Joe's Book Cafe 22

Photos of Sherlock, Two with Some Humans, The Cute One Being His Mom Seasonsoflove*

Welcome back to the cafe!

*The cafe thanks Mark (msf59) for the suggestion to put the first photo up top

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
73. Shots Fired by C.J. Box
74. Concealed in Death by J.D. Robb
75. The Tie That Binds by Kent Haruf
76. The Gauguin Connection by Estelle Ryan

July

77. Red Rising by Pierce Brown
78. Solanin by Inio Asano
79. As the Crow Flies by Craig Johnson
80. Exit Wounds by Rutu Modan
81. Hatchet by Gary Paulsen
82. The Cuckoo's Calling by Robert Galbraith
83. The Adventures of Tom Sawyer by Mark Twain
84. The Hundred Dresses by Eleanor Estes
85. Incarnadine by Mary Szybist
86. To the Lighthouse by Virginia Woolf
87. Gathering Blue by Lois Lowry
88. A Trail Through Time by Jodi Taylor
89. Any Other Name by Craig Johnson

August

90. Midnight in Europe by Alan Furst
91. We were Liars by E. Lockhart
92. The Silkworm by Robert Galbraith
93. If I Stay by Gayle Forman
94. Orphan Train by Christina Baker Kline
95. Personal: A Jack Reacher Story by Lee Child
96. Playing for Keeps: Michael Jordan and the World He Made by David Halberstam
97. Colorless Tsukuru Tazaki and His Years of Pilgrimage by Haruki Murakami
98. The Ghost Writer by Phillip Roth
99. Takedown Twenty by Janet Evanovich
100. A Month in the Country by J.L. Carr

September

101. The Long Way Home by Louise Penny
102. Open Season by Archer Mayor
103. The Guns of August by Barbara Tuchman
104. Bitch in a Bonnet by Robert Rodi
105. Some Buried Caesar by Rex Stout
106. Hercule Poirot and the Greenshore Folly by Agatha Christie
107. The Last Policeman by Ben Winters
108. Cloud Atlas by David Mitchell
109. Strange Weather in Tokyo by Hiromi Kawakami
110. Leonardo and the Last Supper by Ross King

October

111. Notes of a Native Son by James Baldwin
112. Daunt Books Children's Short Story Competition 2014 with an intro by Marcus Sedgwick
113. Escape from Mr. Lemoncello's Library by Chris Grabenstein
114. Where She Went by Gayle Forman
115. Ethan Frome by Edith Wharton
116. Skylark by Patricia MacLachlan
117. The Shock of the Fall by Nathan Filer
118. The Haymeadow by Gary Paulsen
119. The River by Gary Paulsen
120. Angelica's Smile by Andrea Cammileri
121. Counting by Sevens by Holly Goldberg Sloan
122. Washington Square by Henry James
123. Brian's Winter by Gary Paulsen

Happy new Sherlock thread :-)

Nice job finding the new cafe, Barbara! Thanks - there's nothing better than a Sherlock thread, right?

We've been working on fixing the place up.

Best thread topper ever! Does that make Sherlock the guest chef for this cafe thread? ;D

Oh, so lovely. I take a seat and waiting what kind of coffee will be served :-)

Happy New Thread Joe! Nice seeing Sherlock up there.

>5 seasonsoflove: The problem with Sherlock being the guest chef, Becca, is, as you know, he likes to sample anything he makes - or anything anyone makes. Or anything edible that happens to be on the floor for any reason. So we instead made him "Guest Hoover" (as in vacuum cleaner). He's very busy and seems happy.

>6 Ameise1: Thanks, Barbara. Hmm, let's get that coffee out for you.



>7 Smiler69: Thanks, Ilana. Sherlock is considering a modeling career after he's done being Guest Hoover (although there's got to be a good bit of light or no one will see him). There's a lamb contingent also willing to take him on, as he looks like a little lamb a lot of the time.

Thanks so much, Joe. It's the perfect thing after dinner.

Hello, Joe! Love your thread toppers -- what a sweetie:)

Hope your week is off to a great start!

>9 Ameise1: :-)

>10 AMQS: Hiya, Anne! Thanks - he is a sweetie, that little guy.

So far, so good this week. How are you liking Age of Innocence?

Popping in and hoping this is one of those pet cafes where they provide animals for therapy. Not that I really need it as my home menagerie is more than enough, but a change is always good, right?

Ah, a Sherlockian thread! We'll have to read lots of mysteries and consult with Sherlock over their outcome. (In between his hoovering duties, of course)

I've taken to my bed with this stupid back problem which is making my left foot so painful that I went and got the walker out of storage; and Greta Garbo was just sitting next to me, under the covers, when the house mate arrives from the grocery store! And what happens: she forgot the whipping cream!.. oh, my. Well, I'm in and out of bed, planning on resting and then doing the PT so the damn back will let go of my feet. Well, you know.... not let go, completely. Just stop the pinching on the nerves.

I'm still barreling my way through The Alienist and loving it. All in all, I'm in good spirits but that of course will go away if the back doesn't get better soon, soon, soon. I hope your holiday is considerably better than all of this! Your photographs are great, and the new cafe looks lovely.

LOL! Perfect toppers, Joe! I dare anyone to disagree!

Happy New thread, my friend. I hope the work day is moving along quickly. At least you are in your comfy jeans, right?

>12 lunacat: Good to see you, Jenny! Well, we have a crime-solving dog (Sherlock) in the cafe who I find pretty therapeutic. Hard to be aggravated, or even keep from smiling, when he's in the vicinity. And we welcome the pets of others. Cats and horses are in your life, I see - who else is in your home menagerie? They're welcome to come.

>13 DeltaQueen50: I like that idea, Judy! I just finished another Montalbano mystery, so I'm doing my part. Sherlock's human mom reads a ton of mysteries and true crime just to keep up with him. Yes, we'll have to get Sherlock's attention if we want to consult with him; he's very focused when he's in hoovering mode.

>14 maggie1944: Ouch! Sorry to hear it, Karen. Jeesh, it must be bad if you break out the walker. Hope the PT helps your back and your foot.

Glad you're having a good time with The Alienist; I remember seasonsoflove, walklover and I all did way back when. Thank you re the photos and the new cafe. It's Monday, and we don't get the holiday off, but otherwise all is well.

>15 msf59: Ha! Thanks, Mark. It was your inspired idea that got me in motion for those toppers.

Yes, I'm in my comfy jeans, and that surprisingly does help. It's also not an overload day, so I won't complain. I just finished that Montalbano mystery, and Angelica's Smile was another good one in the series. This is the first time I actually saw it in the Italian tv series first, before reading it (our local cable tv station, WYCC, carries it with subtitles). Cammileri is in his 80s, but still going strong. May he live forever.

That Sherlock can come hoover under my table any time.

Hey, Joe! Happy New Thread! Love those toppers, and the subjects in them!

Well, currently the cats, the horse and a single guinea pig. Oh, and various fish but they're not really mine and I don't tend to take them to cafés with me. Then again, I don't take the horse often either, the other customers get somewhat perturbed.

I could enjoy a cafe if horses were tied to the "hitchin' post" out front. But of course, I'm from "the West".

Currently Sherlock is taking a break from hoovering to indulge in another of his favorite jobs, napping, which he has raised to a high art.

Happy new thread, Joe! Love that Sherlock is topping your latest thread!

>20 maggie1944: unfortunately, my girl is somewhat of a miscreant and delights in breaking free from wherever she is tied. It's taken a lot of hard work to get her to stay tied up for a reasonable length of time - like when she needs new shoes!

It's not that she's being bad, just that a) she is a greedy pig and wants to head to the nearest source of food and b) she is incredibly nosy and wants to investigate anything that's going on.

So whilst I'm sure many many horses would be a delight to have in front of a cafe, mine wouldn't be there very long before I'd have to charge after her along the road. Or else she'd walk in. She's not opposed to attempting to get into buildings she's not allowed in.

>23 lunacat:
oh! Joy! That's what I'm talkin' about: The Wild West!

>24 maggie1944: Glad to be of service, we'll be here for your wildness fix shortly. Wish me luck, I'm off to clip her in an hour or so and she has to stand tied up for about 90mins while I do that. Bets taken for how many times little madam tries to run away?!

>17 laytonwoman3rd: I've no doubt Sherlock will graciously accept, Linda. He loves to share his skill set.

>18 scaifea: Hey, Amber! Thanks - they're near and dear to my heart, too.

>19 lunacat: Hmm, you know, that leaves the guinea pig, Jenny. Is he/she a sociable sort? Our son has one, and Chewie (Chewbacca) apparently spends a good deal of time annoyed at the world.

We'll talk more about your horse.

>20 maggie1944: Me, too, Karen. Maybe it's because I lived out West for a while, and spent time with a friend's horses, but I'd be fine with Jenny's horse here.

>21 seasonsoflove: I know your furry pal is an ace napper, Becca. He never ceases to amaze me with his ability to dissolve into a little pile of fur that fits whatever chair, sofa, blanket, pillow, or other space he happens to choose, regardless of whether there's a human already sitting there. Maybe particularly if there's a human already there.

>22 Crazymamie: Thanks, Mamie! Hope you're having a day full of happy at the Pecan Paradisio.

>23 lunacat: She sounds like she'd get along well with our friend Sherlock, Jenny. His outlook is quite similar. Does she ever take an interest in solving crimes?

BTW, we do have a room in the cafe for horses if you ever change your mind.



>24 maggie1944: Meet her in our Wild West room, Karen. Does she drink coffee?

>25 lunacat: Hope it worked out well with the clipping, Jenny. I'm sure she looks quite stylish and aerodynamic now. Is this pre-winter clipping of some sort? I'm used to thinking of that as a summer project for cooling down.

Your cafés never cease to amaze, Joe. I am impressed and delighted!

>28 maggie1944: :-)

Morning Joe! It is gloomy, drizzly and the mail is ridiculously heavy, but I will muddle through, plus I had all that rest, right?

Hi Joe, it's mighty lively in here today. Not sure it's safe for Coco, but I'll keep him in my arms to make sure he doesn't get stomped on. ;-)

>30 msf59: Morning, Mark! Arggh, that's the problem with coming back from a long weekend, right? Hope you've got a good audio book going to help you get through it.

Have you read Washington Square? I'm enjoying it more so far than I expected.

>31 Smiler69: It's a lively bunch that hangs out here, isn't it, Ilana? Good idea to hold onto Coco, especially if you venture into the horse part of the cafe. :-) I'll come visit your thread and see whether there are any new Coco photos.

I haven't read James in long time. I am a fan. He would have made a good AAC choice. I have not read this one though, so I'll be watching for your response.

BTW- I think you might enjoy The Painter, so keep that one in mind.

>34 jnwelch: Thanks, Mark. So far, so good with Washington Square.

Yes, the horse is what I was mostly worried about for Coco. Don't get me wrong, I love horses, but if he's just going to stomp around willy-nilly, then I'd rather be overprotective than sorry.

I've only read The Portrait of a Lady and The Turn of the Screw (including The Aspern Papers) by Henry James so far which I all loved, and I do intend to read lots more by him.

>35 Smiler69: Experience indicates it's hard to get horses to sit still. Or even to find a chair that fits. So your caution with Coco seems prudent, Ilana.

The only Henry James I've read was The Golden Bowl, which was good, but not near the top of my list for enjoyable reading. Washington Square looks to rank significantly higher on the enjoyment scale.

>27 jnwelch: Yup, pre-winter clip. Not needed for all horses but when you are doing medium/high intensity work you need to take their winter coats off.

Their winter coat is dense and thick and when they work, they get extremely hot and sweaty. The harder the work, the sweatier they are. But the moment you stop working they begin to cool off very fast and then you have a damp, cold horse that is uncomfortable with sweat and beginning to get chilled. You can't really bath them to get the sweat off as you would in summer because they'll simply get even colder.

So, we clip all the hair off and when they aren't working, they get to wear cosy rugs that can be changed and alternated depending on how cold it is. For example, tonight is quite mild so Connie is wearing a lightly padded rug to bed, whereas in the middle of winter she might wear a quilted under rug and a thickly padded top rug to keep warm.

It's simply a way of us controlling their temperature at all times, and keeping them on an even keel, but it's only needed when horses are working in short bursts with high intensity. A work horse, a plough horse or a horse needing to live in the field and fend for himself wouldn't need clipping. By clipping them, you then need to be in a position to give a lot more care - they have no protection against rain or cold and need our input.

Plus it is a lot easier to scrape mud off a clipped horse than a fluffy horse!

More than you ever need to know about winter care of horses. I'll leave you with a couple of pics: Connie before and after shots. In the second you can see the line on her back leg (just below her bum) that shows the difference. I've kept her legs fluffy for protection, and because they don't sweat on their legs!

Happy new thread, Joe. Love the Sherlock thread toppers.

Sherlock is just so darn adorable!

That pumpkin pie on the last thread looked really good. I stopped at a Krispy Kreme doughnut store on the way home today to get an iced coffee and couldn't resist one pumpkin spice doughnut.

Beautiful horse up there. My friend's horse just foaled....the horse baby is all legs and it pains me to think of the birthing process!
Hello Joe :)

Yay Sherlock! And Connie! Does Connie mind being petted?

>37 lunacat: That's well-explained, Jenny, thanks. Having the flexibility to switch the rugs as needed to keep them warm makes sense, although I can see your point that they need more human care once the winter coat is off. Connie is a beauty! She's welcome in the horse room at the cafe any time.

>38 Thebookdiva: Thanks, Abby. Hope you're feeling better and better. How's Mercy doing?

>39 SuziQoregon: Isn't he, Juli? You have to stay a step ahead of him, though - his favorite pastime is to get into the garbage and sneak away with, ideally, kleenex. Not to mention hoovering whatever, and some whatevers aren't good for him.

>40 thornton37814: We should have some of that pumpkin pie over on this thread, don't you think, Lori? That did look really good on the last one. Mmm, doughnuts. If only it were in fashion for guys my size to be ample and round, I might live at the doughnut shop. Ah, well, we can dream, and do these things in moderation.

>41 LovingLit: Hello, Megan! I'll try to stay out of the way of all this knowledgeable horse talk. I know how to ride, and that's about it.

>42 AuntieClio: Hi, Stephanie! Mr. Sherlock will appreciate the shout-out. I'll let Jenny answer re Connie - here we're still trying to figure out how Connie likes her coffee.

LOL at 'hovering whatever' my sister-in-law has a dog like that. Her vet says the dog has a condition he calls "dietary indiscretion".

>37 lunacat: Connie certainly is a handsome girl, though I'm sorry to say I can't see the difference. Maybe the shadow on the bottom photo isn't helping.

Hi Joe, good thing I've just had my breakfast cereal, or I'd pig out on all the goodies you've put out this morning. Believe it or not, I've still got some pumpkin pie left over from the weekend too. Wouldn't mind a doughnut or two to go with my coffee...

>45 SuziQoregon: Ooo, I like that one, Juli. I've been guilty of a few dietary indiscretions meself, although not from hoovering.

>46 Smiler69: I'd scarf up all the goodies, too, Ilana, given the chance. Doughnut or two to go with your coffee? In case those up above have been snaffled, here are some more:

Oh. Goodness. Those just look so. Good! :-d

eta: something a bit odd just happened: I'd been having tea the last few days, though I usually have coffee in the morning. This morning made coffee again, but somehow, just now as was about to have a sip, was expecting a big gulp of tea, and the sudden taste of coffee made me sort of gag, just because I was expecting the other stuff. Odd how that happened. Just thought I'd share.

Happy Hump Day, Joe! Another gloomy one out here.

I think you will connect with Station Eleven. You will like the traveling symphony/theater troupe, that roams the countryside, performing Shakespeare and they are following along the western part of Michigan, which is an added bonus.

Will crack the Murakami at lunch...

Hi Joe! Glad to see a gathering of Sherlocks for your thread topper!

Henry James is one of my favorite authors, but (for me, at least), I have to be in the right mood to read him. The Portrait of a Lady is one of my favorites, with Washington Square being next in line. I read The Golden Bowl for a book club, and I can't say I necessarily enjoyed myself, though maybe that was because of the compressed time I had to read it in. I should really read something of his again! Any other recs? I've also read Daisy Miller and The Turn of the Screw and Other Short Fiction.

Ohhh, I really want those doughnuts.

Connie loves being fussed over if you have food with you. If you don't, she'll tolerate a bit of love but you'll soon lose her attention when the possibility of food from other sources appears. Or she gets bored and decides to go hunting for said food on her own.

We're slowly getting her to like human food but she'd much rather have a carrot. Some horses love human food, others not so much, depends on what they had as a youngster! They'll often snuffle for food and take it in their mouths, then spit it out - their mouth and lips are the only way they can investigate things. Hmm....... human snacks Connie will eat - some biscuits but not all, apples and mints. I have tried her on a sugary oat bar type thing but she spat it out.

So, not sure whether she'd like coffee but I know I wouldn't like her to have it, she's quite lively enough thank you! Haven't been able to ride her for 5 days for various reasons and am not looking forward to tomorrow when I sit on her again. She could be rather excited. Perhaps some chamomile tea?

I knew a horse once, the biggest character I have ever known, that would drink mugs of tea or coffee. You'd hold the mug up to him at an angle and he'd cup his tongue around it and sort of suck as you slowly poured. Very messy but very very cute!

I wish I could see a movie of that horse drinking coffee. But I do know it is a universal GOOD! I think I'll have another cup, please.

And pumpkin pie. I love me my pumpkin pie.

>48 Smiler69: Reminds me of the time I mistakenly sipped from Madame MBH's takeout chai, and at the same time she mistakenly sipped from my takeout latte. We both remember vividly the looks of disbelief and horror from each other. :-) Expecting tea, getting coffee, expecting coffee, getting tea. It's a hard knock life, idn't it?

>49 msf59: traveling symphony/theater troupe, that roams the countryside performing Shakespeare and they are following along the western part of Michigan, - that does sound good, Mark!

Happy Hump Day to you, too. Yeah, not the most pleasant out there, but at least there's no snow in sight.

>50 LauraBrook: I like that, Laura - "a gathering of Sherlocks". Kind of like an exaltation of larks, or a parliament of owls. Maybe a pipe of Sherlocks?

Good to know a Henry James fan. You're actually inspiring me to read A Portrait of a Lady, with it rating as your favorite, and some day I plan to read A Turn of the Screw. I'm feeling more sanguine abut reading him after falling into the world of Washington Square.

>51 lunacat: I'm a lot like Connie, Jenny. If you don't have food, I'll probably lose focus and drift off in pursuit of it. But if you have it, I'm your man.

We've laughed about how Sherlock - and other dogs, it seems - has this belief that if humans like the food, it must be a treasure beyond compare. He may turn up his nose at his own food, but still have an overwhelming appetite for whatever it is we're munching on. Connie sounds more discriminating. Liking apples is pretty common, as far as I know, but I've never heard of mints being a favorite before.

Yeah, I worry about my much better half having caffeine for the same reason - she's naturally caffeinated, and doesn't really need assistance. On the other hand, a strong combination of coffee and dynamite is about right to nudge me out of my normal slothfulness. For Connie, chamomile tea sounds like the ticket. We'll try to find a big cup.



We have a big neighborhood dog, a mix I think of Assyrian and Greyhound, who likes to stick his snout in "finished" Starbucks cups and lick out the remainder. He'd probably get along well with that big character of a horse you knew.

>52 maggie1944: He's more of a tea guy from the sounds of it, Karen, but maybe we can film him. I loves me some coffee, too. Another cup and some pumpkin pie coming up.

oh, pumpkin pie! Just when I've started to really do something about my weight. Sigh.

>53 jnwelch: Miraculously, ours is no-calorie, Judy. No matter how much you have.

>53 jnwelch: That looks just about right for madam - now you just need a sofa big enough for her to put her feet up on and we'll be all sorted.

And a place to put her shopping. She's such a diva she gets two pairs of new shoes every 8 weeks at £70 for all of them!! An expensive habit I think, perhaps you could convince her to go for books instead, there is no way I spend that amount every two months on books.

Here you go, Jenny. We'll keep working on the shopping part. Our son loves new shoes and books, and I have some fear Connie may be the same way.

classic! unforgettable.

ETA: Where's the cup of coffee? Or the breath mints.

(OK, there is a limit to what I can expect at the café)

>58 maggie1944: Woo, you've got us scrambling today.



There have to be some breath mints around here somewhere.

Now, it looks like Station Eleven is a finalist for the National Book Award. Just sayin'...

80 pages into the Murakami. Thumbs up, my friend.

Ok, this cafe is getting very animal friendly, so how about some books to browse on as well while I have my cuppa. I have to say I loved the look of those doughnuts in #47, though I'm more in the mood for something Mexican, anything that comes smothered in a good salsa will do today.

I probably won't get round to reading the Murakami till next year as my reading is on a go slow and I'm only just getting to the halfway point in Middlemarch at long last.

> 61 Reading post-hype can often be twice as enjoyable ..... I have several books in that category, they will be read just a matter of when

Alex - I have a small mountain of books that I need to read...post-hype! Most bought or borrowed when they first came out and then I find I just don't have the time for them. Still it's good to have a selection when deciding what to read next.

Morning, Joe!

>60 msf59: I saw that re Station Eleven, Mark. Very cool! Even better is you're liking it. I suspect that one's in my near future.

Glad the Murakami is grabbing you, too.

>61 avatiakh:. Middlemarch! Are you liking it, Kerry? That one's on my best ever list for sure.

I'm away from my PC, so we'll have to time jigger you some edibles later today.

>62 roundballnz:. I'm no doubt adding to that hype, Alex, but Middlemarch is beyond hype as far as I'm concerned. Just plain good.

>63 avatiakh:. Me, too, Kerry. I'm currently (finally) reading Washington Square, and liking it more than I expected.

>64 scaifea:. Morning, Amber!

I'll be in a meeting for most of the a.m., so I'll catch up with everyone this afternoon.

>57 jnwelch: Where'd you get the picture of my sister-in-law?!? Seriously, if she thought she could get away with it, there'd be a horse on her sofa. The dogs, of course, are NOT allowed on the furniture.

Morning Joe, all the horse pics had my giggling. Mercy is fantastic! She sleeps a bit more but is still always up for some mayhem. Her favorite activities are catching flies, playing hide & seek with Dan, and chasing the dogs. We are looking forward to spending our first Thanksgiving with her. As a side note, I have been feeding Mercy different foods every so often to see what she likes, and it turns out that her favorite thing so far is cheesecake! She is definitely my kitty.

What a sweet photograph. I love me the kitties but with two very active dogs who love to chase squirrels, and probably would love to chase kitties; I think it will be a while before I have a kitty again. But if I move into that retirement place and after the dogs shuffle on, I probably would get a kitty.

Books?? We're supposed to talk about books????

Personally I think I come to the cafe to get away from books ;) sounds ridiculous for a bookaholic on LT but it's nice to have food and animals as another form of escapism.

Connie was far too full of herself today so I didn't ride her, just worked her on the ground which basically involves her running her heart out on a circle around me. She was very happy. Sadly the chamomile hasn't kicked in yet, Joe. Perhaps you could offer an alternative drink, or a snack, that might calm Madam down a little??

She has the physio tomorrow. Ironic isn't it - she gets brand new shoes every couple of months, she got new boots today, a new haircut on tues and the physio tomorrow and I can't remember the last time I got my haircut or saw someone for my aching body and I buy about 1 pair of shoes a year!

>61 avatiakh: Time jiggery, time jiggery, chim-chim-cheroo, here's that Mexican food smothered in salsa, Kerry (Enchiladas w/ Red Enchilada Sauce & Tomato Salsa)



>66 laytonwoman3rd: Turns out your SIL loves the horse room in the cafe, Linda (dogs tend to steer clear, for the reasons Ilana gave up in >35 Smiler69:). OK to have a horse on the sofa, but not dogs at her place? Intriguing. Horses don't shed, as far as I know, so that must be it.

>67 Thebookdiva: What a great photo of Mercy, Abby! She's a character - I'm sure she feels very lucky that she found you. I'd like to see her chasing your dogs!

Seems like we should welcome her to the cafe with her favorite food, right?



>68 maggie1944: Isn't that a sweet photo of Mercy, Karen? The advantage with kitties is to a large extent they can take care of themselves, right? No need to walk them at all hours. Young Sherlock is nonplussed by cats - he doesn't chase them or bark, it just seems like he can't figure out what they are or what their purpose is.

>69 lunacat: Ha! We do manage to squeeze in some talk here about books, Jenny, but on the other hand we do go off on other topics like food and animals, don't we? I always view that as a good thing, too, but I do remember once when we got into lengthy exchanges about beets (of all things), and my thread-perusing wife and daughter were ready to throttle me over it.

Connie sounds awfully well cared for - she's lucky to have you. Maybe she should go with you while you get your haircut or buy shoes or whatever?

An alternative edible/drinkable that might calm Madam down a little? Do any of these sound good? Or we could give her a good bottle of wine.

Oh, I think I have a list of things to go buy at the grocery store. Or, wait, I already have: bananas, asparagus, walnuts, and a big ole steak. I think I am set.

On top of everything else....

So yesterday I was written up for switching saturdays with becky when bernie was away so I could be there for my reeading rogram for kids. .... and for calling kathy to cover for me when i had to take duncan to the vet that last day. Kathie was to work the afternoon and i was to work the morning, i called her to ask her to do all day. bernie had still not come back to work. she never said that she had to receive a request for swaps, until AFTER that.

There was a board member present who cried when bernie was attacking me and accusing me of a number of things that are not true. especially after the duncan thing. And before she left she praised me to the hills. But.. bernie said i was on 3 mos longer probation and that i could have been fired for no show on a scheduled day.

she has lost her mind. I am so blindsided by all of this. she went after me right after i went to my car with mike to give him duncan's beds and was feeling broken in half.

any time becky has been not doing things right, she has told bernie that I never told her. Becky never wrote down a word when i was training her. Bernie said i was trying to undrmine becky and the library. when i told her something becky had soad / done on saturday... she said becky wouldn't talk like that.

i can't take any more. i cant

posting here because my paranoia has built to such heights that i am afraid to post it in my own thread, as when i did post is only the tip of the iceberg. i have to work 4-7 to facilitate my program. I can't talk, think or breathe. Sorry to hijack your thread, but frankly I just don't know where to turn or what to do.

>71 maggie1944: Don't forget avocado and a bottle of wine, Karen. Are the furry guys staying calm enough?

>72 mckait: Oof. That's terrible, Kath. What's the matter with that woman? You've got to be hugely frustrated. You're welcome to vent here any time. I can't believe her wrongheadedness and insensitivity to your loss. Everything supposedly happens for a reason, but this one just seems to be testing your ability to withstand unfair, unjust, and purposefully demeaning treatment.

Wish we could get Bernie in front of this group. She'd get an earful. Some people really mishandle power when they get it. I sure applaud the Board member who appreciates you and could see what was happening. I wish you had more options in terms of other libraries nearby.

>70 jnwelch: Well horses do shed, particularly as they change coats in spring and autumn, but not nearly to the extent that dogs do. Although there is a LOT more of a horse so I'd imagine the hair volume is about the same.

If in doubt, I could drink the bottle of wine rather than Connie and I'd be a) much more relaxed and chilled about things and b) it wouldn't hurt so much if I did fall off!

Interestingly, Connie already eats flaxseed although it's in oil form rather than seed form. She has three 'glugs' of oil in her evening meal. Doesn't seem to be working so well on calming her down so well, but of course this might be the calm version!

>70 jnwelch: To be clear, there ARE definitely dogs at my brother and SIL's place; it's a farm, so there are dogs, and cats, and goats, and chickens and turkeys, and maybe some critters I don't remember, along with the horses. But the dogs aren't allowed on the furniture, and in SIL's eyes, the horses rule.

>74 lunacat: Thanks, Jenny. Learn something new every day. Makes sense that horses shed while changing coats, now that you say it. I like your strategy of drinking the wine yourself; that seems efficient, effective, and enjoyable. :-)

My much better half keeps trying to get me to eat (not drink the oil, so far) flax seed. I thought it was for some kind of health reason, but now I suspect she's trying to sedate me. Who can blame her.

>75 laytonwoman3rd: Ah, that sounds great, Linda. I have a soft spot for farms filled with critters, as probably a lot of us do. I have a lot of sympathy for "horses rule", too. What beautiful animals they are.

>75 laytonwoman3rd: Your SIL has it totally right. Horses always rule, whether we want them too or not. It's quite hard to argue with half a ton (or more - Connie weighs about 550 and she's a medium size model) of flighty, scatty, scared prey animal who is convinced the world is out to get them!

>76 jnwelch: Just watch out for when she starts trying to get you to drink valerian tea. That's another ingredient in herbal calmers that can be given to horses, although it's not allowed to be used in competition so that rules it out for Connie.

Maybe you should embrace the flaxseed. It gives you a lovely glossy coat and dandruff/scurf free skin ;)

I think I'd be in real trouble if I drank a whole bottle of wine and then tried to ride Madam. Although we do imbue port when we go hunting - out of a silver hip flask no less. I don't personally have one as I don't go hunting often enough but I'll happily partake of someone else's.

It doesn't sound like your Thursday was all that sweet, Joe. It sounds like you were busy.

I loved Station Eleven and it looks to be a stand-alone too, which is a huge bonus. I am also enjoying the Murakami. 160 pages in...

I see we're doing animal photos!

So here is Daisy the dog:



And Sweep the cat:



Not in the same photo you notice. Daisy very rarely lets Sweep get close enough to her to be in the same photo.

>77 lunacat: My MBH would appreciate the idea of embracing the flax seed, Jenny. A lovely glossy coat does sound appealing, but I'm afraid the sedating effects might cause me to fall off my tree branch and have some other sloth take my place.



I'm not much of a port guy, but on a crisp fall morning while out riding horses, I could see the appeal.

>78 msf59: I've had sweeter Thursdays, for sure, Mark. We went to that Bulls preseason game last night and they pulled it out against Atlanta, but man, were they sluggish.

Excellent news on Station Eleven. I'll try at the library, but I'll probably be umpteenth in line after the announcement.

I highly recommend Washington Square, btw. Good to the last drop.

>79 SandDune: Ha! What great photos, Rhian. You must have a hard time not smiling all the time around those two. Daisy looks mildly annoyed at having her game with the ball interrupted by paparazzi, and Sweep (love that name) must be wondering what's taking so long to get a good tummy skritch.

In The Shock of the Fall by Nathan Filer, 19 year old Matt Holmes is a decent-seeming young man who is driven to aberrant behavior. "I have an illness, a disease with the shape and sound of a snake. Whenever I learn something new, it learns it too … My illness knows everything I know. This was a difficult thing to get my head around." He's schizophrenic, and a compulsive writer on an old typewriter his grandmother gave him. He also has artistic talent, and we get to see his drawings in the book, along with other visual elements (like hand-written letters and differing type fonts) that fit with his story. He's trying to deal with his deep sorrow and guilt over the death of his older, Down's Syndrome brother Simon, that happened on a family vacation when they were kids. He also struggles with the demands of the mental health system and the desirable/undesirable effects of his medication, while his family struggles with his swerve into strangeness.

Simon haunts him everywhere, but it is a haunting he welcomes and lives for:

"I stumbled into a new morning, blurred at its edges. The streets stirred to life under a cloudy sky. People were staring at me, pointing, or turning quickly away. Each of them had him inside; his many, many atoms, and each of them with his face, his beautiful smiling face.

It wasn't frightening. It wasn't like that.

It was glorious."

Mental health might mean losing that connection with Simon. Hmm.

The author is a registered health nurse and also a performance poet, and he's authored an unusual, genuine and engrossing book. Matt is good company, with all his problems, and the other characters are well-drawn - including his unstable mother and bonhomie father, and loyal grandma Nanny Noo. Matt manages to reach a surprisingly sweet but believable ending. This one won the Costa Book of the Year Award 2013 across the pond, and deserves to be better known in the U.S. and elsewhere. Four and a half stars.

Happy Friday, Joe! I was flipping around on the TV last night and saw the Bulls down quite a bit. Amazing they pulled that one out.

Good review of the Filer book. I'll slap that one on the WL!

Nice out here. I am considering shucking the jacket.

Great review of The Shock of the Fall, Joe. I was surprised and disappointed that it wasn't chosen for the Booker Prize longlist, as it was deserving of that honor.

>82 msf59: Hey, buddy. Happy Friday!

Yeah, you'll have a good time with The Shock of the Fall. Bianca (drachenbraut) showed it to me at the London Review of Books bookstore, so I have her to thank for my trying it.

You're considering shucking your jacket? OK, I've got to get out there at lunchtime. Thanks for the heads-up.

ETA: >83 kidzdoc: Oh, thanks, Darryl! I hadn't realized you had read it. That's high praise for The Shock of the Fall (surprised and disappointed that it wasn't chosen for the Booker Prize longlist, as it was deserving of that honor), and well-deserved. It's hard enough to find out about topnotch books originally published elsewhere; the Booker folks could've really given a boost to this one.

>70 jnwelch: haha too perfect! Thanks Joe!

>79 SandDune: aww! too cute!

>85 Thebookdiva: :-) Happy Friday, Abby!

Same to you Joe; any weekend plans?

Hmm.............yes, on the photos appearance, you could definitely do with some gloss to your coat.

You could end up looking sleek like this.



Or, even better, you might end up with an otter gloss!

>80 jnwelch: Wow. Are sloths GREEN???

>87 Thebookdiva: We're seeing King Lear tomorrow with some pals, Abby.

Otherwise, my much better half has requested staying close to home, as she lost a beloved uncle this week, Milton Bass - an author, journalist and all-round wonderful guy. He lived a long and full life. For those interested, his obituary is in the Berkshire Eagle, for which he was a columnist: http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/berkshire/obituary.aspx?pid=172830589

>88 lunacat: No question more gloss for my coat would be a plus, Jenny. That's one sharp-looking sloth you found.

Your other idea is otterly delightful. *proprietor ducks as wife slings yet another kitchen implement at his noggin*

That otter at the bottom certainly is spiritually uplifting, isn't he?

>89 ffortsa: Does the pope greet bears in the woods, Judy? (Did I get that one mixed up again?)

The green-ness was indeed a subject of discussion for that sloth photo where I found it. The answer may not generalize, but this sloth definitely has some greenosity about him.

I just found this, re: the green fur on three-toed Sloth.

"Sloth hair is long and coarse and depending on the species can contain either a number of grooves or irregular transverse cracks that increase in number and size with the age of the animal. These features are ideal for inhabitation by a wide variety of organisms, ranging from moths, beetles, and cockroaches to ciliates, fungi, and algae. Algae in particular form a symbiotic relationship with the sloth, obtaining shelter and a good supply of water as sloth fur absorbs water extremely readily, and providing in return camouflage and extra nutrients via diffusion and absorption through the hair and skin.

Milla Suutari and colleagues found that the predominant algae inhabiting sloth fur was Trichophilus welckeri. It is passed directly from mother to offspring and young sloths gain the algae and other parasites by the time they are a few weeks old. This species of algae is host specific and has not been found to occur in any other environment. This finding adds strong support to the hypothesis that there is a co-evolutionary relationship between the sloths and the algae of the genus Trichophilus, which may well only exist as a symbiont."

So, there we go! An intriguing symbiosis. The sloth benefit from camouflage, the algae has a great place to live!

>91 lunacat: Thanks, Jenny.

We've just gotten contacted by National Geographic and asked to do a tv series. Are we ready?

P.S. I'm pretty sure I had a good crop of that algae on me when I was a kid, but my mother insisted on scrubbing it off.

>92 jnwelch: - great! I'll be the presenter and you can do your sloth thing and show off your algae to the world.

Do I have to interview the algae as well?

>93 lunacat: Only seems fair, don't you think? It will likely have as much to say as the sloth does. "Symbiont" means, "We each get to have our say", right?

I've been accused at home of being a sloth and a slug (I know, it's a tough crowd). I suspect, since two and sometimes three of my family read this thread, I'm going to start hearing about my algae-like qualities, too.

>81 jnwelch: Nice review The Shock of the Fall .... might be visiting my shelves or book piles soon .....

>95 roundballnz: Thanks, Alex. I hope it does - it's a good one, it is.

>94 jnwelch: Hmmm.........a sloth/slug/algae hybrid. Intriguing. Slow, green, slimy and soft? Hangs out in trees? Sounds ideal for the National Geographic. We could come up with a whole new series on strange combinations that no-one ever knew existed in the world.

Joe, I love animals but for the weekend wishes I go back to some 'ordinary' picnic ;-) I wish you a fantastic weekend

>97 lunacat: I think we're ready for the big time, Jenny. :-)



>98 Ameise1: That ordinary picnic looks most inviting, Barbara. Thanks - I hope you have a great weekend, too.

We're going to see a production of King Lear at Chicago Shakespeare today that's been getting a lot of buzz, so I'm looking forward to that.

I love that picture of the green sloth. I think there's a book somewhere in there, how about a space opera telling of the loves and lives of the algae who live on a sloth?

I just saw over in Mark's thread that you've been binging on Gary Paulsen. I first discovered him while teaching 6th graders, and I must say he is one author who's name has always popped up in my mind when thinking of good books to recommend for boys. Girls like them, too, of course, but people are most often searching for good ideas for boys. I think there is some Christmas ideas there....

I hope you have a great weekend.

Wow, enjoy it and please report back :-)

>100 maggie1944: I was thinking the same thing about the Paulsen books, Karen, that is, he's a good author for boys. We do have a little boy (11 or so) nearby who I'm thinking might like them, and I also recommended them to YA book-loving Madame MBH. I enjoyed Brian's Winter, the continuation of Hatchet, a lot.

Sci-fi space opera from the algae's POV? Now there's a challenge for a writer. Dr. Seuss might have been able to do something with it, too, kind of a "Horton Hears Some Algae", with a sloth instead of an elephant.

Thanks - the weekend has started out well. Hope you have a great one, too.

>101 Ameise1: Will do, Barbara. We're joining up with some good friends, so that'll add to the enjoyment.

We're offering cake for breakfast out back.

Happy Saturday, Joe! It is pretty lousy out here at the moment. Hoping my books keep me warm and dry.
I am not sure I read Paulsen. I might have to correct that glaring oversight.
Enjoy the play today. Wish we could join you.

ETA- When you get a free moment, stop by the main AAC thread, we have been discussing next year. Grins...

I love the idea of space opera a la algae. Perhaps it could be turned into a TV show as well.

I always have lots of ideas for stories but alas, am never able to churn anything out. Guess I'm not destined to be an author ;)

>103 msf59: Happy Saturday, Mark! Yeah, it was chilly and pretty unappealing coming in this morning.

I hadn't heard of Paulsen until fuzzi, RD and others started recommending his books. I think you'll like them. I'd start with Hatchet, which is where folks recommended I start.

Hmm, the AAC for next year? Now you've got me curious. I'll stop by.

>104 lunacat: Good morning, Jenny! We'd have to find an actor skilled enough to play algae with sufficient panache. David Tennant?

The cafe is the perfect place to try out all your story ideas. We quaff and munch and read and then it's a whole bunch of je ne sais quoi, so fire away.

Oh I LOVE Sloths!!! Liz/lyzard turned me on to them a couple of years ago, as she's a big fan of them and they are regularly featured on her threads. I'll have to alert her to the presence of all these lovely critters here today.

I appreciated your latest review Joe, but somehow I'm terrified of schizophrenia and don't think I want to read book with characters suffering from that condition. To me, it's what 'true madness' is like, and though I know it is kept well under control under medication, it's also what bipolar disorder mania in it's severest form looks like, and maybe I have an ingrained fear I could go to those depths if things went really wrong. One of my close friends who is also bipolar has gone off the deep end quite regularly with manic episodes that were truly schizoid, and it just seems so scary to me to lose control to that extent, with your brain chemistry going so haywire all by itself. Anyway. Sorry. I guess I'm going a bit off-topic with my private fears and phobias here.

Happy Saturday!

>106 Smiler69: Happy Saturday, Ilana!

No worries, The Shock of the Fall certainly might push some buttons for you. As you can tell from the review, the control of the disease bothers Matt, too, although it also brings the positive (for him) connection to Simon.

Good to have a fellow sloth fan here. Hanging out, growing algae, reading sloth books - sure seems like a good life.

Happy weekend Joe :)

wonderful animal thread this time, with an absolutely cute Sherlock as thread topper.

Glad you enjoyed The Shock of the Fall soo much. When we talked about mental health subjects over lunch I just thought this could be your cup of tea.

Just finished reading Strange Weather in Tokyo .............just loved it. Exactly as you said in your review. Quiet in a way, full of humor, but what you forgot to mention is the occassional requirement of a tissue. Such a small book and soo much in it.

I am also 3/4 through The Bone Clocks and OF COURSE this is not a Cloud Atlas, but so far IMO an equally good book.

>91 lunacat:. Jenny, thanks for the post on the sloth and guests. I love knowing that stuff!

And as I look good in green, I won't be upset if called a sloth.

>109 ffortsa:

But how do you look in green algae? ;)

I somehow missed The Shock of the Fall Joe. Thanks for putting it on my radar.

I attended an art fair today and spent far too much money on gifts. I purchased a pepper mill from a wood carver two years ago and love it so much that I returned and bought another one for my sister for a Christmas present. I also got some quality ceramics and will return tomorrow to just sit and listen to music.

The nights have been chilly down here since my evening soiree last weekend, so tonight I started some vegetable soup. I threw bunches of stuff I had found in my freezer into it so will see how it tastes. I found fennel, frozen peas and lima beans, so along with a fresh rutabaga and carrots I will hope it turns out alright. It is simmering away on the stove as I write and the house smells good right now. Do you think that perhaps the cafe could use a good pot of vegetable soup?

Joe, just skipping by to remind you I am still alive as my thread barely is these days! Have a great Sunday buddy and I would welcome a champagne brunch afloat with oysters shucked fresh from the surf.

First season strawberries are out, a very good sign that summer is around the corner .......

>108 drachenbraut23: Happy Weekend, Bianca!

Thank you re the thread and our favorite furry mastermind. We saw him for a few minutes last night after the play (great production of King Lear), and he's visiting this morning with his cute human mom.

I'd forgotten we talked about mental health subjects over lunch. You sure figured me out quickly, and The Shock of the Fall was a great recommendation. Let's have lunch again soon. :-)

I am so glad you loved Strange Weather in Tokyo! Yes, a few kleenexes for accompaniment is a good idea. (Isn't Strange Weather in Tokyo a better title than The Briefcase?) Such a small book and soo much in it Yes! I hope word spreads. It's such a good read.

You're starting to bring me around on The Bone Clocks. Maybe a lot of folks have been coming to it with those Cloud Atlas expectations. I've sure had that happen, where a perfectly fine book was a bit of a disappointment because it wasn't as good as (or similar enough to) one I loved by that author.

>109 ffortsa: Ha! I like your positive attitude about being called a sloth, Judy. It is an aspiration of mine to become more of one. Maybe I'll try wearing green more.

You and Jim would've liked the production of King Lear we saw last night at the Chicago Shakespeare Theater. Barbara Gaines directed and Larry Yando was aces as the king - a part that could be a disaster if badly done.

>110 lunacat: Excellent question, Jenny. This National Geographic show should be a hit. "Inquiring minds want to know".

>111 NarratorLady: Ah, always good to see you, Anne. What are you reading these days? I'm glad I could help get The Shock of the Fall on your radar.

I was thinking of you and Ellie this week - you both got me started on Jane Gardam, and I need to get back to her.

>112 benitastrnad: We love to find gifts at art fairs, too, Benita. It's fun to find something unusual, and to support creative people. Something new here (to me, anyway) is artists making shoes - I was saying to Madame MBH that I'm hoping to see more cool shoes around the city.

Vegetable soup - what a great idea. It's gotten chilly here, too. Here you go.



>113 PaulCranswick: There's our guy! You've been missed, Mr. Paul. Have a great Sunday, too, mate. We'll get you that champagne brunch with them shellers.



>114 roundballnz: Mmm, fresh strawberries. Great thought, Alex.

Happy Sunday, Joe! Sounds like the play was fantastic. Sighs wistfully...King Lear pops up now and then in Station Eleven. Just sayin'...

I really enjoyed Tricked and will recommend it. It's a big multi-character study, centered around the music biz. Lots of dark & edgy. My cuppa. I started Trillium, Lemire's latest and I really like it so far. He is sure prolific.

Should wrap up the Murakami. I like it a lot.

Go Bears!!

I can't help myself: Go Hawks. Yeah

>117 msf59: Happy Sunday, Mark. Mayhap we just won't talk about those disappointing Bears? I thought this had a good chance of being a big season for them. Guess not.

I've ordered up Tricked at the library, so we'll see. Glad it turned to be another good one from him. Trillium sounds good; looks like another series?

Go Murakami!

>118 maggie1944: Thanks - that's was a nice Blackhawks win on a shorthanded goal, wasn't it?

Oh, you mean Seahawks. :-) Looks like they're up against it, but there's enough time left to turn it around.

Well, they did not do it. Although I believe the final fumble was recovered by the Seahawks but the officials saw it differently. So sad. Back to reading. Seldom disappoints.

>120 maggie1944: Ha! Ain't that the truth, Karen. I'll go bury my Bears sorrow in a book.

"I'll go bury my Bears sorrow in a book." I will follow your lead, my friend and have a beer or 2 to wash away the bad taste.

I finished the Murakami. Stop by the G.R. thread when you get a minute.

>67 Thebookdiva: You haven't had problems with Mercy eating cheesecake? We fed some to my cat once when he was kitten -- he ate it all up right away ... and then vomited soon after. He used to eat ice cream a lot as a kitten and never had issues with it, although now he no longer seems interested in it. He still likes to check out whatever the humans are eating and loves olive oil, sometimes likes bread, and always tries to grab at lettuce. He's a character. And since we're all posting pet pictures, here is he:



Of course, he's reading a book there, so hopefully that will please >61 avatiakh: as well. :)

edited: technical difficulties with the picture first time, so had to update

A Tale of the Great God Sloth and the Algaelites

Every so often a loud voice echoed all around them, during the celebration of the great inundation, when water would trickle through the vast cracks along which they lived and they could bathe, growing green as their skin touched the liquid and rejoicing in the delightful flood of clean, fresh rivers. There would be little warning, just a barely perceptible rise of the ground beneath their feet, and then it began.

"Will you, pleasssssse keep it down," thundered through their ears and brought the giggles of the algaelets and high pitched shrieks of the older algaeens to a hasty stop. The voice was slow and deafening, rumbling through the lengths of fur they had built their homes on, and by the time it had languidly left the double LL hanging in the air around them, the bravest swimmers were making to shore, their mottled green arms cutting quickly through the water. At the hasty hiss of the S, spitting it's way down the streets, doors were slamming closed behind the quickest families, and at the deep gong that signified the phrase was near completion, all was deserted down by the river. The N reverberated.

They waited for the tremors to desist, long after the final noise, and each river hamlet gave its own prayer of hopefulness, that the Great God Sloth would not feel so unsettled as to unleash an earth quaking shake of his vast body down onto them. Destruction surely followed.

But slowly, as movement crept to a halt, doors squeaked open. The first out were the brave young adults, trying to prove their worth and increase the vividness of their greens as quickly as possible, with parents chiding and scolding from within.

Once it was clear they were safe, and their prayers had been needed, more ventured towards the river, and soon the shouts of joy were impossible to contain. Only the very old and wise stayed silent. They had seen the wrath of the Great God, and would do all they could to avoid that disaster again.

Also, for good measure, here's some pictures of him checking out people food back when he was a kitten:

Gosh, always so much happening here! Just swinging by to say hi Joe. Wishing you a great week ahead.

re >81 jnwelch: He also struggles with the demands of the mental health system and the desirable/undesirable effects of his medication, while his family struggles with his swerve into strangeness. (The Shock of Fall)

For my book group, I recently read The Professor and the Madman, a nonfiction account about the making of the Oxford English Dictionary. It focused in large part on Dr. William C. Minor, an American volunteer contributor to the dictionary. Minor was also an inmate at an asylum for the criminally insane, being placed there after murdering a man while in a delusional state. The book's author surmises at the end that Minor more than likely suffered from schizophrenia. The author went on to say that if Minor lived nowadays, he could have received treatment to help ease his sufferings; however, he also noted that those same treatments may have influenced Minor's mental capacity (in particular, his almost obsessive drive to do the OED work), negatively affecting his ability to contribute to the OED as extensively as he did. The double-edged sword of mental illness/mental health ...

Re: all the talk about Washington Square

I saw the movie version with Jennifer Jason Leigh as Catherine Sloper ages ago, which, as it turns out, is a pretty faithful adaptation of the book. I finally read the book a couple of years back in anticipation of seeing the Broadway production of The Heiress (based on Washington Square) with Jessica Chastain as Catherine. Personally, the book didn't do the trick. I appreciated James's writing style, but I so thoroughly disliked all the characters that I had a hard time really getting into the book. Still, I'd like to give James another try and The Portrait of a Lady is sitting on my bookshelf to be read one of these days ....

>122 msf59: Arggh. At least the Bulls continue to get better, Mark. They've got several new players learning to play together, and Derrick back after almost two years away, and they're starting to collectively figure it out. I'm ignoring that football team you mention.

I'll stop by the Murakami GR thread to see what you and others have to say. Quite a book, wasn't it?

>123 sweetiegherkin: Hiya, sweetiegherkin. What's your cat's name? He's a good-looking fellow. We'll remember, no cheesecake for him. Maybe bread with olive oil? That's a human favorite.

I'm impressed he's reading Watchmen as Literature. A GN reader, and a probing mind. Nice combo.

>124 lunacat: Wow, Jenny! And they said it couldn't be done. You may have written the first algae-POV story ever. I'm green with envy, or maybe that green is just . . . Hmm.

I like the idea of the celebration of the great inundation! Nice. And the Great God Sloth - I find that aspirational. Thanks for the cool story. Bring more by when time permits!

>125 sweetiegherkin: Wonderful pics, sweetieg, especially the second one with him comfortably ensconced. I'm amazed he's unfazed (hmm, rhyming this early is surprising) by the chill of the fridge.

>126 Smiler69: Thanks, Ilana. We seem to have a lot of photogenic critters stopping by, don't we? Should be a good week - in the latter half I fly off for a conference in D.C. Hope you have a great week, too.

>127 sweetiegherkin: My much better half read The Professor and the Madman, and really liked it, and I read a lengthy excerpt in some magazine. Fascinating. Yeah, disorders that plague people can have positive sides, too - seems like they're often more sensitive in some fashion than the rest of us clods, and even obsessiveness can fuel extraordinary accomplishments, as you say. Obviously violent behavior is a whole nuther ballgame, but to me there's value in realizing that mental disorders aren't "bad", they're just a different way of experiencing life. They can be very bad indeed, of course, for the person experiencing them, as they can frustratingly interfere with functioning "normally" and being happy, or flood life with scary and debilitating perceptions, or I don't know what-all.

We have learned some things, and we have made advances in medication - as I said way back when in a review, I wish Anna Karenina had the benefit of modern medication; I found her constant high-pitched intensity wearing. *prepares to duck missiles from Anna K. fans*

>128 sweetiegherkin: Interesting thoughts on Washington Square, sweetieg. I actually liked Catherine a lot, and I thought what's-his-name, the con man, made a wonderful villain.

Cafe patrons, DON'T read this if you haven't read Washington Square: Was it better for her not to be married to such a mercenary, or was the loss of her great love worse? His true colors likely would have come out soon enough after marriage, and even his sister warned her father not to let her marry him, so she probably ended up better off. But her love for him was a beautiful thing..

How was Jessica Chastain as Catherine? I thought she was terrific in Zero Dark Thirty. Seeing her on stage was a treat, I imagine.

Yeah, Portrait of a Lady is probably my next Henry James. I'm actually looking forward to it more than I would've guessed after Washington Square. The Golden Bowl was a plod and a trudge for me.

We all could use a daydream place for reading today, I imagine, so here's a good one:

>131 jnwelch: That's where I'll be, if anyone is looking for me. But I trust the entry is well-hidden, and I won't be found for a long time. If I need anything, I'll call out loudly, OK?

>131 jnwelch: I take a seat here, too. It's so cosy.

>130 jnwelch: You'll be in DC? Will the conference be all-consuming? If not, may I humbly offer a meet up? It'd be lovely to meet you in person.

Morning Joe! It is very nice out here. The sun feels delicious. Hopefully, you can pop out for lunch.
Did you make it by the AAC? I am considering adding James to the AACII.

I read 3 Murakami's this year and I hope to read the same next year. I have his early stuff to catch up on.

>132 laytonwoman3rd: OK! It's a deal, Linda. Yes, you should be undisturbed, except maybe for a quiet fellow reader or two. :-)

>133 Ameise1: Ah good, Barbara. I know you're an appreciator of fine locations.

>134 MDGentleReader: That does sound lovely, MDGentleReader. I'll pm you, probably tomorrow, as I figure out my schedule - I am tied up a lot, but it would be fun to figure out something. I'll be near the National Zoo.

>135 msf59: Morning, buddy! Yes, I'll be able to pop out for lunch. Glad to hear it's very nice - I started early with a pounding storm; hard to believe it cleared up so much.

Three Murakami's a year has to be good for your reading health. You're a lucky guy to have unread ones waiting for you. I'll enjoy your reads vicariously when you get to them.

>131 jnwelch: - Yup! Good for another few hours of Do Nothing But Read!

>137 maggie1944: Aka a little bit of heaven, Karen. Meet you there.

Thanks a lot Joe, you might find another bizarre story winging it's way to your inbox soon! Not exactly great or captivating writing, but it was a fun ten minutes work :)

>139 lunacat: I'm a fan of the bizarre, Jenny, so fire away. :-)

*waving* at Joe

I see you have The Chosen as one of your life-changers. I love that book! I am just sorry it took me so long to discover it.

>123 sweetiegherkin: nope, we haven't had any problem with her and food. Though, when I've been giving her some of whatever I have It's just a few licks. She also likes breakfast casserole. She's pretty picky with people food. She has never tired to take food that we haven't given her.

Mercy always has to smell our drinks, as she is fascinated by them. She still can't figure out the water bottle, which brings us quite a bit of amusement. What we did find slightly odd, but funny, is that Mercy prefers to drink her water out of a tumbler. She will only drink out of the dog's water dish if no one around the house is drinking water.

That kitty is sooooo cute! That's so funny that he's in the refridgerator. (I forget how to spell that correctly)

Lovely daydreaming spot Joe. Thanks for providing the venue. Three Murakamis a year? I don't know if I'll be able to fit in another in 2014, but I'll try to fit at least a couple in 2015, since I've got quite a few waiting on the tbr...

Oh lord, I'm so far behind it's just plain hopeless. Cute cats (almost as cute as Abby!), lovely daydreaming/reading spots, and of course the darling Sherlock. I do heart that pooch.

How are you doing, Joe? The cafe is hopping, I see.

I read The Professor and the Madman eons ago and found it quite interesting. I admit to remembering mood and overall tone more than specifics, though.

I still have not read even one Murakami but I plan to rectify this in the near future....

I hope you're having a great week!

I have dipped into Kafka on the Shore and I'm hooked!

>141 alcottacre: Yay, Stasia! We like school breaks. Great to see you back on LT.

The Chosen was really special, wasn't it? I didn't realize there was a second one with our friends Reuven and Danny, called The Promise. So that's on my TBR now.

>142 Thebookdiva: Enjoying the tales of Mercy, Abby. She's a charmer.

>143 Smiler69: Isn't that a lovely daydreaming spot, Ilana? Daydreaming is one of my favorite things to do - this may help explain the sloth connection.

I'd love to do three Murakamis a year if I weren't caught up. He always gets me. I see LTers are starting to explore his early ones, like A Wild Sheep Chase, which made me laugh and knocked me sideways.

>144 EBT1002: No worries, Ellen. Sometimes RL intervenes and it's hard to have enough time to goof off on LT. Good to see you - I heart that pooch, too.

I'm doing A-OK. I'm reading Bird Sense right now, about what it's like to be a bird, and liking it. What they're finding out has a lot of potential for helping humans, too - like, when the hairs inside our ears that allow us to hear are damaged (e.g. by sickness or loud noise), they can't regenerate. But birds do regenerate those damaged hairs. Bird-ologists are hoping to make a breakthrough on healing deafness. How amazing would that be?

Oh yes, do read a Murakami. Most point to Kafka on the Shore as their favorite, although there are a lot of Wind-up Bird Chronicle fans. I started with the slim short story collection After the Quake, and that got me hooked. I read nothing but Murakami for months.

The week is going well so far. Hope you have a great one, too!

>145 maggie1944: Oh glad to hear it, Karen! Kafka on the Shore filled with unforgettable scenes. What a book. Have you met Nakata? Love that guy.

Struggling to reintegrate into LT after WAAAY too much RL. Have given up on reading all your past threads and decided to hop n right here. Looks like things continue to be hopping over here at the ol' cafe!

Interesting discussion of The Professor and the Madman. Had an opportunity to meet the author Simon Winchester a few years back (he has a house in western Massachusetts). Very engaging, inquisitive and friendly. I'd read just about anything of his...

Henry James and this month's AAC, Edith Wharton, were dear, dear friends. He came to visit her often at her home in Lenox, MA, The Mount. They are often compared. I like her writing a bit more, but there is much to like about James.

Hope you are having a good day, Joe!

Another good spot for reading and daydreaming.

Just stopping by and nothing to add to any of the conversations. However, I love those reading spots, we are in dire need of more of them.

>147 michigantrumpet: Hiya, Marianne! Good to see you back from way too much RL.

I can't resist suggesting you read the reviews on the old threads you missed, as they tend to be about books that worked for me (making them friends that I'd like other friends to meet), but time may not permit that.

I'd love to meet Simon Winchester. Sounds like just our kind of guy. How great that you had a chance to meet him. I remember liking his Krakatoa, and the excerpt of TPATM.

Interesting that the two (Wharton and Henry James) were friends. The styles do seem similar. I'm not well-read enough in either one to know which I like more, but I suspect I'll end up leaning toward Wharton, too. He seems a bit more "at a distance" in the two I've read (The Golden Bowl and Washington Square).

It's been a wonderful day so far, although it's still early in my part of the world. Hope you have a good one, too!

>149 drachenbraut23: Hi, Bianca! Glad you could stop by. I know, it's a pick-me-up to look at a beautiful reading spot, isn't it? I do believe I could spend my life going from one to another, with an occasional meal and visit to a bookstore.

Morning Joe! I am enjoying a day off! Yah! It looks like we have a WARM weekend coming up! 70s! Yeah, baby!

I started The Custom of the Country and it got my attention immediately. She is such a good writer. I think this would fit right in your wheelhouse.

LOVE the Murakmi chatter, including the praise for his latest. I am glad a few people jumped on board.

Well.... I did spend some time following your jaunt through London! ;-) Good times!

Skipped through parts of Cafe 21, though. At this rate, I'll never get back in touch with everyone!

just started the latest Murakami on audiobook.

>151 msf59: Morning Mark! Yes, congrats on the Murakami group read of his latest. Looks like folks are enjoying it.

I'll keep The Custom of the Country in mind. Judy (DeltaQueen) gave it high marks, too. I'll be taking a bit of a Wharton break after Ethan Frome.

Warm weekend sounds most excellent. I'll be back from DC for some of it.

Enjoy the day off!

>152 michigantrumpet: Sounds good, Marianne. We loved that jaunt through London!

I know what you mean about getting back in touch - we're an enthusiastic and talkative group, aren't we?

Hope you like the latest Murakami. Looking forward to hearing your reaction to it.

Is there a name for us lovers of Murakami? Murakamiites? Murakami-heads?

My favorite is still The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle, the first Murakami I read, although I also loved A Wild Sheep Chase and several other of his middle works. I have read Hear the Wind Sing and Pinball, 1973 (which, if I remember correctly, is or was available as a free PDF file), his first two novels, but they were nowhere near as good as the books that followed them.

Colorless Tsukuru Tazaki was superb. I'm glad that I didn't have to work today, as I spent two hours in the middle of the night reading it.

This made me chuckle a lot, and I thought fellow cafe visitors might appreciate it as well :)

>155 lunacat: I like that one, too. I, also, like the idea that The Entire Universe supports my living right here, and right now.

If not, I would not be here,now. Would I?

>154 kidzdoc: Murakamians? Murakaminizers? Murakami Maniacs? Muracommie Sympathizers? Kafkas on the Shore?

Hmm, that's going to take some thinking, Darryl.

I was under the impression that the first two weren't available in English before, because he didn't think they were good enough, but I see they were available in English in Japan, and it sounds like someone picked that up electronically so they were available here. New translations are coming out next Fall, so I'll wait for those, methinks. http://www.haruki-murakami.com/post/96466712885/hear-the-wind-sing-and-pinball-1... His Strange Library is supposed to come out this December, http://smile.amazon.com/The-Strange-Library-Haruki-Murakami/dp/0385354304/ref=tm...

"Superb" for Colorless Tsukuru - my reaction, too, Darryl. Great way to spend an off day, finishing it.

>155 lunacat: Love that, Jenny, thanks.

Reminds me of my son reminding me that when he was a little guy, I off-handedly kidded him that "the universe revolves around me". He says he took it literally and tried to figure how and why that would be.

Too bad he got older; no way I can convince him of that one now.

>156 maggie1944: Ha! See my comment above in response to >155 lunacat:! We're definitely kindred spirits.

>157 jnwelch: No, of course, not. Because he knows that the Universe Revolves Around His Own Self Now! And around me, too; and you, of course. It is a very capable Universe.

Sputnik Sweethearts?? The SS! The happy kind.

>158 maggie1944: Sometimes I suspect it really does revolve around him, Karen - and you, of course. I'm not sure the universe gives much thought to me anymore, as I hang out in trees and grow algae on my fur.

>159 msf59: Ha! I like both the quote and the fan name, Mark. Wild Sheep Chasers? Wind-Up Birds?

But the centre of the Universe is everywhere and everyone. In an infinite space, expanding all the time, the centre is every point everywhere.

>161 lunacat: Let it never be said that we only think about food and the occasional book at the cafe, Jenny (ok, pets, too). You have elevated our discourse to the heavens.

>161 lunacat: That's excellent. And quotable.

Awww, thanks. I am just very curious and like to know things.

We are the centre of the Universe, and yet the chances of our existence is basically nothing.

Yes! That is just what I was saying.

>163 laytonwoman3rd:, >164 lunacat:, >165 maggie1944: :-) I feel so cosmic, and so unlikely, and so insignificant, and so miraculous, I think it's time to head home and read.

#166: What you said, Joe!

I have had Kafka on the Shore on the shelf forever. I really want to read it but I'm afraid of that scene.... I'm making a commitment here and now. I own at least three Murakamis. I will read one of them in November. There. Done. Once I say something like that in public, it's a done deal.

>164 lunacat: LOVE it!!

>167 alcottacre: And of course, what was I reading last night, Stasia, but Countdown City, the second in the pre-apocalyptic Last Policeman series, in which a ex-cop pursues a missing person mystery even though a huge asteroid will soon destroy the planet. Cosmic, unlikely - we're so insignificant, and yet miraculous, aren't we?

>168 EBT1002: I'll join the cheerleaders, Ellen - Read That Murakami! Read That Murakami! Gooooo, Books!

I know the scene of which you speak in Kafka on the Shore. All I can say is the whole set-up is so surreal and bizarre, its impact is different than some kind of awful, factual thriller moment, and it chillingly adds to our understanding of the character.

Here's another good place to read and daydream:

#168
There is a worse scene in Wind-up Bird Chronicle that I rarely hear anybody talk about. I wonder why the one in Kafka on the Shore bothers people so much? I think Joe is correct in that the whole thing is so bizarre that it isn't what it seems. Or as least wasn't to me. The one in Wind-up gave me nightmares - but I couldn't stop reading it.

>164 lunacat: I was on a jury duty run recently. Was a gun posession case. They had DNA on the gun that matched the defendents DNA : Full match in 8 of fifteen strands and partial match in five more strands.

Though legally they were not allowed to call this an "Exact" match the ADA went on and one about how unusual this combination was, and how unlikely any else but the defendent at the bar would have such a DNA signature.

Numbers like 1 out of five hundred trillion were thrown about.

Despite that my fellow jurors were unconvinced. But pretty darned unusual

Happy Hump Day, Joe! It is cool but very pleasant out here. I might just join you on the 3rd Last Policeman book. I need an excuse.
I am enjoying The Brutal Telling.

>171 benitastrnad: Yeah, there has been some discussion on other threads about that scene in The Wind-Up Bird Chronicles, Benita, and you're not alone in your reaction. Quite different from the one in Kafka on the Shore.

>172 magicians_nephew: Reasonable doubt taken to unreasonable lengths, Jim? Sounds like an interesting jury experience.

>173 msf59: Happy Hump Day, compadre! Yes, we just got back from lunch, and in the sun it's pretty darn nice today.

I'm only up to book #2, and I wasn't even sure whether #3 was available in the Last Policeman series. He's got me, and I'm sure I'll read the third one, too.

I think The Brutal Telling is the one RD warns folks about. The ending may hit you upside the head, but wait to read the next one before taking it all to heart.

I was thinking about my mother and the date bars she used to make. Oh my, those were so good.

Hello Joe, it looks like you have a fab day. We started with 'winter' today. Most parts of Switzerland got with the storm a load of snow and the temperatures dropped to the freezing point. Luckily, Zürich is under 600m altidude (500m) and so there was no snow but very cold.

>176 Ameise1: Ouch! My sympathy, Barbara.

I'm just not ready for winter. A co-worker was saying it's because last winter lasted so long here. I hope Fall sticks around a long time, and that you get a reprieve in your part of the world with some warmth and continuing no snow. We have something called "Indian Summer" here, when in October summery weather briefly returns, and it looks like it's coming here this weekend.

>177 jnwelch: We've had a fabulous Indian summer, lasting till the last couple of days when the dregs of Hurricane Gonzalo has hit. Think our summer is well and truly over *sigh*

Wishing you a gorgeous Indian Summer. I hope will get some more lovely autumn days too but the temperatures won't go up again.

>175 jnwelch: Yum!

>178 lunacat: Oh, I'm glad, Jenny. It's a wondrous time, with all the fall colors combined with warm sunny weather. Love it!

>179 Ameise1: Thanks, Barbara. Well, I'm sorry the temperature won't go up again for you, but at least you have the consolation of living in one of the most beautiful countries I've ever seen.

>180 kidzdoc: Oh man, I could spend the next few days eating those, and nothing else, Darryl.

>181 jnwelch: Unfortunately, the gorgeous mild weather meant we haven't had any proper colours at all. The leaves went a faded green colour, dribbled into a few oranges and then the ridiculously high winds came and blew everything off! No stunning trees for us.

Thanks, Joe. It is indeed very beautiful here you're right. My skis are ready and the car is ready for winter too, so I've nothing to complain.

Just trying to keep up with reduced capacity, as seems to be my usual these days... :-(

>182 lunacat: Boo! Mother Nature owes you, Jenny.

>183 Ameise1: Jeez, I can always find something to complain about, Barbara. Are you sure?

>184 Smiler69: Crap, Ilana. You deserve a break, seems to me. I'm sure you feel that way, too. It's got to be frustrating. Sending healing thoughts your way. I hope it lets up on you, and pronto would be good.

Listened to WFMT this morning (I can get it digitally over my cell phone).

Heard it was in the 30's there this morning! brrr!

Joe, life is too short and therefore it's better to see the bright side than to complain.

>186 michigantrumpet: Brrr is right, Marianne. And it's heading over to Michigan next, I imagine. (My dad in Ann Arbor is always curious to know our weather, because it usually arrives there a day later).

We're up to mid-50s now, and heading for the 70s this weekend. I actually don't mind the 30s, but the minus 30s is a whole nuther story. For you celsius fans, -30 F is about -34 C. 30 F is about -1 C.

>187 Ameise1: Jeez, I probably should follow your example, Barbara, but somehow I can always find time to complain. You are inspiring, though. I'll work on it.

Joe, I'm really looking forward to the 70s this weekend as well.

Hi Joe, around here date bars were often called Matrimonial Bars. I don't know why except perhaps if you could make good ones it would guarantee you a husband!

>189 Morphidae: Enjoy, Morphy! It should be really nice out.

>190 DeltaQueen50: Of course, I can't resist. In your part of the world, Judy, does going out on a "date" mean you're going to get married? That's the other way I can see this working. I will say that a knack for making good date bars would have gone a long way with me. Madame MBH won over my folks by taking them a basket of unbelievably delicious pecan tarts that she had made. Yes, I got to sample a few, and my esteem for her escalated even higher.

OK, cafe patrons. I'll be traveling for the next couple of days out in DC, and on the iPad, so I won't be able to help the kitchen fill food orders. Guest chefs are always welcome.

I also may not be on as much, although it sure helps meetings fly by if I'm distracted by LT.

Happy Reading!

Have a fun trip, if that can be done, and get the work done with as little effort and time possible, then go enjoy!

Have a safe trip, Joe! We will keep the home fires burning!

>194 msf59: sigh.

In your absence, I'll be hanging out here. Come bearing food when you return.

Happy traveling, Joe!

Safe and pleasant travels, Joe.

Just a little buffet to keep us nourished 'til Joe returns.

I see everything is being well cared for here at the café while you're away Joe. Plenty of food to eat, lots of cozy reading spots, but still, you will be missed. Have a great trip and see you soon!

>199 laytonwoman3rd: I think we need more food.

What feasts! Safe travels Joe! A Nor'Easter here in Massachusetts today. Hoping you have better weather there

Wow, the cafe looks great!

Safely arrived, waiting for a room to be ready. Already attended one *yawn* fascinating meeting. Good to see old acquaintances, anyway.

>193 maggie1944:. Thanks, Karen. Excellent words to live by. So far, so good.

>194 msf59:. Man, that looks inviting, Mark. I may have to return sooner than planned.

>195 ffortsa:. I share your sigh, Judy. :-)

>196 lunacat:. I really like the redecorating of the cafe, Jenny. Who can resist reading in a comfortable chair by the fire?

>197 scaifea:. Thanks, Amber. It was an awfully early flight, but otherwise the traveling was happy. Got to catch up on book reviews and the New Yorker. The latter had a good review of Transparent (if you haven't seen it, give it a try - so good!). The reviewer might have waxed more rhapsodic about our niece Amy L., but at least she didn't trash her.

>198 kidzdoc:. Thanks, buddy. Maybe one of these days we'll have a conference in Atlanta.

>199 laytonwoman3rd:. Now we're talkin'! Thanks, Linda. That looks mighty eatable. My MBH would be directing me to the fruit, but maybe I can snag a morsel or two on the way.

>200 Smiler69:. Thanks, Ilana. I'm not sure the cafe has ever looked spiffier or more delectable. Just goes to show much talent we have in the 75er group. We even have an artist who can draw wonderful portraits, including of beloved dogs. Oh wait, that's you!

>201 Morphidae:. Oh yeah, Morphy. Beautiful. We have a hungry crew, including the proprietor, so thanks for bringing more delicious vittles out.

>202 michigantrumpet:. Thanks, Marianne. What feasts is right. Mmm.

Sorry you're getting walloped. I always think of fishermen on their boats when one of those hits. It's mild here. This is the town that gets flipped out by two inches of snow (as people who live here always tell me), and it's supposed to be 60s and 70s whilst I'm here.

>205 jnwelch: :-)xx

Hmmmm... Traveling to DC. Any chance for time for a quick meetup?

>201 Morphidae: Oh golly, yes! More food is always good.

Time for a little wine and cheese?

>164 lunacat: woah. Mind. Blown.

Hi Joe, saw all your sloths up there, I love the humble sloth. He sure knows that success in life is to be on a go-slow :)

And I am not even going to bring up the pumpkin pie....I only ever tried it once (made my an American living in Taiwan) and it was absolutely the most delicious thing I had tasted up to that point in my life. I fear trying it ever again is it cannot possible live up to my memory of it!

I'm hoping to have time to make a pumpkin pie this weekend. It sounds yummy and fall-ish.

>175 jnwelch: - Oooohhhh.... date squares! I haven't had date squares since, I don't know when. Might have to do some baking this weekend.... ;-)

>190 DeltaQueen50: - Yup, I remember them being called Matrimonial Bars. Don't know why though.

Hi Joe

Simply stopping by to say hello. I finished a book you might like. I highly recommend Rain Rhain by An Martin.

All good wishes sent your way.

#175: I will take some of those date bars. My mother used to make them too. I love them!

>206 Smiler69: :-)

>207 drneutron:. I wish, Jim. Too jammed this time. But we'll be back. Thanks for thinking of it.

>208 laytonwoman3rd: So true, Linda. Thanks, Morphy.

>209 michigantrumpet:. Oh yeah, Marianne. It's breakfast time for me, but fruit (of the vine) and cheese are good for breakfast, right?

>210 LovingLit:. If you loved that pumpkin pie, Megan, it's worth setting the dial to repeat. My MBH and Daughte loves them some pumpkin pie.

Yes, it will not surprise you to know that I find sloths, and otters (let's play, and float on our backs in the river while eating), quite inspiring.

>211 thornton37814:. Poifect time of year for it, Lori. I'm sure it'll be delish. I'm an apple pie guy this time of year.

>212 lkernagh:. I join in your enthusiasm for date squares, Lori. I remember my mom's happiness when she saw me light up when she made them. Fig bars, too. Oh my.

>213 Whisper1:. Thanks, Linda. Good to see you! I'll look for that book when I get back.

>214 alcottacre:. Good to have another pal in our date bar enthusiasts group, Stasia. Wish we could get together once a month and sample and discuss date bars.

>216 jnwelch: You have to be quite energetic to be an otter, so perhaps you'd be better off remaining as a sloth.

Watch these for examples ;)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yJKBb_KelPE

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a0r6Qvz3Eoo

I've seen an otter doing this at a zoo and we were captivated - kept us amused for a good 15 minutes.

Hi Joe! I'm trying to remember the scene from The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle that you all speak of, although I'm not sure that I want to be reminded. Ha!

>218 lunacat: - Thank you! I love otters!

There's this one too:

http://laughingsquid.com/a-temporarily-well-behaved-otter-politely-eats-his-meal...

And then there's Eddie the Otter plays basketball, of course: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KCtgKuLA1RA

Ok. I'll stop now. :-)

Morning Joe! Got that in there at the last minute.

Hi Joe! Hope the trip went well. Are you heading back today?
Sorry, no otter videos. Grins...

Joe, do you follow The Daily Otter?

This thread needs some de-otter-ant.

I thought that The last Policeman had no where to go after the first book and he surprised me with the second book. I'll be there for the windup

Finally getting a chance to see what's been up around here and now I'm hungry, want a pet sloth and need a place to read and daydream.

Since The Hubster is out of town I have a rare weekend all to myself during football season (well actually myself and the cats) so I should be able to take care of two thirds of that soon. I have to watch the Oregon game tonight (they NEED me) but after that it's going to be a reading filled weekend.

>218 lunacat:. Aw shoot, Jenny. This iPad doesn't have enough oomph to do a good job of playing videos, so I'll have to wait until I get back to play The Otter Limits.

I will say that I'm willing to be energetic if it's in the interest of goofing off.

>219 DorsVenabili:. See my aw shoot up above, Kerri. I'll play that otter otterly delightful video when I get back to my PC.

>220 DorsVenabili:. Anotter one! Ay caramba. Soon.

>221 Thebookdiva:. Well done, Abby. Of course, all I can say in response is good evening. Hope all is well at the Pecan Paradisio.

>222 msf59:. No, RL is merciless, Mark, and I have more tomorrow. Can't play like an otter or hang out like a sloth.

It was a good day though. Reunited with some old pals I don't often see.

Thank the river gods you didn't add to my backlog of otter videos. This has to be the most critter-filled cafe thread ever!

>223 laytonwoman3rd:. Who knew there was a Daily Otter, Linda? Thanks, I will check it out. I have a feeling it's going to be hard not to smile, but I'll do my best.

>224 magicians_nephew:. I've had odder days, Jim, but never an otter day.

I know what you mean about The Last Policeman. A good follow-up seemed unlikely, but he pulled it off. I'll be there for the windup, too.

>225 SuziQoregon:. Hey, there's Juli! Do the 2/3s you're taking care of include the sloth?

I'm away from my much better half this weekend, but I'm at meetings and she's at a writer's conference. Football sounds better. Well, it sounds better than meetings.

I am getting some reading done. Three in Death (3 Eve Dallas short ones) and the new collection of Longmire stories, Wait for Signs.

Hope Oregon wins!

I wish ;-)

<218 Thanks so much for posting these. I enjoyed watching them!

Joe, I wish you a fantastic weekend in DC.

>228 SuziQoregon::-). Good morning, Juli. Sometimes if you hang out in a tree long enough, one shows up.

Go Oregon!

>229 Whisper1:. I add my thanks, Linda. I know I will, too. In the meantime, I'll re-read some Hairy Otter.

>230 Ameise1:. Oh, that is most excellent, Barbara. How did someone catch that?

I hope you have a great weekend, too. This afternoon I head back to Cheecahgo, which I understand is enjoying balminess.

Safe journey back home. :-)

For the photo I guess it was taken by someone with a LOT OF patience. Definitely not me - would be in another category ;-)

http://www.youcaring.com/medical-fundraiser/for-our-beloved-curmudgeon/179809

As most of you know, our friend Richard Derus is in the hospital and in a difficult financial situation. the 75ers are trying to help him. Above is a place to contribute.

You can catch up on what's happening thanks to Kath (mckait): http://www.librarything.com/topic/181902

>232 Ameise1:. Thanks, Barbara. One advantage of plane trips is being tucked away for a while with only reading on the agenda. Just wish my MBH were with me.

Happy Saturday, Joe! Have a safe return. Beautiful weather awaits...

Your iPad won't support otters?!?! Outrageous. Please fire off a complaint to Apple immediately.

I wonder if apples support otters.............or otters support apples.........

>235 msf59:. :-). Thanks, buddy. Leaving for the airport in an hour or so.

>236 lunacat:. It's outrageous, you're right, Jenny. You've got to have a cold outlook to not support otters.

I've never seen apples and otters together. Maybe that's the problem. We need a rapprochement.

:) Thank you for the brief commercial message re:rd

>238 mckait:. :-) I thought it might help to put a link here, too, Kath. Sounds like he's getting lots of 75er support.

>237 jnwelch: As long as we're not going down the culinary route and taking inspiration from pork and apples. It's very well to have a pig lying on your banquet table with an apple in it's mouth, but an otter?!

>240 lunacat:. Holy bummer, Jenny! That would be awful, wouldn't it? We don't even do the pig in our house.

Best place for an apple is in a pie, as far as I'm concerned. Although my MBH does have me chomping on Honey Crisps these days, as she seems to want me to live forever.

>241 jnwelch: Our house is full of the smell of apples and pears baking at the moment. Our pear tree (very small tree) was a little over-enthusiastic this year so we're cooking a load down to store, and our next-door neighbour knocked a little while ago with a bag of apples for us. We also have quinces and some over-ripe bananas being made into...........something!

>242 lunacat:. Yum! Sounds great, Jenny. If I could, I'd try to fill the cafe with that smell.

>224 magicians_nephew: *stares* That was awful.

(Good job!)

*waving* at Joe

I saw your note on Stephen's thread about your board game loving son. I have a collection of about 300 games, so if he needs recommendations I can probably help out. Boardgamegeek.com is a wonderful resource!

Hi Joe,
hope you had a great weekend away. Just finished listening to The Dog Stars by Peter Heller, which I remembered you and Mark both enjoyed last year. It didn't work for me then, but this time round the time was right and I loved it.

I spent most of yesterday (Saturday) baking onion rye rolls, and they turned out beautifully. They were hearty and substantial but tasted great. Perfect for this abnormally warm fall weather we are having. I had to run the AC last night.

>81 jnwelch: Joe, I've been inside for four days with a nasty sinus infection. The good thing about it is I am reading a lot. Today's read is Where the Moon Isn't by Nathan Filer. This is the same book as The Shock of the Fall, but with a different title. I'm not sure why there are two titles, but, the book is amazing!!!!

Your review is great, as always! This is a book I want to shout about and encourage people to read. The author does a wonderful job of slowly letting the reader get into the mind of troubled Matthew. I'm mid way, and believe it will be a five-star read!

It amazes me how often you and I have read the same books near the same time.

> 129 Sorry, slow to come back & answer some questions. My cat's name is Spats; he is a real character. Not only did he sit near that Watchmen as Literature book, at one point he sat ON the open pages as I was trying to read it ... made it a bit more difficult for me. ;) Yes, he should stay away from cheesecake and there's a good chance he might like to try bread and olive oil together. The pictures of him in the fridge/freezer are from when he was a kitten and it was a hot summer in my house with no AC. Now that it's getting a bit cooler this fall, I'm more likely to find him on my bed in a sunny patch coming in from the window, tucked in the blankets, like so:

>130 jnwelch: Yep, you basically summed up what I was trying to say, but you did it more effectively. :) I guess, as with everything, there is some good and some bad rolled up all together ...

re: Washington Square

I found Catherine a bit frustrating, I want to shake her (in a gentle, kind way) and tell her to grow a backbone. She's not a bad character per se, but she's not exactly someone I felt I could wholeheartedly root for, especially given that she didn't seem to be able to do that for herself. Morris Townsend was indeed a thoroughly good cad, so he's certainly well written, but that doesn't mean I'm going to like him. :) I couldn't stand Mr. Sloper and Aunt Penniman struck me as rather annoying at times. It was just hard for me to find anyone I liked at all in that novel. I don't know if she would have been better off in the long term. Maybe? She would have been married to the man she wanted to marry, so that would be good, even if he did do it just for her money. If he started having affairs and she didn't know about it, would it really hurt her? But if she did find out ... or he squandered all her money away ... Like in life, you never know unless it happens! That is one of the things I kept thinking about reading that book and seeing its different incarnations.

Jessica Chastain was really good in the play, as was Dan Stevens who played Morris Townsend. I don't recall having seen Chastain in anything else before so I didn't have much by way of expectation going in. One of the women I saw the play with had seen an earlier version years ago with Cherry Jones in the lead, and she said she felt Chastian didn't have the "presence" that Jones did. So that.

I keep saying one of these days I'm going to watch the 1949 movie version of The Heiress, which stars Olivia de Haviland and Montgomery Clift. Now that I bet is a real treat!

>142 Thebookdiva: Well, that's good she hasn't had any problems with anything! My cat is usually pretty good after eating people food, so that cheesecake was an exception. Mercy is so polite and mild mannered -- my cat is definitely sneaky and tries to eat the food right off your plate or get at it when your back is turned. When he was a kitten, there were a few incidences of him chewing right through the package (i.e., bread bag) to get at the food. Never a dull moment with him!

Hah, I am picturing her being puzzled about water bottles. Cats are funny with water ... my aunt's cat used to prefer the water out of a cup rather than a bowl, one of my co-worker's cats only drinks out of the bathroom sink, etc. I've seen pet stores selling cat water dish devices that recycle water so it's constantly running, with the idea being to encourage cats to drink more water. I always wonder if that actually works for anyone ....

>144 EBT1002: I read The Professor and the Madman eons ago and found it quite interesting. I admit to remembering mood and overall tone more than specifics, though.

I could easily see this being the case. While I certainly enjoyed the book, it didn't have as many details as some other nonfiction works. I did enjoy how the author would provide OED definitions within the book to describe an important word related to each chapter, which definitely added to the academic tone.

>147 michigantrumpet: Interesting discussion of The Professor and the Madman. Had an opportunity to meet the author Simon Winchester a few years back (he has a house in western Massachusetts). Very engaging, inquisitive and friendly. I'd read just about anything of his...

Your comments inspired me to go look up some of his other works. :) I could imagine based on The Professor and the Madman that he would have all those characteristics. I really appreciated how vested he became in finding out more about these two people's lives, to the point of going to the modern day asylum to see the rooms where Minor had spent the majority of his life.

> 181, 182 Although we've had some cooler mornings/evenings, it's been an unusually warm fall here (New Jersey) also. Joe, you're absolutely right that it's been great to have the warmer weather and still be able to see all the leaves changing colors. It's been the most beautiful autumn I can recall. Usually it seems like the leaves are more like the situation you've described, lunacat -- they change colors for what seems like a day and then they blow away. But this year it's been weeks of beautiful colors in all different hues that I haven't seen before. There are several trees near me that have leaves turning an absolutely gorgeous deep purple in color. I'll stop gushing now before I begin to wax too rhapsodic. :)

> 131, 194 Those both look like beautiful places to relax/cozy up with a book. Love it.

>164 lunacat: I love that someone actually crunched the numbers on this. Not only are there all the odds they list about your mother meeting your father, etc., but then there's also the odds of carrying a fetus to term, which makes the probability of anyone's birth even more unlikely.

To bring it back around to books, this also reminded me of a conversation from the book Watchmen, but I'm too lazy to get the book off the shelf in the other room, so I just copied and pasted the movie quote version:

Jon Osterman: Miracles by their definition are meaningless, only what can happen does happen.
......
Jon Osterman: Will you smile? If I admit I was wrong?
Laurie Juspeczyk: About what?
Jon Osterman: Miracles. Events with astronomical odds of occurring, like oxygen turning into gold. I've longed to witness such an event, and yet I neglect that in human coupling, millions upon millions of cells compete to create life, for generation after generation until, finally, your mother loves a man, ... a man she has every reason to hate, and out of that contradiction, against unfathomable odds, it's you - only you - that emerged. To distill so specific a form, from all that chaos. It's like turning air into gold. A miracle. And so... I was wrong.

A summary of the book's relevant chapter describes that conversation as thus:

He rationalizes that if Laurie can be the product of such an outrageous set of chaotic and improbable circumstances, then her existence is, as he describes, a “thermodynamic miracle.” And if her birth was a “miracle” then so could be any other birth in the world. He points out that since the world is so full of people, that miracles would become commonplace, and its vast improbability would become easy to forget.

Hi Joe! Hope you got some time outside to enjoy the last of the 70's we're likely to get this year. Sounds like you had a productive, if not necessarily fun-filled, trip to DC. Welcome home!

Would anyone like something sweet before bed?

oh, my, sweets for breakfast also seems like an excellent idea! Happy New Week, sir.

Hmm, seems like the proprietor has fallen behind on the cafe thread. What's the matter with that guy?

>244 Morphidae: I liked "de-otter-ant", too, Morphy. Sometimes I feel like Jim and I are from the same alma m-otter.

>245 alcottacre: Hi, Stasia! *waves*

Son #1 did know about boardgamegeek.com, although he hadn't heard of the one person board game "Friday", so that intrigued him. He and his fiance threw a board game party last Friday night, so you can tell they enjoy them. I know he liked Settlers of Catan when we had him in the house. What are some of your favorites?

>246 drachenbraut23: Oh good, Bianca. I actually haven't read Dog Stars, but I know Mark loved it. Glad you did, too. I need to give that one some serious consideration.

>247 benitastrnad: Running the AC in October - weird, right, Benita? It's supposed to hit 75 here today. Just wish it was this warm on Halloween; unfortunately right now it looks like it'll be a bit chilly, which could mean the kids have to bundle up over their costumes.

Those onion rolls sound delish; you seem to be overbrimming with culinary talent. Those who get to share in the plenty are lucky.

>248 Whisper1: We're on some kind of psychic reading wavelength together, Linda. :-) I'm so glad you're enjoying Where the Moon Isn't/The Shock of the Fall. I had no idea it had a different title here. There's a long tradition of doing that with books published in England; the theory is Americans will respond better to the recrafted title, but I sure question the wisdom.

Most importantly, what a great book! Looking forward to your reaction when you finish - I found it good to the last drop.

Sorry about the nasty sinus infection. Hope it's easing on down the road now. I don't get those, but people who do say they're awful.

>249 sweetiegherkin:, >250 sweetiegherkin: Love the name Spats, sweetieg! That's inspired. I hope we have more visits from Spats.

Cooling off in the fridge in hot, no-AC weather makes perfect sense. You probably wanted to find room on a shelf somewhere yourself.

Yeah, I know what you mean about the Washington Square characters - Aunt Penniman in particular annoyed the heck out of me. She just wanted a diversion in her life, and loved being at the "center" of a romantic drama. I like your thoughts on "what if" Catherine had married Morris; you're right, it could have gone either way. His sister's reluctant admonition to the doctor not to let Catherine marry him persuaded me it would've turned out badly, but the question was very much on my mind after finishing the book - which is one of the reasons I liked this one so much more than The Golden Bowl.

I would've liked to see Jessica Chastain in that part. Good thought on watching the old Olivia and Montgomery movie. It probably is well done, with those two heading it up.

>251 sweetiegherkin: Becca's miniature poodle Sherlock is a wily one, too, sweetiegherkin. For some reason, he's particularly fascinated by Kleenex, and will go to great lengths to steal it and hide it at the back of his nest in his crate. My MBH and daughter swear they caught him "tiptoeing" with Kleenex across our kitchen while they were looking the other way. I can just imagine him on tiptoe.

>259 jnwelch: Maia does that, too! We call her Tissue Hound. We swear she can hear a tissue hit the floor. She'll snap it up and run off. And that little girl can MOVE. She then shreds and eats it.

>252 sweetiegherkin:, >253 sweetiegherkin:, >254 sweetiegherkin: I'll try to find another good place to hang out with a book, sweetieg.

I'm glad you're having such a beautiful autumn. The leaves have turned in the city, and it was gorgeous - and warm - this weekend. I took a heckuva long walk in it yesterday (my MBH was under the weather); I love this time of year.

I should look at other Simon Winchester books, too. He's another excellent nonfiction writer. Mark (msf59) said at one point we're in a golden age of nonfiction writing, and that seems right to me.

>255 sweetiegherkin: You make me think of the Cosmos tv series, sweetieg (I just watched it), in which the whole shebang sure seems miraculous - and filled with mysteries.

>256 LauraBrook: Ah, sweets from the sweet. Thanks, Laura! It's good to be back. Productive and not necessarily fun-filled sounds about right for my trip. Would've been more fun with my MBH, but she had her own writer's conference - and she ended up performing a story at it Saturday night. Talented woman, she is.

>257 maggie1944: Happy New Week, friend Karen! Historically, Monday makes me grumpy, but I'm trying to turn over a new leaf and just be peevish. Isn't peevish an increment more sunny than grumpy? Maybe I'm kidding myself.

I like the idea of sweets for breakfast, so let's see what we can do. Belgian waffles?

>260 Morphidae: Maia and Sherlock are kindred spirits, Morphy. He likes to shred the tissues and eat them, too. Why this particular fascination, I don't know.

Good morning Joe, and all. Those waffles are making me hungry...

Knowing that you are a fan of theater, Joe, I want to personally recommend a book I just read, an Early Reviewer selection, Fiddler on the Roof by Joseph Stein. It was fun to read the screenplay while the musical numbers swirled around in my mind.

Dark coffee with a splash of espresso, please. :)

>263 fuzzi: Good morning, fuzzi! Those waffles look delicious, don't they?

I am a theater fan, for sure. Interesting idea to read Fiddler on the Roof. I wonder how it came to be an Early Reviewer book? It does look like fun, with text and lyrics and photos.

Oops, let's get you that coffee:

Happy Monday. While appreciating the artistry of the cake tower in >261 jnwelch:, with a little snap to the air, I'm edging towards something more hearty -- a nice bowl of oatmeal, mayhaps.

>265 michigantrumpet: Happy Monday, Marianne. Hearty oatmeal? You got it.

>264 jnwelch: and chocolate, too! THANK YOU!!!

If'n you dun mind, I'll reply about my recommendation on your new thread...

>267 fuzzi: Poifect, fuzzi. Let's meet everyone over on the new thread.

I have The Last Policeman lined up for November Joe.

>270 jnwelch: Good - I think you'll like it, Roberta. Interesting premise, engaging main character, and it's well done.