Richardderus thread 17 of 2014

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

My ORPHANED books ticker:




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

My SHORT STORY collections ticker:




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

My MYSTERY & THRILLER books ticker:




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

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

My 2014 NEW books ticker:




Books 1 & 2...thread 5.
Books 3 & 4...thread 10.
Books 5-7...thread 12.
Books 8 & 9...thread 13.
Books 10 & 11...thread 14.
Books 12-16...thread 15.

Books are reviewed in post:

17. Anything That Moves...#140.

oh presentses! What is in precious presentses for me?

Oh, oh, oh, I WANT that chair-lounge-thingy! Walls are much too bare, however; no shelves.

>1 richardderus: AHA....you finally brought me a present! How sweet of you. I might have to pass on the red wine (migraine trigger you know) but the chair, the soft candle-light....and a beautiful petite surprise. You've done it this time.

P.S. Can't believe I got to one of your threads this early!

and from your last thread....Azkedelia Pumperdink signing out for the eveing.

>1 richardderus: Yes, please.

Hi Richard -- happy new thread!

A BBC/HBO co-production of The Casual Vacancy will start filming this summer, and will air in 2015 (most likely). An interesting video talk by Rowling about this book. 35 minutes.

>3 AuntieClio: You're first!

>4 ronincats: Isn't that lounge doomaflotchie a tempting item? Haven't gotten around to putting up the bookshelves, is all.

>5 tututhefirst: Sleep thee well, Azkedelia! *smooch*

>6 AMQS: I know, right?! Who wouldn't want that lovely thing, eh Anne?

>8 richardderus: and the crowd goes crazy! *kermit the frog*

>1 richardderus: Oh yes! Happy new thread, Richard *smooch*

Nice and cozy new thread rd....

Happy new thread, BigDaddy! LOVE the fainting couch up top! And it's Thursday, which means almost Friday!!

Aww, that is definitely my chair... I do not care, i will fight till the end for it :P

Good morning hon, hope you have a wonderful morning and day:

>1 richardderus: The couch is lovely to look at, but to be honest, doesn't look all that comfortable. My back and legs would be at an uncomfortable angle for reading.

From previous thread, I figure I have about 10,000 books on Mount TBR. At my current rate of 300 books a year, that's 33 years to get them all read. That brings me to 81 years old. Add another 9 years for non-list books, new books and re-reads, that brings me to 90. That's doable!

*muah* love that book chart from the last thread!

I'll take Tina's (>5 tututhefirst:) wine!

I am hoping to get a new reading chair tomorrow. One of the nicer furniture stores here is closing a location near me and they are having a 75% off sale. We bought a couch from them a year or so ago so got invited to shop before the unwashed masses this weekend :) And it's almost my birthday, so I feel I *deserve* a new chair.....

Abandoned house. I think "Tome Home" when I see it.

>10 AuntieClio: Heh, Kermie. Loved Kermie.

>11 wilkiec: Thanks, Diana! *smooch* back

>12 mckait: It's a doozy, ain't it?

>13 Crazymamie: Thanks, Mamie me lurve. It's a beautiful sunshiney day, so I'm all up in it.

>14 tigerlyly: No fighting, no fighting! We have oodles to go around. Thanks for the yummy breakfast pastry with the indispensable coffee!

>15 Morphidae: Adding nine years for new books seems, well, optimistic to me. Call me suspicious, but unless you holed yourself up in a very dark and completely inaccessible cave atop a Himalaya, your chances of adding a mere 2700 books to your pile in the next 33 years come in two sizes: slim and fat.

>16 leperdbunny: Thanks, Tamara! *smooch*

>17 katiekrug: Hiya Katie, I completely agree that, as your birthday approacheth, your desire for a new reading chair deserves to be indulged at 75% off. That's just fairness.

>18 richardderus: A little patching here and there, line it with books, and the Tome Home is ready for guests.

>21 jnwelch: I know, right?! Isn't that a magnificent house! I wonder where it is.

>22 richardderus: Someone here taught me that you can type the Image Location into Google Chrome and find this kind of thing out. The search result indicates it is Villa Zanelli Savona, Italy, and searching by that name seems to confirm it. So we'll either have to relocate, or figure out how to get it here like they got the London Bridge to Arizona.

How amazingly spiffy! I'll remember that bit of Google-fu, thanks.

Savona, eh? Well...Italy is renowned for food...

Hello Richard, lovely new thread and that is a beautiful house.

Hi calm! So lovely to see you out and about, which I *hope* means you're feeling up to snuff.

Isn't that a humdinger of a home? Savona, ho!

#18 Oh wow, that's definitely a building I'd want to explore! Yes. Tome Home. Definitely.

...Hallo Richard, happy new thread!

Hi Richard. Italy sounds like the ideal location for an international Tome Home...

I really, really, really like that red velvet chaise up top. I like flaking out when I read. Now that house needs a bit of work but we could all chip in and buy it, and fix it up for Tomely Acres, right?

>1 richardderus:

*Stumbles in, clutching the wall*

"Thread 17 already?"

*pant, pant*

"Feeling light headed"

*gasp*

"If only there were someplace soft to catch me as I go down..."

*aahhh...*

>27 flissp: Fliss daaaaaarrrrrrling!! So happy to see you! Thanks for the happys, and since you're already 7hrs closer to Savona than I am, why not run down to Nice, turn left, go the 80km and report on the International Tome Home?

*batbatbat*

>28 gennyt: Hi Genny! Doesn't it? You liked Malta, Savona isn't that far away, so the climate should work. Summertime highs of 27C (82°) sound divine! Oh, sorry...

>29 tiffin: It looks like a winner, eh Tui? *smooch*

>30 michigantrumpet: Oh dear...PERKINS! Please fetch Miss Marianne a Pimm's Cup to refresh and invigorate her.

>23 jnwelch: Joe, it doesn't have to be in Chrome. One can just use Google Images to search.

>1 richardderus: Lovely lounge chair, but no arms! I need a chair with arms to rest my elbows whilst holding up a book. (Also, I bet that present contains dark chocolate, to go with the lovely red wine.)

>18 richardderus: You think Tome Home, I think Addams Family Lite. Wouldn't mind exploring it, though.

Happy New Thread!

>18 richardderus: I found a Facebook page that features abandoned homes in the state of North Carolina. It's called "Abandoned, Old & Interesting Places - North Carolina." I've enjoyed following the homes featured on it.

Oh, look! A short thread for me to hop onto without feeling guilty because I didn't read it all!!!

Hi, Richard!

*smooch*

>18 richardderus: This house makes me think of the book We Have Always Lived in the Castle. I imagined the house looked similar to that picture.

One of the more serious downsides to being on two heavy-duty antibiotics is not being able to ingest any alcohol--after I just brought home several bottles of my favorite wines, even! But if I could have that chaise to recuperate upon, I could bear the absence of wine. Bu even worse, Richard--NO CAFFEINE!! 6 days to go...

OK! let's start a movement.... to Italy.... to the tome home, to the tome home, to the tome home!

I'm in

Happy New thread RD! That is a helluva Tome Home in #18! A little paint, a little elbow grease...

>1 richardderus: - I want that chair.... where can I buy one like that?

>18 richardderus: - Even better - you found the house to go with that chair. It is so perfectly Gothic. I love it! I see plush carpets, thick velvet drapes, a basement with a secret passage way out. Oh yes, it is absolutely perfect. So, where is the car to complete this setting? Visions of the Addams Family vehicle comes to mind, with Lurch as chauffeur.... ;-)

Happy new thread, RD!

>37 ronincats: - No caffeine ..... well that will be an interesting experiment perhaps RD wants join ??

I'm another big IN for the tome home! I'm thinking some sort of holiday home - a mandatory 2 weeks a year each for all 75ers (so you'd never know who you'd run into) with RD as live in book-caretaker.

And a bar somewhere... always a bar. Plus it's the perfect place to deliver all those books we cry about getting rid of/honestly do NOT have room for but keep anyway...

Good morning all...
>37 ronincats: No. Caffeine. ... My mind is crying for you, honestly. No wine is easy and not a big deal, but no caffeine??
How do you manage to keep the morning monster at bay? Or maybe is just me like that in the morning...

>42 BekkaJo: Agree, for me is close. I vote to keep it in Italy, is more exotic.
And if we all had 2 weeks in I bet the 75ers would grow exponentially :P

Hey RD, hope you have a nice and sunny day. No coffee today out of respect and mourning for ronincats hellish week.

>36 Cobscook: Oh yes! You are so right! Now that you mention it, that would be a perfect house for that book.. which I LOVE btw

>43 tigerlyly: what??? no caffeine? why ever would you skip coffee?

Morning rdear. crazy day ahead....in and out and here and there. yuck. Hope your day is calm and pleasant :)

Rinkitink Ruggedo (Great Caesar's Ghost!) is slowly preparing for the coming move to Savona.

And a good week-end is wished for you and Miss Stella.

>36 Cobscook: Heidi, you're right!

>37 ronincats: Roni, how ever do you (and anyone you run into) survive a morning with no coffee???

Happy Friday!!! Whew! Almost made it...

Happy new thread! Hope you have a great Friday!

>18 richardderus: I don't know why, but I love the look of that house. It looks like a place where unusual things happen.

>32 AuntieClio: Interesting. I'll have to give this a try.

>33 Storeetllr: Hiya Mary! Addams Family Lite sounds like the Tome Home's inevitable character to me.

>34 thornton37814: Hi Lori! Oh dear, I sense a new FB addiction. "Thanks."

>35 tloeffler: TERRI!! *smooch* Happy to see you here. Make it a habit!

Look up, young man, look up: tiny yellow envelope.

>36 Cobscook: Hi Heidi, that's a very good point. I can see Merricat in there with no problem.

>37 ronincats: NONONONONO!! Not not not decaffeination!!! Say it is not so...report this to the anti-human-testing people immediately, this is appalling and cannot be allowed. The International Court will surely have something to say.

Why do they not want you to drink caffeine? No booze I understand, but caffeine? I was on IV Cipro for 13 days to combat CA-MRSA and had coffee every day.

>38 maggie1944: That's two of us, Karen44. Maybe more?

>39 msf59: A lot of elbow grease indeed. I'm not at all sure where I'd begin. Plus it's in Italy, and I suspect the international problems of communication would require living there while the work was done.

I shall volunteer to do the job. *noble profile* No, no, no need to thank me....

>40 lkernagh: Hi Lori! I do not know. I pinched the image from a Pinterest board called "HomeAdore". I rather fancy one of these as the Official Motor Car:


>41 roundballnz: Ha! It is to laugh, and in short: OH HELL NO.

>42 BekkaJo: A full and well-stocked bar, plus a wine cellar, and a full-time barman, a full-time sommelier, a chef, and a librarian.

>43 tigerlyly: Lyly! That's crazy talk, no caffeine. I'm sure someone somewhere thinks there are "health benefits" to being decaffeinated, but even if there are (which I doubt) I'd rather be happy than "healthy" like that.

Plus Savona is on the road to Nice! W00t!

>44 mckait: Morning sweetness...today begins 10 hellish days. A houseguest. *sigh*

>45 Matke: Great Caesar's Ghost indeed! Yuck. I think I'll keep calling you "Danvers" if you don't mind. Not a good week or so ahead. Oh well, into each life...

>46 michigantrumpet: Happy Friday, Marianne, and spend the weekend wisely. (That means pleasure-reading.)

>47 Thebookdiva: Abby dear! *smooch* Isn't that house beautiful? Something so...exuberant...about it. And what your camera-eye could do with it...!

>49 tiffin: Yellow envelope? OIC!

They are ridiculously invisible.

Karen44 and I can do the gardening at Tomely Acres, btw.

Oh good! I had sorta-kinda thought of an extensive kitchen garden....

Great, now I want to take pictures of every inch of it. I am deeply curious as to what the inside of the house looks like. I picture old carpet and sharp edges. A slight musky smell would linger in the air, and the floorboards would creak softly underfoot. Old paintings of the house's once inhabitants would be hanging on the walls and a whisper of wind would blow through the dark house, moving the dust around in little spirals. It would be beautiful with the sense of faint neglect.

My imagination has gotten away from me again. It happens more often than one would think.

I think we need pictures of the interior, mayhaps? A book nook in every room?

>56 Thebookdiva: As well it might! What a picture you paint. You will be the production designer of the Tome Home Films movie company's projects.

>57 michigantrumpet: A book nook in every room...if there isn't one now, there will be.

Haha. I actually do want to go into the movie business, so it's funny you mention it. My dream is to become a film concept artist like Alan Lee. He was the lead concept artist for the Lord of the Rings movies, and the new Hobbit movies. I'm fascinated with movie making.

So you're reading all the screenplay books you can find, right? Without a clear and commanding grasp of where the movie comes from, the job becomes incredibly hard.

Also, watch a film called Jodorowsky's Dune at your earliest opportunity.

#51 I'm figuring we need at least one butler too...

Thanks for the advice, I will do! Right now I'm immersed in reading Harry Potter Page to Screen which is just fascinating. It covers the making of all 8 movies so it's quite big, but I'm loving every minute of it. I don't know what I will read next on filmmaking.

-edited to say- that I just watched the trailer link of Jodorawsky's Dune and...I NEED to see it. The trailer has me more excited than I expected I would be; really, I gotta get my hands on a copy. Perhaps the library has it...I will have to check immediately. Thank you, thank you, thank you!

>61 BekkaJo: Good point! A butler to buttle is a necessity.

Wow, this is a costly venture.

>62 Thebookdiva: Excellent! The best advice I can offer is to delve as deeply as you possibly can into the process of a successful film's genesis. Then go study a famous flop's history. Know what to look for, as well as what to look OUT for.

*smooch*

An ancient omnibus I ordered arrived! I am so stoked!

Valley of the Vines
Guestward Ho!
The Seven File
Christmas for Tad
Plus a LOOK magazine feature on the Southwest. A 1956 compendium called "Best in Books." Unlike Reader's Digest Condensed Books, these are full texts. I love stuff like this from that era. And this one, while a teensy bit whiffy of mildew, doesn't have cigarette stink like so many old books do.

I love the chair! And I love the house. There should be a friendly ghost there!

I expect there's a haint or two, Connie. I don't know about friendly, as we're talking Italian ghosts.

WOW you mean....Maffioso ghosts......??!!!

No, these are more likely Black Shirts from the Mussolini years. We're talking Lombardy, not Sicily.

Ha, there is maffia all over Italy, I think.

All over the world, organized crime doesn't have borders.

that's true!

FYI - bone to pick! I got in major marital trouble today (I jest, no panic). We had a VERY rare lunch together sans kids - he went to order our food, I slid out my book, he returned to the table... to be greeted with 'just a sec... something major just happened...'. He was ignored for some time. Guess the book...

I think you guys are wealthier than I imagined...

I might just need to hire as the downstairs help if I want to spend my free time in the library.
I can be the highly skilled organizing housekeeper that manages the maids, butler, sommalier, chef, barman, driver and gardener. Oh, and with enough gipsy blood to scare away the mafioso inclined characters.

Btw, with all of those permanent helping hands... where do we sleep??

>72 BekkaJo: That is awesome! And something I totally do on a regular basis! Sorry honey almost at the end of a chapter..... It's a happy person who has a partner that is patient with bookworm tendencies.

#73 Only in our mad book related/house dreams... and y'know, dream wise, there's a whole wing out the back for them too :)

#74 Snarf - I just handed him his e-reader and told him to read his, drink his pint and shush...

women... we have our books, they have their remote control...
sometimes planets align and a happy pairing happens ;)

>71 connie53: :-)

>72 BekkaJo: Oh dear. #sorrynotsorry

>73 tigerlyly: I assign you the staff intimidation policing errrmmm supervisory tasks with joy! Thank goodness for Gypsy blood.

>74 Cobscook: If the said spousal unit is NOT okay with bookwormyness, the said spousal unit will, with celerity, morph into an alimony-paying ex-spousal unit.

>75 BekkaJo: And there it is.

>76 tigerlyly: I confess...if I'm going to subject myself to the wretchedness that is television, *I* and ONLY I will have the remote. Forever and ever, world without end.

>18 richardderus: I will take the room at top left, please. I assume there is a dumbwaiter so the kitchen staff can send up all the comestibles and potables as needed?

>78 laytonwoman3rd: Oh dear, your claim comes a bit too late, as that is my reading aerie. Mine. Mine and mine alone. MINE.

Perkins will, of course, be accompanying me, so he will do the legwork. Needs to tone the calf muscles anyway, skinny thing.

Oh good, because I'd like the funny angled room 2nd floor left with the two windows on one side and one on the other. Perfect reading nook with good light.

The one on the main level, or the one on the second level? I assume not the one on the ground floor, it's hidden by that blooming bush.

Caffeine evidently interferes with the efficacy of the medication--whether the absorption or other I do not know. I do have to say, though, that my husband forgot this morning and brought me a cup of regular coffee (I love his Keurig!!!!) before I was all the way awake, and I drank it without remembering I was supposed to be avoiding it. Bad me!

Go see the better lighting on the teapot, Richard--you might change your opinion!

*smooch*

You sneaky devil you. I bet large sums you knew it was real coffee! (And good on ya, honeychile, that loser coffee is, well, is...actionable.)

I saw the new lighting! All the difference in the world.

#77 LOL - my hubby knows me too well to complain much. Plus since he got his e-reader he's getting as bad as me. Come on - he was the one who twisted my arm to read Hearne in the first place.

>77 richardderus: #sorrynotsorry
Love that hashtag. If I were a hashtagger I would be all over that one. :)

I too have been sans caffeine the last 2 days. Stomach bug. No appetite .......small aside: Yay- striving for that size 0! (*joke*)
Caffeine is definitely on the menu for tomorrow though. If nothing gets in my way I will be at university for an unprecedented number of hours. Caffeine will assist me in speedy essay writing.

Happy new thread and Happy Weekend, Rdear. I love those old Italien villas and gardens.

Things moving quickly here as always..... love the chaise at the topper. The abandoned villa .... makes me think of an article or something I read about abandoned houses in Eastern europe.

Morning Richard!

Man Reading (Nicola d'Inverno), John Singer Sargent

^^That's me, today. All weekend. Nothin' but pillow.

>84 BekkaJo: He's a smart man! He knows what he's got.

>85 LovingLit: I'm no big hashtagger, but it's so perfect that I can not resist using it. Makes me snicker every time I see it!

Have a great essay-writing day, what with the reintroduction to caffeine of the newly size 0 you.

>86 Ameise1: Good Saturday, Barbara, and a lovely and peaceful Sunday for you.

Old houses left to rot fascinate me. Why? What happened? So many people need homes in this world that it also doesn't really sit well with me that so many are simply abandoned for no good reason.

>87 sibylline: Quite a lot of stately homes in now-poor countries are rotting. It seems a dreadful shame.

>88 Thebookdiva: Hiya Abby!

>79 richardderus: Oh, surely it extends far back, and could be divided in two. I don't mind a rear view.

Whatever floats your boat, me lurve. *smooch* I will let you know that the gardens are going to be turned into vegetable gardens. Plan accordingly!

Vineyards?

>93 BekkaJo: Too much work for too little reward. I won't live long enough for a newly planted vineyard to do me diddly-squat good.

^LOVE^

#18 I want it. One entire wing will be the library.

*smooch*

>89 richardderus: love this picture. On rainy days like today, I think we should institute a 3:30 Rule: if you aren't dressed by 3:30 pm, you may forego it for the entire day...

Snuggle in and enjoy the day!

>77 richardderus: oh, you have no idea what a dominant manager I am ;)
I can motivate a stone if I put my mind to it with minimum investment :P
Unfortunately, I can only get ideas, manage them to profit and make money for others.That's my curse...

>95 katiekrug: Ain't it about perfect, Katie?

>96 karenmarie: The library, sweetiedarling, will be the eleven-story 220,000-square-foot building out back. Connected to the house via underground passages with golf carts shuttling back and forth to bring books to residents. And quiet, private nooks with attractive servants to fetch snicky-snacky and wine and another book on demand.

*heaven*

>97 michigantrumpet: Ain't it grand? I'm all about the 3:30 rule. Can we make it the 9:30am rule?

>98 tigerlyly: Our local Generalissima is appointed!

Abandoned ancient tower, Sintra (near Lisbon), Portugal. In a fair and just world, this would be my private reading retreat.

>100 richardderus: OOO....love Sintra (spent VERY romantic 10 days in Portugal many years ago), but somehow missed this. Must go back. Would probably be a bit too musty for long-term reading but how gorgeous.

>18 richardderus: I know I'm ocd when I look at this lovely house and immediately notice that the blinds are crooked/missing on the right side.

>94 richardderus: What a great thought!

>101 tututhefirst: Hi Tina! Musty is, I feel sure, the least of the problems that Staff would have to remediate prior to my arrival. Central climate control, T5 comm lines, hot and cold running water...then of course alerting Amazon to the new delivery address for the "one copy of each, please" standing order...oh, much to do in this lovely fantasy world.

>102 Whisper1: Heh, I seriously doubt you're alone, Linda, though you're the first to have the courage to admit it. *smooch*

Well, I'm up way too late because...this is gonna slay y'all...I've been reading!

I know, right?!

But it is *what* I was reading that kept me up. A short SF novel written in 1950 that I stumbled across in the course of wandering around the Internet.

By JOHN D. MACDONALD.

Yes, that John D. MacDonald, creator of Travis McGee. He wrote this SF novel for an old pulp magazine, and I found a scanned copy of the text in a freaky little archive site I'd never seen or heard of before. I almost got irretrievably lost in something called History of the War of the Sicilian Vespers by one Michele Amari, but recollected the purpose that led me to that weird and wonderful place.

I decided to write a review, as much to remind myself that it really happened as to set down cogent thoughts. I can easily imagine myself half-remembering this and dismissing it as a sleep-deprived half dream.

Hey. That's just how the Dreamers do it...waitaminnit...

>100 richardderus: dunno. Looks damp and chilly :)

I haven't read for a few days, but plan to do so today...

Otherwise, I got nuthin'. Sad that Amy is away so soon. What will I read? Dunno. St Mary's or Iron Druid I guess.

Hope you're hangin' in and the company is agreeable.

Morning RD! I did finish and enjoyed Just One Damned Thing. Thanks for the nudge. I have the 2nd one and I'll probably snag the 3rd as well. Have you read all that is available? Curious, to see how consistent they are.

Morning, Richard!

>100 richardderus:: mildew springs to mind.

>90 richardderus: Too right about the abandoned houses. I've been watching the sad decay of a lovely old cottage about a mile from here. Nice long windows, wrap-around porch. It's so sad to see it rotting a bit more every year.

>100 richardderus: Oh, the romance! A story is forming...

Hoping that the visitors cause as little pain as possible and make themselves useful.

Look at me! Twice in one thread! That's because I got disgusted with Apple, Inc. and finished all of my school work two weeks in advance. So now I'm free except for one group meeting and one presentation. MY work is done.

another *smooch* for you!

>100 richardderus: Nice!

>104 mckait: But I *like* chilly! Damp, well, Staff will have their work cut out for them, walking around in extremely absorbent clothing to capture the moisture.

What did you settle on to read?

>105 msf59: I saw your rating of Just One Damned Thing After Another on Goodreads, Mark, did you post a review here?

I've read everything there is to read to date, and am jonesin' for some more. I wish Taylor'd whip it up!

>106 scaifea: Hiya Amber!

>107 tiffin: Mildew is Staff's job. Plus don't forget the newly installed central climate control.

>108 Matke: Short of some species of forced resettlement, Danvers dear, I can't think of how to get people who need housing to places where housing is going begging. No jobs in most burgs, so no way to eat, shop, fix the place up...what the solution is, in actual factual, will never be implemented, so I don't even talk about it. *smooch*

>109 tloeffler: ...Terri...Loeffler...twice...*collapse*

>110 kidzdoc: Ain't it, Darryl? Nice to see you out and about after Hell Week.

>103 richardderus: I love how much fun you had with the MacDonald SciFi novel! Your review doesn't quite make me want to read it too, but the joy of a simple, thumping good read comes through strongly. Thanks for sharing.

Oh, hullo there Perkins. Would you please announce me?

What? Today's an all jammys day?

But, of course! No problem. All the best ladies carry a set with them ....

>113 Cobscook: I can't see it being your meat and drink, Heidi, so good decision not to buy the $10 ebook. It was indeed fun, and nostalgic, and that's worth something to me these old and degenerate days.

>114 michigantrumpet: Perkins! A refreshing flute of Veuve Cliquot for Miss Marianne. Caviar omelette, dear? Permaybehaps a slice of apple cake?

>115 richardderus: Dah-ling! How lovely of you to keep my favorite champers on ice for me! Chin chin!

This caviar omelette and apple cake are simply divine! You MUST have Cook pass along the recipe to mine.

Shall we sit in companionable silence or engage in juicy gossip? Did you hear...?

Michigan's UP as literary destination. Weird thought.

>116 michigantrumpet: Oooh! Do tell! And I also heard...

>100 richardderus: Wow, that's beautiful, Richard. I thought it was a painting at first.

Hope you're having a good weekend.

I know plenty of Yoopers who would echo that thought! I've been to the Upper Peninsula several times, but it's a little too outdoorsy for me. Mackinac Island is about as far North as I usually make it.

Loved the picture in the link to 'Snowbound Books' -- although many of our friends here would think that an apt description to any bookstore in their hometown this Winter! ;-P

Really? I didn't know that. Too delicious! In which case, you simply need to know ...

>100 richardderus: I love it! It looks mysterious and would fit nicely in a knights movie especially with the crown like battlement (is that really a word?) on top.

>118 jnwelch: I know, right Joe? It's so ethereally lit, and the placement is so perfect...can't be real. But it is, and apparently all of Sintra is much like this in its beauty.

>119 michigantrumpet: Perkins! Another bottle of the Ol' Widder-woman's Wonder Juice! Miss Marianne and me're havin' a fat-chaw. *smooch*

>120 connie53: Battlement is really a word indeed, Connie, and that's a beautiful one.

>121 richardderus: So, this may be the Wonder Juice speaking, *giggle* but, is the *smooch* for me or for Perkins? He does look rather cute in that morning suit.

>122 michigantrumpet: ...like my butler wouldn't be cute...sheesh! Bit old, though...

>121 richardderus: I'm glad it is a word. It's called a kanteel or tinne over here.

>123 richardderus: LOL!! Of course, it's your chauffeur, James, I've got a wee hankering for ...

Hello Richard, have a lovely sunday afternoon.

>124 connie53: "kanteel" is more precisely a battlement than "tinne" which, as I understand it, means "pinnacle" or "tippy-top of something." A battlement is always the top of something, but the top of something isn't always a battlement, if that makes sense.

>125 michigantrumpet: Oh my yes, he's just come in from his daily beach run:

>127 richardderus: Hello Rae! How lovely to see you here! It's a beautiful Sunday here, and I hope it's the beginning of a long, beautiful spring. Reading away, I hope?

>127 richardderus: THere's our boy! Although I'm rather partial him in his uniform with those shiny boots...

>128 richardderus: Yes I have in fact I read books 1-7 in the Mercy Thompson series in two days a piece recently.

>129 michigantrumpet: *happy sigh*

>130 GeezLouise: That series has made a lot of happy readers around here. I have the first one Moon Called Mercy sitting on my Kindle. SO many good books...I wish I didn't need to sleep sometimes.

Ooo

Aaah

>132 richardderus: and Perkins is taking the photo?

...what...sorry I was off in my own little fantasy world, wherein that room is the top floor of >100 richardderus:...

*sigh*

>132 richardderus: all it needs is a blankie and a fireplace

>132 richardderus: what you said ^

>135 tututhefirst:, >136 mckait: A few more lamps, a few tables, and servants. *happy sigh* I love living in Fantasyland!

>18 richardderus: I want the second floor on the left.

>20 richardderus: But the 10,000 TBRs go back 200+ years! I add about 5 books a month. That's 60 books a year to Mount TBR. Plus new books from favorites authors. Say another 40 for a round 100. Okay, fine. I'll live to 95. That gives me 14 years.

I present this as an option for the Tome Home:


I know you don't like poultry. However, I received this in my email for poetry month from Knopf and instantly thought of you:

In praise of joe

I love you hot
I love you iced and in a pinch
I will even consume you tepid.

Dark brown as wet bark of an apple tree,
dark as the waters flowing out of a spooky swamp
rich with tannin and smelling of thick life -

but you have your own scent that even
rising as steam kicks my brain into gear.
I drink you rancid out of vending machines,

I drink you at coffee bars for $6 a hit,
I drink you dribbling down my chin from a thermos
in cars, in stadiums, on the moonwashed beach.

Mornings you go off in my mouth like an electric
siren, radiating to my fingertips and toes.
You rattle my spine and buzz in my brain.

Whether latte, cappuccino, black or Greek
you keep me cooking, you keep me on line.
Without you, I would never get out of bed

but spend my life pressing the snooze
button. I would creep through wan days
in the form of a large shiny slug.

You waken in me the gift of speech when I
am dumb as a rock buried in damp earth.
It is you who make me human every dawn.
All my books are written with your ink.

~ Marge Piercy

Ooo! I love the new option for the Tome Home!

I got that poem from Roni in this morning's email, isn't it a stitch? I can really appreciate the effort it took to make the joke fit in a poem.

Review: 17 of seventy-five

Title: ANYTHING THAT MOVES: Renegade Chefs, Fearless Eaters, and the Making of a New American Food Culture

Author: DANA GOODYEAR

Rating: 3.5* of five

The Publisher Says: A new American cuisine is forming. Animals never before considered or long since forgotten are emerging as delicacies. Parts that used to be for scrap are centerpieces. Ash and hay are fashionable ingredients, and you pay handsomely to breathe flavored air. Going out to a nice dinner now often precipitates a confrontation with a fundamental question: Is that food?

Dana Goodyear’s anticipated debut, Anything That Moves, is simultaneously a humorous adventure, a behind-the-scenes look at, and an attempt to understand the implications of the way we eat. This is a universe populated by insect-eaters and blood drinkers, avant-garde chefs who make food out of roadside leaves and wood, and others who serve endangered species and Schedule I drugs—a cast of characters, in other words, who flirt with danger, taboo, and disgust in pursuit of the sublime. Behind them is an intricate network of scavengers, dealers, and pitchmen responsible for introducing the rare and exotic into the marketplace. This is the fringe of the modern American meal, but to judge from history, it will not be long before it reaches the family table.

Anything That Moves is a highly entertaining, revelatory look into the raucous, strange, fascinatingly complex world of contemporary American food culture, and the places where the extreme is bleeding into the mainstream.

My Review: I will try almost anything once. Almost anything, stuff like eyeballs and mountain oysters and (unknowingly) dog. Mountain oysters are tasty, eyeballs are gross, and I vomited for an hour after being told the greasy, slick, icky meat was dog.

There is stuff that these damnfool eejits are *paying*money*for* that there is not a single, solitary, remote, fat, or slim chance that I would consent to sit at a table with, still less eat.

Actually, I could stop there and the review would be complete. But there's a bit more I'd like to say. Dana Goodyear writes for The New Yorker, and it shows. Her phrases are often quite euphonious, but in the end more snacklike than mealtimey:

Appetites are hard to legislate, and people usually end up doing what they want to do. The year {Upton} Sinclair wrote The Jungle, he got his first summer cold. It was the beginning of the score of ailments that led him to John Henry Kellogg's Battle Creek Sanitarium (sic), which promoted vegetarianism, and to the writings of Horace Fletcher, "The Great Masticator," who prescribed chewing your food extra-thoroughly.

I stopped subscribing to The New Yorker for that reason. Okay, back in the Shawn era we had them memorable 10,000 words on zinc, its extraction, refinement, and many uses. But now we have ephemeral, mildly interesting stuff like...

...like...

...and there you have it. The chapters in this book could have been entitled "Notes from LA" and I would've skipped gaily past them, being largely uninterested in when not actively hostile to LA. And I would've been not one smidgin less well-rounded a person.

Goodyear's entertaining moments describing the feuds and rivalres among these freaky-deaky foodies are pleasant enough. Her description of eating some of the offal these folks consume made me mildly queasy, and never...not once...made me curious enough to try some of the disgusting crap the effete of palate and overloaded of wallet gourmands herein profiled savored.

I received this copy from the publisher via LibraryThing's Early Reviewers program. That made this review possible for me to write without resorting to invective, vituperation, and contumely. Had I spent $27.95 on it, I''d be so moltenly angry even yet that it would be unwise to approach me without something normal and wholesome like a double cheesburger with bacon, mayo, and onions plus an extra-large fries prominently displayed as a token of goodwill.

Make that burger a triple.


This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported License.

>140 richardderus: And you gave it a 3.5? Guess she must have written her drivel with grammatical and syntactical correctness.

Thanks for saving me from this one!

>141 tututhefirst: Precisely. Not one bloomer that wasn't attributable to an editor/copyeditor/proofreader being lazy and/or ignorant.

In fairness to her, The New Yorker wouldn't have her around the place if she wasn't a competent phrasemonger. Just that she never wowed me, so 4 was out; never bored me, so 2 was out; and never missed a wisecrack or a sly dig. Ergo 3.5.

Hope you'll have a lovely week, Richard. xx

I will be skipping that one....

Good day to you, rd. I got nuthin' much to share.... too early.. to dull.. too brain stunned or something. Just nothing to say.

Carry on with your visitors and hope that the meals are lovely, to compensate :)

>140 richardderus: A perfect review, pointing out the good, the bad, and the indifferent about the book.

Ash? Wood? Hay? Is the culture that hungry for novelty? I wouldn't have believed the information about the scented air if I hadn't heard a Splendid Table podcast discussion about smoke, or a smoke-like substance, being added to everything from ice cream to eggs to the air in restaurants. If I want smoke in my food,hair, and clothing, I'll burn yard waste.

Have to laugh at the reference to Horace Fletcher. When we were young, if we ate too fast, my father would tell us to Fletcherize. Questions revealed that we should chew each bite 37 times. After 3 or 4 bites, one completely lost interest, so it would be a good diet technique, I think.

Good morning Rdear. *waves* from good old Europe.

>147 richardderus: Muahahhaaha! Love it.

>143 wilkiec: Hi Diana! I hope yours is a week of good news and good fun, too.

>144 mckait: I think you're wise. It would make you mad.

*smooch*

>145 Matke: It was precisely that loss of interest that made it so successful, Danvers darling. It's all about slowing down and giving your body time to absorb what it's taking in.

But I think it's revolting, and feel about it the way I feel about that eejit Emile Capouya and his "every day in every way" mantra that came to the fore around the same time.

>146 Ameise1: Thank you, Barbara! *smooch* The same wish for you.

>147 richardderus: that is hilarious. My favorite was: "Seat back. Meal on Lap. Drink in hand. Remote across the room." Cause, I hate it when that happens. Pure evil.

>149 richardderus: :-)

>148 BekkaJo: Isn't that a hoot? I like "The Polite Scorn of a Canadian" best.

>150 Thebookdiva: *smooch* Hi Abby! I know how annoying it is to need, but not have, the remote. All the imps in hell are laughing at you, it seems, as you disentangle everything and lurch to your feet, upsetting at least one wet/greasy thing in the process, and then...the remote tumbles out of the chair, opens its battery case, and flings its batteries under something immovable.

Satan.

>151 Ameise1: :-)

Hey Richard, hope you have a lovely week and a good Monday.

Hi Richard, hope you're having a good Monday.

Monday felicitations to you and Stella. Loved the Canadians one. And they are very polite, too.

>147 richardderus: Hysterical! Its the lost sneezes one for me. That can really screw me up!!

Hallo and *smooches*

>153 GeezLouise: Hi Rae! I hope your week is wonderful, and full of the best kind of busy.

>154 johnsimpson: It was a drowsy Monday, John, because I had a small issue and elected not to drink coffee today. Ergo I slept a whole lot!

>155 michigantrumpet: Hi Marianne! *smooch* Every Canadian I know is.

>156 Cobscook: Isn't that the most annoying feeling?! Torment!

>157 AuntieClio: *smooch*

Richard! Love!!!!

I adore the Tome Home options! I'm all in for either one as long as you're there, dear sir!

I need to finish one more book before I allow myself to indulge in the second St. Mary's. Sooooooon, though!

>132 richardderus: Ooooh yes, that is so ME!

>159 TinaV95: Mrs. Lisa! *smooch* Fresh from your anniversary weekend, I see, and in fine fettle. Oh those St Mary's books...Tui has a lot to answer for, since she is the one whose review caused me to investigate them. Now just look! Everywhere the eye can see...more St Mary's luuuv.

>160 ronincats: Isn't that gorgeous? I look at it and sigh longingly every few hours.

>127 richardderus: Oh, my.

>132 richardderus: There's where I'll be, if anyone is looking for me.

>162 tloeffler: T...t...TLo THREE times in one thread?!?!?!

*faints*

*revives*
He can be your when I'm done with him. Poor lad won't be gettin' a whole lotta rest.

>163 laytonwoman3rd: Budge up. I've got new books.

Oookaaayyy.

Well, so, see, it's like this. I need money. So what do I do? I pay my bills and then I go on a binge of epic proportions. Why? Because!

Island: The Complete Stories in honour of MacLeod's passing

The Robber Bridegroom
Delta Wedding
The Optimist's Daughter
The Ponder Heart
Losing Battles--no house is truly a home without a complete set of Eudora Welty's works

The Glassblower's Apprentice--Pete Pezzelli sent me a novel while I was an agent, which I loved and was going to sell for him. Then my mother had her stroke and I had to leave. He's had a number of books published since, and this one I haven't read yet.

So, yeah.

Sweet dreams.

Now THAT'S the kind of footstool I love. Okay, take the room in >132 richardderus:, put the lounge from >1 richardderus: on the other side, and have this alcove go off the wall on the right. Yeah, that should do it--I have at least 3 possible seating choices that get my feet up. And I'll share. What's not to love?

>166 richardderus: That's downright lovely! With the glass of what: bourbon? replaced by some nice rosé wine.

Nothing.... that's what I've got.

Good day to you :)

>166 richardderus: Can I have a seat here? It looks gogeous!!!
Morning Rdear, I hope you feel better.

Gorgeous reading nook!

>166 richardderus: Sublime Perfection.

Like Kath, I got nothing. Love the latest book haul, though.

>166 richardderus: - YUM!

xoxo to you and Stella

Happy Tuesday, Richard dear! I have finished the third St. Mary's book and all I have to say is "WHAT?!?!?! A CLIFFHANGER?!?!?! HOW COULD SHE?!?!?!?!"

Ahem. So, when is the fourth one coming out, do you know? Cause, I kinda sorta need to read it NOW.

:-)

Not really caught up, RD. Back from Blighty with a mere 31 additions to speak of.

>166 richardderus: is splendid and I could sink into that and wake up tomorrow ready for work (well not really).

By the way you have just passed 5,000 posts this year and have closed the gap considerably whilst I have been dining my way across Northern England. This is post 5,003.
Top Five:

Myownself 5341
RD 5003
Amber 4005
Mark 3008
Joe 2910
Mamie 2540

This time last year you were just edging beyond 3,500 posts.

>166 richardderus: Oh, my, yes! Everything about that reading room I like, plus the decanter and glass is a lovely touch! I could live in a room like that!

>176 PaulCranswick: Congrats on your post record!

Hope you're having a great Tuesday!

>167 ronincats: Hi Roni! I agree, that's about perfection on almost every level, ain't it?

>168 connie53: Perkins will assist you in obtaining the beverage of your choice, Connie.

>169 mckait: Hiya sweetness! I've spent my day binge-watching the second season of Miss Fisher's Murder Mysteries...all 13 hours of it. Apart from walking Stella and gobbling a ham sammy with kraut, that's been my day.

>170 Ameise1: Hi Barbara, thank you for the kind wishes which, I'm happy to report, mostly came true. A pleasant day of streaming TV shows from Australia.

>171 Thebookdiva: Hi Abby! I so agree, it's spectacular. *smooch*

>172 Matke: Yep! It was a haul, all righty alright.

>173 katiekrug: Agreed!

>174 luvamystery65: Thanks, Roberta, same to you and the Devilles.

>175 rosalita: Oh hello there, most resistant of book-adders. I'm so pleased that my modest efforts to pique your book-palate met with some small success. I'm sure there's information somewhere on the fourth book. One day soon, I'll see if there's any to be found.

*evil Muttley laugh*

>176 PaulCranswick: Paul! Happy homecoming! I saw so many scrummy-looking meals on Facebook that I now feel I could do a creditable dining tour of everything from Whitby south and west.

Thirty-one. Mmm. Is that the number of containers on the ship, or the number of container ships?

OWOW!! The group as a whole is waaay ahead, and we're just totally settin' 'em up an' knockin' em back! Thanks for the stats fix.

>177 Storeetllr: *smooch* Thank you, Mary, same back at'cha.

You are a cruel, cruel man! I'm never listening to your book recommendations again until the next time.

>181 rosalita: *self-satisfied preen*

>165 richardderus: Superduper book haul. I borrowed The Optimist's Daughter from the libarry last week but have not cracked it open yet. We shall see if I like Ms. Welty as much as you...

>183 Cobscook: I surely hope so. I am such a fanboy of her so-Southern observations and locutions.

I got The Wars of Heaven in the ER derby! Woot! It's 25 years old, first published in 1990? 1989? but I've never read it and am such a fan of hillbilly noir that I'm expecting a "thumping good read" in Suz's phraseology, at the very least.

Good grief.....my computer must be broken. 4 1/2 hours have passed since someone stopped by to offer friendship, solace, gaiety, or condolences????? Good grief. a large serving of all of the above, and a sprinkle of fairy dust to wish you pleasant dreams. I can only hope that we are all so engrossed in good books, that the threads are justifiably silent.

Hello, dear Richard. I am drowning in work and terribly unaware of whatever is going on here in LT land. But I did see that you visited my thread a time or two while I have been away (I keep thinking I just have to get through May 15 and it will all be better, but I'm not convinced that this is indeed the case) and I wanted to return the favor. Not that you need me to bulk up your stats, I see (from Paul's post #176). But that is not really the point, is it?

I hope you are well and that you have been enjoying some good reads. And that both things continue to be true.

*smooches* for you and for the lovely Stella

Lovely book haul. I remember reading Delta Wedding ages ago! but that was before I kept notes and I don't recall how I felt about it. Looking forward to your review .. As a refresher!

Happy Wednesday.

Good afternoon, Richard. I hope your Wednesday is great. xx

Hmmm Delta Wedding looked appealing to me, but I see it's in my library. I don't have any memory of it, and there are no stars, so? Dunno.

Hope your Wednesday is a good one. Work and BISAC Challenge for me.. sorta. I'm sure we are still out of label covers, since I doubt they were ordered when I asked for them. sigh.

Dear Mr Derus, I believe it is you to whom I should give thanks for bringing One Damned Thing After Another to my attention? (Albeit in a roundabout way.)

Many thanks, it was a great romp! I'm looking forward to the next book!!

The St. Mary's joy is spreading worldwide, RD. Well done!

I finished the fun short story, and now I've nothing left. Please contact your friend Jodi Taylor and have her get the next one to us asap.

Meanwhile, I'm re-reading The Book Thief, and I'm another one who will be reading The Optimist's Daughter for the AAC.

No way to catch up so just skimming and waving 'hello'.

I do have the first of the St, Mary's series on my ereader thanks to you.

>185 tututhefirst: Heh, some days just bes like that, Tina. I've been wretchedly miserable in the cold, damp, drizzly day we've had. More like February than almost-May. Ick!

>186 EBT1002: Hiya Ellen! No, stats aren't really the point so much as fellowship and fun. I haven't done a bit of reading today. Mostly just lying here wishing to hell the weather goddess would flip the off switch on the rain.

Stella sends slurps. I'm too miserable to pucker.

>187 michigantrumpet: Hi Marianne! I suspect rereading Delta Wedding will be as much fun as reading it was lo, those many years ago. Miss Eu's stories haven't staled. She wasn't anywhere near the novelist that she was story-teller, but she's still gifted.

>188 wilkiec: Diana the Red! How lovely, and thanks for the well-wishes. If you'd have a word with your pal the Weather Goddess and ask her for some sunshine, please?

>189 mckait: Probably something you've had for a million years, or purged in the clean-up and didn't note its fate. Hope it was productive today!

>190 wookiebender: Tania! How very lovely! Isn't the St Mary's series a hoot? I love that people are discovering it and enjoying it as much as I have. Enjoy A Symphony of Echoes!

>191 jnwelch: Hiya Joe! You're as bereft as I am, my friend, howzabout we start a write-in campaign to pressure the publisher to release the next St Mary's Chronicle?

I expect you'll enjoy The Optimist's Daughter a good deal, it's a good short tale.

>192 SuziQoregon: Hi Juli! Very happy to see you here. *hums Another One Bites the Dust to himself with a self-satisfied smirk*

>191 jnwelch: & >194 richardderus: I would sign that St. Mary's petition! I went to Jodi Taylor's website and it hasn't been updated since the SECOND book came out. Annoying.

So, what size cojones would one actually have to have to call a library 10 minutes before the close and say please stay open for me, so I can print yada yada?

(And what size to say yes?)

AND if you ask in the first place, then to have a 4 yr old picking out a stack of books..... and of course the staff computers are shut down, but SURE!!!!

I left. Whatever.

The BISAC project was slow going today, SOOOOOO busy. Crazy Busy today.

sorry you are ouchy... hugs...

>195 rosalita: I was amazed that she clearly doesn't spend much time building an online community of fans! Let's organize this. You contact your goddess pals and get the Divine World aligned to make Taylor miserable until she gets back on the track, and I'll eat fried mozzarella sticks with marinara.

>196 mckait: That, well, that is...wow...that's some kinda serious hubris indeed. Sorry about the lack of BISAC progress, but yay for busy! *smooch*

I'm on a heating pad, covered from ankles to neck, and still feel chilled, sore, and miserable. I'm going to start drinking heavily soon.

I don't blame you. I asked Subway to apply for a license to sell alcohol.......for the days in the near future.

Heating pads = goodness

>198 mckait: Heating pad = heaven. I think I'll marry it.

Good call re: Subway! A gin and tonic before climbing the hill sounds like perfection.

Why, that decanter is half-empty already, you lush.

*smooch* against crap weather and aches and pains.

If >166 richardderus: is in >18 richardderus: I'd be perfectly happy to retire to Italy. Will y'all pay me to read take care of the place when you're not visiting?

*smooch* for the day hope the heating pad is helping.

Tell you what--I'll halve the temp difference and the humidity difference with you. It's 89 and 5% humidity here (my poor sinuses!). So if you are at 100% humidity, that puts it at about 48% humidity. 49 degrees there right now--that puts both of us at 69 degrees. Sound good to you?

>200 katiekrug: *hic* whachu me...me...meen lush Im sob...sober as a judge

>201 bell7: What is this "not visiting" of which you speak? Once in the Tome Home, it's very unlikely I'll venture out again. Oh, and you and Lyly coordinate which of you will be librarian.

>202 ronincats: Perfect! Deal! 69° and 48% humidity? Heaven!

Heating pads are The Businesss. I keep mine on the back of my rocking chair At All Times, just because.
Hope you're feeling better today, friend...

>199 richardderus: If I drank a gin and tonic before climbing the hill, I might just sit at the bottom and gaze upward.

I already told Laura that I was going to start drinking heavily at work when she goes on "maternity leave"

>204 scaifea: That's where my heating pad lives, too, Amber! But lordy, you must be at least 25/30 years younger than I am... (Oh, maybe I should have started using it sooner!)

Good morning, Deario. I presume you're sleeping off yesterday's buzz. Sorry to learn about the aches and hoping that today will be much easier for you.

The sun has appeared again at last. I'm feeling sleepy after a too-late night. Must. Stay. Awake.

Good morning, RD. Hope it's a relatively pain-free day. I'm enjoying The Optimist's Daughter so far.

Happy Labor Day!

Good morning Rdear. How are you today. I hope much better. Indeed, we do have Labour Day here in Zürich.

>204 scaifea: Hi Amber! The heating pad is a big help today, too, although it's not raining. Instead it's foggy. *erk*

>205 mckait: ...and the problem with that would be...?

>206 laytonwoman3rd: Option 2, Linda3rd. A heating pad makes aging less repugnant and horrifying.

>207 Matke: Sun! I'd say "yay" except you live in Hell, so heat isn't a desideratum, and sun = heat. Why must you stay awake? if you're tired, nap! *smooch* for my dear Danvers.

>208 jnwelch: Hi Joe! Glad to hear that Miss Eu has got your attention so far. I hope The Optimist's Daughter ends up working well for you.

>210 Ameise1: Hi Barbara! Happy Labor Day, and many happy hours lying around and being interesting for you today.

Another fan of the heating pad checking in. I also adore those seed filled wraps that can be warmed in the microwave and applied to various parts that need warming w/o having to connect to the power grid.

>212 tututhefirst: Hi Tina! I'd be a bigger fan of the buckwheat heat-wraps if the nuke wasn't on a different floor.

>206 laytonwoman3rd: I've had back issues since high school, when I was a much more slender version of myself and carrying around drums that likely weighed more than I should have been carrying, and then marching around on asphalt for hours at a time wearing said drums. So, yeah, my love of the heating pad started early in life. Plus, it's just cozy-feeling, even if my back isn't hurting.

>209 richardderus: Happy Labor Day! I hope the pains are subsiding and you are feeling better.

Although 'We, the Dutch' do not celebrate this day too much. (There are too many Celebration Days this two weeks: Kings Day, Remembrance Day and Liberation Day (WOII)).

Hugs - hope you are starting to feel better :/

And happy labor day - though we don't get that one either. Still I've got Monday (Mayday bank hol) and Friday (Liberation day) off next week, so I shouldn't complain.

>214 scaifea: It is cozy-feeling, isn't it? Makes the world seem less intrusive somehow.

>215 connie53: Thanks, Connie! Sending hugs for the Holidays! (Y'all do have a gracious plenty right up in here.)

>216 BekkaJo: The fog has lifted, the air has dried out, and the sun is shining. I don't know how or why, and I ain't a-gonna ask too too many questions! I will take this and smile.

The Old Country does holidays better than we do, fer sher. I went and looked up May Day, and saw the may-flowers from the may-trees...beautiful! I wonder, are they fragrant?

I have a rice filled version of the heating pad a friend made for me. I lurve it lots! In fact today is a good day to apply it....in the 40s, raining, and thoroughly miserable. Its a good thing I am loving my current read The Golem and the Jinni because there's not much else to like in today!

>218 Cobscook: Oh good, there is little better than a good read to make a wretched day brighter. It's suddenly become gorgeous here! I will so happily take it. My spirits are lifted, if nothing else, and I feel much more The Thing when there's sunshine.

I miss my heating pad! I need to fix that today!

Please help with my campaign to save the horses dear.

>220 luvamystery65: Ahhh. Now the Gentleman Caller will see this, become a bit edgy, and therefore more attentive, and I didn't have to do it myself!

Such a good friend you are, Roberta dear.

Ya know what, though, that lad is so ripped I fear I'd never be able to have dinner with him...to get that kind of definition, one needs to eat such a special and limited diet, how could he tuck in to a pork roast, scalloped potatoes, and sauteed spinach with bacon and cream cheese, washed down with an old-vine Zinfandel, and followed by a lemon-rosemary cake?

(I think I hit all the Gentleman Caller's buttons...)

>221 richardderus: Oh dearest! Cowboy is for riding lessons, not dinner. ;-)

>222 luvamystery65: *smooch* No reason not to have both, now is there?

>223 richardderus: Yes very true. He will be famished after those riding lessons.

Hi Richard! I came here because I remembered you always had beautiful reading nooks and *ahem* other eye candies, but of course I came here only for the reading nooks... *cough cough*. :)

Please refer to >196 mckait:

She stayed for 20 minutes for that patron, who printed on the wrong printer and so... and THEN took out books...

Today, a patron who ALWAYS comes in 5 minutes before closing ( fooled her today, she thought it was wed.) asked me to busy something from Ammy for her , since I had mentioned that I had an account. She also was angry that I didn't remember the title of a book I looked up for her 2 weeks ago. ( I do not like her... ) She always asks for all sorts of services after coming in at the end of the day and no... she doesn't work all day, she is unemployed. She is just .......................

GAH

>205 mckait: I would never get home for Duncan and the kitties.

I surely hope that your day was good... ?

>224 luvamystery65: *smirk* Poor lad. He'll need some protein, I don't doubt.

>225 jolerie: Hi Valerie! Yes, plenty plenty nook porn to feast your married-lady eyes upon, and gracious goodness me, those errrmmm other images can be rapidly scrolled past.

*snort*

>226 mckait: Oh yuck. I am so disgusted by people who are simply inconsiderate of others for the sake of it.

I don't really understand about the Ammy thing. She wants you to give her books? WTF?!? Or am I simply plodding a bit more slowly than usual...it's a possibility.

The minions are all in Manhattan tonight!! I get to eat their cheesecake and do some urgently needed laundry. Yippee!

She wanted me to first, remember what the book was .. as I had looked it up for her two weeks or so ago... I do not remember. Then she wanted me to order it and she would pay me. so no. no. Crazy town.

>121 richardderus: " I also adore those seed filled wraps that can be warmed in the microwave and applied to various parts that need warming" In fact, that is what I mean by "heating pad". Don't have any electric ones, as they worry me.

>228 mckait: People like that need a good hard slap.

Hi, Richard! Nothing much to say, just wanted to check in and wish you a lovely day!

xo

*smooches*

>230 Storeetllr: I agree!

rd.... lookie!

http://smile.amazon.com/The-Days-Anna-Madrigal-Novel/dp/0062196243/ref=tmm_hrd_t...

This will be a must read for me...eventually. It's funny, I was looking at Maupin's work at Ammy a bit ago, with Breezy, and missed it.

The room with the huge ottoman - now that is spectacular. We need something that big so all three pets can lie on it at the same time in front of the woodstove. We have one puny ottoman, only room for one corgi or two cats who like one another..... so there are beds and such strewn around it, those are to trip over, of course, part of the obstacle course that we seem unable to dismantle.....

Heating pad...soothing.

>221 richardderus: If I peel the potatoes, set the table, retire to an inner room, and clear away after a suitable interval, may I come to dinner?

Morning Richard. I would post something more exciting, but as my brain power is only at about 10% right now this is all I could do.

What Abby said.

>228 mckait:: that kind of thing moves people to #1 on the smack list, in my books (pun sort of half intended). I would never, ever order something for someone like that from my personal funds or account. You just know it would go wrong.

>228 mckait: ...
...
...
...NO. For realz?! NO!! SMH

>229 laytonwoman3rd: OIC

All I have is an electric one because the nuke is too far away for me to be able to hot it up as needed.

>230 Storeetllr: They do! They surely do! Eeejits. *smooch* and thanks, same back at'cha!

>231 EBT1002: *smooch* Happy Friday, Ellen!

>232 wilkiec: Diana the Red! *smooch* for my dear Dutchie

>233 mckait: OMG
ZOMG
ZUT ALORS!
*mustownmustownmustown*

Mrs. Madrigal ninety-two! Wheeeeew

>234 sibylline: Isn't that something special, cuz? It's just so...right...as a reading space, eh? Strikes me that would be a wise purchase for a multi-pet establishment.

>235 Matke: Why yes, of course! Happy to see you, since that would mean that poor Jeremy would feel I was being chaperoned. He was, as predicted, a bit unsettled by the dark-haired glam-lad. Elaborately Casual. Ever So Nonchalant.

Heh. Apparently the timing of the phone call shouldn't have suggested anything to me...heh.

>236 Thebookdiva: Ten percent! Wow! Get more coffee down you and that should jump-start the neurons.

>237 jnwelch: You too.

>238 tiffin: No kidding, Tui! "Smack list" is a good term. If someone is that nuts, there is no chance on this wide green earth that I'd get tangled up with them at all.

I'm giggling! *hee hee*

Have a lovely weekend. xoxo to you and Stella

>242 luvamystery65: Not likely, but thanks for the well wishes and *smooch* for you and the Devilles.

So I got a weird FB contact. It was from Bland's distant cousin, trying to make a Carr family tree! Since all but BJ's youngest sister are dead in that part of the family, he was hoping I'd have some information.

HunNEE. Five years of sweet nothings gave me some good dirt to pass on to him. It's amazing that (tomorrow!) it will be 22 years since BJ died. I think of him every day.

It was ~45min of thinking deeply of someone I loved with all my heart, and that was a wonderful thing. The young gentleman was looking for family stuff, connections and the like, but he was brought up right and he listened to my stories about BJ as well.

I don't grieve for my loss anymore, but I'm always, always aware of my lack, of the place where he should be. As much good stuff happens in a life, when someone dies they leave a place that can't be anyone else's but theirs. Wonderful as the rest of life is, they aren't there. It stops *hurting* but it never, ever goes away.

And the saddest part of that is, I never think of my mother in that way. I don't miss her. I didn't love her. When I think of that, I feel so so sorry for her, because she had to know at some level how I didn't feel. Poor thing, that had to hurt.

I know just what you mean, though the absence is my mother's. Who, coincidentally, was a Carr!

...though quite probably not from Bimini! *smooch*

Er, no. The Bronx by way of County Clare, I believe.

Hi Richardmydear.

It can be wonderful to remember a loved one. And you have good memories I gather from the ^ posts.

Have a happy weekend!

>246 katiekrug: The Bronx, Bimini, whassa diff?

Other than one being a teensy Caribbean paradise inhabited by black folks and the other being, you know, The Bronx.

>247 connie53: Hallo Connie! Yes, I have wonderful memories of times we spent talking and laughing together.

I'll try to have a less-than-infuriating weekend. Which will start in a few hours. Ick.

>243 richardderus: Glad you got to revel in the memories. though always sorry, as always, that you have to feel the loss.

Family tree investigations are an odd thing - sometimes they pull together, sometimes they lead to the abyss.

Memories can often be comforting and sometimes not. I hope yours brings you the former, Richard! Happy weekend to you. :)

>249 BekkaJo: Thanks, dearie, I'm happy that I have the memories. I'd like to have a lot more, of course, but the ones I have are good ones.

This guy's up against a world he, born in New York, has no idea about! Small Caribbean island and Jacksonville, Florida, during Jim Crow times...and all the hypocrisy of Looking Proper despite the realities of life lived then. Poor guy is deep in it, and sometimes not speaking Southern is a huge bar to understanding what *really* happened.

>250 jolerie: Depends on the day, Valerie, but this time it was all good. Thanks for the well-wishes!

>239 richardderus: Your use of the phase "hot it up" reminds me of the following quote from my 6 year old niece.... "Every time we come to this place {Disney World}, I think I'm going to hot to death." Spoken like a true Mainer in a very hot place!!

>243 richardderus: (((Hugs))) I'm glad you got to talk about your memories.

"Hot to death"! Yeup. That's the spirit, kiddo, stay where it's cool.

I'm happy to have had a chance to add to the man's family tapestry.

Stopping in to wish you a happy Friday. For once the weather has turned out to be be-YOO-tiful! Enjoy the minions and the cheesecake. For simple pleasures, a closet of bureau full of clean clothes does much to soothe the troubled soul.

a closet of bureau full of clean clothes does much to soothe the troubled soul.

...if someone else humps them down two flights of stairs, separates them, puts them into the various machines, folds them, and humps them back up the two flights of stairs, then inserts them into the appropriate storage space, I'll agree. Since it's just me doing it all, screw this. I'd buy all-new clothes and undies every day if I had enough money. I ***HATE*** all things associated with laundry.

I hear you on hating the whole laundry chorething. May one hope the minions are helpful on that score? Otherwise, what good are they? :-P

I have theme music and everything to try to inspire engagement into laundry wars...

The boy minion will hump the stuff down, then up, the second flight of stairs, and has even offered to move things from washer to dryer. I'm too embarrassed to ask for that one!

However, they're in the city and I *must* have clean washcloths. So I did the undies as well.

>257 richardderus: I hear Perkins was nipping at the cooking sherry again, alas. Otherwise, I'm sure he would have been of service.

What a good host to get the washcloths underway. As long as one makes the onerous journey, may as well takes care of the knickers at the same time. ;-P

Since it's so painful to climb (well, actually it's more painful to descend) stairs, there is no point whatever in not maximizing the value of the trip. And the upper flight of stairs is served by the chairlift, so the laundry basket rides in that. Brilliant!

I was going to go to Don's to do laundry and help with more cleaning, but he is in a Mood and I'm not going to expose myself to that.

Have a great weekend Richard.

>260 AuntieClio: Oh HECK no! A Mood is his privilege, of course, but when someone is DOING YOUR LAUNDRY you suck up to them big, big time.

>261 GeezLouise: Thank you most kindly, Rae! Right back atcha.

Ahem. Richard. You aren't living up to your part of the bargain. I've raised your temperature by 20 degrees and lowered your humidity to 45%, as agreed. Yet it is 95 degrees and STILL 5% humidity right here as I sit this minute! (Although at 95, I'm happy the humidity is so low). Harumph! Please put Jeeves on it.

...but the Weather Goddess assured me she was on it! Go yell at Kath, she was the Weather Goddess's nanny, she should be able to bring out the hairbrush and scare her into compliance.

Hate laundry? No problem, Richard dear ... walk around the house starkers! It's so very liberating and think of all the water and electricity you get to save. Ms Stella won't mind. She's probably wondering why you bother with clothes at all.

I'm glad you have those good memories, Richard. It's a cheesey cliche I know, but it really is better to have loved and lost than never to have known what it's like to love deeply at all and be loved in return for who you are. And you are a lovely, lovely man and deserve much love.

Stella might not complain, but Claudia and Ray and the minions and the neighbors would have words to say about it. Words like "EEEEEEEWWWWWWW" and "GROSSSSS" and "GET DRESSED DAMMIT!"

>262 richardderus: I meant I was going to do my laundry, not Don's. He does his own. If I have to schlep it somewhere to do it, it might as well be his place where I can be of help in other ways. But I am not going to put up with his Mood, especially since the events leading to this Mood are chickens of his own design coming home to roost.

>265 cameling: Caro is right about the love thing.... I'm not so sure that I agree with the nakedity thing... :P

>267 AuntieClio: OIC!

Well, no, no need to schlep yourself someplace where you're going to be annoyed AND work. Not unless they's a paycheck involved!

>268 mckait: Nakedy thing is off the menu, I can promise you. I'm always grateful I got to fall in requited love twice in my life.

>269 richardderus: and since his Mood has nothing to do with me, except that I happened to call, he can work through his Mood without me. It is absolutely his privilege to have as many Moods as he wants, I just don't have to be present for them.

Also, there's a 75ers book swap thread up now: 75ers book swap

>270 AuntieClio: Absolutely!

I like the idea.

>271 richardderus: *smooch*

Good morning Rdear, I wish you a Happy Weekend full of reading.

Good morning rd. I hope that you have a good day, and that you enjoy the kids. How long will they be there?

Working with L today... tired.

xo

'Morning, RD! I wish you a wonderful Saturday full of coffee, books, Stella, streaming video, and good weather. Plus anything else you need to make it a great day.

Myownself is going to early vote today, run errands, and maybe plant the summer garden.

*smooches* from Horrible

No nekkidy? Oh phooey...who's asking you to walk the dog all nekkid? Just that if you roam around when the others aren't home, you have less laundry to do. Just sayin..... it's sound advice ...admit it, c'mon.. admit it....purty puhleeese? It was the only good idea I had yesterday.

Good Morning, Richardmydear. I have a big smile on my face from reading all the posts above.

Here the weather is sunny but cold. I hope you have a lovely weekend.

>272 AuntieClio: I've got my plan formulated for the swap. I'll post a list there, plus a link.

>273 Ameise1: Thank you, Barbara! What a pretty dog.

>274 mckait: Hiya sweetness. They aren't here now, and I think the sister goes back to London on Monday...or is it Sunday.

>275 karenmarie: Mornin' Horrible! I might binge re-watch Miss Fisher's Murder Mysteries this weekend as a treat. I saw that you were planning to put in some cherry tomatoes! YUM

>276 cameling: ...but you discount having to wash everything I sit on...

*smooch*

>277 connie53: Good morning, Connie! Glad you're smiling instead of screaming for my head. I hope I have a lovely weekend, too!

I didn't know Kath was the Weather Goddess's nanny. We need to send Kath on a special mission to get us some real Spring.

I know, she tries to keep it quiet...but what hurts is that she refuses to use her powers for good! ELIMINATE SUMMER!!

That's a really lovely picture!

>282 richardderus: LOVE it.

" when someone dies they leave a place that can't be anyone else's but theirs." Ain't that the truth. I'm always a bit puzzled at how someone can fall in love again, after losing a great partner...but I've never had to cope with that particular grief and loss, so what do I know? I've seen it work several times in my own family, and I know one of the keys is that the new partner must acknowledge and accept that the one missing remains a part of the equation for all time.

>283 connie53: I agree, Connie!

>284 laytonwoman3rd: I think I won the lottery with my Gentleman Caller. He gets bored by people who don't read. He is a little shaky about my enthusiasm for pictures of pretty mens, but always listens to my stories about BJ with interest and without a scrap of jealousy or hesitation. He **HATES** bars/pickups/loud parties.

I have to admit it...I'm wild about the boy.

>285 richardderus: Richard darling, does your Gentleman Caller have an older, straight (single), brother who would love the company of a great reader like me? Because, honestly, your Gentleman Caller sounds like a great treasure. *smooches*

>243 richardderus: Made my heart break and be happy for you all at once... Happy that you had such a love and that you were able to connect with a part of his family & reminisce But break that he's not here with you. I'm glad that your GC is sensitive to talking about BJ without jealousy. He really does sound like a good guy. :)

Ok...I started Symphony of Echoes last night & had to pry the Kindle out of my own hands to go to sleep. What is it with her stories that I just don't want to stop reading?

Stopping by with happy weekend smooches for you!

>100 richardderus: - I like the design but I am a bit worried about the moss covered roof. Part of me wants to go and give the place a good cleaning.

Glad to see all appears to be well in RDland, even if laundry is a bit of an issue. ;-)

>286 AuntieClio: Only one older is a sister, sweetness. Sorry! (I think she's straight, she loaned us the fifty shades book. Not that it matters.)

He delights and amazes, does my Gentleman Caller.

>287 TinaV95: BJ was a special guy. I loved him so much, and I still keep the connection to him in my heart. But twenty years...I doubt he would be the same today, nor would I want the same man I wanted then, nor would he want the same man he wanted then. But I suspect that, as we grew, we'd've grown together.

I suspect that, if I made a daily habit of chittychattin' about BJ, Jeremy would get reeeeaaaal sick of it. I keep it down, and he keeps the smile plastered on. It works.

>288 lkernagh: Hi Lori! *smooch* for dropping in.

Laundry will always be an issue. Laundry is proof that the christian gawd rules the universe and has a deep and abiding hatred for humankind.

I couldn't agree more about the laundry. Will be schlepping to Don's tomorrow and grumbling all the way. Both about the laundry and other things.

>290 AuntieClio: This too shall pass, darlingheart. *smooch*

New thread!

>243 richardderus: "I don't grieve for my loss anymore, but I'm always, always aware of my lack, of the place where he should be. As much good stuff happens in a life, when someone dies they leave a place that can't be anyone else's but theirs. Wonderful as the rest of life is, they aren't there. It stops *hurting* but it never, ever goes away."

Yes. This. Thank you, once again for putting my feelings into words more eloquently thatn I ever could.

I am very glad that you had the opportunity to talk about BJ. So sorry that BJ is no longer in your life.

>265 cameling:, >276 cameling:, >268 mckait: I'm with @cameling all the way on:
"Hate laundry? No problem, Richard dear ... walk around the house starkers! It's so very liberating and think of all the water and electricity you get to save. Ms Stella won't mind. She's probably wondering why you bother with clothes at all.

I'm glad you have those good memories, Richard. It's a cheesey cliche I know, but it really is better to have loved and lost than never to have known what it's like to love deeply at all and be loved in return for who you are. And you are a lovely, lovely man and deserve much love."

>279 richardderus: All that is needed is "about the most massively useful thing an interstellar hitch hiker can have". Problem solved.

>285 richardderus: Someone who truly cares about you is interested in your history, most especially those relationships which helped make you who you are. Your Gentleman Caller is special indeed.