Morphy Moseys through 2013 - Year 2

Princess Morphy (Age two years)

This is my third 75 Books Challenge. I read about 250 books a year, so I'm not worried about meeting the challenge!

I mostly read fantasy, preferably urban, but also enjoy general and genre fiction, historical romance, classics, popular non-fiction, and will honestly try any genre at least once.

I prefer story over language and my favorite books are the ones I just want to hug after I'm done.

I don't so much review books as leave some sparse comments.

I have more challenges and lists than I know what to do with and am not going to list them here except as notes to the books I've completed.

Books Read in 2013: 80

My best book of 2013 is:

Written in Red by Anne Bishop

My best book of 2012 was:

The Fault in Our Stars by Green, John

My best books of 2011 were:

The Forgotten Beasts of Eld by McKillip, Patricia
Bridge of Birds by Hughart, Barry
Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood by Wells, Rebecca
Garden Spells by Allen, Sarah Addison
Soulless by Carriger, Gail
What I Eat by Menzel, Peter and D'Aluisio, Faith
Ready Player One by Cline, Ernest

My favorite books from the last five years are:

Essential Spirituality by Roger Walsh
Ex Libris: Confessions of a Common Reader by Anne Fadiman
The Stand by Stephen King
A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith
Katherine by Anya Seton
Sweet Liar by Jude Deveraux
84, Charing Cross Road by Helene Hanff

past 1

Morphy's Mighty Monthly Reads for 2013 (Green Dragon Group Reads)

January (1001 Fantasy) - The Last Unicorn by Peter S. Beagle

February (111 Science Fiction) - The Lathe of Heaven by Ursula K. Le Guin

March (50 Mystery) - The No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency by Alexander McCall Smith

April (111 Nonfiction) - The Great Influenza by John M. Barry

May (1001 Fantasy) - Till We Have Faces by C. S. Lewis

June (111 Science Fiction) - A Fire Upon the Deep by Vernor Vinge

July (50 Mystery) - Gorky Park by Martin Cruz Smith

August (111 Nonfiction) - The Complete Maus by Art Spiegelman

September (1001 Fantasy) - Nine Princes in Amber by Roger Zelazny

October (111 Science Fiction) - The Day of the Triffids by John Wyndham

November (50 Mystery) - The Nine Tailors by Dorothy L. Sayers

December (111 Nonfiction) - Never Cry Wolf by Farley Mowat

Group Read Links: http://www.librarything.com/topic/146136

***

The LT Green Dragon Book Club's next meeting is at the Ridgedale Barnes & Noble on Saturday, March 23rd at 4pm. We are reading The Aviary by Kathleen O'Dell.

13 in 13 Challenge (11/91)

1. New to Me Minnesota Author (1/1) DONE
2. Complete Lois McMaster Bujold Bibliography
3. Graphic Novels (1/3)
4. Second Book in Series (1/4)
5. Book to Movie
6. Around the World (1/6)
7. 2011 TBR Code List
8. Cover Color (1/8)
9. LT Recommended (1/9)
10. If You Like... (1/10)
11. Paranormal Creatures (3/11)
12. Green Dragon Lists (1/12)
13. LTers Choose from the Ultimate Reading List

Thread: http://www.librarything.com/topic/147584

I stole this from someone else at LT and tweaked the last few ratings. I can't give credit because I don't remember who I copied it from! Since I started using this I've noticed I've been handing out more 6's and less 7's.

My rating system:

10 stars - The book completely enthralled me. Could not put it down. Got something more out of it than just entertainment -- it enlightened or educated me in some way. Can definitely see myself reading it again. Will keep forever and never loan it out.

9 stars - Not quite perfect but almost so. I will actively push this book on my friends and family.

8 stars - A really great book in all respects with perhaps some minor flaws. Highly recommended.

7 stars - Better than average but with some flaws. Recommended.

6 stars - Average. An entertaining read but probably forgettable. Will not reread. Recommended for entertainment value to readers with similar interest.

5 stars - Slightly lower than average. Some aspects of the story, characters or writing troubled me. Probably will not recommend.

4 stars - Finished but did not like. Would not recommend.

3 stars - Had some redeeming qualities or else I couldn't have finished it. Nothing to recommend it though.

2 star - I can't believe I finished this book. What am I? A masochist?

1 star - No book ever gets this rating. If it's a 1, I can't finish it.

Places I've read through February 2013:


visited 15 states (6.66%)
Create your own visited map of The World


visited 30 states (60%)
Create your own visited map of The United States

Wacky Wednesday

Warning: Naughty Joke Ahead

An old lady walks into the dentist's office, takes off her underwear, sits down on the chair and spreads her legs wide open.

"You must have made a mistake," says the shocked dentist, "The gynecologist's office is one level higher."

To that the lady replies, "No mistake, you installed my husband's dentures last week, now you'll be the one getting them out."

*****

MrMorphy went to Mayo on Monday for a recheck and there is no change to the spot on his retina, so he'll go back in four to five months. Things are looking good. Now we just need to get him a new job. He absolutely hates the one he has and it is making things miserable for both of us.

Good morning, Morphy! Congratulations on the shiny new thread!

I was reading your last post on your old thread and realized that I should have added Dragonsong and Dragonsinger to my reread list, too - I've reread them many, many times. Also the Arrows of the Queen trilogy I read many, many times - so many tmes that now I'm more likely to read By the Sword.

SO many wonderful books!

ETA: Congratulations on the wonderful news about MrMorphy!!!

Hello Morphy!
I love the pictures of you as you grow up. SO cute!!

Back to Music Monday (was that it?) ----- if you told me I could only have the music of one artist available to me for the next 12 months, right now I would choose Adele. I don't know if I could choose her if it was a lifetime ban on all other music (I might want more variety and settle for the Beatles) but I just love love love Adele's voice and orchestration. "Make You Feel My Love" is my Edgar song.

I don't know that mysteries are your genre, but as a sister Floridian, did you ever read John D MacDonald's Travis McGee series?

Happy new thread, Morphy. I LOVE that photo of you up top! I still have to catch up on your last thread, but I wanted to let you know that I was following along. I am so happy to hear that MrMorphy's visit at Mayo went well - WahHOO for that! And I am crossing my fingers and sending my very best mojo for him to find a new job - life is both too short and too long to work in a job that you hate. It slowly breaks your spirit. I know because that is what brought us to Georgia - the chance for Craig to be an equal partner in his practice. The corporately owned part of his last practice was making him miserable. Now he is like a new person.

Yay on MrMorphy's recheck!!!!!!! And sending lots of good vibes for a more fufilling job.

That's an interesting rating system and I may have to borrow parts of it. I have trouble rating books that I can see as 'literature' but enjoyed less than other genre reads.

And I love your maps! You are really getting them filled in!

Here to see what come next :) Happy Reading!

That's great news for Mr. Morphy! Lovely photo of the young princess, too.

Glad things are holding stable for MrM's eye, and hope the job situation improves.

Hello, Princess! That is good news about Mr Morphy. I hope it continues well for him.

1. Cute photo of little Morphy.

2. Yay for good news for Mr. Morphy!

3. *snork* at the joke. :)

Hearkening back to the "re-reading" discussion... I very rarely re-read. I feel like "I don't have time."

The books I've re-read are:
Good Omens - about 5 times

And the books I taught as a 9th grade teacher:
To Kill a Mockingbird - approx. 45 times
Romeo and Juliet - approx. 45 times
Othello - about 6 times
Oedipus the King - about 35 times
The Odyssey - about 5 times
Anthem - 2 times
A Tale of Two Cities - only 2 times, thank heavens

Morphy - congrats on your latest thread. Good rib tickler above; pretty much literally for the pensioner acting as a receptacle for dentures.

Morphy- Congrats on Year 2! I would like to do more rereading but it is SO difficult keeping up with my TBR books, that returning to a past book is becoming a rare occurrence.
I was thinking of giving audiobooks a try, for more rereads. It might be a cool way to re-visit.

>8 Dejah_Thoris: Dejah, I'm currently doing a full re-read of Lackey's entire bibliography!

>9 EBT1002: Ellen, what do you mean it is your "Edgar" song? I tried The Deep Blue Good-bye and only gave it a 6 out of 10 stars, so don't know if I'll try any more by MacDonald.

>10 Crazymamie: Mamie, I know what you mean about a bad job breaking one's spirit. I miss my MrMorphy's usual playfulness. He's lost it over the last few months and it makes me sad.

>11 streamsong: Streamsong, I don't rate classic literature any different than genre books. Basically it comes down to is, "Did I enjoy it?" About the only difference is that I will give classic literature more of a break if it's difficult to read and will continue on whereas I won't with a genre read.

>12 Kassilem: Thanks, Melissa! That is always what I hope for. Happy reading!

>13 ronincats: Roni, she's adorable, ain't she? Ha!

>14 SylviaC: Thanks, Sylvia.

>15 humouress: I knew just the picture I was going to use for "Year 2," humouress. Morphy on her throne!

>16 MickyFine: Micky, I was hoping someone would like the joke. MrMorphy told it to me.

>17 Esquiress: Es, I find myself re-reading less as Mount TBR grows.

>18 PaulCranswick: Paul, HA!

>19 msf59: Mark, that's how I'm re-reading Harry Potter - through audiobooks.

Tunes Thursday

It's impossible to listen to this song and not have some part of your body move along. I've attached the version from Ferris Bueller's Day Off for your bootie shaking enjoyment.

Twist and Shout by The Beatles



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tgd46QiHz4I

You know you’re a twisty little girl, (twist little girl)
You know you twist so fine. (twist so fine)
Come on and twist a little closer, now, (twist a little closer)
And let me know that you're mine. (let me know you’re mine oooh)

Save Ferris! :D

For now, I'll ask here, but if I don't get enough good ideas, I'll ask in a general 75ers thread...

I've got my church book group to agree to read a fantasy book! Whoo hoo! So now I need to come up with a few titles. It can't be too far out there, and needs to be a relatively easy read and not too dark. Most of these women like "book club books" - you know the type I mean. I read too much fantasy to know what someone who has never read fantasy might enjoy. A couple have read and liked Harry Potter. One said they tried Wind in the Willows and couldn't get past animals as characters. They all agreed that there should be no vampires or werewolves.

Hmm, I might have answered my own question. I might try The Sugar Queen out on them. It has a bit of magic but it mostly feels like a book club book.

Anyway, any suggestions?

Depending on how "church-y" the group is, one of the Chronicles of Narnia books might not be a bad choice.

>24 MickyFine:: I agree.

One of my favorite fantasy books is Mistborn, but that might be a bit too much for a book club type group.

It's a very liberal church. And our book club hasn't read any religious-flavored books at all.

And, yes, Mistborn would be too much for this group.

Do they like mysteries? Perhaps Midnight Riot which uses mystery tropes with a fantasy addition.

What about The Blue Sword? With its historical feel it's more accessible than many, plus you can talk about colonialism and empire in addition to magic and swords and horses.

*Love* the Princess Morphy photo up top. A-dorable.

Yay for Mr. Morphy!! Sending new-and-better-job vibes his way.

I *love* Ferris Bueller's Day Off (had a *huge* crush on what'shisname at the time (whom my brother ended up meeting and hanging out with for awhile not too long afterward) and I was already a big Beatles fan when this movie came out, so the parade scene was perfect).

I second The Blue Sword nomination and tentatively add one of my own - Pawn of Prophecy? Who wouldn't love Eddings? But, of course, it's the beginning of a series, so they may not want that.

What about The Particular Sadness of Lemon Cake by Aimee Bender? It's literary, but not too hard to read and not dark. It leans more toward magical realism than straight fantasy though.

Or A Wizard of Earthsea, which is short but pretty typical of the fantasy genre. Or Stardust by Neil Gaiman.

If they wouldn't be insulted by YA, I'd suggest Dealing With Dragons--they should all be familiar with the fairy tale memes and I love the nontraditional twist. Lots of humor to help carry them, through, too.

>22 MickyFine: Micky - Bueller, Bueller, Bueller, Bueller...

>27 majkia: Jean, we haven't done any mysteries either. We're going to be branching into the different genres this year it looks like. Along with my fantasy pick, we're going to do a J. A. Jance.

>28 Dejah_Thoris: Dejah, good idea. I'm going to add The Blue Sword to the list of possibles.

>29 scaifea: Amber, I don't think they'd be interested in a book that starts a series like that. But good suggestion.

>30 norabelle414: Nora, ooooooh, Stardust, I think that will be my third selection.

>31 streamsong: I think Dealing with Dragons might be too young for them. I personally loved it but don't think these women would.

Tentative List:

The Sugar Queen by Sarah Addison Allen
The Blue Sword by Robin McKinley
Stardust by Neil Gaiman

None too dark, too complex, too "woo-woo" or too thick. Perfect!

I think I might push The Blue Sword as it would be the one mostly likely to have concepts and themes we could talk about.

Film Friday

This is my most recent "5 star" movie. It's tender and funny and heart-warming and inspiring. I haven't read the book and don't know if I will. I've heard it's very different from the movie. When that happens, I get frustrated with one of them - either the book or the movie!

The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QVkul3SXi9I

Evelyn: about their new environment Initially you're overwhelmed. But gradually you realize it's like a wave. Resist, and you'll be knocked over. Dive into it, and you'll swim out the other side.

>23 Morphidae:: Well done on getting your group's agreement to try Fantasy! But what to read? The field's wide open. (That's why, in spite of lurking here and reading your message a while ago, I hadn't replied). Mmm ...

... what about The Curse of Chalion? Or is that too much of a different religion?

Or So You Want to be a Wizard??

Or ... mind you, I'm not quite sure what a book club book is.

33: Oh, I loved The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel - the film, that is. I hadn't even realised there was a book until now.

I liked "The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel", too - great performances.

Hooray for The Blue Sword! I'm certain that whatever you pick it'll be fun for the club. I think it's nice that your club is affiliated with your church - and that they're comfortable branching out to fantasy!

>34 humouress: I think The Curse of Chalion would be too thick and complicated for them, humoress. But I agree it's a fantastic book. I've read it several times. Hmm, a book club book usually is a relatively straightforward read and has a couple of easy themes to discuss. Think The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society, Water for Elephants or The Help.

>35 Dejah_Thoris: Dejah, I wouldn't say they are all that comfortable. But willing, yes!

***

As much as I love playing it, Farmville 2 is taking over my life. It is therefore banished from my computer. Watch as Morphy suffers withdrawal...

Morphy, I loved The Best Marigold Hotel, too. That's a movie I could watch again right now. When I reread a book, I usually let enough time go by so that I'm pretty fuzzy in my memory of it.

Good news about Mr. Morphy's eyes. I'm sorry he is unhappy in his job. Good jobs are scarce these days.

I also loved The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel... that said, I think my husband and I were the youngest ones in the (jam-packed) theatre when we went to see it. Which was a real shame, because it was such a good film, with such poignancy that I wish my generation had more exposure to...

Hi Morphy! Sweet little picture of Princess You at the top. :)

I also just watched Best Exotic Marigold Hotel! It was on one of the movie channels. It wasn't at all what I had in my head it was supposed to be about (you know how it goes I'm sure) but I enjoyed it nonetheless.

Good news on MrMorph's recheck, but I really hope he can find a job he can be happy at. A stressful workplace/job just makes your whole world miserable.

Hello Morphy :) hooray for year two and the lovely princess on her fab throne!

I am glad to hear that Mr. Morphy's recheck was fine and I second everyone elses wishes that I also hope that he will soon find a job he will like.

I loved the joke with the old lady at the dentist and almost choked on my coffee LOLOLOL.

I also think that Stardust by Neil Gaiman would be a good choice. However, if you would want something a bit more philosophical (well if they are churchy ladies) what about Genesis by Bernard Beckett, short, to the point and lots to talk about. Otherwise, I just noticed that I lean more towards dark, gloomy fantasy *smile*

I abandoned Farmville and all other such facebook games awhile ago, for the same reasons. I was in fact getting stressed about getting all my 'farm' work finished each day! Sheesh.

>37 Donna828: Donna, well, this morning we decided that the stress of him not working would be less than what he's going through now. So he's quit. He'll pick up something low wage to hold us over until he finds something else as he won't be able to get unemployment. *sigh*

>38 dk_phoenix: Faith, yes, the trailer seems aimed at older folk, but I think people of any age could enjoy it.

>39 UnrulySun: Kathy, what were you expecting The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel to be about? Now I'm all curious.

>40 drachenbraut23: Bianca, great to see you posting again! Thanks for the recommendation for Genesis. It looks interesting. Were going to be trying fantasy this time though, not science fiction. I'll work up to that!

>41 scaifea: Amber, I know! First it was half an hour a day. Then an hour. Then two! It got crazy. I got lots done yesterday without having to "farm."

***

Music Monday

My husband introduced me to this video. He's a Trekker from way back and we both love Nimoy with an attitude. The song is cute, the video is what makes it fantastic.

The Lazy Song by Bruno Mars



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dULOjT9GYdQ

I'll be lounging on the couch,
Just chillin' in my snuggie
Click to MTV, so they can teach me how to dougie
'Cause in my castle I'm the freaking man

Talk to Me Tuesday

MrMorphy is out of work and is looking for a new job. What was your first "real" job?

I worked as a cashier at a fast food joint called Wuv's. It was a Wendy's knockoff in Deerfield Beach, FL. I worked there for a few months - stealing cookie dough and snarfing down fries - before coming in one day to find the doors locked and the lights out. They closed down without telling anyone. I never did find out why or get my last paycheck. Maybe too much petty pilfering of cookies and fries?

Sorry to hear that MrMorphy is out of work and looking for a new job! That is always difficult! Best of luck to both of you. My first job? A cashier/ book stockist at Coles Books! :) It was a part time job I had through high school and first year at university.

I had a Saturday job and then vacation job at a caravan site (would you say trailer park - is that right) which was managed by my Dad. At the time it was supposed to be the biggest one in Europe - but I'm not sure if that was true. It was certainly good experience at dealing with difficult customers.

Wishing MrMorphy the best of luck on the job front. And good for both of you for realizing that the stress of the job that he had was too much. SO not worth it when you hate to go to work each day.

Let's see...first job I had was working at a toy store called Children's Palace - I started in stocking, then worked on the floor, then made cashier. The stocking was hand's down the funnest, but the cashier position paid more. I have a slight fear of heights, and so it was testing my limits to climb those very tall ladders and stock the extra merchandise all the way to the ceiling. One day we stacked the talking clocks a bit too precariously, and they all fell, and when they hit the floor they all started talking. Too crazy! And don't worry - no one was hurt because we only did stocking on the floors when the store was closed. Good times, nothing but good times.

During highschool and university, I worked summers at a group of daycamps for children who had different disabilities. I loved that job.

Adding my wishes and good luck in finding a new job for Mr Morphy.

My first job was whilst I was still in ? Highschool (I was 17) After school, I used to work 5 times a week until late in the evening in a Pub, until I finished school and started my training as a nurse. During my nursing training I used to write up dissertations for graduates to boost up my earnings a bit.

I was fortunate enough not to have a "real" job until college. I worked at a screenprinting and embroidery place, making uniforms for local industry and military, little league jerseys, family reunion t-shirts, car decals, promo hats, etc. Bulk orders. It was miserable and I sewed through my fingers more than once... I certainly was happy to leave there!

I left to take a job as night receptionist at a prominent health/tennis club. I enjoyed that so much more, met interesting people, and would still like to be in that position again. When we moved to this small town though, there just weren't any locations like that, and besides, you can't find a decent job around here without knowing someone.

Morphy, I forgot to add that i loved the music video - I had never seen that before! Don't you just love Leonard Nemoy?!

My first job was as a chashier at a local grocery store chain called Redner's. Then I moved on to Chi-Chi's Mexican Restaurant before it went out of business - oh, sad day...

Coming by after a long hiatus. Edgar was my dear beloved 9-years-young stripey cat who died very suddenly in May two years ago. A couple of weeks after we lost him, while I was still very deeply steeped in grief, I was gardening with my earbuds in and "Make You Feel My Love" came on. I lost it. It still makes me think of him. Weird, perhaps, but there you have it.

My first job was at a fast food restaurant. We served burgers, fish, and fried chicken. It was the original salad bar in that part of the state of Florida. I was 16 and it was wonderful to have money of my own. I learned a lot at that job, grease notwithstanding.

First job was as a waitress at a small-town diner, the summer after I graduated from high school.

>44 vancouverdeb: Deborah, one of my numerous jobs as a teen was at a book store. Talk about putting a cat in with the canary. Ha! I ended up reading a lot of books without covers.

>45 SandDune: Rhiannon, I bet you met a lot of unusual characters, too.

>46 Crazymamie: Mamie, he's already a different person. Almost back to being the husband I know and love. Now we just need to deal with the financial stress. I love the story of the clocks. If only someone had filmed that!

>47 SylviaC: Sylvia, what was your favorite part of that job?

>48 drachenbraut23: Bianca, 17 year olds in the US can't work where alcohol is served except maybe busing tables. I'm not sure of the rules. I don't think you can serve alcohol until you are 21. Someone here know the law better than me?

>49 UnrulySun: Kathy, sewing through your fingers, ouch! If you don't mind me asking, what area of the country do you live in now?

>50 Crazymamie: Mamie, I do! He's such a snot in that video. It's hysterical.

>51 Esquiress: Es, I also worked as a cashier at a grocery store! I didn't last long there. For some reason, standing at the register was worse on my feet than other similar jobs.

>52 EBT1002: Ellen, I'm sorry you lost your pet friend. I imagine it still hurts. We grow so close to them, don't we? I think a lot of us starting at fast food joints!

>53 scaifea: Amber, I worked at a Denny's for awhile. I never did do well as a waitress. My tips were usually awful. I tried really hard but I never got the "rhythm" down.

***

Wacky Wednesday

Hi Morphy, in Germany you are allowed to drink "soft" alcohols (eg beer) from the age of 16 and you are also allowed to work in places who sell alcohol from that age.

Well, eggplant is aubergine isn't it? I am sorry, I am too dumb for this joke :(.

Calvin is a young boy who doesn't like eggplant parmesan and, therefore, showed his displeasure with the snowman display.

Thanks for the explanation Morphy :) Now, all the displeased snowmen make sense LOL. So, coffee is finished and I am off to the hospital to make all the lovely appointments *sigh*.

Morning Morphy- I hope you are keeping warm up there! This is ridiculous! They mentioned on the radio this morning that it was 85 last year at this time. Yes, that is hot for March but how about 50 or 60? Throw us a bone.
Love the cartoon.

>54 Morphidae:
Morphy, I loved being able to work one-to-one with the kids. Figuring out how to adapt activities and equipment so everyone could participate. Learning many different methods of communication. The joy of seemingly small accomplishments. We really got to know those kids, in a way that you don't in a regular large group.

I went on to become a special ed teacher (I even had some of the kids from camp in my classes), until I moved to a different area of the province. Now I volunteer at our local school, helping kids learn to read.

My first real job was as a summer camp counselor - I taught sailing. It was wonderful!

A bad job can make you miserably unhappy. Good for MrMorphy to call it quits. I'm sure he'll find something better soon!

Hi Morphy, I am in central TX. Grew up in east TX so didn't move far, lol. But we lived in Houston for a few years and I loved being in the city. So many options and opportunities. We're in a small town now and as nice a town as it is, it has serious limitations.

I love Calvin and Hobbes... :)

Sigh.
I was so sad when he retired. I still love Calvin & Hobbes.
One of my favorites:

Hi, Morphy. Company is gone and house is clean and I am catching up on threads. Glad Mr. Morphy is doing much better mood-wise and good luck on finding new job. Thanks for your encouragement during my cleaning marathon!

Hopefully MrMorphy has good luck looking for a job! It's hard work!

Morning Morphy! Just stopping in to wish you a weekend full of fabulous!

Stopping by for a long overdue visit,Morphy. Love the Wacky Wednesday cartoon - Calvin is my hero! Very happy to see your good news update of Mr. Morphy. I hope you and Mr. Morphy have a wonderful weekend!

Ha! Morphy, I too read my share of coverless book whilst working at the book shop some eons ago!

Morphy - Book club fantasy reads? Now you know I'm not the best judge of fantasy but what about The Once and Future King or The Wizard of Earthsea both of these would be literate enough to tick the boxes of those who don't really go for fantasy.

First job - I was an assistant to a gardener in my summer's from school; back breaking but quite rewarding work.

Trust that the Morphy clan will have the Lord of the manor back in work in a trice and I hope that you both, nevertheless, have a lovely weekend.

>57 drachenbraut23: Bianca, I hope your appointments went well. I sympathize. I have one tomorrow.

>58 msf59: Mark, we are hoping by the end of the week to see the 40s. I'm so tired of the cold this year!

>59 SylviaC: Sylvia, it's so wonderful when someone is able to find a career that fits one's talents and interests so well.

>60 Dejah_Thoris: Dejah, we're keeping our fingers (and toes) crossed for sure.

>61 UnrulySun: Kathy, sometimes I think it would be nice to live in a small town. But then I realize I wouldn't have things like my awesome library and know I'd pass.

>62 Esquiress:/63 Es and Ellen, Calvin & Hobbes is certainly a lot of fun!

>64 ronincats: Roni, I hope you had lots of fun with your company and don't have too much after-company clean up to do!

>65 The_Hibernator: Rachel, it is hard work. It gets harder and harder to find jobs nowadays. Very disheartening.

>66 Crazymamie: Thanks, Mamie. I could use it this morning.

>67 lkernagh: Nice to see you visit, Lori. It's been awhile.

>68 vancouverdeb: Deborah, I wish I could work at a bookstore now. Couldn't afford to but sure would be fun.

>69 PaulCranswick: Paul, I think The Once and Future King would be too think but A Wizard of Earthsea is a good idea.

***

I'm a very cranky Morphy. I'm on a clear liquid diet today and I'm starving. My stomach hurts and I'm light-headed. But I can't possibly drink any more juice or broth. I'm sloshing as it is. I'd kill for a steak. On top of that, knowing I'd be just about fasting today and the stress of MrMorphy being out of work brought on my binge eating disorder, so I've been overeating the last few days. Arrrrrgh! I'll be SO glad when this is over.

Hopefully things go ok with your preparations! Just remember not to cheat on the diet, or they'll make you do it all over again. ;)

Nope, no cheating. I have no desire to go through this again.

Calvin is very artistic with snow. ;)

Good luck with that liquid diet thing. Hope it's for a medical test scheduled soon. I wouldn't want you to have to wait too long for that steak!

>73 cammykitty:, Katie, yeah, there are about two dozen Calvin snowman strips. The colonoscopy is this morning at 10:30am so just about six more hours of hunger.

The Miralax/Gatorade went down just fine last night and the results were... predictable. I got about four hours of sleep last night though. Not good for someone who needs at least eight. But I'll deal. This morning in about five minutes I get to take ten ounces of magnesium citrate which I am not looking forward to. I'm told it's awful.

***
Music Monday

F*** You by Cee Lo Green

I first saw this song done in sign language and cracked up. Then I saw it on Glee, then heard the original. I prefer the original but for those faint of heart, I present the clean Glee version. It's a funny song with a great beat.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=terQSB_u8qs

Yeah I'm sorry, I can't afford a Ferrari,
But that don't mean I can't get you there.
I guess he's an Xbox and I'm more Atari,
But the way you play your game ain't fair.

Here's the sign language explicit version:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sv3tadz5Q3o

I love the explicit version. Something about singing those words at the top of your lungs (in private, of course) is so freeing.

Best of luck today, Morphy - of course, by the time you read this, everything will be done! Enjoy your return to real food.

I enjoy visiting here and the lively conversations, great photos and learning of happenings in your life.

Good luck to Mr. Morphy in finding a new job. And, ditto message #76.

Wow! No I can swear in sign!!! LOL - that was hysterical.

Good for you for getting the colonoscopy, Morphy. Not one of life's fun experiences, but it can literally save your life. Both my sister and my wife ended up having polyps removed. My doctor so wanted to convince me to get one that she actually acted out a TV ad about it that she thought was really good. I thought, if it means enough to her to act this out, I'd better do it. So far no problems, but I keep going back, despite that awful clear liquid diet. Good luck with yours.

Well, all done. I was "pristine." No polyps or anything. But so much for sedation. I remember every uncomfortable, painful freaking minute. Thankyousoverymuch. NOT! I think it's because my IV wasn't set quite right and I wasn't get the full dose. Every time she pushed the medicine, it burned like a son of a gun and I have a lump in my hand. Meh. Well, at least I don't have to do it again for 10 years. And now I'm going to go veg. I did get some of the sedation as I'm feeling very loopy and I'm going to go read some fluff book that doesn't take much brain power. MrMorphy went to pick up subs. Tonight we'll have something easy. Chicken and mashed potatoes and gravy. I wanted soup for the lunch but the place that has my favorite cheese soup doesn't open until 4pm on Mondays and I was so bummed when we stopped by on the way home. I also asked for us to stop at Taco Bell and I got one crispy taco. Not enough for a meal but just enough to help with the craving. I haven't had Taco Bell in a long time. I know lots of people think it's gross but I like a crispy taco now and again. I'm babbling so I'm going to stop now.

Well, it's good that that's over—and that you don't have to go back for ten years.

Glad it's all over with. That's a shame about the sedation--I was out like a light with mine and don't remember a thing about it. I hated the prep work, though. Take it easy and get back on track.

Fooooooood - we understood you perfectly through the "babble." Glad it's over and you've got a clean bill of health.

Yeah, I was out like a light for mine as well. Definitely the way to go! :)

Glad it is over for you, Morphy! And it does sound like they didn't have your IV in correctly - Craig was completely out for his. Hopefully you'll take it easy and feel less loopy tomorrow. And sorry about the soup - I know how that is when you have your heart set on something and then it doesn't pan out. I say get the soup tomorrow if it still sounds good to you.

So glad to hear good news out of that ordeal! Now you can put it "behind" you. (I'll be here all week, folks)

Soup for you!

Ugh - it's not fun when you can feel the medication going in. It's good that it's done with now.

I've never heard of cheese soup (or beer soup, or beer cheese soup) before. I can only think of French onion soup with cheese toast on top.

>75 norabelle414: I agree, Nora! I love singing the song very loudly (and very badly, sad to say.)

>76 Dejah_Thoris: Dejah, I did! I did! It was SO NICE to be able to eat again. Though I think it will be awhile before I ever want to see a glass of Gatorade...

>77 Whisper1: Thanks, Linda. This morning MrMorphy found a lead for a job right here in our town! Very usual for what he does (mechanical assembly). I'll help him with a cover letter later this morning. It would be really cool for him to be less than five minutes from home!

>78 cammykitty:/83 Katie, I know! I just grinned throughout the entire video. And she is obviously having so much fun. And I'm glad you understood my babble. I'm not usually so verbose.

>79 jnwelch: Thanks, Joe. The original problem that sent me to get the colonoscopy is a common one at, um, "that end" and nothing to worry about - just a nuisance. I'm glad it ended up being nothing more than that.

>80 Morphidae: Wow, I certainly did babble yesterday, didn't I? LOL

>81 SylviaC: Sylvia, yes! But MrMorphy is overdue. As soon as he has some insurance, it will be his turn!

>82 ronincats: Roni, the one thing that is nice is that the whole thing is over in 24 hours. It's not like you are sick, you know? There is an end (*rim shot*) to it. When I was doing research into it, I read about people having to have the procedure done yearly. Yuck!

>84 drneutron: Jim, I was REALLY looking forward to the whole being knocked out part. No such luck. But I did spend the afternoon in a drug-haze! MrMorphy found me nodding off at odd moments very amusing.

>85 Crazymamie: Mamie, MrMorphy was a dear and ran back out for my soup so I could have it for supper. I'm a lucky lady!

>86 UnrulySun: Kathy, consider yourself thwapped for that awful pun. LOL! And it was much better than beer cheese soup. It's vegetable cheese soup with green beans, peas, carrots, corn and potato. Yum!

>87 humouress: I don't know how to describe cheese soup, other than it's like eating liquid cheese, humouress. It's just divine. I think it's a potato based soup. Someone correct me if I'm wrong?

***

Talk to Me Tuesday

Well, you just heard about my uncomfortable procedure - burning IV, painful colonoscopy that I remember every minute of - what about you? What was your most uncomfortable procedure? Let's hear all the gory details!

I think that getting a root canal is no picnic. The testing they do to determine if you need a root canal is worse than the actual procedure, I think. At least it only takes a few moments, unlike the root canal, which takes forever - but the pain relief makes it more than worth the time and money. I know, no gory details - I suppose I cold tell you about the episiotomy I had while giving birth to my first child. They had put my epidural in wrong and so I felt every bit of that snip. YIKES - worse pain EVER!

On a brighter note, I'm so glad that you got your cheese soup - Hooray for MrMorphy!

I've had painless root canals (several) and maybe one that involved a twinge. Only one was what you'd call painful, and my dentist was quite flummoxed, as the nerve should have been entirely numbed. In my experience, 99% of the discomfort with most root canals is the noise, vibration, and weird smells and tastes.

Right - the root canal itself is a piece of cake. I was talking about the testing they do to determine if you need the root canal. Where they put something really cold on the tooth and they something really warm on there - it's momentary, but the tooth already hurts so much that it sends you. At least it did me.

Yay for the all-clear test!!! I know it's a helluva process to go through and you were already stressed out with MrMorphy's stuff going on.....
I'm glad it's over and you can breathe (and eat) again.

That's fabulous new that MrMorphy has a job lead so close to home - a short commute is a wonderful thing. I'm glad you got your cheese soup - MrMorphy is clearly a sweetie!

My worst - LASIK to fix my near-sightedness. It didn't hurt but it *was* pretty freaky. They put this cup gadget over your eyeball that uses a slight vacuum to pull the front surface of your eyeball out a bit...they offered me a Valium. I did the typical guy thing and scoffed at it. I should have taken the Valium. :)

Eek! I'm sorry that the procedure didn't go as planned, but adding my Yay! to the fact that it's over for another 10 years.

Worst procedure for me was having a tooth pulled by a dental school student-in-training who had no idea what he was doing. Just awful. But the worst pain ever was the night *after* my do-over root canal. *Shudder* I was reduced to sobbing and rocking back-and-forth on my heels in the corner; Tomm called the oral surgeon and she called in a prescription for some heavy stuff, and in 45 minutes I was flying high. But, wow, I'll not forget that pain soon. On the other hand, my C-Section was essentially pain-free. In and out of the operating room in 15 minutes and no pain while it healed, really. I feel very lucky about that one, let me tell you. Thank goodness I didn't have even to attempt to push him out the normal way - he came out 10 lbs even! Whew!

>89 Crazymamie: Mamie, oh! I forgot about the root canal where the novocaine wasn't working. That was much worse than the procedure on Monday. On top of that, the dentist was a real b**** and didn't believe me when I said it still hurt. "You can't possibly be in pain." She finally had to "drill through" to put the novocaine directly onto the nerve. Most excruciating pain I've ever experienced. Monday's procedure hurt but was nowhere near that amount of pain and the doctor and nurse were both supportive and sympathetic.

>90 Cynara: Cynara, I've had several root canals and with all but the one above, the procedure relieved the pain I was in also immediately. So I was very grateful! They are still a pain in the butt though because they take forever.

>91 Crazymamie: Mamie, I was lucky in that I'm usually in so much obvious pain that the dentist doesn't need to test the tooth.

>92 EBT1002: Thanks, Ellen! MrMorphy has two job possibles. We're keeping our fingers crossed.

>93 Dejah_Thoris: Dejah, yeah, MrMorphy is certainly a keeper!

>94 drneutron: Jim, you're such a guy! Ha! I was thinking maybe one of these days having the surgery but if I remember correctly, you can't wear contacts after, right? I love my contacts.

>95 scaifea: Amber, wow, he certainly was a big boy! Was he overdue? I can't believe I forgot my "worst pain ever" story. Or perhaps it's not too surprising, considering.

***

Wacky Wednesday

Mike was going to be married to Karen, so his father sat him down for a little fireside chat. He says, "Mike, let me tell you something. On my wedding night in our honeymoon suite, I took off my pants and handed them to your mother and said, "Here! Try these on." She did and said, "These are too big. I can't wear them." I replied, "Exactly. I wear the pants in this family and I always will. Ever since that night we have never had
any problems."

"Hmmm," says Mike. He thinks that might be a good thing to try. On his honeymoon, Mike takes off his pants and says to Karen, "Here! Try these on." She does and says, "These are too large. They don't fit me." Mike says, "Exactly. I wear the pants in this family and I always will. I don't want you to ever forget that."

Then Karen takes off her pants and hands them to Mike and says, "Here! You try on mine." He does and says, "I can't get into your pants." Karen says,"Exactly. And if you don't change your smart-ass attitude, you never will."

Nope, he decided to come out right on his due date. They had scheduled me for a c-section two days later (because they gave me a sonogram earlier in the week and said, "Whoa, he's huge in there!"), but my water broke on his due date.

LOL! I like that Wacky Wednesday joke, Morphy!

Amber - 10 pounds! Amazing! My babies were all six pounders except for Abby who weighed in at 7 pounds 7 ounces. And the water breaking right on your due date - INCREDIBLE!

Mamie: Apparently it only happens about 5% of the time, the being born on the due date bit. He's been a prompt (not so) little guy from the start. It was funny, walking down to the nursery to get him after all those first tests they do, seeing all those tiny little babies, and then seeing them wheel him out from a back room - he was King of the Nursery, so much bigger than all the other babies! Ha! Again, I'm so glad I didn't even have to attempt to push him out the, uh, natural way. *shudders* I'll take this c-section scar any day over that.

I had to be induced all four times, but no C-sections. Two babies were overdue and two they took early for health (theirs) reasons. So no water breaking on its own ever for me. I am convinced that my first one would still be in there if they hadn't made her come out! And I cannot imagine giving birth to a ten pound baby - King of the Nursery indeed!! And yeah, that NEEDS to be a C-section! I stand in awe of you!

Hi Morphy, love the jokes on your thread! :)

Your version of cheese soup sounds WAY better than I expected. I surely wish I could find some like that around here!

No horrible procedures for me ever, thank goodness. I suppose the most painful thing I've done is childbirth but even that went pretty smoothly. No broken bones, no major traumas or diseases. Horrible teeth though! I've had almost everything done to my teeth, and while none of it is pleasant, nothing has been horrific or story-worthy.

>97 scaifea:/98/100 Amber & Mamie, wimps! :D Both my brother and I were over 9 pounds and my mom had us the "regular" way.

>99 scaifea: Amber, from what I remember, mom got told something along the line of, "Congratulations, you gave birth to a two month old!

>101 UnrulySun: Kathy, this cheese soup is from a pizza joint of all places!

***

Tunes Thursday

I remember sitting on the stoop of the high school singing this with my BFF. It was several years old at the time but so much fun to belt out especially the a cappella part.

Black Water by the Doobie Brothers


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KqZ95a249p0

I'd like to hear some funky Dixieland
Pretty mama come and take me by the hand
By the hand, take me by the hand pretty mama
Come and dance with your daddy all night long
I want to honky tonk, honky tonk, honky tonk
With you all night long

Hello Morphy, I would have been soo crosssss about the mucked up iv as well and I am impressed that even so that you didn't have the full sedation that you managed to get through the colonoscopy. Yeah, for everything being fine and that you don't need another one for the next 10 years.
Well, what was my most uncomfortable experience? However, colonoscopy does fall definitely into that group!

Love your whacky Wednesday joke!

I hope that Mr. Morphy will get a new job soon and that you - despite the difficulties you are experiencing at present - will get back on track with your wonderful diet. Don't give up Morphy * a very big hug*

and I wish you and Mr. Morphy a relaxing Easter Weekend.

>102 Morphidae: That is a very fun song to sing. And the lyrics you posted are my favorite part.

I started contractions on the morning of my due date with my first baby. I think my doctor broke my waters for me, once we were in hospital (I'm not sure why she did, though). Unfortunately, his heart rate dropped just as he was crowning, so we went for an emergency C-section, and he was finally delivered at 2.15 am on the day after his due date. But we had been in the States when I found I was pregnant, so by US time, he would have been born in the afternoon of his due date.

ETA: in the end, both mine were Caesars, for different reasons; but I think I'd have preferred going through labour, from what little I did with my eldest. Mind you, both mine were small, at around the 2.5kg mark. I have no idea what those are in pounds.

Morphy, you take me back! I LOVE that song - I used to play the 45 of it over and over, and it drove my mother crazy!

I've got it stuck in my head now....

Yeeeahhh, your mother is more than welcome to call me a wimp, but it's disallowed for anyone who's never been through the pregnancy process. Ha! And what about getting sliced open nearly from hip to hip, having a 10lb living being pulled out of me, getting sewn back up and then walking away the next day make me a wimp? Hmmm?

60. Ever After by Kim Harrison

Genre: Contemporary Fantasy

Notes: TIOLI #4 (series already started), Cover Color (orange - 13 in 13), next in series

Summary: Rachel has to fix the leak in the ley lines before the Ever After is destroyed

Opinion: In general, I like this series but I'm glad Harrison is going to wrap it up in the next two books. She's a good writer and I like the characters but they are starting to feel stale. Ever After is the eleventh book in the series and you can tell Harrison is struggling to find interesting stories. There isn't a lot more character growth available. This isn't to say it wasn't an enjoyable book, it was. But you can tell the stories are coming to a close.

Rating: 7

61. The Aviary by Kathleen O'Dell

Genre: Children's

Notes: TIOLI #7 (Rolling - Lived Before), Cover Color (Green - 13 in 13)

Summary: A girl in poor health unravels a mystery when the birds in the aviary start speaking to her

Opinion: Taken as a children's book, it was fun and enjoyable. I liked the birds and the determination of the little girls. My nitpicks are because I can't get past that I'm an adult reading a children's book. Things like the adults being dumb, the story line being straightforward, and some minor plot holes bother me that wouldn't cause a kid to blink an eye.

Rating: 7

62. Blood Crime by Kim Harrison

Genre: Graphic Novel

Notes: TIOLI #21 (two genres/styles - Adult/YA), Graphic Novels (13 in 13)

Summary: Prequel graphic novel to the Hollows series

Opinion: Story was too basic and graphics were unappealing. Meh.

Rating: 5

63. The Duchess War by Courtney Milan

Genre: Romance

Notes: TIOLI #4 (series already started)

Summary: A duke becomes interested in the woman trying to prove he is the author of seditious literature

Opinion: Milan creates interesting heroines and heroes. They aren't cookie cutter characters. Also they don't just automatically fall in love. The relationship grows during the story. I like a bit more alpha in my heroes though.

Rating: 7

64. The Blue Fairy Book by Andrew Lang

Genre: Fantasy

Notes: Old Challenges (12 in 12 - 888), 1001 Fantasy

Summary: Classic collection of fairy tales from around the world

Opinion: I wasn't expecting to read so many stories I was already familiar with. It made this book slightly disappointing. But otherwise a decent look at fairy tales and stories from different cultures. It wasn't just fairy tales however. For instance, there was one of Gulliver's tales included. Nor did they all end happily. These are the "real" fairy tales with some dark and unhappy endings.

Rating: 6

65. Written in Red by Anne Bishop

Genre: Contemporary Fantasy

Notes: Paranormal Creatures (13 in 13 - shapeshifters), to complete bibliography

Summary: A woman who can see the future by cutting her skin escapes to the compound of the Others - a group of shapeshifters and other paranormal creatures

Opinion: Ooooh. I just hugged it and squeezed it and wanted to start all over at the beginning as soon as I finished it. Love the characters and the world building. As usual, Bishop creates dark characters with a touch of humor and a compelling story that makes you want to whip through the book as fast as you can. The only gripe I have that kept this from being a 10 is that the heroine was a little wimpy for my tastes. But I understand why she started out that way, there was growth, and I can tell there will be more growth as the series continues. I also like that these are not romantic, sparkly werewolves and vampires. Humans are "meat."

Rating: 9

66. Earthborn by Orson Scott Card

Genre: Science Fiction

Notes: TIOLI #4 (series already started), to complete bibliography, next in series

Summary: Hundreds of years after Earthfall, the Starmaster and the Oversoul continue to look for the Keeper of the Earth

Opinion: I dragged myself through this to complete the series. He's a decent writer but the story is the same over and over. One group obeys. One group disobeys. There is conflict between the two. The disobedient group pays. The end. Boooooring. And it could have been so much more since the premise of three groups of beings millions of years in the future is really neat (intelligent rats, humans, intelligent bats.)

Rating: 5

67. The Governess Affair by Courtney Milan

Genre: Romance

Notes: Next in series

Summary: The duke's man must determine why a governess sits outside the duke's residence and get her to stop

Opinion: The heroine was too strident and flouncy and the hero did an about face too quickly for my tastes. Milan is still a good writer though, so it was an enjoyable enough read for what it was.

Rating: 6

68. Mr. Penumbra's 24-Hour Bookstore by Robin Sloan

Genre: Fiction

Notes: TIOLI #16 (Easter colors cover), LT Recommended (13 in 13)

Summary: A mysterious bookstore is the front for a centuries old puzzle

Opinion: This book tried too hard to be Ready Player One for book geeks. It doesn't have near the excitement or cleverness. There were several moments where I thought something clever would happen and it just petered out. Still, I liked it. I mean, adventure and mystery in a bookstore!

Rating: 7

69. Much Ado About Magic by Shanna Swendson

Genre: Contemporary Fantasy

Notes: TIOLI #4 (series already started)

Summary: Someone is trying to destroy Magic Spells, Inc. and Katie and her friends must find out who and why

Opinion: Enjoyable bit of chick-lit fantasy fluff. All the various characters are fun and have their little quirks. The story was interesting and the romantic relationship had realistic growth.

Rating: 7

70. A Tangled Web by Mercedes Lackey

Genre: Fantasy

Notes: TIOLi #4 (series already started)

Summary: Retelling of the story of Persephone and Orpheus and Eurydice with a bit of Norse mythology thrown in

Opinion: I didn't realize I had already read this novella as part of Harvest Moon until after the first couple of pages. By then I had to finish it. Ah well. It's a mish-mash of Greek and Norse mythology in the Five Hundred Kingdoms world and sort of a mish-mash of a story as well.

Rating: 6

71. Unlocked by Courtney Milan

Genre: Romance

Notes: TIOLi #4 (series already started)

Summary: Novella about a lady teased mercilessly by the ton, mostly by a young earl who now ten years later has returned with a change of heart

Opinion: I found myself doubting the heroine could forgive the lout or that the hero could change so much. It made it difficult to get absorbed in the story. As I've said before though, Milan is a good story teller, creates interesting characters and involves you emotionally.

Rating: 6

72. Oh Myyy! by George Takei

Genre: Nonfiction

Notes: TIOLI #21 (two genres/styles - Fiction/Nonfiction)

Summary: Short essays on social media

Opinion: Felt too much like overly long blog posts. I can see why he put this out as an ebook. I doubt he could have found a regular publisher without a lot more polishing and meat.

Rating: 6

73. Summoned to Tourney
74. Storm Warning
75. Storm Rising
76. Storm Breaking
77. Owlflight
78. Owlsight
79. Owlknight
80. The Black Gryphon

Genre: Contemporary Fantasy, Fantasy

Notes: Rereads

Rating: 6, 7, 7, 7, 7, 7, 7, 7

~~~~~

Currently Reading:
Downbelow Station by C. J. Cherryh (pg 142)
Insomnia by Stephen King
The Moonstone by Wilkie Collins

On Deck:
Moon Over Soho by Ben Aaronovitch
Parasite Rex by Carl Zimmer
The Circus Fire by Stewart O'Nan

Sorry about that. I got a little behind in my reviews. *hangs head*

Ok Written in Red has hit my tbr list, I still haven't read anything by Bishop though I know I'm going to enjoy her when I get there.

Wow, Morphy - you've been busy! You did a great job catching up. *scurries off to write some of the many overdue reviews for her own thread*

Mighty Morphy's Monthly group read thread is up for April. We are reading The Great Influenza by John M. Barry.

http://www.librarything.com/topic/152017

Morphy, you have done it! I am an absolute sucker for Anne Bishop and have read her numerous times. I decided I could not WAIT for the book to be delivered to my door step and just got Written in Red as the unabridged audiobook version. Yep, and you know what? It's already on my ipod *wicked grin* and I definitely will start listen to it tonight.

Written in Red does sound interesting!

>124 avatiakh: Kerry, you will! She is one of my favorite authors.

>125 Dejah_Thoris: Dejah, I just wish I could get into the habit of writing the reviews as I go along. It becomes a bit of a chore when I let it go that long.

>127 drachenbraut23: Bianca, you won't be disappointed!

>128 UnrulySun: Kathy, have you read anything by Anne Bishop?

***

Film Friday

I wasn't expecting to enjoy this movie as much as I did. Neither did my husband. We were expecting much more of a kid's movie but it was sophisticated enough that an adult could get into it. It has a lot of heart.

How to Train Your Dragon



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7VJNetohMAM

Hiccup: about Berk's dragon problem Most people would leave. Not us. We're Vikings. We... have stubbornness issues.

Morning Morphy! I like saying that. It's like Morning Mamie! Wow! What a burst of books. Nice going. I also am I big fan of Black Water. Brings back a flood of fond memories.
We also really enjoyed How to Train Your Dragon!
Happy Easter!

No I haven't read anything by Anne Bishop.

Morphy we just went to see The Croods at the theater. I was expecting a much more silly kid film, but was heartily impressed instead! We all laughed SO HARD. And it has a lot of heart, also. :)

Bit behind, sorry. I had LASIK so I don't need contacts or glasses. Except now that I'm older, I need reading glasses. Which is cool because I have a pair that makes me look smarter!

Seriously, I absolutely did not want bifocals or progressives or the contacts equivalent, so the plan worked out just fine!

>131 UnrulySun: Kathy, you should give her a try. My favorite is her Black Jewels trilogy starting with Daughter of the Blood but it has a lot of sex in it. Written in Red is a good choice for people not interesting in such sensuality.

>132 drneutron: Jim, I don't want to wear glasses, so perhaps it's not for me!

I haven't tried any Anne Bishop either, Morphy, but I've made note of your suggestions. Thanks!

A warning about the Black Jewels. I forced myself to finish one, but it has lots of triggers if you have a background of abuse. Far moreso than, say, I find in mysteries and murder stories.

Thanks for the warning, Jean. That may push her down the pile a bit....

Hi Morphy. All caught up again here. I really enjoyed your tunes, videos and Calvin jokes. I especially like Leonard Nimoy's video. LOL! Wishing Mr. Morphy good luck on the job front and no more painful procedures for you!

>132 drneutron:: As ridiculous as it sounds, I look forward to the day I get to wear reading glasses :) I feel like I'll look so intellectual. Before I stopped teaching, my plan was to be the English teacher with really long, silver hair and funky reading glasses all over the place.

Sex/sensuality/erotica doesn't bother me in the slightest, but abuse might be iffy. IDK. It takes a lot to make me uncomfortable but explicitly depraved behavior isn't something I want to spend time with. (Not saying that book has that!! Just following the conversation.)

Daughter of the Blood doesn't look nearly as intriguing to me as Written in Blood anyway. As it is, I've put that one on the WL and as I have a million other books before it... well, you know. :)

Hi, Morphy ~ I seem to have lost track of your thread sometime awhile back but am glad to have found it again! Thank you for the link to the "F*ck you" in sign language vid. It was great!

Your reading astounds me. All admiration.

Greetings from Kaua'i where I am, however, doing some reading!

oh great picture! Enjoy Kaua'i!

>130 msf59: Morning, Mark! I almost missed you! I hope you have an excellent Easter yourself. We are headed over to the in-laws for a ham dinner. They are the stoic, quiet Lutheran sort and frankly it will be quite boring ("How are you?" "Good.") but they are elderly and have been amazingly good to us so the time is not wasted.

>134 Dejah_Thoris: Dejah, I hope you enjoy her.

>135 majkia: Jean, true. There is abuse of a young girl. It's vital to the story line, but could be a trigger. I'm from an abusive background myself, but I don't trigger easily. It depends on how sensitive the reader is to that type of thing.

>136 Dejah_Thoris: Dejah, hopefully not *too* far! Try Written in Red. The only trigger there might be that the heroine cuts to see visions.

>137 Berly: Berly, I do love Nimoy in that. It's polar opposite to Spock!

>138 Esquiress: Es, I was appalled the first time I had to pull out reading glasses to see a menu. Ish!

>139 UnrulySun: Kathy, Written in Red will be a much better bet for you. The Black Jewels series can get very depraved.

>140 Storeetllr: Good to see you back on my thread, Mary! I watched the video again after quite some time and I still love it. The signer is having such a great time with it!

>141 EBT1002: What are you doing on my thread, Ellen! Go enjoy that paradise! I grew up in Florida and all I really miss is the beach. I love the sounds and sights of the ocean.

>142 majkia: Jean, it is beautiful, isn't it! I had someone ask if the ocean were really that color. It is!

Morphy, do you have any of the other Andrew Lang fairy books? I find that the primary colored ones contain more familiar stories (blue, red, yellow, and I think green), while the others -- brown, pink, etc. -- have some more obscure tales. That said, there's something like 10 of these books, so there are bound to be stories both known and new for anyone, I suppose. :)

Thanks, Morphy! Happy Easter to you and MrMorphy, and hope you enjoy your time with the in-laws.

>144 dk_phoenix: Faith, no, just the first one. It was interesting enough that sometime in the future I may try another one though.

>145 Storeetllr: Mary, we did! Ended up his sister and her husband were there as well. We only see them once or twice a year. It can be tricky as she and MrMorphy don't get along that well. But I scolded MrMorphy last time since he was less than polite to his sister and he behaved himself admirably this time!

***

Music Monday

I know it's a silly bubble gum song. But I like it because it makes me feel...

Bubbly by Colbie Caillat



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

It starts in my toes
Makes me crinkle my nose
Wherever it goes I always know
That you make me smile

81. Insomnia by Stephen King

Genre: Horror

Notes: TIOLI #21 (two genres/styles - Novels/Short Stories), to complete bibliography

Summary: A widower suffers from insomnia and begins to see auras and "little doctors"

Opinion: While King always entertains, this particular book felt bloated. It could have been 200 pages shorter. My favorite part of King's books are the characterizations. They are always rich, real and interesting. This one wasn't very scary. Spooky, yes. Scary or horrific, no.

Rating: 6

But I scolded MrMorphy last time since he was less than polite to his sister and he behaved himself admirably this time!

You must promise only to use your power for good... :)

Bubbly came out when Charlie was just a newborn and I would sing along with it while rocking him to sleep. Good times. It's a lovely little song, I think.

Wow congrats on hitting 75 already!! You go girl!!

Sorry to hear Mr Morphy is out of work. Hopefully he finds something that he loves

>148 drneutron: Jim, ha! That made both of us laugh.

>149 scaifea: Amber, the lines, "It starts in my toes, Makes me crinkle my nose" just make me smile.

>150 ChelleBearss: Chelle, I'd be satisfied with work that he likes!

***

Talk to Me Tuesday

What was the last book you recommended to someone and who did you recommend it to (other than to someone at LT)?

Written in Red by Anne Bishop to MrMorphy. I loved it so much and while he's not much into contemporary fantasy, I think he may enjoy this one since there is no romance or sex, a bit of humor and an interesting story. There's a touch of Lackey in it - one of his favorite authors - in that the main character is a misfit who makes good. Lastly, it's not a light, fluffy read. It has a dark (but not depressing) tone to it.

82. The Moonstone by Wilkie Collins

Genre: Classic

Notes: TIOLI #4 (two people cover), Around the World in 80 Sleuths (12 in 12), GD 50 Mysteries

Summary: The first detective novel - about a large diamond that goes missing

Opinion: What I like about Collins' writing is that it is straightforward and clear, unlike a lot of other writing in the 1800s. I didn't like The Moonstone as much as The Women in White though. I'm not sure why. Perhaps because I felt the story dragged at times. I did like the epistolary style and each voice was distinct.

Rating: 6

Well shoot, Morphy, You hit 75 books a while back and I didn't even notice. I know you (like me) were never going to have any trouble hitting 75, but any excuse for celebration and congratulations, right?

So - congratulations! Woohoo! May the next 75 be wonderful! And the 75 after that....

As for Talk to me Tuesday, last week I loaned my copy of Better Nate Than Ever to a community theater friend when we met for lunch. It's a great book about a kid who runs away (for the day, he thinks) to NYC to audition for "ET: The Musical." The whole thing is a hoot! She in turn lent me The Crimes of Paris, which I'm looking forward to reading soon.

The last book I recommended was The Edge by Dick Francis, to my teenaged son. He loved it.

I recommended Cinder and Scarlet to my daughter Abby, and she loved both of them.

I sent a friend home with four books last time he was here:
Ready Player One
Good Omens
Atlas Shrugged
Mort

>153 Dejah_Thoris:

As I posted earlier, I loaned a friend Better Nate Than Ever. She texted me this afternoon that she was reading it and laughing out loud!

>153 Dejah_Thoris:/157 Dejah, I didn't even notice that I hit 75 myself! I don't remember seeing a backslapping thread this year. Hmm... Anyway, your book recommendation made me remember From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler by E. L. Konigsburg where two kids run away to stay in the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Have you read it?

>154 SylviaC: Sylvia, I haven't read any of the Francis books but they are on my TBR One Day list?

>155 Crazymamie: Mamie, I've got Cinder in my LT Recommended list.

>156 Esquiress: Es, Ready Player One is one of my favorites!

***

Tunes Thursday (falls on Wednesday this week - Doh!)

Just a fun song! You can't not shake your booty to this one. The video is a trip. The costumes are outrageously funny.

Boogie Shoes by KC & the Sunshine Band



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oq1MTRfiXMU

I want to do it 'til the sun comes up
Uh huh, and I want to do it 'til
I can't get enough, yeah, yeah
I want to put on my my my my my
Boogie shoes
Just to boogie with you, yeah

83. Moon Over Soho by Ben Aaronovitch

Genre: Contemporary Fantasy

Notes: TIOLI #10 (Title/Author Double Letters), Second Book in Series (13 in 13)

Summary: Policeman and apprentice wizard Peter needs to discover who is killing off jazz musicians in Soho

Opinion: Thankfully Peter feels less incompetent in this book and the story is compelling, I zipped right through it. I also liked its strong sense of place even if it meant I had to look up a bunch of lingo. What kept it from a higher rating was how confusing it was in a couple of spots. I had no idea how Peter jumped to some of his conclusions.

Rating: 7

I'm looking to beg, borrow or steal a copy of Life after Life by Kate Atkinson for my May book club. I'm 300-something in line at the library and with MrMorphy out of work I shouldn't buy it. But I really want to read this.

Hi Morphy, I love the questions you come up with. I recommended Invisible Man to my son for his long trip to and from China. I think he read 30 pages and then got hooked on watching recent movies he missed seeing in the theater. I think I would spend my time sleeping to make that excruciating trip go by more quickly!

Good luck on finding a copy of Life After Life. Any chance on borrowing it from someone in the group? I have it on reserve but I have a much smaller number in the queue.

How is the job hunt going for Mr. Morphy? I wish him luck on finding something he enjoys. Life is too short to continue in a job one detests.

A belated congrats on reaching 75, Morphy!

I'm enjoying your daily themes. :)

Ha, I saw KC and the Sunshine Band at "Grad Night" at Disneyworld in 1976. I was a sophomore but my bf was a senior and I attended with him. Ah, the memories......

I miss the sounds and smells of the ocean from Florida, too, Morphy, but I must note that it's a bit different here in Hawaii. Less muggy. Less buggy. Swimming in the ocean, ending up with that salt taste on the tongue. Yes. Wonderful.

My favorite beach in Florida was (and still is) New Smyrna Beach. When I lived there, it was less touristy than some, and just salty and sandy and warm.

New Smyrna Beach.....

>161 Donna828: The group is really tiny - just three of us - and we only see each other once a month. Don't think I'll be able to borrow from them. I'll keep looking! Meanwhile, MrMorphy has an interview today!!! And it's for a job right here in town so his commute would be about 5 minutes. This would be PERFECT!

>162 bell7: Mary, I'm glad you are enjoyed the themes. Even if I do forget what day of the week it is. LOL!

>163 EBT1002: Ellen, I went to Grad Night with my best friend, David, in 1983. I couldn't go with my boyfriend since he was from another school. My boyfriend wasn't jealous of David because I had the wrong dangly bits to be of interest to David. (Heh.)

>164 EBT1002: Beautiful!

***

Wacky Wednesday
Which falls on Thursday this week because I'm a doof

84. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone by J. K. Rowling

Genre: Fantasy

Notes: Audiobook/Reread

Rating: 7

85. Midnight Blue-Light Special by Seanan McGuire

Genre: Contemporary Fantasy

Notes: TIOLI #9 (4 syllable/13th page - mananangall), Second Book (13 in 13), next in series

Summary: The cryptid-killing Covenant is coming to New York and Verity needs to protect her own

Opinion: What fun. I love McGuire's sense of humor - the intelligent mice and carnage loving cryptid (non-human) are particularly amusing. I like reading about creatures other than were-animals and vampires. I like that there is no love triangle - instead it's more a Romeo & Juliet thing. Only reason it didn't rate higher is that it had somewhat of a fluffy chick lit feel to it. But then, it got an 8! Pretty darned high for me.

Rating: 8

An 8 is pretty good from you, Morphy! I'll have to give the InCryptid books another try. Thanks!

>168 Dejah_Thoris: Dejah, I liked Midnight even better than Discount Armageddon. I just wish I liked the October Daye series more. But I found it lacked the humor found in InCryptid series.

***
Film Friday
Do I have the day of the week correct this time?!?

I just watched this wonderful film yesterday. It's a gentle, quiet movie about four English ladies taking a vacation at an Italian castle in the 1920s and how it changed their lives. A happy-ever-after movie that makes you go awwwwww.

Enchanted April



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8zJu1DfHjq8

Mellersh Wilkins: Lady Caroline, housekeeping for a party that includes my wife - you render me speechless! You do know she's the daughter of Lord Dester, THE Lord Dester?

Mrs. Fisher: Ah! Well that accounts for it then. The botch-up her father made in his department during the war was a national scandal!

Mellersh Wilkins: They never could actually prove anything.

I loved the movie, but HATED the book.

I'm very fond of the movie, but haven't read the book - there seem to be mixed feelings about it! Are you going to give it a try, Morphy?

I haven't seen the movie or read the book. It's a shared read in one of the challenges this month - do you suppose that's a sign since I have a copy but have yet to read it?

>170 majkia:-172 Jean, Dejah, Mamie, I think I'm going to give the book a pass. I enjoyed the movie so much, the book has gotten such mixed reviews and I have so much else to read!

***

In case it hasn't been seen elsewhere, this is a link to a fund-raiser to help MrMorphy and I with medical bills. The response has been so amazing. I don't have words for the gratitude and awe I feel. Thank you all.

http://www.youcaring.com/medical-fundraiser/ken-lundquist-s-mrmorphy-s-medical-b...

I'm one who loved both the film and the book when I read it, decades after first seeing the movie. Different because books and films always are, but greatly satisfying nonetheless. I admit, though, that I've seen the movie a half dozen times but only read the book once.

I haven't seen the movie (I seldom watch any movies), but I did enjoy the book. Not a lot happens in it, but sometimes I like that in a book. I haven't reread it yet, but I probably will sometime.

>174 Storeetllr: Storeetllr, I watched the movie when it first came out on VHS many years ago. I was so glad to see it come out on DVD. While I didn't remember much about it, I did remember I really liked it!

>175 SylviaC: Sylvia, sometimes a quiet little book just hits the spot.

***

Music Monday

Just one of those laid back, rock in your chair, sing-a-long tunes...

Put Your Records On by Corinne Bailey Rae



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

Girl, put your records on, tell me your favourite song
You go ahead, let your hair down
Sapphire and faded jeans, I hope you get your dreams,
Just go ahead, let your hair down.

71 posts unread? *faints*

*revives enough to comment*:
Rushed through reading How to Train Your Dragon to the kids, so we could watch the film when it came out in the cinemas ... only to find they were quite different - but we loved them both. Took the kids to see "The Croods' and also the Oz film this weekend. Watched "Enchanted April" years ago, and loved it, though I was on tenterhooks (unfounded), expecting something bad to happen. Love Al Molina.

Currently reading Anne Bishop's Shalador's Lady; though I don't have a history of abuse, reading about it makes me uneasy. I take Bishop in small doses (there's also too much angst for me).

After starting a cross-stitch (with a black background) for my sister's birthday, I've had to get reading glasses - which I'm not happy about. But they're only 1.0, and I only need them for the cross-stitch, so I can (just about) live with it.

Don't tend to recommend books - the few people I know who read in RL don't read my genres. Especially after my adventure with the Russian gentleman and Alcatraz versus the Evil Librarians, I keep my head down ...

>141: Reading? Hah!

Morning Morphy! I love that song - always makes me smile. Hope you have a great Monday!

>177 humouress: humouress, I've heard a lot of good things about The Croods. I'm looking forward to watching it when it comes out on DVD. I first had to use reading glasses for cross-stitching, too!

>178 Crazymamie: Mamie, thanks!

***
Talk to Me Tuesday

MrMorphy is very depressed and it's hard to stay emotionally stable around him when I also deal with depression and anxiety. We end up feeding each other's negative emotions. He won't take any advice about feeling better so the best I can do it try to feel better myself. This means snuggling with Maia, reading good books, watching fun movies, reading NotAlwaysRight, being productive (school and volunteer work), and being social (getting out to the senior center,) etc.

What do you do when feeling down, depressed or anxious?

I've never had to deal with major depression, but my job is very stressful and I get anxious about it on occasion. Mostly during those times, I take time out for just me - either stopping at a local cafe I like for breakfast and a good book or taking a long lunch by myself (again, with a book!). That's usually enough to recharge my batteries. If not, I do lots of the things you're talking about - doing things that gets the focus off me and onto others by volunteering, etc.

When I'm feeling blue or anxious I tend to go for TV or movies as I find with books, I'm too likely to let my mind wander back to what's bothering me. A couple weeks ago, to ignore job interview anxiety, I had a 90s nostalgia evening and watched Clueless followed by an episode of Dawson's Creek. And it was delightful. :)

I just try to take deep, calming breaths and distract myself from my brain (usually with a book or sometimes knitting and music).

>181 MickyFine: That's the same things I do, with the addition of computer games. If I'm really upset or stressed I can't get lost in a book like I need to.

Exercise is also good. And studies have shown that being out in the morning light also helps. Combine the two into a morning walk or talk him into some aerobic exercise.

>180 drneutron: Jim, I have to be careful with the reading sometimes. I tend to eat and read when stressed and that is a major issue for me. But it such a stress relief!

>181 MickyFine: Micky, we've got Ice Age: Continental Drift from Netflix. Maybe I should watch that!

>182 Esquiress: Es, cross-stitching and crocheting can sometimes help but mostly for me they let my mind wander too much.

>183 norabelle414: Nora, at times like this, I miss my Facebook games!

>184 streamsong: Streamsong, I can't talk him into anything. I've tried many times over the years. All I can do is help myself. I wish I could go for a walk but my disability doesn't allow that. I can't even sit outside, dangit. We are getting 6 to 12 inches of snow! Arrrrrrgh!

***

Wacky Wednesday

How Do You Catch a Unique Rabbit?
Unique Up On It.

How Do You Catch a Tame Rabbit?
Tame Way, Unique Up On It.

How Do You Get Holy Water?
You Boil The Hell Out Of It.

What Do Fish Say When They Hit a Concrete Wall?
Dam!

What Do Eskimos Get From Sitting On The Ice too Long?
Polaroids

What Do You Call a Boomerang That Doesn't work?
A Stick

What Do You Call Cheese That Isn't Yours?
Nacho Cheese.

What Do You Call Santa's Helpers?
Subordinate Clauses.

What Do You Get When You Cross a Snowman With a Vampire?
Frostbite.

What's The Difference Between Roast Beef And Pea Soup?
Anyone Can Roast Beef.

Where Do You Find a Dog With No Legs?
Right Where You Left Him.

Why Don't Blind People Like To Sky Dive?
Because It Scares The Dog.

How Are a Texas Tornado And a Tennessee Divorce The Same?
Somebody's Gonna Lose A Trailer

Ha! Nothing like some good groans to clear the system at the start of the day, Morphy.

>185 Morphidae:: If I'm really out of sorts, I try to listen to music while doing the knitting so that my brain doesn't wander too far.

> 179 - when I feel down or stressed I head for the outdoors, even if that just means walking down to the waterfront at the end of my street to watch boats, birds and anything else going by.

> 185 - Ice Age: Continental Drift is great..... love Scrat and his acorn 'adventures'! ;-)

I listen to audio books while knitting or cross stitching; if I didn't, my mind would wander so much that I'd stitch/knit right off the pattern. Sigh.

>186 jnwelch: Joe, they were old for me and I giggled through out re-reading them.

>187 Esquiress: Es, music doesn't quite distract me enough. Sometimes I'll rewatch a old favorite movie while crocheting.

>188 lkernagh: Lori, MrMorphy laughs until he's out of breath at Scrat!

>189 scaifea: Amber, I'm currently listening to Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets while cross-stitching.

***

Tunes Thursday

Huh, while looking up this song I found out that it was originally from a musical called Chess and was written by former members of ABBA and Tim Rice. I just like it because it's fun to sing to. The video is horribly 80s though.

One Night in Bangkok by Murray Head



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R9cNtrrCP0E

I don't see you guys rating
The kind of mate I'm contemplating
I'd let you watch, I would invite you
But the queens we use would not excite you

Oh Morphy, that is my number 1 top absolute favorite song even in the world right there. Love it!

Morphy! Somehow I lost you, at some point. How? Why? What? Crap! Well, I'm here now, again, and this time I won't let you give me the slip. I hope.

Good morning Morphy,

I am never depressed but I do feel stressed at times, or feel down. Depending on the reason for feeling down or stressed I do different things to relax myself. Sometimes, I head for the outdoors and do some power walking whilst listening to an audiobook. On other times I may just go and sit in a cafe or go and treat myself to a nice meal in a restaurant with a good book in my hand. However, for myself reading or listening to a book is what helps me most to relax.

I hope that you and Mr Morphy are going to have a better and stressfree weekend!

>191 scaifea: Amber, I'm glad I could put a spot of joy in your day then!

>192 Ape: Stephen! Crap! I thought I had escaped! Ah well, maybe I'll be able to perfect my Stephen-Slipping Morphidae Maneuver another time.

>193 drachenbraut23: Bianca, there really is nothing more stress-relieving than "a nice meal in a restaurant with a good book in my hand!"

***

Film Friday

Ah, book stores, romance... what else could you ask for? It makes me cry and makes me smile.

You've Got Mail



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yRPwDJWhqis

Once I read a story about a butterfly in the subway, and today, I saw one! It got on at 42nd and off at 59th, where, I assume, it was going to Bloomingdales to buy a hat that will turn out to be a mistake, as almost all hats are.

Have you seen The Shop Around the Corner, with Jimmy Stewart? It's the movie on which You've Got Mail was based and although I do like the Meg Ryan version, the older movie is far superior. You just can't beat Jimmy Stewart.

HE'S BEEN CALLED IN FOR A SECOND INTERVIEW!

YIPPEEEEEEEEE!

Yay!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

WahHOO!!! Crossing all crossables!

And I love that movie! Amber is right about the older movie being charming, but I prefer the newer version simply because I adore Meg Ryan. And although I don't struggle with depression, when I am having a blue day I like to grab an old favorite off the shelves and dive in. Garden Spells is always good or Pride and Prejudice or one of the Harry Potter books.

Have a weekend full of fabulous, Morphy!

*fingers crossed* Great news, Morphy! Have a wonderful weekend.

Hooray for Mr. Morphy!!

Best of luck!

Oh, it's looking good! The owner said he needed to talk to the production manager who isn't back until Tuesday but he wants MrMorphy on board!

Yippee Skippy!!

Fingers still crossed!

ETA: I was going to point you in the direction of the Bad Joke of the Day thread, but I see you've already been there.

Congrats to MrMorphy! So far at least, so as not to jinx anything!!

Hooray for Mr Morphy! Second interview means good chances - Hooray!

Keeping everything crossed for Mr. Morphy!

Sending positive vibes to Mr. Morphy!! Come on vibes! What's up with the sappy chick flicks? No, Guns of Naverone or Dirty Dozen?

Adding my best wishes for Mr. Morphy and the job. :)

Also, I love You've Got Mail. Greatly superior to Sleepless in Seattle.

>195 scaifea: Amber, no, I haven't. But it's on my Watch One Day List!

>198 Crazymamie: Mamie, I adore Garden Spells. I'm going to recommend it for my book group who never read fantasy.

>204 humouress: Ha! Yeah, humouress, I created it!

>208 msf59: Mark, you calling The Shawshank Redemption a sappy chick flick?!?

Thanks for the cheers and good wishes, Jean, Joe, Nora, humouress, Mamie, Jim, Bianca, Roni, Mark & Micky!

***

Along with the hopefully good job news, I also went to a volunteer appreciation breakfast. It was put together by a lady raised in the South so we had some fabulous dishes like grits and biscuits with sausage gravy to go along with egg bake, ham, French toast, fresh fruit, baked goods and such.

Yum! *swoons*

(I have no idea what sausage gravy is, but it sounds delicious!)

YAY! Keeping my fingers crossed for Mr Morphy!!

What Nina says never heard of sausage gravy, but it does sound delicious!

Still keep my fingers crossed for Mr Morphy and really, really hope that he will get the job!

Have you read already The Forest of Hands and Teeth by Carrie Ryan? This was quite an enjoyable YA, dystopian-zombie novel. The main character can be a bit angsty at times, but all in all I thought the story had a good plot.

From Wiki:

Sausage gravy is a traditional Southern breakfast dish. After loose pork sausage is cooked in a pan and removed, a roux is formed by browning flour in the residual fat. Milk and seasonings, such as salt and pepper, are added to create a moderately thick gravy, to which the cooked sausage is added.

it's a white gravy as the wiki says. served on fresh biscuits it s a great breakfast.

>212 ChelleBearss: Chelle, thanks!

>213 drachenbraut23: Bianca, No, I haven't. I think I'll pass on that one. I can't handle any angst right now.

Fingers crossed. I know how hard it is to get jobs these days.

Here's to Mr Morphy-- lots of "Get the Job" wishes!!

Adding to the line of folks with crossed fingers!

Es, Kathy, Ellen, thanks for the good wishes. We should hear something Tuesday or Wednesday!

***

Music Monday

Another song I love singing to my MrMorphy...

I'm Yours by Jason Mraz



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EkHTsc9PU2A

I've been spending way too long checking my tongue in the mirror
And bending over backwards just to try to see it clearer
But my breath fogged up the glass
And so I drew a new face and I laughed

Morning Morphy- I didn't see Shawshank mentioned up there. I love that film. Enjoy the day. Fingers crossed for Mr. Morphy.

>221 msf59: Thanks, Mark!

***

Talk to Me Tuesday

What book from school did you dislike (hate hate stabbity hate) because of how it was foisted on you?

For me it was Great Expectations by Charles Dickens in sixth grade (12 years old.) Each week we would read one or two chapters and then be quizzed in excruciating detail about them. "What was the purpose of the chair?" "What did the word "is" mean?" I didn't pick up Dickens again for thirty years.

For me it was Der Besuch der Alten Dame by Friedrich Dürrenmatt when I was about 14 years old and I just thought that was the most boring book of my life. Blech!
Since then I have been told that it is wonderful - however, I never tried to read it again. Yes, we had to analyze each little fart - pardon my language here. *big yawn* I just think the moment you have to read something which is not of your own choosing, it's just not as much fun!

Great question, Morphy! For me it was The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne. I have never revisited it although I do own a lovely copy with deckled edge pages! I should reread it - I would probably appreciate it a lot more now when I could just sit and read it without having to over analyze it.

For me - A passage to India by E M Forster. Hated that book, and only came to appreciate it when I saw the movie years later.

Brighton Rock by Graham Greene. I have never wanted to reread it. The only good thing was that we got taken to Brighton for the day, supposedly for educational reasons related to the book, but actually we were allowed to wander around in groups to do as we pleased.

My mum still hates Northanger Abbey because when she had to study it at school the teacher didn't bother to tell them it was a satire. So my mum and her classmates just thought the characters were idiots for behaving and thinking as they did, not realising that Austen was sending up the Gothic genre.

Oh.

Whenever we got our books in the first week of term, I'd take our reading book and devour it, and have finished it before the first class where we actually had to start reading it.

There were one or two I wasn't so keen on, but that was because of the story-line (at ten, I took everything at face value. Still tend to, to be honest.) Hang on - will look it up ...

Animal Farm was one.

And I hate sad endings; can't remember the title, but the one about a plane-full of boys crash-landing on a deserted island.

#222 Also Charles Dickens for me The Old Curiosity Shop.

> 227 - Humouress, I think you're talking about Lord of the Flies.

Catcher in the Rye. I really couldn't see any point to having this book as required reading. It is nothing but swearing and angst.

I'm with you on Great Expectations, Morphy. I never did finish it, either time I had to read it. But at least it wasn't assigned until highschool—why on earth would anyone make grade six kids read that?

Yay for Garden Spells! I'm another fan, Morphy. We're due for a new one from her soon, I would think.

I had to read Great Expectations really early too, but probably not until 7th grade. I also read Pride and Prejudice in my middle school years.

I hated Kafka's The Trial when I was forced to read it as a senior in AP English. Gosh, it was excruciating to read someone like Kafka for the first time with absolutely no guidance; my teacher's style was to assign pages, then tell us the next day, "discuss!". We had no idea how to get into the book discussion because we had no idea what was going on in the book.

MrMorphy got the job!!!

WahHOO!! Congrats to MrMorphy!!

HOORAY! HOORAY! HOORAY!

YAY!!!!!

I really hope he will enjoy the new job! WTG MrMorphy!

And I hated all the books we read in high school. I can't even remember them all, but I don't remember ever liking a single one. I think The Outsiders may have been the worst.

That's wonderful, Morphy!! What a relief for the both of you. I really hope he will be happy there.

I hated The Lord of the Flies--but I think I would have hated it whenever I read it.

Huzzah!

>229 Crazymamie:: Yes - Lord of the Flies; thanks, Mamie.

>232 Esquiress:: I think we did A Christmas Carol when I was 10, and Pride and Prejudice when I was about 12, I'm guessing (whenever it was, I'd already read it a few years before, but having the period humour explained was a revelation); I'm pretty sure we did Northanger Abbey for O-Levels (15 years).

>233 Morphidae:: YAY!! MrMorphy. Really hope this one works out for you folks. I think you said travel time is a lot better?

Great news for Mr. Morphy!! Yah! Happy for you guys.

>223 drachenbraut23: Bianca, "analyze each little fart" - yes! That's exactly how I felt! LOL!

>224 Crazymamie: Mamie, The Scarlett Letter is one classic I haven't gotten to yet. Either as a kid or as an adult.

>225 avatiakh: Kerry, what did you hate about A Passage to India? I have it on my TBR in the next year or so list.

>226 Sakerfalcon: Sakerfalcon, field trips are always a good thing!

>227 humouress: humouress, I don't remember ever getting book lists. We weren't told much in advance what the book was going to be.

>228 SandDune: Rhian, I finally started reading Dickens a few years ago. David Copperfield wasn't too bad.

>229 Crazymamie: Mamie, I agree.

>230 SylviaC: Sylvia, I think it was because it was a "gifted" class.

>231 jnwelch: Joe, I hope so. Though I've just read two by her - Garden Spells and The Sugar Queen.

>232 Esquiress: Es, I've been avoiding Kafka...

>234 Crazymamie: - 236, 238-239, 241 Thanks, Mamie, Syvlia, Kathy, Roni, Es and Mark!

>237 UnrulySun: Kathy, surprising you became a reader! Do you do any recreational reading?

>240 humouress: Yes, humouress, his new place is about five minutes from here. He's talking about biking there during the summer.

***

Wacky Wednesday

A Mom went to have dinner with her son who lives with his roommate.

During the course of the meal, his mother couldn't help but notice how handsome his roommate was. She had been suspicious about her son's sexuality but being a good mother she felt that he would let her know if and when the time was right. But seeing the two together just made her more curious.

Over the course of the evening, while watching the interaction between the two, she wondered even more if there was more here than meets the eye. Her son, sensing his mothers watchfully eye volunteered, "really Mom, I can tell what you're thinking and you can just get it out of your mind. We're just roommates and nothing more."

About a week later the roommate remarked, "ever since your mother was here the silver serving platter has been missing. Do you think she took it?"

He responded, "Well I'm sure she didn't, but I will email her and ask just to be sure." He sat down and wrote:

Hey Mom,
I'm not saying you did take the silver platter from the house and I am not saying you didn't take it, but the fact remains that it has been missing ever since you were here for dinner.
Love,
Your Son.

A couple days later he got a response from his mother:

Dear Son,
I am not saying that you do sleep with your roommate and I am not saying that you don't sleep with him, and you know I love you and could care less either way. But the fact remains that if he was sleeping in his own bed he would have found the platter under his pillow.
When are the two of you coming for dinner?
Love,
Mom

>242 Morphidae:: :0D

(We didn't get book lists, either. We just got all our books - excercise, text & the one reading book. Can't remember if it was one per term or two per year)

Yay for MrMorphy!!!

Oh, I like that joke!

...

Sarah Addison Allen is one of the few authors whose books I automatically buy new and in hardcover. According to her website the new book should be out late fall or early winter this year. Still a while to wait.

So delighted for Mr Morphy!!!How wonderful!:)

And we're moving on...

http://www.librarything.com/topic/153154