CEE's 2014 Thread #4 *Come as you are *

April showers! I love rain, too ;-)

TOTAL BOOKS READ:



BOTS:

2014 STATS:

total books read: 30

BOTS (books off my shelf): 7

Fiction: 19
Non-Fiction: 10
Poetry: 1

male author: 9
female author: 21

US authors: 23
authors from other countries: 7

living author: 24
deceased author: 6

OK. I got the BINGO CARD. Now how do I check the squares?

A book with more than 500 pp: Dune by Frank Herbert (896 pp)
A forgotten classic:
A book that became a movie: All the Pretty Horses by Cormac McCarthy
A book published this year: Innocence by Dean Koontz
A book with a number in the title: One of Ours by Willa Cather
A book written by someone under 30: Pilgrim at Tinker Creek by Annie Dillard
A book with non-human characters: Scarlet by Marissa Meyer
A funny book: Grumpy Cat: A Grumpy Book by Grumpy Cat
A book by a female author: Shadows on the Rock by Willa Cather
A book with a mystery: Love Songs from a Shallow Grave by Colin Cotterill
A book with a one-word title: Cinder by Marissa Meyer
A book of short stories:
A book set on a different continent: The Brothers Karamazov by Dostoevsky
A book of non-fiction: Rising Sea Levels by Hunt Janin
The first book by a favorite author:
A book you heard about online: The Curse of Chalion by Lois McMaster Bujold
A best selling book: The Blue Sweater by Jacqueline Novogratz
A book based on a true story: The Color of Lightning by Paulette Jiles
A book at the bottom of your TBR pile:
A book your friend loves: Music & Silence by Rose Tremain
A book that scares you: And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie
A book that is more than 10 years old: Song of Solomon by Toni Morrison
The second book in a series: Fountain Filled With Blood by Julia Spencer-Fleming
A book with a blue cover: The Great Work of Your Life by Stephen Cope

2014 AAC - as I plan it for now:

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

Finished Reading for MAY:

Life After Life by Kate Atkinson (book club)
The Great Work of Your Life by Stephen Cope

Currently Reading:

A Thomas Merton Reader by Thomas P. McDonnell
Selected Stories of Eudora Welty by Eudora Welty
Frankenstein's Cat by Emily Anthes

May Hopefuls:

Animal Wise: How We Know Animals Think and Feel by Virginia Morell
The Power of One by Bryce Courtenay
The View from Castle Rock by Alice Munro
Independent People by Halldor Laxness, Brad Leithauser

Happy New Thread Claudia! What are your lovely furrykids reading there?

Sneaking in just right behind Ilana to say happy new thread! Love the April showers, Cee!

By the way, I hope you get to The View from Castle Rock. I thought it was lovely.

>5 -Cee-: Dune by Frank Herbert (896 pp)
Woah, that is a lotta pages.
I check (tick is what we say) my squares with photoshop. I have no idea of any other way to do it.

I love rain too, too. :)

Chiming in as another rain fan - a nice steady, quiet rain with me sitting in my rocking chair with a cuppa and a book, listening to it patter on the skylight. Heaven.

Happy New Thread, Cee!

>7 -Cee-: LOVE the picture ~ >1 -Cee-: LOVE the topper!

What a beauteous new thread, Cee! You are a pro these days at posting pics. I think you and Terri are amazing, the way you plot out your threads and organize your reads. I love that you used the pictures over your months! This is a work of art :)

Was it yesterday that you had a class? Or Monday? Did you like it? Hmmm I need to go back to the last thread and catch up.

I love rain, too!

I thought of Ron a lot yesterday... explained in my thread.( Lots of sirens. )

Happy New Thread, Claudia- Perfect topper. I recognized it instantly. I saw that you snagged My Accidental Jihad. I also hoped to grab that one, since she will be one of the Asheville authors. I'll watch for your thoughts.
I LOVED both Safe From the Sea & Castle Rock. Excellent choices.

>8 Smiler69: Hi Ilana!
I think they are reading a cookbook - looking for recipes for treats! heh. Actually, it was an anthology of some kind. They're very studious... lol

>9 EBT1002: Hi Ellen -
Funny how hard it is to get a picture of rain. Maybe you need special lens to get some of the effects - or better timing than I have. But I did kinda like the rain on the sliders. Ron took that one ;-)
I'm not big on short stories, but I do need to read something by Alice Munro so I'll be trying hard to include Castle Rock this month.

>11 LovingLit: Megan -
I wish I knew how to do the photoshop thing... and I wish I was brave enough to try to figure it out. However, I guess I don't wish it hard enough to take action. Dune was a long book, but it was worth it to me. It was easy reading and I love SF.

>12 scaifea: Hi Amber,
I love reading in the rain, too. I'll never forget the summer day I was a teen and reading on the front porch. The book was something scary - and just at the perfect moment a streak of lightning and crack of very loud thunder sent me screaming into the house. Wish I could remember what book it was.

>13 mckait: Thanks, Kath...
I thought I would try to post pictures of my surroundings each month to chronicle the seasons. It's gonna be tough to find May flowers though. It will probably be May Mud!
I have two classes going now. One on Monday (purpose of life) and another on Thursday (genetics and brain stuff). I like them both so far. Senior college is no pressure and students are so mixed - bringing lots of interest to the classes.

>14 msf59: Hey, Mark -
Glad to get the recs from you on the two books I want to read that you loved. Got my fingers crossed for My Accidental Jihad. When is that Asheville event? If I get the book, read it, and can send it to you on time to read it beforehand - I will. Those are a lot of "ifs".

Claudia- That is a great offer. Asheville is not until August. Can you read it this month? LOL. Oh, that's right, you have to get it first. Come on ER!!

This might be doable, Mark!

That would be very kind. Thanks!

I love rain, too, Cee. Although I prefer the warm variety to just this side of snow. We're still working on that in Chicago, and NYC is having the same problem trying to up the temps to normal for this time of year.

Hi Joe - At least we have broken out of the sub-zero temps and the breeze feels like spring - even if chilly. Fear not. We'll get there.
Funny thing. Ever since I put up the picture of the rain, it's been sunny!

*******
Off to class again this morning to study the brain. I swear if I ever take another class it'll be in the afternoon. *groan*

Well I wish you a good day at school! And some warm days this month to bring up a few of the more daring flowers.

:)

Beautiful thread, Cee. Your pics are delightful.

Another rain fan here. Perhaps that's because I grew up in MA. The average year in Boston has 91(!) sunny days. One gets used to gray.

You've been doing some very heavy-duty reading this year. I'm going back to previous threads to check out your thoughts on some of these massive tomes.

I'd be delighted to send you my copy of the Lisa See book as soon as I read it.

Kath -
Always a good day when you get up early to hear a 100 y/o professor teach about genetics with such enthusiasm. Quite an experience ;-)
It's 50 degrees right now! Need to find an a/c before they are all sold out. eeek!

Gail -
Glad you enjoy the rain and the pictures. I have done a bunch of reading this year, but not so much reviewing or even commenting. My ratings are all pretty indicative of what I thought of the books and because I am an enthusiastic reader the ratings are perhaps a bit lenient at times.
That is such a nice offer of the Lisa See book. Thanks so much.

Pretty new thread, Cee! Some of your April hopefuls are favorites of mine....good choices. :)

Hi Cee, photoshop came with my computer and I fiddled a LOT on it before I was able to make any sense of it.

A 100 year old enthusiastic prof!? Sounds great!

Lovely opening photo, Cee. We had seven weeks with no rain here which is apparently unprecedented and lead to rationing. We are now back to normalcy and knee deep in rainwater. I am suddenly grateful for the same downpours that made me shudder a few small months ago.

Have a lovely weekend, my dear, as I begin my own.

Did the rain carry off the snow? Is it still raining? Or snowing? They say it's going to be 70F here and then back to the 50's for a week. I can't keep up with the crazy weather. It is also supposed to rain here.. a lot. Oh well, we shall see. Have fun putting out the Tide :) I hope you take yourself out for some lunch after? Or is this out to dinner night?

Hi Cee, I am catching up slowly but surely. I can only tolerate an hour or so of computer time, I think it's the contrast of the bright white screen and the black print, but after a while I start to see flickers of light in the corner of my eye.

It's great to see actual bare ground in your April Books picture, looks like the snow is finally in retreat in your neighbourhood. As much as you like winter, even you must be more than ready to welcome spring!

Hi Joanne,
Thanks. And I'm not surprised your favorites are my hopefuls ;-)

Megan -
Wish I had the patience to figure out photoshop. But... I don't.
I'm kinda exaggerating a little about my prof. He might only be 85 or so. But he is a character and I like him!

Hi Paul,
Water is a precious resource and it seems we always have too much or too little. I'm glad you finally got some. I love the look of rain on a window.
Hope you have a wonderful weekend, too!

Kath -
Woolly has started puking after every time she eats... including her 4 AM snack which ended up on our bed. Everybody up! Change the comforter cover. *groan*
Early rising with Loki - then off to get the TIDE out this morning.
To the vet with poor kitty this afternoon. She lost a bit more weight and got a few more blood tests, cortisone, anti-nausea med, and fluids sub-Q. :(
Hopefully she will improve again and we might be looking at cortisone every 3 weeks or so. But that suppresses her immune system and we don't want any more colds (or whatever) to take her down. *sigh*
I'm tired.

Hi Judy!
So sorry about the computer wiping out your eyesight. That sucks! Hopefully you can still read books without problem.
Yup. We can see parts of the ground now. Unfortunately, it's becoming puddles and mud. Whatever the case - I am welcoming spring! Need a change of pace after all.

I hope Woolly's vet visit makes her more comfortable this weekend.

And I hope your weekend is good, too!

Oh no.... I'm sorry to hear that Woolly has taken a turn. I hope it passes quickly. SubQ fluids usually help for a bit, and maybe it will give her time to get back on her feet Hugs to you and Wooly.

I really love that thread topper, btw.

>23 -Cee-: Actually, thats the way it is these days.. we have freezing, then chilly and then BOOM, hot weather. We are killing our poor planet, and now we are paying the price.

I hope you have a good sleep in and then a quiet and gentle day.

>30 Copperskye: Thanks, Joanne. Woolly is holding her own at the moment and so am I :-)
Got a major batch of painting done today. 1/2 of my LR looks lighter and brighter. Just one more coat to go on the walls - then the woodwork. Maybe tomorrow. I'll consider that a good weekend.

>31 mckait: Kath, I was trying to tell myself that Woolly's back sliding was temporary. I finally had to admit she was vomiting too much. Poor thing was quite dehydrated. It looks like cortisone may have to be continuous - at least for awhile. I just don't know. Waiting to see the results of the additional blood tests. Thanks for the hugs.
"We are killing our poor planet, and now we are paying the price." I agree - and it's only just beginning.

I have been thinking seriously about my inconsistent sleeping habits. I think I have to get disciplined. Go to bed earlier so I don't get so tired. I woke up with a serious migraine today and I know it was due to extreme tiredness. Tough week, but I didn't make it any easier on myself by going to bed earlier when I knew I had to get up so dang early. So, I'm going to try 10 o'clock lights out every night this week. Not a minute later unless a family member (i.e., the cat) is puking... since I'll have to clean it up.
If that doesn't work, it'll be 9 o'clock next week.
I really don't know if I can do this.

Cee, sorry to hear of Woolly's further health problems. Hugs!

I love your new thread and especially the rain photo.
I haven't figured out marking the bingo card either. I don't have photoshop.

>32 -Cee-: I fear I'm like you on the sleep thing. I stay up too late and am trying to change that.

Terri,
Your message above is a nice feel-good string of comments. Thanks.
Your caring, compliments, and commiserating are really nice. Perhaps I'm not so stupid on the Bingo card disability or alone on the lack of sleep discipline. Heh.
I hope we are both successful - at least with the sleep.

>32 -Cee-: Cee... I know how hard it is when one of the furkids is sick. Duncan is still on double the preds he was on pre surgery. This worries me, but there is nothing much I can do about it. I will keep trying to reduce it. He has been on preds for ten years. Sending much energy to all...

Sleep! I have pretty strict sleep habits, bed by ten and up at six thirty ish? Sorta. I can't stay up much later than 10:30 most days, no matter how hard I try.

Nothing much going on. I started this post an hour or more ago, then ran off to make the meatballs and salad. Which was just going to be meatballs, but I wanted to get the salad over with. I always like salad and sandwiches better if someone else makes them for me. I wonder why?

Hi Kath,
I guess I knew this would happen. Bring Woolly to vet, get a bunch of supportive care, come home - feel better, but then time catches up with short term therapy. I just wanted to believe I had done the right thing and she would be better forever. Can't fool myself anymore. Something that doesn't want to be diagnosed/cured is lurking. So we take one day at a time and cuddle a lot.
Sorry about Dunkers. Big hugs for the boy!

OK. So far I am doing pretty good. One day into my new sleep resolutions and no back sliding! Ha! Fell asleep before 10 last night. Up at 6:30 (and not too crazy about it). But my reward was a beauteous sky at sunrise - pretty blue sky and fluffy PINK clouds. It was like being on another planet. I should have taken a picture, but my brain wasn't quite working yet.

I love anything cooked by someone else! I totally understand.
*******************
TODAY is my 4th Thingaversary!!! YAY!
I get to buy 5 books. I think it is a fitting reward for being a good girl today. I finished all the painting in the first half of my living room! I am so damn achy but happy to have that much done. Now (actually in several days) it's back to the ceiling on the other half :( *groan* Must move all the books/shelves back.
I have to recover first. But the room looks so much brighter and I like it!

Off to buy 5 books before bedtime!

Happy Thingaversary, Cee! Can't wait to hear what you get to celebrate.

Very sorry to hear the news about Wooly. Just keep loving her as much as you can, urpiness aside. Please give her a couple of gentle chin scratches from me.

XO to both of you.

Hi Cee! I've been away from LT for too long. Sorry to hear about Woolly and hoping she's comfortable most of the time. Happy Thingaversary! I can't wait to see what you get.

Happy Thingaversary, Cee!!

Happy Thingaversary, Claudia! It's been fun following you around your reading life, these past few years. Let's hope we have many many more.
Hope you had a nice weekend.

Oh Claudia, sorry I missed your Thingaversary, always such a perfect occasion to get more books. Curious to find out what your new acquisitions will be.

So sorry to hear Wooly isn't faring so well again. I'm wishing you and her all the best with extra {{{hugs}}}. xx

Happy New Thread, Sis!! Just catching up after our visit to London. It's impossible to read everything. I hope everything is alright! Big hug!!

Happy Thingaversary, Cee. Looking forward to seeing what books you brought home.

Thanks so much for all the Thingaversary wishes! It's my 4th one so I bought 5 books :-)

The Hired Man by Aminatta Forna (I loved The Memory of Love)
The Myth of Sisyphus by Albert Camus (know the story but never read)
Savage Beauty: The Life of Edna St. Vincent Millay by Nancy Mitford
An Officer and A Spy by Robert Harris
The Girl Who Sang to the Buffalo: A Child, an Elder, and the Light from an Ancient Sky by Kent Nerburn

Woohoo! That was so fun!

Hi, Cee! Sorry I missed your Thingaversary. Glad you celebrated properly with appropriate book purchases!

Hi Terri -
You didn't miss anything - the books are still rolling in :D
I would love to have a bookstore nearby, but getting books in the mail is fun too!

>46 -Cee-: I would love to have a bookstore nearby, but getting books in the mail is fun too!
Seems like getting books any old way is fun, IMO, Cee!

Nice Thingamadingy ( stolen from Tina ) books. I loved The Girl Who Sang to the Buffalo: A Child, an Elder, and the Light from an Ancient Sky. I REALLY want another book or two by that author. Amazing.

I hope your furkids are both doing well... it is so stressful when our wee furkids are not themselves. Scary, too. And I hope that you are not painting yourself into a painful, achy Cee.

This has been a really not good week, that ended up better than it could have...so I am relieved. I was finally able to sleep past 4 today... but at 6 Dan got up .. which he never does... because he had a union thing and wanted to go and buy these special freaking donuts. He shuts doors with a bang, turns on lights... makes all sorts of noise and why no.. he doesn't let Dunc out or feed any of the furkids... thanks for asking :( I was so not happy. I needed to sleep .. but at least I made it past 4.

Morning Claudia- Nice book haul. I liked the Hired Man and loved An Officer and A Spy. Hope the week is going well.

>47 tymfos: Totally agree, Terri!

>48 mckait: At the moment, Kath, both furkids are doing well. Woolly is responding well to her second cortisone injection. The blood test for thyroid came back normal. The vet now believes with relative certainty that her problem is somewhere in the digestive tract - either inflammatory bowel or some kind of cancerous process. We will treat her with cortisone from now on and see how it goes.

I am taking a break from painting for a little while now that half the room is completed. It looks good - book shelves are back in place - furniture rearranged for summer - carpet cleaned - pets confused and so am I - lol.

Still working on my sleep habits and things are not falling into place easily. Hard to break natural habits like staying up late and struggling in the morning to join the world. I really wish I was a morning person.

I really can't take responsibility for Dan - but even so, I am sorry he is so inconsiderate.

>49 msf59: So I take it, Mark, Hired Man is not as good as Memory of Love? well, I'll see... Everyone seemed to like Officer and Spy - so I thought I would try it. When I don't know. Need to borrow your bookhorn!

Hard to break natural habits like staying up late and struggling in the morning to join the world. I really wish I was a morning person.

I feel like I've written those words (and spoken them to myself and others) countless times over the years. In other words: I totally understand. Rome wasn't built in a day, just keep that in mind. ;-)

Happy to hear Woolly's condition is stable at the moment and the cortisone is helping.

xx

Glad you and Wooly are good, and glad that you are giving yourself a break. Right now, talking about Dan is bad for my health, and possibly his

>44 -Cee-: Enjoy your Thingaversary selections. (and Happy Belated Thingaversary)

I have not read Memory of Love, although I have it on shelf. Everyone seems to love that one!

Just a quick pass through and a good morning. I'm glad to hear that you are taking a break form painting. Whats on your agenda for the day? Anything exciting?

I am sitting here with a cat across my legs, and Angus is on the back of my chair, swishing his tail across my eyes every 2 seconds. WTH?!

Cee - Did I mention, I probably did, so forgive me? That it is working incredibly well to put chicken broth (I've stopped making it for the season, so now it's the Imagine broth, low salt etc.) into a tsp of canned cat food and mush it so it's easy to eat. And no more than about a tsp of crunchies at a time for Simon. He also gets a tsp or two of half and half or light cream which seems to help sleek him up without any harm - the more fat in dairy the less lactose - but maybe a little fat, not dairy-based, might be better for Wooly? - but I think I've put a pound or two on him and he only pukes if we give him too much at a time. Which can be tricky as he really has to eat little and often. I've also noticed he is most apt to puke when he hasn't eaten for more than three or four hours. Then the broth with a little canned meat first is essential. His teeth aren't so great and I think one problem is that he wolfs the crunchies without chewing them and with his delicate digestion, that just won't do. For what it is worth!

I woke up with Ernie sitting just above me on the headboard (which is about three-four) inches wide and his tail gently swishing across my face as he looked out the window at the birds!

Good morning to you! Anything interesting going on? Partying in your future? Worn out from reading?
It is meant to be 70F today, we'll see if that happens. I just finished a good book, and plan to read rd's St. Mary book next. But I work. Where the heck are ya?

"Where the heck are ya?"
I don't know. Where the heck was I yesterday? Somehow, the morning got away from me and then we went north the rest of the day. It was a beauteous day :-)

>51 Smiler69: Ilana, I'm still at it! Didn't think I would last this long. Still desperately trying to convince my body I am someone else. I know you have trouble too - and it does feel like we are trying to build Rome!
Vet has rec that I give Woolly cortisone at home on a schedule that will keep her more comfortable. So we'll try that.

>52 mckait: and >55 mckait: and >57 mckait: Kath, the days have been perfect for painting but I refuse to overdo my shoulder. So instead I am getting in trouble (ha).
An Angus tail in your face? That's quite a tail!
Woolly has been seeking additional comfort from Ron lately when I am busy. I think it's kinda funny that is is now seeing what it is like to be laplocked!
Today it was out for breakfast and later out for supper. Cool, huh? It happens once a month when I go to breakfast with friends on a Sat morning - because we routinely go out to supper every Sat evening anyway. I'm not complaining ;-)

>53 thornton37814: Thanks, Lori! It gets better every year... more books to buy myself :-)

>54 msf59: Hi Mark - I can definitely rec The Memory of Love. Get out your bookhorn! Hope you are loving the warmer weather - it's only just begun :)

>56 sibylline: Lucy, I wish I could tell you how many times I have tried to feed Woolly canned food. She sniffs it from a distance and will not even approach it or taste it. We've been doing the "little and often" routine. I didn't trust her with too much at a time. She is eating better now with the cortisone treatment again. We think her bowels are inflamed (IBD) and the cortisone treats that. Thanks for the hints - I'll keep them in mind.
The vet admits that 17 years ago, when Woolly was born, they used to say do NOT give your kitty canned food. Bad for their teeth. They have now changed their minds about that. The vet's advice for new kittens now is to give them canned food and get them use to it. Then when they have problems and need to take meds it's easier to put it in their food. Ron and I have had to use the dropper and force it in her mouth in liquid form.
The good news is - they now have soft treats they will build in the meds. The kitty tries the treats and if they eat them plain - they put the medicine in them (prescription meds). Woolly tried a couple flavors and LIKES them and EATS them! Yay! So that is how we will do the cortisone. Hope she can't smell the cortisone itself. Hmmm. Does it have a smell, I wonder? We'll see.

Ernie story - pretty funny!

Just passing through to wish you a happy weekend, Cee. It's great to hear that cortisone is helping Wooly. Also those medicated treats are such a great idea. When I had to medicate my cat orally it was almost impossible, took two adults, lots of towels, plenty of cursing and still, we were barely able to do it.

I know preds taste like hell sounds.. but maybe cortisone is different? and besides, they eat pretty fast .. ..sending you good pill hiding mojo for Wooly, and a bottle of wine for you.

Cee, I am sorry to hear you have a pukey cat. Lucky was feeling "off" for about a week. I cleaned up after him innumerable times and we now have some interesting stains on our carpet. It's a good thing we love our bad boy so much! And at least he didn't throw up in our bed in the middle of the night! Give Wooly some tender scratches behind the ears from me.

Congrats on your Thingy-dingy! I think it's great you just up and ordered the books that are due you. I celebrated my 7th "thing" last month and still have four books to buy. Good thing a library book sale is coming up after Easter.

Happy Sunday evening, Cee. It's good to know Wooly is more comfy and taking some food. Will she eat canned tuna at all?

Hope things continue to go well for you and her. Enjoy the splendid hot weather!

Hi Claudia- Hope you had a fine weekend, with your nose in a book. We had a very nice stretch of weather these past few days, with it hitting nearly 80 yesterday. We cool off the next couple and then back to normal. Whew!

>46 -Cee-: happy 5th thingamaversary! We must be close in our joining dates :)

Just flying by with a glance over the posts, sorry. And our firewood truck has just arrived too with 6m of pine for keeping cosy this winter! I love our fire. Take care out there.

Any time you want to send me some of your rain, Cee, I can use it! Belated Happy Thingaversary! All of our cats and the dog are now on totally grainless dry food (they've always been on dry only) and it has stopped my oldest cat's diarrhea and my dog's scratching, so we're happy.

Nice to see friends here :-D Thanks everyone for stopping by.
I've been busy lately and am chastising myself for having "too many irons in the fire" lately. Sorry I have not been around the threads much lately...

>59 DeltaQueen50: Hi Judy,
"...almost impossible, took two adults, lots of towels, plenty of cursing and still, we were barely able to do it."
This sounds exactly like what Ron and I experience! Fun, huh? Haven't given the cortisone-imbedded treat yet. They are being made up for her. Hope it works.

>60 mckait: Thanks, Kath. Especially for the wine ;-) I'm a little nervous Woolly might reject the cortisone pills as she's a lot like Ron. She thoroughly investigates everything that passes her lips. Do cats have lips???

>61 Donna828: Hi Donna - One of the best investments we ever made was a rug cleaner. Of course, it didn't help with the bed. Oh! Woolly loved those "tender scratches'. She says "purrrrrr".
I do so little shopping now that I am retired and living so far from any mall or decent stores. So, when I get a chance to buy 5 books w/o guilt - it's a heavenly free-for-all! However do you have the patience to wait it out for a book sale? You're good!

>62 Matke: Hey, Gail! Tuna. Well - Woolly won't go near the stuff, but it drives Loki crazy! He'd happily eat all the tuna Woolly rejects. Too bad he is on a restricted diet.
I'm dreading today's predicted temps. In the 70's??? :ppppppppp~
I'm praying the fog hangs in there for most of the day. yikes - not ready for summer. Ever.

>63 msf59: What are you doing out there, Mark? If you really want 80 degrees, please keep it in Chicago. Please? We might have to get the screens up. *groan* That means a lot of window washing. Though I do love fresh air...
I did finish a couple books and need to comment on them later... esp Song of Solomon. Excellent writing. Glad I read this one finally.

>64 LovingLit: Hi Megan,
Thanks! I had some fun book shopping and didn't have to sneak anything in or explain the mail. I just reminded Ron of the LT tradition for Thingaversaries. Heh. Love it!
Lucky Lady - heading for winter! If you tire of it, let me know. We'll switch for a month or so ;-)

>65 ronincats: Hi Roni -
What is with the world's food supply for humans and pets? Maybe we should all go back to living in the woods and living off the land. Then again, maybe not.
I'm glad you are getting good results from the new pet food. I've always tried to feed my pets "good stuff" and avoid being cheap. Still, they are both on restricted diets now. Trying to keep their systems in balance is tricky.

Not much to contribute in the way of conversation, so just a 'hi' and have a great week Claudia, will have to do! You're in my thoughts. xx

Stopping in to catch up with you and say hi, Cee. Hi. I love all the photos at the top of your thread! Sorry to have missed your Thingaversary, but it looks like you did a great job with choosing your books - nice haul! Hoping that the new routine with Wooly works, and that she starts feeling better very soon. Poor Kitty. Poor Cee.

Wishing for you a week full of fabulous, dear.

Another school day for you? You would be happy here, today.. sleet and snow in the forecast. BAH!
I am none too pleased.

I have to go out in it, which makes me less pleased :P I have to pick up my World Book Night books and meet Bernie. Can I just ay I don't wanna?

I can't come up with much in the way of banter these days.. might be taking a few days off....

hugs

Just popping in to say hello, Cee. Wishing you a great week!

And another belated Happy Thingaversary!! From one not-around-as-much-as-I-want to another. ; )

Love to have you all check in from time to time - especially when I am so remiss getting out and about around here.

>67 Smiler69: Ilana - Not much in the way of conversation here actually. My mind has been pretty bland lately. Just love that you are stopping to say 'Hi!' Thanks ;-)

>68 Crazymamie: Thanks, Mamie! I am desperately trying to figure out where I can find a flower close by for my May thread. Not sure two weeks is enough time for anything to get brave enough to pop out. Certainly NOT in my yard :(
Woolly needs a medicine cabinet! Just hope something in that pile of prescriptions does the trick. So far - so good.

>69 mckait: Thanks for the hugs Kath. Snow is predicted for early morning - hope it doesn't disappear before I get up. I'll be getting up early again to help at the Fire Dept to get a mailing out. Bah humbug.
I've been trying "early to bed, early to rise" for the past week +. I hate it! I am no Ben Franklin. Not healthy, wealthy, or wise - and don't care! Just wanna stay up late and sleep till 9 am. No interruptions! (Still cranky as you can see.)

>70 tymfos: Hi Terry! Thanks. I know your week will be exciting!
Glad you got that molasses mess cleaned up. Ugh! Good job!

>71 Berly: Hey, Kim! Thanks. And from another "...not-around-as-much-as-I-want..." LTer , I know what you mean! LOL

I loved that you dropped by my place too Claudia, only, unlike me, you left me a truly uplifting message, and I thank you from the heart for it. You need never apologize for not visiting 'often enough'. It just makes your visits all the more special! xx

Hi Cee! What's the plan for today? Anything especially good? Is the snow going to be gone, will it warm up? They said it will be 64F here today. I will believe it when I wee it. Not much planned for me. Some yummy yogurt for breakfast and work til 7p yay? Oh well. Whatever.

I have been paging through LLBean online, and wish that I could drive in and look around myself :)
I do think we have one here...somewhere. Oh well, chances are I would never bother to go anyway . . lol

Have a good one, my friend.

Wake up! Wake up! time to star the day! Where are you?

Did you give up on early to bed early to rise? I think that if you are a morning person, you are ( I am ) and if you are a night person, you just are. I don't know if you can really change that? My entire I have been a morning person....hard for me to say up late, I imagine it is hard for you to get up early.

Happy Easter!

>73 Smiler69: Thanks, Ilana ;-) You put so much of yourself into everything you do. It makes me smile.

>74 mckait: and >75 mckait: Kath, Snow is gone pretty much but it is still cold... pleased about that :) I was getting nervous about the warm days and started talking to Ron about a/c. We vehemently disagree on the size a/c we need for one bedroom upstairs - a retreat from the heat if we need it to sleep. I want HUMONGUS, he wants small :p~
The battle is heating up...
I thought I heard something annoying at 7:35 am. So. It was you waking me up! Ah well... I had a decent night's sleep so you get to live ;-) I haven't given up ETB,ETR quite yet, but I am slipping. I will most likely get more motivated next week when it is my turn to get up with Loki. If I were the only one taking care of Loki, he would be trained to get up AFTER 8... not 6.
I think you are right. I am just a night person and have been all my life. I get just as frustrated when I can't fall asleep before midnight as I do when I struggle out of the perfect stage of sleep too early in the morning. I need to be completely re-programmed.

>76 wilkiec: Ah, thanks, Diana! Your greeting is very sweet and I wish you the same Happy Easter! The bunny on the right looks like a morning bunny... all happy. The one on the left looks like she could use a bit more sleep :-)

My reading for April has been quite scattered... bits and pieces here and there, with a few completions. In lieu of reviews, I will give short impressions. My mind is as scattered as my reading.

Taking two courses has me reading 4 books, but only a chapter or two (or three) at a time. So, I am working on those and they are all quite interesting:

Mapping the Mind by Rita Carter
I have some issues with this book as it places a lot of emphasis on theory, and "possibles" - but that also gives it more latitude to present new research and scientific thinking for the reader's consideration.

Frankenstein's Cat by Emily Anthes
A book on genetics and some of the engineering of genes cross species. Raises concerns about the ethics of genetic research and application.

Bhagavad Gita
Have read and re-read this little gem of Hindu philosophy. I might be starting to get it - or not.

The Great Work of Your Life by Stephen Cope
How to find your purpose in life based on dharma and living true to your gift. (Still trying to figure out what my gift could possibly be :-p~ )

Then I am about halfway through the reading for my RL book club:
Life After Life by Kate Atkinson - I am liking the creative back and forth of this book.

Also, I have some pleasure reading completed! that I have book-horned in:

Slightly Foxed: No. 24: A Pash for Nash by Gail Pirkis - a new book review quarterly that focuses on past books. Some out of print, some classics, etc. But the reviews are not critiques as much as commentary which I am thoroughly enjoying overall. Some better than others, of course.

Safe From the Sea - not what I thought it would be, but I enjoyed this debut novel by Peter Geye. Plenty of snow! and family dynamics -particularly father and son. A moving story of forgiveness.

Song of Solomon - read this for April's American Author Toni Morrison. Excellent, excellent book! There was no glossing over difficult realities of racial tension in this book. Highly recommended.

Lost Cat - a sweet and funny book - perfect for cat lovers except for the fact that the cat is allowed outdoors. That drives me nuts. Too dangerous. I had to put Caroline Paul's cat in a different context from my own kitty. Paul obviously has a different philosophy on pets which is ok. Everyone does not have to think like I do ;-)

Hi Sis! Happy thingamadingy! Although a bit late, but I mean every character of the word! I seem to have missed mine some time ago. But I don't really care.

I hope Woolly is responding to the meds! Big Hug and Happy Easter!

Thanks, Connie.
And Happy (belated) 4th Thingaversary to you! I think you can still buy your 5 books as it has been less than 6 months. (New rule - ha!)

Woolly is doing ok at the moment. Thanks for the thought.

Hugs back to you, Sis!
Happy Easter to you and the family. Sounds like you are planning a wonderful weekend.

Hi Cee... Happy belated Thingaversary (sorry I missed it!). Hope Woolly is continuing to stay stable at least and hoping for growing stronger.

Here's wishing you have a very

Happy Sunday! Is it warm? I keep sending +>>>>>vibes to you and your furkids.
Low key day planned for myself.. I hope it works out that way....AND the same for you!

Unless of course you have heavy duty partying planned?

Happy Easter, Cee!

Hi Cee, well, i will be buying my Thingamadinghy books spread out over the next months!! LOL

Oh too bad about the soft food! Does Woolly like broth? Simon is mad for anything chicken - one of his nicknames is Mister Tschikkin -- because of this special noise he makes when anything chicken related is going on. He has chicken radar.

Morgan likes Chicken, too. OF course, she also likes anything else I happen to be eating...

Good Monday morning to you! Off to school? Did you sort out the Library thing? Hope it is a perfect spring day for you!

Geez, you're worse than me when it comes to LT lately. That isn't easy.. I have been draggining in briefly for a few minutes in the morning and trying to do it again later.. but

The benefit of it is more reading! That was my goal, anyway..... so win.

hugs

Oh my goodness! I AM being bad.
I (hope) I have put the last drop of ceiling paint on this house forever! If I live too long for that to work out on its own, I'll be hiring someone. So. Hall and LR ceilings all done :-) Most priming done on the walls. Some walls finished. A whole lotta trim to do.
Looks like I'll be able to finish by Christmas!

>81 TinaV95: TINA!!! So good to see you. Thanks for stopping by even though I haven't been making much of a splash around LT lately.
Love the Easter greeting ;-) Dark chocolate, right?
Woolly is hanging in there. She is so thrilled with spring. She's been chirpping up a storm with the birds through the windows.

>82 mckait: >86 mckait: >87 mckait: (Persistent type of friend, huh? Thanks. LOL)
I don't think having Easter dinner in an assisted living home is "heavy duty partying" - but it's the best we could do. Mom had a cold but is recovering nicely. Just didn't want to take her out in the raw wind, etc.
I did stop in at the library to tell them Yes - It's still me. Yes - Still live in the same place. Yes - Same phone number. Done for another year. Wound up finding the book I wanted to request in a used book store for $4. So there! A Thomas Merton Reader Never expected to find it in Bath - and so cheap ;-)
I was going to read this afternoon, but after finishing the ceiling I could not lift a book. My arms are like melted mozzarella cheese :(
I hear you are a reading ninja! Yay!

>83 Crazymamie: Hi Mamie! Cute gif of Easter chicks... thanks! Hope you and your family had a great holiday weekend. I'll be around your thread to take a peek ;-)

>84 connie53: Ah, Connie. My frugal Sis! You miss the point of the fun. You're supposed to splurge on your Thingaversary (even if belated). Spreading out the book buying over months? *sigh* I may have to make a trip over to show you how to do this properly.

>85 sibylline: Funny Simon! and lucky you, Lucy. Throw in rice and Ron would be using that chicken radar too. There's no sneaking anything foreign (no matter how tasty) past Woolly's little feline lips. She's doing pretty well right now and I have meds, which she may or not take, waiting in the wings. She keeps meowing at the door. I think she is in love with spring... and really wants to go out.

Can I hire you to come over to paint over here Claudia? That would be an original meetup, don't you think? I'll supply all the books you can read. ;-)

*groan* At this point, Ilana, if you GAVE me ALL your Folio books in payment - I would still have to decline. I'm hurting. Ask me again tomorrow ... LOL!
Not a bad idea if I were in better shape... like 40 pounds lighter and 40 years younger? I could paint myself around the world and meet everyone! otoh - Any chance we could met someday for a nice lunch in a special Montreal restaurant? One that doesn't need painting?

Horrible. I can't think of many things worse! UGH! and GAK!

Painting is so not my favorite thing to do. I hope your arms are recovered to the point of being able to lift a book.. and a cup of coffee.. ? For me it's books. I am lugging books.. AGAIN! I have asked Laura to please buy a cart. Again. :P

Glad to know that Woolly is doing well :) relief, isn't it?

Happy day to you! I am off to work again...I suspect that my arms will be noode-y too, by the time I get there. I have a box of books to lug, because I was too dumb to get Dan to take them down yesterday, in the car. My excuse is my brain was numbed by extended exposure to dumb.Wee Laura will be back today. She has been off since Last Wednesday.

Good Tuesday morning to you, Cee. Sorry about the jello arms. I've never painted walls or ceilings; my job was to do a thorough job of taping--dh hated to do that, but would paint up a storm. Gardening can make my arms (and other vital body parts) tired and achy, however. Usually I'm so pleased with the results that I don't care!

I'm glad it's still cold enough for you. How about a mid-sized a.c.? Then neither one of you will be thrilled, but neither will be frustrated. I think.

Give Wooly some extra chin rubbing from me.

You know I would absolutely LOVE to meet with you, and we have plenty of great restaurants here, none of which (as far as I know) ask the patrons to do the painting. Though I know of a place (if it's still open) where you can get ceramic dishware to hand-paint on the premises (they fire it up for you for a pickup within a day or two). I've been there once and thought it was nice enough, but I think I forgot to pick up my piece, now I think of it, some 5 years later... So no, not saying that's where we should go, not at all, in fact, I'd rather not. Hope you get to rest your neck, shoulders, back and arms aplenty in coming days. How about booking a massage?

Woo Hoo!
Packing for CT
Leaving right after my class tomorrow and staying till my next class on Monday morning.

Bridget and family just returned from a 2 week vacation in California. Bridget and Doug celebrate their 16th anniversary Friday - so I offered to take care of the kids. They already know they want to go to SoYo (soft yogurt and a universe of toppings!). You take what you want - then they weigh it all. I promised to bring my charge card :-D

Be safe... have fun!

Hi Claudia, I know you probably won't read this for a while, but just wanted to tell you I picked up Coventry last night and am about halfway through already, and loving it.

Have a great time!

Happy travels, Cee!

Just sopping in to keep your thread warm while you are away. I have nothing much to say today. Blissfully unexciting at the minute.

Helping Kath to keep the home fires burning and hoping you have a great time!

Hi Sis, You are welcome to come over and teach me! But I'm trying to slow down on book buying. There is no room for more books and no time to read everything I buy. I would love to, but.....

Hm, you are away. Ah well, I will go ahead and comment anyway- I hope you are having fun!

>66 -Cee-: We'll switch for a month or so ;-)
Oh, yay. I already have Chelle booked in for a house swap some time in the future. I am not sure she knows I wasn't joking :)
If we could only send ourselves with free shipping like book depo does! It'd be a sealed deal.

>90 -Cee-: I could paint myself around the world and meet everyone!
:)
I see you have the same dilema as me then.

I am guessing that you are going to be heading for home today. Nice that you got to see your whole family! Safe trip and have fun at class!

#27 My Accidental Jihad by Krista Bremer (4stars) LTER



This book provides an inside experience of struggling with two radically different cultures in a relationship that results in marriage and family. A couple with very different backgrounds (middle-class American and impoverished Libyan), both educated, are attracted to each other in an unlikely romance. Their love for each other is tested everyday. At times the cultural contrasts are almost more than either can bear.

Easy to read because of the high level of current political interest, clear and honest access to emotions, and mature insightful contemplation of everyday and timeless difficulties, Bremer tells her story with heart.

Hi All,
I'm baaaack! Had a wonderful weekend. It was like a tsunami of love - forceful, filling, leaving me wiped out, and wondering what hit me :-) Anyway, I was able to go to class yesterday and visit Mom. By the time I got home all I wanted to do was crawl into bed for a nap - which I did for about 4 hours. I had no trouble going back to bed early to sleep for another 12 hours. See what I mean by "wiped out"?

Anywho - glad to be home despite the mountain of laundry and half-painted LR.

Kath -
I see you had a visit from Amy ;-) yay
You've been busy, as usual. I got to see what Spring looks like while I was in CT. Green leaves beginning to sprout, flowers, green grass, blossoming trees... it was awesome! Still brown and sticky here in Maine... but I did a double take when my eye caught new green leaves on one of my perrenials this morning. Some kind of fancy geranium that has proven very hardy.

Ilana -
I hope you liked Coventry. Helen Humphreys is one of my fav authors. I'll have to go check your thread.
Sam (my granddaughter) and I are toying with the idea of a Montreal trip in the summer. Maybe we will make it a reality - or maybe we are both dreamers. We'll see.

>97 tymfos: Thanks, Terri. It was happy - and it was a lot of traveling! It's a long trip alone. I wish I could listen to audio books while I drive, but that skill is apparently beyond me. Still I timed the driving for the right times and did not have to struggle with much traffic. It all worked out well. I was greeted with hugs on both ends :-)

Gail -
Thanks for keeping my thread warm. It's nice to come back to messages from friends.

>100 connie53:
"no time to read everything I buy"
I know what you mean, Sis. It is discouraging in a way... and yet it's like stocking a pantry full of good food so you don't starve.
You are well disciplined and I admire that ;-)

Hi Megan!
Thanks for stopping by...
It seems like NZ can't be so very far away when we chat on LT. But I know it is... and though I would seriously like to spend some winter time there in our summer... *sigh* ... I can only dream about it for now. Spring is pushing it's way through the hard winter we had this year. That's pretty exciting. I love Spring, too.
Wishing you lots of energy and a clear mind to tackle your new role as student/wife/mother. I've been there. As difficult as it can be at times, it's worth it.

Hi Sis, glad you are back and had a wonderful weekend.

You are well disciplined and I admire that ;-)

Well discipline caves in sometimes! I ordered a new book yesterday

but thank you for the compliment.

Oh, Connie, your gifs are precious! So cute!

Hugs for you buying a new book! LT does that to you every so often ;-)

Oh YES! Do come!!! And welcome home. xx

Glad you are safe home, Cee! A 4 hour nap? That is what I would call a power nap ! I am pretty sure you needed it, and glad you were able to have it. Now, back to routine for a while?

OMGoodness... how could I have been away for such a long time?!! Mea culpa, mea culpa, Cee. This is proving to be a challenging year for me thus far where keeping up with LT threads is concerned. I am, however, home for the next 2 weeks and am hoping to do better.

So no school today, right? Will you be taking a jammie day? You should! Then give us a full report of your I did nothing but relax and read day :)

The Accidental Jihad sounds like a worthwhile read!

oh crap. I lost my message just as I was finishing up. This seems to be a special talent I have :p~

Will answer one person at a time:

Thanks, Ilana. Now, I have to investigate/Google Montreal to see what you have there that would interest a HS freshman... though I think Sam would be fine with anything. Any suggestions?
If she and I drive up together (alone), I have a feeling we will be listening to Christmas music most of the way. lol

Hi Kath,
No Jammie Day today - that was Monday. Wow! Was I ever whipped! Today I had a lot of homework (reading about the brain). It's so interesting seeing what they have discovered just since 2000.
Also, finished up my laundry, etc.
I had some turkey to use up and made Turkey Tetrazzini for supper. Haven't made that in forever. It was yummy.

So now I think I am back to a normal routine - whatever that is. At least I am NOT the dishwasher around here - had enough of that in CT :-)

Hi Caro!
Not to worry...
You do so much traveling. I don't know how you do all you do, not even counting LT. It's nice to see you here :-)
I am slowing down this year. I would love to keep up with everyone, but it's way too much for me.

So, you are home for a whole two weeks now! Cool. Hope it feels relaxing and your work is not too time consuming. You're here for the beginning of Spring! Perfect.

Hi Lucy,
I was pleasantly surprised with My Accidental Jihad. I don't think I really knew what it was going to be about. Bremer had some insightful moments that I found worthy. Also - though I think she overdid it at times - she used many interesting metaphors in her writing. It's eye-opening to view unusual relationships from an insider's perspective.

I was so busy this past month that I completely forgot to check out the LT ER books on offer. I didn't request anything. Oh well. It's not like I am getting low on books. lol

Boo! Sorry you missed requesting a book. I look forward to browsing there every month...it's kind of a game, pick something and see if you win!

Down time today? Leftover Turkey T?

I work today and will tidy a bit before. Continuing the BISAC challenge at work will be a challenge indeed, as there is a program tonight, and I am pretty sure things are not ready. Also, I am not scheduled to work for that so .. hooray!

Hope it is a good day in the Maine Woods.

Just saying 'Hi Sis!'

Hi, Cee! So glad you had a good trip.

Where are ya? Reading and relaxing I hope!

What happened to April. I just got the Kindle Select 25 email, and realized that I never found time to check out the one for April! In fact, where has the year gone? sheesh! Oh, high here 58F. California is hogging all the warm. Wish I could trade them a few degrees for a little rain...

Happy Weekend to you Cee? Did you lose the way to LT?

I can help you...follow the starry road * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Sorry. My sister is visiting and we've been busy with Mom, etc.
Fire Dept party today. Supper out tonight.
Hiking tomorrow, I think.
Books read 0
homework done 0
nightmares about homework 1
Be back when I can.

Enjoy the company, Sis. Happy weekend!

Cee - looks like a splendidly busy weekend for you. Mine is one of catching up, including with your good self. Enjoy the rest of your weekend.

Hi Cee... I see. Wow, no rest for you lately. I hope the weekend is good and that you can finally slow down come ... what Wednesday? No classes then, right ?

I did it! I did it! I finished the two books I needed for class and my book club! Both very different and very intriguing books.

The Great Work of Your Life by Stephen Cope (5 stars)
and
Life After Life by Kate Atkinson (4.6 stars)

>117 mckait: >120 mckait: >121 mckait: >125 mckait: Kath,
I know. ER books. I look forward to browsing and requesting every month too. Ah well... Sometimes I miss stuff.
I've been missing from a lot of my normal stuff lately. (Thanks for the starry road. Now I need a 'Starry Night')
I'm afraid it's gonna be a hectic summer and it is starting early with the company and town events.
Wednesday will be my first restful day in a long stretch - hope nothing new materializes, though there is still painting to do.
I went to a follow up appt with my surgeon today. There is still some residual swelling and soreness. When I asked how long it would take to resolve - of course he couldn't say. But I was hoping he would come up with something reassuring. I mean, what DO we pay these guys for?????

>118 connie53: >123 connie53: Connie,
A big HI! to my Sister across the Pond...
It was a weekend. Wasn't horrible. A bit stressful and tiring. There were mixed highs and lows. It's just so hard visiting Mom and she doesn't know my sister/her daughter. I knew this would come, but didn't really know how it would feel. Not good.

>119 tymfos: Terri,
A VERY nice trip and weekend spent with Bridget and her family. Wish I could rent an air conditioned house in CT for the summer. Would make a nice cool break and I'd get to see both my daughters and all my grands :-) I'd come back to Maine for the winter. Hmmm... good idea that.

>124 PaulCranswick: Hey there Paul!
Thanks for catching up here. I must return the favor when I am brave enough. Hope your weekends are all good ones.

I need to pay more attention to my thread and try to get to 150 messages so I can get going on May.

Doing reviews of the books I read would surely help. They were both pretty amazing in their own way. However, I just can't wrap my head around reviews right now.

I have a bunch of indoor plants blossoming right now - much to my surprise! Two orchids, my twin baby clivias (came from the same seed pod about 4 years ago), and kalanchoe are all sprouting spring color! I will take pictures so everyone can be amazed. I have to wait for some sunlight. Maybe tomorrow in between book club, haircut, and Celebration of Arts meeting I will find some time???

Hi Cee!! Catching up, my friend! Glad to see you are doing so well! The four hour nap sounds like it was MUCH needed!!

>127 -Cee-: But I was hoping he would come up with something reassuring. I mean, what DO we pay these guys for?????
Precisely!!! Had to grin at that one!

>128 -Cee-: It's just so hard visiting Mom and she doesn't know my sister/her daughter. I knew this would come, but didn't really know how it would feel. Not good.
I'm so very sorry...There are NO words for what you are going through. Dementia (I don't remember the type?) is so hard on the family. Have y'all thought of joining a support group like the Alzheimer's Association? ((((Cee))))

Hi Claudia, glad you had a good trip and what a nice bonus on the flowering plants! I've had a Christmas cactus plant for a couple of years now which dropped all it's flowers and buds the second I brought it home and wouldn't flower again, to the point where I considered getting rid of it several times. Then, out of the blue it decided to flower somewhere around January or February, and just now has returned into full bloom again, with loads of growing buds! I think I may start believing in resurrection! A complete change of paradigm!

Hi Cee! I have been gone for far too long. I missed your Thingaversary. I loved the hired man and have the memory of love on the TBR shelf.

I'm sorry Wooly has been sick off & on. Poor little sweet cat. I hope he improves...

And I'm glad you liked Life After Life. :-)

Wasn't Life After Life a treat - I'm glad you loved it.

Just reading about your visit to your mom is heartbreaking, Cee. I don't know what to say.

By the way Claudia, forgot to mention I posted a review for Coventry this weekend. xx

>122 -Cee-: yikes, bad report card for you Cee ;) That is waht you get for trying to pack so much in, although on the flip side, trying to pack so much in means the things you do get done are multiple!
Take care and maybe take Kath's advice of a Jammie day. I love the sound of that, but only if there is a roaring fire too....

In an attempt to move you on to may~

I will be hoping that nothing pops up to spoil your day off tomorrow !

My week starts tomorrow, probably. I haven't been called in as of yet, for today. I almost hope she does call me, because I have to work with her( Laura) tomorrow, and if she actually does work her 10 hours today, she won't be up to doing some of the things we need to get done. She is now 6 months along.

Have a good morning at school, and give yourself a break this afternoon!

Hi Cee. So sorry to hear about your mom not recognizing your sister. That's really awful for your sister and for you. I know how it feels getting through that with my MiL.

And here is hoping you get to 150 posts soon.

Hi Cee, all caught up here and giving you one more post toward your goal of 150.

Just saying hi Claudia, bringing you one post closer to the magic 150. xx

Holy Cow! A whole bunch of visitors - just when I needed them *grin*
Thanks all!

Hi Tina!
Good to see you popping up again ;-)
My Mom is slipping so very slowly... but quite surely. This is agonizing. She doesn't care so much about her appearance anymore and sometimes looks a fright. She used to be so very particular, clean, fashionable, and "put-together". I love her whatever she looks like. I just never thought my Mom would have hair sticking out all which-ways, food stains on all her tops, and miss-matched fabrics/colors. I decided to sign her up for the hairdresser once a week so she could at least have hair that is primarily clean... and maybe a bit stylish for a day.
Sorry. This is getting so sad. It is Alzheimer's. I tried a support group for awhile. It just makes me sadder. Thanks for your caring. It happens to so many.

Ilana -
I love the story of your Christmas cactus. They seem to be like that. They start off beautiful, almost die, and then pick their own time to blossom -
then (unfortunately) in my experience, they do eventually die just when I least suspect it.
I hope yours keeps going for a very long time.
Oh! I do want to read your review for Coventry... I'll be over.

Hi Ellen,
I'm glad to hear you liked The Hired Man. That gives me hope that it will be a good one.
Our reading group discussed Life After Life today. Most seemed to love it which surprised me a little. I thought it was great. Very creative format. And the description of the WW II bombing in England was so powerful. I doubt I will ever forget it.
Woolly is responding well to the prednisone pills... even eating them with delight! So far, so good.

Joanne -
I agree. Life After Life was a "treat". Good word for it. I had pretty much decided not to read that book, then got cornered into it with my reading group. So glad that happened! That's one reason I love being in a RL book club... gets me to read lots of good books I might have missed.
Thanks (re Mom). Nothing to say really that makes it any better. I think I'm supposed to learn more about embracing suffering, old age, and surrender... ya know, stuff like that. *sigh*

Hi Megan!
A roaring fire!!!! Oh, no! Only if I can have winter to go with it ;-)
It's been getting warm lately (about 50 F)... but not much in the way of greenery or flowers outside. I think they are smart by not trusting the weather, but it would be nice to have a bit more color.
My last class is Thursday - the one on the brain and genetics. Amazing how much has been discovered in the last 10-15 years... and we are just beginning to scratch the surface. I hope I am reincarnated so I can see how it all turns out when we learn a whole lot more :-)

>136 mckait: thru >139 mckait: Thanks for getting me out of the 130's Kath!

So you had a couple days off? Cool. And Laura is 6 months? Wow. She must be getting excited.
Today was such a busy day. I ran in and out of the house so many times that Loki was getting nervous. I even drove by the house once to drop off a friend down the street and he nearly had a meltdown according to Ron. Poor Loki. Wait till he finds out he is going to the doggie motel for 2 nights the end of the month. My brother is having a huge party at the Cape and it's not a one day trip. We have to go... can't miss everything. We are arranging a Sunday pickup to minimize the length of his stay and try to avoid his getting sick. I'm going to be very nervous.

Tomorrow - hopefully a lazy catch-up on laundry day.

Hi Connie -
Thanks for the help to catch up to May.

I have to say I never realized how many people deal with parents who have suffered some kind of dementia. It's so tragic - not only for the afflicted person, but also the whole family. And no cure or effective treatment. I'm sorry you had to go through it with your MiL.

Judy!
You are so kind to stop in and help out. Sheesh! I think this is the first time I have been so quiet on LT and didn't seem to have enough gab to make it to the next month. Maybe this monthly thread goal is too demanding for me...

I should have more time tomorrow to get to my May thread...
I have a tragedy/comedy bird nest story. Will try to get a picture...
No birds were harmed.

Glad to hear Wooly is responding to treatment well. I have an old friend (old as in 95 years old!) who has loads of Christmas cactus plants that are huge and thriving. But then she gets loads of light and obviously has a green thumb, so we'll see how it goes with my little guy. He's got a pal who still refuses to flower.

Sorry to hear about your mom's condition worsening. For what it's worth, I used to really take care of my appearance, and the way you're describing how your mom is letting herself go sounds a lot like what I'm doing!

I wasn't crazy about Life After Life. I couldn't commit to any version of the main character (forgot her name) and... well it just didn't work for me, although I'm very fond of other books by Kate Atkinson.

Glad you liked Coventry, Ilana. Helen Humphreys is an astonishing author, imho.

I don't know why WW II /England/bombing seems to keep popping up for me in my reading. I can't imagine actually living under such conditions. I guess you do what you must under the harshest circumstances.

Ursula... was the main character. I thought Atkinson was very bold to write something so different from her other books and did a great job of it. So many liked her Jackson Brodie series. I could not get past the first one. I really wanted to like it, but I thought he was a jerk and a poor excuse for a father. So there you have it. Sometimes I am just so put off by a character, it makes me move on.

Good Morning CEE

I will be looking forward to coming home from work to see a new thread :)
Work all day, storms coming.. soon from the looks of it. The sky had that yellow look there for a bit, but has gone slate grey.

Yesterday I read the most amazing book! Yay for days off :) I had time to read one and start another. Both fluffy and quirky :)

Have a nice restful day :)

And now you can start another thread, Sis!

Go and have fun with it!