Richardderus thread 14 for 2012

Summer. Ugh.

Summer. Aaah.

My 2012 NEW books ticker:




Previous reviews:

Book 1...thread two.
Books 2 & 3...thread three.
Book 4...thread four.
Books 5 & 6...thread five.
Books 7-10...thread six.
Books 11-24...thread seven.
Books 25-31...thread eight.
Books 32-34...thread nine.
Books 35 & 36...thread ten.
Books 37-42...thread 11.
Books 43-53...thread 12.
Books 54 & 55...thread 13.

My 2012 ORPHANED books ticker:




Books are reviewed in post:

56. Two Time...#72.

57. Gillespie and I...#135.

!

I'm only second?
*faints in shock*

Mary can have sloppy seconds I'll take the bronze medal gladly with the Olympics almost upon us and I'm sweating just lookin' at Barack and his buddy above.

lovely pit stains my dear ;)

Belinda, Mary, Paul, and Chelle...the podium crew!

Hi Richard:)

Hi calm!

I'm telling you....Maine summers are gorgeous....I'm sitting here next to the fireplace watching the cool mist on the river....

Today is perfection, Tina, only 70 for a high and changeable sun and clouds...August is hideous everywhere in the northern hemisphere.

*smooch* for little starlight

Hi Richard, thanks for posting summer pics. No summer here today, the mountains are hiding behind clouds and it's cold.

I'm a bit worried about guy #3 in the 2nd post, hope he didn't hurt himself when landing head first (or arms first?) in the shallow water.

>15 Deern: Hi Nathalie! I am *vibrating* with jealousy for your cold, cloudy mountain day.

I suspect he was fine, since it looks to me like he would have landed on his hands, and used the spring to bounce to his feet. But if I'm honest, all I really did was edit out his bathing suit and smile lasciviously.

Dear American Publishing Industry, Some of us are adults, and don't have a bordering-on-prurient need to read about teenagers. In fact some of us came of age and, having got that out of the way, do NOT want to re-experience it. I go so far as to assert that some of us grown people think it would be refreshing NOT TO HAVE TO WADE THROUGH CLOUDS OF CLEARASIL TO FIND THE STORIES WE WANT TO READ ANY MORE.

Please don't do what TV did and make every damn thing about some boring pretty kid who can't decide whether to Do It or not. I made that decision in 1973, it was easy as hell to make, and I don't think I need to revisit it. A lot of other grown ups feel that way too. So, how about it? Publish things for us, too! Signed, No More YA Novels for Me Thanks

>Already did the loop-de-loop on FB......not repeating myself...

*Smooches*

This made me laugh so hard!

This didn't:

excellent summer summary in pictures.
Hello new thread, and here's to some more good conversation and good funnies too :)

>21 LovingLit: Thanks, Megan!

OOh yeah.... I'll take the aahhh pictures any day, RD. You can keep the sweaty pit pic off, thanks.

17: So are you saying you decided to give the YA book a try anyway?

>23 cameling: Nope, rough with the smooth, dearie, rough with the smooth.

>24 Ape: You haven't been reading my reviews, have you?

Of course I have. Mostly. On this thread. Your other one has over 100 unread posts and I'm utterly intimidated by its overwhelming...ness...

mmmm-hmmmm

You sound unconvinced. Fine. I'll go read them all right now. Y'know, for the second time...

Richard, I enjoy the YA genre, but do try to avoid most of the teen angst ones. It's a shame that everything gets labelled simply YA, I'd like to see half the books kicked over to the romance/paranormal shelves and don't let's talk about the book covers.

It's a coldish, overcast winter's day here, and the dog left the back door open on her way in so the internal atmosphere is fresh and crisp. I'm enjoying a dose of Etgar Keret short stories today.

...coldish...overcast...waaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh

good grief...

Love 17 and 20 ----- and the pics at the top (not the top pics, the ahh pics).

Go the cold overcast day for you RD :)

That backwards flip guy is really going to injure himself if he thinks the water is deep enough to dive into......who's going to give him mouth to mouth? *looks left, looks right*
Oh well, will just have to do it myself....

Good lord. You complain about the heat, you complain about the cold - why are you on this coast?

Hello, Rdearlove.

Your thread brings a lot of joy.

>31 mckait: I can't help it! I'm so *jealous*!!

>32 EBT1002: Yummy, eh what, Ellen?

>33 LovingLit: He's planning on a handspring, I hope, either that or he's an organ donor!

>34 ffortsa: I don't have any idea how to respond to that.

>35 Matke: Thanks Gail! Good to see you.

Nothing to add....i'm not one of the Fan Club

But...get a grip, Sweetie...you're starting to sound menopausal.......and that ain't good...since i never did all those weird tricks

;-??????

Loving the new funnies ...... not sure i will ever get why anyone wants to read Y.A as adult each to their own

but that rant did bring a smile to my face :)

And each to their own, being the key. I just don't understand a label chasing a reader away from
a decent read. Now a bad cover.. that I get ! lol.

"Decent" reads for me do not include teenaged main characters. Also not included are dragons, elves, magjicqk, or other fantasy trappings.

A long lifetime of reading has shown me that these books, at best, get a ~meh~ and I don't have limitless time left on earth. Why go back to the places that are usually boring? It's like spending money on stuff just to buy stuff. Not anymore.

This subject has long since reached its sell-by date, and y'all's various tuttings are noted. Please henceforth keep them to yourselves, at least here. You'll note, Kath, that this rant that has set you off is in my thread. You want me not to talk about it any more, in YOUR thread? Done. In public? No. Nor here in my thread. It's my opinion, they're my eyes, and I see a bad trend toward infantilizing fiction that annoys me. So I will talk about it here, if I want to.

As to complaints about the weather and why I live on the east coast, Judy, your comment in #34 "Good lord. You complain about the heat, you complain about the cold - why are you on this coast?" has offended me. Overnight, it's offended me more. Don't like what I'm talking about? Your privilege. But keep it to yourself unless you want to be polite about it, and that was not polite. It was, in fact, really rude.

So, we can talk about anything in your thread... you said a thread or two ago..
as long as you are in a good mood? I can't keep up with rule changes that are not
posted.
I consider them posted... and will try to refrain from further offense.

OK, with me! I'll be happy to avoid arguing with you about various genre of books, and the weather, and where you live; you seem very capable of avoiding arguing with me, too. Thank you.

I appreciate your comments about books that you do read! And I commiserate with you about not always feeling the best. Darn it all any way!

I'm off to teach Art to Kindergarteners this morning. That'll give me a little hit of reality! Hope your day is good, also.

I've posted a private message of apology to you, Richard - private in case in some way I unwittingly offend you more. I won't argue.

If you care to post my apology here for all to see, that's fine.

I never have a problem with what you are talking about. If I did, I wouldn't read the thread every day, as I do.

>41 mckait: "I just don't understand a label chasing a reader away from
a decent read." Your post #39. That's not talking about anything. That is a criticism. And oh dear, the poor little boy's in a bad mood...all that does is sound to me like you're being condescending. Maybe that's what you meant, maybe not, but that's how it sounded. I was in a perfectly fine mood until I got here.

>42 maggie1944: Okay, Karen44!

>43 ffortsa: I don't post private messages as a matter of policy, Judy. That you have apologized is enough for me, and as with any sincerely extended apology, I accept. The incident, from my point of view, is over, no harm done.

Smooches and hugs, RD!

Gentle pats, too.

*smooch* right back at'cha, Horrible!

Apples, Peaches, Pumpkin Pie was Top Ten this week 45 years ago!

I don't remember that one at all. That was the summer between high school and college for me--I would have been listening to the radio, even in the middle of Kansas.

I didn't either, Roni, until they got to the chorus. Rang a vague bell then.

Sorry, but 45 years ago I didn't yet do music.
40 years ago the top song of the year was "The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face." Roberta Flack. Nice.

What's crazy is that "American Pie" was #3 that year. In between? "Alone Again, Naturally." Go figure.

Oh to be in the northern hemisphere now that summer is there! Bloody freezing here in Melbourne.....

Oh to be in freezing Melbourne now that the hideous torture of summer is here!

SHINGLES. AAARRRGGGHHH! The Divine Miss has SHINGLES! Her birthday weekend. Shingles. YEEEUUUCK.

oh! I am so sorry to hear that! Shingles are Not Fun! Pain! Icky icky icky! Hope for quick recovery speeding its way through the ether to your household.

oh boy. Shingles are indeed Not Fun. And a terrible start to a new year in her life. I hope she can find some relief from the symptoms.

50: While "Alone Again, Naturally" was immeadiately forgettable pop silliness, the singer composer will always have a place in my heart for using the stage name "Gilbert O'Sullivan".

****Waves**** :)

Ouch! I had them in December 2007, and my brother and sister have both had them this year. Definitely not fun. Almost as much not fun as a gout flare-up.

There are summer-haters that live north of I-10? My brain can not process this phenomenon! Ahh, summer, my true love, welcome back.

(The only bad thing about summer is having to display my perenially pale legs by wearing shorts in public. It's decidedly worth it.)

Poor Claudia. She has my sympathy. I hope it passes ASAP. :(

Shingles.
DISLIKE.

Shingles - seem awful. Wife and friend both had them, and can only comment on how miserable they are.

Morning ArrrDeee,
Got up at 5am this morning, but cheerfully (yes, that's right, I said cheerfully) as it was the first time I had to get up since going to bed at 8pm (8pm: on a Friday night, sheesh, what has happened to me?).

I tells ya, it feels great to have more than 4 hours sleep. Hope you Friday night is more exciting than mine was...

Oh no! Shingles! A couple of my coworkers had them recently and had a horrible time of it. Said because they were older, that it hurt like the dickens. One of them had welts all around one side of his face, the poor thing.

Hope TDM is managing the pain and will recover soon with no or minimal scarring.

hurt like the dickens
apt
here, anyway :)

A friend of my grandmothers once had them across her eyes.. can you imagine?
She blamed her optometrist ( actually I worked there at the time)

Poor lambkin! I feel so sorry for her! I've been running around to do what I can to help. Valtrex costs the earth. AND to make it WORSE, she can't go to the beach or even have a drink for her birthday!!

Of course, all this lovingkindness will fly right out the window if I get shingles from her. In that case, I shall burn her at the stake.

Are shingles contagious?

nope

>67 mckait: Not *exactly*...the virus that causes them is transmissible, but the real risk is waking up the virus that's already in most of us adults. Anybody who had chicken pox has varicella in their system already and stuff like stress can wake it up.

Yup.

I honestly have no idea what shingles are but I hope your friend gets better and you don't catch it!!

Review: 56 of seventy-five

Title: TWO TIME

Author: CHRIS KNOPF

Rating: 3.75* of five

The Book Report: Sam Acquillo, “retired” (fired for beating up a Fortune 500 stooge who wanted Sam to do unethical stuff) engineer turned curmudgeonly champion of the abused, is back. He's still licking his psychic wounds from The Last Refuge, where his problem-solving skills were used to bring some justice to the world of Southampton Town's unfashionable Bay-side Oak Point. Amanda, the cause of his suffering, owes him her freedom from the workaday world and a husband she didn't like; she really, in fact, owes his silence her absence of jail time.

What's a divorced, lonely, bored guy to do when he falls for a, well, a slightly shopworn angel? Wave bye-bye as she motors out of town, her criminal husband's money in her new suit, that's what. Gratitude, thy name is not Amanda.

But another fun benefit of doing the right thing is that local cop Joe Sullivan now has Sam and his problem-solving skills on the radar, and the fact that Sam is a former big shot with a fancy degree means to Joe that Sam can handle the moneyed elite better than Joe can. And he needs that skill right now.

See, somebody hated investment advisor Jonathan Eldridge enough to blow his narrow ass right up. Taking four innocent people with him.

Almost including Sam. Damaging Sam's pal Jackie enough to send her into months of plastic surgery. So Sam's not exactly unwilling to do the poking around Joe wants him to do, except for his ritual growls and grumbles about ungrateful, illegal, obnoxious...you know the stuff, you have to love at least one curmudgeon, all bark and no bite.

Sam gets to know the vaporized dude's wack-job wife, the sibling rivalry-ridden younger brother, the local up-island mobster, an FBI agent named Ig, and a selection of his billionaire buddy's fellow too-rich-to-steal set. Along the way, Jackie has more surgery to fix the damage the blast did, Joe gets stabbed in Sam's front yard, Sam beats the crap out of some stupid small-time muscle working for the mobster, and puzzles together the damnedest, most WTF solution to this nasty crime that you can't imagine.

Oh. Amanda comes home, and moves in next door to Sam. Like he doesn't have enough trouble.

My Review: I like noir novels. I like stuff set in places I know well. I like guys like Sam, who move through the world fixing shit somebody else broke because they can.

I like simple sentences telling exciting stories, and characters whose motivations aren't obscure or blatant, but grayscaled and textured. I like books that make the experience of reading them effortlessly fun.

I think it's a damn shame that Chris Knopf's name doesn't carry the same “oh, yeah!” response that Steve Berry's does. He deserves to. He writes well, he plots well (there are some holes in this tale, but not more than niggling ones I can't specify without serious spoilering, and some underused characters like Jackie and Ig mentioned above), he decides to tell a particular story and that's what he does from beginning through the middle to the end.

Need something to read for a summer afternoon? Want to be satisfied, at the end of the book, that Right was done? Read Two Time. Populist anti-hoity-toity tract that it is, no one goes home unscathed or unvindicated, and the privilege of the Privileged Class takes it on several of their chins.

Oh no, I've never had shingles and I hope to keep it that way. Yuck yuck ouch.

Smooches to you, Padre.

Boy, you ain't just whistlin' Dixie, Crypto. I do not ever ever ever want this. Poor thing is *miserable*!

*smooch*

Hi RD- Sorry to hear that your physical pain continues unabated. I hope you get some relief soon, my friend. Easy Hug!

book sounds awful :P
( ok.. I just skimmed, but still)
thumbing

Hope TDM and you are feeling well :)

eta..

I man sad and no fun...
whack job wife, crazy sibs LOL
not my cuppa

glad you liked it though

Laddies and gentlewomen...major announcement...my disability claim has finally, finally, finally made it into the evaluation system as of today.

Next up is a doctor's visit they will schedule within 21 days. This will be the final evaluative step.

Who knows what they will decide, but really, no one who has ever seen my joints says anything other than "ZOMG", and that includes docs!

Four more applications come after this, for differing programs meant to help chronically afflicted people, all of which require a disability diagnosis before one can even BEGIN their processes.

I could be fully insured again by the end of the year, able to take my meds under proper supervision, and even get help when a crisis crops up. Who knows, possibly (I am assured by my friend who's helping me with this) up to and including some of the corrective surgery I really need.

Step one done AT LAST!!!

Congratulations! If I knew more about surfing the wild wild web I'd find some fine firecracker graphics to shoot off in wild abandon, and celebrations! But, alas, alack, all I can do is say YES loudly and happy for you! May the remaining many many steps go quickly! And to your very best advantage, of course.

Excellent stuff ......

Hurray! That's awesome, Richard! Hope you get approved, although I can't imagine how you wouldn't. Woohoo.

Celebratory firework GIF coming up.

*gentle hugs* Hello, my dear.

Been on a nonfiction binge lately. Latest: an small but interesting book about Pancho Villa and another on the Chilkoot Trail. Enjoying them a lot, since they tell me what I want to know, without the "wrist-spraining, kitten-squishing" factor.

The Villa book is especially engaging to me because my grandfather was a medic stationed at Fort Bliss in those days, and I am attempting to trace his movements on the various maps. I lost him when I was 15, and am only now learning about this time of his life.

Wishing for a peaceful and painfree evening for you. *gingerly embrace* (No, I'm a brunette)

I second the fireworks display of happiness and celebration.
But - it sure does sound like a complicated process. Why Do They Make It So HARD. I will never get it, the real people who need the stuff have to jump through hoops, the fraudsters somehow still manage to get through anyway, and then they create more hoops! I hope you get what you need RD.

Good to hear the process is moving - finally! I hope the rest of the steps go quickly and reasonably and you get the help you need soon.

That's great news, Richard!

What APE said.....

That's great, Richard. We're all pulling for you!

Great news! Hope it goes well for you

>78 maggie1944: Thanks, Karen44! It's wonderful to have the first step officially done.

>79 roundballnz: 'Tis indeed, Alex! Glad to see you here. Means the move is over.

>80 Ape: Thanks, Stephen! Luuuurve the GIF!

>81 MerryMary: Thank you, M'Lou! The Villa book sounds good, esp. the absence of heft part.

>82 LovingLit: I made a similar comment today. Why is it there are so many fraudulent claims being paid, I asked, when it's this damned hard to do the paperwork?!?!

>83 ffortsa: Thanks, Judy, me too me too!!

>84 kidzdoc: Thanks, Darryl!

>85 mckait: With or without fireworks?

>86 jnwelch: I appreciate it, Joe!

>87 ChelleBearss: From your mouth to the Canadian god's ears, Chelle!

I frequently question that there is all that much fraud in the social welfare programs. Just like the folks who are trying to make registering for voting difficult, I think those who complain of wide spread law breaking do not have much evidence. When is the last time you heard of any one being arrested for fraudulently collecting disability payments? or for voting when ineligible? There certainly are cheats but I don't think they are wide spread, I think it is the "blame the victim" crowd which complains of law breakers!

Horrors! We can't put more money into food stamps when all these welfare cheats are taking their food stamps to the casino! Ya, sure....

Very glad to hear that the crucial first step is finally in the works, Richard. May good things flow from that!

You posted your good news while I was composing my epistle, and they crossed in the ether. As I shut down immediately upon posting, I missed the celebration. I am, indeed, delighted for this important first step. I hope the next few hurdles are lower and easier.

Huzzah!

*more gingerly hugs* (although I'm still not a red-head)

Yay.

Good news Richard. Hope all goes smoothly from now on.

Gentle {{{hugs}}}

91>I don't know about Welfare. I am sure that there is some fraud, you hear about it on the time.
I doubt it is all that pervasive. Disability? I think there is a lot of fraud there. I know two women ( V well)
who have been on it for years, and who ...well, lets say that at least one of them went to great
lengths and much doctor shopping to get there. There was a lot of research & pre-planning involved. After a lifetime of Munchausen by proxy, she now has her 18 year old son on disability. More research and doctor shopping. Her husband left her over it and her other children barely speak to her, because they see it. And her son has has 4 friends between 18 and 22 on disability ...due to back injuries. Seriously? What are the odds, really? I think that disability is fraught with fraud. That makes it harder for people like rd who NEED it to get it. It makes me sick. I can't tell you how often it has been suggested that I try to get it. Do I have problems? I do. But, I am trying to overcome them.. and find work. I keep thinking that one day soon the scales are going to tip and those working are going to be outnumbered by those they are supporting. I have seen 2 families in which it has become an art form, not just a way of life. Maddening misuse. Report them you say? It is like reporting insurance fraud. No one cares.

I just hope that yours goes through without much ado and you can get some medical care soon, rd.

Kath, that is fascinating. I know no one, not even one person who has been able to stop working due to disability payments. And I do know a couple of people who are definitely in poverty due to their not being able to do a job which pays living wage. I guess I am living a sheltered life. Hahahahahaha

I just get concerned when people spend a lot of energy complaining about how horrible other people are. We probably will never know the whole truth.

Sorry if I offended.

No, no apology needed for me. I am seldom offended by my friends saying what is on their minds. I like good discussions.

>96 mckait:-99 I resent the fraudsters you describe, Kath, with a bitter anger based on my own struggles to get the help I actually need. I wonder how it seems to be so readily available to these people who have invented problems out of whole cloth! Maybe if I was lying, it would just come to me!

But my BIG question is, how prevalent is this fraud? How can it get that pervasive? How is it that I, in genuine need, am sent from pillar to post and back again, when these ***teenagers*** are on the teat forever?!

grrrrrrrrrrrrrrr

Oh well, I hope I'll be done with the hoop-jumping to get in quite soon. Then the hoop-jumping to get what's needed will seem a breeze to me!

>91 maggie1944: As Kath describes below, the problem is real...but I just don't know how they do it on anything like a massive scale. I don't trust statistics gathered on the subject because I think it's in the interest of the statistical collectors to aim the data at a particular end result.

>92 ronincats: Thanks, Roni! Me too.

>93 MerryMary: *smooch* Mary Lou!

>94 EBT1002: No kiddin' Ellen!

>95 calm: *smooch* for you, dear calm

Pom-poms high, leg-kicks ....more like knee-high kicks, loud CHEER! What fantastic news, RD!

Well, not fantastic that you continue to have to deal with a lot of pain, but fantastic that perhaps you'll be back on a proper health plan.

>103 cameling: Thanks, Caro! Managing the condition properly, with blood tests for kidney problems that long-term use of the medicine can cause and the like, would go a long way to managing the pain levels. It's good to be in process, instead of in limbo!

It is so frustrating to see people milking the system.

I read a good book about Munchausen by Proxy....cant remember the title, but it was a really clear case of abuse of the child who was nearly subjected to unnecessary heart surgery because of her mother!

>105 LovingLit: I agree, Megan, heartily. I wish I knew how they did it!

Hi Richard

Post #19 had me laughing right out loud!

>107 Whisper1: Ha! Me too! Are you safely home from Nawlins?

yes, and I had such a lovely, lovely time!!!!

Thanks for asking.

here are a few photos from NO



having fun with students


local color on Bourdon Street


Wednesday evening jazz on Bourdon Street

Oh it looks like so much fun!
I hope you can manage a little down time, now though...

>109 Whisper1:, 110 What a fun time that looks like you're having! Sweet kids, too...very wholesome, corruptible faces.

Oh dear...did I type that out loud?

>111 mckait: Good morning, dearest.

congrats on step one! :)
looks like alot of red tape and hoops to jump through before the final verdict but it's a start!
corrective surgery?
feet?
ouch!

Oh way ouch. The next foot surgery, on the left heel, will be foot cutting #4.

Foot cutting? *pales* ... why are you cutting off your heel?

That news re your disability is precisely why I'm checking in on your thread today from DC, Richard... Am VERRY VERRRY glad that this is now in process. (And relieved I now no longer need to do any chivvying of the person assisting you with this...)

smooches of delight. Am off in the v. hot weather to a glam shindig, and then to what may be an interesting drink with an ex.

local color on Bourbon Street. I like that. ;-)

>115 cameling: Heh...not cutting it off, cutting things off it!

>116 Chatterbox: OooOOooOOOOoooooOOO...dirt later! (PS person in question drove me mad, but was HUGELY helpful.)

>117 EBT1002: Linda has a way with words, don't she Ellen?

In other words, the insanity/helpfulness ratio was no different than usual, correct?

No real dirt to report. But we'll talk about the not quite element! *grin*

Good morning, RD. Congratulations on your disability claim making it to the evaluation system. I hope things proceed quickly and in your favor.

~the concrete blonde~

>119 Chatterbox: ::footpat::

>120 karenmarie: Thanks, Horrible Concrete-ula!

*waving while lurking my way through*

Hi Richard hope you are having a good day.

*smooch*

>122 maggie1944: *lurk-wave*

>123 calm: It's a perfectly fine day, thanks, calm! *smooch*

I'm just checking in and taking notes .. I am with Suz in being glad that things are moving along..
Claudia off to work? Or is she there having some down time. Did I miss that?

She's off to work, poor lamb, in her painful way.

I want to know when I'm going to see their doc, so I'm not feeling too patient.

dear Richard

I am glad you took the first step to get disability, I am on it since 1996, then it was forever, but later it changed in a re-evaliation every 5 years. The last one being terrible traumatic, but I kept my payments and if the laws aren't changed I don't have to be re-evaluated again.

The sad news it that I came by to say farewell, as I am leaving :-(
The other anti depressant I am on now, has a nasty side effect: I can't read, I hope to return one day, but that will probably be some years...

If you ever need me, you can send me a PM.

love you
Anita

smooch!
feeling better I hope and keeping cool :)

77: Laddies and gentlewomen...major announcement...my disability claim has finally, finally, finally made it into the evaluation system as of today.
Delurking for a moment to send positive thoughts for the remaining (many, yeesh, what a system) bureaucratic steps.

good morning!

Good morning, back to you! And everyone else, too!

>127 FAMeulstee: Oh my dear Anita! I am sad for myself, of course, but I'm *heartbroken* for you that the new medication interferes with your reading! It is a cruel cure that makes life's pleasures recede out of reach.

Come back soon. I will miss you. I know others will as well.

Hugs and love
RMD

>128 curlysue: *smooch* I'm cucumbery, in fact...it will barely break 70 today! *evil Muttley laugh*

>129 qebo: Thank you, Katherine!

>130 mckait: *smooch* Merry Wednesday!

>131 maggie1944: How do, Missie! You're in fine fettle today, I see.

I've put up two reviews in my other thread...one of Katherine, Anya Seton's old bodice-ripper from the 1950s, and the other of A Fez of the Heart, by a Brit who got Turkophilia *bad* when he found a fez in his parents' attic.

Review: 57 of seventy-five

Title: GILLESPIE AND I

Author: JANE HARRIS

Rating: √2

The Book Report: There isn't anything I can say that won't be a spoiler here. The book description from Amazon says:
“As she sits in her Bloomsbury home with her two pet birds for company, elderly Harriet Baxter recounts the story of her friendship with Ned Gillespie—a talented artist whose life came to a tragic end before he ever achieved the fame and recognition that Harriet maintains he deserved.
In 1888, young Harriet arrives in Glasgow during the International Exhibition. After a chance encounter with Ned, she befriends the Gillespie family and soon becomes a fixture in their lives. But when tragedy strikes, culminating in a notorious criminal trial, the certainty of Harriet’s new world rapidly spirals into suspicion and despair.”

I think even that is a bit more than enough.

My Review: If my rating this book with an irrational, unknowable, eternally expanding number doesn't tell you everything you need to know about how I feel about the book, here it is in one sentence:

Massive amounts of fun on more levels than amusing, fun-to-read books ordinarily have.

Stop it! I already have too many books checked out from the library, and now I've put a hold request on Gillepsie and I! Stop it stop it stop it!

(The book sounds like a blast)

>136 ty1997: No.

And it is a royal blast!

I've Pearl Ruled Stradivari's Genius. Go see why in my other thread...post #23.

I do love the Pearl Rule. I'm crap at applying it, but I'm better than I was before she taught me to allow myself to quit a book.

One of the most liberating moments of my life, being granted Pearl Rule power over books. It's nothing but common sense, but until someone authoritative told me in a book (!) that it was okay not to finish a book, I just *made* myself finish stuff that bored me.

Now I wonder why I did!

I NEED to learn this lesson but somwhow I just can't...

Seriously, Bekka, get Nancy Pearl's book Book Lust. She makes a super case for the Rule.

I was a Pearl Ruler before I'd ever heard of the phrase.

Too many books, too little time.

Here are several of my best Pearl Ruled books (with apologies to our Woolf-loving host):

Mrs. Dalloway by Virginia Woolf
Ahab's Wife by S. Naslund
Cutting for Stone by Abraham Verghese

Oh, BTW, Hello Richard Dear!

Hello you complete Philistine you! *smooch*

Nice to know I'm not the only Philistine in the bunch...although I suspect that in truth
I am more Philistine-y than Karen.

*Complete* Philistine-dom awaits only for those who don't like Woolf, and DO like Chuckles the Dick and Ernie-boy Hemingpants. You're only half-way there.

Well, about Woolf....

I am days late, but huzzah for a step towards your disability claim!

>146 mckait: That's allowed.

>147 London_StJ: Thanks, Crypto! *smooch*

well that's encouraging about Gillespie and I because that one's already on the list :)

Move it up! Move it up! Heavens, what are you hanging around here for?! Run, do not walk, and get your nose buried in Gillespie and I!

> 132: thanks Richard dear for your kind words.

I have been trough this before: for seven years I did not read, or barely did, so at least I knew this would probably happen. And this time I know it won't be forever, as I thought the previous time.
On the present meds there are other nice things I can do better, win some, lose some, a price I have to pay...

I will miss you too, but without reading myself it will be too hard to keep up with all you guys.
Here is a link to my last thread, or you can follow me on my weblog.

love you too
hugs
Anita

At least I don't put ketchup on hot dogs.

>151 FAMeulstee: *smooch* for dearest Anita

>152 mckait: I do. Mayonnaise, too. *nyah*

Chuckles the Dick and Ernie-boy Hemingpants

lol

AND, still lol-ing over Pulit Surprise that I saw you mention on Darryls thread, a while ago now. Fantastic word play RD, love it.

Heh! Thanks, Megan!

Hi Rd- How are you? I've been absent over here. I haven't even got over to the What are You Reading Now thread. Very rare for me.
Glad you enjoyed Gillespie and I. That's been o high on my WL.
I did finish and loved Dandelion Wine. Where had that book been all my life?

>135 richardderus: So, it seems as though you liked Gillespie and I. However, my screen shows that you rated it "√2", or the square root of 2. Obviously we need to calculate this number to at least two or three decimal points, to determine your exact rating. So, if we use the formula





where S=2, x(0) is the arbitrary starting value (I'll choose 1.5), and x(n+1) is the average of x(n) and S/x(n), I come up with 1.41 stars, an awfully low rating for a book that you apparently liked. I'd appreciate it if you checked my computations to ensure that they are correct.

>152 mckait: Ketchup (or mayonnaise) on hot dogs is a complete abomination. Even the mention of it makes me want to guzzle a bottle of Pepto-Bismol.

>156 msf59: Hiya Mark! Glad to see you. Move Gillespie and I up the TBR. Immediately. You will thank me later.

>157 kidzdoc: I think you should have chosen 4.5. A fairer representation of my actual opinion.

Ketchup AND mayonnaise. And chopped onion. *bliss* Sometimes, I throw caution to the winds and use tartar sauce. In fact, just did that tonight!

>158 richardderus: Ketchup AND mayonnaise...

*Runs to CVS for more Pepto-Bismol, and to fill prescriptions for Zofran and Phenergan*

Ooopsie! I think I broke Darryl!

Okay, so I think you liked Gillespie and I...... (I loved it exponentially)

#157 kidzdoc - Peptol-Bismol is a complete abomination. I'd rather just hurl and get it over with. That icky chalky taste.. *shudder*

Good morning, RD! Pleasant day to you.

Skip the tartar sauce and add cheese (or cheese wiz!)
Mmmmm ketchup, mustard, onion, mayo and cheese wiz! We call that "the works!"

>161 EBT1002: That would be a "yes," Miss Ellen. I approve heartily of the said literary work in question, yes indeedy do ma'am.

>162 karenmarie: Can't say I *ever* want to hurl...Pepto isn't my first choice, though. Howdy! *smooch*

>163 ChelleBearss: Tartar sauce is a mood-based kind of a thing...ketchup, mayo, onion is the standard. I'm not much on mustard with my dawgs. Cheez whiz is ew to me, just in general.

Fifty Shades of Home Improvement!

157/159 > ditto on the condiment issue. :PPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPP

Mayo and ketchup on fries, yes. Mustard, dark on hot dogs, dill relish and onions too!

165> yikes =8O

LOL @ Condiment Philistine

Cheeseburger: plain and dry
Hot dog: plain or with cheese only
Fries: salted

Condiments? Bleh.

so... 168> you were describing a Condiment Philistine?

I think Tom *is* a Condiment Philistine, Kath. It would fit with his whole "I live in Chicago and read Dickens" vibe.

Fries? Vinegar and Old Bay, please.

Hot dogs? Horseradish and mustard.

Burgers? Fresh jalapenos and onions and mayo.

You all have it wrong.

Cheeseburger: Sweet Baby Ray's Hickory and Brown Sugar BBQ sauce (You will never look at a cheeseburger the same way again.) No onion. No tomatoes. Pickles!

Hot dogs: Chili and cheesed.

Fries: No condiments necessary, if properly seasoned (IE suffocating under a mountain of salt)

Huh... can I not have condiments AND Dickens.

FYI Tartar on hot dog? Just *shudder* wrong. Tartar sauce is for fried fish or scampi but mostly for whitebait (nom nom nom *drools on keyboard*).

#165 - Who ever planned that sign has a wicked sense of humor. We had a store in Seattle which always caused laughter when driving past... Tacoma Screw

Great big sign!

Food! "You can't account for some peoples' taste"

If, indeed, one can call "taste" a peccadillo, nay a character flaw, that eschews the glories of onion, the majesty of mayonnaise, the {insert superlative here} of ketchup, on any and all meat-based bread-borne comestibles.

Still, leaves more for me, so whatevs bitches.

I resurrected an old review of a very favorite book of mine, River of Gods, over in my other thread...post #26.

>165 richardderus: I'm not a fan of Home Depot...but, if I ever see an aisle marker like that...shits & giggles will follow!

>157 kidzdoc: Darryl, you just gave me a headache..and an unplanned visit to Mathland!! It's been too many years since my last visit.....

Hot dog condiments? Nyet to catsup.....chili sauce? Yes! Gulden's Mustard....pickle relish...chopped onion. Or, the sauerkraut dog...if it's a beef frank on a rye bun (wry bun?)....Mayo on a dog sounds weird, but then i've never tried it so won't cast stones..I also do BBQ dogs, simmered in homemade sauce, that is rather spicy....

Gillespie and I...haven't read...but Jane Harris ...oops, i was thinking of Joanne Harris of Holy Fools......my bad! I should really get back on my meds!

***Exit, stage left***

> 171Fries? Vinegar and Old Bay, please.

Can't argue with that, either.

I do adore ketchup. mmmm

Fries and Onion Rings: ketchup
Hamburgers: ketchup and dill pickle chips
Hot dogs: ketchup and sweet relish

These three things are actually just an excuse for ketchup.

Ranch should be outlawed and mustard is only good on pastrami or corned beef.

*ducks to avoid the fallout*

Fries with mayo = yum.
Fries with malt vinegar and Old Bay = yum.

However, the single best fry sauce is 1/2 mayo, 1/2 ketchup (is "catsup" the same as ketchup?) and a strong wrist-action of Tabasco and Worcestershire.

There Is No Argument.

When I am made Empress of the Universe, there will be no mustard except in vinaigrette salad dressing.

>176 jdthloue: Has anyone seen Jude's bottle? She needs her meds.

:-P~~~~

178: Ranch has its place. Ranch+Hot Sauce goes into any food derived from Mexican cuisine. If it comes wrapped in a tortilla, it should definitely have ranch and hot sauce in it. :)

I like mayo with a dab of yellow mustard for dipping steamed asparagus stalks! I like catsup or ketchup with my french fries, sometimes. Sometimes vinegar is good, too. Tartar sauce is for fish and chips. Really good stone ground mustard is good on ham, and other meats of that ilk. Cranberries are reserved for turkey. And, Oh! Turkey sandwiches are made with mayo and cranberry sauce! Pickles are saved for cheese sandwiches. Really, it is very simple.

My father converted me from ketchup to mustard with roast beef. No ranch dressing on anything, at least for me.

Oh yeah, I like hot English mustard in mac and cheese, forgot about that. Especially if it's being served with ham!

I put ketchup in mac and cheese and Lipton chicken noodle soup

Kath, does the mac n cheese turn pink? I am sure my 4 year old would love that! Chicken noodle soup sounds great!

I've never even considered the possibility of ketchup in soup. Hm.

Dan hates ketchup and doesn't know it is in the mac and cheese.
I only put it in Lipton packaged soup. Makes it tangy and yum

Cheeseburger: tomatoes, onions, mayo and ketchup
Fries: salted and ketchup

Hot dogs are just ... not that great, no matter what condiments you have.

My toddlers put ranch dressing on absolutely everything. I'm not kidding - today they were disappointed when I wouldn't give them ranch for their goldfish crackers. I've caught Big One dipping a KitKat in ranch before...

Michael used to think it was gross how I eat my fries ... until he tried Thrashers with vinegar and Old Bay. Now he's a taste convert.

What is old bay?

>188 mckait: I suppose it would. I've used that stuff as a rice flavoring and as a dip flavoring, but have never souped it.

>189 bell7: Witch! She's a witch, in unnatural congress with demons! She likes Dickens and doesn't like hot dogs! Burn her! Burn her!

>190 London_StJ: I use Hidden Valley ranch powder to flavor roasted new potatoes. (Stir 'em up with olive oil, then pour a packet a pound on 'em and toss toss toss before chucking into the roasting pan.) Other than that, I don't think about ranch very often.

Found this on Goodreads:
From Daniel Pennac's The Rights of the Reader:

The 10 Inalienable Rights of the Reader

1. The right not to read.
2. The right to skip.
3. The right not to finish a book.
4. The right to read it again.
5. The right to read anything.
6. The right to mistake a book for real life.
7. The right to read anywhere.
8. The right to dip in.
9. The right to read out loud.
10. The right to be quiet and not discuss the book with anyone.

>191 ffortsa: Sorry, cross posted. Old Bay is a seasoning powder with paprika, garlic powder, file, and some other yummies in it. I use it a lot on blah cuts of meat, and in poaching liquids for shellfish. Pathmark on Cherry Street carries it.

Thanks for having an entertaining thread for me to read in the middle of my night when I can't sleep. After I'm finished here, I'm going to go read Something Wicked This Way Comes which I am enjoying.

Love LT.

Try the ranch mix on chicken ( or in the breading or coating of you do that )
and also in burgers. I agree that Ranch dressing is good on lots of things, my
fave besides plain old ranch is cucumber ranch.. yummy!

Old Bay is yummy on most everything. When I make pot roast I coat it with brown mustard and then
apply Old Bay Rub liberally. A sprinkle on any fish cooked any way.. chicken..I keep the rub and the sprinkle right next to the stove :) Good on popcorn, too.

Liking the jpgs below, especially the computer and book one..

Not seeing any pictures, Kath.

>197 maggie1944: You're welcome!

>198 mckait: I loved those immoderately as well.

*smooch* all the way around

I liked that Readers Rights list and passed it on.

Way behind, but now I'm craving french fries. Sigh.
And I want to try the half mayo, half ketchup, twist each of Tabasco and Worcestershire. Sounds yummy (even though normally I think putting mayo on fries is just sick).

And hopefully you will never be Empress of the Universe, Richard, because I loves me some mustard.

>201 jnwelch: I thought that was the best thing I'd ever read by Pennac, myownself.

>202 EBT1002: Give it a whirl, Ellen, you won't be disappointed. As to my Imperium, I fear it's for another incarnation. My application keeps getting rejected. Apparently Dickens and Hemingway are on the search committee.

Old Bay is not, despite popular belief, the same seasoning used on real "Maryland" blue crabs, though (although it can be a tasty sub in a pinch). The real stuff is even better, but Old Bay is easier to keep around.



Mmmm, crabs.

*droool crabs droool*

#200 And big *muaaaahs* back atcha.

>204 London_StJ: *slobber* Ooooooooohhhhhhhhhh that looks goooooooooooood

>205 BekkaJo: I KNOW! RIGHT?

Never had crab, but sea food in general is rarely appealing to me. I prefer to eat furry mammals.

Mmm, I love seafood. And my mom is marrying the manager of a seafood supplier (owned by his brother), which translates into the very freshest seafood at great prices any time I want it. I'm spoiled.

Interesting ... very interesting.

>207 Ape: You live in Ohio. Don't even bother with seafood, or salt-water fish. Likely to be many many moons old by the time the mules cross the prairies and brave the ravening hordes of hill-Williams to get the fishy stuff to you.

>208 London_StJ: Have I said today how very much I hate you?

>209 mckait: Anything in particular caught your eye?

Oh don't lie, it doesn't become you. :-p

>211 London_StJ:

210.. why, yes! Thank you for asking :)

>213 mckait: Obstreperous female! WHAT WAS IT?!

You have a wonderful command of the language, It is pure pleasure to read your posts.

Bah. Humbug. I have to bathe the dog.

Sounds fun!

It wasn't, and now she's mad at me. Oh well, dinnertime will fix that.

>165 richardderus: Fifty Shades of Home Improvement Indeed! lol

Seafood? Yes if I catch if and someone else guts and fillets it. Yes if my dad catches it and delivers it in fillets to my door, or yes to whitebait, scallops or crayfish. Crabs, na.

And, have to agree with the The 10 Inalienable Rights of the Reader, pretty much like other things in life...leave people to do whatever they want so long as its not hurting anyone. Or any books.

>192 richardderus: LOL Careful now, I only like some Dickens. David Copperfield I liked. Oliver Twist was ... far too coincidental in events for my taste. I just couldn't buy it.

I'll have some of those crabs, please! (now stop that)

>219 LovingLit: It seems so plain, so startlingly self-evident, doesn't it? And yet many people, in all seriousness, will say things like "you shouldn't read that because it's too liberal/conservative/pro-/anti- {their opinion here}." If I'm telling someone not to read something, it's based on some history with the person and because I think it will not appeal to them personally. F/ex, I warn Kath not to read books with meanness to animals. I know it upsets her. I recommend books with Arthurian themes to her. She likes those. I'll tell *everyone* not to read a badly written book, but only ride them about it if they read Dickens or Hemingway despite my clear, well-reasoned warnings not to. (They suck, don't do it.)

But to censor books, even by social persuasion, because I don't like them?! Nobody died and left me to be gawd. How is it okay in these folks' minds to do that?

>220 bell7: Any Dickensite tendencies must be cleansed in the Bath of Fire. Your next incarnation will not repeat the error.

>221 EBT1002: Hidy ho there, Crab Lady!

See someone has been having much fun while I was away .........

>222 richardderus: And I appreciate it. You and a few others watch out for me in that way.
That isn't censoring.

As much as I love shellfish, I prefer it to be out of its shell before it appears
before me, as I am squeamish about removing it myself. :P

Weekend is back, is Claudia home? How is she?

>223 roundballnz: I never have a dull day around here, Alex, too many interesting people drop in and chat. Makes life brighter.

>224 mckait: The Gruesome Twosome arrive on Fridays for the summer, oh yay oh whee. She's a great deal better, thanks for asking, and is sensibly taking it easy on herself...no big gardening projects or massive reorganizings or suchlike usual amusements. I hope the sensible trend continues.

It is a perfect summer day today: Sunshine, dry breezes, and the like. I am so spoiled! To think it's over 90 in Austin. *heeheehee*

Straight off the Fredericton Society of Saint Andrew Pipe Band official FB page:



he he he he

Really late with this but:
Fries: malt vinegar, salt, pepper
Hotdogs: don't eat them, well, rarely. Sauerkraut and hot mustard when I do.
Hamburgers: dill pickle slices, tomato slices, thin slice of red onion, the barest skiffle of Dijon mustard

LOLOLOLOL

Oh that is PRICELESS!!!

LOL ...love that.

It is indeed a lovely summer's day today here in MA too, RD. If only it'd stay this way and not hit the 90s this summer I'd be a very happy camper.

HAPPY?! That, my dearest Caro, would constitute para-bloomin'-dise! Oh what a world it would be...ahhhhh....

#210 LOL - I shouldn't tell you that my Dad has lobster pots and also both spear and rod fishes then should I...

I am trying to enjoy this last good day.
The humidity hasn't hit.

I have the door open and there is a light breeze. we are content, we are!
The furkids and me, that is . Dan has gone to work, I bought a new coffee pot and
all is well with the world.

At least i think it is, the tv is off....

Tui .. you made me crave pickles

>230 BekkaJo: *vibrates with deep, abiding loathing and scathing jealousy*

>231 mckait:, 232 OMG She's PREGNANT!!

That's an excellent solution: Leave the TV off, the world will carry on right fine without your tears and anxiety.

“Unlimited tolerance must lead to the disappearance of tolerance. If we extend unlimited tolerance even to those who are intolerant, if we are not prepared to defend a tolerant society... then the tolerant will be destroyed, and tolerance with them... We should therefore claim, in the name of tolerance, the right not to tolerate the intolerant.”
― Karl R. Popper

>231 mckait:, 232 OMG She's PREGNANT!

LOLOL

>234 richardderus: - Nice!

>236 roundballnz: 'Tis, 'tisn't it?

Tonight's dessert: Lemon basil cheesecake with gingersnap crust.

Also on offer: Butterscotch cake with cream cheese icing.

Humidity is building...here in Hillbilly Hell....Tuesday might top out at 93F (though Wednesday could be 94...)

>234 richardderus: The "tolerance" issue is relative...like your "funny Uncle"...for myself, I tolerate some BS, but not other....i'm intolerant of wilfull stupidity....i don't care what other people say

If Kathy/"mckait" is pregnant...then i might follow...given that i'm older than both of you...and That Thought gives me the "creeping willies"

I thought my thread walked the "weird" side of the street...

**smooches**

Oldest woman, to date, to give birth to a living child: 64.

It ain't over til the fat ovary sings.

But goddesses! Can you IMAGINE how horrific it would be to have an infant as one nears one's own second infancy?! One three am feeding and I'd be a gibbering heap for days afterward, and I'm only (!) 52.

Well, a sperm has to enter into it at some point..
( pardon the pun ) and you know that is just not gonna happen.

Happy Saturday to you! Love the cartoon and the comments about intolerance. I also want to mention that your comments on your Good reads home page resonate BIG time with me.

Love ya!

>240 mckait: I know, if you turn up preggers it will be time to lay in a supply of candles and start muttering about virgin-ish birth. I still get the collywobbles thinking about baby-raising in this decade of our lives. Oh nay nay nay.

>241 Whisper1: Thanks, Linda! *smooch* and lovingkindness right back!

Love Popper's quote--so true!

A. MEN.

good arvo to you RD

Is that really you playing the cat-pipes up there? hehe

Heh. No, I'll never voluntarily get that close to a cat, too allergic.

>239 richardderus: I could never imagine giving birth when i was 18,,,which is when i said "nyet".....and when i say "no" i mean it..

the very thought of popping out an infant makes me queasy...at my age...makes me want to be commited

I feel, about children/babies....as you do about Cats

"nuff said

**wink**

226> Too funny.

And I'll take cats over children most days (although there are some kids in my life of whom I'm extremely fond --- I just don't want any of my own).

Kids are a lot more work than cats. The work lasts longer. And more people get mad and have fits when you put a kid in the microwave than when you put a cat in there.

I did the kid thing. It was hard work. I loved every minute of it, but
having to start over and raise a baby at my age? I know that it happens
in far too many families, but I wouldn't want to do it.

Nothing to stressful planned for the day. Right this minute, off to make some pasta salad.

The thing about babies, though, is when one gets put in your lap you can not help but take care of it. I think I could give a kitty or puppy to the animal shelter more easily than giving a kid to the social welfare people.

Sorry, didn't mean to get all serious.

#233 If it helps I went to see Dad for Father's day and he told me he threw a load back last time he was out. DAD! Seriously - call and I will come and get them... sheesh...

>250 mckait: It's a tragedy how often it's happening in families. It always did, but I just can't help but feel (no proof) that it's more common now.

>251 maggie1944: I'm not so sure....

>252 BekkaJo: *speechlessly appalled*

BURN HIM! BURN HIM!

I think that in years past, it was more common to have three or more generations either in the family
home, or at least VERY near by. Now, not so much. Families are much farther apart ...So instead of having a grandparent there to help, the end up being the caregiver when the parent can't or won't step
up. I do not think this is progress and If I had a magic wand that is one thing I would fix :)

240: Oh, surely there must be a way! Do you have a poolboy? A gardener? A groundskeeper? What about a mailman? EVERYBODY has a mailman. Obviously you're not trying hard enough.

>254 mckait: Oh goddesses that would have meant MY MOTHER helping raise her grandkids! :-O

>255 Ape: I think this my be the Pennsylvania Problem, Stephen: Lackawanna.

Hello, Rdear. A pleasant Father's Day to you, and please, oh please, save me some butterschotch cake.

Fries with butter and salt. Burgers with whatever you want. Dogs with brown mustard, onions, sweet pickle relish.

Or the way Rdear likes, of course.

your talk of butterscotch inspired me to tell my husband person to get some while he was out. Hard work ordering people around, but someone has to do it, otherwise Id never have butterscotch pudding! hehe

>257 Matke: Have to come and get the cake, Gail! *heeheehee*

>258 LovingLit: I make the cooked pudding from a box, only I add a half stick of butter to the pot before I put the pudding powder in, then whisk the cold milk into it.

Because, you know, pudding by itself isn't rich enough.

Our pudding is called "Instant Pudding", add milk, whisk, chill. I added some cream too.....bright minds think alike it seems :)

Instant pudding with cream...hmmm...this goes on the must-try list.

I hope when you start a new thread that the armpit guy gets left behind.

Heh. As you wish, madame.

*schemes to think of a still more revolting image*

Revolting? That would be a good word for the book I just read. Or at least for the message it purveys.

I need a shower.

Dear, dear! I just read your review. It sounds like a *ghastly* experience. I'm pleased you survived.

Barely.

RD- Just a quick hello! Hope you are enjoying your weekend, immersed in a good book and keeping cool.

>266 mckait: I gathered. Have you bleached your brain yet?

>267 msf59: Hi Mark! It's been perfect. Never over 75. EXACTLY as summer should be, and tonight I need a sweater. *bliss*

Tried to..... need to apply a different book to finish the job.

What we really need to find for you to read right this minute is a story where Arthur and Merlin are transported into the Vatican and solve a criminal conspiracy by the Pope to corner the world market in kittens to give as premiums for people who come to mass, but they're actually alien entities that are using kitten-shaped bodies to lull women into complacency and then impregnating them via telekinesis with alien wigglers but Merlin ensorcels the kittens and Arthur whacks the Pope's head off and it turns out the evil Cardinal who started the whole thing is Mordred.

Wait... I think I just downloaded that for kindle... free!! Just the ticket! Thanks, you're a genius :)

I live to serve. Wow, that meme got out there quick!

OH my RD, I am way behind. Had a very very busy week last week, no time for LT. :( Just wanted to comment, Love the cartoons. :) Hey and send some of that Crab my way.. Yummy :) Yeah on your disability and making it this far, I personally have never needed to do that, but I hear it is an extremely long process and I will be praying and hoping that you can finally get through the process and get the help you need. Have a wonderful day. Smooches. :)

Hi Monica! Thanks for the good wishes, and back off my crab there little missie or you'll be pullin' back a stump!

*smooch*

Happy belated Father's Day!! I am so glad I didn't miss this thread. I'll take number 2 from post number 2. Thanks ever so much. Smooches.

>270 richardderus:: and Morgan La Fay, don't forget her.

>275 Berly: Thanks, loveycuddles! And back off my man-harem, I do not share the goods no no no nuh-uh skip it.

>276 tiffin: She can be the Pope's mistress!

“I do not pretend to be able to prove that there is no God. I equally cannot prove that Satan is a fiction. The Christian God may exist; so may the Gods of Olympus, or of ancient Egypt, or of Babylon. But no one of these hypotheses is more probable than any other: they lie outside the region of even probable knowledge, and therefore there is no reason to consider any of them.” — Bertrand Russell

Godzilla vs Cthulhu

That might be the coolest thing ever....

$3 on the octopus

>279 Ape: It might at that. I love deviantArt.

>280 tiffin: No taker here. Cthulhu is one of the Elder Gods, and Godzilla's just Godzilla.

Yes, unfortunately Godzilla has no chance against Cthulhu, but it's still awesome, and it reminds me of The Ultimate Showdown, which I can't watch on my dial-up, unfortunately.

In the meantime, I want a poster of the above image to hang in my bedroom, because I don't have a wife to tell me I'm not allowed. ;)

Yuh-huh.

Brooks and I are now having a long conversation about Cthulu and Godzilla.

"Is Godzilla a good guy or a bad guy? He's a dinosaur, so he's a good guy, and he only fights bad guys," he says.

Your kids are so lucky I could just puke from jealousy. Had I ever said the word "Cthulhu"" to my mother, she'd've said "bless you, daaahhhhliiin" in an absent-minded not-listening way.

*snort*

I have a friend who is none-to-find of our monster slinging, but the toddlers and I think it's fun!

Nasty little so-and-sos.

Hallo RD. I go away for 3 lousy days and there are 80 messages on your thread. You are just too popular, my sweet.

*smooch* back

LOVE your last three images. You are on a roll!

*lurking*

LOL the calories pic is too perfect! I'll have to share that with Steph -- and here he thought his clothes were just shrinking!

xox

270 & 287 - Nice !

Love the Calories Pic.. :)

tip toeing through....

>291 suslyn: Hiya Suse! No, there's a real reason for the teensying of the clothes...those vicious calories! They're the cousins of the dryer pixies that eat one sock, and the pen brownies that steal all the pens they don't drink the ink out of first.

>292 roundballnz: Thanks, Alex...glad you're all settled into the new place.

>293 MonicaLynn: Ain't it a gas, Monica? Nice to have confirmation of what you've always suspected, ain't it?

>294 mckait: *tippy-toe wave*

#278 Is it just me or are they cuddling?

#282 I LOVE the Ultimate showdown of ultimate destiny - for a long time it was the ringtone on my phone :) Oh no... now it's earwormed me.

I'm with Roni, the last three have been gems. At first, I thought it was Godzilla vs. Chihuly ---- the amazing Seattle glass artist. He, too, can be kind of scary.



Yes, that ceiling is all glass ---- and this doesn't start to do it justice.

283 > I love the smell of an old book. If they bottled that smell in a can, I'd buy cases of it and spray my house in it.