Richardderus thread 11 of 2014

Yep.

I have a category called Orphans, which will still catch all the other reading I do.

My ORPHANED books ticker:




I want to treat the Short Story collection challenge as a ticker-to-itself thread, thinking 48 reviews as my goal. I'll keep the thread over in the Short Stories forum.

My SHORT STORY collections ticker:




I'm keeping a mystery-genre thread over in Crime, Thriller, and Mystery forum. Way way way too many of my reviews have been, in all forums, mysteries and thrillers, and while I love them, I don't want to get too rut-ified and read only those books while keeping up my self-made review writing census.

My MYSTERY & THRILLER books ticker:




THIS THREAD is the 75 challenge for 2014, which will be non-fiction and non-genre-fiction books published in 2013 and 2014, plus recommendations from other 75ers.

My last thread of 2012.
My last reviews of 2013 in this thread.

My 2014 NEW books ticker:




Books 1 & 2...thread 5.
Books 3 & 4...thread 10.

Books are reviewed in post:

Hope I'm not interrupting your set-up, but I LOVE #1.

Happy new thread!

Surprisingly, I am #2!

Happy new thread!

>3 katiekrug: Moominkatie! You're the first!

>4 PiyushC: Hi Piyush! Happy to see you here.

>5 connie53: Connie, good gracious, isn't it like 3am or something in Holland?! Get some sleep! *smooch*

>6 richardderus: - Sadly, I actually kind of resemble a Moomin in real life...

>8 katiekrug: Ohhhh coooollllllll! Let's go to Finland, you'll be rich and famous in no time!

I suspect I look more like the Mymble.

>9 richardderus: - Works for me!

>1 richardderus: Aint that the truth

Also, back on the previous thread, on my comparison of 11/22/63 to If Kennedy Lived, totally agree that King's aim and intent were completely different than Greenfield's, other than both asked the same question at the beginning, What if Kennedy had lived.

I've always been fascinated with Kennedy and the turmoil surrounding the assassination, even though I was a bit too young when it happened, okay not alive yet. My Grandmother had a copy of the Warren Commission Overview Report (not the whole thing) that I always read when I was over at her house growing up. (That's when I wasn't reading encylopedias)

Lovely, spacious new thread here, Richard dear, and I like the furnishings. Bring on the books!

>10 katiekrug: Hello, Finnair? Yes hi, do you offer discounts for repatriating national treasures? Oh, a Moomintroll and a Mymble...you DO?! Goodie!

>11 mahsdad: ...weren't alive yet...*sigh*

>12 ronincats: Thanks, love, happy to see you so early!

*smooches* for you and Stella.

I got the first library copy of Melt: The Art of Macaroni and Cheese! I check out and peruse the cookbooks. Cousin Joe does the honors. Yum!

>14 luvamystery65: That sounds like a slice of heaven. I love mac and cheese. I had some silly chi-chi foo-foo gruyere, edam, and gouda sauce on pasta, with lobster and shaved truffles, one time. I snorted and said "overbred tuna mac casserole, anyone?"

I don't believe I was invited back.

Schmoozles to the Devilles, and a smooch back!

>6 richardderus:: Aw, Charlie and I *love* Moomin et al.!

Happy New Thread, Richard!

>1 richardderus:
>2 richardderus:
>6 richardderus:
>7 richardderus:
>9 richardderus:
>13 richardderus:
>15 richardderus:

Hi richardderus

Lovin' the new feature ;)

>13 richardderus: - I cannot compete with the provision of air tickets for the first in threads.

I like the new feature finally but I am a little worried that it will de-personalise communication. It is also open to frippery isn't it Megan?

I am so far behind, Richard! I find it extremely unfriendly that all of you did not stop in your tracks and cease living while I caught up on LT. Hmph!

Anyway, carried over from your last thread — you are going to make me read that damn Greenfield book, aren't you? Like Jeff, I was not alive when Kennedy was killed but I have read copious amounts about the Kennedy clan whilst going through a phase when I was younger. I told myself that Greenfield was unlikely to have conjured up anything very original or interesting, and here you are making it sound interesting! Most unfriendly of you, I must say. Hmph!

>15 richardderus: "overbred tuna mac casserole, anyone?" Well it is, isn't it? This whole book is like that but I'd like me some overbred mac n cheese with serrano that I am going to get my cousin Joe to make. I'll report on it when he does.

There is a local restaurant called Jus' Mac. Some of it is delish! http://www.jusmac.com/index.html

>18 PaulCranswick: huh? and.....who? ;)

>17 LovingLit: Megan: *snork!*

>16 scaifea: Thanks, Amber! *smooch*

>17 LovingLit: Heh. Silly.

>18 PaulCranswick: I don't see why it would, Paul, since the use of numbers is supplemented by the name of the OP. I think it's a boon and a blessing. I hate having to backtrack and see what I, or someone else, has said that another person has responded to. This is so much easier.

>16 scaifea: and >22 scaifea: Amber, every time I see you use the word "snork", I think of the Snork Maiden! Glad to see you're a fan of the Moomins. :-)

Hi Richard!

>19 rosalita: *preens*

>20 luvamystery65: When I was living in Manhattan last century, there was a place across the street from the bar where I drank my money away called the Chat'n'Chew that served the best basic Velveeta-and-elbows-and-crumbs mac and cheese! Oh so good.

Tell Joe he has to make the serrano version when I come visit.

>21 LovingLit:
>22 scaifea: ::side-eye:: Might I remind you two almost-forty-mommy-types that this is most unseemly?

>24 phebj: Hi Pat!

Oh, I love the Moonins! *snork*

Nice new thread, Richard! And for *some* reason I am craving mac-n-cheese. I make a couple of different versions that I love -- one with roasted butternut squash and bacon, and another with gruyere and wild mushrooms. I'm intrigued by the serranos!

All this mac'n'cholesterol talk is really tough on my stented arteries...give a girl a break!

>27 laytonwoman3rd: Linda mac' n' cholesterol is my weakness!

>20 luvamystery65:
Darn they're all in Texas :-(

>1 richardderus:
Truer words were never written.

Good morning Rdear, congrats on your new thread which is going up like text messages on a mobile phone ;-)
It looks like this thread needs a photo to have some colour for a start and a cosy place for reading.

Happy new thread, Richard. I loved your review of If Kennedy Lived in last thread.

One question, how to use this new feature of referring to message numbers and names?

>26 AMQS: Hi Anne! Thanks for stopping by. The oddest thing, that craving you're having. I can't puzzle out why that might be.

Serranos are among my favorite peppers. I adore them split and stuffed with cheese and Mexican chorizo sausage, then broiled. Like a hotter jalapeño, tamed by the creamy fatty cheese and sausage.

>27 laytonwoman3rd: Oooh yes, loves me some extra-solid cholesterol! Perkins! Ask Dr. Oz to ready some more stents, one of our guests wishes to partake of the mac-and-cheese buffet.

>28 luvamystery65: Among the easiest things to get addicted to. It comes in boxes!

>29 AuntieClio:, >30 AuntieClio: Hi Stephanie! That is a very true meme, isn't it.

>31 Ameise1: Ooooooo Barbara! What a great cozy corner! I like how the ladder is on an inside track. *smooch* Thanks!

>32 wilkiec: Hi Diana, happy to see you here!

>33 PiyushC: The same way we always referred to posts. Use the left-bracket ">" and, with no space, put the number of the post you're replying to, the rest is automatic.

>19 rosalita:, and etc. If Kennedy Lived I'm not a fan of alternative history but I am something of a history buff and I was alive when JFK was shot and I do know who McGeorge Bundy was, so....I think, Richard, I'm going to need a new category: Books reviewed/recommended by Richard.

>36 labwriter: Heh. I use tags like "All Suz's Fault" for that purpose. Tracking the worst offenders is a useful outlet for my nitpicking energies.

Any mystery addicts out there this morning? Dana Stabenow's first Kate Shugak mystery is FREE!! A Cold Day for Murder is free on Kindle today. I found these addictive, with Alaska as a backdrop so vivid as almost to be a character.

>35 richardderus: You're welcome. *smooch*

BTW I got this book (>38 richardderus:) for free a week ago by amazon

>39 Ameise1: I think they're very smart to give away the first book of a long-running series. It's a great way to convince people to sample the goods and possibly get hooked.

I hope you'll enjoy it when you read it.

Happy new thread Richard. Hope you and Stella are having a peaceful Sunday.

>41 calm: Thank you! I'm sure we'll have a lovely day what with the Oscars tonight, and a big leftover pizza to nibble on all day.

Morning RD- Big loving waves from the winter wasteland! It is March, right?

>43 msf59: It's March, all right. The month that New York had its worst snowstorm ever, back in 1888. I remind myself of this whenever I'm tempted to get cocky about spring.

>38 richardderus: Thanks for the pointer to the first in the Kate Shugak series, Dollink. Of course I got it immediately. One of the many appealing things about mysteries is the immense variety of exotic (to me, little ol' homebody that I am) locales. I've learned a lot about many different places by reading my favorite genre.

A Happy Sunday to you, Sir.

>45 Matke: *smoochiesmoochsmooch* Happy Alaska-ing, Danvers me lurve.

RD, thumbed your review for If Kennedy Lived but won't be reading it. First, I'm not into dry histories. Second, I didn't recognize the names you said I should recognize. Probably because I wasn't even a twinkle in my dad's eye yet. I would be soon though!

>31 Ameise1: OMG OMG OMG Me Wants. That's a perfect place for a Morphy. I was hesitant at first because it doesn't look like there's a lot of natural light. But then I realized that it's an afternoon shot. There's obviously some large windows to the right.

>47 Morphidae: Thanks for the thumb, Morphy! Glad to see you out and about.

Re: >31 Ameise1: ain't that a beaut indeed...can't think of anyone who wouldn't like that just fine.

I've added If Kennedy Lived to the tbr pile. Thumbs up.

Happy Sunday.

>47 Morphidae: >48 richardderus: It's a perfectly place to huddle under a cuddly blanket with a wonderful book and plenty of coffee :-D

>50 Ameise1: Just what I need this morning

Hi, Richard. Happy Sunday, I hope. I'm settling down to read for a bit before I have to tackle household chores. My current attachment is The Wives of Los Alamos: A Novel by TaraShea Nesbit. I guess my confusion over whether it is fiction or not has been solved by my having read the title all the way to the end, "A Novel". Settles that, huh.

Have a great day, dear, and scratch the pup's ears for me, please!

>51 maggie1944: Karen, you're welcome. Have a lovely Sunday.

Congrats. on getting More Than You Know hehehaha

>13 richardderus: - So here I am in frigid Helsinki. Where the hell are you?!?

I have two favorite mac 'n' cheeses: one is from a restaurant here with smoked chicken, gruyere, and a hint of bacon. The other is Stouffer's frozen variety, to which I add a dollop of spicy mustard and mix in thoroughly just before eating. Gives it a little something extra...

Stouffer's frozen is awesome.

>49 Whisper1: Thanks, Linda! Sunday *smooch*

>50 Ameise1: Agreed!

>51 maggie1944: Hi Karen44, happy Sunday back. It's a bit dank for my taste. Stella opened an eye and offered a slurp.

>52 Ameise1: :-)

>53 curlysue: ...wha...? Oh nooooo nooo I'm doomed doomed I tell you doomed if Kara is chortling.

>54 katiekrug: Helsinki is full of Finnish people. They're too weird for me, what with all those "uu" and "aa" doomaflotchies.

>54 katiekrug:, 55 I prefer to make my own from Velveeta and cheddar and cream cheese to getting it out of a box. I don't like the BLAST of salt I get from the boxed stuff. I'm thirsty before I'm done eating, and I don't drink with meals. (Sips of wine excepted, and they aren't thirst-quenching.)

>38 richardderus: Thanks! I never started this series, though somehow I managed to get hold of one or two of the later books, which have been sitting on my bookshelves waiting for me to get around to reading the first. Now, thanks to you and Amazon, I may actually do now.

>58 Storeetllr: Welcome, of course. *evil glee* *smooch*

> 7 I don't think it was 03.00 am Richardmydear. That's not what I do in the middle of the night. If I'm awake at three I will lie very still and hope sleep will come or I will read.

I'really don't no how much the time difference is between my timezone and yours.

It's now 20.42 or 8.42 pm! and my posts says 2.42 pm

So I guess the difference is 6 hours?

Six hours?! But Holland is someplace in Europe! That's like a different galaxy or something, isn't it?

;->

Yes, A different place in space, definitely, RD.

It's the six hours or the time is off at LT !!

What time is it in your timezone?

>61 richardderus: Rdear, we live on the same planet, and here in Europe we don't look like Martians. Ha ;-D

O.k. in this case you do have afternoon now. Enjoy it. It's already dark over here and nightsleep will coming soon. *smooch*

>62 connie53: I'm in the Eastern US Timezone, same as LT...so it's the same time for me as it is for the posts.

>63 Ameise1: ...same PLANET?! Nooo! Europe's in the Andromeda Galaxy, isn't it? Over near New Zealand? Opposite galaxy from, like, China and Japan. Right?

>1 richardderus:: Perfect. I may have to borrow that one.

Hi Richard!

>62 connie53:, >64 richardderus:: I wish there was a way to set the time zone on LT so I would not have to subtract three hours from the time of posts. Not that I can't handle the math, but.....

>64 richardderus: Not so far away and with the right flying object you could join us easily over here ;-D

>65 EBT1002: I'm so pleased to have track-back that I'm not even gonna start whingeing about the absence of adjustable time-zones. Yet. I've wanted that since 2006. Now it's less of an issue for me since I live in LT's time-zone. But it seems like such a useful thing.

>66 Ameise1: Ooo! FLYING to a different galaxy! Do I need a witches' broom?

>67 richardderus: Could be helpful and don't forget the hat.

>67 richardderus: and >68 Ameise1:

I suppose you can leave the cat at home, Richardmydear!

>69 connie53: No cat, but a hat otherwise he will be too detectable under our kind of folk. ;-D

>70 Ameise1: Do you have a specific colour in mind, Barb?

>71 connie53: green-blue would be convinient.

>72 Ameise1: Stars! Blue stars on a green background!

Y'all two! Such silliness. The only way a cat would make it onto MY broom is if I had to offer it as a sacrifice to some demon or another to keep flying.

I found this GIF on the internet and it made me scream with laughter:

>73 connie53: absolutely perfect and on one of them a red heart :-D

>75 Ameise1: That would do it, Barb

>74 richardderus: The gif is not working, RD!

>74 richardderus: Who has time to be bored;)

>34 richardderus: I love serranos, too. I'll have to try your broiled cream cheese and chorizo version. Mmmmmmmmmmm. I use serranos in my cranberry salsa at Thanksgiving. One year I tried a new cranberry sauce, you know, to try something new. I wasn't sure my husband would ever recover, and I've never changed up that particular dish again!

>76 connie53: It is for me...and for Anne...maybe it just needs time to travel to your galaxy far, far away.

>77 AMQS: Serranos (6 whole), 1lb cranberries (whole), a bottle of cheap white Chablis, and a jar of Bonne Maman orange marmalade. Simmer until delicious.

>31 Ameise1: oh boy, that cosy reading corner has me salivating and palpitating. I want there to also be a bed up top with a railing and cushions. In fact, seeing as it is my imagination I will just make it so. *poof* It is so! Aaah, sweet perfection.

>67 richardderus: I think there is an adjustment you can do with the time zone...my LT time is set to NZ time so I get lots of message from people who at first glance appear to have been up all hours of the night ...oh yea, you all probably are anyway.

>74 richardderus: lol- I love the ones who dive-bomb down from the top!

>35 richardderus: Thanks Richard!

Now that they have come this far, a notification tab on home page informing of all posts directed at us, shouldn't be too far? (like FB)

>38 richardderus: Piling on to echo Richard's recommend of Dana Stabenow - love her books...good characters,, wonderful setting and interesting plot. You can't lose for free.

>74 richardderus: Yep that give is awesome and I am not in the least bored to see it more than once.

>74 richardderus: Love it! I could watch it all day. (I'm not bored, no, not at all!)

>79 LovingLit: I think there is an adjustment you can do with the time zone There is? Do you remember where it is?

Ain't that a hoot!

>80 PiyushC: Most welcome, of course. As to the notification thing, I can promise you this: If you say anything about Facebook that's remotely positive, the PTB will ignore you after shouting you down.

>81 tututhefirst: Y'all heard it here first. Even Tina, who reads crud she hates so as to be a fair (and unpaid) judge, recommends it.

>82 PaulCranswick:, >83 Storeetllr: Ain't it a gas!



*happy sigh*

>85 richardderus: Love that!

>74 richardderus: It's working now! And I love that one too. I'm going to steal it!

>86 connie53: Don't you just? and Be my guest, in order.

>74 richardderus: LOVE it!

>85 richardderus: - Oh, that's lovely. Very much my preferred style, too, down to the dental molding...

>85 richardderus:, Oooooh, love.

>31 Ameise1: Love it!!!

>74 richardderus: Had to laugh at that, Richard!

Smooches, dear! How are you feeling??

>88 phebj: I know, right?! That one's priceless!

>89 katiekrug:, >90 scaifea: It is SO beautiful. What a room. YUM!

>91 TinaV95: Hiya Mrs. Lisa! *smooch* I'm happily fed with fresh spinach, Brazilian-style skirt steak, and a delicious spice cajun pilaf. Jared Leto won best supporting actor for Dallas Buyers Club. Whee.

I.need.Justmac. Seriously.

>93 leperdbunny: Is there ever a bad time for mac and cheese?

*smooches*

>74 richardderus: That is hilarious and adorable. Whomever created it needs to find something to read.

>94 richardderus: No.

Cripes, how did 97 posts happen on a new thread when I didn't even see the end of the old one? Mac and cheese is one of the all time most wonderful comfort foods but it has to be homemade and baked, not out of a box and heated in a nuclear reactor.

>85 richardderus: I want, I want, I want! I'm sure the ottoman is hiding around the corner of the fireplace...

Waving Hi!

>85 richardderus: yes! How gorgeous is that? Floor to ceiling bookcases, a door right outside, beautiful crown molding, and lots of natural lighting! That is my kind of reading place. Here to wish you a happy Monday.

>95 luvamystery65: *smooch* and schmoozle

>96 EBT1002: Ha! I agree, Ellen. >97 EBT1002: And I agree with that, as well.

>98 tiffin: Things move fast around these parts, Tui. *smooch* for finding me.

I so agree about out of the box mac and cheese. I've been broke and hungry enough to eat it gratefully, though without pleasure. All that SALT. *gaaaak*

>99 ronincats: I know, right?! It's so cozy, light, and formal yet still quirky enough...what the heck persuaded them to put a fireplace in a hallway?!...that it's just charm personified.

>100 connie53: Hi there, Connie! *smooch*

>101 Thebookdiva: Thamk you most kindly, dear Abby. (You knew someone would bust that out on you.) I'm ensconced with Stella in my warm beddie-bye awaiting warmer weather.

Good morning, dear Richard. I have posted a Hounded update on my thread, when you have woken and caffeinated. :-)

*happy dance*

Good morning Sir, I hope you had a sound sleep. Greetings and waves from old Europe.

Good Morning!

That sounds like an excellent plan. Perhaps a warm drink as well?

>106 Ameise1: Hi Barbara! Goodness, greetings from all the way over there. *smooch*

>107 leperdbunny: Good morning, Tamara, have a wonderful day today!

>108 Thebookdiva: *sssllluuuuuuuuuuuurrrrrrrp* Perfection. I needed the warm-me-up!

Morning Richard. Hugs and smooches to you and Stella

>110 MonicaLynn: Monica! How lovely to see you. Stella sends slurps. Hoping you're in a calmer bay amid life's storms.

>109 richardderus: *smooch* back and I'm astonished how quick time travel can go

Another 'Hi' from the city of Roermond. Have a lovely day, Richardmydear.

>112 Ameise1: :-)

>113 connie53: Hi Connie! Have a happy week ahead in the WARM Countries. While we shiver our timbers. And shovel snow. But no, no bitterness that it's warmer there than here. None.

None at all. *icestorm whammy*

>114 richardderus: Shall I send some sunshine to you?

*basks*

Thank you, dear! I'm leavin' the whammy in place until your country's suffered, however, because I'm a rotten-mean old man.

Hah!



Okay, now I have to make some poisoned beverage

...good luck gettin' me to drink it NOW...

I'm very patient!

Transatlantic *smooches*, Richard!

>119 connie53: :-)

>120 wilkiec: :-)

I hate, loathe, detest reviewing Kindle books. It's clunky. How should I know which bookmarked passage is mine? I have to look all over the damned place and usually end up annoyed so I can't quote the good bits.

That's why I've never reviewed my Goodreads friend Blake Crouch's eerie thriller Pines. It's set in Idaho, which is scary enough for me right there with all the right-wingers and Mormons (hi Pat, sending smooches, please don't shoot me), in an imaginary town called Wayward Pines *cough*Coueur d'Alene*cough*. It's a $2 Kindle purchase today.

It's worth twice that and more. It will keep you clicking the next button until way past your bedtime.

>116 richardderus: speaking of old when (number) is that staring?

>123 Ameise1: With immediate effect. Now. Instanter. You is lookin' at it.

Rdear, I guess you are still too young to be called old. Ha :-D

>122 richardderus: - What kind of Kindle do you have? Mine denotes my highlights (vs. "popular" ones) pretty clearly when I go to "Notes & Marks" or whatever. But maybe you are bookmarking pages instead of highlighting specific passages, in which case I don't know how that would work.

>18 PaulCranswick: see rd? I'm not the only one...

Just claiming a spot.. back later to catch up.. I need to eat :) xo

>122 richardderus: RD...you can adjust the Kindle settings so that the little device shows only your notes and bookmarks. I turned all the others off and also set mine so that no body sees my notes, bookmarks, highlights etc except little ole me. It's nobody's damn business what I think is important, and I sure don't want their judgment (good as it might be) impeding on mine.

Based on reviews, your friend Blake Crouch sounds a bit too creepy for me but I wish him luck.

>125 Ameise1: You're my new best friend.

>126 katiekrug: It's the basic one, bottom of the line. I'm now slugging my way through the destructions on the site to figure out how all the crap that I don't think I should have to know or interact with works. I hate the intentionally complex nature of achieving even illusory privacy.

>127 mckait: Far from the only one, and more in the use-to-be-polite group than the *I*-don't-like-it-so-nyah group than I suspected you'd be! I don't understand resisters. What are you gaining by not using a simple indicator to reference your posts back to the person they're addressed to? I've never understood this. It makes no logical sense whatsoever and never has.

>128 tututhefirst: Hi Tina! No, I don't think those are books I'd recommend to you. It's very dependent on eerie/creepy/supernatural tropes and I imagine you'd dislike them a lot.

>129 richardderus: - It would seem to make more sense to have the default option be private but so little in the world is based on sense these days...

>130 katiekrug: But then they can't mine and monetize our data without our prior consent.

>129 richardderus: :-D

> 85 Just lovely....I want to hang out there all day. *sigh* Instead I must get up and go to work.

> All the Mac and cheese talk: my homemade recipe uses Kraft Deluxe American cheese and it is delish! (But not highbrow)

Whoa, whoa, whoa. Other people can see your comments and such?! As a default setting?! Just one more reason I'm sticking with the antiquated version of reading...

Morning RD! Just popping in to wish you a fine day. Did I mention I HATE snow!

>129 richardderus: I still prefer to be called by name, not a number. At least this adds the screen name, or nickname of the individual..

I am freezing. The remote for the fireplace is playing up. I'm afraid that if I get it on, I won't be able to get it to turn off. le sigh. I am going to clean in a bit, and that should warm me up a bit. Floors need done, but I can't shake the fear that as soon as the wet sponge touches the floor it will freeze to it. Or I will. Brr

>122 richardderus: Richard, I didn't realize there isn't a good way to figure out which highlights are your own in a Kindle book. One more reason not to get one. At least in my Kobo all the highlights are mine! I'll have to check out Pines. I read Crouch's Run a while back and thought it was a very good premise but somewhat flawed execution. I liked his writing enough to try him again, for sure.

>132 Ameise1: Good morning, Barbara!

>133 Cobscook: Ugh, work, a bad memory for sure. As to mac-and-cheese, there is no excuse to go an highbrow it. Simply absurd. I mean, lobster and fancy-shmancy cheeses you can't buy at Walmart? What, you don't have anything better to do than dream up luxe versions of mac and cheese? *snort*

For me myownself, mac and cheese minus Velveeta is a travesty.

>134 scaifea: Howdy do, miss momma Amber! Yes. The Kindle device knows when you put the book down, knows if you read the whole book, and knows if you go back to a spot, knows if you buy more books by that author, etc etc etc.

Orwellian.

>135 msf59: Hi Mark! It was 3° when Stella and I went out this morning. She got her little pawsies chilled and wanted to come in after doing two of five boulevard islands. I was 100% in support of this!

>136 mckait: Heavens, turn the darn thing on! There is a manual off-switch if the remote fails. There has to be, by law. I hope this means you're not working....

>137 rosalita: I'm not familiar with the way Kobo mines the data on your usage of ebooks. Sounds like a better option in many ways. I suspect Crouch's work is always going to be flawed, as it's my impression that he's not very amenable to editing. Try not to freeze to the bricks this morning, as that would mean you WOULDN'T FINISH READING HOUNDED and that would be a Bad Thing.

>139 richardderus: I'm sure Kobo tracks usage, because it also can do the "sync among devices" thing and it has a feature called Reading Life that you can turn on to show you what other people are highlighting but it's off by default. Also, most of that stuff doesn't work on me because the vast majority of books I read on it are either library books or Kindle books that I've stripped the DRM from and side-loaded, so Kobo can't "see" them for its tracking purposes.

I finished Hounded. I'm not going to say anything else until I write my review. :-)

I love Southern American writing. It's almost always highly place-centered, meaning it could only take place in that one spot; this is very appealing to me. I like being FROM the South, and i *adore* not having to live there. I can get my fix in books!

At my blog, I praise very highly the Queen of Southern Writing, Miss Eudora Welty. I am in awe of and in love with her stories. This one happens to be her own story, told with great simplicity and bone-deep appreciation for her roots and her branches.

>141 richardderus: - I like how you address her as "Miss Eudora" as any good Southern boy would ;-)

Good morning!

>142 katiekrug: Hi Katie! Sorry (not sorry) about book-bulleting you on FB today. Heh. I want a full report on that bookstore! *smooch*

Of course I address Miss Eudora in the respectful Southern third person! I wasn't drug up in a barn, ya know.

>143 richardderus: - There is a used bookstore in that general vicinity and an excellent place for brunch, so I'm thinking maybe next weekend I'll make a fun outing of it. That part of Oak Cliff has some other cool places to duck into now, too...

As a thank you for bringing it to my attention, I present you one of my very favorites and hope you like it too (I knew not to bring chocolate) - Lemon Bundt Cake...

Oooh I LOVE lemon bundt cake!! I love lemon flavor, and I'm particularly fond of the moistness of bundt cakes. Thanks!

*Wavies* Hope today is good and full of coffee and lemon cake :)

>145 richardderus: - I like it because it seems perfectly acceptable to eat it for breakfast. "It's lemon! It's a fruit! Leave me alone!"

>146 BekkaJo: Thanks, punkin, back at'cha!

>147 katiekrug: ...when is cake NOT acceptable? And who on earth are you listening to? These people clearly need a rap in the mouth if they're opening it that early in the caffeine cycle.

>148 richardderus: - It's the voice inside my head.

Well then, a self-smack is in order. Eat the effin' cake. Life's short and bakeries don't deliver to cemeteries.

I usually just shut her up with wine.

>151 katiekrug: +1

>138 richardderus: and 143, 145 Mac and cheese sans Velveeta is indeed a travesty. So melty and smooth.
"Drug up in a barn": LOL. Still have a tiny bit of difficulty with some Southern ways with the language.
Lemon is a delightful flavor and one of very few fruit flavors that should accompany meat/seafood/anything that isn't actually moving.

*firmly but delicately shoves Richard away from cake to secure a goodish slice for self*

>153 Matke: OWW OW OW OWWWW!! Katie didja see that didja see didja she shoved me away from MY CAKE so *she* could have a bigger piece than me!!

(I've been a little brother since 1960, dear. Don't futz with our foodstuffs, big sister.)

>85 richardderus: I want this to be my new home.

Life's short and bakeries don't deliver to cemeteries. I found this very inspiring, Richard! And so, so true.

>154 richardderus: - I don't have children for a reason ;-) I say, fight it out until one of you bleeds or loses consciousness. I'll be in my reading room...

>155 jnwelch: Ain't it though. And that's a fact you can take to the bank. Where they won't lend you any money unless you don't need it.

>156 katiekrug: ::side-eye:: Quite possibly your best-ever life decision.

>138 richardderus: Good day Rdear, waves and smooch from good old Europe. We had rain today.

>138 richardderus: Richard: "I'm afraid I can't do that, Dave." *shudders*
Also, re: mac & cheese - There's a place in Gambier, OH that serves THE BEST m&c I've ever had. So, so rich and creamy, with a mix of all sorts of cheeses, plus they add andouille sausage...
Also, re: bundt cakes - Charlie and I made one this morning, but it's chocolate, I'm afraid (chocolate truffle, to be exact). I do so love lemon bundt cake, too. And cake is *always* okay for breakfast. Always.

>158 Ameise1: Happy end of the day, then! Rain isn't my favorite weather condition since my joint issues showed up.

>160 richardderus: Poor fellow, in this case may help a cuddly blanket, a BIG cup of coffee and a good book. :-D

>160 richardderus: Just come to sunny Holland, RD!

You can sit outside in the sun with a book and coffee.

>2 richardderus: Ok ok, I'm late....but i'm looking for your Mystery Thread for 2014 and the link here takes me to the 2013 list. I wanted to post a comment about your blog post for Bruno and did on that thread and then realized it was for last year! Please don't addle my brain more than is necessary. I do not wish to be warehoused just yet.

>161 Ameise1: :-)

>162 connie53: SUNNY HOLLAND...two words I've never expected to see used together...the world is indeed changing, isn't it.

>163 tututhefirst: I'm not starting a 2014 mystery thread until I get to sixty reviews. So maybe it'll be a 2015 thread, who knows. Until then I'll keep on with the one that's there.

...I'll just post this here and leave very quietly.

.... and 164 165 posts later and I have given up trying to follow all of the conversations here, so instead I will just say "HI"!

>165 richardderus: I'll start off with a G rated one and follow Richard quietly out.

I would hug you if I had the chance.

'cause I would. Gently, avoiding the gouty bits.

Oh hey!

>165 richardderus: - I would give you the body of a 25 year old if I had the chance. A younger, less pain-stricken body for you, and an actual 25 year old ;-)

Barring the possibility of that, I would come visit you if I had the chance because I think we would laugh and laugh and laugh!

>165 richardderus: "I would travel with you if I had the chance."

Think of all the bookstores and restaurants the world over we would visit!

Now your turn. First stop would be?

No sunny Holland in my part of the country, only where Connie lives ;-) Hi Richard! xx

Really Diana? Maybe the sun will have chased the mist away by now. Our back neighbours are sitting in the garden having coffee! And I will be doing that too. First a trip to the supermarket. A book has arrived there for me to pick up.

I am honestly very lost as far as what day of the week goes. Dunno why. Weird work schedule I guess?
Anyway, it is less cold here today, and I hope the same for you. Not much else to report. I cleaned and I read yesterday.

I hope your day is a pain free as possible and I am hoping for some good news to come your way from someone somewhere on something.. its more than due.

>166 lkernagh: Hi Lori!

>167 MDGentleReader: *baaawww* so sweet! There aren't any un-gouty bits, I fear. But I'm robust when it comes to affection!

>168 leperdbunny: *glazed smile*

*buckets of drool*

>169 katiekrug: Well, I leave you with the task of learning transmogrification on the first one, and the second can be accomplished most easily by consulting the fine fellows at rentboy.com. No weekends.

>170 luvamystery65: Oh, that sounds like fun! My buddy Betsy, who died in 2010, and I would rent a car, get our stuff into it, and go to the highway entrance. We'd pull over, do rock-paper-scissors and whoever won decided north, south, east or west (depending on where the highway in question went) and off we'd go to see what was there. Were the best vacations of my life, those!

>171 wilkiec: That sounds more like the Holland I know of. Sorry for you, though. *smooch*

>172 connie53: A book! How exciting! What is it?

>173 mckait: Thank you dearest, it's Humpday so you know. I have my minions back! The boy minion arrived around 7 last night. Much to my surprise, may I add. We chatted a bit, he went to the train to pick up the little woman, and I trotted upstairs for the night. Apparently they had a house party (I slept through it). I know this because, at 6.10, I got up as usual and some man wandered naked from a point unknown and went to pee ahead of me.

Well, if you're gonna surprise me, at least make it agreeable to look at. Fortunately I was dressed so no damage was done to my dignity.

>176 richardderus: I'm back - Al wat schittert by Eleanor Catton. BB on LT from 19-01-2104 ;-)

>177 connie53: Oooh! The Luminaries!! I hope it's as much fun for you as it was for me.

All hail the Brown Elixir of Life

>178 richardderus: I hope so too, Richardmydear.

Just bought it, thanks for the heads up!

>181 Dianekeenoy: I'm glad you bought it, but what is it that you bought? Just use the ">", don't put a space, and type the number of the post after it. That way I know what you're talking about. Which I'd like to.

Good morning Rdear! I hope everything is good in the New World.

>165 richardderus: Good day to you, RD! I would toast you with Veuve Clicquot if I had the chance, and invite you to join me in quaffing it.

>183 Ameise1: Hi Barbara!

>184 jnwelch: Hiya Joe! I'm more in an Ardbeg mood. The quaffing, yes!

Have you ever wondered what TV shows are available on which streaming service? I know I have. And now we know.

260 shows, streaming service by streaming service, including the number of seasons they stream AND how many seasons there are.

"I've been a little brother since 1960, dear" Ha. That explains a good deal. I've had one of those since 1957, and it's a status you never lose. I love mine to bits, and occasionally wish I had given my daughter one. But mostly, no. Having one and raising one are two different circumstances.

>122 richardderus: let me try again...Pines is what I purchased earlier after reading your remarks.

>187 Dianekeenoy: Aha! I see. I expect that will be one where you get into it right away, or not at all. Let me know which it is.

Anxiously awaiting news about how your morning goes today :)

>189 mckait: K

Hope your day is going better than mine!

It's been awfully quiet over here.....

>191 katiekrug: It's been irritating. I hate being surprised, and I have been several times, in ways I find unpleasant. Still, I'm not (as yet) dead, so things can both improve and change.

I wasn't around much yesterday, reading my eyes out!, so it got quiet.

I'm kinda out of it as far as favored tv shows, Richard, but my MBH and daughter were quite pleased with the >185 richardderus: link to where you can watch them.

I'm with Katie on the message in >191 katiekrug:. Definitely could use more of both today.

>192 richardderus: - I'm sorry you've had unpleasantness. But reading one's eyes out sounds good, in a figurative, non-literal kind of way.

Oh Rdear, I'm so sorry to hear that you aren't in a happy mood. Perhaps an espresso and a bunch of spring flowers might help to draw a smile on your face?

All caught up here, BigDaddy. I am absolutely in love with the book porn in >85 richardderus:.
I WANT that room. I NEED that room. Now I have to go catch up on your previous thread. *smooch for you and a scratch behind the ears for the divine Miss Stella*

>193 jnwelch: I live to serve...and I was gobsmacked that someone did all the manual labor and then posted it for the world to see!

>194 katiekrug: I don't like surprises. Yesterday I came up the stairs after walking Stella and a naked man crossed the landing from the guest room to the bathroom.

He did pause and say a polite "good morning" so we spot him points on the manners, but WTF is a man I don't know doing wandering around my house naked?

The Minions having arrived the night before, I assumed he had some connections to them. But really? Why ever would you run around someone else's home starkers?

The entire house was empty of anyone to whom I could address this question for the rest of the day, and I didn't hear any rustlings or stirrings until midnight-ish. I was far too comfies and snoozy to care by then.

This morning the woman (!) of the couple was wandering around (clothed) and I inquired as to who she was. She smiled and ducked into the bedroom. I found the minions, who were not at all happy to see me, and said "who are the people sleeping in the guest room, why are they here, does your aunt know about them, and are you aware that the Gruesome Twosome (aunt and husband) are arriving tomorrow instead of Saturday?"

It took some time to pierce the evasions, but the short answer is that BOTH MINIONS had planned this and had simply elected not to tell me that strangers would be sleeping 30ft from me.

That makes me angry.

>195 Ameise1: Hi Barbara! See above for the source of my discontent. *smooch* for the lovely gifts!

>196 Crazymamie: Stella sends slurps, Mamie dear!

>197 richardderus: Refresh my memory dearest....I want to tsk tsk and cluck cluck appropriately, but I'm having trouble tracing back who are the MINIONS and their relationship to you.

>199 tututhefirst: Hi Tina! The Minions are Claudia's niece and the niece's beloved. They live here while each is establishing him- or herself in a career in NYC. In return, they do petty chores for me, go to the post office, nip out for an ingredient, walk Stella if I'm having A Day, that sort of thing. Lovely young people, except (in common with most young people) utterly and unrelievedly self-centered.

OMG, that's horrible. Poor friend, smooch.

Oh, dear. That is "simply not to be borne!" How creepy to encounter strangers in your own home and have no idea why they are there. Or when they are leaving. They ARE leaving, right?

>201 Ameise1: It was surprising, but I won't go so far as to say horrible, Barbara. I'm not at all pleased to have my feelings and personal space valued at nothing by the people sharing my living quarters. That's the source of my most severe annoyance.

I can fully understand you.

>199 tututhefirst: I'm glad you asked that, Tutu. Now I just need to know who Claudia is, Richardmydear. I figured out that Stella is the dog.

That's what happend when you enter late into a group. you don't know all the family things

You missed me up there in >202 Crazymamie:. When are the strangers leaving?

>197 richardderus: - Outrageous. Plus just ick. I hate having people I know staying in my house, much less strangers.

>197 richardderus:
WTF???

Plus, wandering around nekkid in someone else's home?

doubleplus ungood

A good critic is trying to tell you what she has learned about herself from the reading of a particular piece of literature. A bad reviewer is often trying to tell you how smart he is by declaring whether or not he liked a particular book. If he liked the book, then this is the kind of book a superior person likes, and vice versa. He might try to explain why he didn’t like it, but the review is really just a tautology. “I didn’t like this book because it is bad,” is equivalent to “This book is bad because I didn’t like it.”
Kevin Guilfoyle, The Tournament of Books 2014

So this is something I found at the Tournament of Books site, and with which I agree completely. I've had a lot of private and public snark on several fora about the fact that I write reader-response reviews. "Who cares" is the general tenor of these snorts of derision, with an undercurrent of "how dare you" for additional smugness.

Here's the thing: I don't much care if you liked a book or not. That's nice, either way, ohhh mmmm ah-hah. So? I like BLTs. So you go out and get yourself a BLT because Richard said he liked them. It's a soggy mess, with undercooked bacon and watery tomatoes and limp, wilted iceberg lettuce on untoasted white bread. "Ick ptui," you say, "that Richard steered me wrong! I'll never trust his recommendations again."

And you'd be right.

I **love** crispy bacon. When you put crispy, just-on-the-edge-of-burned bacon on a toasted piece of seeded rye bread, and add fresh, home-grown Green Zebra tomatoes that have been slightly salted to accent their sweetness...well, the only thing that makes it better is an inner leaf of butter lettuce, one of the yellowy ones with a crunchy-thick rib and that snap-in-the-tooth texture. Being a fat-o-holic, I need mayo on my bread, but honestly who would be a stickler and whine about the lack with these ingredients?

And please, oh please, give me a good bock beer, a Dos XX or a Shiner, cold cold cold, so I can sluice my mouth clean with carbonated richness! Could any sandwich anywhere ever say "summer" more loudly than this?

Now you hate the sound of that because you're some sort of stupid veggie nutball, or you're a religious nut who won't eat pigmeat, or maybe beer makes you cringe. Maybe you don't like tomatoes. But what you are not is in any doubt about what I'm saying I like. Based on your take on the elements presented, you have a clear picture of whether I'm speakin' your language or I might as well be speaking in tongues.

That's what I'm trying to get across, both positively and negatively, in my reviews. If you disagree with me, fine. But I don't care. It's not important to me that you "validate" me with praise each and every time I utter a pronunciamento, as more than one of the arrogant assholes who've publicly or privately told me to belt up have said.

If you don't like what I've written, go on about your day. I don't care to know why, or that, you are Offended or Bored or Contemptuous. Go feel your feelings the way you feel your bits: Privately.

>209 richardderus:
Richard, I laughed so loud I think the neighbors heard me. "Go feel your feelings the way you feel your bits: Privately."

Thank you for that.

>209 richardderus: - Go feel your feelings the way you feel your bits: Privately.

Wonderful line!

God - I want a BLT.

Not only do you write my favorite reviews anywhere, now you've written in your own inimitable style exactly why I appreciate them so much.

Thank you.

* ick! tomatoes *

>204 Ameise1: It doesn't seem to me to be too much to ask, to be informed before the event....

>205 connie53: Oh dear...well, let's cut a long story short and say Claudia is the woman whose house I am, for now, living in, and Ray is her new husband, and I frequently refer to them as "the Gruesome Twosome."

>202 Crazymamie:, 206 *smooch* I'm so sorry! I didn't see you there, and I was already drafting my rant (see above). They're leaving tomorrow, I'm told, but frankly the damage is done and I wouldn't care if they stayed a week.

>207 katiekrug:, 208 I'm not averse to company, and I understand the need to help out one's friends. I would've said "sure fine great wonderful, let me get them some towels and set things up" but for the fact that I wasn't told.

It's the inconsiderateness of it that gets up my nose.

>210 AuntieClio: *sweeping bow* I live to amuse, madam.

>211 katiekrug: Thanks, Katie!

>212 Fourpawz2: I know, Charlotte, I've made myself hungry for one and I gots no bacon!!! *broken sobbing*

>213 MDGentleReader: *baaaawwww* You're very kind to say so. As for tomatoes, well, more for me this way!

> 214 I can live with that!

Lord, Richard, I have badly neglected your thread and sorry to have done so. So, a few things here.
Minions sound like a good thing to have but for that very annoying decision not to tell you about the, um, guests. I would hate that! Inconsiderateness is one of those things I just don't get.

I also love your response to the excellent Tournament of Books site. I enjoy your reviews but I certainly don't want to read everything you read. That doesn't mean a tiddly bit about your taste or the worthiness of the book; it's just that our tastes overlap less than 100% (but a good bit more than 0%, I might add).

I will say that I sometimes have to remind myself not to care if others don't like a book that I loved. It's not that I get my feelings hurt, but I can start to question my own experience. Silly.

And I very, very badly want a BLT made with extra crispy bacon (on this we agree 100%), fresh tomatoes, butter lettuce, and mayo...... on lightly toasted excellent bread. *drools*

*stops drooling long enough to send smooches to RD and Stella*

io9, one of the SF blogs I follow religiously, has three articles that I hope y'all'll make some time to go and read:

10 Ultra-Weird SF Novels That Became Required Reading -- I've read 8, liked 5, and adored 1.

10 Weirdest SF Novels You've Never Read -- I've read 2, and they were WEIRD AS MAMA KITTY'S TITS.

10 SF Novels That Will Definitely Never Be Movies -- *sniff* *chinwobble* *strangled sob* see #10.

Re: 10 Weirdest SF Novels You've Never Read - HOLD UP. Harold Bloom actually wrote a book? AND THAT WAS IT? XD That's funny.

By dah way, HAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAI.

>197 richardderus:: liberties are being taken. I sniff with disapproval.
>207 katiekrug:: Ms. Rug, I am so with you about this. A one bathroom house doesn't lend itself to guests.

Loved your review of The Heart is a Lonely Hunter and the one about Eudora Welty's memoir as well.

I'm flying through, hardly even skimming. Love the pictures of course. Love the praise of coffee, always. I want Ellen's BLT, but I have some stew meat to eat. I did try a Madhur Jaffrey recipe for dinner, and sorry to report it was a bit of a failure. Not her fault, mine entirely. One missing ingredient, tried to cut it in half which was not a good idea, and my oven cooked too hot. Almost burned it. Nevertheless, it was palatable and I'll try it again and do better, I'm sure. I definitely was a good recipe.

No photographs. Nope. Not this time.

>216 connie53: *smooch*

>217 EBT1002: Ellen, I know what you mean about reminding yourself not to internalize others' reactions. I'm often left wondering what I'm doing wrong when I get no, or little, discussion of what I've said in a review. I mean, however lovely it is to be told someone likes something I've written, did it cause some thought to surface or was it solely a reading experience you liked, or what?

Anyway, I found some bacon and had a BLT. Store-bought Romas ain't no patch on a Green Zebra from the garden!

>219 ErisofDiscord: Haaaaaaaaai Eris!! *smooch* I see more of you on Pinterest than here these days.

>220 tiffin: Thanks for the sniff on my behalf, and the kind words! *smooch*

>221 maggie1944: Practice, practice, practice...but gracious isn't it a pain! I'm pleased it was an experimental not an experiential failure. *smooch*

Way back when, you asked about time zone changing. At the time I did it I saw a notice on the home page, that it was a new feature I think, and I followed the instructions.

There must be a way to get back to it. Hm, maybe I should have dropped breadcrumbs. Maybe also, someone has already alerted you about how to do it....I am a gazillion behind so cannot be sure. :)

Oh, and btw, we are having bacon beer and beef pie tonight for dinner. What's not to like!??!?

>224 LovingLit: Go to your profile, and at the top right corner click on "edit my profile"

scroll down and look at the time zone! Changeable there.

>225 LovingLit: I'll be there for leftovers. Make sure there are some!

^ uh oh. Just served it all out so unless you want to take food from the mouths of babes.... BUT....the Halswell Butchery and Delicatessen makes some eerily similar ones.

*sigh* Oh well. Guess it's meatloaf again. *smooch*

Already went and read the 3 blogs after you posted them on Facebook--greatly enjoyed them.

#222 - *smooch* Yeah, Pinterest is a lovely vegetative state inducing website. Although I've been giving it a wide berth today, ever since the hackers and spammers infiltrated it, prompting the website to be taken down for a while. I don't even know if it's up right now; haven't checked. :/

These past couple of weeks have been pretty trying ones for la familia and then there was lots of homework balderdash I've had to take care of. It's so nice to see you all again, though.

And nooooow I have to go work on my history paper. I'm really good at time management. *hug*

>229 ronincats: Oh goody, Roni! Hope you got some ideas for reading too.

>230 ErisofDiscord: Down? I've just come from there, so not that I know of. Write well!

It was down earlier today: http://www.examiner.com/article/pinterest-members-warned-about-spammers Just something to keep in mind. :/ I really hate having to think about that crap, but sigh, le internet can be ugly.

Thank you! :) Just got it done, and at a decent time, so I get to go read and fall asleep at a decent hour. *happy dance* Good night, Richard!

>214 richardderus: Unfortunately it isn't anymore popular to act in a civilised way as we are used to and everything is taken with a matter of course.

>226 richardderus: changed my timezone, but it took one more step. timezone stuff is located in your user settings ;-))

Good morning, Richardmydear. Another sunny day in the Netherlands!

Morning, Richard! A bit late, but wanted to say that I'm sorry about the random naked guy in your house. When I started reading that post, I was hoping it would go in a much happier, more interesting direction for you...

I'm a reader response gal myself, so get on with your bad self, friend. :)

>209 richardderus:. I'll have a blt, if you are making them...

xo

>234 connie53: Nope, it's not sunny at all. In my part it's heavily overcast :-(

Richard, I'd hate to have random naked men in my house. Hugs!

>232 ErisofDiscord: OIC

Well, that was only a matter of time. Sucks how many rotten, evil-souled bastards there are in the world.

>233 Ameise1: People are no damned good, are they, Barbara?

>234 connie53: *smooch* for sunstruck Connie

>235 scaifea: Hi Amber! Thanks for the commiseration and encouragement!

>236 mckait: Here ya go, sweetness:


>237 wilkiec: It's the "random" that bothered me, Diana. Happy weekend coming!

Morning, BigDaddy! I absolutely loved your rant in >209 richardderus:. And like Ellen, now I WANT that sandwich!

>238 richardderus: Unfortunately no 😭

>240 Crazymamie: Thanks, my dear, I'm not all the way convinced that anyone who doesn't like bacon should be allowed to vote. Can one trust their judgment?

>241 Ameise1: *sad sigh*

>237 wilkiec: now it's overcast here too.

Sunday it is supposed to be 18C and tomorrow 17C but with clouds!

Rdear, I hope my response (>241 Ameise1:) was correct. I hate those people's behaviour.

I've never been fond of pompous writing, the kind that checks its look in the mirror of acclaim and piles on the self-satisfied smirking smugness that makes me want to torch all the MFA schools I can reach.

My review of Paul Auster's dull The Book of Illusions, which I've moved from Goodreads to my blog, says that and more. Apparently the hoi polloi slithering in from the Internet's more sanctimonious quarters don't agree with me, therefore I must be wrong.

The troll over there on this review was last straw for me. I wrote my rant in >209 richardderus: to respond to that troll. BTW, I strongly suspect the sock-puppet was created by someone who once upon a time infested my threads here. The tenor and tone of that individual's snotty childish and unpleasant posts doesn't change much from sock-puppet to sock-puppet.

I'm just going to drop in a smooch. People are not being good to you this week and I heartily disapprove of that. Hope it improves (with less non-invited naked men and more intentionally-by-you-invited naked men).

>222 richardderus: glad you were able to cluther together a BLT, Richard, even if it wasn't a first rate one. I've got bacon but I need to find a teeny weeny head o' some kind of lettuce. And the obligatory pale and sub-standard tomato to go with it.

Hope you and the pooch have a good day today!

>246 BekkaJo: Hi Bekka! It's the weekend, so the house will be full of people, none of whom are people I wish to see in the nude. But none of them are here by surprise, either. We take our victories as we find them.

>247 Fourpawz2: A good substitute for decent, non-iceberg lettuce is the "spring mix" package of greens that every grocery store sells. I put a little pile of that on my sammies for crunch, and frequently (though not with bacon) a sliced cucumber as well.

From those three SF lists, I've read one from the first (one of my favorite books), none from the second list and four from the third list. I have to agree with the author of that list. There is no way to really film those.

>218 richardderus:: Well, yes, Stranger in a Strange Land is weeeeiiiirrrd, but in a good way. I liked it, anyhoo.

>245 richardderus: Well, phooey on the trolls. I enjoyed the great review, even if you didn't the book.

Another entry in the "...ummm..." file: Come in from the garage, bring in a box delivered to the door that's next to the mailbox, and don't bring in the mail.

Also, drive past the empty, tipped-over trash can on your way in, and leave it at the end of the driveway.

Then come in and unload the clean dishes from the washdisher. Leave the dirty dishes in the sink.

Not a teenager. A verging-on-30 adult.

Really?

Rdear, for how long you have to endure this?

>249 Morphidae: Honestly, they were all unfilmable on that last list...either subject-matter complexities or simple impossibility of narrative translation. I still *pine* for The Sparrow to be turned into a limited TV series! Enough time to develop the story fully, tell the nuances and refinements, get into the *meat* of the thing! And what a story it is.

>250 scaifea: I liked it too, back in the day. I wonder if I would now. I'm willing to leave the memory alone. And thanks! I've had over 100 comments on that review, which honest and truly I can't see the harm in...being unsparing with myself, it just doesn't seem to me to be offensive unless you're the author.

>252 Ameise1: Until I find a new place to live, Barbara.

>251 richardderus: I'm very much tempted to say something. But I won't

>239 richardderus: rdear, you are so good to me! Thank you !

>251 richardderus: just does not shock me.

>254 connie53: I don't dare say more, Connie.

>255 mckait: *smooch*

You live with it daily, me lurve, so why would it shock you? I am just...at a loss...for any reasonable explanation of such cluelessness!

Hi Richard, hope you are having a good day my friend.

>257 johnsimpson: Thanks John, it's gone very quiet around here since the unexpecteds have left and the early invasion of weekenders has cried off until tomorrow.

I'm *reveling*!

Hi, Richard ~ Hope you are enjoying your randomnekkidstrangerless home and that the weekend continues along the same vein. As far as your reviews go, please don't stop writing them, no matter how many sock puppet trolls try to stop you. Honestly, those are the kinds of wankers who would not DARE to say the same thing to your face but use the somewhat anonymous internet to spew forth all their inner hideousness. *smooches* and a {{{big hug}}}

Richard,
my lunch friend and I were talking about something similar to your sock-puppet troll's attitude. He belongs to a hard science/math book group which he enjoys very much. Because the subjects are not subjective and so the book either got it right or wrong. He's not keen on other types of book clubs for the reason you mentioned, if one doesn't like something then one is wrong for disliking it. Who cares? We read what we like and the rest can spin.

Y'know, you could carry a camera at all times, and be ready to "snap" naked people you find wandering about (with a wicked leer on your face---oh, go on, you know you've got one). I'll bet they'd think twice about running around in the altogether. They might even turn down another invitation to stay over. Or you could just scream like a banshee and start tearing off your own clothes. So many ways to put an end to this behavior... I think you should formulate a plan in case it happens again.

>261 laytonwoman3rd:
This made me laugh a lot.

Richard, maybe next time say, "for ME??? Oh you shouldn't have!"

I would think it would be dull with no minions or naked strangers..

About those trolls who seem to feel compelled to leave nasty droppings at various sites around the hinterwebs: it seems to me that the kind of person who feels compelled to do this kind of thing has some kind of mental health issue. I mean, really, what kind of mentally healthy person would ever feel the need to spew venom and vengefulness with that vicious undertone of rage that I've read in comment sections more times than I care to count? Most sites have a block or report feature, so I use those when necessary. If there isn't one, I ignore them because there is something so profoundly tragic about someone who is hardwired like that. The owner of a site I like on FaceBook deletes those comments and it works: his site is one of the nicest ones going.

>259 Storeetllr: Heh, I'm considering which review to write next, Mary. I've read many review-worthy books and haven't done anything about it. I'm pissed off now, thanks to {name redacted because some people Google themselves obsessively}.

>260 AuntieClio: I don't care about what they think, but I'm damned good and sick of dealing with nastygrams. This latest one from {name redacted so I don't wake her up} just pushed me over the edge of weary into fuck-you-very-kindly mode.

>261 laytonwoman3rd: My usual plan when confronted with naked maleness could easily be construed as "unwanted sexual advances" by strangers. Any other plan seems so...pale.

>262 AuntieClio: I suspect the fact that the gentleman in question only speaks Italian might have ruined the amusement value of that one. And not being the TARDIS, I can't guarantee to speak in everyone's proper language automatically.

>263 mckait: "Dull" has never been a word used to describe my life. "Weird" and "scary" come up fairly often, but "dull" nahsomuch. *smooch*

>264 tiffin: I read this article when I was looking for reasons someone who used to come to my threads was turning so nasty. It gave me a lot of insight into the mental health issues behind trolling.

This New Statesman piece was helpful as well. But the fact remains that these are unbalanced and untrustworthy people in need of segregation from normal, decent netizens.

Both interesting articles, Richard. Glad to read that the more serious cases are being tracked and prosecuted.

>266 richardderus: the follow-on to the first article made me angry. Actually, so did the original, in a different way. I had never heard of RIP trolls. I only skimmed the article and I still feel a sick. I think I need some more Elizabeth Enright this evening, maybe some cute overload.

>265 richardderus:, excellent idea NOT to name names. Don't want to draw any more attention to bad behavior. In children, that CAN make it go away. Apparently not in this case. I hate nastygrams, life is hard enough, without adding to its difficulties. I really wish you were not a target of such nastiness.

It appalls me how much harm one person can do with words. And with the Internet, it is a "gift" that keeps on giving, harming all unfortunate enough to come across it, whether the target or not.

{{{Richard}}}

re: inviting guests without warning. Part of my mind started in with "I'd NEVER do that". True enough, but I was just as self-centered at that age, it just came out differently. I was annoying and boundary-busting, but in a people-pleasing, insecure kind of way. People often do get better with age.

Both behaviors stem at least in part from lack of empathy. In trolls, I think it is pathological; in the minions, hopefully it will pass once an awareness of other people and their perspectives comes into play.

{{{{Richard}}}} Savor your isolation (well, except for Stella, who is always a welcome companion). You make my day better.

In the Weird Required Reading list, I've read Dhalgren, The Four-Gated City, Stranger in a Strange Land, The Female Man, and Dreamsnake. I may have read the Dick and Gerrold as well, but all of these were read in the sixties and seventies. The McIntyre was probable my favorite. Like you, I'll stick to the memories of Stranger. Of the Wierdest SF you've never read, I've indeed never heard of any of them (that I remember) other than the Gottlieb--who actually was an author whose work I collected. And finally, from the never be movies list, I've read Friday, The Left Hand of Darkness, Woman on the Edge of Time, The Four-Gated City, Among Others, but although I've read lots and lots of Simak (Time is the Simplest Thing was a high school favorite and Way Station an all-time favorite, I don't think I've ever read that one. And I still have never read The Sparrow.

Hi RD- It looks like I haven't been by in a couple days. Bad Mark. Hope you are feeling well. It was nearly 50 here today. I just wish it would stick around awhile. Is that to much to ask?

Oh, by da way:
10 Ultra-Weird SF Novels That Became Required Reading -- I've read 6, liked 5, adored 1

10 Weirdest SF Novels You've Never Read -- only 1 of this lot

10 SF Novels That Will Definitely Never Be Movies -- only 1 of this lot as well

>267 tiffin: Me too, though one wonders if the authorities are whole-hearted in their pursuit of such folks.

>268 MDGentleReader: It's a whole area of viciousness I've only ever tangentially encountered. I have no desire to get more involved in it than I must!

*smooch* thanks for the kind words.

>269 ronincats: Those were three good lists, weren't they Roni? Very very very weird stuff on the never-reads...The Tsaddik... is the only one I've read, and it was straaaaaaannnnnnnnnnge indeed.

>270 msf59: Oooh what a beautiful image, Mark! *happy sigh* Have a good, light Saturday!

>271 tiffin: I'll bet you adored...lemme see now...adored...Xenogenesis!

The Tsaddik is the one I've read as well. And nope, it was Dhalgren! I haven't read Xenogenesis.

Dhalgren! My, my. I was completely. blown. away. by Delany as a youff, but the horripilation of re-reading Stars in My Pocket Like Grains of Sand (still a glorious title) and discovering it was pretentious, overblown twaddle has led me to shy away from any repeats.

>218 richardderus: Thought you'd get a kick out of the fact that I am so NOT a reader of Science Fiction that every time I see "SF" anyplace my brain immediately hops on a cable car and heads for Golden Gate park. I figured inquiring minds should know.

Hi Richard! Mmm, BLT sounds good now. I read those two articles. Seriously some messed up people with some mental problems. Whether it is right or wrong, there are many places I don't go on the internet for that very reason. Basically same issue happened here for me and I almost closed my account.

>275 tututhefirst: HA! That's priceless, Tina. Yes, we're all just *addicted* to books set in dear ol' SF...not Marin County, not the South Bay, juuussst SF.

*giggles helplessly*

>276 leperdbunny: Oh Tamara, I am so sorry to hear that. It makes me sad and not a little gloomy that even here, among some of the kindest and most wonderful friends I've ever met, there are a few rotters. Statistically, I think we're well ahead of the average, though.

*smooch* for a happy return.

>277 richardderus: Hey, this group is what saved it! I discovered 75ers after that incident. You're right, though. Quite a good bunch here. :) I don't get the mindset of trolls etc though. At a certain point I want to just say "okay, cut the bull**** and be level with me about xyz". The articles they had about certain trollers/hackers just seem immature to me. Maybe they will wake up one day and realize how wasted? their lives are. I just don't understand wasting that much effort etc into that.

>275 tututhefirst:
Hah! That's funny, I do the same thing even though I do read science fiction/fantasy. Of course, I live in the South Bay so that might have something to do with it.

>277 richardderus:
I admit to some skittishness about joining the group last year, after the many years of experiences I had in other online communities which just turned to bullying and crap each and every freakin' time. Being completely aware of the axiom, "The definition of crazy is repeating the same thing over and over hoping for a different outcome," I thought I'd just stay on my own little thread and just keep to myself.

But nooooooooo ....

you all had to turn out to be nice people who share my zeal for reading and lists and sundry other cool things.

Temptors the lot of ya!

{{Richard}}

Good morning Rdear. I wish you a lovely weekend.

Well.. I skimmed, I did skim. Have you been having trolling issues again? I missed that.. sorry it's happening. There is a lot of discussion about that in writer forums according to @Rick Gualtieri.. who is one of those very calm and intelligent young men, who also happens to be an author. The internet is magic, but all good things will have some sort of down side. Sorry it is happening to you.

The dreaded by you weekend is here, now and I hope it is much better than you expect it to be.
I need to get busy and get ready for work.. Read something nice and relax with the pooch today.. hugs

Good Morning, BigDaddy! Hope it's a good one!



Cranberry orange pecan coffee cake

Back in the land of the living, I'd like to tell you how much I loved the review of the Greenfield book If Kennedy Lived in your last thread and I just acquired said book to overburden my already overburdened shelves.

We had the Vaughn Meader album, by the way.....

Happy Saturday, RD!

*smoochies* from Horrible

Vanilla-nutmeg cake donuts with coffee glaze! I'm not feeling well, so won't be here too much. Enjoy the snicky-snack in my absence and for goodness' sake please, please stop pinching Perkins' behind *glunks the assembled company* as he's threatened to hand in his notice if this unseemly exuberance continues.

Thanks for the snacks! I hope your are feeling much better as the weekend progresses. I'm trying to balance doing some reading and relaxing with a few chores. Weather here is OK, gray overcast, with threats of rain, but nothing too bad. Excellent reading weather.

I would go off my head if I encountered a naked stranger wandering around my house! I think you were very patient!

I have a sister who does this, never informing you of anything you might say no to..... one time she showed up here more or less unannounced (called to say she would be stopping by - mainly just checking to see if we were home - she lives way out in western NYS) with a horse in a van (a fact unrevealed) and I had to scramble to find a stall for it for the night on a neighboring farm. (She was on her way to a horse event in eastern Vt.) Of course, the friend I called could not say no to me, could they, since I was as flapped as could be!

We call it (name substituted to protect the guilty one) 'doing a Joan' when something gets sprung on someone.

I hope you will feel better soon, Richardmydear!

I've finally gotten my head above water, Richard, only to see that now you are down for the count. I'm so sorry you're feeling poorly and I hope you are back to your inimitably charming self soon! *smooch* and hopes for an improving weekend.

*smooches* I'm sorry you are not feeling well Richard.

:-( for the uninvited houseguests and trolls.

xoxo to you and Stella and I must have some of those donuts! *scarf*

It's been a rough ride...my day started with an unpleasant illness and has gotten better and better, thanks to lovely and kind and supportive pals. *smooch*

Still feeling a smidge under the weather, but nothing like this morning! Whatever this is, I've got the fast-moving version of it. Poor Claudia got a *horrible* sinus infection; both of the minions had what I've apparently got, and it took the same flash-fast but wretched course; and it seems a lot of others are in a similar boat, based on Facebook and some few blog posts.

I chatted with my foster mom for a couple of hours, since she's 85 I don't know which call might be the last (family history of sudden collapse and death), so when we connect it's my pleasure to bask in the sense of lovingkindness I've experienced from her since 1976.

It's left me a little more tired than is comfortable to respond individually, but a long nap could take care of that. I'm off to do that very thing. *smooches* all around!

I'm sure a sound sleep helps - *smooch*

Happy napping, Richard - I hope you wake up completely better and refreshed!

Just go and nap, Richardmydear! We will be here tomorrow!

Just catching up. Glad you had a nice long chat with your loving foster-mom. It's so good for the soul to be in touch with kind people who love us. Hope you feel better after your nap (God, I love naps!) and end up having a lovely weekend.

I hope the nap is just the ticket to making you feel more yourself.

Better yet?
I really wanted a nap yesterday,but it just never worked out.. I finally slept all night, though so....

Donuts ....yum!

Stopping by to wish you a lovely weekend, Richard. I skim-read my way down your thread so I probably missed a lot - although I read that you have had 'unexpected' visitors that don't quite understand the purpose of clothing, something about trolls and that you are not feeling well - so {{{Hugs}}}} and wishes that next week is a much better week then this last one has been for you.

>284 Crazymamie: OMG, that has everything I love, in one cake. WANT!

>286 richardderus: Want the donuts, too!

I really shouldn't visit your thread when dinner is cooking.....

Damn your review of The Child Thief makes me want to read it. (In a loud and declarative voice) ON THE LIST IT GOES.

Thanx buddy...

>292 richardderus: So sorry you were hit with a bug and I hope it goes away very very quickly. There's a heck of a lot of illnesses around these parts as well.

>245 richardderus: Fantastic review of a book I will avoid at all costs. I HATE books that are all me, me, me...look how bad I have it. Everyone one of us here on this planet has troubles and issues to deal with. The best we can do is to be kind to each other and offer support.

Oh gosh, message #1 is basically perfect.

Says the guy who is working and working, and neglecting both reading an LT :/

(But Hi Richard! Hope all is well!)

Don't like seeing you under the weather dear fellow. Get yourself fully recovered pronto.

{Richard} whammy!

I hope you get a good sound sleep and awake much refreshed and feeling SO much better that the world looks like a good place again. I hear it's warmed up there?

Hope you are feeling better hun.

Morning Richardmydear! I hope you had a good nights sleep and feel much better today!

Better yet? Hope so... Hope you had a good sleep and some good coffee and a good day to follow...

I hope sleeping, resting, and taking it easy is on the agenda for you. What ever was bothering you shall go away pronto! When I light my candle of good wishes for Morphidae I'll add another for you. Who knows what positive vibrations might come in your life today?

Good morning Richard, hope you have a pleasant Sunday.

Morning, if just barely, all! I've had a long nights' sleep, and forgot entirely it was *shudder* Daylight Savings Time. So here it is 11:36! Yikes.

Well, my illness is over, it would seem. I slept out the lingering fever and haven't had any gastric symptoms today. What happened, though, was that the divinely ordained system said, "let's torture him some anyway" and gifted me with a minor gout flare in my right hand. This happens a lot when I've had some sort of fever-producing illness. I'd hoped this was a minor one, and I'd escaped, but no.

So another day of little interactivity is probably in store for me. Hand pain is not severe, but I don't want to rile it up and make it severe either.

Accept my apologies for more absence than presence, please? xoxo to all

Pleased that the illness is over, sorry about the gout flare up ... hope it passes soon. Take care of yourself and we'll be here when you are up to it. *smooch*

Had to come post this. Too funny.

:-D! Get well soon, dear friend. *smooch*

*smoochies* and gentle hugs and positive strength-gaining thoughts for you, darling RD!

Horrible

I hope the gout flare is over soon, Richardmydear. I know how painful that can be!

Poo on poor health. Sorry to hear you are in unhappy pain and discomfort, RMD.

Loved getting caught up here, and especially reading the Zooey Deschanel quote. (and Marks painted board landscape image too). Sounds good to talk to your elderly foster mum, 85 is getting up there isn't it? Good for her, and that she has been there for you makes her cool in the extreme in my eyes :)

Oh, man, I *love* that poster!

SO many thanks to all of y'all for the lovely messages of kindness and support! My hand, after a day of mostly being rested, is less swollen. The pain's not lessened appreciably. I'm doing the best I can...so please, please forgive me for not answering each message as usual. The chemical-burn sensation is strong so I'm hoarding my keystrokes.

I've made a new thread, however. Please feel free to come and visit soon.