KatieKrug Reads Spontaneously - At Least That's the Plan - Part 6

Continuing to take inspiration from favorite reads of the year to top my thread, here is Eastham Beach on Cape Cod where Henry Beston spent a year living in a small shack, as chronicled in The Outermost House.


Photo by Jed Baird.

Hi All! I'm Katie, mid-30s, transplanted Northerner currently living in Dallas, Texas. Things I like: wine (I'm drinking some now!), traveling, the New York Yankees, Chinese food delivery, my dog Louis, cold weather, and books. Sometimes I'm afraid I like books more than reading - witness the ridiculous amount of unread books currently in my possession. Oh, yeah, and my husband - I like him too.

I read mostly fiction - literary fiction, mysteries, thrillers, smart romances (they do exist), and a bit of fantasy and some YA. I also enjoy non-fiction of the non-dry, non-boring sort.

I am trying very hard not to plan too much of my reading in 2014. I over-planned this past year and ended up with a sub-par year - too many books that were just okay and not enough standouts. So while I may have some general themes or categories I want to explore this year, I won't be signing up for a bunch of group reads or year-long challenges. I will continue to slot my reads into the monthly TIOLI challenges as they fit, and each month I will consider reading the designated American author for Mark's AAC, but I make no promises!

Themes/categories I will be informally tracking:

World War I (to mark the centennial of the start of the war)
Non-fiction (because when I do read it, I usually really enjoy it!)
Kindle (e-books I've bought pre-2014)
Off the Shelf (physical books I've bought pre-2014)
Non-Western setting/focus (I have a lot of this kind of fiction on the shelves...)
19th and 20th c. Classics (because I tend to ignore them)

And each month, I will use the "Folly" feature on LT to pick a book off my shelves - just to ensure at least 12 completely random reads.

Oh! And I almost forgot - to ensure I don't eschew longer books in a subconscious effort to read more, I will also be tracking my page read count.

Okay - I think that's it. Happy Reading!

BOOKS COMPLETED in APRIL
24. The Body in the Library by Agatha Christie (audio)
25. Memento Mori by Muriel Spark
26. Sula by Toni Morrison
27. Attachments by Rainbow Rowell
-- The Book of Lies by Brad Meltzer (DNF)
28. Tampa by Alissa Nutting
29. Want Not by Jonathan Miles

Pages Read This Month: 1329
Hours Listened This Month: 5:44

Pages Read This Year: 5831
Hours Listened This Year: 58:00

BOOKS COMPLETED in MARCH
15. Unequal Affections by Lara S. Ormiston
16. The Road by Cormac McCarthy
17. Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell (audio)
-- Confesstions of a Jane Austen Addict by Laurie Viera Rigler (DNF)
18. TransAtlantic by Colum McCann
19. The Outermost House: A Year of Life on the Great Beach of Cape Cod by Henry Beston
20. You Shouldn't Have to Say Goodbye by Patricia Hermes
21. Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me (and Other Concerns) by Mindy Kaling (audio)
22. The Outcast Dead by Elly Griffiths
23. The Blind Contessa's New Machine by Carey Wallace

Pages Read This Month: 1821
Hours Listened This Month: 12:44

BOOKS COMPLETED in FEBRUARY
8. 84, Charing Cross Road by Helene Hanff
9. The Great War by Joe Sacco
10. Newtown: An American Tragedy
11. More Baths, Less Talking by Nick Hornby
12. Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets by J.K. Rowling (audio)
-- As I Lay Dying by William Faulkner (DNF)
13. A Constellation of Vital Phenomena by Anthony Marra
14. The Night Guest by Fiona McFarlane

Pages Read This Month: 1268
Hours Listened This Month: 16:24

BOOKS COMPLETED in JANUARY
1. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone by J.K. Rowling (audio)
-- Rumor Has It by Charles Dickinson (DNF)
2. The Flight of Gemma Hardy by Margot Livesey
3. Midnight in Death by J.D. Robb
4. War Horse by Michael Morpurgo (audio)
5. Death Comes for the Archbishop by Willa Cather
-- Death of the Black-Haired Girl by Robert Stone (DNF)
6. The Leftovers by Tom Perrotta
7. Unlocked by Courtney Milan

Pages Read This Month: 1414
Hours Listened This Month: 18:08

More than 500 pages:
Forgotten Classic: The Outermost House
Book that became a movie: Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone
Published this year: Unequal Affections
Number in the title: 84, Charing Cross Road
Written by someone under 30: A Constellation of Vital Phenomena
Book with non-human characters: War Horse
Funny Book: More Baths, Less Talking
Female Author: The Flight of Gemma Hardy
Book with a mystery: The Outcast Dead
One-Word Title: Unlocked
Book of short stories:
Set on a different continent:
Non-Fiction: Newtown: An American Tragedy
First book by a favourite author:
Heard about online: The Night Guest
Best-selling book: Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me?
Based on a true story: The Blind Contessa's New Machine
Book at the bottom of TBR pile:
Book my friend loves: The Leftovers
Book that scares me:
More than 10 years old: Midnight in Death
Second book in a series: Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
Blue cover:



Book with female heroine: Sula
Book set in a high school:
Last of a trilogy:
Book with 'color' in the title:
First book in series:
Book set in the future: The Road
Book with a break-up: Attachments
Book without a love triangle: You Shouldn't Have to Say Goodbye
Book that became a movie:
Book set in Paris:
Book set in the past: TransAtlantic
Book with magic:
Book set in summer: The Body in the Library
Book with a dragon:
Book that made you cry:
Graphic novel: The Great War: July 1, 1916
Book based on a myth:
Classic YA:
Book with a Lion, Witch or Wardrobe:
Book with an incredible fight scene:
Book heard about online: Fangirl
Book set in another world:
Book with epic love story: Unequal Affections
Book with music:

(I'm not restricting this to only YA books, just stealing the categories...)

Ok, nice new thread, then!

Thanks, Jim!

Happy new thread, Katie!

Lovely new thread Katie have a wonderful Thursday.

Happy new thread, Katie! Love the thread topper and of course, that quote in >6 katiekrug:! I still need to catch up on your last thread - I am woefully behind! *sob* Hoping that your Thursday is full of fabulous. And wine.

Happy new thread!!

Love the thread topper; that's my kind of place - would love to visit there.

And happy new thread!

>10 susanj67: - Thank you, Susan! I appreciate you stopping by amidst the chaos of packing and getting ready to travel :)

>11 GeezLouise: - Thanks, Miss Rae. I hope you have a fantastic end to the week, too!

>12 Crazymamie: - Mamie, you didn't miss much on the old thread except some sentimentality and other foolishness. I had to slap myself and move on :) Thanks for the good Thursday wishes. I love Thursdays. And, honestly, most of my days are filled with wine at the end of them ;-)

>13 RebaRelishesReading: - Thanks Reba!!

>14 PawsforThought: - The Cape is even prettier in person, Paws. And just a short hop away, sort of. Okay, not really. But you should totally make the trip some time!

Hi Katie!!

15. A short hop? I'm sorry to say that my legs aren't quite as tall as you might think they are.
I will definitely make the trip, though. One day. One day when I have money and time to do so.

Lovely beach up there, Katie.

Nice new thread!

Pics like that are one reason I moved to New England. Really. What -- did you think I had made a rational decision?? Bwahahahaha.

20. Rationality is overrated! Just go where it's pretty.

>16 norabelle414: - Hi Nora!!

>17 PawsforThought: - There are lots of places I will go when I have the money to do so!

>18 EBT1002: - Thanks, Ellen. I made it myself ;-)

>19 Thebookdiva: - Thank you, ABBY!!!!

>20 Chatterbox: - Now, Suz, surely it was half and half? Beautiful scenery and lower rent!

>21 PawsforThought: - Exactly.

Hi Katie, just checking in to your new, tidy thread. Love the beach picture, there's nothing like a beach walk when one needs to do a little soul searching. Of course. I find I have a preference for west coast beaches. ;)

Happy new thread, Katie!! I LOVE the thread topper you chose ~~ so gorgeous!

And of course, >6 katiekrug: is maybe the best quote ever!! :)

>23 DeltaQueen50: - And I'm really an East Coast girl at heart, Judy!

>24 TinaV95: - Hi Tina - good to see you!

Hi Katie- Happy New Thread! Glad to see you are lining up your Boulder books. You still have nearly 2 months, which should be enough time. I've had Dear American Airlines on shelf, for a few years now. Maybe I'll drag it out.
In regards to Asheville, I do have both of Wiley Cash's books ready on audio.

Love the Cape Cod photo. Can't wait for a lovely day like the one pictured to go spend some time there myself.

Congratulations on the new thread! I'll join you on that beach in a few months after it's warmed up. :)

Hello Katie, congratulations on another thread! I think I gave a copy of The Outermost House to my brother as a gift some years ago, though I haven't read it myself. Have you ever read The Big House by George Howe Colt? I loved that book -- also about a real house on Cape Cod.

Hope you're having a good week!

>22 katiekrug: "There are lots of places I will go when I have the money to do so!"

You and me both, Katie! You and me both.

Happy New Thread, Katie!

>26 msf59: - Hi Mark! Yup, it looks like my April reading will be dominated by Booktopia books. Peter Heller's new one doesn't come out until early May so I will need to remember to make room for that one. I am very excited to finally get to Wiley Cash. I have his first on my Kindle and will probably buy the second in the next couple of months.

>27 michigantrumpet: - Marianne, I SO wish I could escape there more easily...

>28 inge87: - Sounds good, Jennifer!

>29 AMQS: - Hi Anne! I have a copy of The Big House but haven't read it yet. I've heard good things about it!

>30 EBT1002: - I knew there would be poeple here who felt the same way, Ellen ;-)

>31 scaifea: - Thanks, Amber!!

Hope you have a terrific weekend Katie and enjoy your future reads.

>33 katiekrug: RIGHT ON!!

>33 katiekrug: love it! TGIF anyway, Katie!

33, 35, 36. YES!

>35 EBT1002:, >36 lauralkeet:, and >37 PawsforThought: - Glad y'all liked the cartoon!

>34 GeezLouise: - Thanks, Miss Rae!!

Happy New thread, Katie!

>33 katiekrug: Love this one!

>32 katiekrug: As I get ready to cath some Michigan Basketball with the local alumni group, I'm catching up on some threads. I see the reference to The Big House -- I'm thinking you are talking about Michigan's football stadium also known as The Big House for its seating capacity. D'oh! Can tell where my head is today!

>39 connie53: - Thanks, Connie!! Have a great weekend.

>40 michigantrumpet: - Marianne, I was the only sports fan in my family growing up. I would sit and watch the Super Bowl by myself, looked forward to the Olympics every four years, and loved March Madness. I have very clear memories of watching Michigan's Fab Five in the tournament and cheering my heart out for them (probably because I had a big crush on Jalen Rose :) ) So I still have a soft spot for Michigan basketball (much to the disgust of my friend and colleague who is a die-hard Spartan...) Have fun!

>41 katiekrug: - Awe. I'm picturing child-version Katie, sitting in front of the television, watching the Super Bowl alone, with maybe a sad bag of popcorn by her side. Ha!

Anyway, have a lovely weekend!

>42 DorsVenabili: - Not quite, Kerri. My Mom let me have a Super Bowl "party" so I got all sorts of crap I normally wasn't allowed to have like cheese puffs and grape soda. She's help me set it all up and then join my father and sister elsewhere in the house :) It was actually kind of awesome...

Ok, well, that's not as depressing. Also, why was I laughing at that thought of a sad, lonely child watching the Super Bowl alone. What is wrong with me?! It's been a long week... :-)

Probably for the same reason I laugh when I see people fall down. Best not to explore it too deeply ;-)

Hi Katie - Yes, #33! Have a great weekend. You usually have some fun things. I hope the Wayne is recovering nicely.

Hi Katie, lovely new thread here. I wish I could commiserate with you on #33 but since I live in the land of perpetual Saturdays, that cartoon makes no sense to me. Huh? Does not compute.....,;-)

>46 BLBera: - Thanks, Beth! The Wayne is recovering very well. Tomorrow we get to take off the dressing and bandage. He'll then have more range of motion and be able to drive, I think, which will be nice because I'm tired of doing all the driving! We are planning on a nice quiet weekend at home, except for Sunday afternoon when we'll go celebrate my niece's 9th birthday with the rest of the family. I hope you have a good weekend!

>47 brenzi: - Well, now, Bonnie, that's just mean! LOL! Someday I'll know the joys of the perpetual Saturday...

Katie, I love the story of your childhood Super Bowl "parties"!! Your mom gets a star for that one.

>33 katiekrug: HA!!

I'm very late to the party. I'm also very miserable, since it's low pressure city around here and that means pains.

I didn't like The Dog Stars because the hero up and outta nowhere finds him a woman.

Like really outta nowhere. The plot devolves into nothing I cared about from that point on, because it was (to put it mildly) just stuck in there to make flippy-floppy possible. As I've mentioned before, straight-people sex is acceptable (barely) if it is necessary to drive (!) the story forward, but this just took us off in a dull new direction.

Glad to see the Wayne is recovering well! I'd hate to have to drive everywhere.

Have a lovely weekend!

>49 EBT1002: - They were so much fun, Ellen! I give my family credit for just clearing out and letting me enjoy the game rather than sitting there complaining the whole time ;-) My mom gets lots of stars from me! She was pretty awesome.

>50 richardderus: - Hmm, sounds like I should approach The Dog Stars with caution, Richard. I love me some straight-people sex, but more in real life than in books - HA! I'm sorry you are having more pain today. NOT ok. Wish I could make it go away...

>51 TinaV95: - Thanks, Tina! We took the bandages off this morning and the incision looks good. Very Frankenstein-like with the 5 staples :) He is a much happier camper now that he can move his arm fully.

________________

I forgot to report yesterday on poor Louis' procedure. It's like the walking wounded around here.... Louis had to go to the vet yesterday to have a skin tag removed from his eyelid. I had noticed it a few weeks ago so when we boarded him with the vet during our trip to New Orleans, I asked them to take a look. It looked kind of like a wart right on the bottom of his eyelid. The vet assured me it wasn't hurting him but if it was left to grow, it could damage his cornea and affect his eyesight. So off he went to get it taken care of. He did fine but came home a bit loopy from the anesthesia and his eyes was all runny (which the vet said was to be expected). I have to put ointment on his eyelid twice a day for the next week, and his eye will be permanently puckered a bit because to get the whole growth out, the vet had to cut a wedge shape out of his eyelid and then sew it back together. I think he looks rafish :)

This morning he is much more himself so I guess the effects of the sedation have totally worn off. He's such a good patient, though. He just sits there and looks at me while I try to smear this ointment on his sutures. I would be whimpering and snapping at anyone trying to do that to me!

Between that and the hubs' procedure and deductible, it's been an expensive week here at Casa Krug!

Hi Katie- How is it going at the Walking Wounded Ward? Sorry to hear about Louis. Hope you have a nice weekend planned.

>52 katiekrug: Oh poor Louis! My Stella is only in for a bath tomorrow, so she has no reason to complain.

All-inclusive good-health *whammy* for Casa Krug.

>53 msf59: - Thanks, Mark. Things are going swimmingly here. PRoductive morning and early afternoon. I'm taking a break now to LT and read a bit. Then back to the chores!

>54 richardderus: - Thank you, kind sir! Both patients seem to be feeling pretty good. And as long as they aren't whining, I'm happy!

Weirdly, skin tags around my eyes are one of the little joys (imagine a voice dripping with irony here) that have come with age... I had one for a couple of years right under one eye; when my mascara ran, or when the wand slipped, it would darken and look a bit like a beauty mark, but at times it would become annoying because it would actually become visible just in the lower field of vision of my eye. (My field of vision is already slightly wonky, since my eyes are set slightly too close together). So, at one point it became rather dry, and I took advantage of that to tweeze it off. It worked. But now I have two or three more, much smaller and less visible, but two of 'em are on or near my eyelids, where I'm not going to try anything that stupid. Sigh. Apparently this is one of those skin aging things that people forget to tell you about.

It's not so much the pretty scenery as the nearness to the ocean and the vast horizons and the sound of the waves. Intoxicating. I never get tired of it (or have never had a chance to get tired of it.)

>41 katiekrug: loved, loved, loved! Your story about the Super Bowl! I adore the Fab Five (and who doesn't love Jalen Rose? A crush on him is perfectly understandable.) we were in New Orleans for the championship game where Chris Webber called timeout. What a heartbreaker.

>56 Chatterbox: - I have a skin tag on my upper arm but on the under side of it. I'm kind of fascinated by it for some reason... That would drive me crazy to have one just on the edge of my line of sight!

>57 michigantrumpet: - Whatever happened to Jalen Rose? And Chris Webber. Seems like Juwon Howard had the longest/most notable pro career of any of them?

Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me (and Other Concerns)? by Mindy Kaling

I don't have a ton to say about this fun bit of fluff. It was diverting and sincerely funny in parts, but if you don't like Kaling or her particular brand of comedy and ditzy/smart girl, this is not the book for you. The first part about her childhood was the most interesting and the funniest. One of my favorite lines is where she talks about her best friend from high school going off to Cooper Union in NYC to pursue her passion for theater while "I went off to Dartmouth to pursue my interest in white people and North Face jackets."

I listened to this on audio read by Kaling. I can't imagine actually using precious reading time on it.....

Why I read this now: I like Kaling and my number came up on the library hold list.

Other books by Kaling that I've read: None. Because she doesn't have any. She did, however, write my all-time favorite episode of The Office: "The Injury" in which Michael burns his foot on a George Foreman grill. Awesome.

The Outcast Dead by Elly Griffiths

This is the sixth book in the Ruth Galloway mystery series, and one of the best, in my opinion. In it, we have a historical and contemporary mystery to deal with, but beyond that is Ruth's complicated private life - the most interesting facet of the series. I think the third and fourth books suffered in my estimation because there was very little character growth in any of the main characters and the mysteries seemed a bit throwaway to me. The Outcast Dead worked better because the nature of the two mysteries had direct relevance for Ruth's life and what she struggles with as a single working mother. For whatever reason, I flew through this book and now have to wait who knows how long for the next. It is one of the few series (maybe the only one) that I actually stay caught up on.

Why I read this now: I really enjoy the series, even the not-so-good books.

Other books by Griffiths that I've read: The other 5 Ruth Galloway mysteries.

Hi Katie -- sounds like your weekend is going well -- I'm glad :)

>59 katiekrug: Nicely done, though a book I'm unlikely to read. I am incapable of ear-reading. I fall asleep in ~10mins max, or get so bored I drift off into a reverie.

>60 katiekrug: I didn't connect with these. I wonder why? I like the protagonist's personality. The subject interests me. -?-

I'm absolutely *enamored* of Period Piece: A Cambridge Childhood! I had to put The Nazi Officer's Wife down. I was hyperventilating.

>52 katiekrug: "My mom gets lots of stars from me! She was pretty awesome."
That is so cool. As you might imagine, in my line of work I don't hear that very often. My own mom was a basket case who did a couple of critical things just right (I know this sounds trite, but she let me dress as I pleased - no lace, no required girly dresses, no itchy fabrics.... I'm ever grateful for this leniency that was rather unusual in the 1960s).

Also, I'm sorry for the expense of the various procedures but I'm glad the two men in your life are doing well. I love that Louis looks rafish. I mean, that and the blue football, he could be one of the Legion of Boom. ;-)

Not talking about skin tags otherwise, though....

I only read the first in the Ruth Galloway mysteries (well, I read the first by Elly Griffiths - was that a Ruth Galloway? -- must go check -- yes, The Crossing Places). It was just okay but it sounds like the rest of the series gets better?

Happy weekend, Katie!

>61 RebaRelishesReading: - Thanks, Reba! It is, so far, one of those lovely, relaxed, productive but not manic weekends where we manage to both get things accomplished and still have time for reading or playing computer games. I'll let you guess which I indulged in!

>62 richardderus: - Richard, I can only "ear-read" certain kinds of books, I find. I am continually experimenting, but seem to find good narrative non-fiction, YA (which I know you abhor!), and other lighter fare work best. That said, I pretty much only listen while driving or walking on the treadmill at the gym. I can't just sit and listen - I go to sleep!

As for the Ruth Galloway series, I listened to the first one and the narrator was FANTASTIC. She had just a beautiful voice. I'm not sure I would have been as sucked in had I read it. The second had a different narrator that I wasn't nearly as taken with, but still liked okay. The next three I actually read and found them a bit wanting, especially numbers 3 and 4. Anyway, all of which is to say, they aren't super awesome but under the right circumstances, I think they hit the spot. But really, there is enough good stuff out there that it's no big deal if you pass these by...

Period Piece is about a descendant of Darwin, yes? Here in Texas, Darwin is, of course, the devil ;-) I will have to investigate this one more. The Nazi wife book sounds harrowing...

'Tis indeed about a Darwinian descendant, Gwen Raverat. And that deviltry is all the more reason to read it!

Harrowing. Yes. Unimaginable to me that someone could *do* those things. At all.

>63 EBT1002: - Ellen, my only complaint about my mom is that she was old school and didn't really believe in going to the doctor unless one was feeling very ill indeed. As a result, by the time she felt ill enough from the breast cancer, it had metastasized throughout her abdomen and killed her 5 days after her reluctant trip to the doctor for what she thought was flu. Oy. Sorry to overshare. I've had the better part of a bottle of sauvignon blanc this evening... Good on your mom for not going the conformist route especially when it was so much harder to buck it during your childhood.

Another bullet point in my nomination of my mom as the greatest ever: my bedroom shared a wall with our dining room/kitchen area. I had a bamboo-type headboard that I could pull back and let go of and it would hit that shared wall. Saturday mornings, I would wake up, hear the sound of voices coming from the dining area, and let 'er rip on my headboard to let them know I was awake. Five minutes later, mom would appear with cinnamon toast, which I would eat in bed while she sat and talked with me. I fully realize this makes me sound like a little tyrant, and maybe I was, but I treasure that special time with my mom.

God, shup UP, Katie!

Moving on... Louis is the handsomest dog EVER, but the puckered eyelid adds a certain je ne sais quois.... Once again, he was a trooper tonight as I put the ointment on his eyelid. He whimpered a little, so I know he didn't like it, but he waited patiently until I was done.

The Ruth Galloway series: they are kind of uneven, to be honest. I loved the first, liked the second pretty well, found the third and fourth somewhat disappointing, the fifth redeemed the series a bit, and the sixth was right up there with the first for me, so......? If you weren't taken with the first, I would say just skip the series. Too many good books out there!

>64 MickyFine: - Thanks, Micky! Look at you, making the rounds of the threads, after just moving. Color me impressed. I'm a little sad, though. American Airlines is die to start non-stop flights between Dallas and Edmonton on April 1 and I had dreams of stalking surprising you by showing up randomly on your door step ;-)

>66 richardderus: - I will keep my eye out for PP (giggle!). It doesn't look to be available on Kindle or through Amazon Prime, but we have some excellent used bookstores here so I will add it to the list I keep special of books to look for in those places.

Hi Katie - Darn! I shouldn't have visited. I have The Outcast Dead from the library and have been saving it for when my homework is done. After your review, I want to get to it right away! Nice to hear it's a strong entry in the series. Temptation.

>47 brenzi: I live in the land of perpetual Saturdays - make that Sundays and I'm really jealous.

>60 katiekrug: I need to get a move on with that series. Only the first one done thus far. Seems that it is worth wading through crud to get to number six.

Have a lovely weekend, Katie

Here to wish you a great week! That, and to get caught back up. *smiles*

Ah, the beach at Eastham. Maybe summer will come one of these days!

>70 BLBera: - I think you'll like The Outcast Dead, Beth!

>71 PaulCranswick: - I don't know about "Wading through crud," Paul. The sixth isn't amazing or anything...

>72 Thebookdiva: - Hiya, ABBY!!!! You are welcome to visit any time, no matter the reason ;-)

>73 sibylline: - Lucy, because I am concerned for your mental health, I am not going to mention the lovely weather we are having down here. Summer WILL come to you. Eventually.

The Blind Contessa's New Machine by Carey Wallace

"It didn't matter where Pietro planned to take her. She could make her own world." (page 203)

What a beautiful, sad, delicious treat! In languid, dreamy prose, Wallace gives us a fairy tale about a beautiful young woman going blind, how she expands her world even as it shrinks, and how her true love helps her to imagine away the pain of her reality.

This is a little gem of a novella that charmed me, self-proclaimed cynic that I am.

"Her mind raced through the dark, throwing open doors, knocking over cabinets, searching for anything it ever remembered seeing. Then the lightning flashed again. Carolina captured it before it even struck land, a jagged scar of silver light suspended over the black chimneys of a sleeping city. She narrowed her eyes at the incomplete bolt until it shimmered and broke. With one sweeping glance, she cast the bits of light across the eastern sky as stars. Thunder roared in her ears and lightning cut the sky again. Her stars held steady over a ghostly desert. Another bolt charged down the night, but she caught it before it could turn the sand to glass, broke it into pieces, and lit the west." (page 199)

Why I read this now: It was my LT Folly pick for March.

Other books by Wallace that I've read: None.

I'm so happy The Blind Contessa's New Machine made a good impression on you! I so enjoyed it.

Happy new thread, Katie!

>41 katiekrug: - LOL, I am the reverse. I am probably the only member of my family (outside of my mom) that doesn't get all excited over sports..... unless it involves the Canadian women's soccer team Olympic hockey or anything related to curling. Everything else - including March Madness - just blows past me as a "Huh... what...?" moment.

Hoping for a quick recovery for Louis.

>76 richardderus: - It was a good one, Richard!

>77 lkernagh: - Hi Lori! I was pretty much a mutant in my family. I also liked doing sports at school which was unheard of. I wasn't particularly good but oh well... Louis is doing great!

>67 katiekrug: Katie, I absolutely adore you! Especially when you've had the better part of a bottle of Sauvignon Blanc. ;-)

eta: what winery was it from? P and I are wanting to buy a case of good, but not too expensive Sauv Blan for the summer. We generally love New Zealand SBs....

And I love the story about the cinnamon toast in bed.
And I share your sadness and anger that, by the time she sought help, it was too late for help. Dammit!

>79 EBT1002: and >80 EBT1002: - Thanks, Ellen :-)

The wine was Starborough which is from NZ. It's really not that great so I'm not sure I would recommend it to a discriminating person such as yourself! I have not gone wrong with any NZ sauvignon blancs, though, so I think you can take a stab at anything within your price point. I go through the stuff so fast in the summer that my price point is under $10 - ha!

I'm kind of disappointed I didn't win anything from Early Reviewers for March. I really wanted the last in the Last Policeman trilogy, as i had gotten the first two through the ER program. And reviewed them in a timely manner! Oh, well...

>82 katiekrug: Boo! Hiss! *smooch*

Katie! How did I get so far behind?

I'm pleased you enjoyed the 6th Ruth Galloway and you've reminded me that The Blind Contessa's New Machine has been on my wishlist for so long that I can't even remember who first recommended it to me.

Your Mum definitely does sound awesome and your story about cinnamon toast in bed made me smile. I know you'd mention before that she'd died from breast cancer but I hadn't realised how sudden it had been for all of you - I'm sorry.

>82 katiekrug: I say hrmph!!!

Still on the NZ Sauvignon Blanc thing, I generally love Kim Crawford but it's a bit out of the price range I'm hoping for. We have enjoyed Dashwood and Nobilo and Fire Road, all within about the $10-12/bottle range. Dog Point is totally yummy but up there at the $20/bottle price point along with Kim. Hmm, this is making me thirsty. Next weekend I might go to one of our wine shops and put together a mixed case.....

Ooh, Ellen, Nobilo is my other go-to! It's similar to Starborough, in my uneducated opinion.

>83 richardderus: - thank you for the sympathy and the smooch, good man!

>84 souloftherose: - it's altogether too easy to get behind around here, Heather. No worries! Do try yo make room for The Blind Contessa... It's lovely. Are you caught up with the Ruth Galloway series? I wonder if they come out in the UK first? And thank you for the kind words and sympathy about my mom.

>87 katiekrug: I still have books 5 & 6 to read. Book #6 The Outcast Dead came out in the UK in January so it doesn't sound like we're too far ahead.

Book 5 was better than Book 4 and worth getting to, if only to move on to Book 6 :)

The Outcast Dead came out here in March, so you are right - not too far behind!

Hi Kerri - I loved The Outcast Dead -- although reading it with a baby around was kind of creepy. I'll review later. I love Ruth.

Wine talk making me thirsty.

I won an ER book, The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry. Sorry you didn't get one. I am a little behind in reviews now...

Oooh, I"m glad you liked it, Beth! But, yeah, having a baby nearby may not have been ideal...

I am getting thirsty, too. Maybe time to go home soon ;-)

I probably didn't win an ER book because I have a bout 5 unreviewed wins. But I made a special point of reading and reviewing one in March to up my chances for a win. That usually works but not this time... Oh well.

Hi Katie- I think I requested the final Last Policeman book too. I received the 2nd one as an ER book. I did snag The Confabulist, which was my first choice. This was a good ER line-up.

It was a good selection, Mark. Figures I don't win anything - ha!

Better start reviewing...LOL! I am hoping for another good line-up!

I know, I know! I'm going to ignore a couple that hold zero interest for me now and try to get to the others soon(ish). The AAC, Atwood April, and Booktopia reading is keeping me super busy!!

For all you baby-philes out there, here is Miss Abby in a recent photo. I, of course, think she's adorable :-)

What a cutie!

>96 katiekrug: and justifiably so -- and I think she knows she's adorable too, judging by that expression...

So sorry about your mom; bad enough to lose her so young, but so suddenly, before you've had time to digest what's going on. That's horrifying. Friends of mine lost their father in a similar fashion, but it was a brain tumor that couldn't have been diagnosed, and I watched them try to cope. There's simply no easy way. At least however hard it can be to have those memories, they are wonderful and vivid memories.

yep, cute she is.

Hi Beth, Suz, and Reba! Thanks for stopping in!

____________________

The hubs and I are both home sick with a stomach bug. He's getting the worst of it, poor thing. I am kind of nauseous and having other issues... but still able to read so yay for that! I also managed to drag myself to the store since we had no appropriate-for-upset-tummy-food in the house. We are now well stocked with Gatorade, ginger ale, bread for toast, saltines, and chicken soup.

In good news, I should finish my book shortly...

Of course, you coulda just ordered in Pizza Hut.

>101 richardderus: - I think I just threw up a little in my mouth. All that cheese and grease... UGH.

100. I've been blessedly spared from upset tummies the past fifteen or so years (except for one time, which I shall NOT teel you about because it is the worst I've probably ever felt in my life and I don't want to do that to your thread), but your shopping sounds appropriate for sad tummies.
It's interesting what different parts of the world "cure" ills and stomach bugs with. While plain bread (toast bread) and plain (not salted) crackers are a staple, I'm used to feeding off bananas, blueberry soup, rosehip soup and flat Coca-Cola when ill.

>103 PawsforThought: - Ideally, we would be following the BRAT diet (bananas, rice, applesauce, and toast) but the hubs is kind of a picky eater so I have to improvise :) I had some white toast and it helped settle my stomach which is good. He is still sleeping...

I've opened the bottle of ginger ale to help it go flat, because that it typical here, too.

104. Ah, I'm not much for rice and I'd definitely not be cooking if I'm feeling unwell!

>100 katiekrug: - Sorry to see the stomach bug has found your home and decided to make friends with you and your husband. Take things easy and focus on food items that are easier to keep down - I am thinking of broth based soups, etc.

>96 katiekrug: Aaaaaawwww! She is adorable!

>96 katiekrug: Awwwww!

Hi Katie, sorry to hear the bug has settled in at your house. I hope you are all feeling better soon! Glad to hear that Louis is such a good patient, poor baby!

I'm reading The Outcast Dead and totally agree with your opinion on the other books in the series - they have certainly had their ups and downs. I'm not too far into The Outcast Dead, but so far, so good!

>105 PawsforThought: - I don't cook when I am feeling well :) That's the hubs' job!

>106 lkernagh: - Thanks, Lori. I had some toast yesterday, and last night the hubs had chicken broth. So far so good...

>107 Thebookdiva: - Thanks, Abby (I said as if I had something to do with it!)

>108 Copperskye: - Joanne! Lovely to see you over here! Things seem to be improving at our house, so fingers crossed... Louis is the BEST patient. Today is his last day of having the ointment put on his eyelid. He's been such a good boy. I'm glad you are liking The Outcast Dead so far. I definitely think it's one of the stronger ones in the series.

It's my Friday off and the hubs has taken another day off from work to make sure his stomach is well-settled. A friend of ours is throwing a joint birthday dinner for us tomorrow night, but I am thinking of postponing it, because even if he's feeling 100%, I want to ease the hubs back into "regular" food and we always end up overindulging in food and drink with these particular friends. So we'll see if we can' do it next weekend.

This morning I am off to get my hairs did (old family joke) and to run a few errands, including stopping at the library. I will be returning several unread books that I really want to read but just can't fit in right now. I am a bit over-booked with Atwood April, the AAC, and trying to read the authors who will be at Booktopia Boulder next month. Sigh. It's a terrible problem to have...

In other news, I binge-watched Season 3 of Downton Abbey yesterday. Oh the drama! So sad in parts. And what's with trying to make Thomas not such a bad guy. Too late!!

Season 4 is not available for free yet on Amazon Prime and I refuse to spend $1.99 an episode to watch it so will have to bide my time. For as long as I can hold out...

A stout hearted lady reluctant to whinge
Wanted to avoid a convivial binge
Lest her stomach spoilt the fun
She had her hair did and done
No perm, do dye and no fringe.

Sorry Katie, it is what I do in lieu of doodling.

Have a lovely weekend with 'new' hair, an iron tummy and plenty of reading. xx

Doodling, vs limericking... Hmmmm.....

"over-booked"....

Lots of punning happening here!

Glad you are bouncing back to life post tummy bug, and off to get your hairs did!

Glad you're feeling better Katie.

Lucky you, Katie, getting a Paul "doodle"! So far I've read only Want Not by Jonathan Miles to prep for Boulder. I'm bummed that The Painter: A Novel isn't coming out until early May. I enjoyed Heller's The Dog Stars but then I'm a bit in love with Colorado. Gosh, I hope the three of you are feeling much better by now. My husband has had that stomach bug and it was not a pretty sight.

Happy-tummy-weekend whammys on their way!

Hello Katie thought I would stop by to see how you guys are doing, better I hope.

>111 PaulCranswick: - That's delightful, Paul, thank you!

>112 Chatterbox: - Thanks, Suz!

>113 RebaRelishesReading: - Thank you, Reba :) Me too!

>114 Donna828: - Hi Donna! I have Want Not out from the library. It will be my next read, I think, after Sula. I was a little annoyed about the timing of several of the Booktopia authors' books. Most don't come out until April or May which means I have to plan to read them, and I don't like planning my reading! That said, I can't wait to get to The Painter which I think sounds excellent. I also plan to read The Dog Stars before the event.

>115 richardderus: - How sweet, Richard, thank you!

>116 GeezLouise: - MUCH better, Miss Rae. I appreciate your good wishes!

>117 msf59: - Heh, Eeyore is one of my favorites, Mark. He and Oscar the Grouch "spoke" to me as a child ;-)

I had an indulgent 3-hour nap this afternoon under fresh sheets and a new bedspread, with the windows open so it was just a bit chilly in the bedroom. Utter bliss. And it makes up for falling asleep on the couch last night! Of course, now I'll be up late but that just means I can make a good dent in Sula!

The Body in the Library by Agatha Christie

Miss Marple unravels the mystery of the murder of a young dancer and a teenage Girl Guide. This was a good audio, and I enjoyed the cast of characters. The solution was a little far-fetched, but still good fun.

Why I read this now: I felt like listening to a mystery, and it was available from the library.

Other books by Christie that I've read: A lot back when I was about 12 and 13. More recently The Mysterious Affair at Styles and Murder at the Vicarage.

Memento Mori by Muriel Spark

I have several novels by Muriel Spark on my TBR shelves, but this was the first one I've read. I wasn't sure at first what to make of it, but I ended up really enjoying this strange tale of a group of elderly "frenemies" who begin receiving mysterious calls telling them, "Remember you must die." As they puzzle over the calls, their pasts - complete with lies and blackmail and infidelities - are slowly revealed. It's remarkably funny in parts in that mid-20th century British kind of way, and the character sketches of all the individuals are really well done. I don't know that I would recommend this to everyone, but it's definitely worth a look to see if it's your cuppa.

Why I read this now: It was the LT Folly pick for April.

Other books by Spark that I've read: None.

CURRENT READ:


CURRENT LISTEN:

Glad you are focused enough to read. I know that's not always possible when you are sick. I'll get your book out next week, if that's okay? Gentle hug!

That's fine, Mark. To be honest, I totally forgot about it! Which does NOT mean I don't appreciate it :)

_____________________

Gosh, Sula is good. I could stay up late tonight and finish it, but think I"ll toddle off to bed, read a bit more, and just plan to finish it tomorrow. Maybe I can fit in another Morrison this month...

I love the cover in #120. Perfect.

>121 katiekrug: - "frenemies", love that term! Spark has quite the dark, biting side to her humor which I quite enjoy but you are correct, it is hard to recommend her books to someone unless you know the reader's tastes.

Hi, Katie! I'm so glad to hear that you're feeling better!

Happy weekend Katie! Your nap sounds heavenly. I'm not a napper but sleeping in new sheets, under new covers and in a cool room is heaven.

Hi Katie = I hope stomachs at your house are better. I love Muriel Spark's sense of humor. I'm glad you met and liked her. Sula is a Morrison I haven't read. It sounds like I should get to it.

I just snagged a cheap Kindle copy of Christie's Man in the Brown Suit, which I think I'm going to read very soon. Lightweight escapism!!

>125 PawsforThought: - I liked that one, too, Paws.

>126 lkernagh: - Wish I could take credit for "frenemies," Lori. What books by Spark have you read and which you might recommend?

>127 scaifea: - Thanks, Amber!

>128 RebaRelishesReading: - Happy weekend to you, too, Reba! I'm not a regular napper but sometimes it's just what the doctor (me) ordered ;-) I love my new bedspread. It's very cheery with bright blues and yellows in a kind of medallion pattern. It makes me smile when I walk into the bedroom.

>129 BLBera: - I think we are almost at 100% now, Beth. Thank goodness. I really didn't have it so bad, especially compared to the hubs. But he's doing great. Yes, you must read Sula! It was wonderful. I think you would really like it.

>130 Chatterbox: - Suz, I recently snagged several Christies, including The Man in the Brown Suit, pretty cheap for Kindle. My library also has a ton of them on audio (though only a few on Kindle) and depending on the narrator, I think they could make for some good listening.

>131 katiekrug: - Well, I have only read four of her books so far: Momento Mori, A Far Cry From Kensington, The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie and Aiding and Abetting. I would recommend Aiding and Abetting as it is more of a fun con-man meets con-man double-dealing type of story. A Far Cry From Kensington is a good "slice of post WWII London life" with a mystery to it. I have heard good things about Loitering With Intent and The Driver's Seat, so those both are on my shortlist for future reading.

>132 lkernagh: - Thanks for that, Lori. I have The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie, The Ballad of Peckham Rye, A Far Cry from Kensington, The Girls of Slender Means, and Loitering with Intent on my TBR shelves. Lots of good reading ahead, I think!

ETA: Will keep my eyes out for Aiding and Abetting!

Sula by Toni Morrison

"...hers was an experimental life." (page 118)

Sula was Toni Morrison's second novel, and it is just as searing and painful and beautiful as her first, The Bluest Eye. Here, she gives us the black community of Medallion, Ohio from roughly the end of World War I to the mid-century mark. And she gives us the story of the friendship between two girls - Nel and Sula - who despite the differences in their upbringing exist in the same reality of this small, tight-knit community. Sula and Nel take divergent paths, the latter staying put and building a life where she grew up, while Sula rejects her past and her roots and leaves town. It is only when she returns home a decade later that we see how two such separate paths can still lead to the same place and how the limitations of both circumscribe the horizon that each can imagine.

Told in Morrison's trademark rich and rhythmic language, Sula is a heartbreaking novel of thrown-away lives, torn-apart friendships, and brutal truths. I loved it.

"I sure did live in this world."

"Really? What have you got to show for it?"

"Show? To who? Girl, I got my mind. And what goes on in it. Which is to say, I got me."

"Lonely, ain't it?"

"Yes. But my lonely is mine. Now your lonely is somebody else's. Made by somebody else and handed to you. Ain't that something? A secondhand lonely." (page 143)

Hi Katie, I was sorry to read of your and hubsters' tummy troubles, but glad that it has moved along. I read Memento Mori last year and it was also my first Muriel Spark. I loved it and I am hoping to get to The Prime of Miss Jean Brody soon.

Wow -- "a secondhand lonely"....

Hm, I went through a Toni Morrison period several years back, but I don't think I got to that one. It sounds really good.

ooo
aaah

Sula pretty
Katie smart

>135 DeltaQueen50: - Thanks, Judy. He had a small relapse last night but it was mostly due to his not taking my advice and following a bland diet for a few days, so my sympathy was low ;-) Glad to hear you are also a Spark fan!

>136 Chatterbox: - Isn't that something, Suz? It struck a chord with me. That's why I love Toni Morrison - she puts words together to describe things I'd never even thought of but which are so real.

>137 lauralkeet: - It was excellent, Laura!!

>138 richardderus: - Aw, shucks, Richard. Thanks :)

I tell you what. Being pretty much homebound for four days does marvelous things for one's reading. I will shortly be finishing my third book of this period :) It gives me hope that if I could just stay home instead of working, I might actually make a dent in my TBR - ha!

Morning Katie- Great review of Sula. I read this one quite a few years ago, so I do not remember it well. I think all of her work deserves rereads, that's why I have several of her books on my "keeper" shelves.
I plan on starting Tar Baby later in the week.

I have caught up with you, Katie, and you will be amused to know that I took a few notes on both books and wine! I love those stories about your Mom - what lovely memories both of those make. And I, too, was saddened that you lost her so quickly - I just cannot imagine how devastating that must have been.

I keep going back and forth on whether or not I would like the Ruth Galloway mysteries, but your talk of how lovely the voice of the narrator was on the audio version of the first book has given me the nudge to seek it out. I have been listening to more audio this year, but I have the same problem of tuning out, so only certain books work well for me in that format.

Glad to hear that you and The Wayne are feeling better, and will be awaiting pics of Louis with his new raffish look.

I thought that I was going to skip Morrison this month, but now you have me rethinking that with your lovely review of Sula, which is the one that Kerri recommended - alas, my mind is not what it once was. I think it was Kerri.

And that baby!!! Too cute!! Thanks for sharing the darling Miss Abby with us!

Now, Happy Sunday to you, and please drink some wine for me as I am taking the month off. I know. I KNOW! It's a calorie thing. But just for the month.

Nice review of Sula, Katie. I'll add it to my wish list.

We've had a pretty bad outbreak of what is probably norovirus in the hospital, which temporarily felled several of my partners in the past two weeks. Hopefully you and The Wayne are finished with it.

Cute baby photo!

Thanks for not torturing me with your weather! Things are slowly improving here, thank goodness, but there is still far too much snow and ice around.

I LOVED Memento Mori, but I'm a big Spark fan, although I always wondered if I really knew what was going on, being so dazzled by her language. I just loved how those very elderly folks were still so --- fully engaged with life, good and bad!

Sorry too about the tummy bug, I hate those.

>141 msf59: - Thanks, Mark. Glad you liked my review. I agree that Morrison's work deserves re-reading. I have no plans to get rid of any of her books.

>142 Crazymamie: - You're so sweet, Mamie. I'm still not convinced it was worth your time to get caught up so diligently! Thank you for those kind words about my mom. She was a star. I think you might like the Ruth Galloway series, especially the first, second, fifth and sixth ones :) You could get through Sula in one or two sittings. My copy was about 170 pages and the type was not tiny. I think it's a very worthwhile read. And horrors! No wine for a month? I'd have an easier time giving up chocolate or butter or something. And I certainly couldn't give wine up in April - it's my birthday month :)

>143 kidzdoc: - Thanks, Darryl. The Wayne is still having some issues and asked if I thought he should go see the doctor. I told him to try an OTC medicine like Immodium first because I have a feeling the doctor would suggest that as a first step, too.

Have you read any of Morrison's novels? I've only read three - Sula, The Bluest Eye, and Beloved - but loved them all. I have the others on my TBR shelves and look forward to exploring more of her work.

>144 sibylline: - Well, Lucy, it's cold (comparatively) and rainy and gloomy out today, so no torture ;-) You are so right about the characters in MM being so engaged with life. I like the book more and more as I think more about it.

Attachments by Rainbow Rowell

Rainbow Rowell has gotten a lot of positive buzz lately for her YA novels, Eleanor & Park (which I loved) and Fangirl (which I thought was okay but somewhat flawed). Attachments was her first novel and is not a YA title (nor is her upcoming one due out in July). I guess it would fall under the "chick lit" umbrella most easily, but it's funnier and smarter than most of the books of that genre. Also, the primary perspective is that of a guy. It's a sweet romance about Lincoln whose job it is to read emails flagged by the company's computer system for improper use. It is in this way that Lincoln comes to "meet" Beth and her friend Jennifer, and to fall in love. The chapters alternate between Lincoln's story and the email correspondence between Beth and Jennifer. Rowell has written some very funny dialogue and exchanges, and really "gets" the rhythm of friendship between two smart, snarky, and insecure women. And Lincoln is a sweetheart who you can't help but root for, even if it's kind of creepy that he reads their emails.

This was a wonderful diversion that I devoured in less than a day. Highly recommended when you want a feel-good but not sappy read with good writing, laugh-out loud funny lines, and a happily ever after.

Why I read this now: I've enjoyed other books by the author and my hold number at the library came up.

Other books by Rowell that I've read: Eleanor & Park, Fangirl

Great review of Sula. I've enjoyed the Morrison's I've read and now this one is on the wish list.

It's always worth the time to catch up with you, Katie! You have talked me into Sula if I can get it from the library in time. And also Attachments is looking fun - I haven't read anything by that author, but I do have Eleanor and Park on my WL thanks to you and several others here.

The no wine is just temporary - my birthday is coming up in June, and I am giving myself the gift of better health, so I am working hard to exercise more and eat healthier foods. I'll add the wine back into the menu on my birthday, which kicks off June.

>146 katiekrug: Yay! I'm glad you liked that one. I've been universally fond of all of Rowell's novels.

>147 RebaRelishesReading: - Thanks, Reba! I think you will like Sula.

>148 Crazymamie: - Mamie, I think you'll enjoy Rowell's books. Your girls might, too! Good for you on gifting yourself better health. I've been making small changes here and there and hoping they will amount to something. I did have a good workout at the gym yesterday which served to remind me how good I feel after that sort of thing :)

>149 MickyFine: - Micky, I think it was your review of Attachments that put it on my radar. I've added it to my list of books that I'd like to get a hard copy of because I could see myself re-reading it when I need a happy boost...

I've tried reading A Beautiful Truth by Colin McAdam this afternoon. He is one of the Booktopia Boulder authors, and one whose small-group session I signed up for. Unfortunately, the book is doing nothing for me, in part because it's about chimpanzees and they totally creep me out... I have Fall by the same author on my shelves so may give that a try at some point. Otherwise, I'll bluff my way through the session (or go spend some quality time in the bookstore!)...

I really feel like I should read the book but my last two reads have been so good, I'm not willing to settle for something so completely unengaging to me. Life is too short!

Right. Life is too short! Don't settle.

Hi Katie!

Okay, to start with, I am not a baby-phile. But miss Abby is indeed adorable. I mean, really, that is a very cute face!

I just downloaded Sula as an audiobook, narrated by Morrison herself, and your five stars zooms it to the top of my while-gardening list. :-)

We were speaking of wines earlier, and I have to say that the Willamette Valley (Oregon) Pinot Noir -- Nevermore (gotta love that!) -- that we are drinking this evening is quite yummy.

Oh, and.....

yes, Booktopia will be more fun if you have read something by the authors, but it will also be fun if you have not! I had only read one book by one of the authors when I went and it worked out just fine.

This is me, helping you to toss aside a book that is doing nothing for you.
You can thank me later. :-)

Hmm, maybe I should try Sula as an audiobook? I do have some credits burning a hole in my wallet?

>145 katiekrug: Good call, Katie. Although I generally wouldn't recommend Imodium for infectious or protracted diarrhea, especially if it seemed as though it was a case of bacterial enteritis, I would suggest it for an older child or an adult who has what seems to be viral gastroenteritis, which is what his sounds like. If he has bloody or mucosy stools, if the diarrhea lasts more than 10 days, or if he is having moderate to severe abdominal pain or persistent vomiting I would suggest that he see his doctor.

I have admittedly shied away from Toni Morrison's work. I think I read The Bluest Eye years ago, but it isn't in my LT library.

>152 Crazymamie: - Thanks, Mamie!

>153 EBT1002:, >154 EBT1002:, >155 EBT1002: - Ellen, I'm making a note of the Nevermore. Thanks! I don't think I've had a bad pinot from Oregon. One of my regulars is Erath.

I thought Abby's face was particularly adorable in that photo which is why I shared. To be honest, I'm not much of a babyphile either! I actually started Sula as an audio but it didn't work in terms of being good company while I sweated it out on the treadmill or cursed traffic. I think it would be lovely to garden to. I love Morrison's narration and think you will, too.

And I appreciate your validating my decision not to read a book I don't want to! I will probably only get to 2 or 3 of the other authors...

>156 Chatterbox: - Suz, as I said to Ellen, I very much liked the bit I heard on audio. I say give it a try!

>157 kidzdoc: - Thanks, Darryl. I think it's just a run of the mill germ or bug or whatever. He seems to be doing much better, thank goodness!

>159 katiekrug: That made me laugh Katie, I like that one a lot.

>159 katiekrug: Truth.

>159 katiekrug: Oh god yes. Not that I have done either, yet. The joys of working from home.

>159 katiekrug: I kinda felt that way this morning, myself. Wondering why all weekends can't have three days.

I loved Sula, which I reread a couple of years ago but it still seems fresh in my mind. Such a short book but packed with beautiful and arresting words and images. I am reading Home right now. I'd never thought of hearing Morrison read her own work but now I may have to investigate.

Ugh, it's effin' dank around here! Spring's wet face. Better than Old Woman Winter's frosty wattles, though.

Happy recovery to you and The Wayne.

>160 GeezLouise:, >161 Crazymamie:, and >162 Chatterbox: - Glad you liked that one, Rae, Mamie and Suz! It made me chuckle...

>163 AnneDC: - Hi Anne! Thanks for stopping by. My library has several of Morrison's novels on audio read by her. If I was the kind of listener who could do nothing but listen, I'd be all over them. As it is, I'm too distractable to do them justice, I think.

>164 richardderus: - Ha! Where do you come up with these things, Richard? We started out grey and gloomy this morning but now the sun is out. Supposed to be 80 tomorrow. That's about as hot as I like it....

...what things...?

80° should be August's hottest misery. Oh, and never more than 40% humidity unless actually raining.

I was referring to "Old Woman Winter's frosty wattles" :)

Agreed on the weather. Now, if only San Diego weren't so expensive...

Hi Katie - I hope the stomachs are better. Happy Monday. :(

It was 10C here today (that's about 50F) & I thought I'd died & gone to heaven. We've had all of the snow & freezing cold temperatures, it's just so nice to see the sun.

>96 katiekrug: Cutie pie!

Sorry to hear about the stomach bug you and your hubs were struggling with a stomach bug. Hope you're both back to normal now.

>121 katiekrug: Memento Mori sounds interesting. I've only read The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie by Spark but I'd like to try more of her books.

>168 BLBera: - Thanks, Beth. Stomachs are much better :)

>169 Deedledee: - Dee, I can imagine that 10C and seeing the sun made it feel positively tropical!

>170 souloftherose: - Heather, I think you'd like Memento Mori. It might be worth a try. And thanks for those good wishes. We are both fine now (finally)!

Hello Katie, stopping by to wish you a wonderful week.

Thank you, Miss Rae!

I've had a bit of a change in plans for my trip to Boulder for Booktopia next month. Originally, the hubs and I were going to drive out for it, but I was detecting a certain lack of enthusiasm on his part (and I can't blame him since it seems an awfully long way to go and a lot of driving just so he could chauffeur me around!). So I've booked a plane ticket to Denver and a rental car to chauffeur myself! I'll get in mid-afternoon on Thursday and leave Sunday evening. Kind of looking forward to having the time to myself to focus on books and meeting some LT friends!

A far, far better plan, one that involves less stress and more reading time! *smooch*

Indeed. I am nothing if not brilliant (she said modestly...).

Except, of course, you have yet to being Just One Damned Thing After Another...so brilliance is only within your grasp.

:-P

Well hell's bells. My poor hubby has cellulitis in his elbow where he had surgery. They put him on oral antibiotics and marked the affected area; if it hasn't gone down by tomorrow afternoon, he has to go into the hospital for IV antibiotics.

If you have some horror story about your great-aunt's cousin's neighbor's son-in-law who had cellulitis and lost a limb or died or something, please do not share it with me. I am already a natural born worry-wart/stew pot/assumer of worst case scenarios, thankyouverymuch!

No cellulitis horror stories to share here! I'm just so sorry about your recent tummy issues, the puppy surgery, and now this!!! :(

((((Katie))))

I was going to pull a Richard and say you might as well start reading Just One Damned Thing After Another, cause that's what your life sounds like about now and I am hooked... but that would be in poor taste, so I'm not going to say it!

I will echo Ellen and say I love your stories when you're drinking the Sav Blanc! You have every right to be peeved that your mom passed so quickly. I do so love the Saturday morning story! I thought you were going somewhere else when I read head board, though! I won't overshare on your thread, but I have a parent story about head boards myself! LOL

H i Katie- Sorry to hear about The Wayne. What a bummer. I hope he rebounds okay.

I think your Boulder plan is a very fine one and you are spending a nice amount of time there. Jealous...

So I have caught up for today at least.

>67 katiekrug: God, shup UP, Katie! Please don't!

>75 katiekrug: Loved this book!

>85 EBT1002: I favorited this post so I can write down the wines. ;-)

>96 katiekrug: Adorable and I think she is up to something.

>117 msf59: Eeyore is my people too.

>134 katiekrug: Sula will be my next Morrison. I loved her narration skills.

>146 katiekrug: That's a maybe for me. I haven't read any of her stuff yet.

>155 EBT1002: Another favorite. Is there a wine lovers group here on LT? Y'all must share your knowledge. I know there is a tea lovers. Hmm...

>174 katiekrug: I like a lady that can switch plans and move forward

Glad you, hubs stomach and Louis are all on the mend Katie. I hope his elbow responds quickly to treatment.

Tiptoeing in to catch up on threads and wave hello

Glad The Wayne dodged the bullet. Cellulitis horror story on deck.

>180 TinaV95:- "A parent story about head boards" huh, Tina? I'm intrigued.... Thanks for your good wishes :)

>181 msf59: - Thanks, Mark. Don't be jealous about my plans for Boulder. You know there will be enough reporting back to make you feel like you were there!

>182 luvamystery65: - Wow, you seriously caught up, Roberta! I'm impressed. Hope this means you are finding a few pockets of time for yourself!

>183 michigantrumpet: - Hello Marianne!! *waves back*

>184 richardderus: - Keep that horror story on deck, Richard! I forbid it to enter the batter's box :)

The hubs was supposed to see the doctor at 4:15 today but they called early this morning and asked him to come in at 9:30. I was convinced they were going to have him go to the hospital. But the doctor said the redness was abating somewhat, though the area around his incision was still pretty red and warm to the touch. So he changed one of his antibiotics and will see him again tomorrow morning. He did tell him he could take some Tylenol, so hopefully that will help with the pain. It kept him up most of last night, poor thing. We also bought some Tylenol PM to try to knock him out if necessary :-)

Just checking in, Katie, and sorry to hear that the hubs is doing poorly but I hope he continues to improve rapidly. After seeing your comment to Mark in #185 I had to scroll back up and see what your new plans for Boulder are. So you're bach-ing it, eh? Awesome! I think we can find plenty of shenanigans to keep us busy!

>187 rosalita: - I'm going to be one crazy single lady out on the town, my friend! Boulder better stock up its wine bars :)

ETA: Note to self: investigate taxi services available in Boulder...

*pouts* Oh fine. Here I am with one gory, horrifyingly ghastly story for you, and you're all "ew no no no my poor hubby" and stuff.

Sheesh. Girls.

Dearest, as soon as I am convinced he is on the med, I would LOVE for you to share your story. I hope there are pictures, too! I actually love gross stuff like that :-)

>159 katiekrug: Oh yes. Spot on.

I am actually enjoying Sula as an audiobook. I wasn't sure about it at first; it certainly can't compete with any distractions (and this is probably as much about me as about the novel). Just walking. That worked this evening.

>182 luvamystery65: Roberta, there is not (as far as I know) an official wine-lovers group, but Katie and I are always happy to share our finds in the wine world (I love wine!!).

So sorry to hear about The Wayne's elbow troubles! I hope he is out of the woods soon!!

>190 katiekrug: Richard does gross very effectively. :-)
xo

Katie- I saw that the first Wiley Cash novel is part of the Kindle Daily Deal. I have both books saved on audio. I plan on getting to one soon.

>191 EBT1002: - Here's an interesting wine tip I picked up. I usually avoid most California wines, but apparently the Russian River Valley has a climate similar to that of the Wilamette Valley, so Russian River pinot noirs are pretty similar to Oregon ones. At least around here, they are also a little less expensive than Oregon ones, so....

My current gulp-y, everyday pinot is Angeline (from California! But not from the RRV!). $11 a bottle and as long as you let it open up a bit before drinking, it's not half bad.

>192 EBT1002: - Oh, I have no doubt!

>193 msf59: - Mark, I saw that Kindle deal, too. I already have the first one. Too bad it wasn't the second one on sale!

Hi Katie - Thanks for the wine tip. I hope the Wayne's elbow is on the mend. Nasty cellulitis. Have a good weekend.

Thanks, Beth! This morning's doctor appointment went great. No IV meds, so no hospital. There is already marked improvement in his range of motion and the redness and heat are decreasing. Woo hoo!

________________

Now, where is Richard with his nasty horror story.....?

About the pus-gusher and cellulitis that afflicted my left heel! Oh my heck, was it revolting and stinky! Hadda go to the hospital for a week! Touch and go for a day or so as to whether they'd have to take the foot off. I bet I'm the only person you know who had MRSA in one foot and cellulitis in the other, all caused by gout surgeries.

*sigh* Good times.

You poor thing! Any pictures? Just kidding! My other visitors might not appreciate the visuals. I am weirdly fascinated by such things. But I am sorry that you had to experience it.

And you ARE the only person I know with that unique pedal distinction! So *smooch* for you!

So here's a question for the wine ladies — I would love to have an occasional glass of wine in the evening but I've always heard once you open the bottle you pretty much have to finish it within a day or so. So what's a single gal who aspires to oenoholism (yes I did just make that word up) to do?

Hard to photograph your own heels...but on the picture topic, when they were removing the bone splinters that gout crystals had made of my right great toe joint, they took *copious* pictures and stuck 'em in my chart. A nurse accidentally left the chart in while my foster mother was visiting, and she and I leafed through it ooohing and aaahing at the weirdness. As long as I've got gloves on, I'm not squeamish about any of that kind of stuff. I used to hold the instruments for the wound care people taking care of me! They loved me.

>199 rosalita: - My advice would be to forget oenoholism and go straight to alcoholism. Voila! No wine left ;-) I kid, I kid. The little bit I know about this: the younger the wine, the longer it will last. The cooler the temperature, the longer it will last (so refrigerate it after opening, even a red that you wouldn't normally chill), and what "turns" the wine is oxygen, so a vacuum sealer can draw out some of the oxygen already in the bottle and prevent any from entering. Really, you should be absolutely fine for two to three days and probably okay for a couple more.

Ellen may have more advice because I don't actually know much, just what I like! But maybe we could find a wine bar in Boulder one evening - that would be fun!

>200 richardderus: - I'm the same way. Even as a kid, I always wanted to watch whatever was going on, whether it was just a blood draw or getting stitches or whathaveyou.

>200 richardderus: I also love watching all the medical procedures, which I think wigs out some phlebotomists and the like who must be afraid I'll up and puke on them or something. I had a stent placed a few years ago when I got a kidney stone (I only have one functioning kidney so stones are no laughing matter) and they let me watch on the monitor. That was cool. I think I feel less pain or discomfort if I can just see what's going on.

>201 katiekrug: *Googling "wine bars Boulder* right now ...

>199 rosalita: As a single lady who now only drinks one glass of wine at home, I can vouch for the vacuum sealers. They really stretch the wine out.

Now Katie before you give me a hard time, it's since my mom moved in and I have to keep my wits about me. Before then it was bottle shmottle. *slurp*

>203 luvamystery65: Good to know! I'll have to look for one of those vacuum contraptions the next time I go to the co-op. I'd hate to have to make do with only this bottle of bourbon. :)

OMG hilarious story! I bought my aunt Patricia one of the vacuum sealers from Bed Bath and Beyond. It's Metrokane Rabbit brand and it has a little rabbit on it. I had to strictly instruct her to stop telling people how much she loved "The Rabbit contraption" her niece bought her. I couldn't speak for laughing so hard.

If you don't get that just Google The Rabbit and see what pops up first.

Oh my gosh, Roberta! I'm not sure whether I'm bragging or confessing when I say I know what The Rabbit is. :) I think there's a corkscrew by that brand as well which always makes me giggle when I see it in the Crate & Barrel catalog. I'm old, but I'm immature.

>206 rosalita: I think most people know what that is Julia but apparently not my aunt!

Oh yeah, that dingus. Which one of the Sex and the City girls was it who was, ummm, enamored of it?

>192 EBT1002: Thanks for the tip, Katie. I'm generally opposed to California wines (it's an irrational thing but there you have it) but I will look for Angeline Pinot. I have had some very nice pinots from the RRV, it's true. And good Oregon pinot is usually outrageously priced (when I lived there, I minded less...).

>199 rosalita: and others. Feh. A bottle of wine will keep for 3-4 days, even 5, in the refrigerator. The vacuum sealer thingys are overrated. I love the rabbit wine "corks" -- they come in bright colors and usually in pairs and they just seal into the bottle very nicely. Push that down in, put the bottle on the door of the fridge, and you're really good for a few days. This is assuming that none of us is spending $70 on a Brunello, in which case you should just be drinking the bottle all in one night anyway. If it's red wine, pour your glass from the fridge about 20 minutes before you want to drink it to let the chill come off it. The word on the street is that Americans drink their white wines too chilled and their red wines too warm. I think this is accurate. You want your white wine to come up from refrigerator temps a bit and you want your red wine cooler than "room temperature."

*steps down off arrogant know-it-all soapbox*

But really, ask me about wine, I'm all over answering your questions.

And if you want to blow $70, I recommend doing it on a bottle of Brunello. It's amazing stuff.

If we're talking Pinot noir ( as opposed to Grigio), the ones from that Carneros Valley in Napa Valley are also very good. ( and I'm going to restrain myself from jumping aggressively to the defense of California's excellent wines)

>205 luvamystery65:: *SNORK!!*

>202 rosalita: - I am SO looking forward to Boulder :-)

>203 luvamystery65: - "Bottle schmottle" indeed, Roberta! You made me laugh.

>204 rosalita: - Waste not, want not! And Ellen has great advice below. I am now cursing my $25 vacuum sealer...

>205 luvamystery65:, >206 rosalita:, >207 luvamystery65:, >208 richardderus: - Too funny! That wascally wabbit.... And it's been so long since I watched Sexa nd the City, I can't answer Richard's question. I'm thinking it was Samantha...?

>209 EBT1002: - Thanks, Ellen! I knew you would have some advice. I'll be interested to hear what you think of the Angeline. It is by no means as good as any of the Oregon pinots I've had so set your expectations accordingly.

>210 RebaRelishesReading: - Reba, I will see if I can find something from the Carneros Valley. My shying away from California wines is mostly about whites and specifically chardonnays, which I tend not to like anyway. I've got all my other bases covered from other places, so I associate California with chardonnays and rarely get them. I have discovered that I kind of like La Crema chardonnay so I am being more open-minded!

>211 scaifea: - SNORK indeed, Amber!

Yesterday was National Grilled Cheese Day (my favorite sandwich), and I was thrilled that the hubs was feeling good enough to offer to make me one for dinner. The man is a genius with a grilled cheese. And it had bacon on it, so, yeah, perfection. He gets it all golden brown and the cheese perfectly melted and layered with the bacon... Mmmmmm. I put a picture on Facebook but I'm too lazy to put it here, so you'll just have to friend me on there ;-)

Today we are taking our niece and nephew (ages 9 and 5) out to lunch and to see a movie. Their parents are in NYC celebrating their tenth wedding anniversary, and the kids are staying with the grandparents. We are giving the grandparents a small break and taking the little monsters off their hands for a few hours. They are actually very good kids, and I think it will be fun. And if it's not, I get to deposit them back at home and take off so it's all good!

Hooray for the hubs being better and for making you a grilled cheese sandwich! Good luck with niece and nephew duty - I do appreciate the ability to give people their children back :-)

Katie, my mouth is watering for a Grilled Cheese now. Gotta love a man who is a genius with a grilled cheese : ).

So glad to hear that The Wayne is feeling better and that he was able to avoid the hospital. Well done. I am taking wine notes so that when I am drinking again I can do so with superior knowledge to that which I have now. Witch will make the wait so worthwhile. Anyway, that's what I'm telling myself. Please, please have a glass (or two) for me!

That grilled cheese sandwich sounds awesome. Now I am off to tell Dan that it is National Grilled Cheese Day - he will be thrilled! (I am not being sarcastic, he will actually be thrilled - he loves grilled cheese!)

>209 EBT1002: Thanks for the tip, Ellen! I'm definitely not planning on indulging in any $70 bottles of wine! I think a bottle of wine may find its way into my grocery basket tomorrow ... ;-)

>213 katiekrug: I love grilled cheese and I'm terrible at making them. It seems like it should be so easy but they are either too browned/burnt or underdone and greasy on the outside. I'm so glad you have an expert right there in the house, and that he's feeling well enough to give you a treat!

Still chuckling over the brand name confusion, but nothing to contribute to the wine discussion (and zero interest in discussion pus or cellulitis or suchlike stuff, I'm afraid; my dental woes are about all I can cope with at the moment!)

Lurve grilled cheese. My fave, however, remains the Croque Monsieur, nicely browned on the outside.

Ahem.

Top Wine Bars in Boulder

>214 souloftherose: - Hi Heather! Child duty went fine. No broken bones, no tears, no tantrums. My wallet is considerably lighter, but it's fun to spoil them sometimes :)

>215 lit_chick: - Nancy, there is nothing so yummy as a really good grilled cheese. It is perfect comfort food to me - carbs and cheese. Yes please!

>216 Crazymamie: - Mamie, just think how fabulous that birthday glass of wine is going to be! The hubs hadn't had any alcohol in about two and a half weeks between his surgery, the stomach bug, and the antibiotics. He had one last night and said it was the best beer ever. (He did look it up to make sure it was ok to have one beer while on these meds...) I love that you are doing this for yourself and fully support you (especially if it means I get your share of wine!) I go in fits and starts of working out and eating better. I think the key is that I keep trying to fit it around my routine and that doesn't work. Part of my success when I quit smoking three years ago was that I totally changed up my routine (which is why I don't really have morning coffee anymore) so it didn't seem odd to not smoke. I need to switch up my routine so it doesn't seem odd to be at the gym :-)

>217 rosalita: - Julia, please report back on wine purchase/consumption. About the grilled cheese - I know he melts some better and then brushes it on the bread so it will brown nicely. He also uses the grill outside to cook it, so that might have something to do with it. Like you, I have not been able to master the art myself.

>218 Chatterbox: - I do love a croque monsieur, too, Suz! So yummy. Okay, no wound talk. I won't mention that his incision is leaking. ;-) Ugh, I'm so sorry about the dental woes. I had a tooth basically disintegrate on me in Egypt and was too nervous about seeking dental help there so I went about a week with terrible pain. Ended up having to get a double root canal and three crowns. And fight over the bill for two years. Teeth are stupid.

>219 rosalita: - Julia, that link just takes me to a domain name registration site...? I found this one: http://yourboulder.com/top-wine-bars-in-boulder. When are you getting in to Boulder?

So true, Katie! And thanks for the support! I have absolutely no idea how I would fit it in with a full time job, too, so I completely understand what you are saying. Since I am home most days, all I have to work around is appointment schedules - we live in a big neighborhood, so I am just walking a loop that we worked out in the neighborhood. My older kids took a course through IU on fitness and nutrition, so Dan is just leading me through all the strength training stuff with the weights that we already have at home.

Completely changing up the routine makes complete sense to me - that's kind of what I am doing with the wine - eliminating not just the calories but also the evening routine so that the day feels completely different. I try to walk first thing so that it's done and I can't decide that I don't have time for it. So far, so good.

Hoping that your Sunday is full of fabulous!

Stopping by - quite a lot going on here, but it sounds under control.....improving.... that's good!

>220 katiekrug: Oops, I had an extra http:// at the beginning of the URL. Silly Julia. I'm getting in on Thursday sometime.

Hello Katie, its been a while sine I came by wanted to wish you a wonderful Sunday. Hopefully I can read more today but who knows.

>220 katiekrug: & >221 Crazymamie: So right on the importance of routine and lifestyle change in order to shed pounds and feel better. Rather than being a chore the change has to become an accepted part of your day. The office lift at work broke down a few months ago and I stay on the 6th floor. I now routinely walk up to the office every day and forego the lift.

When it broke down last week everybody in the office was surprised that the tubby little boss was the one seemingly least out of breath.

Katie, have a lovely Sunday.

>212 katiekrug: for many years I found Chardonnay too "oaky" but the CA wineries have lightened that up and I'm cautiously starting to try them again. Had a beautiful one at Grgich Hills a couple of years ago ( should have been for that price). I drink much more red than white and tend to prefer the lighter, fruitier whites when I do have one.

>221 Crazymamie: - Sunday's been good so far, Mamie! I love grey and rainy days. Just wish I could settle down with my book. It's not super engaging so I think I'm sub-consciously resisting it... Or something.

>222 sibylline: - Hi Lucy! Thanks for visiting. It has been a crazy week or so!

>223 rosalita: - Julia, you are driving to COlorado, correct? So Thursday night you'l probably just want to crash. Maybe we could plan for a little wine tasting Friday night...

>224 GeezLouise: - Hi Miss Rae! It's always nice to see you, no matter how long between visits. I am hoping to get some good reading in today. It's grey and rainy here so perfect weather for it, but I keep getting distracted!

>225 PaulCranswick: - Hi Paul! Thanks for stopping in. Safe travels to you..

>226 RebaRelishesReading: - Reba, I think that has been my problem with the CA chardonnays I've tried. Sounds like I should do a bit more exploring and find some of those wineries lightening them up. Thanks for the tip!

In case anyone is concerned that I haven't mentioned a book in a while...

CURRENT READ


Miles is a Booktopia Boulder author. It's not bad, just kind of sloooow.....

CURRENT LISTEN


Not very far into this, but I kind of hate Piper Kerman.

>205 luvamystery65: LOL Roberta!! I just had to read what you read to Lisa since I *snorted* out loud when I read the post. She said to tell you her story...

Her nurse manager group is having health and wellness hour once a week. Several folks started talking about bringing their magic bullets to work and Lisa was interested in how that was going to work. THEN, she found out they were talking about a blender to make smoothies!!! Her work folks cracked up at her misunderstanding. I just have no words right now. ;)

>229 TinaV95: Tina that is hilarious! One day I MUST meet your Lisa what with the magic bullets and passed out drunk men asking her where she has been all their lives. Plus I bet she has some awesome stories from her days in the ER.

>227 katiekrug: Katie, I am driving to Boulder but leaving Iowa on Wednesday and stopping overnight halfway, so I might be up for something Thursday night. Or Friday night — or both! ;-)

>229 TinaV95: - Great story, Tina/Lisa!

>230 luvamystery65: - Agreed!

>231 rosalita: - Julia - Cool! I need to check what time my flight gets in. It's about a 45 minute drive, I think, from the airport. I will PM you my cell phone number.

Morning, Katie!

An idea for the flight.

>233 Crazymamie: - Hiya, Mamie! Have a super day!

>234 richardderus: - But. But. I'll be reading. Three hours of uninterrupted reading time = bliss. Well, I'll be interrupted when they serve me my free booze and lunch (I've pre-selected the lemon thyme chicken with quinoa and arugula salad). But no interruptions caused by seat-mates elbowing me or trying to steal my arm rest. Or getting knocked by the beverage cart. Or people needing to climb over to get to the restroom. And they'll hang my jacket up for me! And give me a hot towel before take-off! And serve me warm nuts as a snack at the beginning and a warm cookie before landing! And did I mention the free booze? First class really is the only way to go ;-)

>235 katiekrug: Ear-reading on the plane? iPodding some appropriate reading music? Texting The Wayne?

Agreed, first class is The One True Way. If I could fly first class for the price of a bargain coach fare, never ever have to interact on a physical level with the security trolls, and receive silently proffered single-malt at 15min intervals, I'd consent to fly again.

>236 richardderus: - Oh, those are all good options, though I think texting is still verboten. The sad truth is I will probably fall asleep. I find planes very soporific - all that vibrating and white noise...

Because I'll be traveling so much less this year, I won't be able to maintain my AA Platinum status so this is the last year of even having a chance of being upgraded on domestic flights. Oh well. The Wayne feels similar to you about flying - no fear of it, just hates the whole process, especially having to deal with the security trolls! He's also 6'4" so it's not super comfortable for him, to say the least. I am trying to lure him to London next fall and even the promise of a business class seat (assuming I have enough miles!) hasn't quite convinced him...

>235 katiekrug: I'm glad I'm not the only one who LOVES flying just for the uninterrupted reading time :-) I'm hoping I can buy a cheap last-minute upgrade for my flight to South Carolina on Friday, because the free booze and priority security line is oh so nice.

>238 norabelle414: - Yes! Another advantage: priority through security AND boarding first so there is no chance of not having overhead space :) Also, blankets and pillows without having to ask... And free booze - HA!

Just curious about something Katie. Do you like free booze? ;-)

>240 luvamystery65: - Eh, you know, it's okay.... ;-)

>241 katiekrug: *snerk*

:bats eyes innocently:

What?

I only fly maybe 4-5 times a year. Count me in as one of those who HATES the process. A question for all you experienced travelers -- is the TSA Pre-Check worth the trouble?

>244 michigantrumpet: - Marianne, I haven't been offered the pre-check option before so can't answer that. I will say that I have the removal of shoes, laptop, liquids and gels down to a bit of a science so it doesn't really bother me. I hate waiting in line but I like people-watching, so I don't mind the process all that much. After being practically molested by airport security in a few different countries, I appreciate the quasi-professionalism of the TSA ;-)

God, the worst was one country where my underwire bra was removed from me and taken out so that the entire security staff could ogle it. Seriously. After that, it's hard to get upset about the TSA.

Katie, It looks like I might have to be the designated driver for you and Julia in Boulder! I still haven't made up my mind whether I will be staying in Boulder or day tripping from Littleton. It depends on what my husband decides to do. Maybe I should leave him at home like you are doing. Less complicated that way.

>246 Chatterbox: - Yikes, Suz! I never had to remove any undergarments, but both the Russian and Chinese security people gave me a thorough going over *shudder* My favorite was leaving Baku where the security is practically non-existent. I was thinking to myself, "Well, this is nice and easy but I don't feel very safe...." And then at the gate, BA had their own extensive security set-up. Very professional, though, with no molestation!

>247 Donna828: - Ha ha, Donna. We'll behave, I promise. Once I decided to elave the hubs at home, I tried to switch to the Hotel Boulderado right in town but it was full, so I'll be just a couple of miles away at the Courtyard Marriott... I hope even if you decide not to stay in Boulder that we can convince you to stay for dinner one evening with the gang. Maybe we can tempt Anne to come down to meet us......

Have a great week!

Katie, your first-class flight sounds lovely! They made us exit the plane through business and first class when we landed at Heathrow, so we could see what we were missing. Hrmph. But premium economy was still pretty good. I had grand plans to read all the way to NZ but it was just napnapnapnap all the way. Better coming back :-)

>248 katiekrug: I had the same experience leaving Prague - there was absolutely zero security until you actually tried to get onto a plane going to the U.S. and then they're like "oh right we need to scan you and stuff". Which of course meant I couldn't buy any airport booze :-/

>237 katiekrug: The Wayne feels similar to you about flying - no fear of it, just hates the whole process, especially having to deal with the security trolls! He's also 6'4" so it's not super comfortable for him, to say the least. I am trying to lure him to London next fall and even the promise of a business class seat (assuming I have enough miles!) hasn't quite convinced him...

I suspect that your husband would find it more comfortable to sit in a bulkhead row seat on transatlantic flights. Delta generally uses Boeing 767s on its ATL-LHR routes, and the side seats in row 30 (A, B, F and G) have extended leg room, as it also serves as an exit row and as a seat for one flight attendant (who uses a pull down jump seat during take off and landing). He would have more than enough leg room in those seats, and be able to get up at will even if he was in the window seat and you were sleeping next to him in the aisle seat. The down sides to those seats is that your legs and feet get a bit cold (so I make sure to bring a jacket to cover my legs, while I use a blanket if need be to keep my torso warm, which isn't a big deal IMO), and the lavatories are close by, so there can be a fair amount of traffic (but I sit in the window seat, so I hardly notice these standing passengers). I can easily reserve those seats usually 30A or 30G), since I maintain either Silver or Gold Medallion status on Delta, and being able to sit in them makes a vast difference in my level of comfort during those long flights.

>247 Donna828: Well, Katie may be promising to be good but I'm not! Heh. I second Katie's hope that you will be able to stay at least one evening so we can have an LT dinner, Donna.

>252 kidzdoc: - American has the same seat configuration on whatever planes it uses on the DFW-LHR route, Darryl, and they are always the ones I reserve! My husband is just being a big ol' poop about the whole thing...

>253 rosalita: - This is going to be so much fun!

>254 katiekrug: Smart woman!

Eight hours on a plane. Yuck. Noisy, bad food, people hacking their drug-resistant TB in my face, smells like industrial effluent, requires going to the *shudder* airport for the semi-educated, uncouth hoi polloi to inject their mouth-breathing snot-dripping children into my ambit...just NO. Cruise ship, please. Can usually bag a steward, too.

I dislike the hassle of flying as well, but I love taking the train, although obviously that's not an option for Dallas-London. :-)

I like the train a lot better than the plane, and ships are like trains on steroids. It's wonderful.

>255 kidzdoc: - Yep. This is reminding me that I should book my tickets for my trip next fall soonish. The direct flights between Dallas and London fill up really quickly and I want to be sure to get my seat of choice!

>256 richardderus: - Oh, geez, it's not that bad. You and The Wayne should form a support group ;-) I like airports for the people watching. And I greatly enjoyed my very nice flight up here to DC yesterday except for the rather bumpy descent and landing. Despite the numerous times I've flown into DCA, I'm still always half-convinced we are going to land short and end up in the Potomac.

I've never been on a cruise but am thinking about doing a short one to see how I like it. Well, I did do a cruise from Luxor to Aswan on the Nile but that was such a disaster, I refuse to recall most of it. And I think you were referring to a big ship (more steward selection that way) making stops in the Caribbean or something... My friends did a Hawaiian cruise which sounded awesome, too.

>257 rosalita: - Julia, I rode Amtrak a lot when I lived in the Northeast. My only experience of long train travel was the overnight the hubs and I took from Chicago to Dallas. Loved the train, hated the accommodations. We would do it again but would spring for the nicer sleeping compartment. I would really like to take the train from Calgary to Vancouver. It's supposed to be gorgeous through the Rockies up there...

>258 richardderus: - I would love to do the North Atlantic crossing from New York to Southampton one day. We actually looked into it once; not as expensive as I thought but nothing to sneeze at either...

Also, I'm kind of obsessed with Viking River Cruises. I think one of those down the Danube would be awesome.

The biggest advantage to going places by ship is that, even though it takes longer than flying does, there is no lack of space to walk around, there is a bar!, and the food is included in your fare.

Plus, for the single and lecherous, it's a target range.

>261 richardderus: - And the getting there then becomes part of the whole experience. That's kind of why I like road trips, too. I feel like I'm seeing and experiencing more than if I just got on a plane.

>258 richardderus: I've never been on a cruise but I think I'd love it for all the reasons you mention, Richard! Also, ditto on the Viking River Cruises, Katie.

>259 katiekrug: I've wanted to do the cross-Canada train trip ever since I read The Edge by Dick Francis! Someday if one of us wins the lottery we'll all go! I thought about taking the train out to Boulder but then I would have had to rent a car and drive up from Denver and I decided since I have a spiffy new(ish) car I'd rather drive and take the scenic route. Well, as scenic as Nebraska and Kansas get, anyway. :)

Although I'd like to take a transatlantic cruise ship one day I would feel far safer flying over the ocean than sailing on it. And yesterday's sinking of a South Korean ferry, along with other recent ship disasters, makes me more hesitant to travel by sea.

>260 katiekrug: I'm obsessed with the Viking River Cruise down the Danube too!

WTF is wrong with Amazon? I tried to go to my WIsh List and it says it's "not a functioning page on our website." Whaaaaa? Is it gone? Anyone else having a problem accessing their WL?

>266 katiekrug: I just checked my Amazon Wish List, and I saw the same message. My Amazon UK Wish List is intact, though.

>263 rosalita: - "Scenic" indeed! It can't be worse than the drive through Kansas and Oklahoma that got us home from Denver one year. Booooo-ring......

>264 kidzdoc: - The South Korean ferry story is so sad, Darryl. Just awful. A few years ago I read about a ferry disaster between Sweden (I think) and Estonia. It was sometime in the 1990s I think? Frightening. But I still want to do that crossing some day! And 75er Reba did that awesome around the world cruise last year that sounded fascinating....

>265 norabelle414: - Great minds, Nora!

>267 kidzdoc: - Ok, so maybe it's just a hiccup. I would hate to have to recreate my WL, though it's fairly small by some standards. I actually have three: physical books, movies, etc., Kindle books, and Kindle Lending Library books.

Okay, Wish List is back. Apologies for the freak-out :)

It's got to be a hiccup because it's just happened to me, too.

BIIIIIIIIIG difference between the ferries that have sunk and cruise ships. Like, Cessna versus 777-level differences. Just sayin'

PS: Powerball is $110MM and the drawing is tonight. Worth $2, since however unlikely one is to win, it's a mathematical certainty one won't win if the ticket remains unbought.

My three Wish Lists (Dead Tree Books, Kindle Books, Kindle Lending Library) are still acting a bit goofy. Hopefully this problem will be rectified soon.

>268 katiekrug: I don't remember that sinking well; the one I do remember was the British ferry that sank in the 1980s, because a crew member forgot to close the hatches of the car deck. I pray that the loss of life in the South Korean ferry sinking isn't as bad as the news reports are suggesting that it might be.

>271 richardderus: - My physical book list is back, but my Kindle one is still messed up...

Good point about ships vs. ferries. Much less chance of over-crowding, too.

Reminds me of the joke about the man berating God because he was good and pious and all he ever asked God for was to win the lottery and it hadn't happened. And God says, "Well, it would help if you bought a ticket." Ha!

>272 kidzdoc: - Mine are wonky too, Darryl. Interesting about that British ferry because I think it was something similar in the Estonian one. Not that someone totally forgot to close the hatches, but they didn't close all the way or something...

>268 katiekrug: Yeah, the M/S Estonia sank on the way from Tallin to Stockholm in 1994 due to a faulty bow visor. It's one of the worst maritime disasters in modern history. A lot of people died, almost 900, I think. Most people in Sweden know someone who knows someone who was on there. I remember it so well even though I was quite young. My parents had just come home from a cruise a couple of weeks before and I was pretty shaken up.

>275 PawsforThought: - That was it, Paws. Thanks for filling in the blanks. The account I read (actually heard, as it was an audiobook) was just fascinating and so scary and sad. I'm not surprised you remember it given the circumstances.

>276 katiekrug: It was horrible. When it's that close to home it really does affect you. I haven't been on a ferry or large ship since then (not just for that reason) and I doubt I will in the future. I'm not the biggest fan of plane rides but I'd much rather fly than take a cruise ship/ferry

Hi Katie! Just trying to play catch-up today, pre-showering-and-leaving-the-house. Sounds like you could use a glass of wine...

>277 PawsforThought: - Very understandable.

>278 LauraBrook: - Hi Laura - good to see you! I used to hav eone of those giant novelty wine glasses but it disappeared somehow. Maybe I should get a replacement......

>279 katiekrug: Nah. Think of all the extra exercise you get lifting the bottle and refilling your glass. Strength training!

>280 rosalita: - I love the way you think, Julia!

>279 katiekrug: But if anyone asks later, you can say ... truthfully ... "I only had one glass."

Exactly, Marianne! I like the way you think, too!

Katie, I'm obsessed with Viking River Cruises too. My husband maintains we are still too young for that crowd -- and we are 52!! I would love to talk to someone who's actually been on one of their cruises.

I didn't realize they tended to skew older, Laura. That's interesting. I still want to go on one :)

Great cruise ship discussion! My parents are avid cruisers. They did the Viking River Cruise down the Danube last year and can recommend it. There had some hiccups what with the river being at unusually low levels at the time, they had to be bused up river to a deeper dock to start their cruise from. There was also an incident with the boat impacting a low hanging tree branch that caused so some excitement on board, but hey, what is a cruise without a little bit of excitement? ;-)

>285 katiekrug: well Katie, we don't have any facts on the demographics of Viking River Cruisers, it's just a theory. It's not the sort of cruise you'd go on as a family with young children, so we assumed an older crowd. We also receive their brochures in the mail and I've always wondered if there's a correlation between those mailings and the AARP mailings (ugh, I feel old!). Also, the people pictured in the brochures are mostly very attractive middle-aged people, which makes us think their actual passengers are older!!

Maybe Lori can fill us in from more direct experience ... :)

hi Katie! No way I'm going to read everyone of the 246 post I'm behind on your thread!

So I'm starting reading again right now!!

Hi Katie - Do you still hate Piper Kerman? If you look up YouTube interviews, she's actually quite likable, I think, but I liked her in the book as well, so there's that. Oh, well. We all have different reactions. I mean, I can't stand Tom Hanks and that seems totally irrational and unfair, since he seems like such a nice guy.

ETA: Just reread - please note that I'm not calling you irrational and unfair. Ha!

>286 lkernagh: - Well, I guess all that makes for a memorable trip, Lori!

>287 lauralkeet: - Laura, your theory makes sense. I consider myself an "Old Soul" so I'd probably fit right in :)

>288 connie53: - Hi Connie! You are always welcome to jump in wherever. Good to "see" you!

>289 DorsVenabili: - Kerri, I'm not sure if I still hate her. I think the problem might be the narrator of the audio book. I wonder if how she is reading certain parts, and the emphasis and inflections she is using, are making me hate the author... I will look for some of those You Tube videos. HAve you watched the Netflix series? Is it any good?

Eh, you can call me irrational and unfair. I can be! Also, judgmental and impatient!

Also charming and witty.

I got back this afternoon from my trip to DC. It was fine. The hotel was a dump but convenient to the meeting location and we could walk across the bridge into Georgetown, which we did last night and had a great Indian meal at Taj of India on M Street. Nora and I had an impromptu virtual meet-up at the airport this morning - we thought we were in the same terminal at first, but alas no. So Facebooking had to suffice... After some confusion and uncertainty, I ended up getting upgraded for the flight home. I was #2 on the list when I got to the airport, then fell to #3. When I asked, the gate agent confirmed that I wasn't going to make it, so I just boarded as I normally would and sat in 11C. Then some guy came up and said I was in his seat. Turns out, they gave him my seat because I had gotten upgraded but no one told me - ha! So I pushed my way back to the front and claimed 5E and the nice man moved my suitcase up for me :) I was really glad to have the more comfortable seat as I seemed to have acquired a cold. Or bad allergies. But my head and sinuses hurt and I keep sneezing.

Tonight, the hubs and I are meeting friends at the Perot Museum for Science and Nature downtown for a "Social Science" program. This is where they keep the museum open late, limit it to adults, and have special hands-on programs, cocktails, and music. Should be fun! Then tomorrow we will be up and out early for an Easter brunch and egg hunt at a friends house. As we are the only ones in the group with no kiddos, we can enjoy the mimosas while everyone else is distracted ;-)

>291 Crazymamie: - Aww, thanks Mamie!

Hi Katie - I hope everyone is fully recovered. As always, it sounds like you have fun weekend plans.

>290 katiekrug: - Yes, I watch the series and like it a lot. It may not be for everyone, but it's very well done. It's really just inspired by the memoir. The tv show plot goes off in all sorts of different directions.

Glad you made it home safely!

Glad to hear you are home again safely! I hope the cold turns out just to be some random allergies and they clear up as fast as they came.

Glad you got the upgrade! Those are golden days for me... :) Now if we could just get you to DC for a meetup!

>294 BLBera: - Thanks, Beth. We are doing better, though the hubs is having some fatigue issues and had a bad headache and eye strain yesterday. I'm making him take it easy today (he stayed home from the Easter brunch and egg hunt this morning) and hope that will help. I tend to be a worrier....

>295 DorsVenabili: - Cool, Kerri. I am planning to watch the series and have been for a while!

>296 rosalita: - Julia, it does seem to be allergies, so yay! I'm feeling much better today except for some random sniffles.

>297 drneutron: - I know it shouldn't be such a big deal, Jim, but it does make a difference. I'm traveling a lot less for work so won't be maintaining Platinum status after this year, so I need to take advantage while I can! I SO want to come to a DC meet-up. I think it will happen one of these years....