Carmenere's Cozy Corner - Chapter 1

Timely message:


I'm back for my fourth year of Librarything but this year I have a PLAN. Again, my main focus is to read books off my shelves but I'll be doing it systematically, really, in alpha order by author's surname.
Intermixed with those I'll be attempting to read some classics in world literature.
Throw into this concoction a few books I began in 2012 but have not yet finished.
Best wishes to all for a very happy and healthy new year and good luck on achieving your reading goals.




Currently reading:

Ella Minnow Pea

ABC's off the bookshelf ROOTS Challenge
January
A nderson Speak 3.99/5
B ellow A Theft 2/5
C amus the Stranger 5/5

Misc from the library
January
Celebrate: A year of festivities for Family and Friends 3.75/5
Moomin The Complete Tove Janssson Comic Strip Volume 1, 2 & 3 3/5

Misc from Kindle
January
Epic of Gilgamesh 3/5

Misc off the shelf
January
The Wisdom of Slowing Down ER 4/5
Favorite Father Brown Stories Mark's Swap gift from Lori

World Lit Lineup

The Epic of Gilgamesh - Completed for January TIOLI
My Name is Red
The Odyssey
The Bacchae
The Bhagavad Gita
The Tale of Genji
Journey to the West
Popul Vuh
Candide
Things Fall Apart
The God of Small Things
The 1000 and One Nights

Half baked cookies

The Shadowy Horses
Team of Rivals
Three Musketeers page 135
The Brothers Karamazov page 81
The Wisdom of Slowing Down Completed 1-17-13
The Devil's Highway page 29

Fifty State Challenge

States completed as of 12-31-12

visited 17 states (34%)
Create your own visited map of The United States

thanks and credit for the map idea to Morphy

Alabama - Inside Out & Back Again Thanhha Lai
Alaska - Into the Wild Jon Krakauer
California - Sliding into Home Kendra Wilkinson
Florida - Hoot Carl Hiaasen
Illinois - Things Not Seen Andrew Clements
Louisiana - The Awakening Kate Chopin
Maine - Eternal on the Water Joseph Monniger
Massachussets - The Last Dickens Matthew Pearl
Michigan - Stitches David Small
Mississippi - Mudbound Hillary Jordan
New Jersey Everyman Philip Roth
New Mexico - The Dissemblers Liza Campbell
New York - Old New York Edith Wharton
Ohio - Summer of Shadows Jonathan Knight
Oklahoma - The Outsiders S. E. Hinton
Virginia/DC - The Simple Truth David Baldacci
Washington - The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian Sherman Alexie

Welcome back! The plan looks great.

Good luck with your reading plan! I've read My Name Is Red and Things Fall Apart from your World Lit list and really liked both of them.

I'm impressed how organized you are! Good luck- I'll be monitoring you in the background.

Lynda - will be interested to see if you can keep up the organised manner of your reading. I always start with the best of intentions and fall short - I am sure that you are made of sterner stuff than I.

What a great reading plan, Lynda. I love that you've got a 50 state challenge. If I haven't already signed up for what I suspect are more challenges that I can handle, I'd add this to my list too. But you've given me an idea for a challenge for 2014.

Hi Lynda! I love plans and look forward to following your progress. Happy New Year!

Oooh a plan!! Looks great. I'm in the 50 state challenge too but have been neglecting it for about 3 years. Looking forward to watching your progress.

I've got you starred, Lynda! Love your reading plan - is the list of half baked cookies a list of books that you are part way through? If so, I may have to steal that idea! I have several that I started last year and then just didn't get finished for one reason or another. I am going to work on reading ROOTs this year and even joined the group, but am not sure about making a thread - if I do, it will probably just be for book keeping purposes. I cannot imagine keeping up with three threads. YIKES!

#6 Thanks, Jim, it's great to be back. Thanks also for taking the time to set up our wonderful group for 2013!

#7 I'm glad to see you enjoyed two of my world lit selections cbl! I've never heard of them but your omments encourage me.

#8 I have good intentions, Manuel, hopefully, I'll stay faithful to them :0)

#9 Sterner stuff than you, Paul? I'm not sure about that but check back and discover just how quickly I faulter.

#10 Hi Caro! I've been working on the 50 state challenge for a couple of years but 1) I tend to forget about it and 2) the majority of the books I read take place outside the US , I'm not sure why, it's not intentional :0}

#11 Happy new year back at cha, Kerri! I really hope this plan works but I need to wear blue print blinders when I read threads. I've got to stay focused!

#12 Hi Cushla. I hope to finish the 50 states this year and then after that stay away from these sorts of challenges. I've also been doing the alphabet challenge but didn't include it in my 2013 thread as I just need to finish a U author book to complete. I need to put that book under half baked cookies.

#13 Yes, that's exactly right, Mamie. I get so excited when a new months TIOLI challenge goes up that a drop what I'm reading to begin a new bunch of challenges. I hate dangling storylines so I hope that's something I don't continue to do.

Here are my TIOLI selections for January. I've tried to only fit in the books I had intended to read in January.

DONE Challenge #1: Read a book with no duplicate letters in its title
Speak Laurie Halse Anderson

Challenge #2: Read a book by an author you hadn't heard of before you joined LibraryThing
The Stranger Albert Camus

Challenge #6: Read a Book That Was Downloaded onto Your Electronic Reader at Least Six Months Ago
The Epic of Gilgamesh

READING Challenge #7: Read a book with a B somewhere in the title or author's name
A Theft Saul Bellow

Happy New Year!

Wow -- a plan. I feel daunted... :-) But admiring. And consider yourself starred.

Dropping my star to see your progress!

Good luck with the reading plan for 2013, Lynda!

Morning Lynda- I love your "Plans"! Good luck with all of them. I love all the creative ways we come up with, to move books off the shelf. Incredible.

A starcat placekeeper so I can find you again...

Happy New Year Lynda!

Happy New Year of here too Lynda!

Happy New Year Lynda

Looking forward to following you in another year of books and life.

。☆ 。☆。☆
★。＼｜／。★
Happy New Year!
★。／｜＼。★

Bright blessings for a new year!

#15 Happy New Year to you too, Linda!

#16 Hi Suzanne, Plans like resolutions are made to be broken. We'll see how it works out.

#17 Hi Lori, I'll be dropping a star over at your place soon

#18 Thanks Stasia!

#19 Hopefully Mark, my plan will take some books off my shelf allowing me to replace them with more!

#20 Ooooo Kath, a Starcat! Like!

#21 - 25 And Happy New Year back at cha, Chelle, Paul, calm, Kath and Morphi!

Happy New Year, Lynda! Let's have a great reading year!

#27 Yes, we will Mark! I'm looking forward to a new beginning.

Despite being warned I went ahead and read a spoiler alert regarding the coming season of Downton Abbey. All I'm going to say is ACK! That's starting the year off on the wrong foot, aye?

Oh, that stinks! That's the problem with it broadcasting over there first. Why can't we be first? We have 2 episodes left in Season 2. I've been enjoying the re-watch. The 2nd season became more problematic than the first but there are many highlights too.

It's a good thing I'm middle age, Mark. Hopefully, I'll forget what I read however if the brain cells do their job and I remember, it won't matter much. I'll enjoy DA just the same. You make a good point, if anything, why can't the series be broadcast on both sides of the pond simultaneously?

I must get caught up on Season 2 of DA this week! You're the second person who has mentioned that the first episode of Season 3 is a shocker. I've been watching them on Amazon Prime and Season 3 is already available on that from what I can see. It'll be fun to be all caught up when LT erupts with comments about each new episode.

Unfortunately Pat, the spoiler I saw gave away most of the season with no specific clue about what occurs in the first episode. I'm looking forward to discussing the show. The characters are so enjoyable to watch.

I came for the cookies... ;)

#32 Yikes! A spoiler for most of the season--that sounds devastating! I really loved Season 1 but if I remember correctly there was more criticism of Season 2. I hope it's not a downward trend.

Starred! I'll be following your amazing plans...

I read Speak a few years ago and enjoyed it. I'm anxious to see what you think of it.

Stopping by to star you so I can keep track of how life is treating you. Hope the New Year is starting out to be a good one.

And besides, your cookies aren't fattening!!!

Starred! I like your reading plan Lynda. Happy New Year to you and your family!

#33 I'm lol, fuzzi. Cookies brings them in all the time.

#34 When I rewatched season 2, there was a show or twoin the middle of the season which I skipped over. But I could replay the last of the season over and over again.

#35 Hey Tina, thanks for starring me. I'll have to mozey over to your thread and see what's going on over there.

#36 I remember you read it, Linda! and I wishlisted it because of you. So far, I'm enjoying the book very much and I couldn't have planned the timing any better coming off the heals of The Catcher in the Rye.

#37 Thanks for starring me, Tina. I love cyber cookies my self and have been known to drool at their sight.

#38 Thanks Bonnie. All I need is a little stick to it ness and wear my blue print blinders as I visit posts.
-----------

So, here we are at day 2, 2013. So far so good. Gots my coffee and a little reading time before the guys wake up so I'm off to visit a little more, read and then it's take down the decorations time. Anyone want to join me? I turn the radio up and party while I labor.

Hi Lynda - looking forward to following your reading and keeping up with you better in 2013! I love your half-baked cookies list - I have quite a few of those too...

spoilers never spoil things for me... at least not so far.. good luck with it though :)

Plans are good. I like yours, Lynda, but where's your Missouri book? I recommend anything by Gillian Flynn. You won't be bored!

Happy, Happy New Year filled with all good things!

Great plan - I'm looking forward to seeing what you'll accomplish this year.

#40 Hi Heather, glad you found me

#41 I'm not going to let it bother me, Kath. I heard Meredith Viero say she also read the spoiler, so I'm in good company.

#42 Donna, believe me when I tell you I downloaded Gone Girl onto my Kindle from the library. It was whisked away before I had the chance to read it. I'll try again some time.

#43 Thanks Samantha, I have high hopes for my plan, we'll see.

I loved Speak when I read it. It was very well done. :) Hope you like it too!

#1-2013
Celebrate: A Year of Festivities for Families and Friends

Pippa Middleton
2012
400 pages
3.75/5

Ms. Middleton writes in her introduction "I know many of you will have picked up this book out of nothing more than curiosity." Very intuitive for that IS the reason I requested it from my library. It is indeed because of her celebrity that I was interested in this crafty/recipe book for special occassions at all.
I was completely surprised by the layout of this beautiful book. Divided by the seasons of the year and the occasions within each season the reader embarks on what gracious living is all about. Making each event special, sharing laughter and a good meal with friends and family. Though some ideas were not new to me there were plenty that I would like to try. The recipes and the crafts are not burdensome nor complicated but dishes and crafts that young and old would attempt.
This is one book I look forward to adding to my personal library.

46> Interesting. I'd heard of the book, of course, but I thought it was probably a celebrity book that was crancked out just because it would pull in money on the author's name alone. But your review has made me curious enough that I've reserved it from my library.

#47 I hope you enjoy it, Samantha!

Ohh! Interesting book by Pippa Middleton! I so love to follow her sister, Kate! Enjoy!

Oh, no! So sorry to hear that you encountered Downton Abbey spoilers! I'm so looking forward to the new season and am baffled that they can't air them in the U.S. at the same time, but what do I know?

#49 I must confess Deb, I have a royal fascination with British Monarchy. Although, Ms. Pippa's on the outer rim I just had to check out this book to just get a taste of British style. Although I'll never sample beef and kidney pie, the rest seems nice.

#50 Yeah, it's a real bummer, Kerri. That's what I get for wanting to read everything I pick up. Ouch! Still looking forward to season 3, 3 more days, right?

I take short breaks from decoration packing to read Speak. Really enjoying it. Anderson's writing style draws the reader in, wanting to find out more and more, but she just teases the reader.

Pippa's book? Interesting !

Dan packed up our tree yesterday, and that was such a good thing to come home to! There are a lot of things up outside, but it is way too cold to deal with those right now. Maybe on the weekend?

How nice of Dan to suprise you, Kath. My guys brought in the outdoor lights and candycanes yesterday, now in garage drying. I handle the interior stuff where I'm nice and warm and am able to sneek a quick read now and then. ....and is why I completed book #2.

#2-2013
Speak

Laurie Halse Anderson
1999
200 pages
3.99/5

Linda (Whisper) gave this book high marks when she read it a few years ago, so now that I've finally had the chance to dust this book off, I too can add my praise for this book.
Melinda Sordino and her fellow ninth graders are all searching for their voice. They are all gradually becoming the people that will take them into the future. Melinda, however, has had a tramatic experience during the summer she enters 9th grade and the friends she once counted on no longer want to associate with her. Her growth is stunted by this experience and her inability to talk about it naws at her very being. Her parents are concerned but too busy to figure it all out. She's left to face it alone and only with the patience of her art teacher and her lab partner does she gain the courage and insight to come into her own.
I really loved this story and was very pleased with the outcome. Hightly recommend.

Hey Lynda! Stopping by to drop off a star! You've already finished a book in 2013--cheers!

Sandy K

#55 Hey Sandy! I'm off to a fairly good start and I hope my momemtum sticks around.

Eeeeegads! I won an ER selection The Eleven by Pierre Michon . I'm not sure I requested this one. It looks like it's in French! But it is about the French Revolution which I would love to read, so maybe I did request it, hopefully it's been translated.

Ohhhh, It is an Archipelago book, so with relief I can say, it will be translated. Yeahhhhh!

Eeek, I just toppled over my wine glass when I discovered that
Andy Summers from The Police is turning 70!

Wow - a plan. I feel so unorganized... I don't even have a thread yet....

It's good to see what you're up to, Lynda - nice reviews! I'd wondered about the Pippa Middleton book, as most people seemed to be dismissing it as fluff. I'll see if my library has it.

Congratulations on your ER book!

I read something today that said the reason DA wasn't aired in the US at the same time as it was in the UK was because the UK showed it in September, and PBS was worried about having to compete with all the new network shows.

Lousy excuse. I would have watched it over the new network shows....

Hi Lynda!
I'm finally here! yay
Nice new thread with a plan... good work.
Already finished 2 books, too! (lol re the 3.99 rating for Speak)

I am so torn between the book I am reading and new threads. So I am progressing in both badly.
I know things will even out someday.

Happy reading this year :D

Andy Summers is 70?! I have the Police's Synchronicity album on vinyl somewhere in the depths of this house. I remember listening to it on heavy rotation my senior year of high school. Although, I usually skipped over the one song where he sang lead vocal, Mother. He just sort of screamed it. Plus, it was one creepy song.

Sandy K

Lynda that ER book looks promising!

And Sandykaypax, that Police album was one of the first ones I listened to - that and Tears for Fears, who were desperately uncool even in 1985. Yes how can he be 70?!

Happy New Year's, Lynda. I've dropped by to place my star and catch up. You appear to be organized and ready to tackle 2013, I'm looking forward to following your reading again this year.

#57 So that's why I couldn't find your thread, Dejah! You hadn't made one yet! Come on girl get to it. what's with the slacking? ;0)
Middleton's book is really beautiful and if people say it's fluff, well, it's about entertaining, which is sort of a fluffy subject.

#58 Hey Terri, that's interesting, I spose it's all about money and their bottom line. But still, it's ridiculous because I'm constantly being pulled away from network tv. I bet some network guy is busy putting together something just like DA for Americans.

#59 Yeah Cee's in the house! I'm reading shorter books right now because my attention span is so short these days and there is so much to be done around the house, but a book is a book and the little guys scream just as loudly to be read as the big brutes.

#60 Hey Sandy, There were so many very good songs on Synchronicity that I must have moved the needle on Mother. In my senior year I sang Roxanne to death! When the mood hit me, I would occasionally blurt it out. My classmates thought i'd fallen off the edge.

#61 It does look promising Cushla, I've been pleased with most of the Archipelago books I've read. 70! yup, that would've made Andy close to 40 when The Police were hot. He didn't seem that old to me then, he was just cool

#62 Hey Judy, welcome to my happy, organized thread! Did you grab a cookie? :0)

This morning I'll be having a chatter with the neighbor moms over a steaming cuppa and a stop at the grocery store then I can get back tok A Theft by Saul Bellow. I couldn't get past page 1 last night before the eyelids slammed shut. Have a good Friday my friends.

Yippee, I picked up 3 Moomin books from the library. Even the librarian had not seen them before and wants me to give her a rundown when I've finished them. Thanks Pat for bringing them to my attention!

Hope you love them as much as I do, Lynda. I've actually only read the first two but I fell in love with the characters. Also, Tove Jansson has written books for adults too. I read and loved The Summer Book just after I joined LT after Darryl recommended it.

My apologies for all the duplicate posts. I kept on hitting the save message button and nothing seemed to be happening!

another duplicate

last one (I hope)

From what I read, the producer of Downtown Abbey is working on a new show set in late 1800/early 1900 New York. Don't know who will be marketing through though.

# 65-68 lol Hey Pat! I'm half way through the first in Volume One, Moomin and the Brigands. Poor Moomin thinks he's got it pretty bad when he has a house full of guests aka poor relations, but things only gets worse and worse after he trys to rid himself of them.
I'll check out Jansson's other work as well.

#69 See, the Americans capitalize on the Brits all the time. Wasn't American Idol based on a UK show as well. I think there are others but my brain's not quite in working order (coffee's still brewing). That 1800/1900 US premise would be interesting and I hope it comes to fruition.
--------------------

I checked, my son does not have a fever. That said, he wants me to drive him to the library today! What's next! Asking to be taken to church, nah, I don't think so.

I'd love to visit more but with a couple hours of quiet time, I'm going to finish that Moomins strip and get back to A Theft, very difficult to get into this one.

Happy Saturday everybody!

#64 Hope you enjoy the Moomin books Lynda - I think they're lovely. Which ones did you get?

Hello Lynda! And yes, us Americans are always borrowing from Brits. One of my favorite shows in college, Queer as Folk was originally a British series. And didn't The Office start in Britain as well?

Good news that your son doesn't have a fever. I'm thinking of taking my older son to check out some violins today.

Brit - The Office did of course start in the UK and I have noticed that whilst your cross overs often work ours never seem to do.
Lynda - enjoyed being reminded of Police and Synchronicity. I drove four hours down to Johor Bahru this afternoon and avoided the police (thankfully) and synchronised with Santana's Abraxas album - my favourite driving album of all time.
Have a lovely weekend.

Lynda -

It's your fault I've had a number of the odder songs from Synchronicity running through my head since yesterday...not bad thing, but they keep alternating with songs from The Music Man and Bells Are Ringing. The juxtaposition between 80s rock and 1950s Broadway musical is beginning to be a trifle disturbing...lol.

As for Downton Abbey, I read somewhere that the New York program may be a prequel about the meeting and marriage of Lord and Lady Grantham. Don't know if it's true, but I'd be willing to watch!

I think that, unbeknownst to us, the vast majority of things we see and read are based upon previous works from other cultures. Some of my favorite examples, and I am dating myself here, are movies such as "The Magnificent Seven" which was based on "The Seven Samurai" of the Japanese director Akira Kurosawa. But Kurosawa got many of his ideas and inspirations from reading Western authors such as Dostoyesvki, Tolstoy and Shakespeare. But where did Shakespeare get ideas for his plays...hmmm, from earlier Italian and Spanish authors. Who in turn got them from earlier Roman and Greek sources. Where does it end? Does it need to end somewhere?

So, the US getting or copying ideas from the Brits is nothing more than following a long tradition.

Loved Speak as well when I read it a few years ago... quite the powerful book.

#71 Hey Heather! I got Volumes One, Two and Three of the Moomin strip. Those volumes contain 13 storylines. 1 down, 12 to go. They're a nice break from Saul Bellow.

#72 I believe you're correct about The Office, Brit. Hell's Kitchen and even Dancing with the stars are said to come from the UK as well.
Ooooo, how exciting, I hope the violin outing goes well for you today.

#73 Paul, you are so clever! Glad you had an uneventful drive home with the awesome sounds of Santana sharing the drive.

#74 Ack! Dejah I'm so sorry to have assisted you in creating your personal remix of Synchronicity with 1950's musicals. May I offer you a Tylenol?
RE: DA ahhhhh, the plot thickens. A prequel is very interesting to say the least. Could be a good idea or could be disasterous. It's really hard to play with perfection. I'd be willing to check it out, just the same, but would prefer an original storyline in that time period.

#75 Manuel, you've brought up a very, very good point. I remember when Ringo Starr had a hit with You're Sixteen back in the early 70's. I was crushed when my mom told me it was a remake of an earlier version from 1960! What?! It's not original?! Oh boy, we can get into a huge discussion about what is true, what is pure, what is truly original.
I've read a remark in a book awhile ago regarding Hemingway and how he wanted to write about what was true.........now I see it could not have been an easy task.

#76 Yeah, Speak was a powerful book, Faith. From what my son has been willing to share with me, I think it covers life in middle school fairly well. Have you read any other books by Anderson?

________________

OK, I had to go and do it. I googled Synchronicty - The Police and was brought to wikipedia's synopsis which included this "The three band members recorded their parts in separate rooms: Stewart Copeland with his drums in the dining room, Sting in the control room and Andy Summers in the actual studio. According to co-producer Hugh Padgham this was done for two reasons: to obtain the best sound for each instrument and "for social reasons".1 Padgham also stated that subsequent overdubs were done with only one member in the studio at a time.

During the recording of "Every Breath You Take", Sting and Copeland came to blows with each other, and Padgham nearly quit the project.1"

Now it's down to the basement to find my copy and play it through. I hope you know , Mr. Summers, the stir you've created by turning 70!

My amazing county library posted this on fb

Stopping in to wish you a lovely weekend, Lynda, and adding Speak to my ever-expanding WL!

Lynda, I think Dejah is right about the new show being a prequel. This is actually a pretty interesting article about the "Dollar Princesses" that descended on London in the late 1800s/early 1900s to find a titled husband (http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-2211179/Downton-Abbey-prequel-How-Americas-Dollar-Princesses-married-crumbling-British-aristocracy.html). They even include some pictures of some of the real Dollar Princesses, including Winston Churchill's mother.

I like that quote up above and now I'm going to go see if my library has a good FB page. I never thought to look for them.

I've never read any of the Moomin comic strips so I'll be interested to hear what you think of them.

78> Love that!

>78 Carmenere: Right! Now I'll go read....

:-)

Stopping by to say hi! Love # 78... I'd better get back to the books instead of the threads! :) Hmm I remember reading children's books in English by Tove Jansson back when I was 6 or 7. I remember them as the Mommintroll Series.

#75 Manuel, you're not necessarily dating yourself. Akira Kurosawa is my 26 year old son's "favorite director" and he adores "Seven Samurai." So you could very well be 26....

#77 Lynda, I never knew that about The Police! And I was a huge fan. Another dream shattered.

And I ADORE the quote in #78!!

Lynda, I still don't know what you see in Daniel Craig. My daughters got a copy of the Skyfall DVD but I quit watching it after about 20 minutes. He looked pretty haggard and wasted. Maybe he looks better in a movie theater.

If you're looking for a fab DVD series about "Dollar Princesses", you can't do better than the televised version of The Buccaneers that aired on PBS some time ago -- maybe late 1990s? Four young American women, two of them sisters, take England by storm and end up causing scandals. Based on the Edith Wharton novel, which I have yet to read.

I just received a DVD of the Xmas special of Downton Abbey that aired Xmas day in England -- I have a multi-region DVD player. Well, actually, I have one that just died after 3 years of stellar service, and a new one that I have to install, so shall have to possess my soul in patience until I can do that...

There are so many good television series that don't make their way over here, or do so only slowly.

#78: Love that quote! I am stealing it to add to my profile page.

#79 Greetings, Mamie. I hope you enjoy Speak. It's a short novel which you'll be able to knock off in no time.

Brief interlude music while I step aside to prepare coffee.....................

OK, I'm back

#80 Morning Pat, very interesting article, thanks for the link. I had not known
that these "Dollar Princesses" played such a huge part in keeping England's aristocracy funded nor the cause as to why it was necessary in the first place.......... Oh, there's so much yet to be learned.

I've just started #2 in Moomin Volume 1 "Moomin and Family Life".

#81 - 83 Hi Samantha, Cee and Deb, Glad you liked that quote. Leave it to Confucius to say so much with so few words.

#84 I guess, Terri, that is way we don't see The Police reuniting for a tour. Some things are better left alone. And........Sting is doing quite well on his own, so why go through the hassle.

#85 LOL, Oh Manuel, Manuel, Manuel "haggard and wasted" tis true but he cleans up Oh, so well! Seriously, I hope you watch the remaining, what seems like, 3ish hours of Skyfall. You'll discover Bond's backstory and watch an emotional conclusion. Trust me. :)

#86 Suzanne! You are the go to woman on almost any subject. I certainly will look into obtaining "The Buccaneers" DVD. Thanks for bringing it to my attention.

#87 Be my guest, Stasia. Have you created you 2013 thread yet?! Must check again.

Have a happy Sunday, fellow readers!

Interesting discussion here.. ! Music, cartoons and middle school...as well as books.
Nice!

#89 Morning Kath, Thanks, but it's all about the visitors, they're the ones who make my thread nice.

---------------Finished book #3 A Theft I'll be back to add comments later

Morning Lynda- I'm a big Police fan and was lucky to see them on the "Synchronicity Tour", when I was stationed in Germany. They were fantastic. I even liked Sting's earlier solo stuff but now I think he is completely insufferable.
Actually they played at Wrigley Field a couple years ago but I wasn't going to pay those steep prices. I'd rather use that money on more books.

Sting's earlier solo stuff but now I think he is completely insufferable.
What's this, Mark? You don't like chanting?! Actually, I think his more recent music is a little self indulgent. But, if it makes him happy.

After I posted my post, the thought came to me that they did tour again. Prices?! yike I'm way too frugal to slap down $100 bucks or so to see aging rock stars.

I'm pretty sure it was over a 100 bucks. Maybe 200? That's a lot of books, my friend! I have the cds, that works just fine.

Sorry I'm so late to the new thread... I wish you a very Happy New Year, Lynda and many great reads!

The Moomins... I completely forgot about those. Maybe something for my childrens' literature challenge?

Continuing on Daniel Craig- maybe I'll make the effort. Both my daughters thought it was a great movie that i must definitely see.

>78 Carmenere: Love that quote!

Cushla, I liked Tears for Fears back in the 80s, as well. I was already uncool.

I'm still a fan of Sting's album Ten Summoner's Tales.

And here we go!
ETA - DA SUCH A WHIRLWIND OF ACTIVITY yet still very good. So did Bates admit to being a murderer? What do you think?

#96 Everybody wants to rule the world huh, Ellen; 0)

I must chime in with my note of dissent--Tears for Fears--cool. Uncool 80's bands: Loverboy. 38 Special. Survivor. Hair bands.

Sting--love him.

Sandy K

#98 Hey Sandy! Thanks for chiming in. Funny how TfF sticks with me while Lb, .38 Spec and Survivor do not. I think TfF were more original than the others. I'd like to add Kansas to the mix of Uncool 80's bands.

#97 - Nah - I don't think he was admitting anything. Just talking tough to scare the guy. I mean, after all, Bates is everybody's fair-haired boy. I can't believe Julian Fellowes would ever let him go that dark.

#3-2013
A Theft
Saul Bellow
1989
109 dreadful pages
2/5

The cover of my edition depicts a woman's hand tossing a book out of a building. Little did I know just how prophetic this could have been. If I were to have applied the Perl rule, this novella surely would have been tossed.
The story centers around country girl made New York executive, Clara Velde. She's had four husbands, three children and a lover she feels is her soulmate and the man she should have married. Her lover gave her a splended emerald ring which she holds dear. The ring is her connection to this man through the years and spouses which passed their lives. The ring disappears twice, perhaps this creates some sort of epiphany for Clara, it's hard to say.
This book was my first foray into Bellow and perhaps I was expecting too much, perhaps the bar was too high and maybe, just maybe, it was too highbrow for me for surely there is a message in this book. Why else would have it been written. But to tell you the truth the story left me exasperated and too ambivelent to even try to figue it out. I'm just happy to be done with it. The characters left me cold, the dialog was often confusing and it all seemed pointless.

#100 Yeah, that's what I was thinking too, Charlotte, but then again I thought, ooooo what a twist that would be. I guess it's stuff like that which brings us back week after week!
BTW: Mary made a beautiful bride.

Next book up - the Stranger by Albert Camus. Another new to me author.

No way that Bates did it. FREE BATES!

I took a silly facebook quiz last year--Which Downton Abbey character are you? Of course, I wanted to be Violet, but I was Bates. FREE BATES! The more I thought about it, I'd rather not be a Violet. Fun to watch when she's lording it over everyone else, not so fun if you were the one being lorded over.

Kansas--so not cool. Although, Dust in the Wind (their one hit?) is a pretty song. I wish that I could disassociate it from the memory of junior high roller skating parties, though! Ha!

I don't think that I'll be running out to read anything by Saul Bellow anytime soon. Actually, I don't think that I was in any danger of reading Saul Bellow before that review anyway.

Sandy K

Hi Lynda. I'm not sure what is going on with Bates but I could certainly see him wanting to kill his first wife. She was evil.

Sorry you didn't like your first book by Saul Bellow. I know I read Herzog and Humboldt's Gift a long time ago and liked them but that's about all I remember.

Bates gets on my nerves at times. Such a mope! But I do LOVE Anna and want to see her happy. Free Bates! (I was curious about that scene in prison but I agree with Charlotte)

I know I will probably get stoned by the masses, but I am pretty sick of Anna and Bates. They just remind me so much of stock soap opera characters who are so desperately in love and want nothing more than to be together, but the heavens are aligned against them at every turn and they just can't catch a break. When that kind finally is allowed to get together, you just know somebody is going to be squashed flat by a runaway tractor or bitten by a rabid goat and die a long, lingering death. Cora kind of gets up my nose - I mean, what's up with the weird accent Elizabeth McGovern has been trotting out for 3 years now? Of them all, I think I like Lady Violet and Carson best and after last night, I'm kind of liking Edith quite a bit.

#103: I hope you enjoy your first foray into Camus more than you enjoyed your first look at Bellow. I have read both The Stranger and The Plague by Camus, but I prefer the latter to the former.

#104 I'd love to see Bates free as well, Morphi, but when you think about it, he really has no alibi. He really wanted to be with Anna and his wife was going to stop him at every turn. So he could've killed her and still get out of jail a free man with Anna's help.

#105 Sandy, there are so many other authors to read, I'd read all of them before you even look at a book by Bellow.

-------------I'll be back my son wants to shoot a game of pool with me so I'll be back later. :0)

I watched Downton Abbey last night. It was very interesting to see a nasty kind of character portrayal of Bates. I think it is such a well written series. Lynda, I agree, perhaps Bates could have killed his x wife.

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

I'm glad you found Speak to be a very powerful book. You might be interested in Chains and/or Fever 1793.

#110 continued................

Well, one game of pool turned into two, then three, you get the picture, So............

#105 One more thing, Sandy, I don't remember which character I was but if I could choose, I'd be Mrs. Hughes. I've come to like her very much.

#106 Hey Pat, I have one more Bellow on my shelf, so I'll give him another try. Many LTer's have recommended him so perhaps I just picked a lousy book.

#107 Everyone seems to like Bates, Mark, ad do I. But I do think he has a hot streak in him and acts on emotion. I think he's capable of the act.

#108 ACK! No stoning on my thread, Charlotte. Way too messy! Your comments regarding Bates and Anna are funny and so accurate.
I think McGovern is applying the prim, proper and always incontrol accent.
My likes: Carson, Mrs. Hughes and Patmore and Sybil.

#109 I am enjoying The Stranger, Stasia. I can follow this one, while Bellow left me dizzy

#111 It was very interesting to see a nasty kind of character portrayal of Bates Yes, it was interesting, Linda. That's the moment that got me thinking......hmmmm, this guy is not as simple as people think he is........

Thanks for the other suggestions by Anderson.

I've joined the Group Reads of The Sound the the Fury in April and Riders of the Purple Sage in November. Both are books off my shelf.

My next planned reads as part of ABC's off the shelf will be...........drum roll............

D Ella Minnow Pea Dunn, Mark
E The Christmas Box Evans, Richard Paul
F Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet Ford, Jamie
G Lord of the Flies Golding, William

Oh dear. I only did A.
Well, wait a minute. It's only Jan 8th!

Carry on ;-) Lovely Day!

You're going great! I've heard a lot about Lord of the Flies but never actually read it. I did read another of Golding's novels: The Inheritors. Outdated as far as the science behind it goes, but still a good story.

Just for the fun of it, I checked my own shelves for authors and found out I'm only missing 2 letters: U and X. Which is pretty good, actually, and far better than I expected.

We're reading Ella Minnow Pea later this year for my RL book group. I'll be interested to see how you like it.

#113 You're off to a very good start, Cee. Like you say, it is only the second week of January. 50 weeks to go!

#114 Hi Samantha, Many middle schoolers read LofF. So I'm hoping it's a worthy read. I'm missing X and, I think Y. I'll just mprovise

#115 Cool, Ellen. I've heard many good comments about this book so I think we're in for a treat.

------------------
Ok, Another DA quiz to give viewers their daily fix. I did not score so well, 14/25. Who can beat me? :0) http://www.stylist.co.uk/life/the-ultimate-downton-abbey-quiz#quiz-opened

I had Ella Minnow Pea on the sehlf, and gave it away.. I could never quite get into it..
All of these DA fans! I never formed the habit... but I am addicted to NCIS .. lol

#116 - I got 19 right

Rats, must go to work. I will be back later to take that quiz, though!

#118 I'm starting Ella Minnow Pea today, Kath. Hope I have better luck with it than you.

#119 Way to go, Charlotte!

#120 Let me know how you did, Ellen.

I finished book four today with review to follow. As I mentoned to Kath, I'll be starting my D author soon but today I'll begin my World Lit read of The Epic of Gilgamesh for January TIOLI.

I'm really sad, I stopped at our local family owned produce/deli/wine store today to find that they are going out of business. They've been a staple here for many, many years. It's sad to see them go, like an old friend passing away.

Morning Lynda- It looks like your reading year, is really taking shape. LT seems to be a real Guiding Hand! BLT, I never thought ahead more than a couple weeks. Now I have books slotted for November. Crazy...but pure joy.

#121 You've coined LT perfectly, Mark. "a real guiding hand". This year, especially, I feel like I'm reading with a purpose the challenges are giving me direction. It really makes for a more fulfillng reading experience.

#4-2013
the Stranger

Albert Camus
1942
154 pages
5/5

I truly loved this story as well as my introduction to Camus. It was weird, his writing style gave me the feeling that I was watching a B movie but not in a negative way. Having much of this book take place in Algiers gave it an esoteric and other worldly atmosphere. It gave the reader the impression of being an observer into the world of the protagonist, Meursault. He seems to be ambivilent about many things and virtually emotionless where others would certainly be affected. He lets the world pass before his eyes without being much aprt of it. He seems to be just an observer, as well, even when he commits an act that will change his life completely.
A real page turner and very thought provoking.

>77 Carmenere:: I actually haven't read any other books by Anderson, so I'll have to take Linda's recommendations on her other work as well!

I liked The Stranger too... but I only gave it 4 stars. Still a very good rating from me.
I have a strong feeling that if I read it again, I would get more out of it - but I don't feel motivated to re-read.

Good review!

Linda - Stopping by to wish you a weekend full of wonderful!

Took the quiz, got 19/25 correct. I didn't know things like how many Emmys they actually won.....

I'm pretty sure I read The Stranger back in college along with The Epic of Gilgamesh. Can't say I remember too much about either of them but I'm impressed that you liked The Stranger so much. Maybe I need to reread that one.

I only got 13/25, but the ones I missed were about producers, and Emmys, and that sort of thing. I got most of the ones from the show correct.

Who cares about the other stuff? If I pay too much attention to that stuff, I might start thinking it was just a television show...

#124 Good idea, Faith. I always trust Linda's recommendations. She's queen of YA.

#125 I was thinking of giving the Stranger a 4.5, Cee but I was so engrossed in the outcome I was forced to give it 5. It's not too many books that capture me the way TS got to me.

#126 I hope you have a weekend full of wonderful too, Mamie.

#127 Ellen, as usual, you rock! 19/25 is very impressive.

#128 Ah, I'm not liking Gilga-mess too much, Pat. I just want to finish it just to say I read it but it certainly isn't an easy read.

#129 That was my problem too, Terri. I agree with you, who really pays any attention to producers and awards just give me more episodes, that's what I want!
----------------

I was busy with online techie's most of the day as our computer caught a nasty virus. Only thing to do was wipe out everything and bring our system back to its original settings. Thankfully, I've been using Shutterfly to store pics and we download itunes to our iTouches so we haven't lost much of importance. Just a bother.

On Pat's rec I picked ut a Moomin novel from my library today as well as the State of the Onion. I forgot who mentioned this series so please forgive me for not giving you a shout out.
Suzanne (Chatterbos0 recommended the BBC production of Elizabteth Wharton's The Buccaneers, the dollara princesses that were discussed on a link which Pat posted regarding women like Cora Crawley. I'll be watching it this weekend while the guys to their guy things.

Wishing all my visitors a great weekend of reading and relaxing.

Lynda, I'm pretty sure I wasn't a big fan of The Epic of Gilgamesh either. Which Moomin book did you take out? I'll be interested to hear what you think of The Buccaneers. I need another TV series to watch.

Pat, I brought home Moominvalley in November. it's only 174 pages so it should be a quick read but I'm still working on three volumes of cartoons. I'll be dreaming of Moomins soon :0)

Liking your trip through an alphabet of books Lynda.
Agree with you on Bellow. Could occasionally be splendid but more often turgid and plain dull. Some writers' prose flickers and flames his, for me ebbs like a battery about to expire.
Agree with you also on Camus. For me the best of the French in the 20 th Century bar none.

Have a lovely D,E weekend.

I'm not sure if I'm the only one to mention the White House Chef series to you, but I do rave about it enough that you're sure to have heard something about it from me. I hope you'll enjoy State of the Onion!

I haven't read The Stranger just yet--it's high on the tbr pile, though, waiting on the shelf--but the way you described his writing style as making you feel like you were enjoying a B movie struck me perfectly as how I felt when reading The Plague, which I loved, if you can say you love a book like that. In any case, I just had to say that your phrasing was point-on for my feeling of Camus!

Just popping in to say hello :)

Thanks for bringing The Stranger back to my attention, I've been meaning to read that book for years, but somehow it was buried under all those other tbrs. And 5 stars, now that's convincing!

I really enjoyed Ella Minnow Pea when I read it, Lynda. I hope you do too!

#133 Sigh of relief! I'm so glad not to be alone regarding Bellow, Paul. Maybe it was just that one book, I'll try him again just to give him a chance to redeem himself.

#134 YES Samantha! I think it was you who recommended the WH chef series. Hey everybody, thanks to Samantha I'm going to give the WH Chef series a go. First though, I promised to bring it to me mom, she's not likeing Ivan Doig so much, hopefully the chefs will intrigue her.

#135 Thank you so much, whitewavedarling! Your kind remarks are very much appreciated. I was hoping that I was expressing my feeling for the book appropriately and it seems I must have done a good job :0). I'll definately put The Plague on my wishlist. I don't know why, but I do love that B film feeling.

#136 Waves to Kath popping in!

#137 I'd be interested in getting your take on The Stranger, Nathalie. It may not be for everyone.

#138 I've heard and seen no many good things about Ella Minnow Pea, Stasia. I hope the bar's not set too high because I'm really looking forward to a good read here.

I completed #5 today, The Epic of Gilgamesh. I wasn't enjoying it much at first but then I watched the comments of other authors and artists on the Annenberg Learner website and it gave me a greater respect for the work. I'll be back tomorrow to write a teensy review and rate it. Manuel and I were having a brief conversation about what's original, well, Gilgamesh proves that even the story of Noah found in the bible is not original, as many of you may already know.

Today, I'm watching football, doing bible timeline homework and finishing Volume 1 of the Moomins (thanks Pat). The rest of this month I hope to catch up a bit on my half baked cookies before I begin D E and F in February. I'll also be starting, in February, My Name is Red by Orhan Pamuk for the World Lit series. I'm thinking my plate is a little too full :0}

ETA: On Suzanne's recommendation, I began watching a BBC presentation of The Buccaneers. The first episode, Invasion, was great. Mira Sorvino is such a cutie as Conchita.

#5-2013
The epic of Gilgamesh

Author ?
3/5

How does one rate a book which really isn't a book but a tablet? This tablet is the mother of all androids for it was writen on stone and pre-dates the Bible! To top it off, chucks of the tablet are missing! Imagine editors working with delicate pieces of stone written in a foreign AND ancient language. Until more pieces of the puzzle are discovered the story remains what it is, the story of a tyrant king (2/3 divine, 1/3 human) who sleeps with brides on their wedding night, that's how tyranical he is. He becomes friends with a mountain man sort of guy named Enkidu and together they set out to defeat the beast of Cedar Mountain, Humbaba. When Enkidu meets his fate, Gilgamesh traverses another journey into his own mortality.
Despite the gaps in the story, the reader can follow it fairly well and I found it quite fascinating to be reading something that ancients had heard through storytelling or read milleniums ago. A fellow by the name of Utnapishtim recounts how he was able to attain eternal life. His story has something to do with an ark, a flood, a dove and raven. Sound familiar? Well, it was first recounted in Gilgamesh way before the biblical story of Noah.
I followed the program from Annenberg Learner to help me with this classic tale.

I love your review of Gilgamesh - very entertaining! I applaud your efforts in getting through it.

Nice write up of Gilgamesh Lynda. Congratulations on finishing it:)

Great review of Gilgamesh! I love reading that every once in a while. I need to research this Annenberg Learner, too--it sounds like a very helpful resource.

Karen O.

Hi Lynda! I'm sorry your Saul Bellow experience was so dreadful, but I enjoyed your somewhat snarky review. I believe I own A Theft, but have never read it. Back in the day, I read several of his novels and liked them at the time, particularly Herzog, but I have a feeling he would annoy me these days. Also, I'm positive that it isn't too highbrow for you, probably just a bad book.

I only watched the season premier of Downton Abbey, but (in my humble opinion) I think the only way they salvage the Mister Bates storyline is to make him a psychopath. Otherwise, it's getting a little ridiculous. (Am I cruel? Perhaps.)

#141 Thanks Dejah, sometimes I can be amusing, even clever when the mood hits me.

#142 Thanks calm. I think Gilgamesh is more intimidating than it actually deserves to be. If I can do it, anyone can.

#143 And thank you too, Karen. I do plan on reading it again at some point. I think it's one of those stories that gets richer with each and every read.

#144 I think the only way they salvage the Mister Bates storyline is to make him a psychopath. Otherwise, it's getting a little ridiculous. (Am I cruel? Perhaps.) Cruel?! Hardly, Kerri, more so realistic. IMO, Bates is a sappy, puppydog faced lying sneak. There I said it! I love DA, don't get me wrong, but the storyline needs more drama. Psychopath Bates released from prison and living with sweet little Anna could provide some frightening plotlines. Oh and Thomas can come to Anna's rescue!

I've got work to do but I'll be back later to for comments on book #6 Moomin!

I'm with you, Lynda. I've been getting more and more suspicious that Mr. Bates is not whom we (and Anna) have been led to believe!

Great review of The Epic of Gilgamesh Lynda. I need to go back and check out the Annenberg Learner site too. I'm pretty sure I checked it out when you first mentioned it but at the moment I'm drawing a blank.

I think the only way they salvage the Mister Bates storyline is to make him a psychopath.

I like this idea Kerri and agree with Lynda that it would be a neat way to move forward with that storyline and add some interest to the plot. I have to admit I'm getting a little bored with the show.

Just passing through to say Hi, Lynda. I am keeping my eyes averted from any Downton Abbey info as I am faithfully recording the third season, but haven't had time to watch any yet.

#146 Yeah, Ellen, I'm believing that all this "Free Bates" hype is just a ply to get sympathizers and then WHAM! just when they have all the Bates followers they find out they were snookered.

#147 When you think about it, Pat, where else can than go? However, the writers are the clever ones, maybe be Bates will be murdered in prison. *shrugs*

#148 Avert away, Judy. Too bad we can't post DA info in blue letters. :0}

OK, now for a review, honestly!

#6, 7 & 8-2013
Moomins The Complete Tove Jannson Comic Strip Volume 1, 2 and 3

Tove Jannson
2006, 2007,2008
96, 84 and 104 pages
3.75/5

Thanks to Pat (phebj) , sending out New Years greatings with illustrations of the Moomins, I became intrigued with the hippopotumuslike characters and other assorted creatures. I requested anything Moomin related from my library which sent me Volumes 1, 2 & 3 of Tove Jannson's comic strips first published in 1953-1959.

Each volume contains a collection of 4 or 5 sets of the comic strip with each set given titles like Moomin and the Sea, Moomin begins a new life and Moomin on the Riviera. By now you may be asking yourself "What in the #*@#* is a Moomin?!" Well, it's hard to say. In the singular Moomin is a young (teenage?) hippo who finds himself in some awkward situations usually because he took the advise of a greedy friend, tagged along with a bored father or tried to please his jewelry loving girlfriend. IN the plural, it can refer to the entire hippo family. Though, at times, the strip reads like an episode of the Beverly Hillbillies, all in all, they are amusing and often have some moral lesson. I can see why readers would have followed the exploits of this cute, little river horse. His intentions are good, it's everybody else who are messed up.

Hi Lynda, I enjoyed your summary of Gilgamesh- very well put. I admired the way you succinctly captured the essence of the story and its highlights. After reading yours, I am afraid to go back and read the lame commentary I made last year (or was it two years ago?) when I read the book and posted it in LT. I'd better not look.

Moomin sounds adorable - I think I may have to look him up! Actually, I just did. One of the libraries in my system has Moomin: the Complete Tove Jansson Comic Strip - I've requested it.

I'm another delaying watching DA - the dvd set will arrive the 29th....

Hmmm, I've wondered about all this Moomin stuff. I loved Tove Jannson's novels, The Summer Book and The True Deceiver. I knew she did some Children's lit. I might have to see if I can get a copy.

#151 Thank you, Manuel, for your very kind comments. Truth be told, I really do not feel, at all, qualified to review a work such as The Epic of Gilgamesh and I tend to make light of subjects to hide my inadequacies. I'll need to search out your review to get a more educated viewpoint.

#152 Yeah for finding Moomin, Dejah. I hope you enjoy it as much as I.

#153 I have a Moomin novel upstairs which I hope to get to very soon, Ellen. Thanks for giving me the titles of some of Jansson's other novels, I'll check my library for their availabilty.

--------------
What a day, what a day, what a day! I picked up my mom this morning at 9:30 for two doctor's appts.
Should have been home by 2 but the first doc wanted x-rays taken which pushed back the 2nd docs appt. who admitted having a horrible day himself but slipped us in at a later time so we wouldn't have to come back another day. I love that guy. Anyway, I was so concerned about what the x-rays would show that I didn't even feel like reading. So tomorrow will definately be a Lynda day.
Sleep tight everybody, I know I will.

I hope your Lynda day is wonderful, relaxing, and full of good reading.

Thanks Ellen! I also hope to finish up The Bucanneers dvd which Suzanne recommended. Really, really good!

#150 I haven't read any of the Moomin comic strips Lynda and hadn't even realised Tove Jansoon had written/drawn comic strips as well as the books - I'll look out for them.

#153 Heop you enjoy your Lynda day :-) I'm having a Heather day today too - it's been an exhausting couple of weeks.

Morning Lynda- Just checking in. Hope your week is going well and you are snow & ice free.

Happy Lynda Day! Hope it is full of fabulous!

Hi Heather, Mark and Mamie! Lynda Day is going very well! Just finished the dvd of The Bucanneers.
It is EXCELLENT and I recommend you all run out to your local library and bring home a copy. Cora's marriage of DA fame is wonderful compared to some of the girls on this dvd. Casting was perfect.

Earlier I made an apple pie, Hmmmmm, the house smells so good. Now I'm going to grap a cup of tea and my book and read, read, read.

Hope your day's are going well too :0)

That apple pie sounds delicious, Lynda. I am having a Judy Day today and doing nothing but fooling around on the computer and reading. You've got me thinking maybe I should do some baking later if I'm not feeling as lazy as I do now. Enjoy your day.

Hi Lynda. I'm very envious of your day to yourself! A good DVD (I must look for The Bucanneers) followed by apple pie, tea and a good book. It doesn't get any better.

Those moomins are showing up all over !
( did someone mention apple pie?)

Hey Lynda - What a great day! The Bucanneers is somewhere on my Netflix queue - I'll have to find it and bump it up. Thanks!

HI Lynda

Hats off to you for the love you show your mother and your commitment to her health and well being. I know it is energy draining, but in the end, you will rest assured that you did everything you could for her.

I was very close to my grandmother. Each Saturday I took her to have her hair done, to grocery shop and to lunch. I hold such special memories of our times together. She loved junior wopper burgers. I knew her grocery list by heart. I miss her very much.

Hey Lynda, just trying to catch up here. I loved Camus when I read The Plague a couple of years ago and meant to read more by him so your review and 5 stars has led to me adding The Stranger to the teetering tower. Sounds like your Lynda day went well:-)

Hi Lynda - hope you had a good "you day". DVD and apple pie sounds nice. I hope whatever book you read was just as good:)

Hugs for you {{{Lynda}}}
You are a great daughter!
Apple pie - that reminds me. I can make my own now! I've been so handicapped in the kitchen, I'm forgetting how to cook. Better get back to it ;-)

It must be the week for it Lynda - I am having a Paul weekend as the kids and SWMBO have gone off to Singapore for the weekend. I barely resisted the urge to punch the air as I dropped them at the airport yesterday but I'll be glad to see them back tomorrow night I'm sure.

From Gilgamesh to the Moomins - try beating that for breadth of reading.

Have a lovely weekend.

First, I have to tell you all a story. Call this serendipity, coincidence or God working in mysterious ways. Lori (Thornton37814) was my swapper in Marks Christmas Swap. It was so very nice of her to send two books from my swap list Dissolution and The Cellist of Sarajevo. She also gave me another book which I had not requested but was grateful for, just the same. It is by a new to me author G. K. Chesterton.
Wouldn't you know, I picked up a book that I've been reading and quoting from since last year with the intention of finishing it up. The author Eknath Easwaran often quotes Gandhi, Buddha, the bible and wouldn't ya know he quoted G.K. Chesterton! Had Lori not sent me that book, I would have never known him from Adam! So thanks again, Lori, I hope to get to these swap presents soon!! :0)

#161 I'm so happy to see that you enjoyed your Judy Day! It's so beneficial to have these days now and then. Name Day sounds so much better than mental health day, don't you think?

#162 It was such a needed day, Pat. The bad thing about them they just have you wanting more and more.

#163 Hey Kath, look who helped peel my apples

#164 I hope you enjoy The Buccaneers when you find them on Netflix, Dejah :0)

#165 Awe, thanks Linda, but you can keep your hat on. I'm only doing what any other only child would, hopefully, do. Cute story about your grandmother. Isn't it funny, my mom love jr. Whoppers too.

#166 I really need to add The Plague to my library. Sounds like another good one, Bonnie.

#167 Hi calm, I took the opportunity to finish one of my half baked cookies which I'll be reviewing a little later on. I've got to run to the grocery store after this post.

#168 I know you're a great daughter too, Cee!!! Take it easy with the cooking and baking. Make doubley sure that your fit.

#169 High fives, Paul! Hope you're enjoying your Paul Weekend. I have a feeling right about now you're missing them and the house is way too quiet. Riiiiiight? Come on admit it.
Yup, I like diversity in my reading otherwise I would become bored. Book slump, sad Lynda, so yeah I keep it fresh.

Hope you're all having a super duper weekend, even you quiet lurkers. A bitter cold front in moving in tomorrow so I want to be sure I've got all the cozy and nourishing necessities at hand so off to the store, Ciao

Hi Lynda. Love the serendipity story and the Moomin picture of course! Lori was the person I got in Mark's Christmas Swap too. She had an amazing wishlist and I spent hours looking at it. I've been lurking on her thread and some of the other LTers from Tennessee. They're in danger of being washed away by biblical type rain these days. It almost makes me feel thankful for our frigid temps, which I now fear are headed your way.

170> There's no such thing as a coincidence :D.

Lynda, I want to see how much you like Chesterton. He is a favorite author of mine, thought I haven't read him for a few years. He is a great Christian writer.

I'll have The Buccaneers next week - I'm looking forward to it! Stay warm!

Hi Lynda! Hope you got all your supplies so you can stay inside and out of the cold this weekend! I've also gone into hibernation, but mine is snow induced.
Have a great weekend!

#171 Lori was the person I got in Mark's Christmas Swap too. She had an amazing wishlist and I spent hours looking at it.
The same thing happened to me too, Pat! I got Kerri (DorsVenabili) and I loved her wishlist. After I made her purchases through Amazon I went to a library book sale and found one I had purchased for her, The unconsoled, and bought it for myself. These swaps are very dangerous things!

#172 I think I know what you're thinking, Samantha. :0)

#173 Is he really, Manuel?! The book I received is a collection of Chesterton's best detective stories. They look to be rather short so, what the heck, I finished a book so I'll just go ahead and start this one. I'll let you know how it goes.

#174 Ooooo, I can't wait to see what you think about it Dejah! Enjoy!

#175 Yup Chelle, Jack Frost can bring it on! I'm ready. We're forecast to get some lake effect snow but haven't heard how much. The high's for Monday and Tuesday are only to be in the teens. Perfect afghan, tea and book weather, wouldn't you say? Hope you don't get too much snow, I'd rather know you're reading than shoveling.

Lynda> I do hope you enjoy the Chesterton book. It seemed to be a book that would match your library.

Pat> My wish list is so dangerous because of all the book bullets I take here. I'm in the process of putting my wish list on LibraryThing in its own account. I'm going to only leave stuff on Amazon that I can't get at the library. I've still got about 40 pages to sort through and then I have a list of things to add.

Thanks for your rousing recommendation of The Buccaneers, Lynda. I will see if my library has the dvd.

#177 Hi Lori, I started Chesterton last night. I'll let you know how it goes.

#178 Sure Ellen, I hope your library has a copy.

#7-2013
The Wisdom of Slowing Down

Eknath Easwaran
1994, 2006, 2012
199 pages
4/5

This book is, clearly. a self-help guide designed to assist those who feel rushed, or that there are not enough hours in the day to accomplish all they had planned. In a society where texting while driving and people chattering on their phones in the check out line of the grocery store are becoming the norm Easwaran discusses the importance of "one-pointed attention". That is, doing one thing at a time and doing it well, giving it your full attention. If you think multi-tasking is an attribute, think again. If your partner wants to talk, stop what you're doing, make eye contact and listen. The kids want to go to the park, keep your cellphone at home and be with them, not only physically but completely.
So, how does one do this when there is so much that we believe needs to be done and done right this very moment? One must slow down the mind. How? One can begin by slowing down the mind through meditation and mantram. It means living in the present, letting the past be forgotten and the future to be anticipated. Focus in the here and now, for as Easwaran said, "When we live one hundred percent in the present, we are one hundred percent alive.
I liked this book. I will attempt some of his techniques and try to give people the attention which each and everyone deserves.
Just a thought. This was an Early Reviewers book which appears to be a compilation of Easwaran's other books/ideas. As Easwaran passed away in 2009 this may be an attempt to keep his work and non-profit organization viable. I hope it works. Perhaps some of today's woes could be abated by somethng as simple as people listening to each other.

Lynda, great review of The Wisdom of Slowing Down. I just dropped this in my Amazon cart! They had a sample to read online and it looks right up my alley these days.

Good morning everyone especially my fellow Americans who are celebrating MLK Day AND the Presidential Inauguration! I love Inauguraton Day regardless of who won the election. It is a special and significant event for our country as a whole, one in which the boxing gloves come off (hopefully) and we can get down to the business of continuing our American story.

I will always have fond memories of Inauguration Day four years ago. I happened to be an Obama supporter at that time and worked for a minority administration. I brought in a bottle of sparkling grape juice to share with my office but I and the other directors were called in to the Mayor's office to share the moment viewing the events on his television, so I grabbed my bottle of bubbly and watched Obama's Inauguration in style. It was a very special moment for me to see my coworkers in this administration, who no doubtedly believed this moment would never be conceivable, watch as the first minority president was sworn into office. Historic, momentous and forever etched in my memory.
Thanks for allowing me to share.

#181 Hi Pat, I'm glad TWoSD looks helpful to you. I think you will enjoy reading it.

Lazy day today as the little guy is home from school for the holiday so we slept in late, I skipped bible timeline and now I'll get some breakfast together and watch the festivities. Have a good day everybody!

Morning Lynda- That's the great thing about the Christmas Swap: It's the gift(s) that keep on giving, all year long.
Enjoy your day and keep warm.

Lynda, sounds like it was a fun day four years ago. How are you topping that this year?

Lynda, I loved reading your description of how you celebrated the last inauguration. Enjoy your lazy day!

Mmm, mmm, mmm! I'm all for government redistribution if that means I get the luncheon of lobster and bison the officials are enjoying today. I enjoyed a peanut butter and jelly sandwich with chips on the side and two chocolate filled oreos for dessert.

#183 Now that the ceremony is over, Mark, I'm back to housework. Kitchen floor done now on to the foyer. Hope you are enjoying your day off.

#184 Although I felt privileged at the time, Manuel, I like the way I'm celebrating this year. A second cup of coffee while wearing my sweats in front of a big screen television. Sheer bliss!

#185 I enjoyed my job, Pat, and I miss it at times but I've passed the political torch to my son who is all into world history, government and the like. I'd back him 110%.

I'm into the second short story in Chesterton's Father Brown book. It's not at all what I expected and very clever.

Ugh, our bathtub was installed incorrectly and now it is cracked. Water was seeping out and dripped through the ceiling lights in our kitchen. The incompetent guy who installed it 4 years ago can not be found.
Our foyer light blew out as well on Christmas Eve so we're wondering if water was getting in that as well.

Ugh #2 my mom's leg is slow to heal so no prosthesis yet. Doc wants to make sure there is no infection so I scheduled her for CT scan next week. I discovered that the person who first made the appt gave me alot of false information. I wouldn't have known had I not called back to change the date. Otherwise, I would have taken her for a blood test and had her fast before the scan among other things. I think it's time to take my book upstairs and crawl into bed.

#187: Sorry to hear about the "ughs," Lynda! I do hope you can get both situations resolved quickly.

Oh Lynda, so sorry about the bathtub water disaster and about your mother's leg! Tough times for you right now. :-(

Oh Lynda, what a disaster! I hope you can resolve it and the water damage is not much greater. There are a few incompetent people around and it appears that, unfortunately, you found two of them. Your tub installer and the person who made the appt for your mom. There does not seem to be a way to avoid them.

Thanks for your sympathy's Stasia, Ellen and Manuel. It's so nice to run to LT to vent even when it's not about books.

All schools in our county are closed today because of snow and very cold temps...........all except my son's school. Yeah, we're pretty tough in these parts, or so the school system must think. Still it's bone chilling, even in the house. 308 schools closed in the Cleveland area. Brrrr.

Back to reading Father Brown today. Keep well and warm everyone!

Hi Lynda. So sorry to hear about the frustrations you're dealing with. I wonder if you're getting this cold we've been having? Unfortunately, it's
-8 right now and I can't imagine taking our dog out in this but at some point he must go out.

Oh Lynda, I do feel for all your troubles. They seem to come in batches don't they. At least if you believe they come in threes, then the cold, mom's leg and the $_)(^%&)@@ bathtub count for your three. So....you're done with bad luck, roses are coming up (at least virtually), and things will start to turn around. Now, back to reading...

The thing that irks me most is people who don't do their jobs right. What's up with that? There were never any excuses for me when I was working. It HAD to be right! What changed???

I know things occasionally go wrong. That's when people need to step up to the plate and be accountable!
Hugs!

Hey Lynda - I'm sorry for your trials and tribulations! I hope everything works out quickly and well.

I just wanted to drop by and thank you for bringing The Buccaneers to my attention. I've started watching it and am really enjoying it!

May you have a wonderful week!

BTW, didn't the FLOTUS look great in her red dress?

Oh Lynda, you poor baby! What a mess - so sorry that you had to deal with multiple messes at once. Sending you positive mojo, and keeping you in my thoughts and prayers. Sounds like you could use another Lynda Day.

#192 yes, he must, Pat, but I bet he won't want to be out there very long. I hunkered done all day yesterday but since today we had a heat spell of 14F I ventured out. Really not so bad, roads were good, cold but not windy, not bad again till Friday when more snow is forecast. *shrug* it's winter

#193 Your theory looks good to me, Tina, so I'll just wait for the roses............Oh wait!..........Here they are now! #194 The roses are beautiful, Cee *sniff, sniff, sniff* smells almost like spring!
I began to notice quality of work changing for a little while now. I saw a new breed start at the office, people who just insisted on doing things their own way, stroll into work late, dress how they like. I really believe that employers are scared to say anything to their employees, I know I was, you just don't know what will set some people off.

#195 OOOO, I'm so glad you're enjoying it, Dejah! I could help but be thankful that bustles are no longer in style. Yes, the FLOTUS was dazzling in red. Her dance partner didn't look too shabby either.

#196 Hey Mamie, Howabout a Lynda Year! :0} Since our mom's took ill, things just haven't been, my idea of, normal. My husband has been spending so much time at him mom's house readying it for sale that our maintenance is on the back burner. Thank goodness we have another bath and a half to wear down before the bathtub is repaired. HEY! I just had a thought. WHIRLPOOL TUB! Yeah, why not, now's the time to consider it. Just make sure we get a professional installer :0}...............Oh, Bi iilllll

So me....................

Yes - a whirlpool tub! You won't be sorry - they are so fabulous. And I say yes to the Year of Lynda, too - good thinking!

So a whirlpool tub, it is, then? Hope things settle down and stop leaking :P

Great idea! A whirlpool tub :-) Go for it!
When we put our addition on and added a new bathroom, I made sure there was a space and all necessary connections to install a nice corner spa tub. Hasn't happened yet - but the potential is there. I like to think ahead - hehehe.

Just checking in to see what is happening in your life :)

Snowing in your neck of the woods?

Hi Mamie, Kath and Cee, right now I'm still in the wishful thinking stage of whirlpool tubdom . We need to investigate all that's involved and the cost. Remember I still haven't gotten my kitchen remodeled yet so things mOve slowly in my wOrld.
It's snowing beautifully here. So glad I'm watching it fall from indoors and not driving in it. Night all

I was considering getting to Gilgamesh this year, so it was interesting to read your review. I just checked the Kindle edition - is it really that short with only 132 pages or did I look at the wrong book?

OMG, there's a Moomin on the Riviera book? WLed as well...

Oh, just read about the bathroom trouble and your mom's leg. I am so sorry! tututhefirst is right, trouble always comes in batches. But so do the good things, and it's high time for them to come your way, so Yes to the Lynda year!!

Hi Nathalie! Yes! Only 132 pages. But I needed to read it twice. It was a bargain for .99 US cents and the annotations were good enough just rather irksome at times.
Moomin at the Riviera was a hoot. Hope you enjoy.
Have a good weekend :0)

Here's a fun test I just saw on fb from PBS...............I am Ophelia! Love it and some would say perfect.

http://www.pbs.org/wnet/shakespeare-uncovered/blog/which-shakespeare-character-a...

206 > Couldn't resist taking the test. I am Rosalind! Love that, and have to say it probably fits pretty well.

Here's what wikipedia says about you, Samantha/Rosalind..................."Rosalind is one of Shakespeare's most recognized heroines. Admired for her intelligence, quick wit, and beauty, Rosalind is a vital character in "As You Like It."

I love that description :D.

I love the way Helena Bonham Carter portrayed Ophelia.

I've really got to go and finish my 8th TIOLI for January. 8! I can't believe it myself. This is really stellar for me.
Happy Saturday to all :0)

I'm a Rosalind, too - woohoo! I think I can work with that. I suspect, though, that my answers were pretty split. There may be another character lurking under the surface....

Congratulations on your reading, Lynda! May your stellar beginning continue throughout the year!

Have a wonderful Saturday - be happy, Ophelia, and stay away from brooks and Danish princes!

Another Rosalind reporting in! Hoping your weekend is full of fabulous, Lynda!

Hi Dejah and Mamie! Guess what? I just finished my 10th book this year. Reading the three volumes of Moomins certainly helped.
I wonder what question threw me into the Ophelia category. Hmmmm.

So I've finished Favorite Father Brown Stories from Lori. I"ll review it tomorrow but tonight I want to cozy up to the fireplace and begin Ella Minnow Pea. Good night, Rosalinds!

In regards to the image above... I have a cup of coffee at the moment, but in lieu of a book, I'm reading the threads. But the book is next to me... does that count? LOL. I'd say I'm more or less happy at the moment...

I should be reading books instead of threads if I want to finish the two books I hope to before month end. Took the test and I am Hamlet - haven't a clue what that says about me, probably nothing good. Have a nice Sunday, Lynda.

Another Rosalind checking in. How are you enjoying Ella Minnow Pea? I read it so long ago that I don't remember many of the details - just that it was lots of fun to read!

Hey Lynda! Catching up here with Moomins, bathtubs, buccaneers and inaugurations.

I loved The Buccaneers when I saw it on PBS years ago. I really should watch it again.

I like looking at the pretty snow, but I HATE driving on icy, slushy roads.

Sandy K

I'm waiting on pins and needles to see how you liked Father Brown.

Lynda - What Lori said. I read all of the Father Brown stories when I was younger and loved them. Chesterton was such a versatile writer.

I am Hamlet. I am not sure what that says about either him or me!

Good Monday to you all! Wow, DA was a shocker last night. Not to give anything away, I'll just say, she was one of my favorite characters. :`0(

MIL had an 84th birthday celebration yesterday and Will had tons of homework after missing two days of school last week so we were quite busy.

#214 Hi there, Faith. Lol, I usually have my first cup of the day while perusing the threads. It makes me happy too.

#215 Yeah Judy, Hamlet and Ophelia are such tragic characters but at least it's better than being a fool, well, maybe :0}

#216 Hi Carrie, I'm really enjoying EMP. I really have to be sharp to pick up on all the clever word play. I agree it is a fun read.

#217 Hey Sandy, hope you didn't need to drive in that mess last night. Give me the cold temps anyday, but keep the snow and ice away! :P

#218 It's coming Lori :0)

#219 How was it that I've missed Chesterton all my 40 ok 50ish years?! This is why I love, love, love LT!

#220 Hello Hamlet. I think it says that you and Hamlet were very intelligent and avid readers. Nough said. Have a good day at school Stasia!

OK, now to the review....................

#10-2013
Favorite Father Brown Stories

G. K. Chesterton
Dover Edition 1993
Orig Pub 1911 & 1914
89 pages
3.7/5

First, let me say, I probably would not have chosen this book by its cover nor its title. Father Brown?! Surely, it would be about some religious figure who expounds boring doctrine night and day. Wrong!!!

Father Brown is a humble and astute priest who owns a high level of observation and a quick mind and Chesterton's six short stories in this volume have the reader on high alert to figure out the mystery or murder before Father Brown is able to do so.
The series of stories in this book opens with Father Brown making the acquaintance of reknowned thief, Flambeau. After their first unpleasent meeting, the included stories shift to the unlikely friendship which has developed between Brown and Flambeau. Together they travel throughout the United Kingdom and often become happenstance crime solvers.

This book offers clever and wholesome mysteries proving that one can read suspenseful stories without all the gore, sex and language that is common today in books of this genre. I found it to be very refreshing.

Again, thanks to Lori (thornton37814) for introducing this kindly priest and subtle author to me.

DA was a shocker last night.

Unfortunately I had seen a spoiler for last night's episode last spring, right after season 3 ended in the UK. I was reading an article on one of the UK news sites (BBC, Times or something). The article didn't have anything to do with DA. It was about archaeology or an old manuscript or something like that. However, the article page had links to other stories in the same news source and the title and photo of one of the linked articles gave away a big spoiler for last night's episode.

I'm glad you enjoyed Father Brown. After picking the first two books, I wasn't quite up to the amount so I looked for something to get me in the ballpark that I thought you would enjoy. It's been awhile since I read Chesterton, but I might get back to reading some more of his work.

Lynda, I couldn't resist posting a spoiler on my own thread last night.
It's very hard not to talk about it.
Probably all our slightly opaque comments are serving as spoilers, in any case.
Just sayin': :-(

I haven't read any of the Father Brown books - obviously I must give them a try!

Like Carrie, I totally inadvertently came across last night's DA shocker a while back - I think I was on a UK newspaper site as well. Bummer, all around.

Hey Lynda!

I drove home from rehearsal last night around 9:45pm when the freezing rain/snow/sleet stuff was just starting. Only a 15 minute drive home, so not so bad. I HATE driving on slippery snowy roads, though.

I haven't watched Downton yet! I'm anxious hearing that a character DIES? No! Must run upstairs to watch!

Sandy K

Hi Lynda. Great review of the Chesterton book. I just gave it a thumb. :)

I also inadvertently got a hint about last night by reading Wikipedia. They had a list of all the cast members and which seasons they were in (and of course not in). It was too hard not to look so I know which characters are on their way out. From what I can tell it's because those actors didn't renew their contracts, which were for 3 seasons and now of course there's a 4th season which they won't be around for.

#223 Hi Carrie, I saw a huge spoiler a few months ago, but it wasn't this one. So be on the lookout for another.

#224 You had me figured out pretty well, Lori! I'm going to keep an eye open for more of Chesterton.

#225 Yup, you're probably right, Ellen. But when we who watched are exploding with emotion, what can we do?

#226 Back in December I inadvertantly read a spoiler in the New York Times. But the spoiler I read doesn't take place until the end of the season so I was totally off guard with this turn of events. So sad :0(

#227 And how about this fog, Sandy? I had to drive my son to Confirmation class last night and it was spoooooo - ky! Now they're talking about rain storms moving in then snow. honestly, ya blink and the weather changes.

#228 Thanks for the thumb, Pat. I don't post my reviews often but Father Brown really took me by surprise and I wanted others to not be afraid of reading him.
Big Oooops over the Wikipedia info. Inquiring Minds, well, sometimes find out a little too much.
--------------------

Going to help my hubsters at MIL's house today. I love painting so no problem there except how to paint with my right hand as I hold my book with my left. Hmmmmm.

OMG, OMG, I just won The Burgess Boys!!! OMG, OMG!

Congrats :) I am getting it from Vine... and looking forward to it :)

Congratulations on your ER win, Lynda!

Congrats, Lynda! I won it last time and can't wait to read it. I do have it slotted for Feb. Fingers crossed. I was crazy about Olive! Enjoy your painting!

Congrats on your win! I won Starting Now by Debbie Macomber.

>228 phebj:, 229 Lynda, I think I know at least part of the other spoiler because I've heard the rumors Pat alluded to. I'm aware of what the effect will be on DA, but not of how it will be worked into the plot of DA.

Congratulations on winning The Burgess Boys, Lynda. I've already pre-ordered it from Amazon because I loved Olive Kitteridge so much and I'm happy to see that LTers have really been liking it.

Happy painting!

Hi Lynda. I think I know which DA event you're referring to and it was my favourite character too!

I'm glad you enjoyed the Father Brown stories. I read and enjoyed some of them when I was younger and I've been meaning to reread them.

Congrats on the ER win!

I'm a little envious that you won The Burgess Boys, but I also know that our library is ordering that one and that I'll be able to be the first to check it out. I suppose it's a good thing that I won Yokohama Yankee instead which meshes well with my genealogical interests.

Hey, congrats on your ER score!

Oy, this weather! 55 degrees today but cold and snow moving in tonight...my sinuses are protesting. They are so sensitive to changes in weather. This has been such a strange winter so far...

Sandy K

Yesterday was one of those days I wanted to hurl my self off a tall building. I took my mom to two dr. appointments. First one went very well, second, not so good. The doc reviewed the CT scan we had done on Monday and he said it indicates a good chance of infection in the bone of the amputated leg. Needs to perform another procedure to clean the bone of infection and treat the infection with antibiotics thru a pic line and a wound vac to seal the new wound. So scheduled for Feb 5th. What do we need to do to get this wound behind us, already?! Mom is so disheartened and it's really difficult for me to keep a strong countenance. Sorry for the weep session my friends, let's move on...........

#231 Great, Kath, we'll need to compare notes on our wins.

#232 Thanks Dejah, did you win an ER?

#233 Looks like February may be a Burgess Boy's month, Mark.

#234 Hey Morphy, Congrats on the Macomber. Should be a good read.

#235 Hi Carrie, I think I know how it will be worked in. Ya know, I give these actors a lot of credit. Rather than stagnate on a show for years and years and get mega bucks, some have chosen to leave after three years and move on. Good for them and probably in the long run, good for us as well.

#236 I think I have Olive on the bookshelves, Pat. Do I need to read that one first to enjoy BB or are they stand alones? In this world of serieses? one never knows.

#237 It's funny, Heather. I went to Catholic schools my whole life and not once did anyone mention Father Brown. So much for promoting one of their own *shrugs*

#238 Congrats on your win, Lori! and high fives for being first with the BB library loan.

#239 Hey Sandy, I just drove my son down our long driveway to catch the bus because the wind is blowing like crazy, snow flying, temps dropping and I'm now back inside with another hot cup of coffee ,a warm house, cozy afghan and a good book. Poor boy, but hey, I remember those days and I was wearing my school uniform with the waist band rolled up (cause they looked better as mini's) and crew socks. Was I nuts or what?!!

Have a great day one and all.

Morning Lynda- I'm sorry to hear the troubles with your mother are continuing. Time to get a break? Sorry, about the Chicago weather blowing your way. Not my fault! I would have sent it straight north.

Lynda, so sorry about your Mom. I can see how you can get desperate when there does not seem to be an end, and one bad thing continues to happen to you after another. But try to keep your spirits up, we are praying for your Mom and you.

How cool that you got The Burgess Boys! I was not selected for an ER book this month. :-(
I probably have to acknowledge that I've only asked for one once before, I received it, and I didn't ever read it or review it.
I hope you have a good Thursday, Lynda!!

Lynda, I'm so sorry to hear about your mom's troubles. It does sound frustrating. Hope she isn't too scared and stressed. Hope YOU aren't too stressed! Take care of yourself, too.

Rolling up the waistband--my best friend went to Catholic school, I went to public school. I remember her always rolling up the waistband on her school uniform skirt. All the girls did it, she just didn't even think about NOT doing it. Oh, the 1980's, I miss your high waisted fashions. The late 1990's brought us the disgusting low-rise-everything-muffin-top embarrassments.

Just a dusting of snow here, but yes, blustery!

Sandy K

Lynda, I'm so sorry to hear about your Mom. I can understand your frustration. What a long haul. I'll keep my fingers crossed that this next course of action does the trick.

Don't worry about reading Olive Kitteridge first. They're totally different stories, not a series at all.

And I too remember waiting for the bus on a winter day in a mini-skirt and knee high socks and a pea jacket. The exposed skin on my legs would be bright red but I didn't care that much then because I kept on doing it. Luckily, during my sophmore year of high school we got to wear pants to school so that was the end of mini-skirts.

So sorry to hear about your Mom, Lynda. How difficult for you to continue to appear calm and positive when I am sure you are feeling as downhearted and stressed as your Mom about this. You are a very good daughter and I am sure she appreciates all you are doing for her, let's just hope the two of you can soon put this behind you.

Sorry to see your bad news! (However I'm very glad that you decided against hurling yourself off the building! :) Hope you catch a break soon!

#241 Yeah Mark, it was sheer yuckiness today. Freezing, winding, blizzardlike and I had to go out in this mess, but I'm snug as a bug now. Made a v good beef stew, now I'll curl up and finish Ella Minnow Pea

#242 Thank you, Manuel! This procedure should allow the wound to heal and she can move on to a prosthesis. I sure would like her to be able to enjoy herself again.

#243 I"m surprised to have one a highly acclaimed book too, Ellen. I shouldn't request any as I have about 5 ER's to read and review, I just can't resist.

#244 I love the low rise jeans, Sandy, it's just I wear them with long shirts to cover up what needs to be covered. How do some of these women get such flat tummy's?! I bet Krispy Kreme's are not in their vocabulary.

#245 I spose we did it to fit in, Pat. When you look back, that's nothing compared to what kids do today to fit in and a whole lot less expensive than Ugg boots. Oh, ya know what, Earth shoes were my generations Ugg boots!

#246 Honestly Judy, I don't know how my mom does it. She basically takes care of herself during the day, the nurses only help at bedtime and mornng. She's a tough New Yorker and fights to live as normally as she can. I come home and have a glass of wine, that's how I do it. Big hug for your nice comments.

#247 Yeah Chelle, I just figured I'd better not, there's just too many books I want to read.

Time for me to set up a February thread, hope you all join me for another month of good books and good chatter, Come On.................(just give me about five minutes to get it going.:o)