CEE's 2014 Thread #1 *Come as you are *

Grandson Greg coming in from an icy, c-c-cold target practice Christmas Day.
He didn't wait to get dressed to try out his new zombie targets!



And I am targeting 75 more books for 2014. Let the new year begin!

TOTAL BOOKS READ:



BOTS:

2014 STATS:

total books read: 8

BOTS (books off my shelf): 2

Fiction: 6
Non-Fiction: 2
Poetry: 0

male author: 3
female author: 5

US authors: 7
authors from other countries: 1

living author: 5
deceased author: 3

2014 AAC - as I plan it for now:

Jan - Willa Cather - Shadows on the Rock and One of Ours
Feb - Faulkner - The Hamlet
Mar - Cormac McCarthy - All the Pretty Horses
Apr - Morrison - Song of Solomon
May - Welty - A Curtain of Green: and Other Stories
Jun - Vonnegut - Cat's Cradle
Jul - Twain - Roughing It
Aug - Roth - sub Henry James - The Portrait of a Lady (have been trying to read this for at least 2 yrs)
Sep - Baldwin - Go Tell It on the Mountain
Oct - Wharton - The Custom Of The Country
Nov - Updike - The Witches of Eastwick
Dec - Larry Watson - Let Him Go

January Hopefuls:

The Brothers Karamazov by Dostoevsky (first half)
Shadows on the Rock by Willa Cather
Love Songs from a Shallow Grave by Colin Cotterill
Arsenic Under the Elms by Virginia McConnell
A Fountain Filled With Blood by Julia Spencer-Fleming
Rising Sea Levels by Hunt Janin



Currently Reading:

The Brothers Karamazov by Dostoevsky
Pilgrim at Tinker Creek by Annie Dillard

hello!

Welcome to 2014... may it be kind :)

Here I am! Your grandson is a really cutie but what is a zombie target?

I'm here, Cee!!!! Starring & following along, my friend!

Happy New Year!

OH, Kath!
You came! You came!
And you are #1 in my book.

Looking forward to a gentler, kinder year :-)

Of course I came.. I've been waiting for you !
(((((CEEEEE))))))

Woo! More visitors.... You guys type fast!

Pat,
Glad to see you here. Thanks. I think he's pretty cute too!
A zombie target is a board with a zombie picture on it instead of a standard circle target. Guess I should get a picture of that... lol.
So far, no holes in the new target.

Tina,
You're here too!
Happy New Year to you!

#11 Hahaha - you need a life! New Year's Eve and you are waiting for me to start a new thread??? LOL

{{{{Kath}}}}

Ahhh! The delectable Cee is back: my absolute favourite bathroom designer!

Have a wonderful 2014 my dear and I trust the health bugs from last year are consigned to the slag heap of the past. xx

Happy New Year sweetie! I hope 2014 brings you joy and plenty of good news and pies! We're celebrating quietly here my fur kids and I, and I'll be off to the gulag shortly so Coco can take in a bit of fresh air.

Happy New Year, Cee!

Hi Cee and happy new year!

Happy New Year to you and yours, Cee!! Hope it's pack full of wonderful reads!

>13 -Cee-: Are you kidding? That's the most exciting thing I did all day, thank goodness!

Happy New Year Cee! Starred your thread.

Zombie targets! Brilliant!!

Welcome back.

Happy New Year Cee!! Hope you have an amazing 2014!!

Happy New Year, Cee! Wishing you great health and joy in 2014. Did your grandson go out dressed like THAT to shoot zombie targets?!! Was he warm enough? Or is he soon to come in needing a big mug of hot chocolate?

Paul -
Thanks for the greetings! Yes, indeed... it's the slag heap for anything even threatening my health this year. Perfect.

Ilana -
The very happiest of years is wished for you in 2014! But... "gulag"?
Are you heading to a forced labor camp/prison? Now what kind of trouble did you get into? Did you rant on a bus again? LOL
There must be another definition for gulag???
Hugs to keep you warm :-)

Connie -
Happy New Year!
or
Gelukkig Nieuwjaar !

Hi Diana!
Gelukkig Nieuwjaar to you also!
I sure hope that's right since I wished this on 2 sweet ladies!

Lynda -
Here's the scoop - you are hearing it first...
Last night about 11 o'clock, I did something I hardly ever do. I abandoned the book I was reading. If on a Winter's Night a Traveler by Italo Calvino. Definitely not my style. I think the guy was on drugs when he wrote it. I got rid of that book like a hot potato before it contaminated 2014. So, now I am purged of all things yucky and ready for a new year. Ha.

Kath -
LOL... glad I could bring a little excitement to the end of your year.
Now I'm hoping things pick up for you!

Rhian -
Hi there! Thanks for the star and wishing you a wonderful new year :-)

Jim -
"Zombie targets! Brilliant!!"
That's what Greg thought too. He was pretty excited.
Thanks for stopping by with a welcome - AND for getting us all set up here.

Chelle -
Thanks - and the very same wished for you and Nate! Will be following you closely...

Caro -
Why yes, indeed. That excited little boy went out dressed just like that. Now you need to know, this is a boy who has screamed, cried, and complained of the cold since birth. He had very little on under his robe (part Scot?) He was very cold when he came in. As you can see though - still smiling. Crazy kid!
Happy New Year to you, too!

Gelukkig Nieuwjaar is very right! Thanks Cee.

Woohoo! I got it !

shuffling off to note on my new calendar

hahahahahaha

Wow Cee, I'm impressed!

I barely speak english... so I will just pop in to say I'm keeping up, sorta. Despite having a stalker. Fun continues !

Happy New Year, Claudia! May you stay healthy and full of good cheer. And congrats on the new year thread! I like that AAC list. Glad you are tagging along.

Happy New Year, Cee!

Happy New Year, Claudia! I love all your new pix!

Happy New Year, Cee!

Happy New Year Cee! I wish you would have ditched the Calvino book a little sooner. I just purchased a Kindle copy (cheap) the other day. On drugs eh? Sounds like Thomas Pynchon haha.

Happy New Year, Cee! Alas, I got a Zombie hunter bookmark for Christmas but no Zombie target. I guess I will need to hunt down some zombie books to aim my bookmark at, huh?! And your grandson is a cutie, by the way. No surprise there!

Connie & Diana -
I've actually been to The Netherlands! Beautiful and interesting country. I loved your colorful paper money ;-)
My SIL (sister-in-law) and BIL (brother-in-law) lived there for several years - in Leidschendam. They had a sweet little house on a canal. We rode their bikes around town and got a grand tour of the country. Had a lot of fun.

Kath -
You know English quite well. As a matter of fact, when I don't know the meaning of something, I go to you for clarification.

Mark -
Thank you - thank you for all the good wishes. I know I've expressed my opinion on Faulkner - but maybe I haven't mentioned how very much I like Cather! Looking forward to seeing what everyone picks for the AAC and what they think of it all. February should be very interesting - heh!

Joe -
A very happy new year to you, too! When I get brave I will pop into your café ;-)

Lucy -
Thanks! My very best wishes for an adventurous and happy 2014!

Jess!
Do you have a new thread?
Happy, happy new year to you and your family. Ready for more snow?

Bonnie -
Oh dear! I should have ditched that stupid book way sooner. You know, there were a few really good parts tucked in there. I bet he could write a great book if he'd get off his mind-bending drugs! :p~ I saw afterward (in someone's review) that the chapters are separate stories. Well. There certainly doesn't seem to be any connection - that's for sure. I do think there might be some thin thread of insanity holding it together. Maybe I was just trying too hard. I got it cheap for my Kindle too. But I did check the rating on LT before I bought it. Go figure. Maybe you will like it... others did.
Happiest of new years to you :-)

Mamie -
A zombie bookmark, huh? Cool. I never have gotten the urge to try a zombie book. If you have read a really good one... I'll consider it.
Greg is quite a cutie, all right. He can't decide between being a pilot or a music teacher when he grows up. I suggested he could put the plane on autopilot and see if any of the passengers wanted lessons. It would be a rockin' ride!

******************
Think I will start Shadows on the Rock by Cather tonight on my new Kindle PaperWhite. I know it's better than my old Kindle, but I haven't taken the time to read how to work it. Hit and Miss is not my style. Giving it time and patience...

Hi Cee!
I am going to steal your 2014 stats section, if you don't mind. I need to keep better running tallies of my reading.

>35 brenzi: On drugs eh? Sounds like Thomas Pynchon
.....reminding me that I still have not got back to starting The Crying of Lot 49....*sigh*

I am unable to see an archery set now without thinking of We Need to Talk About Kevin, so I shall remain silent about the top pic ;)

Happy New Year Cee, here's to a grand one!

Hiya Cee! Hope your day was grand! Nothing to add, just dropping by while I had a second. You know, before I get too far behind here!

Ha! I was just off looking for your new thread - and found it!
Did I pass you in the stratosphere somewhere?

Steal away. I stole it too - and tweaked it a bit.

Oh no. I don't even dare read the Kevin book... don't tell me.

Thanks, Megan! Same to you!

Hi Tina!
So far it's been a good year - and tomorrow we get more snow! yay!
Want some? LOL

Cee computer speak and english are two different things. I will never be as smart as you!

I think a lot of pilots put the plane on auto and then do as they please, why not music lessons? He sure is a cutie! When I see an archery set I think about.. my grandmother. It's true. She would have won in a contest with Katniss Everdeen. srsly.

Greg's zombie target - for those who need a visual,



Sorry about the sideways picture. Since it will take 2 seconds to turn a computer screen (or tilt head)... but about 2.5 hours for me to figure out how to get this rotated... it is what it is.
The white spot is a flash.

I'm afraid of guns, archery is too hard, and I no longer have a cast iron fry pan. Therefore, when it comes to self defense, I am completely helpless.

Beautiful snowy day ;-)

Happy New Year Claudia!!! Sending you Best Wishes for 2014!!

Hi Tammy!

Happiest New Year to you, too!
Got snow?

I found you!!

Happy 2014!!

Your grandson's photo reminded me of Ralphie in A Christmas Story.

Are you getting a lot of snow?

Hi Joanne!
glad you found me ;-)

We are getting lots of snow, wind and negative temps... I must have died and gone to Heaven *grin*

We had a dusting over the weekend. :( And might get a couple inches tomorrow night. :(

Enjoy!

I do NOT get your love of cold. Being a former lover of cold .. and a current hater of TOO hot.. adding in negative temps and piles of snow makes me sad :P

When I go out there at 6 or before, and have to sweep the back steps so Dunkers can get down to the yard makes me sad, and mostly.... clearing off the car makes me sad and frustrated. I can't reach! I will have to hie out there and do that in a while, because I need to go to the bank. le sigh.

Anyway... I'm glad to know that you are enjoying yourself :P
Not much to tell... just wanted to come and say hey. Then I found all this crazy talk about negative temps... brrrr.

Enjoy your crazy cold day :)

Lol, I was tempted to purchase If on a Winter's Night on my Kindle cause the price was so good. Now, I'm really glad my frugalness won over and I passed on it.

Enjoy your snowy wonderfulness and go out and make some snow angels :0)

Joanne -
I'm sorry you aren't getting enough snow... but living in CO I would expect you won't have to wait too long to get a gollywhomper!

Kath -
I don't rightly know for certain. I think I just hate heat/humidity SO much that I will take anything 'winter' with a smile. It's just so invigorating. I'm sorry to think of all your sadness in this beautiful winter wonderland. I do feel sorry for the poor little birds - they must need de-icing. But they are out there - politely taking turns at the feeders. Amazing that.
Stay safe and warm. Spring is coming.

Lynda -
Wish I had skipped that book too. I feel that LT let me down on that one. About 1200 people rated it 4 or 5 stars. Huh? Thought I was safe. Could it be me? Or are there that many LTers on drugs?
I dunno. With all the great books out there that I still have to read before I die - I refuse to spend time on that crap (my opinion). I would be interested to know what others found so great about it. *shrug*

Making snow angels sounds like it belongs on my list of things to do today! Maybe I will :-D

*******************************
I'm reading Shadows on the Rock by Willa Cather and loving her ability to evoke a strong sense of time and place. Not to mention I love everything Canadian...

May I say that I hate snow. I don't mind cold but snow.....brrrrrrrrrrrrr

I'm reading Shadows on the Rock by Willa Cather and loving her ability to evoke a strong sense of time and place. Not to mention I love everything Canadian...

Cee! I've just discovered thru AMQS that Shadows on the Rock takes place in Quebec City! We loved the area when we were there a year or two ago so now I'm really keen on adding this one to my collection, besides I enjoy Cather's writing. (off to check Kindle)

gollywhomper

Now there's a word I don't think I've ever heard, but it made me smile. Glad to hear you seem to be thoroughly enjoying yourself these days. :-)

#1 Rising Sea Levels by Hunt Janin ER win 4 stars



Whether rising sea levels can be attributed to long term patterns of climate change due to the dynamics of the earth itself or human impact, it is happening at a rapid rate. This book addresses probable causes in an impartial way. More importantly it looks at the most vulnerable locations globally for the potential for storm surges, flooding and inundation, salt water contamination, loss of life, destruction of infrastructure and more.

Within the next century (and beyond) it will be necessary to anticipate and protect against rising seas. We are beginning to solidify the scientific knowledge necessary and we have the technology. While there is little political and financial will to support the costly measures needed, little to nothing will be done.

Reading this book takes awhile to absorb all that is packed in a couple hundred pages. It is understandable, interesting, and full of information I probably should already know. I found myself reading lots of excerpts to my husband which we discussed. Sad to acknowledge that the United States is not a leader in action despite the coastlines threatened on its own shores.

What I take away from this reading is the need to educate our children in geology/climate/politics - starting now - to change attitudes, ponder ethical obligations, and encourage more ideas for protecting our planet's population, economics, security, etc. Many of the scientists who became experts in their fields had their interests and careers sparked by Geology 101 courses. In my opinion, we could start much sooner.

Recommended reading.

ETA: I might look around for higher land to move to... maybe a mountain...

Connie, Connie, Connie...
Really? You hate that beautiful light fluffy white stuff? I'm sorry you can't enjoy it. I will admit I don't like it much on the road. Being retired I usually have the option of looking at it from the warmth of my home. But even when I am in it... I love it.

Lynda -
I could swear I addressed the idea of loving to read about someplace I've been already... but I don't see it here. Maybe it's on another thread or I forgot to hit "post".
Either way, it's fun to read about a place you know - or- go to a place you've already read about. I have not been to Quebec yet. Oh how I long to go there. It's so hard to get Ron to go north. I think Maine is the edge of his comfort zone.

Pat -
We used to have a much-loved weather man years ago in CT who used that term - gollywhomper. I think he was from the Midwest somewhere. Or maybe Texas. Anyway... we still use that word a lot around here.
I may not have any reason other than mental, but I am truly happy to be out of 2013. Plus snow = happiness to me!

>44 -Cee-: I'm afraid of guns, archery is too hard, and I no longer have a cast iron fry pan. Therefore, when it comes to self defense, I am completely helpless.
I know I shouldn't laugh, but that is funny :)
I have my wits about me, and I barely leave the house without the rugrats, so I guess I am not a target.....therefore, I don't need to worry about that sort of thing. And presto! *living happier life already*

I love love love looking at snow. One of the highlights of my year last year was going to a winter wedding , snow all around and sun shining on it. But, slushy and dirty melting snow is another story altogether.

I am another Cee who likes looking at the snow; from the safe remove of a few thousand miles!

Be my guest and enjoy to your heart's content. Have a lovely weekend in the process.

Cee, that is what I hate about snow. The struggle to keep my bike on the road. I think snow is wonderful when I am safe inside the house and in pictures of far away places. But I have to go to work and I don't drive.

See, Cee :) you have other snow lovers.. I have other rain lovers.... it works out.

Self defense...I have a stabby stabber thingy that I keep by my front door. It's meant to go on your key ring, but it's too big. Not a knife mind.. it looks like a big pencil. I bought one for Amy, too... years ago.
It isn't something I worry about much... I am more concerned about my furkids and Kim and the kids.

As for books about the earth dying... you are a stronger woman than I am. But then, I knew that!

OK... now to try to catch up to myself again...

Megan -
It must be nice to have rugrat protection! Ha!
I agree about dirty snow... it's pretty sad to see. Nothing is perfect, I guess. I always wanted to have a winter wedding and wear a long hooded cape with fur trim over my gown. Everybody balked at a winter wedding though... of course, they were all thinking of driving in bad weather :(
October turned out to be nice enough - sans cape.

Paul -
Hahaha... did you say you were coming to visit us in the winter? Then you could experience the real thing!
It looks like we might get rain Monday which will wash it all away. Then Tuesday will bring even colder weather than we have had and we'll have to start all over! For now, I'm loving the pretty white stuff and having a great weekend. Hope you are enjoying the balmy tropics :-)

Connie -
I totally understand why snow would make you unhappy if you have to push a bike through it. ick! I admire that you would even attempt it. I do have to admit, being retired gives a whole new outlook on winter driving. So thankful I don't HAVE to go out in it anymore.

Kath -
I know the earth is dying ever so slowly... but the sea levels rising is not that far away and someone had better wake up to it before it's a crisis. Probably won't happen though. Luckily, I think we will escape it in our lifetime. Still... what about our kids/grands/etc? That's why I think we need to educate the kids. Now.

*************************

In an effort to read a book about CT for my cross country reading ramble, I have started Arsenic Under the Elms. It's about 2 murders of young women in New Haven - late 1800's. They made the mistake of getting pregnant under poor circumstances. The fathers apparently just did away with them before the babies were born. *sigh*

Really, I just miss elm trees :(

I like elm trees...birch, oak, etc

willow. aspen. cherry, apple and lemon

money trees!

maybe best of all!!!

lol

I'm finally caving to the meme. Wondered how it would come out for my 2013 reads.

Describe yourself: The Snow Child
Describe how you feel: Stranger in a Strange Land
Describe where you currently live: The Ice Palace
If you could go anywhere, where would you go: Through the Looking Glass
Your favorite form of transportation: The Mists of Avalon
Your best friend is: A Princess of Mars
You and your friends are: Dead Until Dark
What’s the weather like: In the Bleak Midwinter
You fear: The Running Dream
What is the best advice you have to give: Bring Up the Bodies
Thought for the day: Family Matters
How I would like to die: Beloved
My soul’s present condition: Above All Things

That's really nice.. well done!

There does seem to be a theme to my reading, huh?
C-c-cold fantasy... lol

Great meme answers.

Your second last Meme answer is guaranteed already. xx

So how goes it on the frozen tundra?

40F here today, -2 tomorrow. Fun weather.
I though I had to work tomorrow, but turns out I was wrong... so yay!

Kid call day.. recipe for disaster.

LOL .. I love your meme answers, Cee.

Hope you're managing to keep warm and toasty up in your glacial forest.

Hi Lori!
A lot of those answers are wishful thinking, of course.
I was wishing I had read World War Z for the condition of my soul... lol

Paul -
Awww... you are such a sweet talker. xx

Kath -
We are having a balmy 30 degrees today. Not as worried about the poor little birds.
Yay, is right! (for no work)
Now, Kath. You need to start the day with a positive attitude. I know you are looking disaster in the face... but... maybe you will be surprised with how well you handle it :)

Caro -
Thanks... it was kinda fun doing a meme. Never did before and had no clue how what I read last year would fit. But now I think we read what we love and what suits our character to a degree. Maybe I need to expand my horizons.
The Arctic chill has loosened up its grip a bit for a couple days. But it is still nice and cold ;-)

************************
After a few days of PC woes, I am happy as a lark that all is fixed and working! And it didn't cost me anything - thanks to a very good friend ;-)
My wish for everyone today is a completely trouble-free online experience. Happy weekend wrap-up (for those who still have part of the weekend left)!

Okay, so now I am flabbergasted: Please explain doing a meme?!?!?!

I want to do one to, cause it looks like fun!

Happy New Year, Cee. I've dropped my star and I'm looking forward to following your reading and life adventures this year. Here's to a healthy, happy and bookish 2014.

All caught up here, Cee! I LOVED your answers to the meme. Keeping you in my thoughts, as always. Hugs to you, dear.

Connie -
"A meme can be considered a mimicked theme, including simple phrases or gestures." (Wikipedia) There are other directions this can go in too.

On LT, someone may start a theme - say, picking books you read in 2013 to answer a set of questions - like I did above in #67. Everyone takes a crack at it - and it can be very funny.
I don't do them all - but I've seen this one several times and wanted to see how it would come out for me. Try it!

Judy -
Hi and Happy New Year! Your wishes are exactly what I want for the coming year - and I'm sending them back to you!

Mamie -
Many, many hugs back to you... unless it is sticky humid down there. Then, you can only have one.
But I think I saw some very cool temps heading your way?

Yep. It's actually a bit cold here right now, so perfectly safe for hugging!

May your 2014 be spectacular! Wishing you health and happiness.

OK, Mamie! Here's for you:


Hi Linda!
Exactly what I am hoping for - in my life and yours for 2014 :-)

Every time you post a photo of Loki, I smile. What an incredibly beautiful dog! How old is Loki. Naturally, your creativity in donning her with a pair of professorial set of glasses renders her older and very smart. We both know the "smart" part is natural.

Lilly drove us nuts all day today. Like a child, she wants to go outside in the yard and play. What began as a small path of dipping her paws in the snow now has turned into a race track where she flies round and round and round, barking at the air, the snow..who knows.

Linda -
Loki is almost 7 years old now. Hard to believe!
He was very keen on going out today - now that the temps are above 20 degrees. He's been making very quick trips the last few days with sub zero temps and I suspect he is anxious to make sure no one is trying to sneak by the house (out in the road). You know how walkers/joggers/trucks are... always threatening! LOL

"... barking at the air, the snow..who knows."
You are so right about that! I swear I don't know half the time either.

Just wanted to stop by Cee and check on whether you are going to be getting this latest shot of Old Man Winter. We're getting 2-3 feet of snow, temps in the 0 to -10 range and winds of up to 60 mph. Sounds like just the weather you love. LOL

Steadily dropping temps here today,to below zero so I was busy this morning putting calcium chloride from huge bag into manageable but "big enough" containers.( back porch.. big kitty litter jugs) I had asked Dan, but no luck. He has this tiny little "bucket" on the front porch that holds urea which is what he insists be used on the new sidewalk.He has the only key to the garage....and somewhere inside is where he has hidden the urea stuff. I can't fill that.. so of course I don't use it. There is never any in his wee little bucket.. I gave him a large container ( we have always kept ice melter in a litter bucket or jug) but for some reason he refuses to fill it. Anyway.. since we have steadily dropping temps coming up... I wanted ice melter . Why am I telling you this? The whole time I was digging in the salt, I was thinking of you and your driveway! lol and wondering how you manage.

I am off today... so far.

Did you see the pic I sent of Jasper? Not allowed to post his pic, per his daddy.... ( rats)

Are you getting the crazy negative temps too? Curious minds want to know....

Hi Bonnie -
We are having a most unusual day today! It is 47 degrees! Rainy - foggy - very windy! It's actually a nice break from all the extremes we've been having. Feels like spring. The future holds more cold weather. So I am not distressed at all ;-)

Hi Kath -
I expect that icy weather you are having now is coming my way :-) After awhile you just get used to driving over the snow. Ron does a great job on the driveway. He even makes sure that there is proper drainage so we don't get sheer ice.
Close call for poor DH and a stupid yahoo the other day! Ron was pulling out of a road in town, stopped at a stop sign, and one of our lovely druggie-type kids in town was turning into the same street. He was going MUCH too fast, could not negotiate the curve and headed straight for Ron. DH saw what was coming and quickly stepped on it to pull out. Luckily he got some traction and they just missed a major collision. The kid's truck had a "cow-catcher" on the front of his truck and it was heading right for Ron's (driver's) door. He wound up plowing right into a huge snow bank instead and buried himself about 5 feet into it. That surely would have been an ambulance ride for Ron. So. When Ron asked if he was ok - the kid was just pissed that he was stuck in the snow bank. I think they were both pretty shaken. I guarantee that kid has no insurance. Well, thank goodness, it is not an issue this time.
Come to think of it, driving around here can be harrowing... with the wild animals, weather, wild kids, oldsters, crazy roads, etc. Sheesh!

Jasper is so tiny and sweet... sent you back an email reply. Glad you are off today... maybe some downtime for you (reading)?

EEEK! Good on Ron for avoiding a collision. I can't imagine how harrowing it is to drive there at times. In our little burg there are a lot of deer and small animals to avoid, but surely it is 10x worse there! I never thought to factor in wildlife... or oldies...

Stay safe! Keep warm !

Oh my, that near miss with Ron sounds pretty scary. I hope he let the stupid kid dig himself out of the snowbank on his own to teach him a lesson.

My comment about the gulag stems from sheer ignorance. I'd been using the terms "siberian" and "arctic" to describe the temperatures here lately and wanting to use a different word for a change, threw out "gulag" because it brought to mind the camps in remote northern parts of Russia (I should say the USSR). But having to take Coco out for walks in such unfriendly weather conditions did feel like forced labour, so maybe it wasn't such an ignorant comment after all.

Speaking of weather, we had icy rain a good part of the day and night, so that when I took Coco for a walk last night, it was one giant skating rink out there. I see it got warmer today and looks like most of it is turned to slush at the moment, but it's going to get much colder again today and back to the skating rink with something like 100 km/h winds?? That's what my father said anyway, and exhorted me not to get out of the house if I can help it because it's dangerous out there according to him. I took him at his word before checking myself and put off tonight's acupuncture treatment for a couple of days, but I should know better than to listen to him by now (see why I say so in my answer to you on my thread).

Speaking of my thread, I'm copying here part of my reply to you:

I'm honoured that you'd like me to pick two books from my favourites of 2013 for you to read this year. I'll write my two picks here, but will also go post them on your thread in a minute.

I think you should definitely read The Power of One, because Bryce Courtenay is such an amazing storyteller and not at all well known in the States. It's a feel good story, and also part of a trilogy. I haven't read the other two books, and this one can absolutely stand alone.

The other book I think you should read is Music & Silence by Rose Tremain. I think this is an author you might enjoy very much and in this case, she's weaved a piece of historical fiction which really transcends the genre. I know I definitely want to read more work by her this year. Actually, this is true of both authors.

>67 -Cee-: Well done! I like that a lot, Cee.

Nice defensive driving by Ron. Lot of dopey and inept drivers out there. Glad it all turned out okay.

#2 Shadows on the Rock by Willa Cather completed 4.2 stars



I dearly loved this book. Simple and sweet - and a very strong sense of time and place. This is a story of colonial Quebec City (around 1700) told from the perspective of a 12 y/o girl. Motherless and daughter of an apothecary father, she is growing to understand hard lessons in a harsh environment. However, she is lucky to have a modestly comfortable home, a loving father, and a deep sense of responsibility, bravery, and charity.
Steeped in religion as the New World was, there is an emphasis on moral values, hard work, sacrifice, and kindness. It made me think of my ancestors and how they lived in that very region and time. Plenty of snowy scenes ;-)

Kath -
Well, we have no streetlights here and woods everywhere. A bit more dangerous for 4 legged wildlife - but then, we don't have little kids. Plenty warm today!

Ilana -
"I hope he let the stupid kid dig himself out of the snowbank on his own to teach him a lesson."
That was my hope too. But no. Everyone helped him get out of trouble. That's the way this town is.
I can surely imagine the ice and snow you are having there - and the danger involved with traveling over it - especially on foot. Do be careful!!!
Thanks for your two book picks for me. I like the looks of both of them :-) They are ordered and will soon be in my hot little hands. Not sure when I will read them - but I will this year.

Joe -
Thanks!
Yeah... Ron is a really good driver and a fast thinker. If I saw that coming at me I would probably be like a deer in the headlights. Probably would not believe what I was seeing. Oy.

Hey Cee. It sounds like Shadows on the Rock worked really well for you! That's great!

>67 -Cee-: Describe yourself: The Snow Child
haha- no kidding ;)

Thought for the day: Family Matters
How I would like to die: Beloved
I like those two :)

>90 -Cee-: aw maaaan. This looks good. And this once, I forgot to put my blue-blockers one. *sigh*

With all of the downsides, that are really only downsides during a small part of the eyar, I still think you live in paradise...

And yea, I figured Ron helped to dig the kid out. sigh.

So, work today, but only 12-5. The walk home should be fun...they are saying -13 or so when it's time to come home. Pointless to take the car, as parking for us is 2 blocks away in the opposite direction, so makes more sense to just suck it p for 10 minutes...instead of the walk, warming up the car, if it doesn't freeze locked, and worry and the if it starts! Then if it doesn't... have to walk home anyway!not worth it.

I can't believe that the fireplace isn't working. Again. I am feeling a bit cursed these days.

Hi, Cee! Happy reading to you. I love your meme answers.

Yaaaaay! I'm home.. everything ok away up there? Do you have power and stuff?

Hi Tina!
Yup. Shadows on the Rock did work really well for me. Probably not for everyone - but then, what book is? I just love Willa Cather's style. I hate when the story ends - but at least it is not left up in the air. She wraps things up very nicely.

Megan -
So you have Blue-blockers also! I think I misplaced mine. It's so hard to get through LT without them!

Kath -
You are right... there really are so few downsides here. They are small and only serve to highlight the good stuff. I love my home.
"I am feeling a bit cursed these days."
You can't think that way. You are woman and you will win over all.
Glad Dan kicked in and fixed the fireplace. Sad he couldn't be nice about it.
Try to do something you really enjoy today. Then let me know how it went ;-)

Hi Terri,
Thanks. It came out better than I thought.

****************************
Busy day yesterday... out and about. And, guess what? When I got home I was NOT totally exhausted! I am getting some energy back - yay! I feel great.

I hope everyone will forgive me if I am scarce around here now and then. This is the time of the year I love to read more since I have more downtime. I could spend it all on LT but the prolific threads are overwhelming me. Right now I have a bunch of books that are calling to me. As we all do, I know. But I am now in a stronger mood to read. I guess it is the opposite of being in a funk. What would that be called? In a passion?

Yay! Cee is getting back her energy. Which room is to be redecorated next my dear?

Hi Paul,
I will need to pick up where I left off on the hall and living room. Maybe in a few more weeks. Have to get psyched up for it all over again. It's a big room and I kind of forget where I was going with it. Would like to wait till it's a little warmer so I can open the windows some while I'm painting, etc.

If I could make it to Maine, Cee, I'd really like to see that bathroom with the un-frosted panes giving full aspect to the waterways below and of the waterways created therein no doubt. xx

Silly, Paul. The water out back has essentially no traffic - except for wildlife. Maybe a few kayakers in the summer... mostly not. And, for super-modest company, we do have blinds that pull down. Really, it's not quite as risqué as you imagine.

I just living out in the middle of nowhere... nice and peaceful.

It is the wildlife I talking of.

The Limerick of Cee's Bathroom

When the crane cranes the neck elongated
to view the pisser at unfrosted window congregated
it will give avian peepers check
to no longer crane that neck
and the pisser'll think he should've waited.

xx

LOL, Paul!
But in response, another giggle...

There ARE some quite shy at the window
Who crouch down in poses so low...
Scrunching to pee
So nature won't see
The sight of their body. Oh hell no!

xx

LOL, I love the poetic duel going on here!

Actually my sister once lived in a house where there was no curtain on the bathroom window and although it was at the side of the house, one felt quite exposed in there and manys the time that I scrunched!

Hahaha Cee bettered by a lady is a nice thing to be.

Yay for reading Cee!

Hi Judy!
I have to admit, when we first moved here - I was a bit bashful myself. Out back of our house is woods and the cove. Some wildlife, no people (and no easy way for people to even get there). My SIL was so skittish about it when she visited that we installed the blind for her.

Paul -
Don't get me going over here. I used to drive my Mom nuts making up limericks and poems when I was a kid. Once in 7th grade, we had an assignment to write an original poem. I did so, asked my Mom for ideas of what rhymed with what - otherwise it was truly my own creation. When I read it to the class the teacher (and many of the kids) accused me of copying it from somewhere. I swore I didn't - but got a failing grade anyway. Back in the day before Google - where she could have checked it to see if it existed anywhere and I would have been exonerated. Ah well.

Ilana -
My sentiments exactly!

*********************
Grocery day - then reading!

Hi there, Snow Child, aka Claudia or Cee…a very belated Happy New Year to you, my Dear. May your ground be white until spring and your books written by authors not on drugs. I've always been puzzled by the title of the Calvino book but I figured if I couldn't make sense of the title then I should stay away from the book! The picture of grandson Greg exemplifies Christmas and the fact that Christmas is indeed for kids! Love it.

We need to get together in a cozy room with a big blazing fire, and have Paul and Cee in a poetry slam. That was brilliantly funny!

So has this become PoetryThing?

I am in a room with a fire and a cat or two or...
Well ...anyway, and Dunkers. What did you make for dinner?

Poetry and limerick making are talents I do not possess a single ounce of. Good going lady! Paul we already knew about obviously. More please!

Hi Claudia, your post about having more energy and being in a passion made me smile and then your poem made me laugh. Glad you're feeling so well these days!

I love me some limericks. :-)

Have a wonderful weekend, Cee!

Well. You just never know what will happen when you're feeling good! Today, I'm on my way to CT again. Because I can! *grin*

Granddaughter Sam is celebrating her birthday with a small group of friends at Disney on Ice and there was an extra ticket. She called and asked me if I would come. (What a sweetie!) It didn't take me long to say yes. So, I'll be off shortly.

Hi Donna -
Thanks for stopping by with so many good wishes.
I am happy to see all the beautiful grands in your life... and now new Hope! Your year will be filled with a special happiness :-)
Yup. Something about the joy and excitement of kids that make Christmas so much fun.

Caro -
Ha! Glad you got a chuckle out of it. I just couldn't resist.
Can we have some yum snacks and wine with that fire?

Kath -
I as gonna make meatloaf for Ron and stuffed peppers for me. I even bought a small loaf pan for Ron's meatloaf. I haven't had stuffed peppers since the dinosaurs roamed the earth. And I still haven't. Decided to make a larger meatloaf so Ron will have some leftover while I am gone. Ach weel...
Wish I had a fireplace ;-)

Ilana -
I haven't "done" poetry is so long. Not a desire anymore. Had my wings clipped by a teacher - as in #107 note to Paul. And what do you know? I survived anyway ;-)

Pat -
It's such a great feeling to have energy again. I'm sure you must remember. I was beginning to think I was just plain lazy and addicted to sleep. The mental and physical states of being are so interrelated. When they are both good - it's a blessing :-)

****************
It just started snowing. Hmmm. Looks like a messy ride ahead. My car could win a prize for dirtiest car on the road already. Not supposed to amount to much. I have all day and will take it slow.
CT has lots of car washes. Maybe I will treat CBRZE (that's my Subaru).

ETA: OOPS! Hi Diana! Limericks can be fun. They're pretty easy to rattle off unless you pour fancy thoughts and language into them - like Paul. I'm not that sophisticated. Nice to see you! Have a great weekend yourself... mine will be a treat ;-)

Have a wonderful time in CT and be careful out there. I love that you car is named CBRZE!

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

Hi Cee....lurking lurking...still alive here in Baltimore caregiving 89 yo mom, but no time to start my new thread…haven’t even wrapped up my 2013 stats, but I stop by 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.

Keep the roads clear until I can get safely home!!!

Dear Cee,

get together in a cozy room with a big blazing fire, and have Paul and Cee in a poetry slam.

Sounds delightful I must say!

Delightful Cee from coastal Maine
Couldn't get rhymes off her brain
The ordering of words
Both smart and absurd
Were posted without thoughts of gain

Hurried onto your thread
By a no longer young man in dread
To see what you'll compose
That'll knock him comatose
Or inspire and delight him instead

Have a lovely weekend, my dear. xx

Briljant!!

Glad you like it Connie. You still don't have a thread?

Not in this challenge, Paul! I'm in the ROOT challenge.

http://www.librarything.nl/topic/162056

I'll go over there and root you out there then Connie.

Sorry for the heavy handed punning Cee and good early morning to you.

Glad you are having a good time with family... :)
hugs

Are you home yet?

Hi Claudia, just dropping by to see what you're up to. I did see your note to Paul, but hadn't realized that had scarred you for life. I was always suspected of plagiarism when I handed in essays in high school and then college, but that wasn't reflected in my grades thankfully as I would have been very much wronged. I chose to take it as a compliment!

>107 -Cee-: accused me of copying it from somewhere. I swore I didn't - but got a failing grade anyway.
That is a crime- a crime I say! If I were you I'd contact the school and demand a review of you grade.

Glad you are reading more now- that is my goal too.

*waving* at Claudia

I love the poems back and forth, Paul and Cee!!! They've made me giggle repeatedly on this thread "catch up."

(((Cee)))--- how are you feeling dear friend??

Waiting patiently for a road trip report :)
hugs

You just never know what will happen when you're feeling good! Today, I'm on my way to CT again. Because I can! *grin*

Cee, I'm just so very happy that you are out and about and enjoying life to the fullest. You go girl!!

Cee my dear; where are you?

Oh yikes!
How nice to see visitors were here ;-)

Thanks for keeping my poor thread warm Pat, Tutu Tina, Paul, Connie, Kath, Ilana, Megan, Stasia, Georgia Tina, and Lynda !

I had a great time in CT - and I came home last night exhausted... in a good way! Went to see Disney on Ice with the kids, helped Bridget with her baking (my job was doing the dishes), went to B&N and bought a book !!! (we don't have any good bookstores around here anymore), and got new windshield wipers that were much needed. Hmmm - that's pretty bad when I get excited over windshield wipers :-\
Plus... we played games and had the fireplace going a lot ... which I appreciated cuz I don't have one. I got to hear Greg's sax practice for a recital and watch Sam's ice skating lessons.

I only bought one book - Dune which I got in the mood to re-read because the kids were being admonished for using too much water in the shower. I'd have to say that was a life changing book for me. I read it when I was a teen and was impressed by the water conservation needed. It made me think. So. When I finish it - I will pass it on to the kids to read. Heh.

Oh dear - I am never gonna catch up. I'll have to just jump in where I am on other threads after skimming. I've never done that before. Hope I don't say something stupid or insensitive. Please forgive me if I do.

*****************
My spirit was restless and yearning to roam
Over snow-covered hills for love.
But ah, to return to the woods of home
And the tide spilling into the cove.

Welcome home, Claudia! And I love your poem. How have we never known about this talent of yours until now?

Glad you are back and had a good time! Duin might be the book (and the series) that made me love Fantasy/SF.

Lots of fun stuff here...... I am sorry you hated the Calvino - like a number of contemporary writers (Borges, Buzzati come to mind) he was into what I guess one would have to call 'metafiction' - exploring the relationship between the reader and writer, the space in between, the artifice of story versus the organic quality of actual life.... When you read about it, it can all sound ridiculous! And sometimes, when reading the stuff it also starts to feel ridiculous, a game that clever people are playing with words and concepts instead of just buckling down to write a good story!!! Why bother!!!???

I am susceptible to that sort of playing around - not always - but sometimes with some writers, I love being pushed off balance. The nice thing about Calvino is that he doesn't get nasty. He was obsessed with Italy's folklore - Italian Fairytales is a labor of love. I don't think he did any drugs although being Italian he probably drank a lot of espresso!!!

I too sometimes think about the water conservation aspect of Dune!!!

Welcome home, Cee!

Dune was a biggie for me, too. Besides the desert life and water conservation, I loved the revelation at the end involving Paul's paramour Chani and the narrator, Princess Irulan.

Pat -
Thanks!
Poetry is not much of a talent for me. Just a little fun sometimes.

Connie -
I know I loved Dune when I read it first. Enough so I want to re-read it. It's been so long, it will probably seem like a first reading again ;-) I'll have to try really hard to squeeze it in. There's so much I need to read first and have already started.

Lucy -
If I were being tutored by someone knowledgeable in the Calvino, I would no doubt get a lot more out of it. It hit me like a flying rhino (so to speak) - totally ridiculous! I stood it as long as I could. I guess I feel the need to read a good story or some interesting NF more than I need to explore and experiment with literature. *shrug* I can see where you would like it. It must help to know what the author is trying to do ;-)

Joe -
Hi! and thanks.
Right now, I no longer remember the end of Dune. So, for you to tell me how great it is gives me even more reason to re-read. I'm big on endings.

*******************
Two ladies in town took me out to lunch today to celebrate my good health! Had a great time and now need another nap. I have to stop getting up early :p~
Frankly, I think I'm still recovering from high levels of young family activity.

Cloudy and quiet around here. Perfect for reading/snoozing while the 'coming-back-from-vacation-wash' is going...

I didn't mean to, but I started another Willa Cather - One of Ours. What an excellent book! This may wind up being my favorite of hers. There are so many quotable passages (descriptive, philosophic, poetic). Not being much of a typist I will see if I can find a short one to share. She is so amazing.

It's a clever ending, Cee. I imagine you'll have fun re-visiting the book. I'd like to do the same some day.

Sounds like you're tired out from too much fun Claudia. The best kind of tired, in other words. xx

Did you read the whole series, Bahzah?

Hi Cee!

There used to be a great bookstore in Brunswick. I can't remember the name and google is only leading me to The Gulf of Maine bookstore. I don't think that is it. Not sure if you drive past Brunswick but it wasn't that far off the highway

Joe -
And to think... I will be able to enjoy Dune all over again just because Sam's shower was too long!

Ilana -
You got that right! Fun can be exhausting! I remember after vacations I used to look forward to going back to work to relax a bit ;-) I work hard. I play hard. I rest completely.

Connie -
I'm not sure. I know I read up to Children of Dune (first trilogy), but I think there are more now? I hate to start another series - but... well... it's so good! Have you read them?

Jess!
Hi there!
When we first moved here, there was a rockin' bookstore in Brunswick (Cook's Corner) called Bookland. We loved that store. Everyone went there. They had new and used books, magazines, local crafts, and an awesome cafe. Great prices. Great staff. It was independently owned. Then Borders moved in and put them out of business. Then Borders went out of business and now we have nothing of decent size. We go to Brunswick a lot, as well as Bath, for just about everything.

Hi Cee, glad to see you're home. I usually need to rest up after spending an amount of time with my grandchildren, they have so much energy it's hard to keep up. I just finished One of Ours and enjoyed it very much, of course, my first Willa Cather love is still My Antonia that book really blew me away.

Hi Cee! Catching up over here. Sounds like you have been enjoying yourself. You are reminding me that we have Dune on the shelves, and I have never read it. I have just started my first Cather - Death Comes for the Archbishop, and am liking it so far.

Wishing for you a Friday that is full of fabulous!

I love your poem about home :)
Glad you got to see the family, and that you are now relaxing from the.....intensity of it all!

> Bahzah

According to my LT List I've read 5 books

Duin
Duin messias
Kinderen van duin
God-keizer op duin
Ketters van duin

All of them got ****

I have read them way back in the 1980's

Hi - welcome home! I've got Dune coming up on one of my lists and I'm pretty excited about it.

Nice little verse above dear lady. Hope the energy levels are up and that your weekend will be a productively wonderful one.

Hi Judy!
I'm a little nervous that the second half of One of Ours might not be as astounding as the first half - based on a few comments I read around LT. I hope that is not true as I am in love with this book so far. I read My Antonia! so long ago, I'm afraid I simply MUST re-read it.

Hi Mamie -
I'm having a hard time getting around to all my starred threads after being away for a week. My fabulous Friday will be a trip to Portland to visit Sam's and stock up on paper goods. I'm hoping to squeeze in a nice early supper out :-)
Glad you are liking Cather.

Megan -
Thanks. While I enjoy (and need) my easy lifestyle in retirement, I occasionally need a shot of "intensity". It does my heart good! If I lived any closer, it might kill me - LOL!

Connie,
The first book of Dune was published in 1965. I know I read it in High School and I graduated in 1966. So, I must have read the first three books when they first came out. I never knew there was more. I think I'm getting in deeper than ever now.

Hi there Amber!
I'm glad you are going to read Dune. Seems like I'm not the only one that loved it. The fact that I can remember anything about it speaks volumes. Hope you enjoy ;-)

Paul -
Energy levels are up; heart is full; reading is all good stuff lately. What more could I ask for?
We're supposed to get a bit more snow this weekend - so it will be wonderful. Productive? Well. Maybe... at least on the reading front.
Hope your weekend is relaxing and lovely... many of us in Maine would love a nice warm beach and tropical trees right about now.

Bahzah, my Dune is a fifth (here I'm not sure which word to use: when all books are sold out and they print a few thousand more?) reprint/pressing? from 1978. I was 25 at that time.

When you search LT for Frank Herbert there is lots more Dune.

Your words are fine. I might have used the word "edition" - but I don't know if that implies something/anything was changed about the book or not. Anyway, I know what you mean.
I did see there is lots more Dune. I wonder if they are also good? Do you know?

You are the same age as my little sister! Not so little anymore, ha!

Ohh, I like to be someone's little sister. I've always been the big one! (and I mean years, not size)

I've read 5 Dune books, but I really don't know anything about how i felt about them. I only know my brother and I played DUNE on the PC in the early 1980.

Cee, I had a wonderful time watching Lilly this afternoon. The deer who live in the woods in the back of our were on the hill. Lilly sat still, did not bark and observed them as they watched her.

Not so though when the neighborhood cat happened to approach the deck. She went crazy chasing the cat.

I added Shadows on the Rock to the tbr pile. Willa Cather seems to be very popular throughout the threads.

I hope your trip to Sam's club and dinner is relaxing.

Did you always live in Maine? Your setting sounds so lovely.

Ok, Connie - you can be lil' sis!
I know how you feel. I was always the oldest - way too much responsibility :p~

Hi Linda!
Loki barks like crazy at deer unless I am holding him and we both gaze at them from a distance. Since he has grown up with a cat in the house, it does not make him crazy. As matter of fact, Woolly always chases him and he loves it!
Willa Cather is popular right now because she is January's American Author in Mark's challenge. Her writing is top-notch. I think you will like Shadows on the Rock a lot.

*****************
I just finished One of Ours by Willa Cather. Excellent!

Now I have to give another author a chance around here... back to The Brothers Karamazov and Love Songs From a Shallow Grave

Cee, so glad you liked One of Ours. I am probably in the minority, but I liked the voyage across the ocean and the time in France during WWI better than Claude's earlier years in Nebraska.

I'm also happy that you have high energy, a full heart, and good books. Life is good!

#5 One of Ours by Willa Cather 4.5 stars



This book grabbed me from the beginning to the end. I loved it. The first half of the book follows a young man, Claude, with no self confidence and looking for direction in life. Everything he tries seems to go wrong for him and causes him enormous anguish. He is loved or ridiculed by family and friends. He should have many opportunities considering his position, but they never really materialize for him. He considers himself a total failure.

The second half focuses on Claude's escape from the family farm, taking chances, and finding his strength and abilities. Life slowly becomes meaningful for him in ways he never had expected.

Cather's astonishing ability to develop characters is delightful. Her writing is beautifully clear and she treats the everyday in profound ways. Even though I have read and loved her books a long time ago, my own aging and life experience has added a new dimension in comprehension as I re-read these gems.

Hi Donna!
I read comments here on LT about One of Ours and feared after loving the first half I would not find the second half to measure up.
On the contrary, I loved the whole thing. I was not disappointed at all. Cather's descriptions are so sensitive and startling. I still think this is my favorite Cather so far.

I think I read someone had written they thought the war was glamorized in this book? But I think that the earth, nature, hope, and certain individuals were held in high esteem - despite the war. I like that the focus was not so very much on violence and cruelty. Though it was mentioned, it was not overwhelming. I don't think that was her goal.

Hey, big sister! Happy Saturday.

And I know all about having responsibility. I have 2 sisters and 1 brother (2 - 4 - 7 years younger). My mother died a week before I turned 15 and my father died when I was 24. So that meant a lot of responsibility and taking care of the younger kids and housekeeping.

Good morning Cee. Hope all is well there in the snowy north. It's so weird, my friend Jo expects to make a trip up there to bring her mom home... as soon as she can get her in somewhere here. AND my friend FAith, who is back working at the same Vet clinic (which is where I met her) Left for Maine yesterday to get her mom.... everyone is heading north but me :P

I have been upright long enough so I am now able to breathe without coughing.. yay!
I work 10-5 today..... Dunkers must know, as he is firmly planted across the doorway already.

Have a good'un~

hugs

Happy Saturday Cee! Glad to hear that you had a good time with your family and that you are getting your energy back!
Enjoy your reading time :)

Great review of One of Ours, Claudia. I may have to track that one down. But first I need to get to O Pioneers! since I already own it.

Going to have to give Will Cather another try, I think. The evidence is stacking up in her favour.

>156 -Cee-: - Another great review of One of Ours - I really, really need to read it. Glad you loved it!

Hi, Cee! So glad to read of you restored energy and reading enjoyment.

Hi Cee

Book land is the name of the bookstore I was thinking of. I visited there a few times when I moved to Portland, but I haven't been there in years. Sad to hear they went out of business.
My two favorite local stores are Longfellow in Portland and Nonesuch Books in South Portland. I keep hoping they stay around, so I try to go there when I can. Unfortunately, my town does not have ANY bookstores
:(

Bookland is a good name for a bookstore. Too bad they are closed :( so what is on your agenda for the day? Just snuggling in under the snow and relaxing? Me too.

Hi Everyone!
What a beeeeutiful snowy day. This has been a truly pretty winter around here this year.

Connie -
I have only had about half life's responsibility that you carried. My Dad died when I was 15, but my Mom is still living at 90. I only had one sister (5 years younger) that I had to take care of while Mom worked. Lots of housekeeping/cooking/sewing in my young life - maybe why I am so sick of it now! Come let me give you a restful hug, little sister {{Connie}}.
And you are still bicycling to work. Will you get a chance to retire someday?

Kath -
I think I can accommodate you - if you want to come to Maine and take a mother back with you - heh.
Bookland was the absolute BEST! It was a Friday night destination for many... and it was always buzzing with activity and full of book love. I'm still upset it got forced out of business.
Today is so pretty I just want to stare out the windows. I should go for a walk.

Chelle -
If you are getting the awesome snow we are, your furkids must be bounding around in joy. There is a squirrel in the trees jumping among the branches right now - completely fearless and knocking the snow off in small avalanches. If only I had that kind of courage ;-)

Pat -
I'm not sure why I love Cather's writing so much. Maybe because she is not trying to scare, intimidate, or shock the reader. I can relate to her characters and she makes me want to go everywhere she writes about. Her style is surely not for everyone. It is profound in simple ways which may not be enough for some. Or maybe it is. I'm actually surprised at how many are loving her works. There's always an element of the Catholic religion woven in and surprisingly it does not put me off.
I should re-read O Pioneers. I don't remember much and get it mixed up with My Antonia. 50 years can mess up your memory - lol.

Megan -
Cather's writing is not dark or edgy. It is simple and explores the hardness of life and its impact on the human spirit and hope. I hope you can find a book of hers that resonates with you. I know she wrote a lot of books and not all about pioneers and colonial times. I have just not read them yet so I can't say if they are just as good.

#156: I get to dodge that particular BB, Claudia, as I have already read it. Glad to see you enjoying Cather!

Cait!
Hi there...
Can't agree my 'reviews' of anything are so great - I just felt compelled to throw in my quick two cents. However, if it makes you want to read this book even more - yay! Go for it :-)
I could probably spend the rest of my year exploring all Cather's many writings, but my other books/authors are getting jealous and want some attention. Ha!

Terri -
I'm sure you can imagine my glee at having energy kicking back in and winter downtime for reading! A winning combination in my book.
I'm not doing so good with visiting threads though. And when I do it's mostly lurking at this point. I feel a bit guilty about this. I do love keeping up with everyone and I feel selfish hoping everyone will visit me instead. There's only so much reading my eyes will do before rebelling on me.

Advice for the youngsters out there: Don't wait till you are old and retired to do all your reading. You can't necessarily count on having the same clear and hardy eyesight you are blessed with in your youth.

Hi Jess -
I used to work right across the street from Longfellow Bookstore. I loved that place, too. I have not heard of Nonesuch Books though. Where is that in S Portland?
Our town has a little general store. That's it. There are some books there by local authors - but I already have them all. The Bath library has a used book store just down the street run by volunteers. I can sometimes find a few gems in there. But it is tiny. Really I feel the pinch of not having a good bookstore inside of 50 miles :(
Thank goodness (for me) for Amazon.

Hi Stasia!
You must be on break lately. It's good to see you around :-)

Ya know, I've read some Cather in my youth. It seems I am getting a whole new appreciation for her writing now. She didn't happen to write anything on Texas, did she? I need to read something for your state on my cross-country thread. If I can fill in Texas, I'll be doing a grand thing ;-)

JANUARY 19, 2014
Is today beautiful, or what?

Back cove:

Never saw the snow ring the birdbath like this before.
Cool, huh?

Beautiful.Absolutely beautiful! Looks cold. brr

I must be getting old, I am thinking how nice spring will be...

It's a-coming! Never fear.

Gorgeous! Thanks for sharing those photos, Cee! No snow here, so I will just enjoy some of yours!

Hi Big Sis!

Love the photo's but I'm so glad the roads here are free of snow (infact everything is free of snow). I only like snow in the xmas-break when I don't have to go anywhere.
And yes I cycle to work. I can't drive! And If I could, we should need a second car, because Hubbie needs the car every day to get to his school (1,5 hour drive and back of course).
Retirement: Not any time soon! Due to the crisis we probably have to work till age 67 but i'm not complaining. I like my job and I don't like housekeeping! To much of that in my teens, just as you said!

Thanks for the {{hug}}. (just figured out the meaning of the brackets!)

What a great endorsement of One of Ours, Cee! I'd not heard of it before the AAC. Onto the WL it goes.

Beautiful pictures of your snow Cee. We rarely have snow like that so I do like to look at it.

Love the snow pictures, especially because I know how much you love snow!

What incredible snow photos!

Hi Cee

I love the pictures! I haven't gotten a chance to go outside and enjoy this fresh snow we have due to a sick toddler. But your pictures are wonderful.

Nonesuch Books is located in the Mill Creek plaza, just over the Casco Bay bridge. They have other stores in Scarborough and Biddeford, but I love the SoPo one the best. Some crafty items, some used books, a great sale table and friendly staff. It is not as big as Bookland was, but still a cozy place to visit.

Beautiful snow photos Claudia.

I can see why you're a fan of Willa Cather's, because I just picked up O Pioneers! last night and got drawn right in. So cool that she has a girl take on the role of head of the family, and this in the 1880s!

Surprised to get so much positive feedback on snow pictures ;-)
I guess many of you are just glad it's here - not where you are.
The wind is picking up now. I'm thinking the trees will be bare in the morning. Ah well - nice while it lasted.

Mamie -
Glad you like the snow - at least in pictures. I love the great shots you post, so this is my small offering in thanks ;-)

Little Sis -
Well... don't worry about retirement yet - you are still young !. Loving your job is a big plus. I just checked out your pictures in your gallery. You have a lovely family and a beautiful home - and books! wow - lots of books! I approve. *grin*

Joe -
I know, huh? This AAC is great (she says in the very first month).
I love the nudges I get from LTers to read what I might have otherwise overlooked. I think you will like One of Ours.

Rhian -
Glad to oblige with snowy pictures for those who are not as fortunate as I - hahaha! We were only supposed to get 1-2 inches of light snow. We actually got about 6 inches of "flurries"! woohoo

Pat -
Thanks. Snow pictures for me are like pictures of tropical Hawaii for most others. Lovely!

Linda -
It seems I take the same shots every time it snows. I need to branch out a bit and look for more unique opportunities. I found myself just staring at the snow from every window of my house today. Glad I have a lot of them!

Jess -
Sorry your little boy is sick - and with all this exciting snow to play in :(
Hope you don't catch anything from him and that he gets better really quickly.
Thanks for the location on Nonesuch Books. I'll have to swing by there when we get to Portland again.

Hi Ilana!
Thanks.
Cather does not overlook the sacrifices and strength of women in hard times. It's so easy to immerse myself in her stories. I also love that they are not 500+ pages long - yet are complete and satisfying.

I love snow in person, too, Cee. We just don't get any down here in Georgia.

Oh! Well, Mamie ... maybe I could sent you a cooler full of nice, fresh, white snow. I think we have one from Omaha steaks around here... need to get some dry ice... and send priority!

LOL!

Hi Cee. I really do need to read One of Ours. I love your snow pictures! We were up in the mountains last week and got snowed on quite a bit - there was about 3 ft on the ground by the time the sun finally came out.

I see you went to a Disney on Ice Show - one of my son's very best friends from high school is a skater in the show and I know the troupe she's in is currently touring the east coast. I wish I knew which characters she's skating now. Anyway, she's been living the dream of every little girl who loves to skate...apropo of nothing...

Have a great week!

Great snow shots.....I was gone all day to Portland, and by the time we got home it was dark so it looked really spectacular with just the headlights shining on the road and trees, but didn't show up well in the pic I took. Great day to stay home and read.

I agree the the snow is quite pretty, but with 8 more inches this weekend and no sight of the actual ground since November, I'm getting a bit sick of the stuff. Sigh.

Hi big Sis - I'm so glad you approve. I love them all too. The family, the books and the house!

Your pictures are beautiful, Cee. You obviously live in a very scenic area. We are having a fairly mild winter, which is what I prefer, but I love to look at pictues of the white stuff.

I enjoyed your review of One of Ours although I think you may have had more sympathy for Claude than I.

Just a quick hello.....and hope you are ok with power and so on?

Joanne -
You are so right about skating for Disney on Ice being a dream come true for little girls who love to skate. They all did a marvelous job. Boys too. They all looked so very young and happy. My granddaughter is taking skating lessons and loves it - which is why we took her to the show for her birthday. She and her friend were enthralled.

Tutu Tina -
I know what you mean about headlights in the trees. Everything is so dark with no streetlights and you feel like you are driving through a forest wonderland. I love it too, but I never thought of taking a picture of it. Now I know it won't work... so I won't bother. The mental picture is one that lingers.

Amber -
I know people get sick of snow quick. It makes life inconvenient when you have to get out in it. I usually have had enough in about March when it looks dingy/filthy and I'm getting ready to see flowers in everyone else's yard. They don't grow in mine :(

Connie -
:-)
I noticed you sort your books by read and unread. I've been thinking about that. It would make it easier when I scan the books for what to read next. But my first inclination is to go by author so I can find them when I want to.

Judy -
Yup. Scenic is everywhere around here. Part of the criteria for buying. I want to enjoy nature not listen to people much.
I do have sympathy for Claude and everyone who cannot find what they are meant to do. I had a job I hated for a long time. It was hell.

Kath -
I have plenty of power. No problems there. Things were blinking a bit when it was windy but that is very common around these parts.
Healing hugs... hope you feel better in the morning.

*****************************
Well.
I know. That's a deep subject.
I hoped to read 6 books in Jan and I have... just not the six I had hoped for. Still working on it though.
Just finished Arsenic Under the Elms by Virginia McConnell.

#1 Arsenic Under the Elms: Murder in Victorian New Haven by Virginia A. McConnell 3.5 stars



I wanted to pick a book for Connecticut as part of my cross country challenge that I started a long time ago. This was different from what I am used to reading. It's a true crime story (actually there were 2 crimes) that took place in New Haven, CT in the 1800's. Both crimes were murders of young women, presumably by men they knew.

The most amazing thing about reading this book was finding out how very primitive the judicial system and procedures were at that time. Inquest jurors were expected to gather evidence and witness accounts on their own time and at their own expense. Tests that would have been helpful were not yet developed - or were just being understood by experts but not the public. Bribery was rampant. Attitudes of class hung heavy over victims who were poor. Evidence and testimonies were so muddled much of it became useless and severely crippled justice in both cases.

Autopsies were conducted in the backyard, living room, barn, whatever was convenient. Bodies were exhumed several times to get more information. Tests on organs took time that delayed trials or the judge would give orders to proceed without the results. It was all so crude compared to what is available today.

These were Victorian times. Gender roles heavily influenced the proceedings. Newspaper reporters of all persuasions published what they heard and saw at the trials with subjective slants. In Connecticut at this time there were no recorders during the trials. Witnesses kept changing their stories and there was nothing to refer back to what they had said previously.

All in all, this was interesting to a degree - and in a subject I generally don't know much about. The author did a good job gathering material and her writing was clear and readable. Of course her conclusions were her own.. very plausible... but too late to pursue or prove.

I am about to start book #7 I think... that is #7 for the year so far, but not a single one was challenging or anything but enjoyable. The Non Fic was a wee bit sad, but most books on that subject are. Today? Fluff that I am surprised to have requested? Dunno.

Anyway. I am here and typing and that's a plus...

xo

yay for you!

I need to read more of The Brothers Karamazov now. I don't really want to - as I have other books whining on the shelf for attention. But... it's for my RL book club that is coming up soon and there are a lot of pages to get through. *heavy sigh*

GAK. I didn't like the sound of that one when it was spiraling around LT a few years ago... I wish you the gift of speed reading for the day....Hopefully you will like it ...

Hi big Sis,

Yes, I do seperate read and unread in my bookcases but within that separation they are also sorted alfabetically. So I can find anything if necessary, almost blindly.

Your snow photos are beautiful, Cee!

Oh...pictures of snow...now where have I seen that before....oh yeah....every single day when I look out my window LOL. This winter can't end soon enough and it's still January. Gah!

I will look forward to reading One of Ours in March because you make it sound mighty good. I've read three of Cather's books and loved them all.

Glad to hear your energy's returning.

The most amazing thing about reading this book was finding out how very primitive the judicial system and procedures were at that time.
That aspect of the book does sound very interesting. I found that when I read a book set in my city, 40 years ago, the behaviour of police and the way the courts operated fascinatingly different (and prejudicial) .
So I'd imagine 100-150 years ago things would have been quite primitive.

Arsenic under the Elms sounds interesting, just because of the state of "forensics" at the time. Makes me think it's somewhat easier to write convincing historic mysteries than modern mysteries. So much more room for error or questions! So inquest jurors, those are chosen just the same way as trial jurors, right? So they've got no motivation except perhaps curiosity or pride to go looking for more evidence? I'll bet a lot of murders were never tried then. Geez! Easy to knock off a wife or pregnant girlfriend then!

Oh, it is just so good to come to your thread and see you feeling good and living life! I LOVE IT!!! It just makes me so very happy!!!

The snow pictures are truly breath taking, by the way! You've been taking lessons from Abby, huh?? ;)

Cee, sounds like you had a good time with the kid and grandkids. Look at all that snow! Looks like we'll be reading The Hamlet together next month, if the library can be persuaded to cough up its sole copy for me.

Yoo hoo.

Ceeeeeeeee ~ where are you? Are you out making snow angels? Are you baking pies?

Miss your smiling posts...

Oh...pictures of snow...now where have I seen that before....oh yeah....every single day when I look out my window LOL.

I see snow, too . . . and shovel it . . . but for some reason Cee's snow looks prettier than my snow.

Kath -
I have to admit 'The Brothers K" is much easier to read than "War and Peace"... a bit more interesting, too. Just barely. I wish those Russians would pick one name and stick to it!
No angels:(
No pies :(

Little Sis -
Waving across the Atlantic to you!

Terri -
Thanks. This has been a great winter so far. Every time the snow starts to melt, more comes! Yay!

Bonnie -
Aren't you glad you are retired now and don't have to drive in the snow so much?

Megan -
Seeing how bad things were handled 100 years ago, I'm glad I live now. Wonder what it will be like 100 years from now and they will think we are primitive?

Hi there Katie!
Your poodle is adorable! One of my favorite breeds because they are so lovable ;)
1880s in CT: inquest jurors were many times just people who happened to be on hand (on the scene, at the autopsy, political choices, etc). They all seemed quite prejudiced and had agendas. It didn't seem to matter much whether there was a trial. It seemed to be a grand form of entertainment. Looks like murderers got away with, ah... murder quite often.

Hi Tina -
It took a lot for me to feel better - but if it makes you that happy, it was worth it! lol
I think al snow pictures are gorgeous. How can you go wrong with Mother Nature?

Roni,
I'm getting my book The Hamlet from the library too. Wouldn't want to spend any more $$ on Faulkner books :p~ Still, I'm hoping this one is decent. We'll see.
Our library didn't even have one copy. Has to be imported from somewhere else.

ACK! The dreaded ( by me ) ILL for The Hamlet?
I hope you enjoy it.... ? I will be passing on Faulkner and I think picking up a re-read...

Everything up there going okay? So cold here :(

I am not amused. Zero is not a temperature. It is not.

Hi Kath,
I agree. Zero is not a temperature - and it's not funny. It is wonderful and amazing! Bundle up ;-)

My son-in-law, Doug, (Bridget's DH) was run off the road over an embankment yesterday and his car was totaled. He is ok - just shaken. Now he needs to find another vehicle. Some asscap was flying up behind him - passed - cut him off waaay too short, possibly hit him? - and kept going. At about 5:00 am - icy roads. No one else on the road. This car has been sighted doing this kind of thing often but no one can get a license plate number. The tow truck driver told all this to the cop and they have been trying to get this guy. They think he is doing it purposely.

I feel bad for Bridget/Doug as they are struggling right now with so many unexpected expenses. Poor Doug would not go to the doc to be checked since all he could think of was the cost. Luckily, Bridget has more sense and medical background to be able to assess his condition, etc.

btw - do you like how I remembered the term asscap???? I'm not too old to learn! ha!

Wow, I seriously hope they catch this person and put them in stocks for public flogging. It always amazes me when people do this stuff on purpose.

Yes, this person has got to be captured! Public flogging is not good enough.

Jim - I just hope he doesn't injure or kill anyone. Except maybe for himself. Did I just say that????

I have an even better idea, Connie. Make this jerk ride a bicycle to work everyday! Ha! Wouldn't you agree?

I like the bicycle idea, but IF he has a job, he should be forced to give it to someone who would appreciate it. I too like the public stocks idea.....particularly in this weather!

You have a point there, Tina.
I'm thinking he MUST have a job. Why else would you be driving around at that hour of the morning?

Oh. My. God. I'm in absolute shock. ON PURPOSE?!?!?!?!?! Public stocks in this weather is fine. As a start. Then I say slow dismemberment. After making him watch himself being disemboweled (while keeping him alive for the next round of torture of course). I'm glad your son-in-law is unscathed. They really need to catch this guy. That behaviour is positively psychotic.

Why else would you be driving around at that hour of the morning?
He may just be returning home from a night out!?! Or may just want to go about relatively undetected....yikes. Sounds pretty mean and senseless. What an asscap :)

Ilana -
ROFL! hahahahaha - your message is making me giggle. You are too funny - especially because I think you might mean it :-D
I was shocked at first too. But I do believe it.
I agree. This guy is definitely psychotic! And I hope they will catch him before someone gets hurt.

Megan -
I don't think he is returning from a night out as the direction he was coming from is very rural - and he was heading toward civilization. He has been detected several times - same timeframe, same road - but apparently going too wild and fast so no one can get his number. Hope the cops pay more attention and nab the jerk.

***********************
So, on that note, I will take myself to bed with a book, and wish everyone a wonderful and safe weekend!

Mmm... you know me too well my dear... ;-)

G'night! xx

Oh Cee! I'm so happy that Doug is okay! What a terrible thing to happen, what a horrible person to do it! Good grief! So scary to think about :( Keep us posted on what happens with him. I hope he is caught before something even worse happens.. and I will be sending positive energy to poor Doug ...

I went to bed last night and slept all night long, then woke and did not have a coughing attack! I am cured! ( practically )

I thought of you this morning as I swept the snow :P as it was quite beautiful... if cold. It wasn't too heavy, so it swept pretty easily. . . and it's still coming down...sigh.

More reading on tap for me today too, but also an Owen Party :) I would stay away, but they all have the same coughing thing I do. ( Probably where I got it... lol )

Oh, dang! So glad that your son-in-law is okay! Boy, people, eh? A former boyfriend of mine used to say, when met with jackhole drivers, "Careful not to choke on your dinner tonight, Ass-Clown!" Cracked me up every time.

Morning Claudia! I can not believe I am finding myself a 100 posts behind, over here. And I call myself a friend? Yeah, right!
I like all the photos of the winter wonderland. I prefer them in photos, actually.

Sorry to hear about your SIL. How scary and aggravating! Glad he is okay. Asscaps & jackholes! Grrrrr...

I see you are gearing up for FF. You are becoming quite the fantasy fanatic. LOL.

I'm glad your son-in-law is OK. It sounds very scary to have someone like this driving around.

Beautiful photographs - and we just had a second dump of snow today. Just enough to improve the skiing if it doesn't get too cold.....

I just read an article in the NYer (from the fall, I'm way behind!) about how arsenic was the poison of choice in the 19th. You could buy it anywhere - just go in a store and say you had to kill some rats or whatever - and it can be quite hard to detect, I understand. So it was funny to come here and find your interesting review!

Whoa and back to add that I am glad your son-in-law is ok. That's a terrible story. I hope they can catch him. I bet he has a pattern and they should get serious about lying in wait for him, the cops, I mean.

#7 Innocence by Dean Koontz LTER book 3.5 stars



This is a story of good and evil wrapped in suspense and urban fantasy. The mystery slowly unravels for a young man, Addison, whose appearance strikes fear, disgust, and violence in everyone, including his mother, since the day he was born.

Cast out of his home at the age of eight, Addison made his way to a city where he lived in seclusion, joy, innocence, and fear. Boy eventually meets girl who also has serious issues. The clues of why they are different from others come slowly to the reader. The action shifts back and forth creating suspense and a pull forward to keep turning those pages. This pattern becomes a bit disconcerting at times, but seems to work overall. There are twists and turns that kick up the urgency.

Simple and idealistic at times, glaring with the misuse of power at others, the plot moves solidly forward. Addison struggles with the hidden guilt and dark side of humanity contrasted with the purity of nature. From the observations of his adopted father who is also an abomination to the world at large:

"Nature is an exquisite machine that is never violent except when contending forces within it need to be rebalanced. And then the violence is nearly always short-lived, a day or two of storm, ten minutes of a tsunami, a minute for tectonic plates to shift and accommodate each other. Nature doesn't make war for years on end, and she has no malice.

Humankind, on the other hand... Well, that was a darker story. Adam and Eve, he said, hadn't sought forbidden knowledge so much as they sought power, the power to be as gods. Great power could be a beautiful thing when men and women who had it were inclined to use it wisely and with kindness. But few were so inclined. When a leader used his power over the ruled for the purpose of settling scores and inflating his self-esteem, for remaking society according to his own grand designs, class warfare and genocide ensued." pg 215 in the ARC copy

Not particularly profound, but a decent read.
Oh! And lots of snow ;-)

Kath -
So glad to hear NO coughing spasms for you this morning. Hope this state of health has continued for you.
Doug bought a new car this morning - very similar to the one that was totaled. I guess you have enough positive energy to send out again. So - he is a happy camper since he liked his car a lot. I guess he can pick it up on Monday.
I'll let you know if I hear any more about that evil driver.

Amber -
Your former boyfriend was being kind under pressure. When the kids were little and something stupid happened on the road, I used to say of the other driver "OMG! Look at that turkey!" My sweet toddlers tried to find the "turkey" I was talking about - always eager to see wild animals. It took me awhile to figure out they were looking for the feathered kind. It made me laugh ;-)

Mark -
You are a fine friend. Always glad to see you here when you get a chance. No worries.
"You are becoming quite the fantasy fanatic."
Nothing new... I just love to use your FF as a great excuse to indulge.

Pat -
I'm glad Doug is ok too! I do worry about all my "kids" with all the stupid drivers on the road. But this incident is indeed scary. *heavy sigh*

Lucy -
Thanks. I'm sure you see this snowy environment even more than I. Sometimes wish we had chosen the mountains instead of the ocean to live near. Oh well... I enjoy your pictures a lot.
Oh! Just started snowing again *BIG foolish grin*

What you said about killing with arsenic was very true. Arsenic is easy to identify in a murder victim with an autopsy now. They were just beginning in the 1800s to perform the tests and observe overall actions of this poison in the body. Not so easy to pull off murder by arsenic anymore.

Dear Cee - Asscap is a term entirely appropriate to the circumstances described. Sorry that it has also come at such a bad time expenses wise too. Ilana's prescribed treatment of slow dismemberment may be a tad drastic but the lunatic does need to be stopped and he needs to make good for the wanton damage caused. XX

Paul -
I think Ilana can be pushed to drastic measures at times. One of the things we love about her. She is not a lukewarm person. I like her passion ;-)

But, yeah. I'd be happy of they would catch him and get him off the road. The thing is, if he doesn't actually hit someone hard enough to damage his car they can't prove he did anything. No eyewitnesses either.

Have a great Sunday (if I didn't entirely miss it already)!

I love Ilana dearly, Cee, but I do find ladies are far less forgiving on the roads than we gentlemen. In Malaysia most of the really bullish drivers wear brassieres and only a few of them are cross dressers.

> 214 Big sis!! Yes riding a bike to work might work. And then let him loose his keys, so he has to cycle to and fro searching for them and never finding them! So he has to sleep outside!! And become a popsicle!

Have a happy sunday!!

Great pics of winter, Cee. Thanks a lot for sharing, really, as I look out my window and see just about the same scene albeit no rocky path to coastline. It is beautiful (looking from inside a warm and cozy house.)
I've been wondering how your mom's doing. Hope all is well.
Glad you fell in love with another Cather. She's an amazing writer.
Enjoy the day!

Beautiful snow pictures! I'm happy you're happy with all the snow. Personally, I'm ready for spring!
Cee, that is terrible about what happened to your SIL. I can't believe how mean people can be. I'm glad he wasn't hurt except for the pocketbook. And that is more bad news. You found the perfect term for this psycho driver. It's good to know our memories are good for the important things in life!

#7 Love Songs from a Shallow Grave by Colin Cotterill 4.2 stars



I LOVE this series - and this one was one of my favorites. The humor is delightful. The stories are just right - not too simple, not too complicated. And the characters are a hoot!

There just can never be enough of this series. On to the next one. Trying to space them out for ultimate enjoyment.

Paul -
I don't know about Malaysia, but it's about even here in Maine from what I can tell. Still, I have never seen a driver so purposeful and dangerous as the one Doug encountered. So. The moral of the story is don't get up so early in the morning! Well... that's my take on it. LOL

Little Sis -
It sounds like you have had the experience of losing your keys in transit to/from work on your bike? Doesn't sound like much fun.
"So he has to sleep outside!! And become a popsicle!"
AND be devoured by a bear in the morning! Oh yeah. There are bears on that mountain road...

Lynda -
Mom has been doing as well as could be expected, ie no crisis. (knock on wood) I am so thankful for this as I needed time to get myself sorted out health-wise. The connection between us gets weaker and weaker though. Neither of us are giving up - it's just the progression of the disease :(

Donna -
I was just saying to Ron today "I'll bet a lot of people will be glad when spring gets here!" I understand. I love the freshness and smells of nature and warm breezes... if we could just skip JULY. *sigh*

*******************
Now that I have finished the Dr Siri book, I have to pick out a new book! Yippee!

btw, I started my online course in Astrobiology. It's just great.
So, I did the first week and took the 3 quizzes. Aced them all.
Then I got an email asking if I would be interested in a Masters in Astrobiology. LOL Silly University of Edinburgh!

I also got into the two courses in our Senior College in Bath that I requested. They start in March.

Bhagavad Gita and Your Calling :
"What is my life’s purpose, and what does the Bhagavad Gita teach us about warrior Arjuna’s struggle to determine the right action that gets him out of his paralysis? How does his quest for a spiritual life apply to our lives today? Stephen Cope’s recent book, The Great Work of Your Life, brings Arjuna’s dilemma into our present day world. Join in a discussion about your spiritual quest stimulated by the study and discussion of the readings, including the original Gita text, and your own life experiences. "

AND

An Introduction to the Science of Self :
"This course is designed to provide participants with a foundation for understanding how life works at the genetic and molecular level, whereby complex networks interact to drive human development, evolution, and behavior. Topics that we will examine include the modern age of biotechnology, the origin of the human species, and the genetic basis for diseases with a focus on those that affect the mind."

Wow! Busy, busy you! I haven't got it in me to get smarter. As for my life's purpose.. I know well what it is/ was and really, when that is fulfilled, where to go from there? I'm glad you're enjoying all of these intellectual purusits, though...

Have fun playing in the snow !

Kath -
I view these courses, not as intellectual pursuits, rather as something fun to get me out of the house and mixed up with people just a little. Otherwise, I would be a hermit.

Astrobiology is pretty amazing. And so far (one week - haha), this course is easy. It's a whole new perspective for an old lady like me who never kept up with science developments whilst raising kids - then working in the corporate world (blech). Never had the time to pay much attention - and I do love biology. I missed a lot of stuff the last 40 years.

Senior college usually attracts people 60-80 who have lots of experience, knowledge, and ideas. It's always interactive with full participation of everyone. I like it. No tests or papers (that I can tell). No grades. No stress.

Bhagavad Gita class is taught by a woman I've met and admire - as do many others. This one is just for pure fun. Life's purpose: I have a terrible feeling I will never know the answer to this one. It's been nagging at me all my life. :p~

Science of Self might be a good companion course to astrobiology. Or not. I dunno. Still seems highly interesting.

*******************
Started Pilgrim at Tinker Creek. This is definitely a slow reader. Beautiful.

Morning Claudia- It looks like you caught up with me on the Dr. Siri series. Like you, i am crazy about these books. They are very consistent.
Hope you enjoy tinker Creek. She can get wordy and bit "deep" at times but her writing and observations are marvelous.

I'm really glad you are having fun with it.. I wish I could get out of this life funk and see something... anything.. as interesting again. It's starting to get old and just...old.

Hi Mark -
Enjoying your vacation?
Cotterill is still writing the Siri series. right? You're right about the consistency.

Kath -
I know how you feel. I've been there too. I think right now I am just so happy to be over last year.
I'm sorry you are going through this "ick of life" that has assaulted you in recent months. It will pass eventually. I admire your tenacity through it all.

Senior college sounds like a blast! And I am a sucker for biology stuff. If I hadn't started working again, I probably would have signed up for something academic, just to keep the mind engaged in a new area. As it is, my mind is awhirl with learning accounting, how to make web sites, logo designs, etc. If I didn't have guilt over the mommy things I have to let go of, I would thoroughly love working!

I think book 9 in the Siri series recently came out.

I love that Dr. Siri series, too, Cee. Mark's right; I just got my hands on the latest one, called The Woman Who Wouldn't Die. I've got one in front of it, but then it's time to join up again with our favorite Laotian shaman detective.

Hi big sis> i always smile writing 'big sis'

Yeah, just last week I left my keys on my desk at school/work. But of course I was standing at my door and searching my bag (a large one, a bit Mary Poppins-like) and I phoned my boss. He told me: 'yes, your keys are here".
So I had to cycle back to school and back home again!

OMG -6 here! The snow is very crunchy. I am very off from work. Yay! Dan still has to work tho, and he's sick now. sheesh!

I'm glad you're enjoying all of your classes :)

Keys. 99.99% of the time I check for them before I step out the door to go to work or home or ? Twice in my life I locked myself out and I didn't like it either time :P

Hi Claudia. Your courses all sound really interesting. I've cut back on mine this semester to focus on house stuff but I am looking forward to the Hemingway Short Story course I'm taking in April.

For some reason, Tinker Creek isn't working for me so I'm not sure I'm going to continue with it now. I'm planning on buying lots of books on Saturday at Powell's and I'm sure something else will catch my interest.

Hi Kim!
Sr college is so different. I love it.
Biology is so dang interesting - awesome to the highest degree. When I was in high school I wanted to be a researcher and find the cure for cancer. That's back when we thought there would be "a" cure. We know so much more know - and still looking for cures. Well. Needless to say - I didn't go in that direction. It would have been a dream career for me though.
Being a Mommy is pretty important too :-)

Mark -
woohoo! another Dr Siri book - life is good ;-) Hope you are loving your trip out west.

Joe -
If #9 is the new one, then I'm almost there :(
I'll have to go slow. I don't want to run out.
Love the title...

Hi there lil' sis,
You mean your boss wouldn't deliver the keys to you? Darn.
How far do you have to bike to work? I'm thinking the good news here is at least it wasn't snowy?
Still.... just when you thought the day's work was over and you were home :p~~~ back to work.

Kath -
-6 ooh nice :-)
I LOVE crunchy snow. After this winter, I guess I will not be able to complain too much about next summer. I'm having my way now, so I'll have to let others thaw out.
Hugs for Dunkers and you.

Pat -
I am really loving Tinker Creek - up to chapter 3 now. It's looking like 1 chapter a night. I am quite frustrated that this one is on my Kindle. I want a real book that I can turn back pages to find and re-read stuff. I may have to buy this one in paper.
Still, this is an amazing look at life and another's observation of it. Very contemplative... my kind of book :)
Once you get in your new home and reading in peace, you may want to give this another try.
You must be getting excited about your trip to the NW. Can't wait to hear about it...

Hi, Cee! Just trying to catch up. I fear and despise maniac drivers. Sorry your SIL was wrecked by one.

On the other hand, I adore Dr. Siri. Glad to hear there are more good ones ahead for me.

It's going to be 30F today!!!!! Spring must be here ! It was 0F when I walked to work yesterday. Right now it's 6, but I hope that will triple by the time I leave?

So whatcha doing today? Lunch out? Library? Ordering something good from Ammy? School work?
So many possibilities. I work today.. but thankfully just until 5...

Having just left rd's thread, I am craving bacon....

Hi Terri,
I'm currently slogging through The Brothers Karamazov... unlike Dr Siri, it is no fun. If I were not reading it for my RL book group, I would toss it. Quickly. I should anyway. I resent the time I am spending on this rather long book. *sigh*

Kath -
So - spring is coming afterall. ok.
Today I have to make lists and labels and prepare the TIDE for going out tomorrow. Unfortunately, it's not coming in until about 7-8 tonight. So, it'll be a late night followed by an early morning :p~

**************
Third sunny day in a row! Wow, huh?
24 F - perfect.

Hi big sis! I am just looking in to say hi: "Hi"

Busy, busy, busy!

Have I mentioned how much I enjoy the Come As You Are title of this thread? It makes me smile every time.

It is 34F here already!!!!!! This is big news :)

Sorry about the whole TIDE thing... you need to give that up....and find another TIDE goddess... it's someone else's turn to do that work!

Isn't it a relief that it is warmer today here in the Northeast..... I've somehow ended up a mess, spending the day in bed, but I am still very appreciative and grateful!