Bohemima reads as she pleases in 2014

New Year; no goals.

Since 2013 was a rather spectacular fail in so many ways, I'm just playing 2014 as each day comes.

Please feel free to join me in reading and chatting this year.

Books Read in January
(includes title, author, source of book, genre)

1. Gorgon: Paleontology, Obsession, and the Greatest Catastrophe in Earth's History Peter D. Ward (Jan's Library) Nonfiction
2. Death Comes for the Archbishop Willa Cather (my shelves) Historical Fiction
3. A Red Herring Without Mustard Alan Bradley (my shelves) Mystery
4. The Other Queen Philippa Gregory (my shelves) Historical Fiction
5. Absalom, Absalom! William Faulkner (my shelves) Classic Southern Gothic fiction
6. Magical Thinking Augusten Burroughs (Michael's Library) Memoir

Books Read in February

9. Cold Is the Grave Peter Robinson (my shelves) mystery
8. Aftermath Peter Robinson (my shelves) mystery
7. The Hated Wife Adam Nicolson (my shelves) Nonfiction (so he says)

Books Added January

46! Good night, Nurse.

Kindle 28
Physical: 16
Nook: 2

Oh dear. That may have to be it for the year.

Books Removed January 19

Books Added February These were purchased in January, but I count them as they arrive at the house.

Kindle 1
Physical 1
Nook 0

Books Removed February 9

Yay for no goals! *smooch* for Danvers coming in from the cold at last.

Why, thank you, Kind Sir. One hopes to read and enjoy some books. That's it.

That is a stellar plan. I'm so bad at following "requirements" that it's best I don't even make them for myself.

Yay I found you!

Marking the spot. Hope 2014 is kind to you dear Gail.

Stephanie, Ilana: Welcome to the new thread, and, one can only hope, a better year.

Amen to that!

Hi Gail!
Really. I contemplated the 'no goals' type of year. It sounds pretty good. But not having any kind of vacation to look forward to - I have to pick out a few books to take up that anticipation... though I haven't done it yet. Maybe I'll go with a vacation yet. Whatever. We'll see. I am rambling.

"one can only hope, a better year"
No, no. I demand a better year! It will happen! The power of positive thinking is on the line.

Hi Gail. Dropping in to check out your thread.

Hi Gail!

Dear Gail - you may want to edit your opener - 2013 was a difficult year but next year will be great I hope:

Since 2014 was a rather spectacular fail in so many ways, I'm just playing 2014 as each day comes.

ETA Come rain or shine, highs or lows, I'll be following your thread as always.

I'm just going to sit down in that lovely little bower in Post 1, and wait happily to see what books 2014 brings you to. No goals seems eminently sensible. Why should our reading have an obligatory feel to it?

Good to see you here, Gail. Hoping for excellent reads and days this year!

Cee, I'm trying desperately to use positive thinking. Sometimes it works, but other times, not so much. We'll hang in there, no matter what.

Mamie, Diana, welcome aboard my thread. I hope to keep up with both of you this coming year.

Paul! So glad to see you here, my faithful friend. Thank you as always for your editing tip! I could have read that 20 times and glossed right over it.

Linda, isn't that delightful? The title is "Delicious Solitude". We'll see.
And you're right: reading is my major pleasure in life; it should never feel burdensome.

Amber, Welcome back! Let's see what not planning anything will do for reading enjoyment. It's going to be different, that's for sure.

Cloudy here and chilly right outside of DC. Another family member is due to arrive tonight. Yesterday Dear Child made homemade gyoza dumplings and an interesting soup to serve them in. What a great cook!

*smoochiesmoochsmooch*

Hi Gail, many happy wishes for a much more positive 2014!

hmm.. homemade gyoza.. yum! What is an interesting soup?

Thank you, Rdear, and back to you as well.

Caro, she didn't tell me the name of the soup, which was a clear broth with some fairly fine shredded napa cabbage, some sort of Asian chives, and I don't know what all. Very, very tasty. She loves to cook, and thank heavens does it well. I nearly swooned over the gyoza.

Hey Gail! No goals--sounds great to me!

Sandy K

*smoochings*

So, here you are my friend...

Caro, here's an update:

chicken stock
mirin (supposed to be sake, but we had none) abt. 1 Tbsp.
2 pieces of kombu
bonito flakes
That was it. The chive things were in the dumplings themselves. Oh my, tasty.

ETA and the finely diced napa cabbage.

oh.... Luck and goodness for tonight....

Sandy, I am soooo glad to see you here! Looking to a better year in 2014.

Rdear, a Happy New Year to you and many smooches back.

Kath, I gave up and caved to the new group. Ah well.

Looking forward to lots of great books this new year.

Happy and Restorative New Year to you, Gail! I love the painting in post #1.

Yay for no goals and playing it as it comes, Gail!
I wish you all the very best in 2014 -- you absolutely deserve it!!

No goals is a perfectly delightful plan Gail and one that I employed for most of my reading life. You are starred.

Dear Gail, I wish you a happy, smooth, productive, satisfying 2014 --- and .....

Happy New Year Gaiil! Here's wishing 2014 is kinder to us both... xx

Dear Gail -
When you are feeling down may there be solace
When you are in despair let your friends hear you
When the sun shines may it warm your very existence
When 2014 imparts its blessings may it give you more than your fair share. xx

GOOOOOOOD Morning Breeeeeezy!

How was last night? Was it a big celebration, or just a quiet evening?

I was asleep by 11, myownself...

Pat, I'm very glad you're here, in every possible meaning. Love the mag. cover; it reminds me of my favorite childhood magazine, something called Playmate. My oldest brother gave me a subscription every year. He of course was interested in a very different kind of Playmate.

Ellen, I'm happy to be starting a new year, mostly. Really wish my buddy were with me, is all.

Bonnie, Good to know we'll be seeing more of one another in a virtual sort of way. I always enjoy your thread.

Peggy, what a perfect picture for booklovers! I remember well how you overcame my hesitation to read Miss Austen.

Ilana, welcome to 2014!

A simple plan of reading what you want sounds good to me. No one in my family likes to cook so we eat fairly standard fare. I haven't even heard of most of the ingredients in that soup! Enjoy your family times and the good cooking!

I have seldom been so pleased to see an old year pass as I am to see 2013 expire in the dust of history. Happy 2014, Danvers me lurve.

Oh that's a simple soup ... thanks for the update Gail. I love gyozas in soup. In fact, you've got me thinking maybe I'll make a hotpot with this soup this Sunday. It's going to be cold again, and we have a couple of friends coming over for an early dinner.

Paul, You're so sweet; words fail me. Your kindness is deeply appreciated. Thank you so much!

Kath, a movie reference! We're going to have a better year, I just know it. Srsly. Last night was a quiet conversation, roaming from one subject to another. Bed around midnight. Worked for us.

Donna and Caro, our family eats a huge variety of foods, although when I'm alone the diet has almost no meat. Tonight we're having a variety Asian dumplings and soup, along with Asian barbecued pork. Maybe rice, not sure.

Rdear, You're absolutely right. Good riddance to a horrid year. Maude is making blueberry scones, so perhaps Perkins will prepare the coffee.

Good, quiet, down time is good...really good. In fact, it sounds perfect to me!
Glad it's happening...you deserve much goodness...

hugs

Wonderful tread topper! Makes me wish it was summer... or I was in the Southern Hemisphere right now! Such a soothing, tranquil scene.

A Breezy... here ya be. I am fearful of losing track of you, whilst you lounge in pure contentment, there where you are. But of course, I also want you to stay right there for as long as possible, so?

I just need to look and post and wait with great anticipation to see what you will be reading this year. I can't wait!

I'm a latecomer, Gail, but Happy New Year! Lovely painting at the top.

>40 mckait:, 42: Kath, we're doing okay. The only thing I regret is not having a car to just run to the closet grocery store.

>41 lkernagh:: Lori, welcome aboard! I found that pic while searching for something else and decided I needed it to start the new year right.

>43 jnwelch:: Joe, very glad to see you here. Still thinking about those fantastic goodies in the cafe.

Wicked stawm comin', as the meme on FB has it. I suspect it'll be less than they say it will, but it's got low pressure for sure...my joints are tellin' me!

The Keeper of Lost Causes...dratted Roberta sent it to me...it's very good. I recommend same.

Rdear, exactly as I would express it myself. It is, in fact, snowing here. Younger child (44) decided to go on foot for a grocery run--milk, bread, beer, and chocolate. Older child (46) cleverly ordered pizza. So...the Old Lady gets to loaf. Amazing.

Hi, Gail! Another person planning an unplanned year, I see. :)

Yes, I'm also very glad to see the back of 2013; here's hoping for a much kinder 2014!

Chocolate and pizza ... always good to have when it snows ... or rather, even when it isn't snowing.

I want snow! Dallas only got a lousy ice storm (during which I lost my power) and now it's just cold here. Nothing to show for winter. Although I suppose I should be careful what I wish for.

Sounds like a plan, pizza and chocolate.

I was frozen at work... it gets really cold in there.. but instead of staying open til 7.. Cathy and Candy closed at 5. I had no say in it as I worked Laura's 12-5 shift. Glad to leave!

Trudging to the weekend... funny how time flies when you are enjoying yourself, eh? Well..
I still think you should go for the spa day if you insist on going back :) Although AL is probably a wee bit warmer.

In other news, there is none. Carry on enjoying your moments..

hugs

Liz, my mental plans are so miniscule as to be ridiculous. I'll be more organized when I get home to my own computer.

Stephanie, pizza and chocolate work for me any time. Really, traveling puts an enormous kink in one's eating and exercise habits.

Paula, by all means be careful what you wish for. I love to look at snow, but dislike the slipping, shoveling, and mess. Dallas? Only driven by it, never stopped there. And a hearty welcome, by the way.

Kath, At least no work today and maybe tomorrow. It's freeeeezing here. Definitely going the massage route when I get back home.

"In other news, there is none. "

You made me snort my coffee. See, that is why I come here. Because you always make me laugh. Happy Friday, Sis!

Hi Gail,
Glad you get a nice relaxing vacation.

Warm hugs to you...

Gail just a fly by to wish one of my faves a lovely weekend.

I saw your post on fb.... looks like things are going well?
I hope that this weather isn''t going to affect your travel.... Always a worry in winter :-/

*waves*

Grab a blanket and a book and stay warm!

Belated New Year greetings, Gail. I am dropping a star and hope to be better at keeping up this year!

....On a jet plane! Hope you are snoozing your way home....

Safe journey home, Gail and I hope the weather doesn't interfere with your flight.

hey... safe home?

Mamie: I know, right? Her sense of humor is just one of many reasons why I love her.

Cee! Hugs to you as well, and hopes for a healthy, happy 2014.

Paul: Hi to Mr. Amazingly Busy. How are things over in the orient?

Faith: I'll be getting a blanket, all right. Books are everywhere here at home; I rarely have to walk more than 6 or steps to get one or forty...

Heather: Welcome back to the Madwoman's Thread! (Hey, that's a catchy title for 2015...but I won't remember it, I'm sure.

Caro: Thanks for the good wishes. No problems with the weather except that my ears almost shattered from the cold. Great visit and glad to be back in my own house.

Kath! I'm back...love the song references. Surprisingly enough, almost everybody snoozed off and on through both legs of the flight. Now to just find that extra bag...should be there today.

So anyway, the trip home was uneventful excepting as always the crazy-making Atlanta airport. Never seen it quite as bad as yesterday. Gate changes, many without any warning--need I add that my own was in that number?--about 40 of 80 people on my last flight didn't get at least one piece of luggage. My own is supposed to be in Columbus today. Good thing I have errands to run...not trusting them to find my house in the boonies, since they couldn't manage a simple transfer.

Currently reading (and hoping to finish) Gorgon: Paleontology, Obsession, and the Greatest Catastrophe in Earth's History and Death Comes for the Archbishop. The latter has been calling to me, but just have't been in the mood until now. Good thing: it will fit into the American Challenge for this month. Um...if I finish it.

Gail - The tropics is tropical; see trip home was trying but humour retained. At least it wasn't The Greatest Catastrophe in Earth's History (by the way does Dubya have a lead role in the book?)

ugh! typing on kindle is no kinda fun :P Glad you have your keyboard back!

Welcome home, Gail!
Sorry about all the confusion in Atlanta airport - due no doubt to all the crazy weather country wide.

Willa Cather will probably be a good read for you this month. She keeps things simple and heartwarming. Her books just seem to take you away. I finished and loved Shadows on the Rock about Quebec in the 17th century today.

Happy news of your return! *smooch*

Paul, no, Dubya has no role in the book since it's before the dinosaurs...oh, wait; his thinking patterns may be in there somewhere...

Kath: I am very happy to have a real keyboard at my disposal.

Cee: I can already feel the appeal of Cather. As soon as I finish Gorgon, I'll start on that. Still no suitcase--here, that is; it's still in Atlanta. At least now I have the info. I need to track it. I do wish I had my bathrobe, but as many soldiers are missing their BDU's or EXU"s, I'll be fine.

Rdear! Hot coffee now available in the living room...

I'm in the very slow process of figuring out #'s on last years buys. Currently at 404, which I think is accurate. Of those, only 40 were physical books. Srsly? One tenth???

Remember to try the Tully's French Roast. I am going to take some to work with me today...

I. am. freezing.

Hope it warms up in our neck of the woods, and that your bathrobe came safely home.

Kath, Good morning. I am freezing pretty much myself. I have moved the Tully's to the front of the drawer.

Oh frabjous day, calloo, callay: My kitchen water pipe was frozen briefly this a.m. Rather startling. Needless to add that I was, um, annoyed. Fortunately for my desire to refrain from foul language, all other pipes were fine. And now the kitchen water is running. Man, great way to start a day.

In futile but earnest desire to figure out how many books I acquired in 2013, I am now up to 419 of which 55 are physical books. I knew that number in >67 Matke: couldn't possibly be right. Still working on it. Perhaps I'll do better this year. Perhaps.

Still missing the bag from Delta; it sits fretfully freezing in Atlanta.

Finished my first book of 2014: Gorgon, by Peter Ward. Interesting. More on that later.

Everybody please heed cold warnings and stay safe.

Just a weather update: Current temp is 16F. Feels like -6F. What have I done? Where's Kath to get Weather Goddess working well?
Help.

Morning, Gail - it's supposed to start warming up a bit here today and at least get us out of the severe wind chills. Hoping that it will do the same where you are today...

Robe home yet?? Hope so. .. also hope the water flows freely and that you like the Tully's.

Working today... I was told two things there yesterday, LL will probably try to stay... but will be working less. AND that we have to raise our hours to more a week. That would sound reasonable to anyone, really. The reason it makes no sense is volume. More hours will not raise the number of patrons we see in a week.... ( the programs have done that! they are at record highs) There are days when 6 hours sees 10 or fewer patrons. It isn't cost efficient...or sensible, but there is a new state librarian who is pulling all waivers. So each library will cost more to run, serve the same # of people for the most part, and so? Dunno. more news coming....

Amber, a good morning to you! No frozen pipes today, and supposed to warm up (obvioulsy a relative term) to the 40's. I've been meaning to ask if you've read Plutarch on Sparta? I read it a couple three years ago and found it hilarious. No, really; it's a very, very funny look at a unique civilization, with his rather snarky comments being in such contrast to the stern and apparently humorless Spartans.

Kath, yes, I picked up the suitcase yesterday at about 4:30. Another woman was waiting for a bag still in Seattle since Sunday. She was not happy. I'm feeling pretty good but quite lonely, as I have nevah, evah lived alone before. It takes some getting used to and will call up some self-discipline if I have any. Or not.

Stayed up too late; got up too late: see what I mean about self-discipline? Lovely day today with a dentist appt. this p.m.--for cleaning only. Trying to work a lunch in with a friend. (It continues to astound me that so many people want to have lunch with me. Or wait, maybe they're simply afraid I'll turn into the crazy cat lady...not sure.)

Gail: Yep, Plutarch can be a hoot sometimes. I've read his whole corpus in English and large chunks in Greek. Occupational hazard, I suppose. Sparta is fascinating in its own right, too. Impressive in a lot of ways and horrifying in a lot of other ways.

Hi Gail! I am embarrassed that it has taken me eight days of the new year to get to your thread for a visit. I hope you will give Death Comes for the Archbishop a try. It is beautiful and gentle and a perfect read for us in cold climes at the mo'.

#73 Gail,
Puhlease ;-) Maybe they enjoy your company as much as I do.

Stephanie, remember...Danvers IS a crazy cat lady, she's just channeling the inner energy that way at last.

Sending smooches to the ever-warmer south

Amber, yes, I found Sparta fascinating and extremely creepy when we first studied it around 4th grade or so (old-fashioned schools for me). Both feelings continued through the rest of my life, right up until today. Ancient times still draw me to their completely differeny yet eerily similar world.

Stephanie, well, maybe. But thank you for the compliment! Oh, have you checked out the Flavia de Luce mysteries? The first one is the poorest; the seires steadily picks up from there. Funny books with a great picture of English country life in the early 1950's.

Heidi, Never any need for embarassment here. I'm currently about half-way through Death Comes for the Archbishop. Now, there's an excellent example of a historical novel. Not many real people in it, but obviously meticulously researched and written in a style that reflects the slow pace of life in the 1850's and '60's.

Rdear: You really *must* do a better job of protecting my confidences. I remind you that this house is, as I type, sans cats. It is warmer today, but not exactly balmy. I know you like the cold--I used to love it too; whatever happened to that??--but there's a point at which it descends from comfortable to "Is there another jacket/blanket/robe/pair of sox in the house?" that I don't like. Keep my heat at 67 - 68. In the summer, I shed all heavy layers, wear a T and shorts or pedal pushers in the house, air on 76 and all fans blowing, including the small one Dh bought me as I kept saying, "For cryin' out loud, could we turn the air down, please?"

Hey! Isn't this actually Library Thing, and not my personal journal/correspondence with my friends? Probably should talk about books once in a while, to justify the existence of this thread. So:

Book 1 of 75
Gorgon: Paleontology, Obsession, and the Greatest Catastrophe in Earth's History by Peter Ward 3.9 *s

Well.

I had a mad childhood interest in dinosaurs, fueled mostly by a marvelous book my brother had, thick and with lots of illustrations and explanations. He and I would pore over that tome repeatedly. Over time, that interest kind of faded. Much later in my life I develope a very mild interest in vulcanology because it was part of the 3rd grade curriculum in Florida. (Your life isn't complete until you teach Plate Tectonics and the workings of the inner earth to 8-year-olds. Lots of models, diagrams, hands-on stuff for them.)

I found this book tucked away in my eldest's library. Intrigued by the picture of a seeming cross between a reptile and a saber-toothed tiger on the cover (also that catchy title), I decided to give it a go.

My, my, life is full of surprises. First, I was unaware (or forgot) except in the most rudimentary way that there were actual large-ish animals before the dinosaurs. Ward describes his life-long effort to discover more about them through studying fossils and rock strata in a place called the Karoo Desert in South Africa. He is concerned with figuring out how the animals became extinct. Over time, he and his colleagues find that the extinction was rapid (in geological terms--probably less than100,000 years or so)and eventually concluding that the die-out was caused by global warming. The warming was caused, he posits, by an excess of methane gas, which somehow or other--I'm no chemist--leeches the oxygen out of the air.

Okay, so far so good. But the real story here is how obsessed the scientists become: never giving up, living under the harshest conditions one can imagine, eternally picking at the rocks to find fossils. Family and health are given short shrift; these are dedicated people. The story of their lives is more interesting than the story of the Gorgon.

Another fascinating aspect of the book is the coverage of the internal feuds among scientists, who become heavily invested in their own theories.

The book is interesting and compelling, but the technical terms make it difficult for the layperson to keep track of what's going on in the science end of things. If you're interested in paleontology or global warming and can read Stephen Jay Gould's work, this would be a great choice for you. It will require strict attention if your level of interest in science is limited to the kind of book written by Simon Winchester.

1.1 *s knocked off for difficulty level and a slight lack of closure.

Nice. I'd like to find a copy of that one.

>78 Matke: A Certain Party will make sure your catlessness is temporary. She will cause it to be so. It's uncanny...her powers are amazing.

>79 Matke: COOOOOOOOOOOOOOOLLLLLLLL!!!

And, point of interest, I'm on my third thread and nary a review in sight...might never be another on current form!

*looks as innocent as possible*

#78 Gail
Oh, no I haven't even heard of those. Most of the stuff I read about England has to do with the Tudors and their craziness. The Princes in the Tower takes place a couple of generations before Henry VIII, and those people are nuts!

One man and the queen got into a tit for tat war of retaliation. Of course, he lost because who starts a smear campaign against the King and survives? Since he was nobility, he got to choose his manner of execution which amounted to being drowned in a bowl of his favorite wine.

Hi Gail, I suppose living alone takes getting used to. As I've told you elsewhere, I've been alone most of my adult life and usually find I handle it rather well, but you remind me when mentioning discipline that I really am out of control in that sense, so maybe by many measures am not doing all that well after all. Which is where the artwork comes in to help me feel like at least I can sit down and be dedicated and disciplined about one thing. Better that than nothing at all. Also, having living critters around is essential I think. But that's me.

Pipes freezing must be a real pain in the... neck.

I had no idea there were creatures on earth before the Dinosaurs, but then I know very little about prehistoric times. Sounds fascinating though. I have a book called Life: A Natural History of the First Four Billion Years of Life on Earth by Richard A. Fortey to look forward to, which might help pull me out of complete ignorance. Do you know that one?

Have a wonderful weekend, Gail!

Jim, given what I know about your reading, I'd say the book would be right up your street. O.P.D is 2004, and I note as I look at the book that author Peter Ward is considered an authority on mass extinctions (that one caused by the comet is not the same as this one), is a profesor at U. of Washington, and has written several other books on paelontology. I'd highly recommend him to you; his style is easier than Gould's and thus more entertaining, but the technical level is approximately the same.

Rdear: You don't really believe that I forgot that review I'm waiting for, do you? Come now, it's time to get going, don't you think?

The book was really intriguing in many different ways. I'll be looking for more by this author.

My Young Man (he works for me, helps me, is kind and thoughtful, I'm friends with his mother and his wife is my pharmacist--there are a few advantages to living in an extremely small town) is coming to the house next week to take measurements and get a material list for screening in the front porch. After that's done, so small ones can't escape when I'm not being vigilant, I'm getting two cats. Sorry, but there it is: I'm pretty desperate for a pet; I want to continue to travel and have two or three competent cat sitters available; and honestly, I don't want the extra care that a dog involves, nor the worry of finding a person to take care of said dog when I'm away, as I won't kennel a pet. But I still love Stella; no one could resist her.

Kath, Whoever do you think Rdear means? I'm sure I don't know.

Stephanie: Always a pleasure to see you here. The man you mention: not the Duke of Clarence, surely? Soemtimes reading about the Plantagenet/Tudor eras can be a refreshing reminder that at least now we don't draw and quarter people (I think).

I recommend the Flavia books because I know you love mysteries, and that series is something quite entertaining and fresh. There are those, of course, who don't like the books at all, but for the most part they've been favorably reviewed nearly everywhere.

Ilana, The only thing I'm really disciplined about is laundry, bill-paying, keeping the kitchen clean and tidy, and bathing. I have a housekeeper who helps with the laundry too, so my chores in that area are few and, I'm afraid, often overlooked. I used to have a comfortable routine, not only for each day, but overall for the week; that's all shot. So developing my life into an orderly pattern, which I prefer, is going to take some time, as I'm still trying to find our who I'll be when I grow up. Pipe problems over, probably for the next ten years.

I had a hazy memory of sea creatures, some of quite good size, existing before the dinosaurs, but these large land animals were something I just didn't remember.

Kath: Thank you very much for the brief but extremely useful computer lesson last night. It's already saved my, er, me today. You are so helpful.

Not quite…..but this is often what I’ve felt like these past couple weeks…

Hi Gail....good to see you off to such a lively start... I'm still alive here in Baltimore, care-giving 89 yo mom, but no time to start my new thread…haven’t even wrapped up my 2013 stats, but I’m lurking here for a dose of sanity and to stay caught up on all my 75er friends. Heading back to Maine this weekend, and may surface enough sometime next week to start up. Meantime, I’m slowing ear-reading We are Water by Wally Lamb. It’s so good, I may have to drug Mom so I can have about 1 ½ hours quiet to finish it.

#87 Gail,
Why yes, exactly the Duke of Clarence!

Wow Gail - That is a heavy reading start to the year. You share with Kyran an interest in palaeontology and I may see if I can find that one to take his mind off mangga and young ladies for a few moments at least.

Have a lovely weekend.

Howdy do, Danvers, and a happy Saturday to you!

Sunday has broken.. ra la tra la..

Coffee later?

YES!!!

Like

Just catching up here, Gail, and assuming that your weather has moderated as ours has.
I do not need to read *Gorgon*, but you make it sound mighty appealing. Meanwhile, I'm finally getting into my ER ARC about Elizabeth of York, speaking of Clarence and all those.
I am excited to hear about the advent of the kitties, and naturally must put a good word in for your local shelter. They'll have some beauties all vetted, socialized, and ready to go. I am also looking for instruction on the discipline of managing unscheduled days. I do the house and volunteer work that I have to do, but I'm not over-burdened with either and spend a whole lot of time piddling that I could be reading or something. Silly, but it's a luxury, and yet I can't afford it.

Great coffee.. never enough of the stuff.. I always want more.
The prodigal called last night...

Whats for dinner lately? Soup and roasted vegies are good.. going for anything like pasta or ? soon?

Hi Gail, I taught plate tectonics when I taught fourth or fifth grade (can't remember which) and obsessed scientists are always interesting to me but then again I do like me some Simon Winchester so....

After suffering through some miserable cold and snow it's been raining heavily since last Friday.

*smooch* for dear Danvers

Did I hear a rumor that Gail might be getting kittens?

Breezy.... where are you? Sending hugs....

An extremely busy day yesterday left my mind too tired to do anything online at all. Somewhat refreshed after a good night's sleep and The Coffee, here I am again.

Diana, please forgive me for overlooking your post! Re: the weekend: Saturday was a good day; Sunday a very bad day. And so it goes, trying to adujust to my new life.

Tina, that picture is pricesless and perfect! And "ear reading"? I am so stealing that, my dear. I'm hoping that things are getting a wee bit more settled for you.

Paul! Hello there. Kyran would probably like the book, but it's nowhere nearly as interesting as girls. I mean, from his point of view.

Liz, I am going to local shelter(s) for the cats. I don't want kittens, but mature cats such as myself. There are so many cats (and dogs) who need a home that I couldn't go anywhere else. I mean, there are people who want to give me cats, but they're outside cats, not neutered, etc. I'm going with the shelters. When my front porch is screened in, I'll be going kittie shopping...no later than March. I'm really looking forward to it; the only ongoing disagreement Dh and I had was a pet; he thought of cats as outside animals and wouldn't kennel a dog so we wouldn't have been able to travel as much as we did. Now, however, I can return to my inner self (well, as soon as I figure out who she is)...

Kath, I agree: never enough of that coffee. Tomorrow night, I think...yesterday was exhausting. Had a fairly substantial lunch with a friend yesterday, so dinner was a bagel with lox and cream cheese and a small bag of trail mix. Hope the conversation with That Young Man was tolerable.

Bonnie, teaching stretches the teachers' minds just as much as the students'. Trying to get difficult/abstract concepts across to young children is a challenge, but one that can be a lot of fun. We are having a lot of rain, but today is sunny and gorgeous.

Rdear, a large smooch back to you. Is your gout any better at all? Thinking about all your pain makes me sad...healing whammy on the way.

Ellen, no rumor but true fact (as opposed to all those false facts floating around us). I'll be the pleased owner servant of two mature cats no later than March. I can't even express how much better just the idea of having them makes me feel.

I'm glad you are planning on getting a cat. I have one of the darn things myself, he is a black, long haired part Maine coon cat. As soon as the snow hits, he doesn't like to go outside to do his business so His Highness gets a litter box in the basement. Oh how I hate cleaning that thing. But our aptly named Trouble is a handsome thing and so gets lots of pets and love anyway! We have a dog too, but cats are easier to care for I think as they are more independent.

Oh, cats. How lovely! We can't have them because of allergies, but I do love them.

Found you!!

Oh, yay for cats! I've had a longer relationship with my Susie than I've had with Tomm - she was there for me through all of the ups and downs of grad school and I love her lots. Can't wait for pictures (yes?) when your get your cats! And good for you for giving a home to shelter cats.

Hello to Heidi, Mamie and Amber! When I was a child, we always had cats. All were rescues, but 2 of them came from a vet that my brother was working for. He'd find an especially appealing or needy creature and bring it home, as he knew my parents would never ever refuse one of his choices.
Favorite cat story: When my parents were first married, they were extremely poor. My Dad was working several jobs and at one of them he found a tortoise shell kitten. Said cat was brought home on the bus to Mum in his jacket pocket! Apparently she was hell on four feet and would often sit on the edge of one of those old claw-footed tubs while Mum took a bath. One day she fell in and it was a race to see who got out of the tub faster. I find cats soothing and relaxing to a taxed spirit. Others, I know, feel differently.

Connie! Welcome! After a bit of a search I found and starred you as well. It gets a little crazy here, but usually it's fun.

So.
Books. Apparently I'm an ingrained, hopeless bookaholic. To date Books Removed 8 Books Added 6. This includes only physical books. On the Kindle front, I've gained 8. This is beyond ridiculous. Besides, I have to start saving money for something I want to do next year. Maybe I could limit purchases to a specific number per month. Let's see...3 would be about right. Physical or e-. Is this even possible for me? Maybe, maybe not.

Have a good one today... I only work until 2, so all should be well for coffee.....
How goes the front porch?

Kath, he called last night but he always uses a cell and his name isn't listed, so I didn't answer it. Calling him this morning in a few minutes. Good on the coffee.

Hey Gail - just a drive-though to say 'hi' and I've got you starred!

Why, Prue! How good to see you! I'll be over to your place to see what's going on directly. It's been such a busy January on LT that I need a dedicated daily time to read threads and say hello to all my friends here. Whew!

I have been reading actual books, however. Better than last year, if not much faster yet. I find that at last I'm enjoying them again. I mean, really enjoying them.

Book 2 of 75:
Death Comes for the Archbishop

I can't add much to what everyone has said. Cather's writing is beautiful, particularly when she writes about the landscape. The two main characters are very well-developed and a nice contrast to one another. The episodic nature of the story makes it easy to read in small pieces, so that one can savor all the nuances of the book.
I liked this one much better than I liked My Antonia, which I thought ended badly. Realistically, but badly. This one has a perfect arc of the bishop's life as a missionary in what must have been excessively trying times. I'd give this 4.75 stars.

Yikes, how did I miss your thread? I found you. Amen. I hope you are well. I think of you often.

Book 3 of 75
A Red Herring without Mustard

Another entry in the Flavia de Luce mystery series. In this story, Flavia manages to set a fair booth on fire and rescue the owner--sort of. Things become more interesting as we progress into a mystery involving gypsies, the long-ago disapperance of a child, and an almost-extinct religious sect. I wasn't crazy about the book, but that may be a matter of timing...Flavia is so fantastically clever that it's a bit off-putting. OTOH, I sent the entire series to a granddaughter, aged 14; she absolutely loves them. It had occurred to me that perhaps these books are more for teens, but they're enjoyable for adults as well. 3.5 stars.

Currently reading:
The Black Death
H.D.F. Kitto's The Greeks (touchstone with author, not title): this would be great if it weren't in 8 pt. type

and I'm trying to pick a fiction work.

ETA: Linda! Very glad to see you here. As I said above, I've got to have a Dedicated LT Time every day, or I'll be hopelessly out of touch.

*smooch* again, with a wistful *sigh* for no longer being able to think of visiting.

Gail, I really enjoyed My Antonia but agree entirely that the ending tailed off a little and left me a little disappointed. Had the first book been replicated throughout the other four parts I do think it would make my top ten novels but it falls well short of that.

Have a lovely weekend my dear.

Good morning! I hope your head is better today? Headaches can really bring you down :( coffee! That is a great headache remedy.

Not much to share, I didn't do much yesterday.. I was planning to scrub rugs ( I have a machine ) but, I just couldn't do it. And.. also, the smell didn't stay. I was thinking that one of the boy kitties had sprayed? ( due to territory issues) but it was probably just strong urine in the box?? dunno. I have Feliway being delivered today as a precaution, ( should have gotten some earlier) and the rug scrubber at the ready. They can use done anyway. Maybe Monday? This cat sitting of the offsprings kitty is costing me a fortune . Well, so be it.

Hope today is a good one for you, pain free and calm... with some funny tossed in. :)

Richard, while I naturally would love to have you visit, remember, I can come your way easily (sort of).

Paul!! Yes, the book was disappointing, in my view. It's usually, though not always, assigned in schools, probably to give students an idea of prairie life as well as an introduction to Cather.

Kath, most of the headache is gone and the remainder will soon be swept away on a caffeine tide.

I've had, for me, a very busy week. Other than getting a bottle or milk and a package of real Scottish shortbread cookies, I have a little paperwork to do and some clothes sorting. Other than that I'm having an especially laid-back weekend.

Good to hear that. I plan to do the same... aside from showing up at the library to stare at the walls for 7 hours. :P

Any contact with front porch guy?

Why,yes; he came by yesterday to take the measurements! Am I to understand that you are as eager for this entire project to get rolling?

I am, yes... is he a speedy worker?

Once he starts, he's speedy enough. The only problem is that he likes to schedule it so that he can get it all done in a block. Since he's a fireman and does a lot of real construction work as well, sometimes my smaller jobs have to wait a couple of weeks. Unless it's sort of an emergency, like the tree branch through the roof. Then he comes over within 24 hours and gets it done.

Tell him that you had a dream that a tree branch falls onto your porch, thus trapping you inside?
The screening will stop it, you just know it!

>122 mckait: *snerk*

Hi Danvers! *smooch* My cha-cha with pain is keeping me occupied.

I love how Kathleen thinks!!

Stopping by to wish you a weekend full of fabulous, Gail!

Hi Gail!
Looks like you are taking care of some very important 'projects' to make your life much more enjoyable :
Yourself, kitties, and screens!
Can't wait to see pictures of your new feline family members :-)

Good to hear you are really enjoying reading again.

I know, right? So exciting to think of two fur babies finding a forever home. Splendid! And the best part is that our Breezy will have snuggly company ! I am at least as anxious as you are, my friend... I think Cee is too. I'm trying to be patient :)

I hope you'll post pics when the kitties come home with you Gail. How exciting!

Hi, Gail. You have given *Archbishop* yet another shove higher on Mt. Bookpile. I don't know why I've resisted so long. Hope your weekend is winding down well.

Happy week ahead, Danvers me lurve! Not better, not much worse. cha cha cha

Passing through to say hello.....feeling like I might live :P at the moment anyway...how's by you?

So.. you are reading what you want to read, what are you wanting to read today?
I still can't really talk.. off work one more day. Good thing I work in a library, not much talking is expected for tomorrow

xo

*smooch*

Like

Hi Gail! Hope all's well in your world. Hugs.

Hi Gail, just passing through and also hoping all's well in your world. I love that picture that Richard posted.

Good coffee is good coffee what can I say? Good day to you.. and keep warm thoughts...

I need to make a short trip out, but boy it's like the frozen tundra out there. Everything is covered ins a dusty ice. sigh.

Kath!
>122 mckait:: Your ideas are wonderful and clever as always. I'm quite patient up to point. That point hasn' yet been reached. Yet.
>131 mckait:: I see your prediction was correct and you are still upright. Yay!
>136 mckait:: Coffee can indeed be wonderful, soothing and stimulating at the same time.

Rdear, you Sweet Thang!
>123 richardderus:: I know you're havinga bad time of it. I send good intentions for healing your way several times daily.
>129 richardderus:: The week has been mixed. Good: Getting things accomplished, really reading and enjoying at last, actually cooked two or three things that I like with plenty of extras in the freezer. Not so hot: the Black Dog is back, sitting quietly by my side like a very low-key Hound of Hell; I'm doing the cha-cha with you: arthritis, I presume, being my partner.
>132 richardderus:: Perfect! Love it--and how sweet of you to think to send it on over. It may appear as a thread topper this year.

Mamie, Isn't Kath a hoot? Sometimes we just laugh and laugh...

Cee! Thanks! I'm looking forward to having pets after a prolonged hiatus. Probably (heh) there will be pics on my profile page of the demons lovies when they arrive. And yes, I'm *really* enjoying reading again. Although I'll be posting a bit of humble pie on the AAC threads, and perhaps here as well.

Ilana
>127 Smiler69:: Yes indeed, there will be pics when I'm blessed with furry friends. Honestly, all researchshows that pets improve the life (in all sorts of ways) of, er, older people and/or those who live alone. Hate the idea of kenneling, and truly don't want the work involved with having a dog, though I love them. And cats have always, always been my favorites. Thus the decision. The implementation will be, the gods willing, no later than March.
>137 Matke:: Getting better but it's taking time and is a 2-steps-forward, one (or 3) steps back. Still, I'm so much better than I was 2 years(!) ago when I first encountered my dr. At least I've escaped the dreaded book funk and am now truly enjoyingmy reading.

Peggy, Oh, I think Death Comes will be an ideal book for you. It's beautifully written...and the writing isn't stretched so as to be beautiful...and quite moving; even has a tiny bit of humor. I think it was the tipping point for me in returning to reading.

Judy: I know, right? That pic is spot on.
Aside from bit of depression (Remember that old Simon and Garfunkle first line: "Hello, Darkness, my old friend"? Exactly how I feel.) I've actually accomplished some necessary things thanks to a blueprint from my dr. And reading has returned as my refuge.

Just checking in.. I need to step away from the computer... I was happy to see that you popped in for a visit :)

Hi Gail! I hope you are well and have some time set aside this weekend for reading. I am so glad you enjoyed Death Comes for the Archbishop. Cather is a treasure....she may even be my favorite classic American author.

SNOW all over the ground. sigh.
Just hanging out here on the tundra and drinking coffee... my book is sitting there making me feel guilty for not picking it up. Maybe if I get dressed in something other than jammies I will feel more awake? I put them on after my shower... talk about decadent!

Gail, apparently I have a bit of that Bohemian blood in me, too! I love the graphic Richard posted and agree that it will make a perfect thread topper. Sounds like some changes are coming your way. New kitties and porch sound like a good combination. I'm glad that books are being enjoyed by you once again and am looking forward to see what you are reading next.

Agree with Donna, Gail - that would be a very appropriate thread topper. It would have been nice to excise "Weird" though!

Have a lovely weekend, dear lady.

Yay for cats! I'm so pleased for you, Gail, and I can't wait to see pictures.

I'm also glad you enjoyed Death Comes for the Archbishop. I agree that it is better than My Antonia. I still want to read The Song of the Lark and Oh Pioneers! one of these days.

Sorry to hear about the blues. And now I have that Simon & Garfunkel song in my head (there are far worse things, trust me). I hope this coming week brings more energy and cheer.

Gail, just popping in to say "hi" and I hope you're being kind to yourself.

I hope you are having better luck with your spirits... and your porch :)

Thinking of you

That thread topper just looks better every time I pop in here.. it loks so warm!!!

Hi Gail. I finally have some time to visit threads and just wanted to stop by and wish you well.

Be careful out there today.. and dress warm! That nice new coat is called for, methinks.

Gail, thinking of you.

Happy "it's above 40°" day! Don't get used to it. *smooch*

I am sitting here in a flannel nightgown, a long striped robe, and my ( apparently new woobie apparel)
boots, trying to figure out the timing so I can grab the groceries I need, do my errands and get back home without noticing that I have been out. Better change clothes first I guess.

You had better be eating some decent food... and not feeling blue.......

Maybe Gail is out finding a couple of kitties ;-)

Hope you have a good weekend!
Thinking of you...

>155 -Cee-: What a horrible thought! Say it isn't so, Danvers!

Oh, and a *smooch* for a happy weekend, too.

Gail - I share with RD a less than glorious relationship with cats but if that's why you're not around I'll take it. Hope you let us know that all is well with your world at the moment. XX

Kath: Thank you for always thinking of me and being there. Keep your chin up, and I promise to try to the same.

Heidi, hello! Death Comes really turned me on to Cather. She wrote a book taking place in Canada, I believe, called Shadows on the Rock. That is definitely on my To Read list.

Donna, didn't know I had a fellow Bohemian here, if only in spirit! Thanks for your kind thoughts. Reading is really picking up this year. More on that in the next post.

Paul, thank you, my dear man. I *am* a bit weird, though; so the pic fits pretty well. Thank you for your kindness. The Black Dog is being fairly quiet, just letting me know he's there from time to time. No cats yet, but they will get here eventually. xo

Ellen, thanks for the kind wishes. It may take a bit more time than I anticipated, but Cats. Will. Come. Congrats on the Seahawks humiliating win over Denver. I know you'll be over the moon!

Stephanie, you're so kind to deep me in your thoughts. I have some cards on the way--I always need them for funerals, thank-yous, thinking of you, etc. And having unique ones appeals to my bohemian side.

Pat, I've been shamfully remiss about getting around to threads these past few weeks. I'd lurk, but not post. Going to work on that!

Cee, Hi! From another thread--popcorn's not a meal, then? Drat! There goes a lot of my dietary planning. Would you accept an eclair as a meal? Though now I can only eat half at one time.

Rdear, rest easy for now; cats are coming but not quite yet.

Ew.

Sooner is better cat-wise. They help with the chin up thing...

Hang in there.. Do one thing that makes you smile every day... it helps. Even if the smile is "fake" just doing it does help. Talk to strangers at the grocery store or Subway... Go visit the library and talk with the folks who work there.. buy a cookie at subway..

Consider ordering a cat toy from Amazon.

Rdear and Kath: LOL and yeah, I'm going to be looking at cat toys this week...hard for me to initiate a conversation, but I always respond nicely, and I always, always smile at people. Right now, LT is making me smile.

Very busy day today. Meeting this a.m., dr. appt. this p.m., should go to P.O as well. Bridge tomorrow and Wednesday. I'm looking forward to Wednesday, as I've known the players for years, they're unfailingly nice to me, it's just four of us, all women, and we're only there to shoot the breeze and have fun. Tuesday, on the other hand...too competitive. And here's the problem. A divorced woman, who has been nice to me--although I know her life history and she has no idea of mine (just as well)--and I thought she was okay, until she made what to me was a surprising, unnecessary, rude (in my opinion) and narrow-minded remark to someone else. I thought, "uh-oh." Of course, she's lonely and looking for a companion, but I realize that I won't be it. After many years of associating with people I wasn't exactly crazy about, I'm not doing that anymore. The kicker is that I feel guilty about it...

Oh, we're back to real Alabama winter: temps. from 30 to about 55, lots and lots of rain. That'w why we plant in winter: it's the only time the ground is soft and moist enough to do it successfully.

Good grief, I'm getting behind on Book Chat here.

Book 4 of 75
The Other Queen
I really enjoyed this historical novel about Mary, Queen of Scots. We are concerned with the first few years of her captivity in England. The author uses 3 pov's to tell this tale of obsession, betrayal, and greed. Oh, and politics as well. Mary constantly waits for some fool to fall for her and aid in her escape, her return to the throne in Scotland, and if possible, the downfall of Elizabeth I. Many, many men fall into her little web of charm and guile, but none of them succeed. Many of them are, in fact, killed or brought to ruin. Mary couldn't care less. Bess of Hardwick, a real personality here, is sorry for Mary but furious at the expenses involved, and very resistant to the return of the Catholic faith to England, since she would lose most of her misappropriated gains. Her husband, the earl, is consumed with his sense of honor and duty, complicated by his growing love for the eternally-fascinating Mary.

Many readers complained because the characters repeat themselves often. I thought that was the whole point of the book: to show how ideas can become obsessions and blind one to facts that may prove the obsession to be unrealistic and self-destructive.

Must go for now. I hope to be back late this afternoon to finish up pocket reviews.

It always seemed to me that Mary Stuart got exactly and precisely what she deserved. Scheming, power-hungry, and amoral little....

#158 Gail, I'm so glad you were able to find some suitable to your needs. And thanks.

#163 Richard
True dat

Yes, indeed; she was a perfidious, totally self-centered woman who wasted a lot of good lives in her futile pursuits.

Book 5 of 75

Absalom, Absalom!

Oh dear. Although I'm pretty familiar with Faulkner, this was a tough haul at first. The reader plunges immediately into a very strange story told in a disjointed, confused, and labyrinthine fashion. The first five pages almost had me stymied, especially one paragraph (it seemed to be an extremely long paragraph) which made no sense even after 3 readings. Never one to give up easily, I finally read it aloud to myself, and a faint glimmer of meaning started to come through. I slowly continued on with the first chapter. After that, everything was pretty easy.

This book is so ambiguous, so tricky, that the reader has to be on guard all the time so that he/she isn't bamboozled by the theories, imaginings, and personal biases of the multiple narrators.

I loved it.

What's very curious to me is that there is a whole sub-genre of 18th and 19th century English novels with an overt "poor Mary / wicked Elizabeth" mindset, which seems peculiar to me from a number of different points of view. My suspicion is that Mary (whether you consider her used by, or a user of, men) was viewed as properly "feminine", while Elizabeth's refusal to marry and submit stamped her as "unwomanly".

>161 Matke:: I'm the same way about not-so-nice people - I decide that I don't think it's a good idea to be friends with them, but then I feel bad about it. Silly, really, isn't it? We shouldn't feel guilty, but we do. Sigh.

*wave!*

More snow coming our way.. le sigh. I hope that there is something smile worthy in your day :)
If one doesn't pop up, look for one!

All I can think about this morning is wanting to open a window :P So tired of no fresh air in here!
Having feelings of envy about closed in porches :) Maybe you can sit on yours? Hope so..
I work today.. I want to start a Pinterst Board for us..we'll see how that goes. I wish there was a place to SIT for a bit. The only way to get near the computer is to stand, so even "easy" work isn't much of a break.. oh well.. could be worse.

happy day to you !
hugs

Wishing you construction today :)

xo

Liz: I know. I think part of the sympathy for Mary was, of course, that she was executed. I certainly agree that the feminine woman, waiting for a hero to come rescue her from the clutches of the ruthless woman on the throne, made a more appealing heroine than Elizabeth with all her power and acts of revenge. It's hard to like Elizabeth, what with the Star Chamber and the persecution of anyone who was imagined to be a threat to the throne.
Oh, and her incredible stinginess. She was very like her paternal grandfather.

Amber, good to know I'm not the only one who feels guilty where no guilt is indicated. I asked a friend who knows us both for some tips on how to handle it. I'll follow up, but it's bound to cause hurt feelings, which I hate to do. On the other hand, I'll feel uncomfortable if I continue with her as a partner. Maybe I should just stay home...

Kath, Good morning, Sweet Woman! I hope today goes better than yesterday.
I'm sick of no fresh air as well. I could maybe open a window in the guest room to get a bit of the megirms out of the house.
News flash: back porch door has been replaced by one with an automatic closer and a tiny lock! Front porch will have the same. Lots of painting involved, which takes time. However, the project has begun!
Now that's a smile inducer right there.

It induced a smile for me!!! hooooooraay!

Hi Gail, just dropping by to say hello and catch up with you. Wish you well!

Quote of the Day:

“You couldn't relive your life, skipping the awful parts, without losing what made it worthwhile. You had to accept it as a whole--like the world, or the person you loved.”
— Stewart O'Nan, The Odds: A Love Story

#167 @lyzard,
There's that and the fact that Elizabeth was headstrong and mostly refused advice/admonishments/etc. from her male advisers. Mary played on men's egos by seeming to need their help and guidance.

Yes, it seems very much that the bias is due to opinions of them as women first, queens second. (I don't think anyone expected to *like* a monarch, did they??)

Good quote rd... very good. And true.

Sending good vibes down Alabama way ... order pizza and inspire you lovely handy man ( if he's working) and enjoy your day. Crazy day here. Piles of snow which will soon melt, get rained on and then freeze again. Wheeeeeee! I may be working on my own.. I suggested wee Laura stay safe home... I hope she does. I love having the library to myself !

Dreams of sauerkraut....weird.

I hope all is well over there with snow and things!

I don't know how it got to be Thursday. Still, there it is. *smooch*

>166 Matke: YAY! You loved it! Next time you read it, you'll love it even more. (Evil laughter here)

Off to the store to get things to make lasagna.

TOO FREAKING COLD 17F or some crazy thing.

Don't wanna go.

disjointed, confused, and labyrinthine

That is the perfect description of Faulkner's writing.

Frozen lasagne Kath. No thanks. Grrrrrrrr

Gail, have a lovely weekend.

Hi Gail

I'll trade your Alabama weather for NE Pennsylvania ugliness. The university was closed two days this week. That is exceedingly rare. I've worked there 30 years and, with the exception of the October 2013 hurricane Sandy, I can count the number of days they closed...not many.

Hugs to you special lady.

Last night, I did not dream of sauerkraut.

It is 4F

sigh.

Happy Saturday to you!

Kath, Porch all finished; a bit pricier than I imagined, but not exorbitant. Now to prepare house for cats.

I can't even imagine enduring those excessively low temps all winter. 4 degrees? Yikes!

No sauerkraut dreams?" Perhaps kitty dreams instead? xo

Ilana, Hi! Hope all is going well in Canada. *So far* this year is better than last.

Rdear: I love the O'Nan quote! I have a couple of his books here--perhaps I can get to one, at least, this year.

Ye gods, it's Saturday already! Huh. Who would have thought?? Maybe the sleeping sun is affecting my brain power.

Stephanie and Liz: Oh yes, it's pretty clear that Mary had that, "Oh dear; I'm so helpless here and if some strong man could come to my aid the rewards could be..." pitch refined to an art form. It's hard for me to understand that kind of single-minded ambition, but it seems that she and Elizabeth were opposite sides of the same coin.

Connie, All is fine here. The temperatures have warmed up to normal for us--between 40 and 50 F during the day, a bit colder at night. How are things where you are? I just read about some dreadful flooding on England's south coast...and am wondering what it's like in Europe.

Linda, Yes, I really did love it, despite having to engage in the strenuous mental wresting match at the very beginning. I usually love Faulkner.

Now I'm reading Reading Faulkner: Absalom, Absalom! which explicates things quite nicely. So far I seem to have understood it pretty well...and, honestly, I'm glad I read it on my own first, although I'm not sure why. Perhaps the effort involved made me appreciate it more?

Paul, see above re: Faulkner. Yes, his work can be an uphill battle, but I always feel rewarded by the effort. Some people don't feel that, of course.

I'll be over to your place today. I've been reading a couple of entries in the Inspector Banks series by Peter Robinson, and need a bit of British slang cleared up.

I hope your week-end, what's left of it, is restful and/or fun.

Linda, I know your weather's been hideous this year. I hope that Spring and Summer will be a welcome relief to all my northern friends/family, and that you get some "normal" temps and precipitation. Although who knows what "normal" weather is any more?

I hope your pain is lessening and that your doctors tell you the whole truth when they discuss your condition with you. How can you prepare for things or make clear judgments if you don't have all the information?

Here in the Netherlands the weather is stormy. But is not cold at all 8C. We really have not had any winter yet. And I hope it won't come either! Let's have spring instead. I know about the terrible weather in the UK and in France.

The weather seems totally out of balance. In austria there has been 1,50 meters of snow and PaulS says there has been no snow of any importance in Swiss.

*smooch* for a good Saturday.

You built a porch for your cats? I think I've been away from your thread too long, Gail. I remember the porch thing, but I didn't know you had - or were going to get - multiple cats. I have been reading Terri's (tynfos) thread about the cat that has claimed their life in PA. I think pets are great to have around, although I am a dog person. I'm eager to see what you have in mind. Good luck!

Hi Gail, I bet that porch is going to be great when the weather warms up. I am a big fan of Peter Robinson's Alan Banks series, I hope you are enjoying them.

Hello nice lady!

A screened in porch for the cats sounds marvelous. I want to add a screened-in window box for our cat one of these days, but they're quite pricey to install... so we wait, and for now she just gets to stick her head against a slit of window screen (otherwise she'll lie against the screen and push it out, falling out the window... like she did when she was younger... that nearly gave me a heart attack!).

Getting mature cats from a shelter is definitely the way to go... their personalities are already developed, so you can choose a cat / cats that suit your lifestyle & personality, plus you're giving them a second chance at life that they might not otherwise get, since the older cats tend to get left behind. My sister just adopted a mature cat, and she's sweet, loving, gentle... (I get to meet the cat for the first time tomorrow; I'm quite excited).

I can't wait to hear about your new friends, whenever you end up choosing them!

>194 AuntieClio: What she said.

Just checking in, Gail - hope you're having a good weekend!

Actually, yesterday it was a k dream. Today was worse..these are those morning dreams, you know? The ones after getting up at 3 am to pee, lying awake for an hour.. then finally falling asleep again.

After I got up to take care of the furkids and start the coffee.... I went back under the covers for half an hour. it's under 20F here again.. and more snow..... after taking Dunkers out, all I could think of is getting warm again!

So, it is kid call day and read a book and bake Breezy lasagna day.. not much else but a quick vac I hope. because I want to read .. something. The book I read yesterday was very entertaining.. as was Hexed. I bought book three, but I will try to entice the BF library to buy more in the series by giving them the ones I have.. wish me luck!

O'Nan is a hit and miss author for me, but when he hits, he hits :) What books do you have?

Hello Gail. I enjoyed your thoughts on the Faulkner. I have The Sound and The Fury sitting here waiting patiently for me to pick it up. I hope I get on with it as well as your did your choice!

GOOOOOOOOOOD morning to you. Monday... I'm off to the vet in a bit... planning to finish a book later.
After reading a book on nook on Saturday, I wandered over to B&N and picked up about 10 freebies. WHY? you ask? why? Goddess only knows, then this morning, I wandered over to Vine ( Last Harvest) and picked two books that I will have to read. Clearly I am hell bent on pushing myself over the edge..

So cold here. Brrr

So whatcha doin today?

Merry Monday, Danvers darling.

Connie, I can't believe Switzerland has nearly no meaningful snow. You're right: the weather is screwed up everywhere.

Rdear, I hope everything is going well with you. A merry Monday? Well, not quite. Almost, though.

Judy, I do like the Banks series. I'm on my fifth entry, although my reading has been sadly out of order. Aftermath certainly had the ring of truth at the end, but it was a little too graphic for my taste. I had to ask Paul C. for some help with British slang--he very kindly translated. An American reader can miss a lot of nuances because of the differences in British and American English. Oh, and as I was reading it, the book seemed very familiar; I was sure I'd read it before; come to find out, it was durning my care-giving period. Apparently a lot of "lighter" reading just slipped through the cracks because of stress...

Stephanie, Right back at ya! I hope things are looking up for you...keep me posted.

Faith, Although I have more than one reason to screen in the porch, the cats really are the tipping point.

I wouldn't get anything but rescue cats. Rescue animals are a family tradition. One brother had a foray with non-rescue dogs, but that lasted only until his huskies went to Doggie Heaven. Then he was right back to rescues. I'm pretty excited myself by the whole idea: while grocery shopping Sunday I picked up a couple of small items. I need to get prepared before they arrive! I'm pretty excited myself: tentative date is March 1.

Amber, hi! Nice to see you here. Not too much going on, but a lot of reading is happening.

Kath, I can hear Robin Williams in my head when I see that "Goooooooooood morning!" Love it.

The O'Nan's that I have are Last Night at the Lobster and Wish You Were Here. I haven't tried either of them, but
I'd really like to get to at least one this year.

I think I might make Breezy Lasagna for my guests; easy, and just a salad to make a complete meal.

Why B&N freebies? Because you can.

Hope today is better than you expect it to be.

Heidi, Good to see you here. I hope that The Sound and the Fury works for you. It's a tough one, but if you can tolerate some initial confusion, it's really good. Keep in mind that W.F. likes to use many p. o. v.'s to tell his stories, including some narrators that are just, well, weird.

Happy dank Tuesday!

Oh my, I think I'll be as excited about March 1st coming around as you will.

The only way I can bear the thought that my three little critters won't always be there with me is the notion that I'll eventually have room to rescue more love bugs in need of a good home, otherwise it breaks my heart to think they have such very short lives and that I'm not paying attention to them every single minute of every day.

So, how did the day go?

Gail
Hanging in, as usual. Still no prospects for work :-/ I've been given a reprieve on money due to a tax return and reimbursement from that awful place. Collected my last week of unemployment this week.

oh! Ordered updated business cards and marketing postcards today. VistaPrint was having a fantastic sale.

Other than that, just plugging along.

NOOOoooooooo! Don't go. srsly. I heard that there will be ice and snow and you are already not feeling well. Bad idea and good reason to stay home. xo

Rdear: Dank was the word for Tuesday: Chilly, rained most of the day, funeral to attend...not that great. However, I did have a lunch with a group of friends that was enjoyable.

Ilana, to say that I'm looking forward to the arrival of furry things would be a vast understatement.

Stephanie, it seems that many of us are hanging in (or on by a thread) for one reason or another. Life is stressful at best.

Kath, I would just stay home today as well, but I must get to dr. for this respiratory mess. Having carefully calculated the forecast, I anticipate freezing temps won't arrive until after noontime. Right now it's just rain, and then rain, and, uh, more rain. I've plenty of food, so it's dr. and perhaps pharm. and then home. Don't worry; it'll be cool...and I'll give you a heads-up when I'm safe inside, I promise. It's cold right now, but well above freezing.

I was happy to have the heads up...even though I wasn't able to respond. The day was....wow. Very Wow.

I hope you had a good birthday... I hope that every day this year is even better than today.. and happier than the year just passed. love
k

Today was your birfday?!



Many many happy returns of the day! *smooch*

Wait ...

Happy birthday Gail. Thinking of you.

Happy birthday, Gail.

Happy day after your birthday.... so today is a day off.... I hope you stocked up on goodies yesterday and can spend the day doing nothing but nothing! Well, it would be alright to get busy getting better...but that's it.

Happy Thursday!

hugs

Oh, dangit! I missed your birthday!

Well, I guess I can say, A Very Merry Unbirthday to You!

Happy Day-After-Your-Birthday! Let's call it Birthday Week. That way you have an excuse to celebrate for seven days, and really, any excuse for more cake is a good one in my books.

Happy Birthday...I hope you have a real celebration when you're feeling better. Maybe a combination Birthday and HERE COME THE CATS! party?

Hope you had a great birthday, Gail, and I like the idea of Birthday Week. Like Linda says, celebrating again when you're feeling improved sounds good.

I thought something special was happening over here on your thread and I see that I was right! Happy Birthday (a bit belated)!

Sorry I'm a day late, but Happy Birthday, Gail.

Happy Belated Birthday Gail! I hope it was fantastic and included some new books or prolonged reading time!

Happy Belated Birthday, Gail! Hope you're still celebrating.

Hope you had a happy birthday!

Ooh! I want to wish you a belated Happy Birthday too Gail. Hope it was a good day for you. xx

Happy Valentine's day Gail.

*smooch*

Wow... when you said 48 hours of downtime, you weren't kidding.

miss ya

My wishes for you:
Happy Birthday - a bit late, but sincere!
Happy Valentine's Day - with sweets of some kind!
Peaceful time for reading today ;-)

hugs (((Gail)))

Something purrrty for you Gail:

Gail - The one thing FB is good for is reminding me of birthdays but I didn't get yours? Happy belated birthday, dear lady, if it is indeed your birthday.

Paul... she was trying to keep it under wraps. Drat it anyway.
I promise, it was her birthday... I had it from a good source.

Weekend.. ! leftover take out? Delivery Pizza? Toast and crab apple jam? Movies? Books... maybe next weekend will be furry?

:)

Happy belated Birthday, Gail!

So sorry I missed it. Have a glorious new year.

Happy belated birthday Gail, note to self, don't forget birthdays.