Richardderus thread 29 for 2012

“The trouble with having an open mind, of course, is that people will insist on coming along and trying to put things in it.”
― Terry Pratchett

Close enough.

Well, thanks to a little monkey-wrench of a wench called Sandy, I didn't cross 50,000 words on my NaNovel. Next year! But I'm having fun with the story. Let's see what I can do with it.

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.
Books 56 & 57...thread 14.
Books 58-60...thread 15.
Books 61-64...thread 16.
Books 65-68...thread 17.
Books 69-71...thread 18.
Books 72-74...thread 19.
Books 75-77...thread 20.
Books 78 & 79...thread 21.
Books 80 & 81...thread 22.
Books 82 & 83...thread 23.
Books 84-86...thread 24.
Books 87-90...thread 25.
Books 91-98...thread 26.
Books 99-102...thread 27.
Books 103-105...thread 28.

My 2012 ORPHANED books ticker:




Pearl Ruled:



14. Beautiful Ruins...thread 18.

15. The Lies of Locke Lamora
16. The Hunger Games...in my Orphans thread.
18. Keeper of Light and Dust...Orphans thread, #196.

17. Equal of the Sun...thread 21.
19. Superclass...thread 23.

20. Narcopolis...thread 24, post #297.

21. Strings Attached...#255.

22. A Place Beyond Courage...#36.

24. Where'd You Go, Bernadette?...#184.

Books are reviewed in post:

106. The Girl Who Circumnavigated Fairyland in a Ship of Her Own Making...#217.

Oh dear me, I love that Pratchett quote. And Pratchett in general.

>4 London_StJ:

Hrm?

Would you believe it was the ONLY image with "First Place" in it that wasn't, well, grotesquely Dale Carnegie-sales-contest-y? Fourteen pages I scrolled! Fourteen! And this was the best one.

*hangs head*

Do you want me to take it down?

Nice new thread Richard.

Love the Pratchett quote:)

Thanks, calm! He's a one for coming up with quotable quotes for sure.

Happy Almost Friday to you!

Back at'cha, dearie! *smooch*

Oh Padre, I can't see an image at all, which is why I was confused!

OOOOoooooooooooooooooooOOOOOOoooh. Well, heh, maybe that's all to the good...heh

Cool new thread, Mr. D. Liking that two book reading accordion pages guy.

I thought that was a cool image, too, Joe.

Hi! Postings #1 and #2 have images. Nothing imag-y after that.

Hope all is good, sorry the novel did not reach the word goal. Might be good regardless?

"spondulix" how cool is that (uh, er, from your review). it was one of my Dad's favorite words. gotta love it. and thanks for the warning re: animal realities at the bottom of the review. most thoughtful for the audio reader who can neither see these things coming nor skip them easily.

*mwah, mwah*

Hello, Darlin'.

Nice new thread.

signing in on your new thread

Hi Richard! I'm alarmed that you aspire to pearl rule 100,000 books.

Can't see your #1 image either. But a lovely new thread despite that, especially leading off with the Pratchett quote!

>16 maggie1944: Nothing in post #5 for you, either? How weird, it shows up for me...huh.

I'll keep working on it, though "good" might be ambitious for a silly little rom-com.

>17 mirrordrum: I *love* "spondulix" both word and thing! I get lots of befuddled glances askance when I say it out loud. I didn't know it was as obscure as apparently it is.

I know several folks who don't do well with that sort of unpleasant imagery, and when I see something that gives *me* pause, I know a warning is in order.

>18 Matke: *smoochiesmoochsmooch*

>19 EBT1002: Ellen is here *check*

>20 Ape: I meant to put in 1000, which is still excessive in the number of years I have left, but got a little carried away.

>21 ronincats: REALLY?! How very strange. I wonder what's goin' on here?

Nice new thread here, Richard! Just grabbing myself a spot.

*waves* to Mr. Popularity while I still have a chance!

Hey RD! I LOVED your review of HOUSEKEEPING VS. THE DIRT! Big Thumb! I agree, I'm not a fan of excerpts either. I hope this gets you to read Sarah Vowell. I know you totally dislike (despise), Jess Walter but Hornby actually steered me into reading him and I like the guy.

Gail gets kisses and I get a check?

hmph

>24 Crazymamie: Hi Mamie! There's a fainting couch over in the corner, I only use it once in a while.

>25 tloeffler: How do, TLo! Why won't you have a chance later? Is it against your religion to come into threads with more than a certain number of posts?

>26 msf59: Oh, glad you like it, Mark! I know Jess Walter has made his boot-print on your neck...I can't abide his stuff, based on the two partials I've read. Nineteen hours until I've Vowelled.

>27 EBT1002: Well, actually Ellen, now that you bring it up, Gail's DH is just less scary than P is....

Adding my thumb to your Hornby review. I've read one book by him, A Long Way Down which I liked but it was so long ago I can't remember how much. But I remember it - which means it stuck in my brain, always a good sign.

Ah, well, that does make some sense. P can be pretty ferocious (although it's Abby to whom you should avoid turning your back).

Lol at Rdear and Ellen. In his younger days, dh was scary as hell. Made life interesting. We're much quieter now. ;>)

Read most things by Nick Hornby. Not high brow. Not low brow. Just Good.
Bit like your thread RD. Congratulations on number 29 and for blitzing through 40 odd posts while I had a short cat nap over here. I think the different time zones normally aids my keeping up but not this morning!

>29 avidmom: Oh thank you, avidmom! Thanks for dropping in to say so. I suspect it will be a long time hence before I delve into Hornby's novels. Too much else singing siren songs at me from the shelves.

>30 EBT1002: My back will be pressed against the picture window, so TWO layers of glass will keep me from being hurled into space.

>31 Matke: Ah time, that great mellower of the savage. *mops brow in relief*

>32 PaulCranswick: Well thank you Paul! It's certainly never dull around here. High brow, well, that is I fear usually pretty damned dull.

My, my, my such goin's on. What with flying kisses and smothering hugs; fiercely protective significant others; mellow aging processes; Pearl ruled books by the scores. This is simply an amazing place.

Great entertainment while I nibble away some Chinese take-out from the grocery store. Pellet stove is happily burning, doggie is sound asleep. It is a good evening!

Sounds perfect, he grumbled around a mouthful of baked yam leftover. *bleurgh*

Complete with wailing and gnashing of teeth.

>36 richardderus:: Quiet tears; wondering whether to go back and read it over...

If I get too far behind (which is always), and there are over 100 posts on one of my starred threads, I get mentally overwhelmed. Fortunately, it usually isn't too long before a new thread starts and I can jump in again!

>36 richardderus: Love it!!!!!

Loving the new thread pic ........ of course none of us can go past Pratchett

Oh, I think you should maybe think about possibly squeezing in a Hornby novel sometime soon - you'll wonder why you took so long to get to it when you do... Just sayin'...

Oops, posted on your OLD thread.

Happy Friday and almost-weekend to you! I will be swamped this weekend, as the official move date is *drum roll* TOMORROW. But the reason I'm really telling you this is to remind you what that really means - when the library is set up, I'll be sharing some real-live book porn with you straight from the new house. ;) Give me a few weeks to get settled though...

>37 Matke: I'm just a lot more dramatic than you are, Gail. But I would be, wouldn't I?

>38 tloeffler: I understand the overwhelmedness! I get it when there are ~20 unread messages and sometimes feel so hysterical about the idea of trying to shoehorn that much into my teeny pea brain that I wait for a new thread, too.

>36 richardderus: Heh! Felt sure you would get it, Roni.

>37 Matke: Well, who can resist the man's wit and wisdom? He's surprisingly profound. Well, it surprises me.

>41 scaifea: I shall take it under advisement. *gets out leather-elbowed cardigan, meerschaum pipe, leather slippers* Pondering.

>42 sibylline: Happens to the best of us, especially since I forgot to post the new thread advisory message. I've fixed it now.

>43 bell7: Oh boy oh boy amateur book porn! Oh boy! C'mon c'mon hurry up!

How did I miss an entire 300 post thread? I may have to go back and read it.

How are you feeling in this cold weather? Any news on the bureaucratic front? I've lost track.

>46 ffortsa: Hi Judy, well, aches and pains get worse for me in damp cold, so kinda achy. But the bureaucrats are their usual selves and I have more hoops to jump through. Maybe just perusing the book reviews in #28?

I'm surprised rappers haven't gotten a hold of the word "spondulix". It rhymes with kicks, mix and dominatrix.

Happy Friday, Richard dear. Lollygagging a bit today. Probably should get up and dressed at some point today. Don't wanna.

BTW, two udgebethumber reviews back there on the way old thread. You may even convince me to try Mr. Hornby.

Good morning, Rdear.

Dramatic? You? Surely not.

New book is on the way...I love Tarot cards...

Perusing the book reviews is exactly what I did, skipping all the T-day stuff, since I haven't yet reformed and become a cook again. I also found I was 138 posts behind on the previous thread! But all better now.

I might look into the Hornby reviews, especially if the books are on Kindle. Actually, I want to read all the books you reviewed (positively) on your last thread, but other books must be read first. Sigh.

I've determined to get to some of the "could be wonderful but probably won't be" books on my TBR piles this coming year. I suspect I will Pearl Rule a good many of them, and toss 'em in a donation box. They just take up too much room. Maybe I should create a ticker to keep myself motivated on that project.

>48 jnwelch:, 50 "Spondulix" is due for a resurgence. Get Jesse to start using it. Let's viral that puppy!

Thanks for upgethumbing the reviews. Hornby's criticism is good, and we're about to get another sample of his movie-making when he adapts the Cheryl Strayed memoir for the screen.

>49 MerryMary: Thanks, M'Lou! I say pajama day has just been declared. Lolly your gagging unhindered.

>51 Matke: I suspect you're in for a treat, Danvers darling, it's got delicious layers...and so much interesting history!

>52 ffortsa: A solid plan, then, Judy. Reforming into a cook? Wait for retirement. Too much to eat there in Manhattan!

>53 laytonwoman3rd: Well, take it from me, Linda3rd, the Pearl Rule ticker needs to be properly calibrated...mine says 100,000 books, and it gets some raised eyebrows...it does, however, motivate me to keep track of the Pearl Ruled books.

# 56 Very true Richard:)

Just came to tell you that my local library has The Stockholm Octavo so I will be reading it soon:) Took me a while to find it as the online catalogue hadn't been working for nine days:(

I picked up your Christmas present early. hope you like it.
Enjoy!

>57 calm: Boo hiss on nine days' cataloglessness, hip hip hooray on reading The Stockholm Octavo soon! I hope it does as much for you as it did for me.

>58 cyderry: Oh Cheli, you shouldn't have! (I think it's a violation of the Mann Act, forbidding transport of minors across state lines for purposes lascivious.) But mmm mmm mmmm mmmmmmmm am I glad you did!!

Kevin Powers's novel The Yellow Birds, which I yodeled about earlier this year, has just received the Guardian First Book Award over the equally powerful Behind the Beautiful Forevers.

Oh, no wonder I'd fallen behind. Somehow I must have hit the 'ignore this topic' by mistake - even though it was starred, it was invisible!

>58 cyderry: the phrase "water balloon filled with walnuts" comes to mind. I think his bra size would be bigger than mine! lol

Hi RD,
Loving the top 2 images. That quote is one my mum would like, she aspires to be eccentric in her old age. (her words not mine!) I think its great. It also reminds me of my lovely other and his band. Their music can be...challenging... He reckons its better to have people walk out on a gig (which they do) than to induce no reaction at all. I love that he said that.

>60 ffortsa: That little red X is a real bear to undo. It's hard to find ignored threads!

>61 LovingLit: *sigh* re: 58

Well, no wonder you love that he said that, with a mom who aspires to eccentricity in her declining years!

60> I've always wondered what happens if one "ignores" a topic.

>63 EBT1002: Be sure you want to ignore it forever, Ellen, it's really hard to find them once they're ignored. Going to the group's home page and scrolling through ALL the offerings is the usual result, unless it's a 75er thread, where the threadbook helps a lot.

So I went to the liberry today, expecting to get a copy of Assassination Vacation. The online catalog was down all day Monday, causing me anxiety and nervous prostration as this means I am cut off from my main source of books.

Come to find out that the database upgrade has had the unpleasant side effect of causing phantom records to surface, phantom copies to show as available, and generally causing odd and unpleasant errors.

Assassination Vacation was checked out last week.

Wah.

I think I'll go knock Nick Hornby's review down a star. It's all his fault.

I'll fly away, o glory, I'll fly away!

My very plan, also, this morning; but I'm tethered to a couple of "commitments". Going to the Apples store to get more educated on the tricks this Mac can perform; going to American Girl Dolls to order a birthday present for one little 4 year old who will be turning 5 in January. And then, if I'm lucky going to a wonderful nursery to meet a friend for gift exchange, and perhaps the purchase of a glorious Poinsettia plant. Then, home to read.... three day weekend looms.

I hope your weekend holds much reading time, few aches and pains, and sufficient joy to keep your happiness in place for a few more days!

>58 cyderry:: What *is* that man looking for? Too much muscular definition for my taste. But, chacun a son gout.

>65 richardderus:: Willie has great recording of that somewhere...

My first read of the new year will be The Stockholm Octavo. Trying to read some quick works to get to 100 this year.

>56 richardderus:: How true. A book is nothing until it's read, when it becomes a sort of benign mind-meld.

Stopping in to wish you a weekend full of fabulous!

>66 maggie1944: Thanks, Karen44, I hope so too! I'm a good deal achey and stiff even now, but reading time I expect to have.

Enjoy learning the Mac's capabilities. I've discovered so many things that Chrome, the browser Kath convinced me to replace IE with, can do that it boggles my mind. And I'm not even a little bit into it!

>67 Matke: Why, he's looking for *me* of course! As to that level of definition, it doesn't last very long...one big fatty meal and *piff* gone! So I feed them buttery oily yumminess. The revenge of the ugly!

Benign mind meld...exactly! I like the phrase. It's precisely what a book is, a mind meld with another being, sometimes centuries dead.

>68 Crazymamie: Thanks, Mamie, you too!

Oh, I am just learning about Chrome. Dejah had told me a long ways back that I should only use Chrome with the library system down here, so I just downloaded it as I am about to explore what I can do online. So excited about that because our last library did not have any downloadable books or audio! Imagine my poor neglected Kindle feeling ever so left out of the library system.

Chrome is so very much faster and less cranky than IE it's nothing short of a revelation, and the single most fabOO thing about it is: AD BLOCKER!!! Go to the Chrome Store, enter "AdBlocker" in the search box, and download it instantly.

On every website the annoying banners and suchlike gubbins will be GONE!! *fantods*

Ad Blocker!! Are you kidding me? Be still my heart! Thank you, Richard, oh knowledgeable one!!

I know, it's like your first TiVo experience. Internet without blinky-flashy-buy mes! The guy is on the honor system for payment, and if I'd won the $550MM jackpot, I'd've given him a million just to say thank you.

Too cool! Good thing you pointed me towards the fainting couch when I first arrived - you know, in case I need to swoon!

It's hard to imagine 2013 is coming so fast. Would anyone else like to do a year-long challenge of one first-time author's collection of short stories a month? Authors of one's own choosing, but I'd start a thread over in the 75-Books Challenge each month with five or six suggestions and link to it here.

I need to keep up the short-story world's presence here on LT! Genres not important, just the short story format.

Oh, and if there's an author one wants to read (eg, Edith Pearlman) whose first book came out a while back, heave it in.

Anyone up for that?

I would be up for that - I would like to read more short stories next year, and that sounds like a good way to tackle it.

RD- I think that's a great idea, since I plan on reading at least one collection a month, anyway. I pulled it off this year and want to continue.
Only, first time authors? Even so, I have a bunch! (I copied this from the Group Read thread)
Are you going to select an author or collection a month, from the suggestions?

I figured I'd offer some ideas of first-time authors' collections each month, but I'd see it more as a place to meet and trade opinions and reviews, with no planned group reads. Some would come about naturally, of course, and no one would be discouraged from group-reading, but it wouldn't be the focus of the thread.

I plan to host the thread in the Short Stories group that exists (!) already, to help keep traffic down. I'll post a link a month in the Group Reads threadbook.

(Crossposted)

Sounds intriguing, since I love short stories, but I hate to commit myself (if I'm going to be committed, someone else will have to do it). I think I'll just sit tight and wait for you guys to recommend stuff to me!

>79 tloeffler: C'mon c'mon jump in! The water's fine.

78 > Now that sounds a refreshingly great idea ....... consider me interested

I am not really a fan of short fiction, but I'm sure a collection or two will end up on my TBR list thanks to you...

>81 roundballnz: Okay, Alex! I've wiki'd you on the group list, to convince Other Kiwis Who Shall Remain Nameless *glowers at Megan and Cushla* to join in the reindeer games.

>82 London_StJ: Hmmm...I'll be delighted to see if you can be converted...so I'll keep you abreast of the monthly threads.

I've put up three January group/community read suggestions in the Short Story thread...mosey over and see if any one appeals, or leave a suggestion if none does.

xoxo

Took me a while but .. here I am! And I'm ignoring all the blue bullets that keep zipping at my head as I catch up on all the excitement here.

>85 mckait: *smooch*

>86 cameling: *smooch* too, even though you don't care a thing about me *sniff*

Hi Richard, hope you are going to have a cosy weekend with Stella!

I got yesterday my copy of We Sinners and couldn't believe my eyes, because it is a deckle-edge edition which I absolutely adore. My flatmate requested already "first read" rights, so I will read it in the new year *smile*.

>88 drachenbraut23: Oh I'm so pleased! It's a lovely object, that book, and lovely stories in it. I think you're noble, giving up first-read rights.

ditto... on giving up first read rights!

'morning rd

Richard, I loved the cartoon in post #36. I recently finished one of my top reads of 2012. I hated it to end. I highly recommend So B. It by Sarah Weeks.

Happy Sunday.

>90 mckait: Mornin'

>91 Whisper1: *lalalalalalalalala* can't hear you *lalalalalala*

Richard, Karen Engelmann of The Stockholm Octavo will be giving a talk (and perhaps a reading?) at the U Bookstore this Thursday evening. I don't know that I'll be able to go, but I'm glad I put the book on hold based on your recommendation. Now that a review has been in the Seattle Times the hold list the library will explode.

>93 EBT1002: Oh, I really hope you can go! She's very likely to be an interesting speaker. Her choice of subject matter, Sweden and the liberal revolution, is just the tip of the iceberg! (Obligatory cold-frozen-north humor over.)

Why choose Tarot? Why tell the story in the format of redacted source materials? Oh, the fun to be had in a talk by her!

Thumbed Octavo:...Thanks you for the warning :)

>95 mckait: Thank you for the thumb! And yes indeed, DON'T pick it up. Bad bad idea. Tailspin for days.

I've posted my review of The Heart of a Goof, the silly Wodehouse golfing-story collection, in my Orphans thread...post #278.

It's a different sort of humor than today's more slapstick brand, and I like it a lot.

The Stockholm Octavo is on order at the library system. Three copies with six holds. I am lucky number seven. Woo!

>98 richardderus: Oh goody good good, Roberta! I hope it knocks you over with its pleasures.

Catching up again, darling Richard. Hasn't anyone devised some kind of a way to keep up with this place and real life? Or you know, just get paid to keep up with LT? Grump. At any rate, *smooches* to you, my favorite reviewer!

Speaking of slapstick humor, I saw that the Mark Sanchez Sunday Follies was taken off the air midway through this week's performance. Somehow a solitary TD pass by the third string QB was just enough for the Jets to eke out a 7-6 win over the equally inept Arizona Cardinals. Anyone who watched that game should be given a coupon for a free six month supply of Xanax.

*looking at Thursday schedule*
I just might be able to go hear Engelmann speak....

Morning, Richard! Hope you had a lovely weekend!

ditto 102

>99 LauraBrook: Had I won the $550MM jackpot, I was going to offer early retirement at the Tome Home to *certain* 75ers.

*glances significantly about the room*

>100 kidzdoc: That poor kid. I don't know what happened to him. He just goes from bad to worse.

So you'll send me the scrip for Xanax?

>101 EBT1002: I hope you can, Ellen. What a great opportunity!

>102 scaifea:, 103 ~meh~ Lots of aches and pains.

War on xmas my lily-white one. Y'all lost that a couple generations ago, so shut up about it.

>105 richardderus:: Oh yeah. I look around and wonder why we think we need to buy all this stuff. I'd be happier with a painting or a story by daughter than anything else (well, a you-know-what would be second). Or a book. Always a book.

I am soooo easy to buy for! Gift card to Amazon, please. Any amount is fine.

AKA "visiting Richard's thread"

Well, I got behind again, I think I am caught up for the moment anyway on your thread.. I should really add your thread as a book read.. ;) LOL.. Sending you smooches.. Love the pics.. too..

Hi Monica! Believe me when I tell you from years of experience, there is no "caught up" when you're in this group. Never. Refresh the talk page and *whammo* there's the end of caught up!

True. So true.

>110 richardderus: Absolutely true.

>108 richardderus:: But, but, Rdear! You promised not to spread it about...
Sigh. Now everyone knows.

>113 Matke: It was but your fantasy that everyone didn't know before, my dove.



Or, how was YOUR day, dear?

My most successful, enduring belief.

115> Oh yeah.

Richard, have you started (and finished?) The Sea yet? I figure I'll get going on it Weds or Thurs, after I finish The Samurai.

Some idiot fired shots into the U Bookstore. No one hurt. But still....
Death penalty, I say!! (target my bookstore, will you? ha!)

>83 richardderus: dont think I dont see you glowering from over here.
I take your challenge and blithely consider it.

>104 richardderus: ....going to offer early retirement at the Tome Home to *certain* 75ers.
Glower this a-way RD!!

>108 richardderus: all my best male friends are mollynoggers, what does that say about me though? :)

>114 richardderus: Im not too proud to admit that that is my exact strategy some days! 4pm -ish is about when I start to think about a wee drop of red.....I tell you though, it works a treat!

Im all ready for The Sea. Ill read it alongside you lovely lot.
*bags not start the discussion thread*
(unless someone wants me to, then I will)

117> Discussion thread? Must we?

Hey RD- Just checking in over here! I love the chatter and the posters and I believe I'll read another chapter too!

No, it's not required to start a discussion thread. It might attract more folks if we did, but I for one say "whatever" when it comes to shared reads like this, as opposed to group reads.

That goof with the gun needs to be strung up.

Mollynogging? That's the best word ever. I'll have to find a way to start using it.

>119 msf59: Hi Mark! I see you've come a-mollynogging too!

>121 tloeffler: Isn't it the coolest? I've yet to work it into conversation.

I've done it twice in the last 20 minutes.

{{{{{Hugs}}}}}

Sweetikins, what are you doing this week? Can you PM me your mobile phone number please?

>123 tloeffler: I meant f2f conversations!

>124 cameling: Done. Sort of.

whoop, whoop!

jeez.............hwga.................SWEEPING THROUGH..........CAN'T KEEP UP. I'm sure there is much enlightenment among the chatting, but I feel like Alice's white rabbit....late for an important date.

Just dropping in to build my vocabulary and say hi! *smooches*

>127 tututhefirst: *airkisses* as Tina sweeps through

>128 ronincats: How do there, Roni! *smooch*

Now I'm waffling. Maybe I'll create a thread tomorrow evening.

Morning, Richard!
*wondering how to reconcile mollynogging with mollycoddling...*

Rise and shine! Hope you have a good one :)

*wanders in, bleary eyed*

*spills coffee*

...lookit that tasty waffle!!!

You should waffle more often, Richard.

Ellen - Jealous your giving waffles to RD! At least you were a tad stingy with the ice cream!

>130 EBT1002:, 131 YUM

Waffle more! Waffle more!

>132 scaifea: One should never mollycoddle the mollynoggers of the world.

>133 mckait: Morning! *smooch*

>134 dk_phoenix: Glad to see you, Faith, but keep your moldy paws off my waffle!!

>135 jnwelch: *eyes Joe warily* MY waffle!

>136 PaulCranswick: I'm just the kind of a hairpin folks want to give waffles to, Paul. *preen*

>138 richardderus:: Lol.

Waffles would be good. Lots of butter; yum. Mustn't stay too long; inundated by books.

Please have a good day, Rdear.

>139 Matke: Speaking of books...



Book porn!

Who's the dude in the black cape sneaking out the door? And how many books is he making away with????

Just me, no worries, no books under this cloak no sirree!

*moves a little faster*

This is a terrific room. Plenty of sofa to sprawl out in, a table for tea and company,a fire and natural light! Can I live there?

Oh sorry, your bid came a little too late, I have the keys now *heeheehee*

Ok...no discussion thread for The Sea. (not even touchstoning it so as not to draw attention to it at all)
Ive started btw, but was so tired last night reading that I shall have to begin again. :|

Love that room .. lookit all that nice space on the couch to sprawl and read? And I love the old firewood stove too. Forget 'Like' ....'WANT'.

Would you be up for a NYC MeetUp on Boxing Day, Richard? ... and anyone else who will be in NYC that day.

>145 LovingLit: We shall see re: thread...the big advantage is one needn't remember where some comment was posted, there's one place to look; the disadvantage is it's another thread to look out for!

>147 cameling: Oh dear, no...I can't do a train ride then subways then sitting then subways then a train ride at all these days. :_{

:-( I'll have to gatecrash your Boxing Day and come visit instead whether or not you like it. It wouldn't be Christmas without me seeing you. :-) This is why people don't give me their addresses .. Mwahahahahahaaaaa

*smoochiesmoochsmooch* Come on down!

Sorry, the book is upside down but you get the idea! Hugs to RD!

Richard - I love that room, I'll have to plan a visit. Apart from the books I think the sofas are just right, so comfy and book reading friendly. High ceilings do allow for a lot of books on one wall.
We don't celebrate Christmas at our house and I now refuse to make trips out of town on the day to visit my extended family who do....call me the Grinch.

>151 msf59: *happy sigh* You know what to give me for xmas, Mark!

>152 avatiakh: Well, one wouldn't expect your family to celebrate CHRISTmas, Kerry...that's a bit rich. I myownself call it Yule or Yuletide around the house, which does me just fine avoiding the silly syncretistic seasonal name that annoys me so much.

Grinch II, c'est moi.

I'll check on Ammy! LOL.

140> That may be my favorite room you've ever posted. Comfortable, lived in, LOTS of reading material, and a caped crusader!

I started reading The Sea on the bus home this afternoon. Took a couple of sick hours after my very bad sleeping night and came home to sit on the couch with fritos, a beer, and the book. I think this book is lit'ra'ture.

>155 EBT1002: It surely is. With a capital "L".

That one's a beaut, all righty all right!

*pads through in slippers and robe*

>140 richardderus: Perfect! I'll take it.

Hey Richard! I've been eyeballing your new Short Story challenge...I've been trying to read more collections/anthologies lately, but I'm not sure if I'll be finishing one every month, since I tend to read more than one at a time.

>157 mckait: mornin coffee's in the pot

>158 kidzdoc: *jangles keys* Oh dear, so sad, it's MINE!!!!!!! *evil Muttley laugh* MINEMINEMINE!!!

You can come visit. Don't bring a bag, backpack, or purse, and all coats must be left in the hallway.

>159 The_Hibernator: It's not that formal, Rachel, it's fine if all you want to do is pop in and out to post what you've read and what you thought about it. Someone is bound to have read at least one of the books you're working on!

Thank you dear...

My pleasure. Speaking of which...



The NoMad Hotel, NYC. Book porn!

Hi RD- I love the Book Porn and I love the idea of lighted bookshelves. That is so classy & atmospheric. Sweet.

>162 richardderus:: NoMad is right; who could be angry there?

Good evening, Rdear. Long dr. visit today, thus v. tired and not much to say, having left it all (almost all) at the office...

What I forgot to say is...the NoMad is at 1170 Broadway, which was the building I spent 8 years working in! It looked not one thing like this back then.

>163 msf59: So agreed, Mark!

>164 Matke: *smooch* for tired and doctored out sweetiedarling

That is a great looking room! Love the lighted shelves. Perfect!

>162 richardderus: yup. No doubt about it. It is book porn. I might just have to live in that hotel one day, kick out all the guests, and have me a little slice of nirvana.

Hi Richard,
Life took a left turn and got all busy and stressful on me again. Perhaps not the best week to be reading The Sea, but I'm (slowly) enjoying it nonetheless.

Just left you a note in the thread!

Time to decorate!

Sorry to hear you're hurting more today than ever. Hope the heating pads work and you won't have to seek additional help. :-( Left you a PM

{{{{{hugs}}}}}

Hi, RD. I've been "off" LT recently, lollygagging around a messy home, feeling kinda blue, toying with adopting a new poodle, but I think it will not happen, trying to read, sleeping in odd bits and starts, sigh. Must be winter. Is the solstice soon?

Nonetheless, I'm caught up here. I've done my Mark's Swap chore, and the SantaThing chore, so I should be getting pkgs of books soon! Woo hoo!

I'm going to try to get caught up with all my other regular threads. Moving right along

>171 cameling: Thanks, dear Caro. Thanks and thanks again! Stella sends nose-kisses.
*smooch*

>172 maggie1944: I read the adoption fee and thought "OMFG"! But you and Greta need someone else to care for.

So, I also talked with a local breeder with a pg bitch. I don't think the rescue is going to be....

Richard, I am finally making it over here. This has been a crazy week for me, but tomorrow is Friday and all I have to do is get my hair cut. I am wondering if I can get away with coming back home and putting jammies on and doing nothing. Absolutely nothing - well, except for making beef stew, but I love to do that. Love making a big pot of something that tastes like comfort and relaxation.

I would love to spend some time in that NoMad room - no need to turn on any more lights. I could just sit there with a G&T and veg...

>174 maggie1944: Someone will find you. It all happens when it needs to, annoyingly enough not on our ideal schedules.

>175 Crazymamie: Making stew in one's jammies, with a G&T at the elbow, sounds like an EXCELLENT Friday plan to me! Go forth and make it so!

*smooch*

Richard, the good news is that when I get paid today, I get to keep the money rather than turn it all over to the Rescue Organization. I'm looking forward to meeting the Schnauzer breeder who lives near me. You are right - when the time is right, it will happen.

Have a great Friday.

just a quick xoxo rdear
Warm wishes for wellness

Morning RD,
Love the Father Christmas image, what a lovely coat he has. We ran into him at the shops the other day and I got some chocolates from him! *stoked* Santa cares about bedraggled mums too :)

I hope the day treats you kindly.

Merry Bookgasm!

Dreadful day, lots of ouchness, and comfort food is only marginally helping. I made myself chili cheese fries, ate them and, while I've got a smirk on my face, I'm not feeling less knee pain. Large gout crystal out yesterday made it a wee bit less stiff, thank goodness.

BTW, avoid Where'd You Go, Bernadette? unless you're looking for a noxiously stupid and vapidly annoying read.

Yeowch. Wouldn't it be wonderful if chili cheese fries could be an actual cure? Or chocolate cake. Mmm, murder cake (my favorite chocolate cake recipe).

>182 London_StJ: Oh my heck, yes! I'd be the healthiest mofo in town!

24. Pearl Ruled: WHERE'D YOU GO, BERNADETTE? by MARIA SEMPLE

Rating: 1.6* of five (p97)

The Book Description: Bernadette Fox is notorious. To her Microsoft-guru husband, she's a fearlessly opinionated partner; to fellow private-school mothers in Seattle, she's a disgrace; to design mavens, she's a revolutionary architect, and to 15-year-old Bee, she is a best friend and, simply, Mom.

Then Bernadette disappears. It began when Bee aced her report card and claimed her promised reward: a family trip to Antarctica. But Bernadette's intensifying allergy to Seattle--and people in general--has made her so agoraphobic that a virtual assistant in India now runs her most basic errands. A trip to the end of the earth is problematic.

To find her mother, Bee compiles email messages, official documents, secret correspondence--creating a compulsively readable and touching novel about misplaced genius and a mother and daughter's role in an absurd world.

My Review: I do not care where this stupid, whining woman went. I want her to stay there and remain anonymous.

Awful. Negative. Condescending to agoraphobics.

It's as noxious as Gone Girl, and cloaked in humor instead of viciousness it still makes me mad. Jonathan Franzen liked it, so did Garth Stein and Kate Atkinson. Note to self: When writers whose work you dislike intensely blurb a book, ignore the hype and avoid it.

Gone Girl...noxious?? Oh dear, can't agree with you there Richard. But a thumb for an entertaining review of a book I didn't have on my WL anyway and isn't getting there right now.

>185 brenzi: No, we have a point of disagreement on Gone Girl...but I suspect you'd dislike the cloying, unfunny sit-commy "humor" of this book anyway.

A prayer I can say without smirking, gagging, or arching an eyebrow at last!

So, no then? You had me at Jonathan Franzen liked it. "Note to self: When writers whose work you dislike intensely blurb a book, ignore the hype and avoid it. " Such a good point!

>184 richardderus: Ay Dios Mio! I have this on my queue at the library RD. Oh well, I'll still check it out. I'll let you know what I think when I do. Love the review!

ETA: thumbed up review

>184 richardderus: It's the one point six rating that got my attention!
God bless the Pearl Rule.

>188 Crazymamie: On balance, I vote nay.

>189 luvamystery65: Thank you, Roberta!

>190 avidmom: Heh. Thanks, avidmom!



I have been a bit dyspeptic. I herewith demonstrate there IS some brightness in my worldview.

RD - I think you have something there with "Bookgasm" - "bookgasmic" is certainly descriptive of many of your porn selections. Have a great weekend.

When writers whose work you dislike intensely blurb a book, ignore the hype and avoid it. I have found this to be wonderfully accurate. If I have a "meh" reaction to one author's work, chances are I won't enjoy what he or she is reading.

>192 PaulCranswick: Heh. I think so, and expect the word to catch on. Have a lovely, yourself, you splurge-meister!

>193 London_StJ: It seems so obvious, doesn't it? Yet I *will* ignore the warnings. I mean, blurbs!

Hi RD- Beating up on Gone Girl again? Big meanie! I do like bookgasms though, almost as good as the other kind.

Mmm yes, I am indeed a meanie. It's replaced Room as my go-to definition of manipulative vileness.

Room is vile? What's wrong with it? And yes, you may list all that you hated about the book ... after all, you weren't all that bashful about beating The Hummingbird's Daughter to a pulp. ;-p

Hope you're feeling way better today, Rdear?

The stunning and adorable Ms Stella ...who is wonderfully lovable and loving. *SMOOOOOOOCH*



Richard and Ms Stella

>197 cameling: Yeah, in fairness to the book, there is no way on earth the story could be told without its being vile.

But Donoghue was manipulating the horrible events without mercy. At this late date, I can't cite examples. What's left for me is the impression of being pulled by the nose-hairs into this room, shoved into a chair, and told to sit still while horrifying evil is perpetrated before my eyes.

>198 cameling: Oh goody good!! they're right-side up and everything! Isn't Stella a pweshus poochiekins? Thanks for taking them after saving my poor knees.

Which, sad to say, are worse today. *sigh*

DISLIKE! I so sorry to hear your knees are worse today. I'm appalled at the healthcare system that would force you to live with so much pain instead of doing the right thing and making sure you have the services and treatment you so badly need. Then again ... I wonder if someone could make a run to DC for you and bring back some medicinal ganja to numb some of the pain ....

Heh. If SOMEONE did, there would be a percentage of the take in it for them....

Tomorrow's tree madness has me in dread, I don't mind telling you!

I'm so sorry your joints are making you so miserable right now!

{{{{Richard}}}}

I really hate PAIN! My friend who has just recovered from Shingles and I were talking about what we could/would do to avoid chronic pain, and I don't think there were many things which would not fit on that list. I would do almost anything to avoid it.

I am so sorry you are living with some of that evil stuff today. Please, let the Universe give you a book or three which will distract your mind a bit, and then add some of the best tasting foods and drinks possible. Hopefully, the pain will subside.

A friend of mine and my sister have both had shingles attacks in the last several months. Husband just got the shingles vaccine. $219, not covered by insurance. Sigh. I'm debating about getting it too.

I hope the Christmas thing goes ... okay.... good.... well..... whatever you need.

Sorry, darling Richard, about the pain. Hugs and smooches to you from your own dear Horrible.

>202 ronincats: Thanks, Roni, I am too. The bad times don't give warning, unless I've done something I know will cause a problem and decided to do it anyway. This wasn't one of those.

>203 maggie1944: Thank you, Karen44, I'm happy I still haven't had shingles!! EW. I'm down with your request to the Universe. Like, now! *smooch*

>204 karenmarie: Horrible my dear! *smooch* So glad you're surviving the snooze-inducing training. Sort of surviving, anyway.

Sorry you are in pain Richard:(

Beautiful picture of Stella.

>198 cameling:: she's beautiful! Doing survey course catch-ups with various threads. Haven't been internetting too much of late: too many things to make for Yule.

>206 calm: Thanks, calm. And thanks calm!

>207 tiffin: 'Tis the season, Tui, there's way more to do than any one person can get done. Happy to see you!

My goodness, hard to keep up with you! Liking the Stella and RD pics. Life is good, eh?

Enjoying the various book smackdowns, too, including of ones I've liked like the vicious Gone Girl. It does worry me that Jonathan Franzen was pleased by Where'd You Go, Bernadette, but I'll probably give it a shot anyway.

>209 jnwelch: Life with Stella is always good, indeed.

Not ONLY Franzen. That Garth Stein bore, too. The signs were all there, staring me in the face, but nooooooo I had to ignore them and try to read this, this, thing anyway.

Never. Again.

*nods as he slurps dregs from Big Red, his 96oz mug*

Book porn!

Personally, I think your hair looks just fine, Richard, but I'll stop whining about mine. Although, to clarify, I didn't think I was actually whining, just stating facts! Love the photo of Stella, please tell her that I think she is simply GORGEOUS! Gentle hugs to you- sorry that you are in pain. Sending a painbegone whammy.

Forgot to mention that I love the book porn!

Love the pics of you and Stell as well as all your book porn Richard.. :)

OH Richard!!! I love the photo of you and Stella.. you are both beautiful!
You are a wee bit more whiskery than I am used to seeing you... thinking up looking for part time work as a sweet old Santa? You look wonderful.. but it sounds as if you feel the opposite. I am so so so sorry :(
(*&^%$^&*()_(*&^%$#^&*(*&^ system that would let you suffer so much for so long.. It make me so angry flames shoot out of my eyes..

hugs

Review: 106 of seventy-five

Title: THE GIRL WHO CIRCUMNAVIGATED FAIRYLAND IN A SHIP OF HER OWN MAKING

Author: CATHERYNNE M. VALENTE

Rating: 5* of five

The Book Description: Twelve-year-old September lives in Omaha, and used to have an ordinary life, until her father went to war and her mother went to work. One day, September is met at her kitchen window by a Green Wind (taking the form of a gentleman in a green jacket), who invites her on an adventure, implying that her help is needed in Fairyland. The new Marquess is unpredictable and fickle, and also not much older than September. Only September can retrieve a talisman the Marquess wants from the enchanted woods, and if she doesn’t . . . then the Marquess will make life impossible for the inhabitants of Fairyland. September is already making new friends, including a book-loving Wyvern and a mysterious boy named Saturday.

With exquisite illustrations by acclaimed artist Ana Juan, Fairyland lives up to the sensation it created when the author first posted it online. For readers of all ages who love the charm of Alice in Wonderland and the soul of The Golden Compass, here is a reading experience unto itself: unforgettable, and so very beautiful.

My Review: Magic is real.

Hello? Are you all right down there? Nothing broke in the fall, did it?

Magic, as I was saying, is real. Magic, not the stupid majgicqk of the boring nonillion-ologies of million-paged forest-rapers about the Queen of the Orc's long-lost son's Qwest to Fynd the Hynd or whatever. That shit should be banned. Or very very heavily taxed.

Ahem. Trying to find polite again.

So yes, September is magic, and Fairyland is magic, and Valente is a sorceress whose incantation is this book. The real deal, laddies and gentlewomen, le pur sang, descended from the right hand of the lawrd (which always sounded vaguely naughty to me, but I'm incurably low-minded). This YA fantasy novel is what y'all who need magic should aim yourselves towards like lodestones to the pole. Look no further, this is it.

Seriously, should I call someone? This falling down while gasping is a smidge alarming.

September is Ravished from her mother and her life, goes on a quest to find a Spoon for a Witch, meets the Magical Helper and overcomes the Magical Foe, and in the process saves Fairyland, grows into a wise woman, and goes home for a nap. That's the plot. Basic government-issue story.

So why am I, YA-averse and phauntaisee-phobic, giving it five stars? Because. It's magic. The real deal. Every one of us begins life in a universe of unbounded possibility and slowly but surely submit ourselves to the chains and locks and gears of adulthood. Fairyland, that state of unbounded possibility, recedes from us as each nasty rule and wicked, spiteful decision made by or against us does its grim work.

We use our unique, indescribable, polymorphous magic tools to sever and close and shut off, just as September is gulled into thinking she must do to uncouple Fairyland from reality, from our world of machines and banks and school. We're taught that the painful and nasty process is necessary, will save us and everyone we love, is right and just and correct. So most of us mangle and chop away, thinking the pain is growing up and growing wise and becoming adult.

Some few of us, like September, are given a moment of magic, and see the process for what it really is: Death with slow rotting, oblivion enough to be bearable but shot through with the awareness of the loss we've been tricked into suffering at our own hand. And some fewer still retain, magically, access to that other and better world. They come and they go, leaving us trapped souls for just long enough to be noticeably changed on their return, if we're sharp and attentive. Which, to my utter shock (not), most of us do not.

Valente's work, in the main, is polished prose telling interesting stories. Her adult tales will repay your reading time, and even (for many who Don't Read Such Things) be a revelation of quality work taking place in fields far from the ordinary haunts of dull adults. Seek that out, do, and firmly squelch the lip-curling until one full book has passed before your eyes.

But here? This? This is magic. The real deal. Approach it slowly, with a heart open and a mind clear, and it will enfold you in its warmly feathered, hard-muscled wings, and bear you away to that place you cut off so long ago. March in with your expectations set on stun, your ideas loaded like rocks in a slingshot ready to let fly, and your experience will resemble that of the US Army in Afghanistan: What hit me? Ow! Stop that! Ow!

I speak from (happily changed) experience.

>213 Crazymamie: ...at least you HAVE hair! My hairline is commonly called General Sherman, marching ever towards the sea, leaving scorched naked earth behind.

>214 Crazymamie: Yeah, that'un is somethin'!

>215 MonicaLynn: Thanks, Monica! *smooch*

>216 mckait: Thank you, loveycuddles! Now clean your glasses.

Jeremy likes the beard, and the longer it gets the happier he is. So here it stays.

I confess to being more than a bit weary of constant struggles against the pain without help in sight. Growf.

Okay, you win.

Love, LOVE, LOVE that review! Thumb for you- and I'll read it. Thanks for that!

Um..it's not posted. If you post it, I will thumb.

Must read tGwCF. I've had it home from the library twice these past couple of years and never feel like getting into it. I'll make the effort as your review has me convinced.

Love the photos of Stella and your beard.

You made that book sound fabulous?

Marvelous review. I'd like to thumb it.

Stella's a sweetie.

Wonderful review. psst....I just love the fact that you are enjoying YA.

I finished a lovely, lovely book last night See You At Harry's. It was a real heartwarming tearjerker.

Love you!

I liked the review. The book will be bought by me. Now, on to the important stuff. I love Stella's name. I have images of standing on my front stoop letting loose with a great wonderful, "Stelllllllllllllaaaaaaaa"..... I just know the dog will come. How could she/he not? I am going to try really hard to not name my next dog "Stella". It would not be fair to our LT buddies.

I am surviving holiday crazies, just barely.

If you want a giggle go to www.youtube.com and search for Sharon McKnight and her rendition of the song "Bacon"

Excellent review, RD, of an excellent ~ and, yes, MAGICAL ~ novel.

Skimmed through, but I just can't add another book to my pile right now, thankyouverymuch. I did enjoy the pictures of you and your pooch. Smooches!

>219 Crazymamie:, 220 ...I didn't post it...? Oh heck. Well, I went and posted it now. *sigh* Foolish of me! Thanks for enjoying it, and now READ IT!!

>221 avatiakh: Oh Kerry, I liked it so much. I think it will appeal to you on the suppleness of prose alone.

>222 mckait: It was. Just flat, it was. *smooch* Glad to see you about!

>223 Matke: She's my poochiepweshus! I confess, I'm the most besotted puppydaddy known in this time-space continuum.

The review is, blush blush, posted now.

>224 Whisper1: Who, me? *I* am NOT enjoying YA! Never never! I, ummm, I well you see there were these aliens and they had this probe and...

Okay, I give, I enjoyed it. Beautiful book.

>225 maggie1944: She came with the name, too. We loved her instantly, and I think at least part of the reason was that she suited the name down to the ground. What a joy she's been!

Glad you liked the review, too.

>226 magicians_nephew: Hi Jim! Thanks, glad you stopped in.

>227 Storeetllr: Agreed, Mary, it is and what a sheer joy to discover it. *smooch*

>228 London_StJ: Hiya Crypto! Stella joins me in sending smooches and slurps back. (The slurps are from Stella.)

RD- Great review of THE GIRL WHO CIRCUMNAVIGATED FAIRYLAND. Sounds like a winner. Love the photos of Stella and the General Sherman. Glad you had a nice Meet-Up with Ms. Caro!

Richard, I love the pictures of you and Stella. She is a precious pooch, no doubt about that.
I have Where'd You Go, Bernadette? on hold at the library and I am glad it have it there (as opposed to spending money on it!). Being set in Seattle and written by a Seattle implant (which is, admittedly, what I am), I feel compelled to read it. I will bring my grain of salt with me to the endeavor.

xo

Oops, thought I had expressed what a great review I thought that was when I was through here earlier, but evidently I didn't. You loved it just a bit more than I did, but that was a great review!

hmmm "I don't read YA" - easy fix just deny any book you love isn't YA despite what anyone else says ......

I've posted my review of the harrowing, atmospheric, and very exciting Devil's Peak, a thriller set in South Africa, in my Orphans thread...post #284.

>231 msf59: Thanks, Mark! Stella's such a lovebug that she was ready to follow Caro out the door. She clearly felt she'd found a soulmate!

>232 EBT1002: O brave new Seattle that has such women in it. Better thou than moi, is all I shall say!

>233 ronincats: Thanks, Roni! And don't forget my complete lack of desire to read such books, whereas you're a seasoned vet of the genre. I bring the starry eyes of the genre ingenue to my review, plainly.

>234 roundballnz: Hi Alex! I like that dodge. I'll give it a whirl.

#217 *pottering off to get this...*

Early morning hugs and smooches, RichardDear!

Hope you have a wonderful day.

Just want to make sure to check in and wish you a good day .. as pain free as possible.
My glasses are perfectly clean, thank you. I have to buy that damned book now.. Then I will give it to Oliver and Owen... ( maybe)

I will go and thumb now that it is where it belongs... xo

>236 BekkaJo: Oh goody good good! I think you'll really like it, Bekka.

>237 karenmarie: Thanks, Horrible! A pleasant one is in the works. Tree-decorating followed by a steak dinner. Boo hoo, sucks to be me. NOT!!

>238 mckait: Oh dear, glasses clean already? Is it cataracts, then, messing up your vision?

Thank you for upgethumbing, and I'd hold off on giving it to the lads. It's a few years above their paygrade yet. Maybe ~8.

#216 : Beware Medicaid.... Kath is on the war path ...

Now if *I* was a bureaucrat, that would totally cow me into submission!

I suspect I'll be spreading the threading out next year. I want to treat the Short Story collection challenge as a ticker-to-itself thread, thinking 36 reviews as my goal.

The 75 challenge, next year, will be non-fiction and non-genre-fiction books published in 2012 and 2013, plus recommendations from other 75ers.

I'm going to keep a mystery-genre thread over in Crime, Thriller, and Mystery forum, with a goal of 50 reviews.

Orphans will still catch all the other reading, over in the What Are You Reading Now? forum, like this year. Thinking 60 reviews as my target.

Altogether that's a target of ~225 reviews, and this year I'm on track for ~210. I think I can do it.

That sounds way too complicated for me..
quit being a grump..
I can see perfectly well.
I like the way you look.
Now what should I wear to this damned party?
They are picking me up at three

#239 I think so too - it's all ready to go once I finish up some things. I don't really want to wait till 2013 for it but I might have to :/

>243 mckait: Green sweater, black pants, soft shoes, and Valium-glazed smile. You'll wow 'em.

Thank you, o blind one.

>244 BekkaJo: Be practical...wait...give it the space in your reading time it needs to be fully appreciated.

Another outstanding review, and I LOVE the pics of you and Stella and your smoochy faces! Hope Kath can put the fear of reading Gone Girl in 'em!

(I too couldn't stand GG, in fact, I skim-read it in about a half hour, and that may have been too much time spent on it. Will step WAY AROUND Where'd You Go too. Thank you for the warning!)

>246 LauraBrook: Thanks, Laura! And I say good idea re: Where'd You Go. Bleurgh.

248> I'm sure she does.
I have Devil's Peak on my bedside table. Your repeat enthusiasm about it makes me want to read it soon! After Sweet Thursday and Night....

Looking around the internet for a Xmas present for you......

Okay. Want, want, want the room in 212! Love the picture of you and Stella. Great reviews, as per expected. Sorry about the aches and pains. : ( Smooches.

>249 EBT1002: Ellen, it was a really immersive experience in a lot of ways, with charming moments among the grimmer ones. The language and the environment were both so well handled. I will be surprised if you don't enjoy it.

>250 Berly: Berly darling!! So good to see you here. *smooch* You may have the room...tell the people who live there I gave it to you so they have to vacate or face zombie rat invasion.

Excellent! I will start boxing things for the move...

251> Oh, I do love that one.

Sigh.

*pours another glass of wine*

Wine, women and books. Or was that song? Well, I like books better.

And if you heard me sing, you'd definitely suggest that we stick with wine, women, and books. It's truly a better combination.

Oh, and no rieslings please. Or tokay. *shudder*

Well, the only rieslings I'll be serving up are the really good ones -- German and old. I do have a few in the basement (aka the cellar) that are pretty good. P is not a fan so I mostly drink them when on my own.

But no worries, I'll mostly provide pinot noir or good red blends from Washington, Italy, or France. Brunello, anyone?

tokay? oh dear. never.

Tokay is fancy talk for "Boone's Farm Kountry Kwencher."

Brunello yay! A good Sangiovese, a solid Viognier (I like hot-weather whites a lot)...some Veuve Cliquot and some Ca' del Bosco for bubbly.

I have some lovely chilled Macon Lugny if I can come to the wine party? ;)

What plane are you on?

Sorry to say that I skimmed some to catch up, but I love the photo of you and Lady Stella, and I'm sad and sorry that you're still hurting. Hoping that this week is better in that respect.

Yep.. went with green sweater, black pants and soft shoes, exactly!
I can't say I wow'd anyone, but it was a good choice. I felt comfortable..

>262 scaifea: Hi Amber! Glad to see you, and Stella says woof.

>263 mckait: Good morning, dearest! Glad you chose wisely, and had a pleasant time.

Aches and pains not as prominent today. That's good news!

Stella is quite the lady, Mr. D. Love the picture of the two of you. (But, oh, those knuckle joints make ME weep---what they must do to you doesn't bear thinking about.)

>265 laytonwoman3rd: Oh thanks Linda3rd. They're playin' up today, too. *sigh*

Tree's up, and more amendment will be done. Place is decorated and looks lovely. I like Yuletide pretties!

Wonder whether there were weather gremlins around inflicting random aches & pains on us all this weekend? Nearly everyone I know who suffers from something -- MS, lupus, your stuff, my headaches -- was sideswiped.

Envy you the three. The one downside of cats -- or at least Tigger -- is that he would climb and then demolish any carefully-decorated tree I set up. And wreaths just aren't the same. They don't smell as gorgeous or look as fabulous. I haven't had a tree in nearly a decade...

Well, you'll see this one on xmas day. CM is sending the directions email this week, but I'll be amazed if it's not the 1:10 from Penn again.

So glad you're coming! *smooch* It's ham this year, with oyster stuffing. Lots of other stuff too, of course, but that's all my feeble brain can conjure up.

I strongly suspect your weather analysis is correct. It's just been a major slog, hasn't it.

THE CELTIC HOLIDAY TREAT OF THE DAY
Bailey's Irish Cream-Coffee Bars
yummy Irish coffee, in brownie-like form, but without the chocolate.

1 pouch DRY sugar cookie mix (1 pound 1.5 ounces)get this in the baking aisle--I use Betty Crocker's cookie mix, but you could use another brand
1/2 cup chopped pecans
1/2 cup cold butter
1 egg
1 can sweetened condensed milk (not evaporated; 14 oz)
2 tablespoons Bailey's Irish cream liqueur
1 teaspoon instant coffee granules or crystals
TOPPING
1 cup heavy whipping cream
3 tablespoons packed brown sugar
1 tablespoon Bailey's Irish cream liqueur
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1/8 teaspoon ground cinnamon
25 cinnamon sticks (2 inch)

1.
Heat oven to 350 degrees F. Spray bottom and sides of 8-inch square pan with cooking spray. In large bowl, place cookie mix and pecans. Cut in butter, using pastry blender or fork, until mixture looks like coarse crumbs. With fork, stir in egg. Press half of cookie mixture in bottom of pan. Bake 15 to 18 minutes or until golden brown. Reserve remaining cookie mixture.
2.
Meanwhile, in small bowl, stir milk, 2 tablespoons liqueur and the coffee granules until well blended. Pour evenly over warm crust. Sprinkle reserved cookie mixture over top. Bake 25 to 30 minutes longer or until golden brown. Cool 30 minutes at room temperature. Refrigerate 1 hour to cool completely. Let stand 10 minutes before cutting into bars (5 rows by 5 rows). Store bars covered at room temperature.
3.
Just before serving, in small bowl, beat whipping cream, brown sugar, 1 tablespoon liqueur and the vanilla with electric mixer on high speed until soft peaks form. Top each bar with dollop of whipped cream; sprinkle with ground cinnamon. Insert cinnamon stick into each dollop of whipped cream. I've also served without the cinnamon, using shaved dark chocolate instead.

mmmmmmmmmmmm that looks so good!
I wish I lived in a *legal* state right now... because I think that a wee bit o the herb is just what I need right now. These look they a close, very close... second.

I snagged the recipe off FB and posted it here for xmas baking. Sluuuurrrrrp!

Baking? Baking? Oh, well, unfortunate me: do not imbibe any more so I'll pass, even though I know the alcohol cooks out.

Near occasion of sin and all that....

I am SO making those!! Thanks, Richard!

I'll PM you my address for my 50% commission, payable in bars of scrumptiousness.

That's fair.

Cooperation is good...

I don't bake. I gave it up. I mean.. I don't really bake for Xmas. I order in.
Too much stress and mess... as long as there are cookies.. all is well.

rd.. I posted your pic at the top of my thread.

~Waves~ My Dear Richard I always love passing through your thread. :)

>248 richardderus: Did Richard really post an image of a cat in his thread?

*faints*

Wait! a cat? Oh, yeah, now I see it. I completely missed that one.

Seven kinds of cookies and four kinds of candies, and I'm calling my holiday baking done. It's not all I usually do, but it's all I'm willing to do this year.

The Monsters are pleased.

>277 mckait: *picks holly leaf out of beard* Damn things show up in the weirdest places.

>278 MonicaLynn: Hi Monica! *smooch* for the passing

>279 kidzdoc: No. It's not a c-a-t it's a well it's a small brownie in a tie.

>280 maggie1944: No no no, not a cat, a errrmmm brownie! Yes, a brownie in a necktie. Preposterous to imagine ME posting a CAT.

>281 London_StJ: *adjusts hump, rearranges warts* I'm a monster, too! Can I have a cookie?

It's at the very least a great start.

#268 -- I didn't know that there was an Xmas dinner, or that I was coming, until earlier this morning! E-mail came complete with stealth warning -- ?????

I really do like that image, above. Reminds me of my grandfather's bookshelves.

Okay, so who was that lady I spoke to at your office number on Wednesday? She sounded like you...she must not have given you the message!

I knew you sounded frazzled, but wowee toledo!

????? What # did you call??

The 347 one. That IS the land line, right?

I like that knickknack on the bookshelf. What a great decorating idea.

Knickknack?! Blasphemer! That is the Sacred Vessel from Which All Happiness Pours, the Mug! It is resting there while the reader selects a tome to carry back to the unseen wing chair for reading pleasure.

LOL! Ah, I should have known. Although it sets off the books beautifully, sitting there on the shelf. Nice visual contrast.

I want that mug!

Me too, Mamie! It rests there only for the space of an image, then it moves into my cupboard. So don't get used to it, Joe.

Hah! OK, darn it.

282 - You may have a few! I actually made monster cookies, which is a recipe that measures ingredients by pounds instead of cups. I make a half-recipe, which requires 6 eggs, 1.5 pounds of peanut butter, six cups of oatmeal, over a pound of various chocolate bits, etc. I have two and a half freezer bags full of just that.

Yup -- but you didn't speak to me. Really. I was here all day Wednesday and would remember... And nobody else here except the cats. How very, very odd.

The guy who lives with Stella - Just catching up and your Baileys Coffee bars sound wonderful. I think I'll have to add that to the cookies that I'm making for the holidays.

Are you a fan of brandy soaked Christmas cake that is laden with fruit and nuts? I'm sort of taking a poll among friends. The hubster hates it with a passion and I'm wondering if this is one of those food items that a person either hates or loves with no middle ground.

>295 Chatterbox: ::speechless::

For realz? But, but...but...you **ARE** coming, right?

>296 cameling: I take them case-by-case, as it were. I've had some rotten ones. I've had a few great ones. And simply not calling it fruitcake doesn't change the fact that it is. Oh, I made a Guinness fruitcake in the past, and it's good. Mostly, though, a piece to be polite and crumble most of it up to swallow quickly is kinda how it goes.

Fruitcake? I like many of 'em, although the fewer nuts they contain, the better. (I loathe walnuts with an abiding passion...)

For realz. I'm slightly unnerved. Yes, shall try to come though I haven't RSVPed as yet. Erm, is the high secrecy level directed at anyone in particular?

What high secrecy level? Is there something I should know? Not that I'm aware of...wait, oh no no no, not him. He's coming, I think.

Not a huge walnut fan myownself. Adore pecans. Something rancid about walnuts to me, even fresh out of the shell. Only time I like them is with maple flavor.