Joe's Book Cafe 15

Alice in Wonderland illustrations by Alison Jay

Welcome back to the cafe!

Since I posted the Alison Jays twice the first time, we'll post some more of hers here instead. :-)

Favorites from 2013

Top 5

1. Longbourn by Jo Baker
2. Benediction by Kent Haruf
3. Stones for Ibarra by Harriet Doerr
4. Tiny Beautiful Things by Cheryl Strayed
5. The Last Days of Ptolemy Grey by Walter Mosley

Second Five

6. The Greater Journey by David McCullough
7. Wizard of the Crow by Ngugi wa'Thiong'o
8. Ocean at the End of the Lane by Neil Gaiman
9. Life After Life by Kate Atkinson
10. A Tale for the Time Being by Ruth Ozeki

Favorite Graphic Novel: The Nao of Brown

Three that were hard to keep off the list: Housekeeping, Song of the Lark, and How the Light Gets In

2014 American Author Challenge (kudos to Mark)

Willa Cather- January The Professor's House
Alice Walker- February The Color Purple
Cormac McCarthy - March The Orchard Keeper
Toni Morrison- April Sula
Eudora Welty- May The Optimist's Daughter
Kurt Vonnegut- June Cat's Cradle (re-read)
Mark Twain- July Adventures of Tom Sawyer
Philip Roth- August The Ghost Writer
James Baldwin- September Notes of a Native Son
Edith Wharton- October Ethan Frome
John Updike- November The Witches of Eastwick
Larry Watson- December Let Him Go

Life-changers

Alice in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll - opened my eyes to so many creative possibilities, including wordplay
Dandelion Wine by Ray Bradbury - got me believing in school again after a soon-to-be favorite teacher assigned it
Charlotte's Web by E.B. White - took a typical self-centered kid out of himself and got me thinking about others; broke my heart for the first time, too
James Wright Collected Poems - midwestern poet caught me and fueled a lifelong interest in poetry
Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen - read it way post-college and got walloped; started lifelong Austen fandom

Dune by Frank Herbert - got me excited about the possibilities of science fiction, and thinking about environmental effects
Dr. Strange by Stan Lee and others - this hokey, mystical comic book was my favorite as a kid, and fueled my lifelong graphic fandom
Future Shock by Alvin Toffler - he took on emerging issues like economic disparities, overpopulation and pollution; trying to look into the future fascinated me
After the Quake by Haruki Murakami - my entry into his world that started me on lifelong fandom
Remember, Be Here Now by Ram Dass - matched my youthful hippiness perfectly, still working on some of its ideas

The Chosen by Chaim Potok - for the first time, got me enthralled by lives very different from my own
Zen Mind, Beginner's Mind by Shunryu Suzuki - what a mensch this man was; still the best on this subject I've read
Mountains Beyond Mountains by Tracy Kidder - made me a fan of both Paul Farmer and author Tracy Kidder, and got me involved with Partners in Health
T.S. Eliot Selected Poems - bowled me over, so I felt like a patient, etherized upon a table; got the complete works later
Thank You, Jeeves by P.G. Wodehouse - fueled my appreciation of the absurd and started a lifelong fandom for this author

2014 Books

January

1. Mad Mouse by Chris Grabenstein
2. A Conspiracy of Faith by Jussie Adler-Olsen
3. Kindred in Death by J.D. Robb
4. The Professor's House by Willa Cather
5. Fantasy in Death by J.D. Robb
6. Die Trying by Lee Child
7. The Luminaries by Eleanor Catton
8. In the Bleak Midwinter by Julia Spencer-Fleming
9. Five Days at Memorial by Sheri Fink
10. Japantown by Barry Lancet
11. View with a Grain of Sand by Wislawa Szymborska
12. Moon Over Soho by Ben Aaronovitch
13. High Heat by Lee Child

February

14. A Fountain Filled with Blood by Julia Spencer-Fleming
15. Boxers & Saints by Gene Luen Yang
16. The Color Purple by Alice Walker
17. Cress by Marissa Meyer
18. The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt
19. Ancillary Justice by Ann Leckie
20. Stone Cold by C.J. Box
21. The Martian by Andy Weir
22. Necessity's Child by Sharon Lee

March

23. The Orchard Keeper by Cormac McCarthy
24. Indulgence in Death by J.D. Robb
25. Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell
26. My Dungeon Shook by Danez Smith
27. Black Boy Suite Black Boy Sweet by Danez Smith
28. Mrs. Tim of the Regiment by D.E. Stevenson
29. Little Green by Walter Mosley
30. Attachments by Rainbow Rowell
31. Lost Lake by Sarah Addison Allen
32. A Truth Universally Acknowledged: Why We Read Jane Austen, edited by Susannah Carson
33. Dream London by Ian Ballantyne
34. Prisoner of Zenda by Anthony Hope
35. Treachery in Death by J.D. Robb
36. Our Friends from Frolix 8 by Philip K. Dick
37. Burning Girls by Veronica Schanoes

April

38. New York to Dallas by J.D. Robb
39. Refusing Heaven by Jack Gilbert
40. The Rosie Project by Graeme Simsion
41. Sula by Toni Morrison
42. Just One Damned Thing After Another by Jodi Taylor
43. Celebrity in Death by J.D. Robb
44. William Shakespeare's The Empire Striketh Back by Ian Doescher
45. To Darkness and To Death by Julia Spencer-Fleming
46. Vagabond Vol. 35 by Takehiko Inoue
47. A Symphony of Echoes by Jodi Taylor
48. Delusion in Death by J.D. Robb
49. A Second Chance by Jodi Taylor
50. A Constellation of Vital Phenomena by Anthony Marra

May

51. The Book Thief by Marcus Zusak (re-read)
52. The Optimist's Daughter by Eudora Welty
53. Calculated in Death by J.D. Robb
54. Annihilation by Jeff VanderMeer
55. Hexed by Kevin Hearne
56. The Woman Who Wouldn't Die by Colin Cotterill
57. Graveyard of Memories by Barry Eisler
58. Death Without Company by Craig Johnson
59. The Graphic Canon Vol. 1 by Russ Kirk
60. Kindness Goes Unpunished by Craig Johnson
61. The Boy in His Winter by Norman Lock
62. Another Man's Moccasins by Craig Johnson
63. An Astronaut's Guide to Life on Earth by Chris Hadfield

June

64. This One Summer by Jillian Tamaki
65. Skin Game by Jim Butcher
66. Scaramouche by Raphael Sabatini
67. Redeployment by Phil Klay
68. Agent Zigzag by Ben Macyntyre
69. The Dark Horse by Craig Johnson
70. Cat's Cradle by Kurt Vonnegut
71. Junkyard Dogs by Craig Johnson
72. Aimless Love by Billy Collins

Alison Jay illos are *gorgeous* and I even liked seeing 'em twice!

>4 richardderus: Oops! Well, at least I didn't somehow generate multiple cafes, Richard!

I'll figure out something to do with the second post.

Amazing illustrations! So cool, Joe. You are the man. Congratulations on your new thread. I think this morning (my day off, and a trip to the dentist) calls for some excellent latté with French croissants and butter (fresh, organic, non GMO) I know: Picky picky picky

Oh, Happy Day!

Ooh, the café looks lovely this morning, Joe! My compliments to your interior decorator.

>6 maggie1944: Thanks, Karen. I'm the inept man, but the man nonetheless, I guess. Aren't her illustrations cool?

Picky picky picky is our motto - let's pull that together for you. Happy Day! Enjoy the day off, even if the dentist is part of it.



>7 rosalita: Ha! Thanks, Julia. Aren't those great? That helps get the day started off well, doesn't it?

Happy Tuesday Joe! Love the photos up top.

>9 luvamystery65: Happy Tuesday, Roberta! Thanks, glad you like the new ones. My MBH says it's in the 90s in Houston today - stay cool!

Happy New Cafe, Joe! Love the Jays up top.

Congrats on the new thread, Joe! Love the Alice toppers. So far, I am staying dry out here. May it continue...

Happy new cafe! The Alice in Wonderland pics made me laugh. I loved that book!

>11 scaifea: Ha! Thanks, Amber. Those are some beautiful Jays flying up there, aren't they?

>12 msf59: Thanks for checking in, Mark, and I'm glad those Alice toppers get the love. Yeah, no rain so far down here either, although the weather report on my phone keeps saying it's coming. Fingers crossed you're done before it arrives, buddy.

>13 Thebookdiva: Thanks, Abby! I'm glad they made you laugh - it's one of my favorite books ever. So clever.

I'm in the mood for a popover.

>16 jnwelch: Then pop on over, Jim. Plenty of room.

Oh, you mean . . .

Amber is talking over on her new thread about favourite vegetables, Joe.

To tie two great threads together I would love to get me a liberal portion of roasted potatoes and parsnips mixed into a traditional Sunday roast.

Congratulations on your new thread buddy. Your continued popularity is as obvious as it is well-deserved.

>17 PaulCranswick: I'll have to get over to Amber's thread, Paul. Kudos for your shuttle diplomacy, and thanks for the congrats. It's a pleasure.

I can tell your Yorkshire past is inspiring you. Here you go:

>18 jnwelch: Thank Joe. Looks healthy don't it?!

Happy New Thread Joe! You've got to know I'm just LOVING these new illustration thread toppers, right?! Loving the latest crop anyway, and also now have Alice in Wonderland with illustrations by Lisbeth Zwerger at home, borrowed from the library thanks to you. I also spent a little while while a pile of books illustrated by her on my last visit there and just stared with wonder and delight at her gorgeous work. They didn't even say anything about me sitting there in the children's section with Coco on my lap. Though I regularly go in with him to pick up my reservations, it's usually just an in-and-out thing, and I'd never had the temerity of attempting that before!

Alison Jay's is such a happy, bright world! Will have to look her up too. Thanks for sharing. xx

I want to learn how to make popovers so badly. Every time I have tried they are a flop and Martha Stewart makes them look so easy.

That nice foamy cappucinno looks so good.

shiny + colorful + delicious = new thread :)

>18 jnwelch: Healthy is overrated...I could eat every bite of that, with gravy. And popovers.

>19 PaulCranswick: LOL! The very word I was searching for, Paul. :-)

>20 Smiler69: Thanks, Ilana! Ah, I'm glad to hear your reaction to the new thread toppers. If the illustrations are passing muster with you, I know we're on the right track. I love the Lisbeth Zwerger Alice, too, and now I'm going to track down Alison Jay's. I'm glad you spent some time looking at other illustrations by Lisbeth Z. You've got me thinking I'll the same.

>21 benitastrnad: Popovers are notoriously difficult to do well, aren't they, Benita? Virtual ones are much easier. The light, airy quality really comes to the forefront.

>22 mckait: Ha! Thanks, Kath. Your verbal math is most excellent. Shiny, colorful and delicious - that sounds like a recipe for a topnotch new thread. We'll try to live up to that.

>23 laytonwoman3rd: I'm sure Paul would share the Yorkshire Sunday repast, Linda, and Jim would probably let you lift a popover. There's always more in the kitchen, too.

Joe, congrats on your new thread. I love all the drawings.

Hi Joe! Any chance I could get a beverage of some sort, chef's choice? I fear I may be coming down with something, and I'm trying to head it off at the pass. Hope you and the family have been doing well! (((HUGS)))

>25 Ameise1: Thanks, Barbara. I managed not to do multiples this time, so I think everyone is finding their way here okay. I'm glad you love the drawings - isn't she good?

>26 LauraBrook: Hey, there's our Laura! Good to see you! Yes, we're all doing well - we've had various life hiccups and hallelujahs going on, but it's generally been positive. Hope things are going well with you. Thanks for the hugs, and back atcha!

I know what you mean by that inkling of under-the-weatherness, and we're with you in trying to head it off. Hmm, the chef recommends some burnt sugar hot buttered rum for this one. I might get some in your honor!



Off to catch the train . . .

I didn't get a chance to take a picture before I put the books on my shelves, sorry! I got a bunch of true crime and non-fiction, including a lot of stuff on my wishlist, which was exciting!

Oooh, I want some of that hot buttered rum, Joe!

Goodness...no new posts in almost 12 hours? Did the power go out in the cafe? Or is everyone just too full of hot buttered rum to peck out a post?

*snerp*snorp*smacksmack* ooommmf smmbuddy sed mrrre rmmmm?

>28 seasonsoflove: Darn - I wanted to see what you got again, Becca. Which ones were on your wishlist, if you remember? I know you kept yelling "Bingo!", or something like that.

>29 ronincats: You and me both, Roni. Doesn't that look good?

>30 laytonwoman3rd: Ha! That's a long time for this place, isn't it, Linda? I think there was a lot of dozing off after the hot buttered rum.

Maybe some breakfast out back will get folks going?

Compliments on your shiny new thread, Joe!

>17 PaulCranswick:, >18 jnwelch: Everytime I hear someone talk about the "Sunday roast," I think of the film "Time Bandits." I think I need to watch it again.

ETA >32 jnwelch: I want that garden!

>31 richardderus: And some may just continue with the hot buttered rum!



>33 Storeetllr: Thanks, Mary! Good day for hanging out in that garden, for sure.

Those Sunday roasts can be fire-dangerous, can't they?

>33 Storeetllr: Time Bandits!

"I am the Supreme Being, I'm not entirely dim."

"Mum! Dad! Don't touch it. It's eeeevil!"

Morning Joe! Cool damp start. I am hoping to stay dry most of the day. I am starting Shift, the 2nd Wool book. I really liked the first one and I think you did too.

I didn't care for the 2nd Hawkeye GN. Fell flat. I'll be starting Exit Wounds next.

>35 Morphidae:, >36 Storeetllr: Now Benson, I'm going to have to turn you into a dog for a while.

>37 msf59: Morning, Mark! Yeah, I commuted in the rain, although I kind of enjoy it for some reason. Must be that Welsh blood.

Yes, I did like Wool. Glad you're blazing the trail on the second one, as I couldn't decide whether he's be able to successfully keep it going.

Ah, sorry you didn't like the 2nd Green Arrow. I guess I'm caught up in the re-invention, as I liked it. Parker: Slayground was another good one in the Darwyn Cooke series, and I'm enjoying Solanin, which seems to be about some college grads in Tokyo struggling to transition to adulthood. I think the latter came off of Caro's linked "best" list.

"Scaramouche, Scaramouche, will you do the fandango?" Whatever the heck that Queen lyric means, the Scaramouche novel by Rafael Sabatini is swashbuckling entertainment a la Dumas or Baroness Orczy. It's set during the French Revolution. Our versatile protagonist, lawyer Andre Louis-Moreau, is the bastard of a secret-shielded mother and unknown aristocratic father. He's inspired to change his life at age 20 or so when his friend is murdered in an unfair duel by an arrogant aristocrat. To honor his friend, Andre becomes an eloquent rabble-rouser in opposition to the country's uncaring elite. Forced to flee, he joins a theater troupe (where he becomes Scaramouche) and has a profound effect on them. Forced to flee again, he hides as a junior instructor in a fencing school, where the constant swordplay advances him toward mastery.

Dedicated to bringing down the arrogant aristocrat who killed his friend, Andre finds he must use all his acquired skills to even have a chance. Andre is complex in romance and in his revenge-fueled drive, sometimes cold, sometimes charming, sometimes vulnerable. He develops strong attachments with ladies high and low, and alternately infuriates and captivates members of his adopted family. Written by the author of Captain Blood and The Sea-Hawk, it makes for amiable summer reading with a beverage of your choice.

Scaramouche is a character type rather than a specific character.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scaramouche

>40 Morphidae: Not sure what you're getting at, Morphy. "The name was that of a stock character in 17th-century Italian farce". He plays that character, and becomes called by that name.

Congrats on the new thread, Joe! Lovely review (although I now have Queen running through my head.) "Swashbuckling" is a wonderful and far underutilized word.

>41 jnwelch: You were wondering why Queen used that name and I was saying it probably had nothing to do with that particular book.

Let's see what I can remember:

Wishlist wise:
-The Bride Wore Size 12 by Meg Cabot
-Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro
-Psycho USA: Famous American Killers You Never Heard Of by Harold Schechter
-Girlfriend in a Coma by Douglas Coupland
-Fooling Houdini: Magicians, Mentalists, Math Geeks, and the Hidden Powers of the Mind by Alex Stone
-Defending Jacob by William Landay
-The Vanishing of Esme Lennox by Maggie O'Farrell

I also picked up a bunch of cozy genre mysteries, including ones involving antique sellers, museum docents, tea shops, psychics, yoga, bookstores, inns, and dog walkers. I also grabbed a book called Cults, Conspiracies, and Secret Societies which looked really interesting.

>42 michigantrumpet: Thanks, Marianne! Yes, I think we all should lead swashbuckling lives, don't you? I've been "singing" (well, my version of that activity) that part of the Queen song to my poor MBH lately, because of the book. Always makes me think of the guys in the car in Wayne's World.

>43 Morphidae: OK, gotcha, Morphy. No, I was just questioning the meaning - no one seems to know why that's in the Queen lyrics. Some think it's a reference to the 1950s movie with, I think, Stewart Granger. The band won't say. Freddie Mercury, who wrote Bohemian Rhapsody, said"It's one of those songs which has such a fantasy feel about it. I think people should just listen to it, think about it, and then make up their own minds as to what it says to them." He supposedly told a friend the lyrics were "random rhyming nonsense".

>44 seasonsoflove: Ah, thanks, Becca. Yes - nice haul! The one I'm most curious about is The Vanishing of Esme Lennox, which I've thought about reading more than once. I remember your picking up Cults, Conspiracies and Secret Societies. I can't remember - did we talk you into reading the Murakami non-fiction book about the Japanese cult, Underground? It's really well done.

You did talk me into reading that one and it was really well done.

>44 seasonsoflove: I loved Defending Jacob, Becca!

>46 seasonsoflove: Good! Now about Cormac McCarthy . . .

(An author detested by Becca, after being assigned All the Pretty Horses in high school).

>47 rosalita: *waves to Julia*

Bore-max McCarthief, you mean. *shudder*

>49 richardderus: *searches for M/M romance novel to get RD back to skipping and dancing*

Nothin' gonna do that today. My Goodreads profile is under attack from a crazy person:

"now i'll make you life a living hell :D faggot"

that's a mild one. Moments like this make me glad there's gun control in NY or I'd be after this creep with a load o' hot lead.

>51 richardderus: Crap! Sorry to hear it, Richard. What an idiot. I try to remind myself that he's his own punishment - what a life to live, having a mind like that - but that doesn't help much, I know, while you have to deal with him. It would be appropriate, of course, for Goodreads to kick him out, as has happened here.

Loving that flowery patio!

Hi Joe... it looks like all is well with all y'all?

Hey Joe, was super happy this afternoon to get a message from my local library branch saying they had purchased Rules of Summer today based on my suggestion and it should come in within a couple of weeks. Woot! :-)

eta: I just saw from the library's catalogue he released a book last year called The Bird King: An Artist's Notebook, are you familiar with it?

eta2: sorry, it came out in 2010 in Australia, but released in the US in 2013. Over and out.

Joe I recommend The Vanishing Act of Esme Lennox and that reminds me that I want to read more by the terrific Maggie O'Farrell.

>1 jnwelch: Alison Jays! What an incredible illustrator. How did you hear of her?

>39 jnwelch: - Sold! ;-)

Happy new thread, Joe!

>39 jnwelch: Huh...I always wondered what that particular line was in the Queen song...still doesn't make any sense though! LOL

Hope all is well with you!

>45 jnwelch: That reminds me of something Paul McCartney said about Hey Jude in an interview I watched once: He said that he was working on the lyrics and sang them to John when they weren't really complete just to see what he thought of them so far, and after singing the line, "The movement you need is on your shoulders" he stopped and explained that those were just nonsense words to fit the music there and that he'd come back and write something that made sense later. John told him not to change them because they were the best lines in the whole song. Ha!

Sweet Thursday, Joe! Shift is starting out pretty slowly. I hope he picks up the pace today. I did, finally, start Exit Wounds and this one grabbed me immediately. Did I mention that, I have new Sis, home from the library too? He's always a joy to read.

>59 scaifea:- Great Paul/John story, Amber!

>39 jnwelch: I remember the book (I think) and certainly the movie. There's a story that goes with that particular film.

In one scene, Granger's character is in a duel and the big chandelier falls (you know, the kind with a wrought-iron wheel and candles) while Granger is flat on the floor, and Granger is shot through the wheel rolling out of the way. Of course, the chandelier is supposed to fall only low enough to shoot the scene.

Granger usually did his own stunts, and was pretty blase about them, but this time he asked for a test run. The chandelier fell and buried itself six inches into the wooden floor, the stunt coordinator threw up in the corner, and the chandelier was rerigged.

At least that's what I heard.

>53 mckait: Doesn't that flowery patio look great, Kath? Inspiring.

Yes, we're all fine. Debbi is on the mend, and is ready to take on her first big event by going with me and some friends to Henry V tomorrow night. Sherlock is on the mend, and is ready to take on more playing with his ball.

>54 Smiler69: Way to go, Ilana! I feel good for others at your library, too - now you've got another cool Shaun Tan available for them.

More woot! I somehow missed The Bird King! It looks great. I will be in pursuit meself.

>55 NarratorLady: Thanks for letting me know, Anne - Esme Lennox sounded like a good one. I'll sneak in and grab Becca's copy. She'll never know, unless she happens to read this.

>56 Whisper1: Hi, Linda! Isn't she great? It started with Lisbeth Zwerger for me, but I look for illustrators of Alice in Wonderland. I do the same thing with Wind in the Willows. That's how I found out about Inga Moore. Those two books (and there probably are others) generate new illustrated versions on a regular basis.

>57 lkernagh: Oh good, Lori. I was hoping Scaramouche would resonate with someone here. Are you a reader of Dumas and The Scarlet Pimpernel, too?

Thanks re the thread. It's always fun to start a new one. Sometimes it's fun to start multiple new ones, even if we have no idea how I did that. This time I managed to double post the Alison Jays at the very top, but RD pointed that out right away so I could fix it.

>58 Cobscook: I know, Heidi, it makes no sense, but it's so catchy, isn't it? Here's that section of the song:

Scaramouche, Scaramouche, will you do the Fandango?
Thunderbolt and lightning,
Very, very frightening.
(Galileo) Galileo.
(Galileo) Galileo,
Galileo Figaro
Magnifico.

Huh? But it sounds terrific when they sing it, doesn't it? The whole song seems brilliant to me, like the change-ups the Beatles would do in songs like Because.

All is well with us. The key players, my much better half and Sherlock, continue to heal, and should be pretty much in the clear in a few weeks. Seasonsoflove is nearing the end of her teaching school year and getting a well-deserved break. Yours truly continues to stay out of jail and in my MBH's good graces, knock on wood.

>59 scaifea: Oh, that's a good one, Amber. That is one of the best lines in that song. I'm not a songwriter, but I bet that "placeholder" kind of writing happens a lot, where nonsense words are used first just to fit the melody. A famous one is Paul's first version of "Yesterday" being "Scrambled Eggs". Not quite as poignant!

>60 msf59: I've read some Sis thanks to your enthusiasm, Mark; good to hear he has a new one. I know a lot of folks have liked Exit Wounds, so if you continue to do so, too, it may be in my future. I'm continuing to have a good time with the slacker to adult story in Solanin.

>61 ffortsa: Yikes! What a story, Judy. I'll bet Granger deservedly patted himself on the back after that one. A lot of stars like to do their own stunts (including Angelina Jolie), and it does add to the verisimilitude, but there's always that risk, which must have everyone on pins and needles.

I need to see that movie now. I know of it, but haven't seen it. I loved the old Errol Flynn Captain Blood.

I had to deep-six, Shift. I hate doing that but it was becoming a grind. I wasted about 4 hours. I am sure I did you a favor.

>64 msf59: Thanks, Mark. Sorry to hear it, but I'm sure you've done me a big favor. Too bad - what a drag. Glad you're moving on. I'm going to renew my suggestion to read Redeployment; review coming up.

When Fujita's squad approached the battle cross, they knelt close together, their arms over one another's shoulders, leaning into each other until it was one silent, weeping block. Geared up, Marines are terrifying warriors. In grief, they look like children. Then one by one they stood up, touched the helmet, and walked to where Captain Bolden stood in the back, grim, stupid determination on his thick, square face.

Fans of The Things They Carried and Sebastian Junger's War are going to want to read Redeployment by Phil Klay as soon as possible, as will fans of lucid, varied and skillful writing about soldiers' experiences during and after a war, as will fans of exceptionally skillful writing, period.

In this short story collection, Klay's range may be what impresses most, as he convincingly takes on a dozen or more widely varying main character perspectives. This includes, for example, the veteran in the title story who shamefully looks back at shooting dogs for sport in Iraq, who now is faced with the need, for entirely different reasons, to the do the same to his dog back home, the earnest chaplain in "Prayer in the Furnace" who has all the right intentions but is frustratingly ineffective at helping the cynical, reality-beaten soldiers, and the newly converted Muslim woman in "Psychological Operations" who has to listen an Iraqi vet college classmate explain his disgust with himself for his role in luring Iraqi opponents to their death. (The last is the one story in this tightly written collection that runs a bit long). The author is an Iraqi war veteran, a Marine, and he knows whereof he speaks. The convincing expletive-filled dialogue, the troubling descriptions, the black humor, the authentic characterizations, all add up to one of the most impressive debuts I've ever read.

"Money as a Weapons System" is a cynical, funny triumph. An expensive, American-made and poorly designed water treatment plant is inoperable, but there may be momentum to fix it among some officers, because its excessive water pressure through the pipes would cause Iraqi houses to "explode". Not exactly the original goal. Meanwhile, the protagonist is being pressured, because of an influential civilian contributor, to distribute baseball uniforms and teach Iraqi children baseball, as a way to get them on track to a more organized, civilized, Western style of life.

The endings of his stories are often killers, arrowing into the heart while simultaneously changing your understanding of what came before. I can't repeat them here, of course, but one involving a vet with severe burns who a journalist targets for an article, and one comparing wounded bees to a haunted vet who drinks himself to oblivion, just plain knocked me on my keister. And kept me thinking long beyond the story's end.

More than once I wondered whether a woman could read this collection without being offended. It often features men behaving badly, sexually objectifying women, and saying offensive things. That it all rings true is a sad story in its own right. He does feature some memorable and believable women characters, including the Muslim woman in "Psychological Operations" who first appears to be annoying, and then turns out to be wiser than the vet who wants to argue with her. In the end, because of the honesty, sophistication and depth of the stories, I concluded that many women will want to read the book, even with its offensiveness and often brutal circumstances. Four and a half stars.

WOW! I'm glad this book is come-hithering me from my own stacks already instead of inciting me to Amazon.

Hi Joe! I am feeling a little like Alice's white rabbit in that I am so late in catching up after being away for a couple of weeks! Congrats on your Thingaversary, I had no idea that you arrived at LT just a few scant weeks ahead of me!

I was sorry to hear of the attack on Sherlock and hope both he and Becca have recovered from that. I suspect the book fair and her great haul went a long way toward making her feel better!

I also hope your better half is much improved after her surgery and is well on the road to recovery.

I'm caught up again. It seems to be my pattern right now to get too busy to stay up to date with all you all. I'm reading some Vonnegut and painting the back porch. Thinking about trying a Tom Sawyer summer trick and see if I can get the kids to help me paint my very long fence......

I hope all are well, and getting better chez vous! I love the coffee table out back in the garden (above). I think I'll have an after dinner latté, please, if the table is available.

>61 ffortsa:, >63 jnwelch: Look at Harrison Ford's injury on the Star Wars set today! I'm so glad both Debbi and Sherlock are doing better--please give each a hug from me.

Great review of Redeployment! Your reviews are getting better and better. I will have to get my greedy mitts on this one. It's sooooooo my cuppa.
After ditching Shift, (wonderful idea) I jumped right into The Monuments Men, which I am really enjoying. I know you were a fan too!

Happy Friday, my friend.

>66 jnwelch: great review, Joe. This sounds like a must-read for me.

Is anyone else having trouble posting from their android phone? When I hit post, I get kicked out of Lt and lose my post. Annoying.

Glad to see Monuments Men getting some good publicity here! Have a great Friday! The weekend is almost here!

>67 richardderus: Ah, good. Glad you've got it on hand, Richard. Go grab it!

>68 DeltaQueen50: "Oh dear, oh dear, I shall be late" said the White Rabbit. No worries, Judy! We all fall behind our chatty group at some point.

Thanks on the Thingaversary. I hadn't really paid attention before, but you're right, you and I joined up close together, and so did many others. I feel like it was a lot more recent than 6 years ago! It took me a while to settle in, and Mark convinced me to join the 75ers, and once I did that, he convinced me to start a thread. Hard to argue with that guy, isn't it? :-)

My much better half is well on the road to recovery - the hard part now is getting her to continue to rest, rather than racing about. Her healing has a compelling way of telling her when she's trying to do too much, which is to send her back to bed.

Becca and Sherlock are recovering, too. He gets a wound staple taken out next week, and then he's got another vet visit to get the "cast" off his foot. The abrasions on his back are healing, and he's getting his energy back. It looks like the offending German Shepherd may be given to Paws, an animal rescue center - actually, it's where Becca and Sherlock found each other. Some training, a leash, and a more sensible owner (this dog has not been handled well) could make a big difference. The current owner screwed up on the rabies shots (luckily, Sherlock is fine), and it's going to cost him a bundle unless he gives him to Paws. We'll see. Animal Control, the vet, and the cops, have all been great.

>69 maggie1944: Your table is always ready for you, Karen! We'll get that latte, with some time jiggery. (Time jiggery, time jiggery, chim-chim-charee - a cafe owner's as lucky as lucky can be).

I"ve got my Vonnegut coming up after I finish Agent Zigzag. Do you know where the Vonnegut thread is? I'll ask Mark, too.

Good luck with your Tom Sawyer-ing. You've got some pretty good weather going on, don't you? If we were out there, you could probably talk me into being outside and painting a fence. It's hard to stay inside this time of year.

Here you go:

>70 ronincats: I saw that, too, Roni. He keeps himself in great shape, but I'm not surprised that scampering around on a Star Wars set at the age of 71 might result in an ankle injury.

The dynamic duo (Debbi and Sherlock) are improving every day. I'll gladly give them hugs from you; they'll appreciate it, and I'll enjoy it, too. :-)

>71 msf59: Great, Mark. Thanks! I was hoping that review would work for you and others who are drawn to this type of book. Yes, get your greedy mitts on it, like, yesterday. It's so good!

It's unfair, as it hasn't been out long, but I can't wait for the next one from this guy.

You know, I never wrote a book review before joining LT. It's been fun to figure out how to do them so at least they're not completely crappy. I'm glad you think they keep getting better.

Yes, I'm a big fan of Monuments Men, as is Karen and a bunch of other LTers. You should have a good time. Our friend Agent Zigzag would probably figure out some way to pilfer a few of the artworks if he'd ever gotten involved with that project.

Thanks for helping me avoid an overtime Shift that wouldn't pay well enough to be worth it.

Happy Friday! I'm ready for the weekend, for sure.

Hey, do you know where the Vonnegut thread is? Somehow I lost it.

>72 ffortsa: Thanks, Judy. Yes, must-read sounds right. Redeployment a big-time standout this year.

I need to get over to your thread and catch up on your European adventures.

I've got to say, I've never been an Apple guy, but I had an Android phone, and was frustrated with it. It just wasn't intuitive enough for me, and lord knows I need intuitive. I switched to an iPhone, as did my wife, and we've been so much happier. But I digress - I haven't heard of your problem with LT. Maybe others stopping by will have.

>73 maggie1944: Ah, yes, Karen. I just mentioned you to Mark as being a fan. I'm happy to see the good publicity for Monuments Men, too. I guess the movie was a bit disappointing, but the book sure is a gooder.

Have a great Friday, too! I'm so ready for the weekend!

I post all the AAC threads at the top of my threads, for easy access.
It is a gorgeous morning out here. I love it!!

>76 msf59: Thanks, Mark! I'll go there now. Can't wait to get out into the gorgeousness at lunch time!

>62 jnwelch: You know, I'd put in a purchase suggestion for Rules of Summer a few weeks back, but somehow didn't feel confident the new girl working the counter would file the little slip of an application form in the right place. Sure enough, I asked about it when I went this week and they hadn't seen my request, so I was extra glad when they basically purchased it a day or two after that. Talk about responsive!

I've reserved The Bird King from the library, but from what I saw from the "Look Inside" feature on Amazon, it looks like something I'll probably end up wanting to buy.

Happy Friday Joe!

Glad to see the German Shepherd situation is being dealt with and that Sherlock is on the mend. And Debbi too of course!

>71 msf59: Monuments Men is a great book. I did a review of it a couple of months ago before the movie came out.

Hi Joe, just passing by in catching up on LT threads.

>78 Smiler69: The Bird King looked good to me, too, Ilana, and I put it on my birthday wish list! I think it's another one of his I'd like to own.

Yes, Sherlock is on the mend, and the German Shepherd situation is being dealt with, We had to meet with the GS owner and his father a couple of nights ago, but it went all right. They're paying all of Sherlock's vet bills, as well they should.

Debbi's definitely on the mend, and if we can just convince her to keep in slowed down mode, she'll be fine.

Happy Friday! Jeez, it's just a beaut here, mid-60s, clear and sunny.

>79 Oberon: Hi, Erik. Me, too, on Monuments Men. I think lindapanzo is the first one who caught my attention on it.

>80 connie53: Hi, passing through Connie. Good to see you! I know you've been busy, so thanks for stopping by. Have a great weekend - get some R & R!

Yaay to hearing that Sherlock and Debbi both being on the mend and that ball playing is on the horizon .. well ball playing for Sherlock, gentle walks for Debbi?

I loved Monuments Men the book, but I didn't dislike the movie. I think perhaps it's because I wasn't expecting it to be true to the book once I saw the interview by Charlie Rose with Bill Murray, and went in expecting pure entertainment.

I am reading Sarah's Key and I confess I am a reluctant reader. Several years ago I said I wasn't reading another Holocaust book because it simply wasn't worth putting myself through that emotional turmoil. However, this one is for my book discussion group and so I figured I had better suck it up and get it read. It is reading fast so perhaps it will be over with before I know it.

I'm sorry Mark didn't like Shift, I loved all the books in that trilogy. I think I adore Hugh Howey and would happily spend money, if I had any to spend, on all his books.

Morning Joe! I am working but at least it's going to be a perfect day for a stroll. Glad to hear all the Monuments Men love. I am really enjoying it.
Have a great Saturday, my friend.

>83 benitastrnad: I hope to see your thoughts on that one... especially the ending!

I got nuthin'. I'm so busy lately I swear that I see myself coming and going. I am just about to runout and pick up doughnuts for work's program today. Doughnuts for Dad.. and ( Blah blah blah ) a craft. I hate crafts.

I don't wanna go! Do you have anything for that? Maybe a Bloody Mary ( double) or maybe that would just make me not go . le sigh

Good morning, Joe. I'm working on balance today: for every 15 minutes of housekeeping I'm going to do 30-60 minutes of reading. Sounds fair? I'll have a latté, too, please.

Joe, I wish you a fantastic weekend.

Dropping in to catch up!

Hi Joe, just wanted to wish you a Happy Father's Day for tomorrow.

>82 cameling: Thanks, Caro. Yes, Debbi went to the grocery store with me this a.m. and walked lots of aisles (Mariano's here is big). Later we took a longish walk to some yard sales. She did well, but was pretty tired afterwards, and conked out on the couch.

Last night was our first event in a while, as we went to see Henry V with some friends at Chicago Shakespeare. Good production - maybe not as good as the local media was saying, but very good indeed. I keep meaning to check on when the heck St. Crispin's Day is. And I want to see the Kenneth Branagh film again. Bernard Cornwell wrote a pretty good novel about the Agincourt battle entitled, wouldn't you know it, Agincourt.

I'm going to be seeing Sherlock shortly, as he's bringing his mom to visit us. They'll stay over, and then we'll celebrate Father's Day tomorrow. Word on the street is Sherlock is doing really well. He has a follow-up appointment with the vet on Tuesday, then one more a couple of weeks after that.

Hope you're having a good weekend!

>83 benitastrnad: I haven't read Sarah's Key, Benita, but I know what you mean about Holocaust books. They can batter the soul. Kristalnacht, the concentration camps, the persecutions, all of it. What a horrible chapter in our history.

I just read Agent Zigzag, which is more of the spy vs. spy angle in WWII, with a lot of discussion of the many deceptions perpetrated on the German leadership by the Brits - beautiful. The atrocities were on the margins of this story, so it was much easier to read.

Yours should make for quite a discussion, I would think.

>84 AuntieClio: I love Hugh Howrey's story with this, Stephanie, a self-publishing success, kind of like Andy Weir and The Martian. The slowness of the storytelling in the second that Mark talks about is a disincentive for reading it, I've got to say. But I'm glad to hear you liked all of them.

>85 msf59: Morning/afternoon/evening, Mark! (Why do I feel like Jim Carey from The Truman Show?) Yes, I'm sure you'd rather have had the day off, but what a gorgeous day to be out and about. What do you have on audio now? Something good, I'm sure.

I finished Agent Zigzag and, of course, liked it. What a character Eddie was. I couldn't believe who he ended up marrying!

Next up is Cat's Cradle, plus I've got the next Longmire going on the Kindle.

P.S I'm quaffing a Smithwick's in your honor on our front porch.

>86 mckait: I look forward to hearing Benita's thoughts on Sarah's Key. I think a lot more women read that than men; I'm not sure why.

Donuts? Donuts? Those sound good to me. We may have to bring some out in the cafe, too, to get the proprietor to pipe down.

I hate crafts, too! Makes me think of camp, and wanting to do something else, like swim or run around.

We'll happily get you the Bloody Mary; wish we could get you out of what you don't want to do. This one appears to be a meal in a glass.



>87 maggie1944: Good morning/afternoon/evening, Karen! That sounds perfectly fair; in fact, increasing the ratio of reading to housekeeping seems perfectly A-OK to me.

We'll get that latte. Have a great rest of the weekend!

BTW, are you as happy about San Antonio beating up on the Heat as I am?



>88 Ameise1: How beautiful, Barbara. Thank you!

Hope you have a fantastic weekend, too.

>89 thornton37814: Hiya, Lori! I know the feeling. We'll hold your seat for as long as you need. Hope you're enjoying the weekend.

>90 DeltaQueen50: Thanks, Judy! We're going to have breakfast out, maybe go to Rotofugi (a nerd toystore for oddballs like me), and watch Miss Fisher Murder Mysteries. If my much better half is too pooped, we'll skip Rotofugi. Supposed to rain here, but that's fine by me - making sure it's a lazy day is #1 on the agenda. The kids are doing well, they're employed, and the dad's job isn't done (never is, right?), but it's a whole lot easier these days.

Happy Father's Day. You seem to have wrapped up the hard part of fathering pretty well, and now comes the rewards. Looking forward to adding a new daughter to the mix, and enjoying the new canine sibling. Seems as though the sibling competition has left the house, too. So, I guess you should sit back and enjoy every minute of it!

Yes, I'm liking the basketball season for the women so far.....

I think you might enjoy The Boys in the Boat. I love the local Seattle history, and the rough and tumble life of the young men who ended up rowing for the UW in '36. They would be contemporaries of my parents and I can see my father having some of the experiences this book reports. So, of course, I love it.

Thought you would like ....

New short story ... Haruki Murakami: “Yesterday” http://www.newyorker.com/fiction/features/2014/06/09/140609fi_fiction_murakami?m... …

via @NewYorker

>94 roundballnz: Thanks, Alex! We get the New Yorker, so I did indeed like it. Thanks to your link, others can enjoy it, too.

I have Agent Zigzag on the tbr, as an audiobook from the library's OverDrive collection. They have a couple more titles available from him too. If I like it I'll get my hands on the other ones.

Happy Father's Day ahead of time Joe!

^Have a great Father's Day, Joe! Eat and drink well and hopefully they will give you a little reading time as well...

Hi Joe! Happy Father's Day! I love the art work by Alison Jay. So whimsical.

I'm glad to read that Debbi is moving about pretty well these days, even if her energy is still pretty low. I suppose that is to be expected.

>96 Smiler69: Thanks, Ilana. I was just talking to my WWII dad about some of the stories in Agent Zigzag, and he was loving it. It's quite a book - way back in the day, I could see Errol Flynn playing the part of Eddie Chapman.

Thanks - we've been having a grand Dad's Day, and are off to the sort of toy store for grownups soon (Rotofugi).

>97 msf59: Love it, Mark! If only they never figured out that we're more Clark Kent than Superman! Have a great Father's Day, too. This one seemed appropriate today, although it features the mom, not the dad:



>98 EBT1002: Thanks, Ellen! Aren't those Alison Jay illustrations cool?

Debbi's moving about much better (albeit at a slower pace than she's used to), and she's so glad she can focus to read again! Yeah, we're a few weeks away from totally restored, but she's getting there.

>99 jnwelch: That cartoon cracks me up. So true.

It is Sunday evening and I have a bottle of Lemoncello in the fridge. Got any ideas what to do with it? Something I can drink while watching Masterpiece Mysteries tonight.

I finished Sarah's Key. It is what I call fictional history lite. It is nowhere the heavy hitter on the issue of Collaboration as was Five Quarters of the Orange or the ambivalence of the French to the anti-semitism that was in Suite Francaise. I started Biterblue today while whiling away the afternoon at the swimming pool. I don't know if Karen has read the Graceling trilogy but I recommended them to her. These are good. Not as spine tingling as Daughter of Smoke and Bone or as much fun as Cinder but good solid fantasy.

Limoncello and tonic with a lime!

Limoncello, seltzer, bitters, and a splash of orange juice!

A Monaco: gin and limoncello in martini proportions, served with a peel.

For starters.

>102 benitastrnad: I didn't care for Sarah's Key at all. I read it because a friend urged her copy on me, and I couldn't pass without being unkind. "Fictional history lite" is a very good description, and that particular bit of history deserves much better.

#103
Thanks. I will try one of these. i bought the bottle last summer for a cocktail party that a friend and I were going to host and then we couldn't get a time that suited either of us. I figured I should do something with that bottle.

#104
I think this is an average book. I noticed that it was first published in France and then published in the U. S. so that might explain why the book was written the way it was. I think it tries to hard to not offend anybody and as a result doesn't do much in the way of educating or entertaining.

Happy Father's Day, Joe!

Hope it was a relaxing day...



Sorry I missed your last thread (and nearly everyone else's). Looks like I missed some tough times for you and family. Glad to hear of the recoveries!

Nice hammock!

All caught up-yay! liked the father's day cartoons, and I always love seeing Sherlock (best dog name ever). If Mercy had been a boy, I wanted to name him Bilbo. Of course, than we would have had 5 B-named pets, but whatever. Hope you had a great father's day.

>100 EBT1002: It is true, isn't it, Ellen? I remember leaving ours off for kindergarten (at least they'd experienced pre-school), and for college. Hard on the parents at both levels; not so hard for the kids when it came to college, although both were homesick for a while. :-)

>101 benitastrnad:, >103 richardderus:, >105 benitastrnad: Glad you sorted out the limoncello possibilities while the proprietor was playing hooky, Benita and Richard. Richard probably should have his own cooking show, don't you think?

>102 benitastrnad: Suite Francaise was a good one, and I'm no help on Sarah's Key or Five Quarters of an Orange, Benita.

I might put Kristin Cashore's Graceling, Fire and Bitterblue above the Daughter of Smoke and Bone books, but I haven't read the most recent one of the latter. As you know, I'm sold on Cinder, Scarlet and Cress, big time. I'm looking forward to a new Cashore, and the fourth Marissa Meyer.

>104 laytonwoman3rd: "Fictional history lite" doesn't sound like a must-read, does it, Linda? Good to know about Sarah's Key.

>105 benitastrnad: Seems like a consistent underwhelmed reaction to Sarah's Key, Benita.

>106 -Cee-: Hiya, Cee! Glad you could stop by. Yes, it was a relaxing, mellow day for the Welches. Here's my latte at our dad's day breakfast out:



We took it easy, and spent a lot of time on the porch, where Sherlock did pretty darn well with all the other dogs walking our block (we get a lot), considering his recent traumatic experience. So pleased the Spurs beat the Heat in the NBA Finals. We're not Heat fans. (I don't think we have any Miami LTers who come by). Anyway, I hope you had a good, relaxing weekend, too.

That hammock looks really comfortable. I'd love to get one like that for my MBH, who lurves hammocks.

>107 drneutron: Ain't it, Jim? One could do a lot of useful thinking in a hammock like that.

>108 Thebookdiva: Hi, Abby! Good for you - it's not easy to keep up with everybody, I know. Glad you liked those pappy's day cartoons - you still think your dad wears that Superman costume, right?

Sherlock may be a genius detective dog, but he's also a goofball. He was very much at sixes and sevens yesterday, and ended up resting with his head on my foot a couple of times.

Bilbo is a great name for a cat, although now that we've come to know her a little bit, it's hard to imagine your Mercy by any other name. I like all your B names for your dogs.

I did have a great father's day. Breakfast out, for dinner stuffed pizza from a pizzeria that does it well - because of the megacalories, normally the stuffed version doesn't get to come to our house. We had fun at a nerdly grownup toy store, finding, among other things, some silly pug stuff for us and my extended family (I grew up with pugs - my BIL called me "Dances with Pugs" for a while there).

Here's an example of a pug pack, which we got a couple of:



Incredibly useful in ways yet to be imagined, I'm sure.

haha, right. My dad was always more of a Spiderman fan himself, it was Dan who thought for ages that he was Superman. It's adorable to see the pictures.

How cute! Laying his head on your foot...aww!

Thanks, it's hard for me to imagine her as anything other than Mercy now too. I will have to post some pics of her with her new toys. My dad (who still pretends he isn't as wrapped around her paw as the rest of us are) bought her several new toys on his way home the other day. She is hysterical with them and has given us much entertainment.

>111 Thebookdiva: You'll see I added a pic of toys that we got, Abby - not for Sherlock. Our daughter did get a toy "for Sherlock", I can't remember what, but she said she'd put it up on a shelf where he could look at it without tearing it apart. He thinks all toys are designed for him to tear apart, of course.

I think your dad may be more of a pushover for Mercy than he's admitting, right?

That's funny about the toys. 'she'd put it up on a shelf where he could look at it', that made me laugh. It looks like you got some good stuff. None of our dogs tear their toys apart except Bella. Though she only eats the limbs off of these tiny teddy-bears that she loves. She will carry it around in her mouth and squeak it until the squeaker breaks and then she will eat all it limbs. She then proceeds to carry the now limbless bear around with her until the stuffing starts coming out of it and we take it away.

Oh yes, he definitely loves Mercy a lot more than he's willing to admit. He comes home all the time with some new toy for her.

Morning Joe- glad you had a nice Father's Day. So did I. I should wrap up The Monuments Men today. It's been very good.
It looks like it will be a warm, muggy week, but I am not complaining yet...

>113 Thebookdiva: Sherlock loves to work his teeth on bones and toys, Abby, and he's pretty good at tearing them up. After having bones last a day or less with him, we finally found a plastic bone at a toy shop that is supposed to last basically forever, it's so tough. He loves them. I think we're on our third one with him - that's a huge improvement from how he was tearing through them before. He's had a cloth rabbit he's loved like Bella and her teddy-bear, but once again he shredded it pretty fast, so he gets a replacement only once in a while.

The funny thing is he lost a lot of teeth before Becca rescued him. They think he was living on the street for a while, and apparently some dogs will try to eat gravel in that situation, and the vet thinks that's how he lost the teeth. But he sure likes to use the ones he has left!

Right now he's very mama-centric. After the bad time with the German Shepherd, he wants mama Becca in sight at all times. Even with his head on my foot, he made sure he could see her.

Ha! That's funny with your dad. I can understand it - we restrain ourselves with difficulty with the crime-solving Sherlock.

>114 msf59: Ah, glad you've had a good time with The Monuments Men, Mark. It could have been a slog, right? And Edsel managed to make it into a page-turner.

Yes, hard to complain even when it's warm and muggy. I was saying to Debbi yesterday that even now it feels good to look around and see no snow.

Hope it's a-ok for you today.

>109 jnwelch: Eh, not so much. I really liked Sarah's Key and gave it 8/10 stars.

"Really good book that I zipped through in one afternoon. The stories were told in alternating chapters which kept them clearly separated. My only disappointment was the last few pages - the relationship was far too obvious and the ending just sort of... petered out."

>116 Morphidae: Good to know, Morphy. Probably not a book for me, but others may be more encouraged by your positive reaction.

>117 jnwelch: True. For those of us that like historical fiction lite. :D

>118 Morphidae: :-) I suspect I fit into the historical fiction lite group at times, Morphy. Vonnegut isn't a neat fit, but there's some of that. The day the U.S. atom-bombed Japan is featured in the one I'm reading now, Cat's Cradle.

Richard suggested posting the following, so we found some room for it:

It's not often you get to read a lively and entertaining history book, but Agent Zigzag by Ben Macintyre fits the bill. Eddie Chapman was Agent Zigzag in WWII, a dedicated British criminal (safe-cracking, break-ins, etc.) who became a double agent. He was trained as a German spy, only to immediately turn himself into British authorities upon parachuting into a field near London, and he then became an agent instead for the Allies. As book photos confirm, he was handsome, and someone whom a wide variety of personalities found charming, from staid government officials to spy trainers to other spies. His charm also paved the way for a number of romances, with Eddie insisting on female companionship at every port of call.

Besides following the remarkable true life exploits of this rogue, I enjoyed reading about the many related deceptions perpetrated on the unsuspecting Germans by British intelligence, from the well-known Enigma code-breaking advantage of knowing what the Germans were transmitting, including between their dangerous U-boats, to the complicated misdirection ploy of convincing the Germans the Allies were beginning their assault at Calais, not Normandy, to the faked destruction of a critical plane factory in which Eddie (and a magician!) played a key role.

Eddie's talent for lying repeatedly served him well, in playing roles and withstanding interrogation. He had a well-earned reputation for accomplishing the assigned mission, with the warning that you'd better be sure to watch your wallet as he was carrying it out. He couldn't resist adding extracurricular fleecing of one sort or another. From a lower class background, he became well-read, and fluent in French and German, and acquired noteworthy expertise in explosives. One section of the book has Eddie and Britain's upper class head man for explosives sharing a gleeful time discussing different ways to blow things up, like two little kids becoming best friends.

Eddie Chapman thrived on danger and adrenaline, and had no shortage of bravery. At one point, he was so convincing to the Germans that they awarded him a medal. Meanwhile, his multiple romances in different countries were deeply felt on both sides, and who he ended up marrying both surprised me and made me laugh. For an improbable slice of history served up in delicious fashion, you need look no further. Four stars.

Great review of Agent Zigzag. Hope this encourages others to try this author out. I know it made me an instant fan.

Thank GOODNESS Agent Zigzag is already here. I wouldn't be able to resist procuring it otherwise.

You, sir, are guilty of Incitement to Amazon, a new cybercrime I'm attempting to get legislated.

>119 jnwelch: I'll be reading Cat's Cradle soon myself.

>121 msf59: Thanks, Mark. You and Caro and other LTer fans of this one deserve credit for pushing it. Yeah, I'll read others by him, too, maybe Operation Mincemeat next?

>122 richardderus: Back in medieval times (or maybe it was on your thread) this used to be called Satanic Book Warbling, and the community accusing you would toss you in the pond. If you floated, you had to shelve books in the library, and if you sank, you had to stop that and get out of the pond and shelve books at the library.

It's good to know we have an online counterpart these days. Not sure what the penalty is. Maybe going to your local library and helping to shelve books?

>123 Morphidae: I'm enjoying the re-read so far, Morphy. I'd forgotten about karasses and wampeters and the rest.

Cat's Cradle is Vonnegut at his most cutesy-poo. I liked it a lot of people didn't

Weirdly, none of my dogs have been tear it apart dogs... they have all been very gentle with their toys. Dirk.. long ago lab...used to put his toys away, in the basket when he was done. He hugged us, too. I adored him. I miss him still :P

Dogs...they are the best! And they are the reason I disliked my last read... it was not dog friendly :(

Glad all is looking good at chez Joe as well as the cafe :)

Thanks for the book bullet .......

Doctor's appointment this morning (routine). Please feel free to wander the premises.

oh, my, I think Agent Zig Zag is just the kind of book I love. Will have to put it on the wish list.

Good luck at the doc's; hope all routine stuff is indeed routine; and normal; and you continue to be in excellent good health.

>125 magicians_nephew: It didn't grab our Vonnegut-loving son like it did me, Jim, so maybe the cutesy-poo was why. It doesn't strike me that way, for whatever reason. I like his bravery in taking a humorous and different angle on the way we view the world. I can definitely see, so far, why it appealed so much to my teenage self, as it pokes fun at commonly-accepted views, and I was questioning everything back then. Come to think of it, that may still be true. :-)

>126 mckait: Dirk sounds like a special one, all right, Kath. We had trouble getting our kids to put their toys away when they were done, and it never would've crossed my mind with a dog. I've always liked labs - sweet dispositions.

I can understand you're not liking a dog-unfriendly book. Makes me think of the first story in Redeployment. It features dogs and would break your heart, but he's getting at the underlying issues of the effect of the Iraqi War on the soldiers in it, and at the main character's internal conflicts when his dog at home is nearing the end of his life.

All is well at chez Joe and the cafe. We're spiffing it up a bit as there's a neighborhood garden walk coming up and we'll be one of the stops.

>127 roundballnz: You're welcome, Alex. I'm guessing Agent Zigzag?

>129 maggie1944: Glad to hear it, Karen. Agent Zigzag is a grabber.

The doc visit went fine. I'm just so darn fair-skinned that I've got sun damage from my youth spent outside, so I have to go in regularly and make sure all is okay. All is okay.

Remember the "Wear Sunscreen" speech that was wrongly attributed to Vonnegut and was so popular for a while? http://www.planetgary.com/sunscreen.htm

She's right - if I had known then what I know now, I would've worn sunscreen.

Am lonely for my Gentleman Caller. Need sweets to console myself. Pecan pie, carrot cake, a vat or two of ice cream...might tide me over until this evening...

Hi Joe! It is getting steamy out here. I started and will finish The Reason That I Jump. It is an interesting look at autism. I love the Mitchell introduction.

Glad you are enjoying The Dark Horse. You caught up with me since that was the last one I read.
Have you been watching the new season of Longmire? It has been good.

Saw Mitchell on the Daily Show talking about the book.The Reason I Jump

Thanks for the reminder - today i start reading it

It is time for lunch and like Richard I need something sweet to end the meal. I was thinking some nice thumbprint cookies to go with my coffee. Does the cafe have any of those?

Here's your pie, Richard. And I think I hear the delivery truck unloading in the back...

Two batches of thumbprints just ready...





I expect more coffee will be wanted...I found this urn in a dark closet. Can't imagine why Joe doesn't use it regularly.



Who's taking the next shift?

>131 richardderus: A much-missed inamorato? Your solution is exemplary, Richard - I must be lonely enough for something so I can do the same. Here you go:



You might put Miss Fisher's Murder Mysteries on, too. I find I feel better after watching those. I think you were the one who got us started on them. Good luck!

>132 msf59: Yeah, I was just outside, Mark. There are buckets of rain just hanging in the air and not happening.

The Mitchell intro got me, too. I was quite taken by The Reason I Jump as providing a way to see and understand severe autism that I'd been missing. But as I mentioned, Debbi was put off by the fact that she thinks there's no way he wrote the book - she bets it's the parents. Since she taught special ed kids for quite a while, I suspect she knows what she's talking about. It still was an eye-opener for me - interesting throughout, as you say, and a way to relate better to this so-different (and fascinating) worldview. If it is coming from the parents, it convinced and helped Mitchell, and I understand it's done the same for a lot of parents of severely autistic kids.

To immediately assume "not normal" is "bad" is always going to be a mistake, as far as I'm concerned. Maybe severe autism is not something to "fix", but rather something pretty amazing that requires a different kind of communication and understanding. And to me that's the message of this book. I'm not speaking from knowledge on this one. We've known Asperger's kids and (we think) adults, but that's a different story.

I want to read some Temple Grandin, too. Debbi has, and is an admirer.

>133 magicians_nephew: Look forward to your reaction to The Reason I Jump, Jim. It's a very fast read. I would've loved to have heard Mitchell talk about it.

>134 benitastrnad: Thumbprint cookies - you have a knack for expanding our cafe repertoire in the best ways, Benita. You bet - here you go:

>135 laytonwoman3rd:, >136 laytonwoman3rd: Thanks, Linda! If I'd known you'd be working the kitchen, I'd have taken a longer break!

One thing we've learned is there can never be too much of the good stuff. I'm sure cafe patrons will help out in the devourification of what's been provided.

>138 jnwelch: If I'd known you'd be back so soon, I would have saved myself the trouble! That darned urn was HEAVY.

But it is the *coolest* urn ever. I vote that it gets pride-of-place in the new cafe to come!

I'm a bit less miserable. Down to hiccuping sobs. Permaybehaps a titanic order of chili cheese fries?

>139 laytonwoman3rd: I'm glad you didn't save yourself the trouble, Linda. We love it when someone like you fills in!

I'll bet that urn was heavy. We usually have a heffalump that can help haul stuff like that.

>140 richardderus: Good to have a cognoscente's endorsement, Richard. Let's take a closer look at that urn.



Hmm, that is a nice one, isn't it?

OK, one order of chili cheese fries hitting an iceberg and going down:

>140 richardderus: So you're one of those people who eat dessert FIRST....a very wise course of action.

>137 jnwelch: I haven't read The Reason That I Jump yet, so this might be speaking out of turn, but I think that any time a - let's say a difference - gets in the way of a general ability to negotiate the world, it's a handicap, and fixing it would be a blessing. I'm not talking about medicating a condition to the point of lethargy and mental fog, of course. I just mean that if you can't walk and something can fix that, fix it. If you can't communicate and something can fix that, all the better. Special talents must be honored, but dysfunction is what it is.

enough rant.

>143 ffortsa: I know what you mean, Judy. I have to admit, though, I'm not sure. The "fixing" might take away things of value to the person. That's what (in my mind, anyway) Elizabeth Moon was getting at in the Speed of Dark. I'm not sure a Temple Grandin would want to be "fixed."

There are all sorts of levels and permutations in function and dysfunction. Do read The Reason I Jump. What if what we consider "functional" would be absurd to someone from a higher level of civilization? Pretty easy to imagine, given the daily news. Would we want to be fixed? No fair to say we'd like to see the other people (not us) fixed!

From a different point of view, though, there's a lot in what you say. Most of those who have trouble with, e.g., social interactions, or anxiety disorders, or depression, or bi-polarity, and so on, would love to be "fixed", and not have those difficulties. But I think we've got to be careful in our assumptions. Artists often turn difficulties into beautiful creations, for example. Very sensitive people may suffer from anxiety, but it's part of what makes them beautiful and thoughtful. People who are introverted may be just fine, as a recent book (haven't read it yet) pointed out. What we think is dysfunctional may be something else.

The Reason I Jump challenges a lot of our assumptions, and presents the logic of what he is experiencing from a different point of view. Trying to understand better the other point of view is what I'm getting at, I guess. I'm always suspicious when someone else is deciding what's functional and what's dysfunctional. We've repeatedly been told that our family is one of the few "functional" ones around, and we of course enjoy hearing that, as it's meant as a compliment. But if some people were telling us we were dysfunctional, I'd be telling them to take a hike, because we know we're doing it right. In fact, of course, along the way my parents and siblings have questioned the way we do things, and we've told them, in so many words, to take a hike. A neighbor was horrified we let our son dye his hair blue. Our response: he's a great kid, and it's his hair.

I probably am digressing. But I worry about arbiters of functional and dysfunctional. Rod Serling used to make that point in The Twilight Zone. Remember the beautiful girl who was considered hideous by the pig-faced population?

I did my best growing-up in small, safe, self-help groups who completely gave the power to decide "functional" and "dysfunctional" for myself. I am just sorry my family was not able to do that, but I did find my way. That said, I do know there are cases of chemical imbalances which might make it difficult for some to be totally on their own in deciding what works for them. A friend who rented my house is diagnosed as bi-polar and when she went off her meds, and thought she could stay in my house without paying rent at all; well, I did ask her to move. However, I made it clear we were still friends and and as soon as she got herself back on some meds, and straightened her course, she began to pay me back, and we are still friends. Life can be so complicated. In the end, I try to be kind and hope it all works out. Sometimes, it does not. I also believe that it is very important that judging others functionality is dangerous and we may never know what we have lost when we "fix" someone. Van Gogh's art. Sylvia Path's poetry.

Joe: Operation Mincemeat turned me into a Ben MacIntyre fan. It's my fave of his WWII books which include Agent Zigzag and Double Cross: The True Story of the D-Day Spies. They're three very separate stories but references are sometimes made to the other tales.

Also, his Napoleon of Crime about master thief Adam Worth is a fantastic yarn. You pretty much can't go wrong with MacIntyre and I'm looking forward to his next subject with great anticipation.

>144 jnwelch: It's salutory that Temple Grandin made her way to a satisfying and rewarding life, and I wouldn't begin to suggest she eliminate her way of seeing the world. But she is one of the lucky ones who could find her way out of the box. If this boy from Japan can find his way out of his box and keep what is special to him, great.

I couldn't find my way out of the box of bi-polar disorder some years back, and while I'm sometimes annoyed at having to take my meds, they and therapy have helped me immeasurably. I don't think I would have been the next Shakespeare had I ignored my dysfunction. And I worry that people might think that great talent and ability of one kind or another is connected necessarily to disability. I rather think that great talent can sometimes find a way in spite of disability, not because of it, and I worry about the people of more modest talents who cannot overcome their personal barriers.

All that said, I still haven't read the book, so take this with the grain of salt I now provide.

Right, Judy. Thanks for discussing it.

What stands out for me is, it's been your choice. I'm the one who wished Anna Karenina had been on meds, so I'm sympathetic.

Your choice, working in tandem with doctors to fine tune it, seems different. And I suspect it was after a lot of work to understand your condition. Let's try to do more to understand the individual's condition, and not immediately assume it's bad because it's different, and that we should make someone abnormal "normal".

An example: our son has a friend with Asperger's. In elementary school, he of course got ostracized and, I'll bet, bullied.and when he'd get upset, he'd often obsessively start walking, not stopping, round and round, not listening to anyone. That's what he needed to do. So our son started walking with him, just being there, and eventually his friend would be able to calm down and resume.

Not normal, but not harming anyone. I don't know, Judy, I guess it's the respect and reaching out and trying to understand I'm talking about, but not very articulately. I'm sure you could tell similar stories.

>144 jnwelch: etc Joe, maybe you can consider reading The Spark. I read it and was, first of all... not surprised by the prognosis given him by educators. I have to assume that it happens all the time, and I have seen it with my own eyes. I am dead certain that there are many kids with a diagnosis out there that have been placed in classrooms that do not really teach them, but more... sort of babysit them. I am sure that the school where I worked has many sister schools out there. Sadly, part of the blame lies on the medical community for their dire predictions and the parents for copping out. NOT in all cases, mind you. But there are plenty of kids out there whose parents maneuver the system in such a way that they spend, basically only overnights with their kids. I have seen it. I believe that there are plenty of other kids with autism out there that have many gifts and much intelligence, but what I have seen of the education system... no one will know. The kids whose parents jump in and take charge and spend time are the ones who will excel and "surprise" us with their abilities. Even better if the teachers are willing to work hard and do more than babysit. It is one of the things that drove me crazy when I was working at the school. I saw potential lost in bedlam of classrooms where the main focus was on kids with huge behavioral issues, and the others were left to float along and try to keep out of the way. I believe in the kids. I get angry at the parents who don't want to sept up. I get FURIOUS with the teachers write a curriculum and try to stuff the kids into it instead of working harder to teach each child. I do understand that sometimes they are hampered by available tools.. but when you see ten teacher who have the same $ and the same tools and 4 do a great job and 6 do as I mentioned, and tried to stuff kids into the box they built twelve years ago and never changed in any way, and who even said OUT LOUD that they were teaching for the schedule...well...I got too invested in the kids, and it tore me up to see so many of them just ....not being educated.

Whew. Sorry. Didn't mean to spout. Hot button for me. Anyway The Spark is about the other side of the coin. A parent who hears that her son will only ever be in a life skills classroom and she should accept it. She didn't. Her son at age twelve "became a paid researcher in quantum physics".

Not all the kids are Jakes, but I think that all of them have more in there than we give them credit for.

ok. Done now.

Morning Joe! Any chance of some pastries?

Oh! pastries. What a good idea

>149 mckait: Thanks for those great comments, Kath. They're right on the money for me. You've provided a lot to think about. I'll find The Spark - thanks for the recommendation. I think you'd like how our daughter teaches. She believes in the kids, too.

>150 Thebookdiva:, >151 maggie1944: You bet, Abby and Karen. Hmm, let's see what the pastry chef has come up with for today. We've got quite a selection, turns out.

Those look delicious, thanks Joe!

excellent start for the day

>153 Thebookdiva:, >154 maggie1944: :-)

Morning Joe! Hot & muggy start, but there is a nice breeze. I hope I wrap it up before the storms roll in.
I started The Luminaries. That will occupy, both my print/audio reading for the next week or so.

Happy Hump Day!

>156 msf59: Happy Hump day, Mark! Yeah, The Luminaries ain't a shorty. I'm curious to hear what you think. You may end up liking it more than I did.

All the pastries look utterly scrummy. I, OTOH, would like an omelet with sour cream, mushrooms, and caviar.

I have NO idea why.

It is *agony* for me to be around people with communication blockages. It makes me utterly, helplessly, miserably claustrophobic. Autism terrifies me for that reason. Much as the transgendered give me the jimjams, because the idea of being trapped FOREVER in a body not my own is the stuff of horror novels for me.

I identify with the problem, not the gifts or the bonuses. I was raised by a xian and her dour, mean-spirited sadistic gawd made me *intensely* afraid of (what I interpret as) Punishment.

>158 richardderus: Yeah, that's the toughest part re autism, seems to me, RD. We're so dependent on our usual ways of communication to relate to other people, and to help us figure out a problem and try to address it. Kath could comment better than I can, but friendly acceptance can go a long way, as that's often in short supply, from what I've seen. I'm fascinated, as you can tell, in part because an autistic person's experience of the world can be so dramatically different from ours, and in part because at bottom the ones I've known have been in many ways as similar to me as you are.

Transgender: I can't imagine that feeling of being a different person trapped inside my body either. But the ones we've met in Seattle have been as normal as everybody else, only with a different angle, just as we all have different angles, if that makes any sense. I don't think we were very adept in using the right gender references, but it didn't seem to matter at all - no doubt that's a common problem. An accepting community can make a big difference.

OK, let's get you that omelet!

Exactly and precisely what I need. Beware of flashing fork.

Good morning, Joe! I've added Agent Zigzag to my amazon shopping cart. It sounds like an interesting and engaging read!

>159 jnwelch: Great reflections on your interactions with transgender folks in Seattle. What is interesting (to me) is how the current generation of young folks are challenging the very binary way of thinking about gender. So, many folks who identify as trans don't experience themselves as one gender trapped in the body of the other gender. They are defining gender in all sorts of ways, including third gender, non-gendered, genderqueer, etc. I certainly feel firmly planted in my own identity as a woman, but I love the expansive approaches to gender and gender expression (which is a whole different dimension).

You didn't ask for chiming in, but I can't help it on this topic. It's an area in which I have been learning a lot lately and I see so many young people struggling with gender-related oppression, abuse, and marginalization. Seattle is probably one of the most accepting and affirming communities in the U.S., and it's still difficult. Supporting trans individuals, especially youth, is becoming a passion of mine.

Happy Wednesday!

I just do not have it in me to go beyond the binary. I am a man, a male, a guy, and I don't want to be anything else. I suppose being told all those years in xianland that it's what I *should* want and not to be a girlygirl faggot closed me down to the appeal of genderblending.

It sounds horrific to me.

I've just come from an event run by the charity I work for which is showcasing a scheme to find work placements for people with learning disabilities where a wonderful presentation was made by a young woman with (admittedly high functioning) autism. I think it's probably important to distinguish between people who have mental health issues, (whose condition may well fluctuate over time, and so who can imagine life without their 'problem', and so may well want that problem to go away) and people with learning disabilities who would effectively be fundamentally different people if they did not have their 'problem'. Life may well be easier for people with learning disabilities if their 'problem' could be taken away, but who would want life to be easier if it fundamentally changed who you were as a person?

>160 richardderus: *quickly brings out "Beware of Flashing Fork - Food Deconstruction Area" sign*

>161 EBT1002: I should have made "please chime in" explicit, Ellen, as I meant it to be implicit. I'm trying to figure this out, as you can tell, so all input is welcome.

Yes, good point - not binary. Third-gendered, non-gendered, genderqueer, etc. - I love the expansive approaches, too. Right, gender expression - so much of this is new to yours truly, although our son and daughter are steeped in it. I bet you have to be on top of it in your counseling position. It's fascinating; I love it when our assumptions are challenged. And I like the result of having to view the person individually, without categorizing determining the interaction. That's what we're shooting for, right?

You're right about Seattle, it is an unusually accepting and affirming community. That atmosphere allows those who are exploring new territory, for themselves and for the community, to be brave about it in ways that would be difficult elsewhere. It's not all kumbaya, of course; we've certainly seen some skirmishing over the assertion of individuality and individual beliefs vs. being thoughtful of others and understanding their POVs - an eternal problem. But as to gender-related oppression, abuse, and marginalization, it's ahead of anywhere else I've been.

>162 richardderus: I don't think you have to go beyond the binary, RD, other than accepting that others do. If you heard them, you'd see the same issues you've faced in asserting your identity. It's not horrific in any sense when it's a thinking, feeling person in front of you.

>163 SandDune: Oh, thank you so much, Rhian! You really clarified a point I was ineptly trying to make.

it's probably important to distinguish between people who have mental health issues, (whose condition may well fluctuate over time, and so who can imagine life without their 'problem', and so may well want that problem to go away) and people with learning disabilities who would effectively be fundamentally different people if they did not have their 'problem'. Life may well be easier for people with learning disabilities if their 'problem' could be taken away, but who would want life to be easier if it fundamentally changed who you were as a person?

Yup. Should it be even broader than learning disabilities? I see a different way of experiencing life, not just learning, but maybe "learning" is broad enough to cover it.

>163 SandDune: >164 jnwelch: Well, if a 'problem' stands in the way of the full functioning of a person, how is solving it taking something away? I'm not talking about changing the fundament of a person, or removing some point of view or talent, but rather removing an impediment. I was a stutterer as a child - I would have given anything for a miracle cure. It didn't give me any interesting or unique vision - it just got in my way. And so I view people with learning disabilities as needing a way to negotiate around or through those disabilities, with training or therapy or substitution of skills, etc.

And I entirely agree with Kath that schools do not do enough to help these kids if the parents aren't pushing like crazy.

Jim has a very good friend whose son is on the Asberger's scale, and she did fight for him to get the appropriate schooling and therapy, etc. He'll never be a glad-hander, but who needs more of them? He has graduated high school and is heading to college, and has learned enough to relate well with other people. Without the therapy and training he received, he might be unable to negotiate the world, but he's doing fine. And I doubt he's lost any of his specific intensity or view of the world.

Sorry. Clearly this is a button with me. I think I'll stop now.

>148 jnwelch: Well, one more thing. Joe, your son did that boy a huge benefit by walking with him. I think it's entirely appropriate to respond to the way someone shows his anxiety. Hopefully, as he grew up, he was able to find more comfort and control. And that's what I'm talking about.

>>165 ffortsa:, >166 ffortsa: Good, Judy, thanks.

It can get complicated, as far as I can tell, as to whether a person's impediment is integral to the person's identity, so that "removing" it would cause loss and damage. In my experience impediments often are integral to the person's identity. Others can address this better than I can, I'll bet, but for example, there are drugs can really "lift" depression, but doctors are very cautious with them, as dealing with ups and downs is part of who we are. Their use is often reserved to the most stressful times.

It raises the interesting question, if you could take a pill so that you felt happy all the time, every minute, would you take it? I don't think I would. But I haven't suffered from severe depression like some others have.

Yes, our son's friend was like Jim's friend's son; he went to college and has done well. He's talented in music (can pick up any instrument and play it) and writing (a little verbose for my taste, but he was a teen when I last read anything of his). His father is a minister, and he's always been drawn to religion, so it'll be interesting to see how it all sorts out.

>165 ffortsa: if a 'problem' stands in the way of the full functioning of a person, how is solving it taking something away? I'm all for someone having as much opportunity as possible to fulfil their full potential, which is what the scheme my company is running is trying to do. Here is a short YouTube film:

http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=I0J2PQokxhA

But in reality that potential will be different for different people.

I want some of that ice cream I saw several posts back up!

>168 SandDune: Great video, Rhian, thanks. Kudos to you and your company. The employees obviously appreciate the recognition that they can contribute under the right conditions.

>169 thornton37814: Hmm, a lot to choose from back there, Lori. We'll start with this lemon ice cream, and let us know if you'd like another flavor.

Kevin Hearne Facebooked about bacon-churro cupcakes:
and then Chris Grabenstein Facebooked about eating biscuits and gravy every day at UT in the 1970s...I want biscuits and gravy!! I want bacon and churros and all manner of fried foods like armadillo eggs and scotch eggs and mozzarella sticks and pork dumplings and crab rangoons!

*sigh*

*eats more shuddersome vanilla yogurt*

>171 richardderus: Just trying to help:



You've given us yet another reason to like Kevin Hearne, right?

Churros rellenos de dulce de leche... just sayin'.

>172 jnwelch: *Mighty Maledictions Joe-ward*

>173 laytonwoman3rd: *More Mighty Maledictions Linda-ward*

Hello, Cheng's Chinese Take-Out? One of everything fried, please

It is getting close to lunch time. I was thinking a really nice chicken salad sandwich.

>173 laytonwoman3rd:, >174 richardderus: :-) Linda and I are doing our best for you, Richard.



Deep fried latte?

>175 benitastrnad: Here you go, Benita:

Hi Joe! Hope you are getting out for lunch. It is nice out here.
Love the Hearne photo! It is fun following him on FB.

Deep fried latte gives me the jimjams. Pouring liquid into a vat of hot fat?! Nay nay nay!

I'll have what benita's having..because suddenly the idea of fried food is not so appealing!

>177 msf59: I did get out for lunch, thanks, Mark. Nice! That rain yesterday cooled things down a good bit.

The only one I "follow" on FB is Louise Penny, and I get a lot of flack (not from her) for how little I'm on FB. There's only so much social media-izing I can do before my head starts to spin.

>178 richardderus: I can't imagine a deep fried latte, RD. And they have deep-fried butter, too - deep-fried arteries will be added any day now.

>179 laytonwoman3rd: Yes, you can usually get me to eat fried food, shrimp being a fave, Linda, but I'm swearing it all off until we can get further into this thread and the memories fade.

Here you go:

Anybody going to the American Library Association Meeting in Las Vegas? Or live in the Las Vegas area? If so the Librarything people will be there and will have a booth in the exhibit hall. Stop in and talk to them.

I do not follow many authors on FB. I do get a kick out of following MDR, though! Swoons a little...

It got warm out here this afternoon. The cool did not last.

>181 benitastrnad: Not I, says the cafe proprietor. Wish I were.

>182 msf59: Too bad on the cool not lasting, Mark - that felt good.

I know you're a major MDR fan. Does she have a new one coming out?

I'm miles behind your thread, but thanks a lot for all this lovely food. Waves.

>176 jnwelch: YUM.

Jim, your words but friendly acceptance can go a long way are perfect to describe what I feel. And I agree, your son did a wonderful, if simple thing, and that young man will probably never realize what a life changing thing happened there.

I can't say that I come close to understanding the needs and feelings of someone who is transgendered, but what matters, really is that but friendly acceptance Jim mentioned. And
That's the thing. We need to stop judging people by some standard that we or some stranger has defined as normal.

>176 jnwelch: Joe, that sandwich reminded me of a crab roll I had for lunch the day Amy took me for the harbor cruise. Bliss. What a good day that was. It was the day after my son took me to lunch, the weather was perfect, Amy and I played tourist, I even bought a ball cap that says Annapolis and has a crab on it :) We had popcorn and beer on the boat, with the wind blowing into our faces as we sat at the very front of the boat taking pictures and just having fun. THEN Gail and I had our meet-up with our kids... and it was one of the happiest days I have had for a long time. A happy always pill would have taken away its specialness. I do wish I could worry less, though. Even a little.

MDR has Epitaph coming out very soon....
http://www.marydoriarussell.net/2014/06/09/epitaph-pub-date-march-3-2015/

And the Poe book might be on hold for now :-/ Time will tell

>184 Ameise1: You're welcome, Barbara. Thanks for stopping by. Waves back. :-)

>185 EBT1002: I'm guessing the YUM is for the chicken salad sandwich, and not the list of fried creations, Ellen?

>186 mckait: We're in agreement on friendly acceptance can go a long way, Kath. You're right, for people not used to getting it, it can be life-changing. Our son helped integrate his Asperger's friend into his larger group of friends in high school. One of our fonder memories is that friend leading the performance of an Irish jig he had made up on the spot in our dining room, with him playing a mandolin and singing, another one playing flute, and our son and two others doing crazy, laughing dancing to it. Beautiful.

We need to stop judging people by some standard that we or some stranger has defined as normal.

Yes, please. Exactly.

Thank you for commenting on all this.

That sounds like a wonderful day you had. For Proust it was a madeleine, for you a crab roll (or its cousin the chicken salad sandwich) will remind you of that day.

I can't resist quoting that bit from Proust, although I've only read a slim slice of him:

"No sooner had the warm liquid mixed with the crumbs touched my palate than a shudder ran through me and I stopped, intent upon the extraordinary thing that was happening to me. An exquisite pleasure had invaded my senses, something isolated, detached, with no suggestion of its origin. And at once the vicissitudes of life had become indifferent to me, its disasters innocuous, its brevity illusory – this new sensation having had on me the effect which love has of filling me with a precious essence; or rather this essence was not in me it was me . . ."

I see Amazon expects Epitaph to come out in March next year. That would be a long wait for her fans! Maybe the link explains more - I'll look after posting this. I don't know the Poe story - is she planning to write one related to him?

Morning Joe! Muggy out here. I hope I stay dry. I think we've had enough rain for now, right?

Speaking of MDR, my long lost hardback copy of Doc, surfaced. It was sitting on a co-worker's bookshelf. WTH? At least it was read by the thieving parties and I now have it back. Silver linings...

Good morning, Joe, and yes, you interpreted my "yum" correctly. Heh.

>188 msf59: I knew it was a bad sign this morning when the glass in our front door was fogged up, Mark. Yes, it rained again in the wee hours, and I agree we've had enough for now. Let's hope Mother Nature agrees with us.

Ha! Sitting on a co-worker's bookshelf - good thing you spotted it. I'm glad they at least had read it, and now you have Doc back. I know you loved that one.

>189 EBT1002: Ha! I figured, Ellen.

It's not quite chicken salad time in my part of the world, but after that Proustian interlude, maybe we should sample a madeleine.

Cat's Cradle satirically targets our zeal for scientific discoveries that can destroy us. The narrator, John a/k/a Jonah, initially hopes to write a book on what important Americans were doing the day the atomic bomb dropped on Hiroshima. Instead, he ends up getting involved with the family of the bomb's (fictional) inventor on the Caribbean island of San Lorenzo, where the family has relocated. The inventor has also created the potentially catastrophic material ice-nine, which upon contact freezes any water into a solid. Each family member possesses a sliver, along with the temptation to sell it.

The other main feature of the book is a satirical religion that makes fun of itself, called Bokononism. It seeks to undermine preconceptions and promote harmony in surprising ways. For example,

"The driver asked me if I would mind another brief detour, this time to a tombstone salesroom across the street from the cemetery.

I wasn't a Bokononist then, so I agreed with some peevishness. As a Bokononist, of course, I would have agreed to go gaily anywhere anyone suggested. As Bokonon says, 'Peculiar travel suggestions are dancing lessons from God.'"

Bokonon even asked the island's governor to "outlaw him and his religion, too, in order to give the religious life of the people more zest, more tang." Everyone on the island is Bokononist and simultaneously denies being a Bokononist, for fear of punishment.

Written at a time of high anxiety about nuclear war, Vonnegut skillfully weaves in sharp-edged humor while indicting our self-destructive tendencies. In some ways the mirror he holds up is similar to Jon Stewart's, only with more flights of imagination. This one's a sardonic gem.

Between Mark and now you I guess I'm going to have to read Agent Zigzag sooner rather than later.

I've asked for Mother Night from the library but now you're making me want to read Cat's Cradle. Sigh. I really do need to win the lottery.

^^^What she said.

If you don't mind... I will go back to the earlier conversation, and mention another book... one that I read years ago Schuyler's Monster. A really terrific read for special needs families and dad continues on with his blog at http://www.schuylersmonsterblog.com/ . I was telling someone about the conversation going on here and suddenly remembered that book as well. There are a lot of books out there by moms and dad's and believe me, I have read many of them. ( as well as Grandin's books and one she wrote with a local young man, The Unwritten Rules of Social Relationships: Decoding Social Mysteries Through the Unique Perspectives of Autism), Some just stand out....

OH! And you mentioned that I probably would like the way your daughter teaches, because she, too, believes in the kids. That's so important, and I bet I would.

Anyway, happy weekend to you :)

Happy Saturday, Joe! Good review of Cats Cradle. You never know with a revisit. It could disappoint or improve. I will start Mother Night soon.
Skip the movie version of Monuments Men. Lame.

>192 SuziQoregon: Ha! You'll be glad you read Agent Zigzag, Juli. What a character, what a story, what a great job telling it.

>193 EBT1002: Ha! They're both good, Ellen. In that sweet spot of time in his authoring, I liked all of them - God Bless You, Mr. Rosewater and Sirens of Titan are two of the lesser-knowns, and they're first-rate, too. Welcome to the Monkey House is an excellent collection of short stories.

>194 richardderus: Good! I know you're a Slaughter-House Five fan, Richard, so I'm sure you'd get a kick out of both Mother Night and Cat's Cradle.

>195 mckait: I don't mind at all, Kath, I really appreciate your taking an interest in the earlier conversation. It's very much on my mind. I'll look for Schuyler's Monster, in addition to The Spark, and The Unwritten Rules. The last would be a good place to start with Temple Grandin, yes? I've yet to read any of hers, although my MBH is a big fan.

You might like The Speed of Dark, a sci-fi-er by the mother of an autistic boy. She explores what might be lost for the individuals with a "cure".

You know, honestly, I have no doubt you'd love the way Becca teaches. She's a Michael Jordan in her profession as far as I'm concerned. And I'm totally unbiased. But she's just got it, inside and out. We'll run into her kids around the city, and they're just so excited and happy to see her. Of course, as she says, they're also amazed to see her outside of the classroom, as most assume she lives there.

Happy weekend to you, too!

>196 msf59: Thanks, Mark. You're right about revisits. I wasn't sure myself. I like the risks he takes in Cat's Cradle, and now I want to re-read more. I'm thinking maybe Sirens of Titan, another one I loved as a boy. And Slaughter-House Five needs a re-read, too.

I look forward to hearing what you think of Mother Night.

What a shame with the Monuments Men movie! Great story to work with, great cast, and it turns out lame.

Hope you have a decent work day and a good Sunday, buddy!

Sherlock wanted to say hi and show up his shiny new purple bandage :)

>198 seasonsoflove: What a guy! Thanks, Becca. I heard from your mama that he'd been rewrapped with a purple one. Quite stylish. Is he still tap-dancing on it?

You remind that you'd sent me one so folks here could see one crime-solving mastermind watching another, with Sherlock watching David Souchet as Poirot in Murder on the Orient Express:

Love the Sherlock pics, as usual! The purple bandage is quite stylish indeed. And he's lost the Cone of Shame!

Hi Joe, here I am craving sustenance. Well, nourishment, since I am sustained by Sherlock pictures!

I've been watching the film Krakatoa: The Last Days, so permaybehaps some ice cream...

That was a good review of Cat's Cradle, Joe. I read my first Vonnegut earlier this month, thanks to Mark's Challenge. We got along great, and I'll be reading more of his work from time to time. I'm glad all is well there and that Mrs. Joe is recovering well, as is Sherlock. I hope the offending Shepherd does well in the Paws program. I'm glad he is getting a second chance.

He is still tap dancing when not sleeping under his homemade dog-size quilt, which is what he is currently doing.

>200 rosalita: Julia, the wily one originally lost the Cone of Shame because he became too good at escaping it, even with the ties behind his head. It may be he no longer needs it, as the staples were removed. He's coming to visit later today, so I'll ask him.

>201 richardderus: Sherlock sends his salutations to Stella, Richard.

Hmm, okay. In honor of Karakatoa:



>202 Donna828: Thanks, Donna. I'm glad you and Monsieur Vonnegut got along great. He's got a treasure trove of good ones.

Yes, Mrs. Joe has agreed to put "rest" and "prescription ibuprofen" on her to-do list, as she hasn't been as conscientious with either as she might have been. She does get better each day, but needs to be patient. We've got a party to go to this afternoon (celebration of a newly purchased home in the city by two old friends), but we're going to make our appearance brief, so we can get her back to taking it easy.

Sherlock is doing better each day, too. Can't wait until he gets the splint off, even if it is stylish.

>203 seasonsoflove: Ah good, he's such a talented tap dancer. I'm glad he's keeping up his skills, Hon. Your Aunt Mary made him a beautiful little quilt. He doesn't really have us all wrapped around his paw, does he?

I just picked up The Speed of Dark ..TY :)

AWWWWWW sherlock... smoches

Sherlock is as cute as ever.

>205 mckait:, >206 mckait:

Oh good, Kath. I look forward to hearing what you think of The Speed of Dark.

Sherlock loves smooches, and loves to give them. If you say "kisses", he's always glad to give you plenty. He's usually glad to give you plenty even if you don't.

>207 Thebookdiva: Hi, Abby. I'll thank you on Becca's behalf! I know you're a good judge of cuteness, with your gaggle of "B" dogs and Mercy at the Pecan Paradisio.

That looks good enough that I'll even overlook the chocolate-ness of it! How did they get the smoke effect, I wonder.

>209 richardderus: Ah, I forgot about the chocolate aspect, Richard. The caption doesn't say how they got the smoke effect - it may be photographer magic, I'm not sure.

In case you want to wander from the chocolate-ness, here's a big one without that:

Ooo! Yummm! Cool photoshopping, and in a properly ordered universe it wouldn't need to be photoshopped, now would it.

>211 richardderus: No argument from here, RD. In a properly ordered universe, this would be situated near the volcanic crater filled with chili cheese fries.

The Cosmic Dairy Queen! My dream come true!

>212 jnwelch: ROFL

Aww - good to see Sherlock is out of his lamp costume. Good that you're providing appropriate entertainment for him too.

I loved the Madeline's! Someday when I have more time I want to perfect baking them. I love those with some coffee. Oh I think I know what I want at the cafe for breakfast tomorrow!

I am half way through with Bitterblue and loving it. Can't wait to get to the pool tomorrow so I can read - read - read.

Happy Sunday, Joe.

>213 richardderus:, >214 mckait: :-)

>215 SuziQoregon: Yes, the various staples for wounds are now out, Juli, and the Cone of Shame is history, in part because Houdini-dog figured out ways to escape, no matter how it was tied on. In two weeks the broken toe gets x-rayed, and if it's healed, the splint will come off.

Sherlock likes detective shows. Probably looking for crime-solving tips wherever he can get them, or rating his fellow detectives.

>216 benitastrnad: Madeleines and coffee sounds most excellent, Benita. Great to hear you're enjoying Bitterblue so much; I did, too. Cashore's books seem to do just fine, but I'm a little surprised they're not even more popular. They're really well done, aren't they?

>217 Ameise1: Thanks, Barbara. Intriguing and unusual, that one is. We're having a good Sunday. We walked for coffee, and now young Sherlock is resting on my lap. In a couple of hours the local Garden Walk begins, and all my MBH's floricultural talents will be displayed.

Morning Joe! Happy Sunday! I wanted to let you know, I just ordered my Kindle Paperwhite, which you recommended. This will give us a couple of months to toy with it, before the Hawaii trip.

Happy Sunday, Joe, to you and your family. Sounds like Sherlock is making a speedy recovery which is great news. I am planning a lazy Sunday which will include lots of reading, some coffee and a lounge chair on the patio.

>219 msf59: Morning and afternoon, Mark! A little slow to respond - on Sundays slow is my middle name. Oh, man, you're going to love that Kindle Paperwhite. It's going to be perfect for your Hawaii trip.

>220 DeltaQueen50: Thanks, Judy. We've got 4/5 of the family here, with Becca and Sherlock joining us out on our back deck. It's garden walk day, so lots of folks are coming through. Sherlock is charming everyone per usual. All that's left is his broken toe; the vet was amazed at how he's already grown back his fur where it was shaved off because of the abrasions. Staples from the wounds are all out.

Not having to wear the cone also means he can sleep in his beloved crate. Becca says that's the part he's happiest about.

Your lazy Sunday matches up well with ours. It's my favorite kind. I've segued now from Peet's coffee to Smithwick's beer. My reading is Billy Collins' Aimless Love (getting near the end), and Shots Fired, an ER collection of C.J. Box stories. Gorgeous day here after storms last night. Life is good.

Happy Sunday to you - it sounds like you're all set for enjoying it.

Happy Sunday Joe. I'm currently reading Pale Kings and Princes and reading/listening to Queen Lucia both book bullets from yourself.

A book, a scotch, and my dog, then it's perfect. Care to join me?

>222 luvamystery65: Happy Sunday, Roberta. That's excellent. Both good 'uns. When you're done, we'll talk about The Rosie Project. :-)

Then I need to get back to reading about Atticus and Oberon.

>223 richardderus: Yes, please, Richard! That looks idyllic. I'll join you as soon as I figure out how to squeeze through the screen.

OH! Me, too. Me, too. I just go grab a book and I'll be there.

Hi, Joe ~ Thanks for your visit earlier. Yes, we all had a great time at the meetup yesterday. Speaking of meetups, I plan to visit family in Chicago at some point in the the next year, and it would be so wonderful if a meetup there with all the Chicago LTers could be part of my trip.

Glad you enjoyed Agent Zigzag. Also enjoyed Double Cross. Haven't gotten to Operation Mincemeat yet, but sent to my stepdad on the theory I can read it when he's done. ;~)

Did you see MacIntyre has a new one coming out in July. He's made an industry out of these newly declassified docs, hasn't he?

>223 richardderus: Wow... wow! What a view. I could live there :)

Monday morning good wishes mojo at you Joe....

>225 maggie1944: Meet you there, Karen. I could while away a few millennia in that lovely spot.

>226 Storeetllr: You bet, Mary. It looked like one happy meetup in Denver!

Let's stay in touch on your Chicago visit next year. A meetup with the Chicago area LTers sounds great to me. We may have some flying hither and yon, but we'll grab as many as we can.

>227 michigantrumpet: Sure did, Marianne. Yes, I'll be looking at his others. I'm a newbie, so I didn't know he had a new one coming out. He made fantastic use of the documents declassified in 2010 for Agent Zigzag, so I can well imagine he's got the whole process down pat. Looking forward to reading more of Mr. Macintyre.

>228 mckait: Ain't that a beaut, Kath? I could live there, too.

Thanks for the Monday morning good wishes mojo. It should help offset my usual Monday a.m. grumpiness. We had such a nice weekend, I was hoping for a miraculous extension.

I finished Billy Collins' Aimless Love, a good collection of his poems, and queued up another Longmire on Kindle to go with my hard copy collection of Joe Pickett country short stories. Makes me want to break out my cowboy hat and boots. I had no idea Craig Johnson had written so many in the series. Really having a good time zipping through them.

Joe, did you see Michael Shannon and co. in a production of Ionesco's 'The Killer'? He did it originally in Chicago, according to the playbill of the production we saw in Brooklyn on Saturday. Isn't he a pleasure on the stage?

>230 ffortsa: Oh, I wish I could say yes, Judy! I've never seen him on stage, and our niece has even acted with him in a Tracy Letts play. Terrible of us. The timing just has never been right. I'm glad you enjoyed him in 'The Killer'', and I hope the rest of the production was good, too.

It was excellent, but as usual, Ionesco goes a little long. Shannon is marvelous onstage. We had the great good luck to see him as the Stage Manager in his production of 'Our Town'. He was really the only reason we saw this production on a very tiring weekend. It was totally worth it.

Morning Joe! I see that Aimless Love is available on audio, through my library. I wonder if it would work in that format?
Glad to see the Longmire love continuing...once you get hooked, you get hooked, huh?

>232 ffortsa: That's a high recommendation re Mr. Shannon, Judy, thanks. I'll mention it to my MBH so we make sure to catch him on stage. I'm glad it was totally worth it - I know you had a lot going on over the weekend.

>233 msf59: Is it Billy Collins reading Aimless Love on audio? He's congenial, I guess that's the word, in reading his poems - engaging and appealing. I've never tried reading a poetry book on audio, although I've been to plenty of live performances by poets. My guess is that it would work well. Certainly worth trying. Because there's no plot to drive you forward, and you'll want to pay close attention, I'm not sure how well it would go if you tried it in your work mode. Sitting in your Mark Cave, with a good beer, that would be the right set-up.

Yup, hooked on Longmire all right. It's funny how different the TV series is, although now I see the maybe romance with Vic is starting to crop up on tv, too. I do think of the TV Longmire when I read the books - physically he's on the money, as is the way he plays him.

227 michigantrumpet> Thanks so much for the heads up on the new Ben MacIntyre book! It's called A Spy Among Friends: Kim Philby and the Great Betrayal and I can't wait to read it when it comes out in July.

After three books centering on WWII, the author has moved on to the Cold War. It should be riveting.

Joe- I might try the Collins collection and see for myself. It can never hurt right? I do not know it he reads it himself.

>227 michigantrumpet: Good to see you, Anne, and it helps to know you're a big Macintyre fan. I'll keep going with him.

>228 mckait: Makes sense, Mark. I agree, it can't hurt, and whoever does the audio may do a bang-up job. My favorite collection of his is still Sailing Alone Around the Room, but this one is awfully good.

It is very hot and humid down here. Time for some mint ice tea on the porch. Does the Cafe have ice tea on the menu?

Enjoyed cafe au lait and beignets at Cafe Du Monde Thursday morning.

>238 benitastrnad: You bet, Benita. It's muggy up here in the northern parts, too. Mint iced tea is a great idea.



>239 thornton37814: That looks most excellent, Lori. Thanks for bringing us a bit of New Orleans. That's the way to start the day!

Hiya Joe! Would you slosh some silver rum in that mint juice, and whirl it up with some ice? TY

>241 richardderus: Hiya, Richard! Here you go, buddy.



Off to the train!

Excellent! Now all I need's a virtual straw. This one keeps smackin' the screen.

Mint tea looks tremendous! Aaahh! Just hits the spot.

i'm through with chemo, i'm through with chemo. 4 months of tx over and done last Friday. radiation starts whenever they can get the body strong enough--probably a monthish but I'M THROUGH WITH CHEMO.

so set 'em up Joe for the whole darn place. for me, a tall glass of Sierra Nevada '56 granite and snow and one of these here 'mater and feta sammijes.



yum! and of course, time-jiggered is fine.

THROUGH WITH CHEMO!!!!!!!!!!!!



Even Spiderman wants to give you a hug!!

Yay!!! I'm so glad you're through with chemo!!!! *hugs*

Congrats for being done!

Great News!!!!! I'm loving the ticker tape parade and the hugging Spidey. All the celebration is perfect.

Excellent news, Ellie!

>245 mirrordrum: I didn't realize that you were going through that Ellie.. and I am super glad to hear that you are through with it!! May the rest of the journey be esier and rapid healing of body mind and spirit ensue. And btw.. YUM ... lovely looking sammies!

Hi Joe!

hugs

>245 mirrordrum: Yay! So glad to hear that's over with.

>243 richardderus: You seem like a giant straw kind of guy, Richard. If so, you want the one on the right.



>244 michigantrumpet: Ah good, Marianne. If you decide you want some rum in it, we can make you a Richard special.

>245 mirrordrum: Huzzah! Hooray! Congrats on being done with chemo, Ellie!

Even the llamas were excited to hear the news!



We're setting up for the whole darn place to celebrate!



Our staffer is happily gathering that Sierra Nevada '56 water via time jiggery.



And here's that feta mater samij.



Calloo Callay! Oh frabjous day! Wonderful news, Ellie.

That reminds me. It's time for The Llama Song!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HbPDKHXWlLQ

>246 richardderus:, >247 seasonsoflove:, >248 drneutron:, >249 maggie1944:, >250 DeltaQueen50:, >251 mckait:, >252 ffortsa: Yeah, baby! How about that for great news?!

Hi, Kath! Hugs

>254 Morphidae: That's the best Llama Song I've ever heard, Morphy. Not that the competition was fierce . . .

Is this the new "What Did the Fox Say?"

Como se llama? Me llama Ellie. ¡He terminado con la quimioterapia!

Whew! So easy to fall behind here! Just wishing you a good day Joe.

The Llama Song came first!

Morning Joe- Getting ready to hit it. Muggy again but I should stay dry...rain-wise anyway.
Mother Night grabbed me immediately. This is going to be a keeper!!

Oh dear, the llama song is cracking me up. We are a fun bunch around here.
And HOORAY for Ellie being done with chemo!!!! YAY!!!!!

Hi Joe. Hope your Tuesday is going well so far!

>257 Smiler69: Ha! I know what you mean, Ilana. Thanks for stopping by - I hope you have a good day, too.

>258 Morphidae: :-) I'm not sure which one makes less sense, Morphy.

>259 msf59: Good morning, Mark. I got rained on a bit coming in, but it seems to have passed. Hope it stays reasonable for you. Right now they're talking about a heat-up (90s) on the weekend.

Glad Mother Night is grabbing you! That's the ideal happening in the AAC, right?

>260 EBT1002: That Llama Song is something else, isn't it, Ellen?

HOORAY for Ellie! I join you wholeheartedly!

Tuesday is going well so far, thanks. Ellie's news is the highlight, and I've also just reconnected with a roommate from college. Hope yours is going well, too!

Sense? Sense? What is this sense you speak of?

Just watched that llama song video. Made me laugh, but what the???

Happy Tuesday. Niece just called and said she was going home sick, so I'm off the hook for today. Surfing around on the TV I found the football match between Italy and Uruguay. If one knows nearly nothing at all of the game it is very instructive to watch two very good teams play.

I am feeling kinda punk today and so I'm tempted To Do Nothing But Nothing today; well, at least up until noon. Maybe I'll feel better and can tackle some of the way too many projects I've got going on, or reading.

Soccer is as good a way to waste the morning as any, eh?

>262 Morphidae: LOL! I guess that is beside the point, isn't it, Morphy?

>263 Smiler69: Please see post >262 Morphidae:, Ilana. It explains it well.

>264 maggie1944: Soccer is a great way to waste the morning, Karen. In my mind, you've unexpectedly been given a day to do whatever you want, including Absolutely Nothing. Doing Absolutely Nothing is sometimes the best gift of all, given how rarely that's a possibility. Watching World Cup soccer seems like it would work well as part of that gift.

Whatever you do (or don't do), I hope you enjoy the day.

LOL! :-D

Very sticky out here, Joe. Yuck. At least I am staying dry...and then there is the Vonnegut...grins.

>266 Smiler69: :-)

>267 msf59: Is it, Mark? Arggh. *petitions powers that be for a cool breeze*

Glad the Vonnegut has you grinning. I imagine he makes for a good companion. I should listen to an audio of one of his some time.

HAHAHA I love the llama son.. have loved it for ages... The one I had bookmarked was a wee bit different image wise, but the song was the same :)

Thanks for that blast from the past!

Yay!!!! Ellie's chemo is over!!!!
I missed this yesterday as I temporarily mislaid the cafe's address but the owner (thanks, Joe!) put me right just in time.

Congrats dear friend. Sooo glad to have you back among the reading. Do you have a very long list awaiting you or are you too busy soaking in the summertime?

>269 mckait: Who knew there was a Llama Song, Kath? Not me, until today. Who knew the Llama Song had fans? Not me, until today.

What about the alpacas? Do they get a song?

>270 NarratorLady: Isn't that great news, Anne?

Just n case some of you misplaced Ellie's thread, here's that one: http://www.librarything.com/topic/171730

The new cafe is open, and there seems to be only one, bearing what appears to be the correct number. Hmm. How long will that last?

>245 mirrordrum: Through with chemo!!!! AWESOME! Congratulations!