Maggie1944 and her two dogs reading in 2013

I am sorry I screwed up and did not add to the title of this thread that this is PART 3

APOLOGIES FOR THE MISSING PICTURE BELOW. I HAVE STARTED MAKING SOME OF MY FLICKR PICTURES PRIVATE AS I UNFORTUNATELY LINKED FLICKR AND FACE BOOK AND NOW ALL MY FLICKR PICTURES ARE AVAILABLE ON FACEBOOK. GAWK!!!



You would think there was sunshine in the pacific northwest in January. Nope, not much. Notice Benny is working hard at learning his alphabets.

Welcome to the new thread. I am reading by mood these days so you might expect here that I will

* finish Anna Karenina at some point in time
* will read The Magus for my real life book group's meeting in March
* will continue to pick and choose among the titles I brought home from the Am Library Assoc convention in January
* and, as of today I picked up Don't Let's Go to the Dogs Tonight which I must have bought from Amazon recently. It was sitting on my newer books shelf

There are many others which I've started and put down around the house, and perhaps I'll find them all and put them all in one place so that when the mood moves me I know where to look.

Looking forward to a "false spring" week sometime in February when I'll do little reading and some gardening!

Here is Greta Garbo standing guard duty. Again, you might think that is sunshine, but, nah. Doesn't happen. Just an illusion.

Nice to see some sunny pictures, even if they are fleeting!

This morning while listening to the podcast from Books on the Nightstand (BOTNS) I learned about the Alex Awards. These are books written for adults, and which have appeal to young adults, ages 12 - adult (I guess). I've seen a couple of these talked about here, and I'm assuming the others are good too.

Caring is Creepy by David Zimmerman, published by Soho Press, Inc. (ISBN # 9781569479773)

Girlchild by Tupelo Hassman, published by Farrar, Straus and Giroux (ISBN # 9780374162573)

*alert, bad touch stone: Juvenile in Justice by Richard Ross, published by Richard Ross (ISBN # 9780985510602)

Mr. Penumbra's 24-Hour Bookstore by Robin Sloan, published by Farrar, Straus and Giroux (ISBN # 9780374214913)

My Friend Dahmer by Derf Backderf, published by Abrams ComicArts, an imprint of Abrams (ISBN # 9781419702167)

One Shot at Forever by Chris Ballard, published by Hyperion (ISBN # 9781401324384)

Pure by Juliana Baggott, published by Grand Central Publishing, a division of Hachette Book Group, Inc. (ISBN # 9781455503063)

The Round House by Louise Erdrich, published by Harper, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers (ISBN # 9780062065247)

Tell the Wolves I'm Home by Carol Rifka Brunt, published by Dial Press, an imprint of the Random House Publishing Group, a division of Random House, Inc. (ISBN # 9780679644194)

Where'd You Go, Bernadette? by Maria Semple, published by Little, Brown and Company, a division of Hachette Book Group, Inc. (ISBN # 9780316204279)

I have to say that I have say too many, way, way, too many TBRs right now but this may very well be a list from which I will pick later.

Marking my place in the usual male way

Hi Karen, had to laugh at your reference to "no" sunshine in the Pacific Northwest. I've noticed here in Vancouver we get the occasional peep at a weak, watery sun, then it's covered by gray clouds again.

I was introduced to the Alex Awards a couple of years ago and I have found lots of good reading by checking out their nominations.

Karen,
I have both The Round House and Where'd You Go, Bernadette? on hold at the library. I have heard (on Paul's thread, I think?) that Mr. Penumbra's 24-Hour Bookstore is good.

I love the picture of you and Benny as well as the one of Greta standing guard. It does look sunny.....

What great photos!

Thanks for the links regarding books written for adults that appeal to YA.

" Mr. Penumbra's 24-Hour Bookstore is good" .... Tis Rather very good

Soo, here's the PUNCH LINE: those photographs were taken by the 5 year old! She has an eye doesn't she. I did do a little cropping but I love that she enjoys shooting pictures. I let her use the small, point and shoot that I bought in Hawaii when my big camera went on furlough.

Maybe the one of Greta I took. I think it does take my eye to see the beauty in that moment.

Richard, darling, you are always welcome to find your spot here!

Judy, yes, the weather, and the seemingly unending winter of it all, seems to be quite the same with your more northerly habitat and mine. I do like the temperate temperatures; and the summers, when they arrive are heavenly. I usually try not to complain about winter, and rain, and grey skies.

Checking out the Alex Award nominees sounds like a very good idea!

Ellen and Linda I am glad you like the photographs. I have not been shooting as much as I want to be doing, but I still seem to catch a good one from time to time!

Ellen, I made some progress in AK today, but I am fighting it. On the other hand, I did not make any progress in the Income Tax dept. and I am fighting it, too! Ha ha ha

What a lovely new thread. I love your 5-year-old's photos with the phantom sunshine. It looks like Benny is really settling in to his forever home, too.

Some nice photos. Good to see that Benny and Greta are ever vigilant. And thanks for that list of Alex Award nominees. I've never heard of it before. There are some books on that list that I have already put on my wishlist.

Hi Karen, I missed a good deal of your last thread but have caught up now. Glad to see you had a fun LT meet up. Your dogs are great subjects for your young photographer. Will try to do a better job keeping up with you.

Hi Karen - thanks for sharing the pics of Benny and Greta. Beautiful furkids:)

Morning Karen- Congrats on the new thread! Love the photos. I presume you were on LT at the time. Hmmmmmm? Benny is a good boy.
What type of reading light is that? I desperately need a proper one and need to start doing some research.

Yes, I am sure I was reading LT threads, I seem to be doing that all the time. Addict!

Ah! The light! It is a knock off from the OTT lights which I think are the best. I looked all over the light, just now, and no where did the company put its name. Dummies. I have one at my bedside also. My elderly eyes need all the light I can find a way to provide.

The next time I am in Fred Meyer (local store, I think) I'll write down the name of the lamp and the company, if I remember that is.

We could start a "what's your favorite reading lamp" thred.

Thanks! I will start asking around. I know some people swear by a "good" light. My current reading light causes my eyes to strain a little after awhile.

You are quite right -- LT is addictive.

Mark, the OTT company advertises that they have a daylight type of light, and it is easy on the eyes.

Linda, yes it is. And as a recovering addict (alcohol, 30 years ago) who spent many years doing and reading about recovery, I recognize the classic signs. Is the rest of my life suffering due to my time spent here? Yes. Do my family and friends think I am crazy? Yes.

But I don't care. I don't wan to quit.

(chuckling to myself....remembering all the rationalizations one can use to justify an addiction)

This is the best kind of addiction! And reading, of course too!

I think the five year old has quite the eye. You have a budding artist on your hands!

I saw this one on Amazon: Verilux Original Natural Spectrum Deluxe Floor Lamp. 150 watts from a 27 watt bulb. It's about a hundred bucks.

Congratulations for your fortitude in the journey of saying goodbye to a friend (and enemy) alcohol.

I admire you tremendously!

Morphy! You are so right. But I have to bite my tongue all the time cuz I keep trying to teach her; and really, she does not need teaching, she needs experience. I know this. I need to act on what I know.

Mark, I made a comment over on your thread. Saw the picture of the lamp and yes, it looks quite like mine.

Linda, thanks. I am quite amazed it has actually been 30 years since I stopped drinking alcohol alcoholically. I think anyone who drinks to excess more than once or twice in a year needs to look at their reasons for drinking, and ask themselves "is the drinking I'm doing, getting me the to the goals I seek?" Altogether to often, people use alcohol to "relax" and yet when they think about it, in their heart of hearts, they know the alcohol is increasing , not decreasing their stress. Might be the same for smoking pot, shopping too much, gambling away money you can't afford, looking for love in all the wrong places, and yes, even reading so much that one is neglecting family and life goals.

*climbs off 12 step stool*

Thanks for dropping by, I appreciate my friends here a good deal! Happy Sunday all!

I wondered who had taken the great photo at the top of the thread! That's amazing!

I love picturing you in that pose. The meetup photos are always fun to see but this one is so natural. It's definitely the one I'll be seeing in my mind's eye whenever I visit your thread.

She is lucky to have your encouragement and mentoring. I've been enjoying your photos for years--too cool that you can share your skill and enthusiasm with a talented youngster.

The Alex awards are very intriguing--I've marked it as a favorite post so I can find it again.

Did I read something about a book/writing convention in June in Seattle? Now, that's enough lead time that I could probably make to that. I'm not having any luck googling and I can't come up with the name of the thing.

Karen - Also signing in but not marking my place a la RD - hope he didn't spill any on his trousers!
Great photo of THE chair, the gal and her best friend in action.

Janet, I think you caught us blathering on about Booktopia which will be in June, located in Bellingham. It is sponsored by Books On The Nightstand. Mark (msf59) has been encouraging people to go. There are three of these "booktopia" events: one in New England, one in California, and one in Bellingham (lucky us). There are several of us registered to go, it is a small event, only about 75 participants + authors, and the sponsoring bookstore.

Goggle it and see what you think. If you have trouble finding it, let me know. It would be fun if you could come on over!

Paul, you are very welcome here, of course. I'm glad you like the picture. Obviously since the 5 yo took it I was not prepared with the best hair do and make-up, etc. I'll have to stage another one just like it, but more glam, and one more dog.....

BTW, I did take a big bite out of the Income Tax work. I like to take it little by little so I don't resent it too much. I'm now reading as a reward! well, as soon as I finish reading threads, that is.

Income Tax Department. Bleh.

Yah, I know Bleh, double Bleh!

I, too, was wondering who took the picture in post #1...a budding photographer! She's got the centering part right, and the composition is good, too.

Hope you're having a good Sunday, Karen! I'm planning on reading a number of the ones on your tbr list. I'm another one who really enjoyed Mr. Penumbra's, and our son is having a good time with it as we speak.

OK, here's a good story about a Good Sunday! So, I am chipping away at the Income Tax jobs. Going upstairs to the place where the bank statements can be printed, to look for those already printed, etc. Need to organize, looking for index dividers for a notebook.... yada yada yada

And what to my surprise should I find: A lot of money a squirrelly previous me hid from myself. A lot. Enough to take care of the trip to Booktopia, for sure, and then if I am careful - which obviously I'm not - maybe some more to go to the trips to other places....

Ah, I do like to travel.

You might tell my descendents when they are here announcing I've passed, that you suspect I may have hidden money in books! That will make them look at every one!

What a great plan that is.

OK, I'm going to go back to do a little bit more before I'm off to the party. I just had to tell someone, and you are as good as any.

Wow, Karen, what a great find!

That's not a Good Sunday. That's a GREAT Sunday! Wonderful!

Woo! I love finding money! I recently was cleaning and checked out an old purse of mine, and there was a twenty dollar bill in it! It's not enough to go anywhere, but it was a nice treat...I believe I spent it on books, surprise!

well, the bad new side of the Sunday is that a very bad tooth has "blown up" on me. Swollen cheek, very painful, definitely needing an extraction which will not be cheap! Found money will be very useful!

Otherwise, Happy Monday, everyone. I've made some progress in both Anna Karènina and Don't Let's Go To The Dogs Tonight. The memoir of growing up in Africa during the civil wars in Zimbabwe and the surrounding area is fascinating.

Oooh--hope your tooth feels better soon!

Congrats on the found money. Condolences on how it needs to be spent.

Thanks for the info on Booktopia. I'm thinking hard--I know in the past they have filled the slots quickly.

My bookclub just finished reading the really excellent bookThe Flame Trees of Thika-- a memoir of growing up in Kenya prior to WWI. The circumstances are somewhat similar to Don't Let's Go to the Dogs Tonight--six year old girl, British uppercrust, somewhat distracted parents. I'm thinking your book would make a nice complement to the one I've just read.

streamsong, as late as last week they still had 8 slots. I know Ellen has snatched one of those, but there may still be room. I hope you can find your way to come!

The memoir is definitely of a dysfunctional family, as well as dysfunctional politics. Of course, a functional family would high tail it out of there!

I am enjoying the writing. Let me know if you decide to read it!

Congrats on the found money, Karen! One of life's great feelings. We find what sounds like much smaller amounts in coat pockets on occasion, and that's a treat.

Isn't it interesting how sometimes money appears, just before we have a need for it?

It's happened to me a lot, and I am thankful. :)

*smooch*

Karen- The 1st Booktopia will be in Vermont, I believe in April. I think that is where they will have the 1st one, every year. And the last one will be in Michigan, in September. I plan on attending that one.
I LOVED Don't Let's Go to the Dogs Tonight. It's my kind of memoir and she is a terrific writer. I hope it's working for you.

It is great! I'm enjoying every minute of Don't Let's Go To The Dogs Tonight, and what a contrast to Anna Karenina. Nevertheless, I will not be giving up on AK. Her (Alexandra Fuller's) descriptions of her mother's drinking reminds me of mine, too, however my mother was not quite the drama queen.

I also read her The Legend of Colton H. Bryant, which was very good. I've also been meaning to get to her 2nd memoir.

Hey there! I'm stopping after your "reading student papers" comment on another thread -- it made me chuckle :)

It looks like this might be a book bullet thread, so I have you starred now.

I'm over here if you're interested.

Welcome, Esquiress, I love having visitors and I'm trying hard to be shooting off as many BBs as I can manage; however, I confess I am ducking the same, also.

I hope your tooth is better by now.

I'm sorry to have missed out on the library association meeting. As I told you, I was down in Texas enjoying the sunshine. Speaking of which, Greta looks like she's never seen the sun before--which might be the case her. :) Love both the photos.

I have a couple of OTT lights--they are coveted by quilters because you can seethe "true" color of fabrics (and everything else) under an OTT light.

I have a knock off, and luckily I'm not looking for "true" colors when reading. But my desk top one, which is also a knock off I should maybe trade for an OTT as I do try to match colors when doing greeting cards.

Tooth is getting better. I'm having a "full course" of antibiotics and then the dentist and I will discuss: a second root canal? or a extraction and bridge? or extraction and implant?

I'm thinking my "found money" will pay for an implant and it is probably the option most likely to last until I die.

Hi Karen: I just stumbled into your thread by accident and the first thing I saw was the back end of a Schnauzer, one of my favourite dogs! I really like the pics of both of your dogs and have serious chair lust over your chair. I'm really awful at keeping up with people's threads (and sometimes my own), so if I don't come by for a bit, it's not from lack of good intentions. I have hung a star on your door. And I can't imagine finding a significant stash of money anywhere in my house. A penny jar is the limit.

Welcome, schnauzer lover. I would not have gone out and hunted up a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. Benny was kinda dumped in my lap by a friend, in conspiracy with a friend of hers. Turns out they had been trying to treat him like a Lab, and he is a lap dog, not a lab dog.

He is not completely happy with me as I probably do not walk him as much as he would like, but he is doing pretty well, here. Sleeps in my bed. Plays with the Schnauzer, who, I'm guessing, tolerates him OK.

Two dogs are good. Reading chair, and excellent lamp are also very good.

By the way, go over to the party and have a beer: http://www.librarything.com/topic/147909

OK, if you don't want to go to that party, here's another piece of "not to be missed" entertainment: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k26nt3Y4cmg&feature=related

What an absolute stitch. It made me smile!

*pop*!

I played that and Daisy woke up from a deep sleep looking very alarmed!

SandDune, that is funny! I guess one could label it alarming! Or, at least, shocking!

Just checking in again, and making sure my *star* is in place!

Those bottle musicians reminded me of Spike Jones, the band leader.

Morphy, (Lenora), friend, you should be sure to tell your church about this! Maybe they can begin one, too.

Tui You have got one happy dog on your profile page. So fun! I am assuming *pop* meant you are joining in with the band for a good time. So, I'll blow a bottle back at you, but I don't know how to spell it....

whoooooooooooo

Rhian, is Daisy a dog or a cat? I can see a dog being disturbed by that quite a bit, as it might sound like a lot of whistling.

Laura, I took the time to visit your profile and look at your pictures. Such fun Meet-Ups! And the Paris picture, from your hotel room window, I presume?

Thanks for the star, and I hope I do not disappoint. I am a slow reader these days due to other obligations and eye sight which does not always cooperate.

Lorelei, Thanks for stopping by, and reminding me of Spike Jones. He was a hoot, too, wasn't he. I'd say people knew how to have a good time in them there olden days.

Hi Karen, just figured I'd post this here since you're a Seattlite. I've "liked" Books on the Nightstand on FB and today they had the following post:

Friends in and near Seattle: some of our PNW friends are having a meetup on 2/10. Wish we could be there. YOU should totally go. Here's the info:
-----
Seattle area Booktopians & fans of BOTNS Come meet each other at Elliott Bay Books (521 10th Ave, Seattle, WA 98122). Sunday, Feb 10th at 2:00 pm. We are meeting in the cafe. Look for the neon pink running shoes :)

Here's a blast from the past, Karen:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lvt4b_qwC_Q

(look at all the un-PC stuff going on!!!)

>59 maggie1944:: that's Esme Queen of the North, and yes, that was a bottle pop, which I figured I could handle.

Books Finished during 2013

1. The Last Unicorn finished on 1/21/13

2. Muhammad Ali's Greatest Fight: Cassius Clay vs. The United States of America finished on 1/29/13

3. Prisoner 88 by Leah Pileggi, published 2013 Charlesbridge Publishing, Inc.
Here's the book's page: http://www.librarything.com/work/13472337/summary/93697111

4. The Truth of Me by Patricia MacLachlan, published 2013, Harper Collins Publisher, Katherine Tegen Books
Here's the book's page: http://www.librarything.com/work/13456843/summary/93570131

The touchstones for the #3, #4 are not correct. Books are too new. I picked them up at the Am Library Assoc meet in Seattle, Feb. 2013. I think you can follow the link to the correct book page.

I finished reading The Truth of Me by Patricia MacLachlan last night. I am glad I read this quick, easy little book of a boy and his grandmother:

Patricia MacLachlan is a well known, and much appreciated author of children's books. This book is noted to be appropriate for ages 6-10, grades 1-5. I found it to be a quick read, but quite emotionally moving. It tells of a boy who is sent to his grandmother's for summer while his parents are in Europe. The boy and his dog grow in maturity as they get to know their somewhat eccentric, animal whisperer, grandmother and her friend, a country doctor. I liked it. I don't think every kid would like it as it is a gentle, somewhat slow moving story, but it definitely will appeal to animal lovers.

This is book #4 for this year

#60 is Daisy a dog or a cat? - a dog. She's a one year old Staffordshire Bull Terrier snoring away next to me as I type!

Pat, thanks for the information about the Meet-up tomorrow. I am hoping I have the energy and motivation to drive into Seattle and see who shows up.

Lorelei, you are so fun! Thanks for the link! It was a "blast".

Tui, what a great name for your dog. And I think you should look for a Bottle Band in your neighborhood!

Rhian that is a perfect name for your Bull Terrier! You go, girl!

Karen, if you make it to EBB for the NOTB event tomorrow, have a great time! I will (once again) be watching women's basketball instead of attending a Seattle book event.
It's a good thing there is not basketball in June.... (I mean, I know, the Storm will be playing, but I don't have season tickets to their games!).

See you Monday so we can trash Guards! Guards!. :-)
I think I actually gave it three stars.

So, June-July-August is when I can attend basketball rather than bookish events! Ha! That will be funny. I have all their games written on one calendar. I just need to put them in my phone now.

I hope I'll feel up to going into Seattle. Yesterday was busy and I may poop out, but we shall see. This morning seems like I'm feeling good and ready to go!

Morning Karen- I hope you can make the Meet-Up! I am sure you will have a wonderful time. Nothing like mingling with other book-fanatics. how far of a drive is it for you?

I think it is about 30 miles. Freeway. Should be relatively free of nasty traffic slow-downs.

It is true. Hanging out with book lovers is a fine thing.

30 miles isn't so bad, especially on the freeway! Hopefully, you'll feel up for it.

Thanks, Mark. I'm hopeful, also.

Hi Karen. Hope you have a good Sunday and that you feel up to going to the meetup. The weather here has improved dramatically lately. Hope you're having a good day weather-wise too.

Pat, Yup, the Sunday is being good. Spent a good deal of time reading, and doing the laundry. Just thinking about getting ready to take off. Shall I take dogs? Or not? I think I'll leave them home, so I'll need to be careful how much time I'm gone. Oh, well. It will be OK, I'm sure.

Weather is fine. Not too fine, not bad. Counting my blessing weather, I think.

We're expecting almost 50 and rainy tomorrow, which I'll take every time over the melt-and-refreeze overnight awfulness that produces black ice.

Yes, I know what you mean!

OK. I made it to the Books On The Nightstand Meet-Up at Elliott Bay books and met four very fine readers, one of whom is an author! Cool. We had a great converstion about Gone Girl, The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel, Neil Gaiman, graphic novels, Persepolis, and more. Very Fun. Of the five of us, four are registered to go to Booktopia Bellingham and I predict there are going to be some great book conversations, there, too!!!

Issue which interested me is whether the author must find a way for the reader to "like" or at minimum "connect" with a protagonist, or other character in the novel? Or can you genuinely dislike all of the people in the story but still find the book satisfying because of the writing, or some other element?

I bought Buying the Farm: Peace and War on a Sixties Commune while I was at Elliott Bay Books. I could not resist. During a couple of years in the early 1970s when I was a rookie teacher I lived with a crowd in a big house. Kind of "commune" style. And one, maybe more of the people I lived with were involved with The Farm that Tom Fels writes about.

Social history, I guess. I could not resist. Feels like a look back at my young adult life. We'll see if I feel the same after I read it. Ha.

I am almost finished with Don't Let's Go To The Dogs Tonight.... watch this space.

Karen- I am so glad you made the Meet-up and made some friends! Yah! I do not think anyone in Gone Girl was likable but it was a terrific read. I am sure there are many other examples.

Thanks, Mark. I will look forward to getting to know these women better when we all go to Bellingham. I feel like I'm taking my "ilk" with me.

Finished reading Don't Let's Go To The Dogs Tonight and am in love with it, gave it 5 stars. What a charming, disturbing, romping book it is. Alexandra Fuller tells of her childhood in east Africa as a part of a "hard scrabble" family moving from one country to another, constantly ducking the danger of being white in a land rediscovering its black power. The empires were dying and a new "order" had not yet emerged but this family with a mother who was at best very eccentric and at worst was mentally ill, and a father who just put his head down and kept working, and two girls who had not choice, this family kept finding ways to survive and sometimes thrive.

I loved the book. When I was about 8 my mother thought she was dying of TB and "gave" me to her best friend. This friend, Johanna, took me to Kate and Emmett's farm in central Idaho where I wandered about in the heat of summer with the pigs, and cows, and chickens, magpies, and wind rustling through the trees. I developed a soul deep love for "country" and the heat of summer, the smells of dusty barns, of chicken shit, and watching the chickens flow around in the grass after their heads had been chopped off. I particularly remember the smell of cleaning the chicken so Kate could cook it for us.

All these Idaho memories gave me the capacity to viscerally understand Alexandra's love for her African countryside, with all the dirt, and bugs, and dangerous animals. I know that feeling of running amok in the country, and wish every child should be so lucky as to have that experience.

I recommend this book heartily and I think I'll try to find a way to add some of the books she recommends to my lists of books I must find time to read.

Now, I think I'll pick up Buying the Farm - a whole different growing up in the country story....

We read Don't Let's go to the Dogs Tonight in my RL book group a year or so ago. I think 'disturbing' is an adjective that I took away from it, particularly relating the parents' complete disregard for their responsibility for keeping their children safe. Despite the fact that the mother is so disturbed by her children's deaths, her lack of care seems to go beyond the more laid-back approach to child care seen in the past!

Oh, I think she (the mother) was mentally ill from the start. And I think her babies' deaths exacerbated that condition; perhaps, the father is the most neglectful because he did not do more. But I think their circumstances made any more help difficult if not impossible.

I'm one where I have to "like" or "connect" with at least one character in a book or I don't enjoy it and won't recommend it. But I think you knew that about me. :)

I am soooo with you on that morphy.

Yes, that is the issue or question I am posing. I think I've read books where I did not like anyone so much but enjoyed the book because it illustrated an era, or a place. I think an example of this is The Sisters Brothers. I think both of these outlaws were pretty reprehensible but definitely illustrated The Old West.

COME ON SPRING!

>85 Morphidae:: I'm like that too.

Yes, by all, means, let spring begin. It is cold, damp, raining and there still is snow on the ground. It is only mid February, but I long for sunshine.

Here is a photo of my garden during spring/early summer. Look closely to see that my sheltie Lilly is hiding in the hope I don't call her in the house.



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

Your comments regarding Don't Let's Go to the Dogs Tonight prompts me to go to the library tonight and find a copy. This book has been on the TBR pile since 2008.

Congratulations on finding money. And, drat that part of it has to be spent at the dentist.

I hope you feel better soon.

I do feel better, and I am glad the "found" money will pay for the big dental bill. I would be so much more unhappy if I had to come up with the money out of the little piles I've been building for Booktopia lodging and Hawaii in the fall. It is all good.

I'll be interested in what you think of the Don't Lets Go... book

So, is the sheltie in the center up towards the top, a little grey fuzz?

Don't Lets Go to the Dogs Tonight sounds really good Karen. I agree with streamsong in #37. It sounds like a great companion piece to The Flame Trees of Thika.

I hope your dental woes are resolved quickly and as pain free as possible.

I promised I'd get a picture of the RL book group considering the books I picked up at the ALA convention: Here we are -



First fellow (on the left) is Bill, known here as Pamur; second is Janiece, known as Janoorani24; third person is Ellen, known as EBT1002; and fourth is Mary, known here as MaryEstelle.

Switch the Photographer:



That third person is me! Karen, also known as maggie1944

Happy Times!

Great pictures, Karen. I know Ellen of course but didn't realize you had a RL book club with other LTers. Is that Third Place Books? It looks like a great store.

ETA: Is this the group that will be reading The Magus in March?

Yes, the RL book group was born out of a LT Meet-up about 5 years ago, I think. Might be 4 years. In any case, we have met monthly, and have dwindled down to 2-3 and back up again. In January we had a crowd of 8 or so.

And yes, The Magus is the March read. Most of the participants are not too active on the threads but Ellen and I might be caught posting about Fowles writing....

How wonderful! What a fun group.

Karen- Love the Book club photos! I thought Mary was upset about something in the 1st photo but she made up for it in the 2nd one. I do not see any beer bottles? What kind of a Meet-up is this? Of course, I am kidding!

I do think there are restaurants there which serve beer, but you have to hide in a corner away from all the families and kids. Ha!

Mary is a hoot! And a great joy in our meetings.

Karen, thanks for posting the photos of our RL book club. I think we even spent a bit of time talking about the book we had read! I have my copy of The Magus.....

finally, finally it is that i find your thread, Karen. thanks for the link. i am asking of my computer why it could not discover maggie44 when i ask it so to do. it is mute on the subject. pah!

loved the pics, rejoiced in your IRL meetups and dropped a star. and yeah, Mr. Penumbra's is a wonderful book.

>eta uh, yeah. it could be that searching for maggie44 instead of maggie1944 was the problem. you'd think a computer could figure out a simple mistake like that, que no?

@mirrordrum, welcome to Karen's latest thread.

Computers just don't understand the concept that we might need a little help with what we are searching for.

I miss "see" cards...

Ellie, I am happy to welcome you to my thread of random thoughts and incidents in my life, with some book reviews thrown in for good measure! And Lorelei, you are so right, those card catalogs had a charm and functionality which has not been adequately replaced by anything the computer programmers have dreamt up. I miss the noise of those little drawers being opened and closed, too.

Happy Friday everyone.

I miss the physical sensuousness of flicking through the cards.

Though it sure is nice to be able to quickly Google Blaue Rieter.

Oh library card catalogs. Sigh.

Even if you weren't sure of the spelling, you could browse and find stuff using the card catalog.

I dislike our library search system. It's clunky and confusing to use...I wonder what brainiac designed it?

library card catalogues--especially university lccs--smelled so . . . so . . . library like. and the sound, yes, the wonderful sliding of wood on wood, the sensuous delight of riffling through cards and seeing the arcane titles flipping by as you searched for the book of your desire.

and whatever happened to being QUIET in the library? huh? where did the hush go?

>eta and thanks for the warm welcome, folks. it feels quite homey here. :)

I am quite infatuated with quiet; and I want more "hush". I am so sorry it seems rare although in a small town near me there is a lovely large public library which seems to have that hush often. I should go there more often, and just sit and read. It is sort of that quiet in my house right now, no kids outside, no cars going by, just the noise of the clocks ticking (2). Nice.

Saturday: The CKCS Meet-Up was a hoot, as it was the first time. A big room full of dogs all running in circles. Very few bark, although there are those who do - sharp barks, too. But these dogs so love people they don't know whether to run about making friends with the dogs, or making friends with all these new peeps. The kids sat on the floor and were "bowled over" more than once. Very sweet. Greta Garbo is much loved by the folks and she walks about in a dignified manner making a few friends, too. Then she comes and sit on my lap, watching.

We stayed for about 45 minutes and then had lunch at an "awesome" (according to Jocelyn) place. I took them to the hamburger "joint" which has been there since I was in high school. It used to be a drive up and we'd sit in our cars and roll the windows down and flirt. Now the parking lot is where the stalls were, and you walk in. But they do make superb hamburgers, breakfast muffin sandwiches, and grilled cheese. A good time was had by all, and I was home by 1 pm to do my chores and so forth. Yay! Hanging out with little kids can be so much fun, and dogs and little kids, even better.

Sounds like you had a fantastic day, Karen!

Morning Karen- I hope you are enjoying your LONG weekend. I hope to really give my new reading lamp a workout today!

Yes, I'm enjoying it a lot. Just thinking this morning how much I love having days when I can just do whatever the spirit moves me to do!

I forgot to mention that yesterday at the doggie do I saw a poster advertising a local production of AK. Will see about getting tickets. Won't that be fun!

Thanks for the great pics of a fun group. It's always nice to put a smiling face with a concept I've formed from reading your posts.

I like how the different ages and breeds of your two primary companions give you a nice balance of termpermant. Each can choose to ignore or join the other in silliness as the spirit moves. Greta always has the aging-dignitary cover to fall back on. Expecially if you give them such lovely playdate options with equally "awesome"human tastes :D.

The small groups all seem to tolerate the token purpose of reading as well, minimizing any not-quite-literate momonts with a clever referecec tie-in or a seasonal comment. We word crafters are ever alert to spin a story in a positive way. lol

Ah! Best laid plans.....

I was making good progress in AK when a phone called placed upon my desk an order for more handmade Thank You cards with the lovely photographs of Nicky. So, I'm in the craft room, crafting these cards. A labor of love, and I must say a little Thank You to the Nick-ster for being such a handsome dog!

I will get back to AK, in a bit.

I got the photograph above from Les Merveilles de la Terre on Facebook. Check them out for some beautiful pictures, every day.

Hi Karen!
We had an awesome weekend over on the Peninsula. We do live in a beautiful part of the world!
I hope you are well.

It has been too long since I've taken the time to be specific in responses, so here I go:

Morphy, I totally agree that the noise, the smell, and the feelings which are associated with card catalogs are unique and I, too, feel a certain lacking in modern libraries. Oh, well, I also agree that to be able to Google stuff immediately is a fine pleasure.

104 - Ellen, I see you agree.

Lorelei, I expect the libraries' methods for searching for information were designed by committees; probably even a committee of people on the committees. Ha! But I do seem able to find most what I want on the computer, these days. I expect "practice makes perfect".

Ellie in 106 - you are so good at describing those feelings which go with being in a very quiet library where the noises include the quiet opening and closing of the little card catalog drawers. Thanks for visiting my thread, you are very welcome here!

Julia, Yes, the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Meet-Up was great fun. I get to sit on a chair and watch 30+ dogs running around in circles and some people sitting on the floor allowing the dogs to gang tackle them. The kids were having fun, too, but it was hard to keep them from running around, too. There was a comment on the group's thread that people who bring children should be sure to supervise them. I think I was the only person who brought children and so I'm feeling a bit awkward, as I think they behaved themselves very well, but maybe someone was "put out" by their very presence. We'll see....

Mark, I am so glad your lamp arrived and that you are liking it. I find reading under a good lamp makes the whole deal so much easier. My favorite place now is in bed, under a good reading lamp like yours. I also spent a good deal of time yesterday making cards under my desk version of that lamp. I may have to buy another one of those as I keep moving it around from my office desk to my craft desk to my office desk, etc. We'll see.

Yes, my long weekend, now over and done with, was quite enjoyable. A little bit of getting out and more of staying in and doing whatever. I am a bundle of contradictions as I am very much the extrovert, and love people, and doing things with groups, but I also must have a certain amount of alone time! This weekend seemed like a great balance.

Tina, Nice to see you here! Yes, the book group is a fun group of folks, and sometimes we even talk about the books. One thing we all agree on is that the group has moved all of us to read books we might not otherwise read. Nice, that!

Michele Thanks for stopping by. I loved this comment: "We word crafters are ever alert to spin a story in a positive way". And I think I agree.

Ellen Welcome back to LT and the threads of many! Hope this coming week is sweet and does not make you wish you were still on the Peninsula. The beauty of this region smacks me in the face frequently, and today I think I'll try to take the 5 year old out into the weather and see if we can find something awesome in our own neighborhood.

OK, I'm caught up for now.

This weeks I will try my hardest to get AK finished!

Karen, if people were 'put out' by your well-behaved grandchildren, the problem is with the people, not you or your grandchildren.

Lorelei, that is my attitude, usually, too. But in this situation the group is organized for the benefit of the dogs and their owners. It is not fair for me to bring children if those children threaten the well being of the dogs. The concern was expressed that the children do not accidentally fall on a dog as they are smaller, and a bit fragile. My kids were not the only ones there, but I definitely did catch them "running" about a bit and that must stop.

I do not take the criticism personally. It is good to teach my great niece and nephew that different behavior is appropriate for different situations and that is definitely one of the reasons I invited them to join Benny, Greta Garbo, and me on this outing.

Thanks for your concern and for stopping by to visit my thread and all its little drama.

Thank you for sharing your little drama with us. It helps me to get to know you better. :)

Karen, I know you're pushing to get to the end of AK --- you will deserve a Fran's chocolate when you complete it!
It was a lovely day in the Seattle area; I hope you and the 5-year-old got outside and enjoyed that sunshine!

Silly girl, she was kind of "tired" all day and really didn't want to do more than just in and out of the car a couple few times. We played in the craft room and did rubber stamp "cards" for her Mommy and her Dad. And then she had a lovely long bath, talking to herself, and I took a sneak snooze on my bed, adjacent to the bath room. She loves baths in my tub, I guess because the bathroom is big, and filled with nice light. It is a boon to me, because it also gave me a good long interval of reading in AK.

We made it to the P.O. and mailed off a book to Mark, and then home for lunch, and stamping, and a bath. Nice day, all in all.

Well, it sounds like a peaceful day in any case. And you supported the USPS. :-)

Finished reading Anna Karènina on Wednesday, and started reading The Magus. The latter caught my attention immediately but I doubt I'll be able to finish it before the real life book group meeting on March 11th. But I'll give it a good try.

I ended up not liking AK all that much, the constant philosophical debates, and introspective musings, got on my nerves big time. Really? All those pages for all that?

Perhaps Tolstoy wrote for those long, dark, snow-bound Russian winters where a great thumper like W&P or AK would help to fill the hours. Congrats for finishing AK despite wanting to throw her under the train.

Just realised that it must be about 45 years since I read The Magus! I remember liking it but couldn't tell you squat about what it's about. Will be interested to hear your thoughts about it.

CONGRATULATIONS!!!!! You finished it! I know it's a relief.

I still haven't started The Magus even though it's a library copy that I have. I wonder if I should start it this evening even though I'm still reading The Hill Bachelors (short stories, so that's okay) and A Grain of Truth (Polish mystery novel, so that's probably okay, too).

Oh, Yes! Ellen it would be fun to be reading it along side of each other.

Here's a few more words on AK: http://www.librarything.com/topic/147636#3929283

Congratulations on finishing AK, Karen! I know what you mean about the lengthy philosophical debates and musings. I like Tui's idea that maybe the length provided entertainment in the long Russian winters. I'm glad I read it for Levin and Kitty, but I could have done without Anna and Vronsky and Anna's husband, and I would have liked more abbreviated debates and musings, too.

It's been forever since I read The Magus! I wonder what my reaction would be at my more advanced age? I look forward to your take on it.

Congrats, my friend! You hung in there and now you can concentrate on the next chunkster! Good luck!

Yippee! She finished it!

Two thumbs up for finishing 'Anna Karenina', Karen! That's an accomplishment for sure.

Congrats on AK, but too bad it didn't turn out to be your favorite book of all time.

I haven't been brave enough to start AK--someday, someday.

My RL bookclub is reading Team of Rivals for March, so I'll be going back to your shared read on it to see what you all had to say. That should keep me busy for the next bit.

It sounds like the lady from the KCS get together was a bit of a grump. Some people just don't like kids. I bet none of the dogs were complaining about having the kids play with them! Next time I went to my vet, I'd be tempted to ask if they've ever seen a dog hurt because a child fell on it........

Hi, Streamsong. I hope Montana is treating you well this February. Are you seeing any signs of spring. We are not! Darn it.

Be careful and do not let the complaints by some about Team of Rivals put you off the book. Some liked it very much, indeed. I think it is just one of those books where the subject is just not everyone's cup of tea. I liked it very much and learned a good deal about Lincoln and his times.

I don't want to go down the path of complaining about the CKCS group even in my own head. I so appreciate that they do these get togethers! And they are fun. I don't think it is too much to ask the kids to control their impulses for 30-45 minutes. It is all a learning experience, eh?

I finished reading Anna Karenina and am now embarked on The Magus. Whew...big books!!!!

Karen I must thank you again for the Christmas swap books. I finished Genesis this morning. What a great book. It's short and thought provoking. The end is amazing, but I won't discuss it and spoil it for anyone. You did excellent in picking the book out for me. Thank you!

I love the photos of your garden and agree that spring should hurry up. Have a great weekend.

Hey Karen,

Congratulations on forging ahead with AK.

I'm going to go backwards in acknowledging all you nice visitors!

Peg, 139 Thank you very much. It did require a bit of self-discipline but really it was all the other AK readers cheering me on which made the difference. In the end, I am glad I read the whole book because Tolstoy did leave his "conclusions" to the end. I think.

Roberta, 138, I love the practice we've devloped here of swapping books. It is fun to pick the out, and to consider another's reading habits and tastes, and it is fun, of course, to receive books one did not buy for oneself. Coupled with the ER program I have received many lovely books which I have enjoyed reading!

Thanks for stopping by and everyone of us who is pulling for Spring to show up may make a difference! You do know the picture with the sunrise, or maybe it is a sunset, is not my yard, right? I'm not sure I'd like to live that close to all those salt flats. (-:

Janet, 136, You know there is quite a group of LT people showing up in Bellingham, right? Do you think we should see about planning a dinner together? On Friday night? Or a lunch after the Booktopia closes on Sunday, what do you think?

I read that Bonita might even try to make it up here! What fun that would be.

Katie, 135, thank you for stopping by with the congratulations. It really does help to have LTers cheering me on when the book is long, and sometimes not to my taste. Certainly, AK is a great book, and I can see why it is a classic. Just not my cup of tea. I think if I'd read it at a younger age, or for a literature class, perhaps I would have enjoyed it more.

Julia, 134, Thanks to you also for your encouragement and support! See what I said to Katie. That goes for you, too. And....

Lorelei, 133, Your support is always welcome here! As is Mark's, 132, and Joe's, 131, How could I ever finish all these books without you all cheering me on?

Thanks, Karen. Either (or both!) would be a lot of fun. I look forward to meeting anyone and everyone from LT and think it will be a blast!

Still crawling home pretty tired at the end of the day, although my neck injury is giving me more good days than bad. By the time good weather arrives, I'm hoping to be good to go! Whoever would have thought that a slip on the ice and a very minor fender bender could do me in for so long!

I saw my first robin yesterday--but it also snowed an inch last night. That's spring in Montana.

Your attitude about the dog meetup is great. I just know that if there were a pack of dogs playing, I would have a hard time not jumping up and joining in, never mind if I was a child--and not just a bit of a child at heart--or perhaps just a bit childish. ;-)

Yes, I think it is a big challenge to the kids but I put it to them that it is an optional trip and if they don't want to go, fine with me. It is a longish drive, which they don't always love; and it is an exercise in self control to not run and skip; but, the dogs are so cute, and have so much fun, and you can sit on the floor and the dogs will come to you for a pet and a scritch. The dogs, interestingly enough, do not really play with each other more they are just running about sniffing everyone's butt, and making friends with people. CKCS love people!

I know what you mean about the slip and the car crash. I have taken a hard fall several times in the last 5 years or so and I've learned that my ribs do not heal quickly!

I've heard from Bonita that she has a friend she would like to have come with her; and that she has not yet checked to see if there is still room. I'm thinking she may be missing the window, but we shall see.

Hmm, just stopping by to see how you're doing.
I'll go check out your Green Dragon thread. :-)

Hi Karen- How are you? Did you listen to the latest BOTNS? Your meet-up was mentioned. Hope your week is going well.

Ellen, I am doing OK, busy, busy, busy. You know how that is....

The Mountaineers has a very intensive photography class and I signed up! So I'm trying to find time to read, and work with my camera, in between all the other stuff. I am afraid reading is taking a back seat for now. I go to class on Tuesday evening, and then do field work on both Saturdays and Sundays. Oh, my! But I think it is good that I took this class as I want some more excellent photographs for my growing Greeting Card inventory. I've sold a few cards and that motivates me.

Mark, I have not listened to it. (see paragraph above) I think I could find some time soon to do so, hopefully.

Nice that you are doing more exploring with your camera, Karen!

Have a great time with your camera this weekend Karen. Looking forward to seeing the results:)

Pictures! I wanna see pictures!

Maggie, I agree with your thoughts regarding Anna Karenina. I'm sorry you are in pain from a neck injury. I can relate to neck pain. I've undergone two neck fusion surgeries in the past two years.

I hate that I rely on vicodin to ease the pain.

Take care!

Not me in neck pain, no vicodin in my life right now. Arthritis in hands, and a bit in the shoulders, seems to be my burden this week. Rheumatoid Arthritis can not always be predicted. I have a little bit of Hydrocod/Aceta for dental pain, from a week or two ago. Not using it. Makes me too stupid.

Trip to the used book store and I was able to pick up: Dark Voyage by Alan Furst, Victory of Eagles by Naomi Novik, The Thousand Autumns of Jacob de Zoet by David Mitchell, and Midaq Alley, The Thief and the Dogs, and Miramar by Naguib Mahfouz. I thought that was a pretty good haul. Unfortunately, they go directly to the TBR piles and wait their turns.

I know I said it was photo class day, and so it was. Between 9 am and Noon they told me more than my brain could hold, so after I helped Niece and kids sort books, I went to the used book store, sold their books ($16) and bought mine. My brain feels better now.

Did you find the missing library books?

ops, sorry I read the wrong post.

Sorry to hear about arthritis in hands and shoulders.

Great book haul .

Ellen the class is pretty intense. I am such an old school student, I want to write things down, and I don't expect the instructor to be telling us stuff which is in the book. I can't keep up with them, they don't go slowly because they do not expect people to be taking notes, and its all in the book any way. So, in the end, it will be all good. They do have a handful of volunteers and we get a fair amount of 1:2 or 1:3 help. That is great, but still I keep wanting to know why, and really I don't need the technical stuff.

Sigh.

Tomorrow will be fun. We will take what we learned today and practice it. So, be forewarned, I am not taking Fine Art Photographs tomorrow. Mostly just 8 pictures of a fence with different settings... stuff like that.

As long as you have fun, that's what I care about!

Your book haul at the used bookstore was excellent.

Are you still reading The Magus?

E, I did pick it up for a few minutes on Friday but nothing since then. I'm about 125 pages into it and I like it but there are just other things yanking my attention....

Calm, today's photography should produce one straight line of something (fence, etc.) with differing depths of field and one something rushing by.... (car) that I stop action with my camera magic. Wish me luck!

Lorelie,thanks for the wishes although I'm not sure the pictures will be all that interesting. They are sort of like "push ups" - you do them for the exercise, not cuz they're pretty.

Linda, I'm glad you stopped by to read my little thread. Agreed on AK, eh? Well, I think there is something to be talked about regarding whether "classics" hold their appeal. In that case, and for us, not so much.

Yes, I was glad to pick up the good used books. i really should not try to afford new books but it is kind of an impulse control problem for me....see a pretty book, buy it, buy it, buy it! But the good news is that I do not always fall for the impulse.

BTW, hands are feeling better today. That is good because I'll be hauling around a tripod with a camera on top for a good bit today. And ducking rain drops, too. But should be fun - as learning should always be!

I just realized I've been not noting the numbers on the books I've finished.

Books Finished during 2013

1. The Last Unicorn finished on 1/21/13

2. Muhammad Ali's Greatest Fight: Cassius Clay vs. The United States of America finished on 1/29/13

3. Prisoner 88 by Leah Pileggi, published 2013 Charlesbridge Publishing, Inc.
Here's the book's page: http://www.librarything.com/work/13472337/summary/93697111

4. The Truth of Me by Patricia MacLachlan, published 2013, Harper Collins Publisher, Katherine Tegen Books
Here's the book's page: http://www.librarything.com/work/13456843/summary/93570131

5. Don't Let's Go To The Dogs Tonight by Alexandra Fuller, and,

6. Anna Karènina by Leo Tolstoy

ok, I'm off to read threads for a few minutes before I dress warmly for the photo adventure for today.

Morning Karen- I wanted to let you know, I have not received the book. I don't know what's taking so long. Darn P.O.! I now have an audio copy of Cocktail Hour Under the Tree of Forgetfulness, the follow-up memoir to Don't Let's Go To The Dogs Tonight. I hope to get to it very soon.
Enjoy your day!

Darn!

Hope it's a good day for you, Karen. I love hearing about your photography class even if you don't think the pictures are interesting enough to post.

OK, so not an art photograph but I did stop the motion of the car in a very shady place. It was a combination of tripod to hold the camera still, and the right combination of size of aperture (hole in the box) and the speed of the shutter.

We did two exercises and this one was maginally more successful than the other. I need to do the other a few more times to get a real good illustration of it. It involves having stuff near you in focus and stuff out a ways, fuzzy.

I'm happily home now and I think I might have some reading time available.

It may not be art, but you are learning (that's the key). And of course, I recognize the area. :-)

You are right, it is not art, but I did STOP that car! Which was the point of the exercise.

I am struggling a big more to get a series of photographs which really illustrate Depth of Field. I'm thinking of shelves of books...

Have a great Tuesday, Ellen!

Illustration of depth of field phtograph:

And here is one where I chose a shallow depth of field to illustrate I knew how to do it:

Cool.....

Nice! Both the photos and the bowls. :-)

you're doing a great job Karen!

I'm enjoying your wonderful photography. I have a deep appreciate for this art form. I am the adviser for the yearbook at Lehigh University in Bethlehem, PA. The student photographers are, for the most part, very creative.

I very much like the shiny bowls contrasted with the color of the shaded table.

Looks like you are having fun in your photography class. Cool. No book yet, my friend! I know that is very irritating to the sender. That's almost 2 weeks, right?

I enjoy seeing what you are doing with your camera. :)

Beautiful results with your camera.

And it sounds like a great class--I'm going to have to think about taking one. You're an inspiration!

Mark, I am so disappointed the book has not arrived chez vous yet. But with your weather, I guess one can cut a little slack for the USPS. I am having fun with the photography, but yesterday I was reminded how expensive it can get if you don't watch yourself, er... I mean, myself. I bought two lens hoods to shade their pretty little faces, a new lens brush for cleaning off the dusties, a new camera bag so I con protect the big one from bangs and bumps (Hawaii, I'm looking at you!) and a quick release for the tripod. Now I can put the camera on and off the tripod easily and not stress my silly sore hands.

Pat, If I just keep doing some effective mind adjustment, I can turn the exercises into photographs which are more interesting. Keep tuned. And thanks for stopping by, yours and others' interest is very helpful in keeping me from discouragement. I am a bit of an attention hog.

Tina, Thanks for stopping by. As I wrote to Pat, I feed off the attention and it helps keep me from discouragement and putting the work aside. March is photography month for me!

Julia, I appreciate your comment. I love those bowls and having them did make learning how to do the depth of field exercise a bit easier. Simple is good.

Jean, Thank you!

Linda, Oh! Working with young folks who are discovering their own creative muscles must be lovely. I know it can be both "the best of times, and the worst of times". My first serious teacher of photography spends a good deal of time teaching high school students and their work as they discover their photographic voice is a wonder to behold! Thanks for stopping by, and I appreciate your noting the contrast between the finished color of the bowls and the more natural color of the table.

Lorelei, and Janet, I am glad my efforts bring some enjoyment. Janet, I find I need classes to push me to learn the next level of technical "stuff" as it just is not natural to me, and it is so good to push my brain to do something new.

And now, for something entirely different: I received my new Nook tablet yesterday. And I have it to learn, too. I am on some sort of frenzy of learning these days. I wonder what that is about? Fun! Joy! Entertainment! Whee!

Hi, Karen. I lost track of you at the end of last year, so I'm just catching up now. Your photography looks interesting (I've only read about the last 10 posts, since I was so far behind). I've been meaning to take up photography, too - for about the last 25 years. Maybe someday ...

OH! Check out the newer small point and shoot cameras. They can do so much more than they used to be able to do. For $100 you can have a very respectable camera and lots of new fun!

Liking those photos, Karen. It's clear you're learning some valuable techniques.

@humouress, see if a local camera store sells used cameras.

Back in January I found a used Canon CX5 online for $35. It takes great pictures, but I wouldn't advise everyone to go that route, as it could have NOT worked.

Joe, thanks! I appreciate your coming by to give an opinion. Since we are a book site, I am being quite the outlier.... I do think I am learning some good stuff, though.

Lorelei, I wish I was better at looking for the bargains! I will say yesterday at the photo equipment shop I did look for "after market" lens hoods, as new ones are quite expensive! Keep up the great tips!

Karen - it seems that you are really enjoying the photography class! I'm glad it's expanding your skills and giving you some things to work on.

Ellen,yes, it does seem to be hitting the spot. I think the key to this class being so good is that it is "staffed" by a crowd of volunteers. So each student is able to get a good amount of 1:1 attention. Also, the volunteers are all quite knowledgeable. They have a monthly potluck and continue to talk about their craft all the time. Of course, they are The Mountaineers. It is an organization which has been assisting people in outdoor adventures for 100 years. And it is not a small group, either.

The dental adventure continues. I did get a little reading done last night on my new Nook HD. And recouping from the tooth extraction. The wonders of modern science!

The wonders of modern science!

You sound ... thrilled :0/

Well, truth be told I am. I have horrible problems with teeth: combination of neglect and abuse when under 40 years old + spotty care afterwards + Rheumatoid Arthritis, medications, osteoporosis = falling apart teeth, frequent cavities, and intermittent gum diseases. If I were having these problems 100 years ago I'd be staring death in the face. Not to speak of the horrors of early dentists!

So, yes I am thrilled to have modern dentistry + nitrous oxide. It is not pretty but I am not dying of it.

Late last week I received two new books (omg, as if I need more on my huge quantities of TBR books)

1. Early Reviewers book - Dead Money written by Steve O'Brien, a mystery set in horse racing. Looking forward to reading it; and,

2. The Searchers: The Making of an American Legend - about the movie and the true story upon which the movie was based. Too few pictures to justify the purchase of a hard bound book but that is what I did.

A picture from today's photo field trip:

Water is an excellent subject for photography!

Love the picture, Karen. It is to illustrate something for your class?

Pat, I was using a wide open aperture, and a fast shutter speed, to try to "catch" the drops of water.

Go here, if you'd like to see a couple more pictures from today http://www.librarything.com/topic/147636#3965024

Oh, I see! Thanks for the link. I love all three of the pictures.

Here is one more that I like a lot.

Morning Karen- Glad the field trip went well. Thanks for sharing the photos and congrats on picking up the Searchers. I'll have to get to that one too.

Thank you, Mark. I am looking forward to reading it, but I think I'll tackle the ER book first.

Here's another that I particularly like:

Special guest at our F2F book group meeting last night:

I can't believe I missed the puppy!!!!! Rats. Double rats.

Awwwww....husky?

Yes, he is a little husky. And Ellen....see, one must not miss one's book group!

I should have skipped that second bourbon and ginger and come to book group!

*smacks forehead with heel of hand*

Sad Ellen.

So sorry.

Adorable puppy. Do you think you'll finish The Magus? I have a brand new unread copy but it's so long I don't want to start it if it's not worth it.

Pat, I don't think I'll finish the book any time soon, but it is on my Nook and will be there when I need something to read. I am not leaving it because it is not good, but because I have over loaded myself with other things to do: I'm on a Board for the homeowners associ. where my rental house is, and the Board has lots of work, and few volunteers; I am going to take an online class on child development so I can apply to be a substitute "teacher" at a nearby day care/preschool; I am working hard on my photography class and there is lots to do and learn there!!!!

And I still am taking care of my niece's kids before and after school...whew.....dogs. The dogs, they like walks, too. And I'm making greeting cards. So, you can see.... little time for reading right now, but I will return to it and finish it. I don't want to discourage you.

I think The Magus is one I'll want to purchase so I can read it at a more leisurely pace.
I feel the same way about Stone Upon Stone which I have renewed twice and still not started reading.

#204 Thanks for the encouragement, Karen. I will definitely give it a try. I loved The Collector. Have you read that one?

Hi Karen,
We may have to schedule a meet-up before next month's book group. I've got the two books you loaned me in the back of my car. I could probably make a run up to TPB in LFP if you (and others) were interested in meeting for some dinner there.

Pat, yes, I like The Collector quite a lot. He is definitely a very good writer and I think his work is worth the effort to read it, but my book group felt that The Magus was quite "dated" and written for the hippie era. I don't think that is true of The Collector.

Ellen: Awk! My life has gotten so jam packed with stuff..... I do like dinner at Third Place Books, though, and I'll have a look at my calendar and see when that might work. I'll get back to you.

WOW! WOW! WOW to the waterfall photo. That one needs to be framed! It is stunning.

Oh, thank you, Linda! I appreciate that so much.

Booktopia books are announced and I'm trying to decide which to read:

Peter Clines - Ex-Heroes (unlikely, not a fan of zombies or superheroes)

1. Jonathan Evison - The Revised Fundamentals of Caregiving (probably, a previous book by this author is set in Pac NW and the reviews of it suggest he's my kind of writer)

2. Ru Freeman - On Sal Mal Lane (probably, a childhood set in Sri Lanka, to be published in May)

Caroline Leavitt, Is This Tomorrow (I'm 50/50; sounds like a good novel, but is it my "thing"? 12 year old boy goes missing in a 1950s suburb; author is well known, written many books

3. Rhonda Riley - The Enchanted Life of Adam Hope it is suggested this his first novel is gorgeously written and magical; I think there is a good chance I'll read this. Hope it might be like The Night Circus. Does any one know?

Jan-Phillipp Sendker - The Art of Hearing Heartbeats (maybe... a mystery, daughter chasing her father's past in SE Asia???)

Maggie Shipstead - Seating Arrangements (unlikely; not a fan of upper class comedies surrounding fancy weddings, unless it is a british comedy

Any thoughts anyone???? Maybe 3 is a good number for me to focus on.... I've got to keep up with my RL book group, too. March, April, May, and then I'm there!

Hmmm... I think we have somewhat different reading tastes. I was looking forward to a new Caroline Leavitt, just because I like the author's work - hadn't read a synopsis of the book until now.

I do own The Enchanted Life of Adam Hope but haven't read it yet. A publishing friend sent it to me because she loved it so much and thought i should read it.

So that is all I know about the books mentioned. Wish I could join you for the event.

Karen - Some lovely photos here recently.

I have to admit to not owning any of the books in your Booktopia list. I would probably pick the Jonathan Evison based on your synopses and the fact that some of the reviews I recall seeing have been very positive.

Have a lovely weekend dear lady.

In order: 2, 1, 3 as a last resort. Sounds pweeeshuuusss.

Nancy, thanks for stopping by and weighing in on books I might choose to read. The Rhonda Riley book does look really attractive, and I think I've been tempted towards Caroline Leavitt, too.

Paul, thanks for the comment. I expect Evison will make the cut.

Wish I could help you, Karen. Those ones are all strangers to me.

Hope you're having a good weekend.

I'm contemplating the list, too. How many authors do we meet with--or do we meet with them all? I hope there will be more scheduling details.

The book scout (former but not reformed) in me says that a first novel/first edition possibly signed by a new author may (or may not) be a good investment. :-) So that one I will preorder for sure.

The sooner I get them, the more chance I will get them read. The ones not available until May are a bit late.

1. Rhonda Riley - The Enchanted Life of Adam Hope (April 23rd)
2. Ru Freeman - On Sal Mal Lane available May
3. Jonathan Evison - The Revised Fundamentals of Caregiving I'll take your word on the author; interesting also because it's currently available thru bookcloseouts
4. Jan-Phillipp Sendker - The Art of Hearing Heartbeats - the author is coming in from Germany.... and the book is available for order now.
5.Peter Clines - Ex-Heroes --not my genre, but I'm willing to try anything--available now
6. Caroline Leavitt, Is This Tomorrow (released in May)
7. Maggie Shipstead - Seating Arrangements --hardback available now, paperback in May

--Edit because I had 2--number 3's

Good point about new book first Ed. Etc.

Hi Karen- Unfortunately, I haven't heard of these authors or books, other than the Ex-Heroes guy, which I did hear was very good.
The Enchanted Life of Adam Hope does sound like a good one. See, what titles you might be able to get a hold of.

Booktopia info: You have to sign up for the individual author events and keep in mind they keep these groups small, for a more intimate setting. You will see these authors mingling about throughout the weekend though.

I guess it must mean that these are "up and coming" or something, although certainly not all of them. Leavitt has been writing for a good long time.

I am not an expert on Booktopia, but I thought they tried to mix it up with new and more established authors. I am sure trying to schedule this is not easy.

Well, I don't know all that much about these authors either. But I'm learning.

So we were practicing close ups and I had two lenses and one add on magnification glass (not the techy term) to try out so I have quite a few pictures which did not work, which is a good thing because then I'm learning. If all the pictures turned out good, what would I be learning?

Here's one that did turn out OK

Wow, I think that's more than okay. I thought it was a professional photograph that you posted for us to look at. Excellent job!

Morphy, thank you. I had a "moment" this morning when I could not find a small but important piece of equipment but I found it so now I'm packing up getting ready to head out into the field. Should be a rotten day weather-wise for photographs, so I will be challenged to find things I want to shoot. That is a good thing (*she says trying hard to do necessary attitude adjustment*)

Perhaps there will be more photographs later today....much later.

Here is a super close-up of a artificial flower. Imagine what I can do when I have real flowers!

This is what I really wanted to do. I want to be able to take photographs of my greeting cards which I could then use to market them on line.

I think this is pretty darn good, but I'll tell you it took some work to learn how to do it. And I'll need to practice, practice, practice!

Oh, the wind was a tad brutal this morning. I left my tripod at home, my hands ached, my left wrist went very sore on me, and yet I shot a few pictures. Not going back out today. I'm feeling the spring cold air much too much, but here's some pictures I like:

Seattle skyline, looking south from gas works park. The photo should be cropped and edited some, but I like its potential -

Great photos Maggie!

I think I am going to spend the rest of today reading, Dead Money, and maybe write a review for the Early Reviewers. I am tired of the outdoors!

Karen, I love the picture of the Seattle skyline — that could be a postcard! And the photo of your greeting card with the little dog is also very sweet. Please be sure to let us know if you set up an online shop for your cards, as I am always looking for unique and beautiful things like that.

(228) Love the silhouette of the bird with the tree branches!

And the kite's good, too.

I am such a whimp. I am reading Dead Money - attorney, owns race horse, a mob/gang has a scam.... hammers are slamming into people's legs, hands. Icky. I was afraid at one page that a dead dog was going to show up, and I had to put the book down. I just can't easily read this stuff any more.

But it is not too bad, and the book is a good quick mystery type read. Lots of horse racing gossip. Some legalese. A little mob action with a Russian type as the big bad guy.

I'm enjoying it when I am not queasy over the violence, of which there is not too much.

I should be able to finish this today, or tonight.

and ETA: I finished watching Downton Abbey second season last night. I see why folks were addicted.

Books Finished during 2013

1. The Last Unicorn finished on 1/21/13

2. Muhammad Ali's Greatest Fight: Cassius Clay vs. The United States of America finished on 1/29/13

3. Prisoner 88 by Leah Pileggi, published 2013 Charlesbridge Publishing, Inc.
Here's the book's page: http://www.librarything.com/work/13472337/summary/93697111

4. The Truth of Me by Patricia MacLachlan, published 2013, Harper Collins Publisher, Katherine Tegen Books
Here's the book's page: http://www.librarything.com/work/13456843/summary/93570131

I have no idea where The Secret Scripture by Sebastian Barry came from. How can The Truth of Me lead to it??????

5. Don't Let's Go To The Dogs Tonight by Alexandra Fuller, and,

6. Anna Karènina by Leo Tolstoy

7. Dead Money by Steve O'Brien *wrong touchstone!

Dead Money is a quick, and entertaining mystery set in the world of horse racing and betting on horse races. There is a bit of violence but not too much, thank goodness, as I'm not very tolerant of books or movies full of broken and dead bodies, with an abundance of detail.

There was a fair amount of detail about horse racing and the betting which goes with it and that I enjoyed. An owner of an up and coming race, and the "boyfriend" of one of the grooms, is offered an unreasonable amount of money for his horse; he declines to take the money, in part because it would break his sweetheart's heart. The story has a murder or two, and some twists and turns, and is quite mysterious, especially to one not familiar with racing and the betting windows. It has a satisfying race, which revved up my adrenaline the way The Black Stallion races did when I was a kid. Almost, skipped paragraphs to skim ahead to find out who wins.

There also is a side plot which helped to flesh out the protagonists character, but was left unresolved, which was matched by and ending line which also left another issue unresolved. I suppose that means there is a series in the works and frankly, my dear, I would read some more of this.

ETA: I called the cable company and re-attached my TV service so I can watch George RR Martin's fine stories, coming soon...

Okay, on the book decision front, I have not read any of those authors before, so I am going purely on the book's description and your feelings - I think The Enchanted Life of Adam Hope sounds like a good one. Now, If I were choosing for me - I would go with Ex-Heroes, which I think I might have to read now that you have put it on my radar!

LOVE the photos that you are taking - thanks so much for sharing! And also, nice round of reading so far. I am really wanting to read Don't Let's Go to the Dogs Tonight, and I am determined to squeeze it in this year.

I need to finish two books I'm in the middle of: Buying the Farm: Peace and War on a Sixties Commune and Cairns: Messengers in Stone. Both are non-fiction which I sometimes read to the exclusion of fiction. We'll see how long that lasts. I also want to read My Beloved World by Sonia Sotomayor very soon. Got to get to it.

I have to admit that I was a bit disappointed with the Booktopia list. I will try to read at least two of them, but none of them screamed out to me with great volume. I'll probably get a copy of The Enchanted Life of Adam Hope and one or two others.

As P said, it's a June weekend in Bellingham. The rest is gravy.

I love your shot of the Seattle skyline from Gasworks Park. That is one of my favorite view spots and you caught a gray day without making it feel gray.

Ellen, you are not wrong about the list of books, I think. But maybe there will be a sleeper. I just hope I can pick it.

The day was windy, and cold, and some blue sky. I also got some pictures of a kite which was not so spectacular other than the fact that I caught a kite which was dipping and flipping and soaring around in the March winds. So cool.

Rainy, rainy, and windy, and cold today. Talking about some snow down to 500' above sea level. I am just below 500' but Schelie and Jim's house is probably that high. No snow to worry about just...snow? on the first day of Spring? in the temperate climate northwest? oh, well, good book reading weather.

Enjoy your trip to Montana, then back here for a little touch of Spring (perhaps) and then off to Kaua'i. I think we can label that PROGRESS!

Morning Karen- Just checking in! I am enjoying your photos. Sorry the weather has been crappy. I think we are all suffering a little, except for lucky Mamie, with her sunshine and 70s! Have a good day.

I heard from home that today (Wednesday) was pretty miserable. Pouring rain in the morning and then sunshine but windy as hell.
Here, we had about 4" of snow and I got to go hiking in the woods in the snow and later we took a sleigh ride to a cabin for dinner. And yes, in 8 days I'm on my way to Kaua'i. Progress indeed. :-)

I was wondering what had happened to your picture in the first post. Ick, sorry to hear about your Facebook/Flickr issue. :(

Is everyone here Hawai'i bound? Can I come, too?

When you live on the very left coast of the USA it is easy to fall off, and slide on down to the islands.

Books Finished during 2013

1. The Last Unicorn finished on 1/21/13
2.Muhammad Ali's Greatest Fight: Cassius Clay vs. The United States of America finished on 1/29/13
3. Prisoner 88 by Leah Pileggi, published 2013 Charlesbridge Publishing, Inc.
Here's the book's page: http://www.librarything.com/work/13472337/summary/93697111
4. The Truth of Me by Patricia MacLachlan, published 2013, Harper Collins Publisher, Katherine Tegen Books
Here's the book's page: http://www.librarything.com/work/13456843/summary/93570131
I have no idea where The Secret Scripture by Sebastian Barry came from. How can The Truth of Me lead to it??????
5. Don't Let's Go To The Dogs Tonight by Alexandra Fuller, and,
6. Anna Karènina by Leo Tolstoy
7. Dead Money by Steve O'Brien *wrong touchstone! ER book!
8. Cairns: Messengers in Stone by David B. Williams. Finished reading on 3/21/13

Eight books in less than 3 months. That is amazing to me and I give all the credit to Library Thing for giving me so many good ideas, for helping put together my RL book group, and for spurring me onwards daily. Well, I do give a little credit to myself, too, as I do actually read the books.

Cairns is a short and entertaining education on why and where and what for people pile up rocks. Sometimes they are markers for hikers in the mountains to keep them on the right path; sometimes they are tombs; sometimes they are the result of spiritual practice. The famous and the ordinary have made them. Explorers frequently used cairns to mark "new territory" and to "claim it for a European monarchy". Sometimes they also marked the progress towards death for some explorers.

Well written and seemingly well researched, the book is a nice short detour from regular reading topics.

humouress, of course you can come too! And I like Karen's description of falling off the edge down to the islands. Having grown up in Florida, Hawaii seemed like the other side of the globe, but from the Seattle area, it's a relatively easy flight. And needed after our winter.....

Karen,
LibraryThing changes (reading) lives. :-)

Karen,
LibraryThing changes (reading) lives. :-)

So true...

Ellen, and esquiress, and huouress, so true, so true!

Good Morning, Karen! Like Ellen, I also loved that sentence you wrote up there: "When you live on the very left coast of the USA it is easy to fall off, and slide on down to the islands."

Wishing for you a weekend full of fabulous!

Thank you! I'll start packing straight away.

(I'm on the right coast of Australia, so maybe it won't be too hard)

Visited Fishermen's Terminal this morning, early, to catch the reflections on the water. Cold, brisk, and much learning was had. And oh, a great breakfast afterwards in a cafe which caters to working fishers.

Beautiful.

Yes, it is.

*smooch* as I swoop through on my broom

Very cool!

Thanks.

Here is another I like. Tomorrow I take 5 to the class to have them comment..... nervous, I am.

I like your photos, Karen. :)

Thanks.

Now, I'm going to go read.

Karen - Love the boat reflection photo especially; very artistic.
Have a lovely weekend. x

Loving the photos ..........

Thank you all. Your comments are very encouraging.

I am really behind on my reading but after today, when I go see everyone else's photographs, I'll be back in the books. Horray. Of course, more of them might be about photography.

Morning Karen- " I'll be back in the books." Always a reason for celebration! I am enjoying your photos. Have a good Sunday!