just finished. We share movie and music stuff as well.

They're leaving on Wednesday, and oldest daughter arrives on Friday. Glad I've got a day off in between...

Hi Gail!
Good luck with your company... I'll be in the same boat Sat - Weds. Multiple guests - incl my sister who makes me crazy. I guess summer is starting early.
Everyone stays here. The sheets will be flying on and off the beds :P More wash :{

ETA I loved Team of Rivals - loved it!

I loved Team of Rivals, too. I keep meaning to look for more
by Goodwin. She is a wonderful writer. I am glad to hear that you are
enjoying your brothers time with you :) Also nice that you share a love of books .
But having company... so great during the visit, but sometimes exhausting !
I love it when the kids are home, but like Cee.. it finishes off by loads and loads of laundry .. lol



A Nissan Rogue is the beast. I always name my cars. I tried with this one.... but no matter what name I came up with.. The Beast is how I think of it. I always feel like I am wrangling it, not driving it.

Enjoy your "day off" tomorrow (today, now), Gail!

Sleeping in and resting up?
Or running madly around cleaning up and getting ready?

Probably a mix of the two, I am guessing ...
I hope that there is more of the relaxing than running :)

Good grief, Kath! Not being on LT at 7:30 AM does not mean you are sleeping in! I got up at 7:30 today and felt it to be quite early!
'course now it is 9:15 ~
Oh! Hi Gail!

Whatever you're reading right now, I hope it makes you all warm and tingly!

Well, I guess when one wakes at 4am, 7 feels like noon....
sorry about that!

Nothing new to report.. I am still reading fluff.. and keeping my eyes peeled for freebies for you :)
Well, for us, as I load them onto my nook, too. I am on the last book of the series that I got sucked into..
and that is fine, as I am ready to move on, and I have a couple of Vine books I need to get read.

Hope it is a soft and happy day for you :)

Just swinging by to say hello to all; the company part 2 is here until Tuesday p.m.

Interesting experience today; Went to store; among the items picked up were two pkgs. of fresh rhubarb. The check-out kids were very intrigued--thought it was some sort of red celery, had never heard of rhubarb. DD is making a strawberry-rhubarb pie as her contribution to Dh's birthday dinner tomorrow...

YUUUUMMMMMMMMMMMMM

Love rhubarb! What time's dinner?

We will be eating 5:30, Rdear. Menu is prime rib, mashed potatos, asparagus, (ripe!) sliced tomatos, and the pie of course.

I do love it so...btw, could you share your cole slaw recipe?

Love you, Rdear.

*smooch*

Cole Slaw Recipe: -use half-and-half to thin mayo
-add 1 jigger vodka (lemon flavored is best, hot pepper flavored is good too, or plain)

I *love* the bags of slaw already grated.

I just can't imagine the vodka.. but n the other hand, I hate vodka and never have any..so?

Mmm...thank you, Rdear. Lemon vodka sounds like a yummo touch, and I never would have thought of half-and-half to thin. H.and H. is very versatile (somewhat like vodka).

Kath, a hug to you.

How ever did I miss visiting this morning? To much jumping up and down and
running back and forth I guess.

Glad to hear that the birthday has been a success! I hope the company hasn't been
too much work. I am sure that you have been enjoying visiting, and also sure that
you will be glad to get back to the quiet..
I would be :)

Warm and bright here.. nice for a change...

Hi Gail,
That birthday dinner sounds amazing! Simple and sumptuous :)

btw, I hate to tell you how many times I have to identify the fruits and veggies for the grocery clerks! lol

Hi Gail. I hope the birthday celebration and dinner were fun. Of course, that was days ago now.

I seem to be very much in the minority in believing that strawberry-rhubarb pie is just a good way to ruin perfectly good strawberries!

Ellen.. if you are in a minority, I am in it, too. A great disappointment I was to my grandmother in
that way. No rhubarb, no guns... she forgave me though.

So do you have your life back to yourself, Gail? Company gone?

I am very unsettled feeling this morning. I feel all in a turmoil.. I hate that...
I hope you are in for a good and pleasant day :)

So did you try the vodka cole slaw? curious minds...

Hi, Gail! Hope the birthday celebrations were a great success. :-)

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/havah-tosca-lee/1100353457?ean=9781433671777&amp...

is a nook freebie... at least for today? I thought it looked interesting..

So whatcha up to? I hope just some peace and quiet :)
I miss you around here.. and hope all is well :)

Gail, I'm slowly getting caught up with LT friends and I see that not only have you had lots of company, but you have a beautiful new red car as well. I'm stuck in a beige car phase. It doesn't show the dirt as much but it also doesn't look as purdy as a shiny red car.

Belated anniversary and hubby birthday greetings. I hope you find time to get back in the garden before it gets hot.

*waving* at Gail

Well, the company, bless them all, is gone. Sigh. An entire day spent in resting/laundry/dusting/resting...

Hello to Kath, Cee, Ellen, Porua, Donna and...whoa! Stasia! How nice of all of you to visit here. Let me see...small rye with dill havarti, some greek olives, a few grapes and nuts around to snack on; beverages of choice, except no beer...Sit down, enjoy, we'll chat.

I do love the company but I do love also when the company goes home and I get my quiet house back and my calmer routine.

Life continues apace; Dh slowly sliding, ever-so-slowly but still, he is sliding. A new clumsiness, with odd little accidents like hitting himself with the new car door, slicing open his brow bone area a bit...thank heavens not the eye...sheesh! Loss of some balance. This man was an excellent athlete, carpenter, handyman, etc. Poop. He did go back to the pool, we did get a very good report from the vascular surgeon re: his legs. I really love this dr., who sat down on a chair very close to me and showed me all the stuff, patiently explaining the results. Talked about feet, and was reassured. So that was good. He re-emphaiszed that exercise will help to build peripheral circulation around the blockage and thus is imperative.

Of course now I must schedule my own mammo (squish!) perhaps for May, and then an appt. with my dr. to discuss some things. My brother, when he was here, said in a dead flat tone,
"So are you in therapy?"
"Um, no, not yet."
"Why not?"

How odd; I've had the identical conversation, same words and tone, with my daughter three or four times. They know all the ins and outs of my life and think I may perhaps need a bit of help. And maybe they're right. There are some things, naturally, which I keep to myself that are troublesome to one's complete peace of mind...

Oh, I read this wonderful, wonderful book called The Style's the Man...oh yeah, I mentioned that already, sorry. Right now I'm reading Cutting for Stone, which is really pretty good, but could lose maybe a hundred of the six hundred pages. Still, interesting and funny and sad and topical.

I thought Team of Rivals was quite well-written and pretty easy to read, considering that the subject was Lincoln's cabinet, which included some men with whom I was not immediately familiar. Secretary of State William Seward really shines through as a man of character, wit, and the ability to grow. It provides a useful antidote to Gore Vidal's beautifully written if somewhat fanciful Lincoln, which I loved as well.

small rye with dill havarti sounds so good! mmmm mmm~

We went out to lunch and I ate too much .. ugh! ( just fish and chips :P but still )

They know all the ins and outs of my life and think I may perhaps need a bit of help
I hope that if you think it will help you, that you do it for yourself.. and maybe feel a little lighter in the heart as a result :)

I am glad that DH is in the hands of a doctor that you trust. That is so important!
And glad that your news has been pretty good regarding his health. I hope that you are keeping up with yours, too. You need to remember that caregivers are very important people. So are friends. :)
Sorry that DH is having some clumsy moments though..

The way things have gone for me this last few months.. I am putting off a mammogram until I feel like the
universe is done trying out my coping skills.. :P

I have not read Vidal's Lincoln .. but might someday... I like fanciful :)

Hi Gail, I'm in the process of catching up after being away. Cutting for Stone is getting both a lot of attention and some great reviews, I am adding it to my wishlist.

I loved Cutting for Stone and if (when) you are in the mood for more Verghese, try his My Own Country, which is nonfiction.

Gail, I don't know the ins and outs of your life, and I fully get the idea of keeping some things private. I also add my voice to the family's. Simply having a place where the sole purpose of being there is for an outsider, who cannot feel burdened or used or put-upon as we all worry our loved ones might, to listen to the inner reality of our situation, is a possibility to find huge comfort.

Right now I wish I lived nearby so we could have some leftover rhubarb pie the silly goofkins don't like and laugh about something goofy and mindless. *smooch*

Just popping in to say good Saturday to you :)
Nothing much else to tell.. I have been sticking close to home..
no adventures to report. I hope that if you have had any, they have been good ones .

xo

"So are you in therapy?"
"Um, no, not yet."
"Why not?"

Isn't LT a form of therapy Gail? Have a lovely weekend

Adding my voice to the Happy Weekend chorus! Do get what you need for yourself and your DH and eventually for all your friends here.
I eventually loved and adored Cutting for Stone although I thought the first 100 or so pages were only "pretty good." I enjoyed Lincoln even though it often felt like reading a transcript. I'll keep my eye open for the Auchincloss essays. Looks like my kind of thing!
As for me, I'm preparing for a big Sunday at church: teach SS, sing in the choir, worship, eat lunch there, be clerk for the session meeting in the early evening. So it's off to bake a batch of brownies (with walnuts and Mosser-Roth chocolate squares).

Morning to Kath. How are you? It's so nice to see you here, as always my friend, even though you are temptress with the Nook ;>)

Judy, now that I've finished Cutting for Stone, I highly recommend it. The book starts somewhat slowly, but the last 200 pages just fly.

Stasia! Welcome, my Dear. Glad you can find a bit of time out of your busy schedule, and it's marvelous how successfully you're tackling this new challenge. Not that I'm at all surprised by that, but still...great work! I'll be looking for the Verghese autobio.; I think he's a pretty interesting author.

Rdear, my lovely man! You have hit the nail precisely on the head, as usual: one doesn't want to burden the loved ones with one's own problems/hangups/worries, especially when so many of the difficulties concerned the said loved ones. I think they've got enough to bear without having to worry about how I might be handling (or not) their situations.
I wish you were here, too; we could laugh at the follies of others and especially of ourselves. A *smooch* to you--and a nice big piece of the S.R. pie.

Paul, how very perceptive of you! LT does indeed provide lots of therapy in many different ways. I hope your coming week is reasonably peaceful and successful.

Peggy, thanks for the week-end wishes! I'm of the same opinion as you on Cutting for Stone, if only because the first part moved in a rather stately fashion.

Things are going on more or less according to schedule here; we're leaving tomorrow a.m. It's about a six-hour trip to the U. of N. A.; we'll be staying there for two days, then on to Oxford MS then meandering back home. Plan to be back on Saturday.

On the reading front, I'm working on The Birth of Venus, one of the BOMBS I'd planned to clear out this year. It's good, but not in an ordinary way. More on that later. For the trip, I'm just taking the Nook. It's got enough to last me for quite a long time, with plenty of variety. I'm re-reading One Hundred One-Night Reads on it right now, and loving it all over again.

A great week to all; may your lives be serene and as happy as possible.

I agree with you and Paul.. LT can be therapeutic..
And I agree that rd can be very entertaining... although I do tend to worry about him a bit..

Thanks for stopping by my thread.... it is always so good to see you there.. AND
if you find yourself tempted by some of the nook books I leave for you... my job here is
is much more fun!

Good work with actually keeping up with BOMBS!

*smooch* and a gentle pat on the tushie towards a therapist...

AND DON'T READ THE REVIEW I JUST POSTED!!!!

Oh, but Rdear, I thought it was a great review, of a very bad book.

And Kath, I'm always worried about you and Rdear.

ETA: Keeping up with BOMBS
ROFL. I'm so far behind it's silly. But still, hangin' in there tryin'.

Gail, sorry to hear your hubby hurt himself. Glad you are able to chat with us LT'ers though! We are always here for venting and chatting :)

I didn't even challenge myself to BOMBS this year.. I hate to fail..... LOL

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/books/1101953428?ean=9780802194138&cm_mmc=AF...

not free .99

During a performance of La Traviata at La Fenice, a world-renowned (and notoriously nasty) conductor is found dead, apparently poisoned by a cup of coffee. Suspects abound, but Commissario Guido Brunetti is determined to find out the truth about the death.

just found this one on fb :)

Did your weekend go okay?Any particular smile moments?


I slept much of mine away.. yesterday a bit less so.. but still a nap day.

They predicted snow here . . . none yet.

reading fluff... no surprise :)

slept late ( till 7 ) so nothing much happened yet.
Have to see about giving out books tonight!

Oooh, I have 100 One-Night Reads on my shelf - s'good, huh?

Hope you have a lovely and safe trip!

*big smooch* for dear Gail

Last Days isn't a bad book, considered as a piece of writing in fact it's very very good. It's just so completely not your kind of thing that I suspect it would cause you acute pain to read it.

I suppose this means you won't be reading my review of The Nightmare Factory either....

Dropping by to say hi! :-)

Just stopping by . . . nothing much to say.

Hope things are going well and that your days have been enjoyable :)
Any new adventures to share? I hope that if they are, they are good ones :)

Hi Gail!
Arising from my sick bed to re-join the world... at last!

Hope you are well...
hugs...

Miss you !

Hi Gail. Finally stopping by to see how things are. About nine days ago you said you were going to schedule your mammo. Yuck. I don't know if you've ever heard of the comedienne Kate Clinton (from a couple of decades ago, at least), but she told about going for her annual mammogram and, once she was "in," the tech looked her straight in the eye and said "now, tell me, is that too tight?" Kate said she responded with "Too tight for what?? I've never had my breast in a vice before!"

I don't know if it translates to writing, and I apologize to any men who may wish they weren't on this thread right now, but I mean.......

My first prostate exam was a wake-up call. When I expressed my displeasure at being assaulted by the doctor, he said, "Can't warn you, or the clench factor enters in."

He had the grace to pretend I was the first to say, "At least take me to dinner first!"

Chelle, Hi, I'm so glad to see you here. I'm so grateful for LT; you don't know. Lots of fun and a very safe place to express oneself. At least, it's been safe for me so far.

Kath: I'm ba-a-a-a-ck. I missed you, too. I just bought read La Fenice last month and was a bit annoyed to see it on sale for .99. However, I loved it, really, so it wasn't quite as annoying as it might have been. I picked up the last 99 cent special, some mystery; don't remember the title...I've got lots of books on there now for free/extremely low cost; although I must admit there was one night when I thought, "Dang! All these books on here and not one single thing to read!", just like Rdear.

Amber; Welcome back to my thread! Oh, yes, 100 One-Night Reads is an outstanding book. There are several familiar titles, of course, and some less-familiar titles by familiar authors, but the charm of the writing and the many obscure books discussed make this one a pleasure to read and to re-read.

Porua: Hello there! May I recommend Death at La Fenice as a new mystery (first in a series) that you might enjoy? When you have time from your work and your other reading, I mean.

Terri: I don't have much to say, either--okay, okay, you all can stop the unseemly snickering and poking one another now. But I'm always glad to see you here; you know that already.

Cee, glad to read here (and there) that you're feeling better and back on track, more or less. Some hugs right back at you, my Dear.

Ellen, How right K. Clinton was. Those thing are a bit painful, to put it mildly, as well as being disconcerting.

Rdear! Lol at your assault experience. The indignities we must suffer from our physicians...still, at least one isn't bled any more. At least, I don't think we are, except financially, of course.

The trip went, well, the trip went so-so. The time at the alma mater went great. Nice dinner, nice conversations, etc.
But.
I had conceived of the idea of going to Oxford, MS, which turned out to be a mistake for a variety of reasons, none of which are terribly important in and of themselves. What was sort of awful was that DH had a terrible day one day, went down for coffee and couldn't remember his room number--I heard him in the hall in front of another room calling my name--couldn't think, nearly tipped over a table, just had the most disastrous time. And in his frustration and embarassment, blamed it all on me, caused a small but excruciating scene; result: entire day spent leaking tears, which is tedious, annoying, and not helpful. Eyes fill up now just thinking about it. I hate this sort of reaction from myself, but seem helpless to make it stop.

The Golden Years, my behind.

I actually skip most freebies, but one recent day, between nook and kindle I think I took 5-7.

I am VERY glad you're home!

{{{{{Gail}}}}}

Gail, I'm all caught up with you now, sorry for being away so long. I'm also really sorry to hear things weren't all that great on the trip. I too send you BIG HUGS.

Curious about your comments on The Birth of Venus. I read it a few years ago now and really liked it a lot.

>207 Matke: Golden Years same way piddle is gold, according to my mother, who never lost the ability to be funny.

{{{Gail}}}

It hurts so much to be left behind by someone sitting right there.

Gail your hotel vignette was terribly touching and vividly drawn. Have a lovely weekend and keep smiling even if the so called Golden years seem occasionally rusty.

((Hugs)) for Gail

I have been thinking about it.. and I think the problem is that your Golden Years don't start until June..
This was just an irritating and unsettling time.. so they are unrelated :)
(((Gail)))

Hugs from me too, Gail. I hope you know that you are such an inspiration with how you deal with the ongoing struggle.

Oh, I'm so sorry to hear about the tear-leaking day. I admire you and your strength (which, in my book, isn't measured in lack of tears) so much, and keep you and your husband in my daily thoughts.

I am hoping that being home is tempering tempers and
smoothing rough edges. Nothing much happening in my life..
my son reached San Fran safely and is delighted to be in a
sweet suite near Chinatown.. All of my kids were happy enough
when we spoke yesterday.. and today it is going to be warm not
hot. Target will give me a 5$ gift card if I buy 2 buckets of cat litter
and it's on sale.. so, all in all .. life is good for me today so far.

I hope that when you find your way here with your coffee and toast
that you will be able to say they same.. and that we can see what books you read
and which you liked or didn't..

Any plans for nice things for yourself this week?
No? If not make some. One at least, if you can. I know it
is easier said then done, but do try..

((gail))

Swinging by for one second to say I'm on my way to the dentist for a cavity fix-up...taking the iPod to, one hopes soothe my excessive dentist nerves...back later today.

Many, many thanks to all for kind thoughts/wishes. I'll respond more later...

I hope the cavity fix-up went smoothly and that you haven't drooled on your iPod.
xoxo

Kath, Cee, Paul, Stasia, Judy, Amber: You are so kind to send me the much-needed and appreciated hugs and very kind words. This is a mighty struggle. I was talking to my brother's partner when they were here (brother has the opposite problem: almost helpless body, very sharp mind) and we agreed that this just...sucks. No other word for it. But then, what can one do? Keep calm and carry on...well, carry on at any rate.

One positive thing that came out of the trip is that he's beginning to realize the breadth of the problem. He now says he's handicapped--true--which is quite an admission from him.

Ilana, I just finished The Birth of Venus today and will talk more about it in the April Book Round-Up, tentatively scheduled for tomorrow. Right now I'll just say that I absolutely loved it and give it 4.5 *'s. And I'm so glad you're back.

Rdear, you have the most accurate and stylish way of expressing things. It's very sad to have him wander off to wherever it is he's going. And funnily enough, my mother said precisely the same as yours about aging.

What bothers me, I think, is that I tend to be mother-hennish (thirty years of teaching plus motherhood does that to you) and he gets upset because he thinks I'm, I don't know, trying to protect him too much. And yet when I don't, he can get into difficulties very quickly. A simple example: He always leans on a table when he's getting up from eating. He's a big man, 6 foot 3 and about 220, and I almost always counter-balance that lean by putting some weight on my side of the table. I didn't do that on the bad day--not thinking--and he nearly tipped the whole thing over. And then glared at me...not because he knew I wasn't doing something I ordinarily do, as he's unaware that I do it, but because I witnessed his embarassment. As my Dad used to say, sometimes ya can't win for tryin'.

Kath, in an ongoing reversal for me (LizzieD, where are you?), I'm loving Northanger Abbey. It's my last of Austen's major novels and is sooooo funny. I must be in precisely the right mood for it. Much more obviously snide than her other work, and just light-hearted enjoyment.
Plans for myself this week...ummm...not looking like I have any. Let me see: tomorrow is partner bridge with Dh. Wednesday is a bridge session with three other women, 10 to 4 (the time, not their ages, which are old, old, old). Thursday perhaps I can make room for me. Friday is partner bridge at a different place and with different people from Tuesday. The funny/sad/so typical of my life thing is that I really am not crazy about bridge. It's a good way to see some folks, a good way to pass time as one has to concentrate, but I'd rather read, be on the computer, or do something with art, or garden. I'm playing on Wednesday to accomodate a friend who needs a partner.

So. Oh, one really odd thing I'm reading is a ghost story collection on the nook. It's old and weird. One of the stories is by Daniel Defoe with and afterword/expalantion Samuel Johnson; that was strange. I like creepy sorts of stories, and these are just that. Also, am trying to read Fall of Giants for the F to F Bookclub next Wednesday, but I'm having a hard time working up some enthusiasm.

Ellen, you made me laugh right out loud, a very good thing. I tried to keep the iPod out of the way of any drool or flying spray, and I think I was successful. No pain at all during the procedure, even the injections were painless, but when the novocain wore off, ouch. It's steadily getting better. I hate, abhor, loathe going to the dentist.

Hi, Gail. So sorry for the difficulties during the trip, and sadly ongoing. It is a positive that he can, at this time, recognize the breadth of the problem. Though painful for him to admit, that may help you going forward.

Your ghost story collection sounds interesting. What is it called? I love some of those old spooky story collections.

Sorry you had to have dental work. Not a fun way to spend a morning.

I'm glad the dentist procedure is over Gail. I've never heard of anyone saying they like going to the dentist. I hate it too, and it's only mildly bearable because I can listen to my audiobooks while they do all those nasty things inside my mouth.

I'm glad you're loving Northanger Abbey because so did I. Because of that book, I decided I actually love Jane Austen too. And I want to read her early writing because it seems it was very humorous, in the same vein as NA, which was actually her earliest novel, but published later, and she apparently toned the humour down for her other novels to be more in keeping with what was expected at the time. A shame really, and I guess that "holding back" is what bothered me most about her when I started reading S&S and P&P. They just seemed... affected somehow. But I've been reading JA while following the tutoring threads by Liz, which gave me a much greater appreciation for the novels because Liz is obviously very passionate about JA and the times she was writing in, and is a great fount of knowledge. Here's the thread for NA if you're interested in having a peek. No risk of spoilers, as you'll see: http://www.librarything.com/topic/132430

Gail, I certainly share your distaste for the dentist. Hope the procedure wasn't too uncomfortable and you got to eat ice cream after .... to aid the hardening process of the filling, of course. ;-)

I learned something from auntie's slide into vascular dementia that I put out for your consideration: Caregiver's Guilt is an ordinary side effect of being in our position. Sufferer's Rage is an ordinary side effect of being in theirs.

We can't stop it. We can't fix it. They know it, we know it. And the long lifetime of adulthood slips away just slowly enough to cause both parties to wrack themselves with unexpressible emotions.

Please, my dear Gail, please go talk to a therapist, because NO ONE CAN DO THIS ALONE. As much as your family loves you, as much as your friends want to help you, they *cannot* be the repository for your guilt and your suffering and your aching void of loss. They will try to help, and then the entire LT site will have to club together to bail you out after the killing spree.

Srsly dude so not worth it.

{{{Gail}}}

I'm going to a therapist, Gail.
It's helping (even though I didn't think it would). I haven't killed anyone yet.
It took me a looong time to finally find some unbiased help.
Allison is helping me think things through, explore options, deal with my own feelings about Mom.

It is so hard. So very hard.
{{{Gail}}}

Gail - hope May is a good month - as TSE said April is the cruellest - Lost my Gran in 94 when she was 87 and after 2 years of virtually no lucidity. It is heartbreaking -you just have to remember as they were, and continue giving of your love - sure somewhere deep inside they fully understand.

So loving Northanger Abbey, eh? Maybe I should move it from my maybe someday shelf to
my long stack tbr? I will consider that.

Cee and rd know stuff... they have been there. Can't hurt to give it a try, anyway.
I am very stubborn about that sort of thing myownself... but I am not in your situation..
( I think maybe I'm just crazy.. not to make light.. srsly considering that ) Maybe some
investigation into available people in your area who have worked with caregivers? I cannot
begin to imagine the difficulty of doing what you caregivers do.

Bridge is in your future, I see... I do hope that you can find some time for yourself on
Thursday. At least a couple of hours to do whatever you want.. whether it is sitting in a corner with a book, pulling weeds ( yuck) or shopping for more books! ( Or socks.. or, flip flops.. )
or hey! Did you ever have a pedicure? I never did til I was 50.. my daughter made me go.
After that I would go 2x a year ( you get over the ew, don't touch my feet thing ) until my
local place went away. I need to find another place... it makes you feel good, and it lasts a
long time.. honest it do indeed! Especially if you get fire engine red polish and new flip flops
with sparkles :)

xoxo

224 Gail, it was so sad to read your post about the trip and want to help, but what do I know or what can I do except type a few lines of support and book talk?

I think Richard and Cee expressed it very, very well. They know what they're talking about, and have good advice.

Yes, share your feelings & vent to us, your LT friends -- we're here for you, any time. But I think all that you're going through warrants something more. Seriously, I'm amazed that you've handled it so well so far, it must be unspeakably difficult.

Hugs to you!

I love all of you. Srsly.

I'll respond more later today or tomorrow, but want to post this now:

SCORE!!!!! I've won a review copy of the new Hilary Mantel!!!!

WOOT!!!!!!!! Congrats on that!

oh and love ya back you know...

So you liked Wolf Hall? I don't remember reading your review...?

I haven't read it yet. My wrists twinged when I looked at it on the liberry shelf.

Thanks, Kath. I hadn't requested a book for awhile, but really wanted this one.

I loved Wolf Hall, Rdear. I have it on the Nook, so weight wasn't a problem.

ETA: I did a review, at the book page. I'm so far behind in reviews that I'll never catch up; lots of books have many reviews and I've nothing new to add. Now I pretty much review only those about which I think I have something to say (doubtful, that), ER books, or books that I want to urge on others.

Gail, that's wonderful news about your ER score. While I liked and appreciated Wolf Hall, I didn't fall in love with it. I think reading the C. J. Sansom books have given me a little more understanding of the Tudor history, so I'm ready to tackle Bring Up the Bodies. Hmm..very interesting touchstone message -- "405 Not Allowed" -- wonder what I did wrong?

Others have said what I want to say better than I can express it. You are going through hell right now and need support, whether it comes from a therapist or support group. I hope this turns out to be one of those "Good" weeks for you and your husband. I think of you every day.

Glad you got the ER book you wanted, Gail. There's a group read somewhere of Wolf Hall in June, and I'm planning to join in and read it then.

Hi, Gail! Sorry about the trip. Hope things are going better this week.

Death at La Fenice sounds intriguing. Thanks for the recommendation!

I am so glad you like Northanger Abbey! It's one of my favourites by Austen.

Good morning my friend...

Yeah, it is good to get a book that you really want.. even better to get it for free!
That adds to the goodness.

Remember, today is Find Time For Gail Thursday.
Hope it works.

(((((((((((gail)))))))))

I did find time for myself yesterday, and managed to clean up quite a bit of stuff hanging around in drawers. Read a lot as well. My two current reads are The Shape of Water--very funny, very interesting; and The Five of Hearts about Henry Adams, John Hay, Clarence King, and their circle. Not funny at all, but might interesting. A lot of the time yesterday I just did what the spirit moved...read an entire issue of the New York Review of Books, which takes a long time if there are good articles in it.

Good news: Troubled Daughter has found a job. Not sure of the details, but it's a step forward.

Glad to see you have some good news! Have a good weekend! :)

Happy Dance! WE won Bring Up the Bodies along with Bonnie and Deborah - and Darryl and some other folks are getting copies! It's going to be a good old reading time at the old 75 place! Like Donna, I really enjoy C.J. Sansom, so i think you should jump on that bus too. And another jig for you and JA and *Northanger*. I'm srsly glad that you like it. AND I have *5 Hearts* but have only dabbled in it. On top of that you have expressed exactly how I feel about bridge. I'm playing this afternoon with 3 good friends; they love the game; I love them. It all works out. AND you've done with the dentist for now, and your daughter has a job. GOOD~
(And, Gail, you are blessed as you know, to have friends like Richard and Cee who give you straight-up the benefit of their hard-won wisdom. They sound right on the money to me.)

yessiree, I do know how good it is when an offspring who needs a job finds one.
I hope it ends up being the job of her dreams and is a very good income for her..

You read such nice grown up books.. someday I will, too.... maybe. LOL

Happy day to you.

Hello loveycuddles, passing through to give smooches and hugs

Glad you got some garden tending done. I have so much to do.
I just can't care much right now.

The Beast is back. We had those special mats put in that contain spills..
( as if we ever eat in the car..) and it looks like new. So that is a relief.

Nothing much to report.. I will be going to see my nephlets later today..
that always helps my day look brighter :) Owen ( accidentally for sure, he is only 3 months old)
put his arms around my neck like a hug when I picked him up the other day.. I nearly died from sheer bliss. I adore that boy! Oliver is still trying to trick me into letting me do things he isn't allowed to do. So
far, I always win, but he is going to be four this year, and I am not sure the trend will continue.

Happy Saturday!

And Sunday! Happy that is...

Just my daily walk through... finished a book.. gave it 5 stars...
Wonderful author...
you okay?

Hey Gail, you're reading The Shape of Water now too, like Mark. How are you liking it so far?

Gail, congrats on scoring the new one by Hilary Mantel. I have yet to read Wolf Hall, although it's been on my infamous shelf (you know, the same as others' infamous shelves) for a couple of years now....

Mark said his wife cried her way through The Shape of Water...
That is enough to scare me off!

How are you?

Hope all is well and that you were not a soggy mess surrounded by tissues as you have read!

I thought of you yesterday, as I was weeding.. you mush have mentioned it ..I am too lazy to go
back and look.. I have some roses blooming.. and one had mad wild weeds surrounding it in a concerted
but now foiled attack.

Hello to all and thank you so much for keeping my thread warm, tidy, and friendly for me. I've been avoiding people contact: no enthusiasm, no joy, no energy...hmm...wonder what that is (yeah, I know what it is)? Anyway, I just couldn't force myself on here till today.

Only positive thing about that? It gave me more time to read, you know, books.

Here's an odd thing: I've tried a few times to interest myself in The Count of Monte Cristo, but failed, as I failed with The Three Musketeers many times. I've put it down to poor translations. Well, Sunday I was channel flipping--yay! I had the remote! Dh was sleeping--and came across this quite lovely costume drama, and so paused there for a moment to enjoy the clothes, the ambience, and the singularly attractive leading man. After about two minutes, I thought, "Hey, this seems to be "The Count of Monte Cristo," and amazingly, that's what it was. Well, I was so intrigued by it--it was the beginning of the revenge part--that I sought out my Nook, downloaded what I thought was the Oxford World Classics edition, but turned out to be something else. Anyway, this translation keeps it as exactly what it is: a rattling good adventure story, plenty of action and dark deeds and heavy emotion. It's really good! Now if I can just find a good trans of *Musketeers*. At this rate I may get to Lorna Doone before I die. I'm thinking of starting a category/tag: Boys' Own Stories

I'm not sure why Mark's wife found The Shape of Water a Tissue Book. Perhaps we're not thinking of the same book? The one I read is a mystery, set in Sicily, very funny in a snide sort of way. It had a rather pathetic underlying message about the triviality, venality, and selfishness of most folks, but not in a weepy sort of way.

I'm ashamed to say that I only read three(!) books in April, but I've already read three this month and am well on my way to more.

More later or tomorrow; Thursday is My Day for Me.

Hi Gail, congrats on getting Bring Up the Bodies, I'm sure it's a much-coveted book at the moment. I haven't read Wolf Hall yet as I tried a couple of years ago and couldn't make heads nor tails out of it (knowing next to nothing about the Tudors, but I'm schedule to do a tutored read of it with Suzanne next month, which should be interesting.

Really glad you found a great translation of The Count of Monte Cristo. I never take for granted how lucky I am to be able to read both French and English, though I always wish I could read MORE languages and avoid translations altogether. haven't read ANY Alexandre Dumas yet, though I have Book 1 of TCoMC on my tbr, and La Reine Margot on my wishlist. I'll add The Three Musketeers also, since good things always come in threes.

I'm glad you enjoyed The Shape of Water. I just finished book 4 in the series, The Voice of the Violin yesterday, and I think I'm enjoying the series more with each book. I got started on it because my mum sent me book 5 in the French translation, saying she thought it was better than the English, so I got the first book to start in order and didn't like the French translation at all (that was when I wished I could read Sicilian dialect!), when I switched to English I enjoyed the second book more, and then tried the audiobook version with books 3 and 4 which is the ultimate, I think. But then for book 5, I'm back to that original French translation of course... life it tough, I tell you.

So as I see it, while you may not be satisfied with the amount of reading you've done in recent past, you seem to be doing well as far as book news go.

Thought you might like to know that I'm currently reading Persuasion with tutoring by Liz, who is filling me in on lots of background information along the way. I'm taking it one chapter at a time and am only at chapter 5 now, and you're more than welcome to drop by the thread anytime you're up to it, or not, as suits you! http://www.librarything.com/topic/136698

Great news about your daughter!

Sorry for all the rambling. Enjoy your You Day tomorrow to the fullest. xx

I'm sorry you have been feeling down. I wish I could help.

I have been fortunate in my recent reads.. I love British mysteries, and Lupton gives us a good one.
Ami McKay is a good writer.. One I enjoy. I am about to start Gillespie and I ... hope it is as good as the others say. We shall see.

Feel better soon? If I can help or listen.. just holler..

Back again! I haven't missed a new thread starting have I ?
Are you doing okay?
thinking of you...
Happy weekend to you :)

Hello!! So, what is happening for you, this mother's day? Anything fun?
Pleasant? or goddess forbid, exciting?

Nothing here.. I plan to spend the day with my head in a book and the evening watching
guilty pleasure TV :)

Monday night..
Flowers were delivered today... they were from Cory..
he put all his sibs names on the card. Nice :)

Other stuff... you know..
miss you .. hope things are okay in Gail land..
hugs

all-purpose *smooch*

Good grief! How can all these days have passed..
Where are you? Where was I?
Are you away? Taking a break?

Hope all is well.. all is well in my neck of the woods..
( I am almost afraid to say it :P)

Hope to see you soon... miss you ..

Hi Gail!
I've been away much too long. Big changes n my life taking up a lot of time.

First:
{{{{Gail}}}}

Now, I so want you to find some peace, positive energy, and solutions for the troubled life you are trapped in. I can't tell you how to do that. I just don't know :(
But - I will say - I needed help in my own situation. I was so overwhelmed. I couldn't do it myself. My friends and family all meant well, but were not able to pull me up or help me to change my crippled thinking. Maybe I couldn't be totally honest about my feelings with the ones I loved.
If you have not tried talking to a therapist, please do. It might work. It's so important to find the right therapist, too. I dropped one like a hot potato! The second one was a hard worker and right on target with me.

I was so resistant to do this myownself - and it was a hard, hard thing for me to do. The process was forward and backward, fluctuating in its success, but I kept at it because I felt I was dying ... spiritually and physically. I wanted to feel alive again. AND I wanted everyone else around me to be relieved of my moods, etc.

I know our situations are different. I just believe you should try whatever might work to find the answers for your life. It's worth a try.

OK... climbing down from my soapbox.
No matter what - I wish you peace in your heart :-)

More wishes and prayers for peace and joy for you.
And I hope that you can get in the mood for *Bodies* soon. I just finished, and I think it's amazing - way better than Wolf Hall was for me, so I guess I need to do a reread of that one since I must have slept through it or something.

All this good energy aimed straight at you Gail...
Hope it helps..

*smooch* for dear Gail

Dropping by to say hi! :-)

Gail just dropping by to wish you the very best of possible weekends.

Sending big hugs to you Gail.

Much love

Thinking about you, Gail, and sending more (((hugs))) your way.

Thinking of you and sending positive energy and hugs...

Worried

*smooch* to start your week

Come back soon, I miss you.

It was good to see you flitting by...
I miss you, too.

Hi Gail.
I hope things are getting better.....

On the subject of Sherlock, Wikipedia reports

After the end of the final episode of the second series, Moffat and Gatiss both announced on Twitter that a third series was commissioned at the same time as series two. A part of the resolution to "The Reichenbach Fall" was filmed alongside series two.

Executive producer Beryl Vertue confirmed, in March 2012, that the third series is expected to start production in 'early 2013', although it was too soon to relate any transmission details.

Note: heavily edited to attempt to to remove spoilers...

Just my daily pass through... gotta keep the thread warm.. or, cool.. as needed :)
Hope to see you again, soon!

Well, here I am, the Shameful Thread Neglector.

I've been doing a lot of reading, but oddly (perhaps not so much) not finishing up with any particular titles. Bring Up the Bodies is amazing; it may even be better than the first book. I'm re-reading another ER book which I need to review; I read it and was just considering my review when I read Rdear's excellent review...kind of took the starch out of my sails, as I didn't think anyone would appreciate it if I just wrote, "What he said!" It's a great book, though, and the author deserves a good review, so that's why I'm going through it again. I did mangage to finish Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, another in my new category of "Boys' Own Adventure Stories"; I call them that because they are the sort (and sometimes the very ones) of stories that my brothers loved in their younger days.

Which reminds me that one of the many advantages of the being the youngest child and only girl was that I got to read almost all the stuff they read, and at a much younger age. All those books certainly helped broaden both my reading tastes and, one hopes, my tolerance of "otherness".

We're taking a one-day trip to Montgomery for a dinner, and just staying the night; will be home Friday.

I do have a referral to a psychologist, but must wait for that to get processed...

I'm totally intrigued by the new Holmes series. My daughter says I'll love it and she's got a pretty good take on my tastes. I think I'll check out one episode before I actually make a purchase, however.

That's all for now.

Much, much love to all my friends for your kindness, advice, caring, and book note.

xo

So nice to see you! Have a safe and happy trip...
I hope you have a chance to catch up with some good and caring friends :)
hugs

*smoochiesmoochsmooch*

Srsly the new Sherlock is *excellent* and I would be surprised if it failed to give you the happy.

Just checking in to wish you safe traveling and a happy time!

Gail, real life may be leading you to neglect threads (including your own) but there is no shame about it. How did you like Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde?

Have fun in Montgomery! Safe travels :)

Hot here, hope it is nicer where you are!
And that you have people waiting on you :)

Or at least that you are feeling well and happy!