Ronincats' Final Thread for 2014 IX

Two of my babies

Hi, I'm Roni, and this is my 7th year in the 75 Book Challenge group. I read heavily in science fiction and fantasy, with a side dish of non-fiction and a sprinkling of mystery and romance. This year I'll be participating in the Lois McMaster Bujold year-long Vorkosigan read, the Arabian Nights read, the Harry Potter series reread, the American Authors monthly read (at least for some of the authors), the Science, Religion & History quarterly read, and The Culture group read, for starters. I typically read about 150 books and 50,000 pages a year. I also play around with pottery, beading and wirework, crochet, garden and pets, so pictures thereof will be sprinkled throughout my threads and can be found in my member gallery.

My final thread of 2013 is here: http://www.librarything.com/topic/161637

My 2014 threads:
http://www.librarything.com/topic/170681 2/22/14-4/9/14
http://www.librarything.com/topic/167738 1/22/14-2/22/14
http://www.librarything.com/topic/162722 1/1/14-1/22/14
and there are more...

Goals and tickers:

Books Read in 2014:

January
1. Indexing by Seanan McGuire (420 pp.)
2. If the Shoe Fits by Laurie LeClair (244 pp.)
3. Shards of Honor by Lois McMaster Bujold (313 pp.)
4. Hexed by Kevin Hearne (296 pp.)
5. Dragonwriter: A Tribute to Anne McCaffrey and Pern edited by Todd McCaffrey
6. Death Comes for the Archbishop by Willa Cather (297 pp.)
7. Harry Potter & the Sorcerer's Stone by J. K. Rowling (309 pp.)
8. The Talisman Ring by Georgette Heyer (234 pp.)
9. Barrayar by Lois McMaster Bujold (389 pp.)
10. The Warrior's Apprentice by Lois McMaster Bujold (315 pp.)
11. The Vor Game by Lois McMaster Bujold (345 pp.)
12. Cetaganda by Lois McMaster Bujold (302 pp.)
13. Grimoire of the Lamb/The Chapel Perilous by Kevin Hearne (99 pp.)
14. The Librarian: Little Boy Lost by Eric Hobbs (98 pp.)
15. Longbourn by Jo Baker (332 pp.)

February
16. Bastion by Mercedes Lackey (342 p.)
17. The Bitter Kingdom by Rae Carson (433 pp.)
18. Frederica by Georgette Heyer (437 pp.)
19. The Arabian Nights by Hassan Haddawy (428 pp.)
20. Broken Homes by Ben Aaronovitch (320 pp.)
21. Anne of Green Gables by L. M. Montgomery (309 pp.)
22. The Silvered by Tanya Huff (484 pp.)
23. Before the Dawn by Nicholas Wade (179 pp.)
24. Carousel Sun by Sharon Lee (366 pp.)
25. Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets by J. K. Rowling (341 pp.)

March
26. Hammered by Kevin Hearne (312 pp.)
27. Mr. Wuffles by David Weisner (30 pp.)
28. Borders of Infinity by Lois McMaster Bujold (311 pp.)
29. Tricked by Kevin Hearne (370 pp.)
30. Half-Off Ragnorak by Seanan McGuire (368 pp.)
31. Ancillary Justice by Ann Leckie (396 pp.)
32. The Soul Mirror by Carol Berg (515 pp.)
33. Trapped by Kevin Hearne (322 pp.)
34. The Player of Games by Iain M. Banks (309 pp.)
35. Serendipity's Tide by L. Shelby (233 pp.)
36. Treachery's Harbor by L. Shelby (194 pp.)

April
37. Fealty’s Shore by L. Shelby (248 pp.)
38. The Cabinet of Wonders by Marie Rutkoski (265 pp.)
39. Truth and Fiction in the Da Vinci Code by Bart Ehrman (197 pp.)
40. What Makes This Book So Great by Jo Walton (446 pp.)
41. The Corinthian by Georgette Heyer (272 pp.)
42. The Celestial Globe by Marie Rutkowski (293 pp.)
43. Just One Damned Thing After Another by Jodi Taylor (332 pp.)
44. Raising Steam by Terry Pratchett (381 pp.)
45. The Jewel of the Kalderash by Marie Rutkowski (320 pp.)
46. Hiero's Journey by Sterling Lanier (318 pp.)
47. The Unforsaken Hiero by Sterling Lanier (240 pp.)
48. Brothers in Arms by Lois McMaster Bujold (338 pp.)
49. Faro's Daughter by Georgette Heyer (304 pp.)
50. The Normans by Lars Brownworth (210 pp.)
51. The Warlock's Curse by M. K. Hobson (398 pp.)
52. A Fistful of Sky by Nina Kiriki Hoffman (353 pp.)
53. Fall of Light by Nina Kiriki Hoffman (307 pp.)

May
54. The Doomsday Vault by Steven Harper (381 pp.)
55. Eight Million Gods by Wen Spencer (355 pp.)
56. Cinder by Marissa Meyer (390 pp.)
57. A Natural History of Dragons (334 pp.)
58. Fortune's Pawn by Rachel Bach (330 pp.)
59. A Change of Heart by Candice Hern (276 pp.)
60. Disenchanted & Co. by Lynn Viehl (417 pp.)
61. Hunted by Kevin Hearne (384 pp.)
62. Without a Summer by Mary Robinette Kowal (364 pp.)
63. Range of Ghosts by Elizabeth Bear (336 pp.)
64. Limits of Power by Elizabeth Moon (492 pp.)
65. Crown of Renewal by Elizabeth Moon (503 pp.)
66. The Sea of Time by P. C. Hodgell (395 pp.)
67. Shattered Pillars by Elizabeth Bear (333 pp.)

June
68. Arabian Nights II translated by Husain Haddawy (266 pp.)
69. Steles of the Sky by Elizabeth Bear (429 pp.)
70. Dust Girl by Saray Zettel (290 pp.)
71. The River Kings' Road by Liane Merciel (431 pp.)
72. The Daemon Prism by Carol Berg (498 pp.)
73. Getting Schooled by Garret Keizer (302 pp.)
74. Friday's Child by Georgette Heyer (333 pp.)
75. The Martian by Andy Weir (369 pp.)
76. My Real Children by Jo Walton (320 pp.)
77. The Goblin Emperor by Katherine Addison (446 pp.)
78. Moth and Spark by Anne Leonard (348 pp.)
79. Spirits That Walk in Shadow by Nina Kiriki Hoffman (306 pp.)
80. Mirror Dance by Lois McMaster Bujold (392 pp.)

July
81. Memory by Lois McMaster Bujold (462 pp)
82. On Basilisk Station by David Weber (432 pp.)
83. Shattered by Kevin Hearne (332 pp.)
84. What Matters in Jane Austen? by John Mullan (353 pp.)
85. The Hanover Square Affair by Ashley Gardner (319 pp.)
86. Legacy by James H. Schmitz (346 pp.)
87. The Song of the Quarkbeast by Jasper Fforde (289 pp.)
88. Artemis Awakening by Jane Lindskold (304 pp.)
89. A Taste of Poison by Aaron Kite (234 pp.)
90. Komarr by Lois McMaster Bujold (311 pp.)
91. A Civil Campaigne by Lois McMaster Bujold (405 pp.)
92. Diplomatic Immunity by Lois McMaster Bujold (307 pp.)
93. The Vorkosigan Companion Lilian Stewart Carl (ed.) (469 pp.)
94. The Storied Life of A. J. Fikry by Gabrielle Zevin (273 pp.)
95. Of Darkness, Light, and Fire by Tanya Huff (513 pp.)
96. A Marginal Jew: Volume IV by John P. Meier (667 pp.)
97. Sandman Slim by Richard Kadrey (388 pp.)
98. Across the Great Barrier by Patricia Wrede (357 pp.)
99. Sing the Four Quarters by Tanya Huff (410 pp.)

August
100. Quest for Kim by Peter Hopkirk (273 pp.)
101. The Ripper Affair by Lilith Saintcrow (386 pp.)
102. A Symphony of Echoes by Jodi Taylor (334 pp.)
103. A Madness of Angels by Kate Griffin (464 pp.)
104. The Rhesus Chart by Charles Stross (359 pp.)
105. Sorcery & Cecilia by Patricia Wrede and Caroline Stevermer (320 pp.)
106. The Grand Tour by Patricia Wrede and Caroline Stevermer (469 pp.)
107. The Mislaid Magician by Patricia Wrede and Caroline Stevermer (328 pp.)
108. Blood Red by Mercedes Lackey (312 pp.)
109. Buried Deep by Kristine Kathryn Rusch (372 pp.)
110. The Tropic of Serpents by Marie Brennan (331 pp.)
111. The Golden City by J. Kathleen Cheney (385 pp.)
112. Some Kind of Fairy Tale by Graham Joyce (310 pp.)
113. Howl's Moving Castle by Diana Wynne Jones (329 pp.)
114. Castle in the Air by Diana Wynne Jones (298 pp.)
115. Nice Dragons Finish Last by Rachel Aaron (315 pp.)
116. House of Many Ways by Diana Wynne Jones (404 pp.)

September
117. The Seat of Magic by J. Kathleen Cheney (384 pp.)
118. The Book of Life by Deborah Harkness (561 pp.)
119. The Far West by Patricia Wrede (378 pp.)
120. California Bones by Greg Van Eekhout (302 pp.)
121. The Winter Long by Seanan McGuire (358 pp.)
122. Libriomancer by Jim Hines (359 pp.)
123. Sparrow Hill Road by Seanan McGuire (307 pp.)
124. A Second Chance by Jodi Taylor (292 pp.)
125. Princess of the Midnight Ball by Jessica Day George (304 pp.)
126. Buffalito Contingency by Lawrence Schoen (274 pp.)
127. Splendors and Glooms by Laura Ann Schlitz (400 pp.)
128. Second Star by Dana Stabenow (208 pp.)
129. Ike: An American Hero by Michael Korda (802 pp.)
130. Vengeance in Death by J. D. Robb (388 pp.)
131. Aunt Dimity: Snowbound by Nancy Atherton (257 pp.)
132. Scarlet by Marissa Meyer (464 pp.)
133. Love Songs from a Shallow Grave by Colin Cotterill (326 pp.)

October
134. The Clockwork Scarab by Colleen Gleason (353 pp.)
135. The Midnight Mayor by Kate Griffin (553 pp.)
136. A Red Heart of Memories by Nina Kiriki Hoffman (329 pp.)
137. Past the Size of Dreaming by Nina Kiriki Hoffman (342 pp.)
138. Hawk by Steven Brust (320 pp.)
139. The Incrementalists by Steven Brust and Skyler White (358 pp.)
140. A Red Herring Without Mustard by Alan Bradley (417 pp.)
141. Clariel by Garth Nix (383 pp.)
142. How We Learn by Benedict Carey (228 pp.)
143. The Neon Court by Kate Griffin (509 pp.)
144. Bitter Greens by Kate Forsyth (495 pp.)
145. Sunshine by Robin McKinley (389 pp)
146. A Night in the Lonesome October by Roger Zelazny (280 pp.)

November
147. A Trail Through Time by Jodi Taylor (250 pp.)
148. Waistcoats & Weaponry by Gail Carriger (298 pp.)
149. Thursday with the Crown by Jessica George (210 pp.)
150. Cress by Melissa Meyer (550 pp.)
151. Soulless by Gail Carriger (384 pp.)
152. Zombie Elementary by Howard Whitehouse (244 pp.)
153. Changeless by Gail Carriger (374 pp.)
154. Blameless by Gail Carriger (355 pp.)
155. Heartless by Gail Carriger (374 pp.)
156. Timeless by Gail Carriger (386 pp.)
157. The Eye of Zoltar by Jasper Fforde (405 pp.)'
158. Cryoburn by Lois McMaster Bujold (339 pp.)
159. The Man Who Loved China by Simon Winchester (284 pp.)

December
160. The Christmas Spirit by Susan Buchanan (166 pp.)
161. Uncharted Territory by Connie Willis (149 pp.)
162. Valour and Vanity by Mary RObinette Kowal (401 pp.)
163. Her Royal Spyness by Rhys Bowen (324 pp.)
164. The Awakened Kingdom by N. K. Jemisin (124 pp.)
165. Lincoln's Dreams by Connie Willis (228 pp.)

Books Acquired in 2014:

January
1. Hell and Earth by Elizabeth Bear
2. Forty Thousand in Gehenna by C. J. Cherryh
3. Aunt Dimity: Snowbound by Nancy Atherton
4. The Dragonfly Pool by Eva Ibbotson
5. Legacy by James H. Schmitz
6. Changer by Jane Lindskold
7. Dragon's Kin by Anne and Todd McCaffrey
8. Desolation Road by Ian McDonald
9. Grimoire of the Lamb/The Chapel Perilous by Kevin Hearne
10. Magnificent Devices 4-book set by Shelley Adina

February
11. Broken Homes by Ben Aaronovitch
12. Carousel Sun by Sharon Lee
13. Shannivar by Deborah J. Ross

March
14. Beast Master’s Circus by Andre Norton (301 pp.)
15. Destroyer by C. J. Cherryh (406 pp.)
16. Pushing Ice by Alastair Reynolds (580 pp.)
17. Spin by Robert Wilson (452 pp.)
18, Tricked by Kevin Hearne (370 pp.)
19. Half-Off Ragnarok by Seanan McGuire (368 pp.)
20. Oath of Fealty by Elizabeth Moon (497 pp.)
21. Buffalito Destiny by Lawrence Schoen (308 pp.)
22. Buffalito Contingency by Lawrence Schoen (274 pp.)
23. Raising Steam by Terry Pratchett (381 pp.)
24. The Daemon Prism by Carol Berg (498 pp.)
25. Trapped by Kevin Hearne (322 pp.)
26. Disenchanted & Co by Lynn Viehl (417 pp.)

April
27. The City and the Stars by Arthur C. Clarke (254 pp.)
28. Truth and Fiction in the Da Vinci Code by Bart Ehrman (197 pp.)
29. Of Darkness, Light and Fire by Tanya Huff (513 pp.)
30. Rise of a Hero by Hilari Bell (578 pp.)
31. The Lives of Tao by Wesley Chu
32. The Deaths of Tao by Wesley Chu

May
33. Forging the Sword by Hilari Bell (608 pp.)
34. A Natural History of Dragons by Marie Brennan (352 pp.)
35. The Tropic of Serpents by Marie Brennan (331 pp.)
36. Summerland by Michael Chabon (500 pp.)
37. China Court by Rumor Godden (304 pp.)
38. Super Finishing Techniques for Crocheters by Betty Barnden (128 pp.)
39. The Hidden Queen by Alma Alexander
40. Shade by Jeri Smith-Ready (309 pp.)
41. Hunted by Kevin Hearne
42. Grunt Life by Weston Ochse (420 pp.)
43. Without a Summer by Mary Robinette Kowal
44. Sparrow Hill Road by Seanan McGuire
45. Three Parts Dead by Max Gladstone
46. Getting Schooled by Garret Keizer (299 pp.)
47. Crown of Renewal by Elizabeth Moon
48. Edwin High King of Britain by Eduardo Albert
49. The Sea of Time by P. C. Hodgell

June
50. Sinai Tapestry by Edward Whittemore
51. Moon Dreams by Brad Strickland
52. Off To Be the Wizard by Scott Meyer (387 pp.)
53. The Science of Discworld by Terry Pratchett etal. (385 pp.)

July
54. Ike by Michael Korda
55. Princess of the Midnight Ball by Jessica Day George
56. What Matters in Jane Austen? by John Mullan
57. The Hanover Square Affair by Ashley Gardner
58. Mere Humanity by Donald Williams (165 pp.)
59. Waking the Moon by Elizabeth Hand
60. A Symphony of Echoes by Jodi Taylor

August
61. How We Learn by Benedict Carey
62. Sorcery & Cecilia by Patricia Wrede and Caroline Stevermer
63. The Grand Tour by Patricia Wrede and Caroline Stevermer
64. Fantasy Stories by Diana Wynne Jones (ed.)
65. A Second Chance by Jodi Taylor
66. Nice Dragons Finish Last by Rachel Aaron

September
67. City of Stairs by Robert Jackson Bennett
68. The Midnight Mayor by Kate Griffin
69. The Clockwork Scarab by Colleen Gleason

October
70. The Incrementalists by Steven Brust and Skyler White
71. Hawk by Steven Brust
72. Zombie Elementary by Howard Whitehouse
73. Clariel: The Lost Abhorsen by Garth Nix
74. A Madness of Angels by Kate Griffin
75. The Neon Court by Kate Griffin
76. Ancillary Sword by Ann Leckie

November
77. Waistcoats & Weaponry by Gail Carriger
78. Hild
79. A Play of the Shadow by Julie Czerneda
80. The Butler Who Laughed by Michelle Martin

Book #144 Bitter Greens by Kate Forsyth (495 pp.)

This book took me a while to finish, because of its multiple viewpoints. I find I can’t read this type of book straight through (Downbelow Station, I’m looking at you!). Rather I read a section and then set it down and come back another day. Another reason I couldn’t read it straight through is that the story is set in the 1600s for the most part at a time when life was often still short and brutal, and women were oppressed in all strata of society. Although these things slowed my reading down, the stories conveyed in this book remain fascinating and well-developed, both the historical and the fantastical. In fact, this book reads like high-quality historical fiction in its main setting, with fantastical substories in historical Venice in the previous century.

I actually have the first of Forsyth’s 6 book fantasy series in my tbr pile, and will have to get to it.

Your cats are breathtaking! Such lovely animals!

Happy New Thread, Roni! Love the cats that you're Ronin!
I add my rejoicings that your brother's surgery was successful. Much to be thankful for!!!
I said it on my thread, but I'll ask on yours...have you read Constantine's Sword? It might be something that you would enjoy, which is to say that I'm enjoying it when I get to it.

Beautiful Kitties! Happy new thread Roni!

Happy New Thread, Roni!

Awww, are any of your cats open to cuddles with strangers? I'd love to have one if so. Our two boys are terrible cuddlebugs, always seeking attention from anyone whether a stranger or not, whereas our girls won't go near a stranger and if one comes into the house, they hide under the bed.

A stranger who came into the house for about 15 minutes was amazed when one of our boys, Tashi, kept rubbing and chirping for cuddles. She declared 'he's such a tart!' and it certainly sums him up.

Happy new thread! Love the lovable kitty pics. Being horribly allergic, via the internet seems the best way to enjoy the cuties!

Happy new thread, Roni! Your cats are GORGEOUS! I have Bitter Greens in the stacks for November, so I appreciate the points you made in your review - multiple viewpoints slows me down, too.

Hoping that your Wednesday is full of fabulous!

What a pair of HELPFUL darlings!

Loving your helpful feline companions, Roni. Congrats on the new thread!

Glad to hear about your brother doing well!
I've never seen Garth Nix, does he have an Australian accent or is that in my imagination? I just started reading Clariel.
(For some reason the pic for Bitter Greens isn't showing).

>15 quinaquisset: Thanks, qq, I've got that fixed now! And of course Nix has an Australian accent.

Cole had gotten exposure with my pottery on the last thread, so I figured my other two should get some face time. All were strays. Zoe, the white and black longhair, is 12 years old. My husband found her as a kitten sleeping in the street when he was making a run to the grocery store. Someone had let her out and she'd gotten lost--too many people don't realize that you need to supervise young cats when you let them out, and she wasn't more than 8 weeks old. She is so funny, following my husband around so he'll play with her, coming up and demanding attention wherever I am. The other two were part of a litter born under out house by a feral cat, and they are 6 years old. While Cole loves to crawl on a lap and be petted, Spook still has never let me pick him up. He'll come to my chair when I'm sitting and rub against my leg and let me pet him (that took several years) but if I start to grip, he's gone. And none of them cuddle with strangers. When the cat sitter comes when we are gone, she never sees them. But they are handsome, I agree, Linda, Peggy, Nicole, Jenny, Marianne, Mamie, Lucy and Joe. Thanks for coming by and admiring them.

>7 LizzieD: Haven't read Constantine's Sword. Did read Constantine the Emperor a couple of years ago when I got it as an ER ARC. Is it good?

>9 scaifea: Thanks for dropping in.

>13 sibylline: Zoe especially. See above. Loves to sleep on whatever I'm working on.

The news is very good this morning. My brother is already out of ICU, polished off two pieces of pie last night and is currently eating a roast beef sandwich with everything. Still a bit wobbly on his feet, but no pain.

Good news about your brother. And I like your comments on Bitter Greens, I enjoy multiple viewpoints in novels but agree that it also makes it easier to put the book down. I found that I couldn't stop reading when I was in the final third of the book and ended up staying up late to finish it. I've got her The Wild Girl to read and am also interested in her Dancing on knives.

One of my cats is quite timid, adores my daughter, only gives me time of day first thing in the morning when I feed her some dry biscuits. The rest of the day she spends leaving the room when any of us enter it. The two cats were semiferal when we adopted them from a family who had three female cats all give birth within a few days of each other and had to leave them outside as they were too much for their small unit. Not ideal and one of the reasons we took two home.

Cats at the top of your thread! Hooray!

You know, Roni, our reading almost never overlaps but I love visiting your thread anyway! I learn about books I think I would otherwise never even hear of.

Cheers -- and Happy Wednesday!

>16 ronincats: That is great news about your brother. I love the details "polished off two pieces of pie last night and is currently eating a roast beef sandwich with everything", but no pain is the best part (well, aside from the tumor just falling off and being out of his body).

Such great news about your brother! Sending healing vibes to him.

Such sweet kitties! I miss having cats. And dogs. Though I do love my parrot, and she is funny and quite a delight, it's not quite the same as having a dog or cat (or both) snuggled up on your lap.

Thanks for the news about Waistcoats & Weaponry coming out in November. I've just put it on hold at the library. Also, I think it was you who turned me on to A Madness of Angels, which I am loving! So, thanks for that too!

Roni... I'm sorry I'm just now seeing the news about your brother!

I'm so glad to see that the surgery went well yesterday. I'll be keeping you all in my thoughts and prayers!

Constantine's Sword is James Carroll's very personal investigation of the relationship between Jews and Christians, beginning with the cross at Auschwitz and then going back to the New Testament. It takes concentration, but I'm liking it.

Hello Roni! I miss seeing all your wonderful creations and living vicariously through your artistic gifting. :D

Happy new thread!

I keep meaning to mention how much I admire the Christmas tree earrings.

Do you also makes pendants?

>17 avatiakh: The two brothers have been company for each other, but Spook, the one in the picture, LOVES Zoe and treats her as his mother.

>18 EBT1002: Thanks, Ellen, I always like visiting your thread as well--not least because we were in similar professions.

>19 MDGentleReader: Thanks, Sheila.

>20 Storeetllr: Mary, so glad to be of help with the Carriger book, and glad you are enjoying A Madness of Angels. Thanks for the support. Is it my imagination or have you been on LT less lately?

>21 TinaV95: Thank you, Tina.

>22 LizzieD: That DOES sound intriguing, Peggy. I would not have been that interested in a simple biography of Constantine again. The library has it and I have placed a hold on it. I may be overreaching, though, as I already have two nonfiction books out. Interestingly, the library also has a documentary video.

>23 jolerie: Great to see you back, Valerie. Thanks for visiting.

>24 Kassilem: Thanks, Melissa

>25 MDGentleReader: I have made a couple of larger ones for pendants, or could always make one without attaching an ear wire for a pendant.



Book #145 Sunshine by Robin McKinley (389 pp.)

This was a reread for Halloween. In a world where the Others are all too real, Sunshine lives a very ordinary life as a baker in her stepfather's coffee shop/cafe, until the day she is kidnapped by vampires.

What I find most interesting in this book is McKinley's communication of how alien a vampire really is, even if one is trying to work with one to save one's own life. I think this is where the book stands out. No sparkly vampires here. And of course, I like her character development.

>20 Storeetllr: >26 ronincats: Yay, it was you! I knew it! Finished A Madness of Angels last night, and looking forward to the next in the Matthew Swift series!

I read Sunshine many years ago and loved it for exactly the reasons you cited: No sparkly vampires and, if I remember correctly, not a jot of kissy-feely stuff or tormented teenage angst, unlike so much vampire fiction these days.

Yes, I've been online a lot less lately. Haven't been feeling up to my usual self, and, when I am doing okay, I've been volunteering for two of our local candidates, making some GoTV calls and entering data for the campaign. And then, of course, I've been reading a lot in whatever time is left. Also, since my own thread's traffic has pretty much been reduced to a trickle, it hasn't made me feel much like keeping up on a daily basis. I do like to visit your thread, though, for my regular book bullet fix.

Okay, a new christmas tree pattern.

compared to this one I've been using.

Much overdue catch up Roni and it is good to see your reading as sprightly as ever. Even better is the news that your brother is out of ICU. xx

>26 ronincats: Ooh yes, Sunshine was just about perfect as a vampire story, loved that the romance was kept to a minimum. I'm down for reading The girl with all the gifts in November, it's meant to be a zombie novel with a difference, so interested to see where it takes me.

I like your loopy Christmas tree! The others are nice, but this one really grabs me. And I love the star bead at the top. I like the round "trunk" too. Is this a pendant or an earring? I suppose it could be either, depending on size and what you attach it to. That tree-of-life with all the beads is neat, too.

>28 ronincats: I like them both. Can't find the words to articulate the difference, but I think I would be drawn to wear each one with a different type of outfit.

I really like the new Xmas tree pattern a lot, though the others are also fun. I was just thinking, you could use blue beads on the earlier design, and put a Star of David on top of the newer design, and sell those as Chanukah bushes. (Chanukah starts December 16 this year, I think, and all my Jewish friends have, at one time or another, either had or joked about having a Chanukah bush in addition to the Menorah, etc.) Might be a new and lucrative market for you!

>29 PaulCranswick: Thank you, Paul.

>30 avatiakh: bluesalamander reminded me about Sunshine earlier this month, so I pulled it out. I'll be interested in what you think of your zombie book.

>31 jjmcgaffey: I made another and made them into earrings, but I'll probably make another and make a pendant out of it.

>32 MDGentleReader: Thanks, Sheila.

>33 Storeetllr: Great idea, Mary! I'll try that.

So I just finished my last book for October.



Book #146 A Night in the Lonesome October by Roger Zelazny (280 pp.)

and illustrated by Gahan Wilson! Bluesalamander mentioned this book as possible October reading, and it was a Zelazny I was totally unfamiliar with, it being one of his later ones. It sounded totally delightful and it is. Snuff the dog, is the WATCH dog for his master Jack, as a collection of strange characters converge on a spot in England, all of them very familiar to genre readers. So many lovely allusions. If you love classic fantasy, you will enjoy this.

October Summary

Books read: 13
Pages read: 4956
Average pages per book: 381
Average pages per day: 160

New to me: 10 3 new mmpb, 2 ER books, 2 new hardbacks
Re-reads:3 1 hardback, 2 tpb, all mine
NO Books Off The Shelf
Library books: 3 2 hardback, one electronic, all new to me

fantasy: 11
nonfiction: 1
mystery: 1

Authors:

English: 3
Australian: 2
USA: 8

Female: 7
Male: 5
Female/Male pair: 1

Publication date
1993-1
2000-1
2001-1
2003-1
2011-3
2012-1
2013-1
2014-4

ETA
Books acquired: 10
7 physical books (2 Early Reviewer, 1 Amazon, 4 Mysterious Galaxy)
3 hardbacks, 3 mmpb, 1 tpb
3 Kindle books

1 science fiction, 1 children's, 6 fantasy, 1 romance, 1 nonfiction

Books Out the Door: 10 Look at that, books in = books out!

1 pbs
3 free giveaway to Lucy
6 sent to Richard

Happy new thread, Roni! I love the story of how your cats came to live with you and your husband. Your cats have found a wonderful home with you.

That is good news about your brother.

>28 ronincats: - Oh, I do like then new christmas tree pattern!

>34 ronincats: - A Night in the Lonesome October looks good.

Thanks, Lori!

Here's what I'm taking to the market tomorrow. Mary, it turns out the only blue wire I have is a very light baby blue--won't work at all. I'll do some silver with blue crystals, and see if I can find some darker blue to order.

Oh those look so wonderful and festive! :)

Love the Christmas tree earrings! So festive!

Do you ever do anything for people who don't have pierced ears?

Congrats on Books In and Books Out!!! I am VERY impressed! but uh-oh NOTHING of the shelf, not so good!

The Zelazny looks like so much fun.

I'm glad your brother is recovering from his surgery Ro. Sending lots of positive thoughts for his recovery and further treatment plan.

I love the new Christmas tree pattern.

>37 ronincats:: What an enticing display, Roni! I hope you sell out! I also want to add my good wishes for your brother. He has been through an awful lot. I'm glad the last scare turned out so well. Those melanomas are nasty things. Please keep us posted on his progress.

>1 ronincats: Adorable! Cats love to nap on piles of mail, don't they? What is up with that?

Good news about your brother and thank you for sharing your lovely jewelry!

I love the new Christmas design! It's more intricate.

*sigh* Bad headache today. Woke up with it in the wee hours of the morning and two rounds of ibuprofen later it is still hanging around. I got rid of the pounding on the top from of my head but still have the tightening net around the back of my head.

Welcome, visitors--Valerie, Marianne, Lucy, Ro, Donna, Kerri and Morphy!

Thanks to all who love the new design. Didn't get a nibble on any of my Christmas stuff at the market yesterday. Did sell one of my shell flower necklaces, which fortunately was enough to cover the booth fee this week.

Marianne, earring wires are easy to make and cheaper than buying those clip thingies, so no, I haven't made any clip-on earrings.

Lucy, part of my loss of books was your gain, so thank you.

The Zelazny IS fun. Reminds me of some Neil Gaiman.

Kerri, cats seem to love piles of ANYTHING, don't they?

My brother is...HOME already. They sent him home yesterday afternoon, much earlier than projected. He was tired but doing okay.

No reading. I can do big stuff on the computer, and some moving around and organizing stuff, but reading aggravates the headache, which I will now try to go alleviate.

Sorry to hear about the headache - seems a lot of that going around at the moment, perhaps it's a change in the weather? I've had a bad one on and off since Friday as the weather has massively switched on this side of the pond, 21C on Friday and 8C today with wind and rain. Hopefully it will clear for you soon and you'll be able to get on with some reading.

There was a change of weather here too, Jenny which probably triggered it although it brought us some very welcome rain. My garden is soaking it up and is very happy. The meds finally kicked in mid-afternoon and I remembered I had the 4th St. Mary's book borrowed from Kindle Prime...



Book #147 A Trail Through Time by Jodi Taylor (250 pp.)

I am missing our Long Island Satanic Book Warbler right now, as I finally read the fourth book of the St. Mary's series. I think this one is the best constructed yet, and thoroughly enjoyed it.

Hi Roni, sorry to hear about the headache, hope it goes away soon! Good to hear that your brother is out of hospital, now is the time for recovery and I hope it all goes smoothly for him. As others have commented, I love the new christmas tree desigin, beautiful, sorry to hear they didnt sell at the market.

Thanks, Nicole. The headache was finally conquered.

More earrings, including some Chanukkah bushes. I don't have any stars of David, but the colors are right.


So, other than making earrings, today we went out and voted, and then up to Mysterious Galaxy to pick up the rest of my Thingaversary books, ones that were just out today.

Waistcoats & Weaponry by Gail Carriger
A Play of Shadow by Julie E. Czerneda--the first in this series (this is #2) was my top fantasy of 2013.
Hild by Nicola Griffith--out in trade paperback.

Then off to Costco where I picked up my first Christmas presents of the year:
The Brick Bible (Old and New Testament)
Brick Shakespeare: Four Tragedies & Four Comedies

These are complete with Lego scenes (Legos being the bricks).

>37 ronincats: Tra la la la la, la la la laaaaa! Very festive! I'm surprised people didn't grab up the Xmas tree pendants and earrings, but maybe it's just too soon.

>49 ronincats: I like the blue Chanukkah bushes too. I'll be interested to know if they sell well. When is your next show?

Just calling into admire your latest craft work. Also taking note of the Czerneda series.

Love your thread topper. They are lovely, I am amazed how many LT'ers are actually cat fans/owners. Also, I do like cats I do prefer dogs to be honest.

So great to hear that the surgery for your brother went so well and that he was able to come home already. I hope his recovery won't take that long. No wonder that you were getting headaches. This must have been incredible stressful for all of you.

>5 ronincats: Enjoyed your thoughts on Bitter Greens which is on my reading pile. I may will be able to still read it this month.

Hi, Mary, Kerry, and Bianca. Thanks for stopping by.

Well, today was our first day at a new farmers' market, closer to home, just the second week in existence. Unfortunately, we sold absolutely nothing. Traffic was really down from last week, according to those who were there, probably influenced by the time change. However, look what I found there!!!

Anyone who followed Katherine's (qebo) garden thread and her fostering of monarch caterpillars this summer might recognize the milkweed. I had been intending to find some to try to attract some monarch butterflies to my yard, and here it was! And not only was he selling the plants, he was throwing in caterpillars for free! How many can you count? How fortuitous!!!

Very cool Roni (the plant, not the selling nothing part)! Do you keep these indoors for awhile before you transplant them outside? Are the caterpillars supposed to become the monarch butterflies? Can you tell I'm a total plant noob?? :D

Not at all, Valerie. I blame your climate which allows you such a short growing season! No, these are established plants and I'll take them out in the morning and plant them. And yes, the caterpillars will pupate and then hatch into lovely butterflies! Exciting, no?

>53 ronincats: Oh my goodness! I miss my caterpillars now. :-( How many do you have? I see four in the photo.

There are 5--one is pretty well hidden.

Excellent on the Monarchs. We have them in our yard too. My wife got some milkweed plants and actually grew some from seed and lo and behold, got some cats last year. Has a second second crop this year.

Its amazing how much those little buggers will eat.

Quick catch up :

Happy new thread! Well, newish.

Sounds like your brother has a 'healthy' appetite ;0)

Love the new Christmas tree design.

Being highly knowledgeable I have to ask: why are Chanukah bushes blue?

Happy newish thread, Roni!

>16 ronincats: 'And none of them cuddle with strangers. When the cat sitter comes when we are gone, she never sees them.' That sounds familiar. Our rescue cat is still getting slowly more comfortable cuddling up to us (even after 4 years) - the latest breakthrough is that she has started stretching out on my husband's lap. :-)

>28 ronincats: I like it!

And so pleased to hear the continung good reports of your brother.

Very cool about the Monarchs, Roni! I hope that project goes well. It's exciting that they can be fostered like that. (It takes me back to my childhood silkworm phase!)

I find that cats settle down with strangers as they get older. Mine used to totally freak out if anyone at all came to the house but now she'll generally have a rub around the ankles of visitors.

Well, thanks to following Katherine's thread all summer, I know what this "J" means! http://www.librarything.com/topic/179947

Jeff, cats are so ubiquitous around here that your comment had me puzzled for a moment as I tried to figure out how mildewed was engendering cats!

Thanks, Nina. I don't know why, but Hannukah colors are blue and white or silver, just like Christmas colors are red and green.

Thanks, Heather.

Liz, thanks for dropping in.

>62 ronincats: Hmm, it didn't go very far.

Fortunately, or I'd probably never find it! I've decided not to plant the milkweed in my garden yet--it's pretty healthy in its pots and it's so hot here I'm afraid it would stress both plants and caterpillars. Yesterday it was 90 degrees and today 84--the caterpillars were pretty dormant during the heat of the day but now they are moving around and eating heartily. That's 32 and 28 centigrade, for you Commonwealth folk!

ETA I don't remember timelines, Katherine. How long in a J until they pupate, and then how long to emergence?

Excitement in the caterpillar department!
I love the fuller new Christmas trees - we were always star-on-top people. Clever Hanukkah bushes!
St. Mary's ---- must get back to St. Mary's!

... and, oh yes; how odd to buy a healthy plant specifically to have it eaten up :0) I hope you get a great crop of Monarchs (whenever).

>64 ronincats: My memory of 90 degrees has faded... In August, a J found in the morning would typically be a chrysalis by evening, then 10-12 days until the butterfly emerged.

Great news about yr. brother.

Love the monarchs too. And I hope you get to see them go through the whole metamorphosis!

Our cats and Posey are ridiculous and shameless animals and demand that petsitters fuss and play and cuddle the entire time they are around. I think they get more attention when we leave them than when we are here!

I am going to share those milkweed and caterpillar pictures with Haley! She is only 4, but she has the potential to be a real gardener. I know most kids love to dig in the dirt, as does she, although she is just as interested in plants and bugs. Unfortunately her parents aren't a bit interested so all the experience she gets will be provided by me. Maybe she and Molly will help me dig some holes for daffodil bulbs tomorrow!

So glad that your brother is home, Roni!

>65 LizzieD: Hi, Peggy. Hope the back is improving!

>66 humouress: Well, Nina, I only bought it because it's a host plant for monarchs. So I can't complain when they consume it.

>67 qebo: When I left this morning, the caterpillar was still a J, but it's a cocoon now! See below.

>68 sibylline: Lucy, my silly animals have that possibility and shortsightedly abjure it!

>69 Donna828: Great idea. Here's another picture.

When I got home this afternoon, the caterpillar in the J had transformed.

The caterpillar right above it is going in rings around the top of the pot, and the one above that has attached itself to the leaf and gone into the J. When dark came, the one that was going in rings had come to rest below the rim of the pot but not attached itself yet. The other two are still up in the leaves. I think they are finding it hard to get off the pot, which is actually okay by me as it makes it easier for me to keep track of them.

6:30 at night, full dark and it's still 77 degrees out.

At the craft fair today, I found a couple of gifts, a bracelet and card for me, and had lunch with my friend. We had a good time.

Book # 148 Waistcoats & Weaponry by Gail Carriger (298 pp.)

This book moves the storyline along quite a bit. It's getting closer to the world we find in the Parasol Protectorate books, and I'm anxious for the rest of it so as to reread that series and make all the connections. Lots of fun, as usual, but don't expect anything serious.

>70 ronincats: I think they are finding it hard to get off the pot

Yeah, I'd guess the slanted plastic sides are difficult to grip. I've watched swallowtail caterpillars just let go and drop to the ground, but monarch caterpillars seem more cautious.

Hi Roni,

love the pictures of the plants and I am amazed that they came already with caterpillars. I never heard such thing. The caterpillars look quite huge on the picture. I am definitely going to be one following their development as well. However, aren't you not worried that they will be eaten by birds or cats?

Wish you a wonderful weekend Roni!

Wow- so amazing, Roni. I really enjoyed following the monarchs on Katherine's thread and now I'll get to watch them on yours, too. Will you try to tag them?

That's so cool that the caterpillars are doing their thing already. I've never seen anything like that in the wild, only in butterfly houses at zoos and the like. We don't have the monarch butterfly here so that explains why I've never heard of it. I guess our most populous would be the red admiral, though don't quote me on that.

>28 ronincats: Great!!!!

>73 drachenbraut23: Well, the other three managed it, although to tell the truth I had moved the pot closer to the wall. One went behind a wood cat plaque leaning against the wall and has now "j"ed, one is under the wood trim that sticks out right by where the plant was, and one is not located yet. The other two are safely cocooned and I have that plant in the laundry room by the back door to keep them safe. I'll put it back out back in a week.

>74 streamsong: Well, the caterpillars were certainly a bonus I wasn't expecting, Bianca, and not something that usually comes along with the plant. I'm delighted, though, and considering whether to get another plant this week with some more. I'm going to put one plant in my garden bed but would like to put another somewhere in the yard where it will hopefully naturalize.

>75 lunacat: Yes, he gave me ones that were pretty close to "doing their thing".

>76 Whisper1: It is, isn't it, Linda!



Book #149 Thursdays With the Crown by Jessica Day George (210 pp.)

This is the third book in a delightfully fanciful children's fantasy series. Book 2 ended somewhat in the middle of things and this one brings us back home, so to speak. If you like whimsy and children's fantasy, definitely check this series out!

Only one more book to meet my goal for the year, and it should end up being Cress. I'm over halfway through--it's a 4 person POV novel which slows my reading down, but I'm making progress.

Pottery today. Another bowl that had too much glaze and chipped along the bottom, but the teapot turned out okay. I trimmed 5 bowls and threw two largish pots that I plan to turn into yarn holders. (If you don't know what those are, this is an example: http://cdnimg.visualizeus.com/thumbs/78/cc/handmadeyarnholder,blue,ceramics,darr...

Wow, the yarn holder idea is so cool. I am definitely making some of those, what a fantastic idea.

This caterpillar business is fascinating! Thanks for sharing. It's a subject I don't know much about.

>77 ronincats: Lovely teapot!

Hi Roni. I love the caterpillar story! Very interesting.

I love the blue teapot too!

>70 ronincats: Oh; gorgeous cocoon!

So, at the framers' market today, I sold a bowl, a casserole and a little bowl, so actually came away with $11 profit after the booth fee!

Caterpillar check: the one behind the plaque cocooned, the one under the facing board j'ed, and I still haven't been able to locate the 5th. But the four are all progressing nicely and are sheltered.

Jenny, one of the ones I threw yesterday will be a Christmas gift for my sister.

Thanks, Kerri and Connie. Aren't they great, Nina?

Book # 150 Cress by Marissa Meyer (550 pp.)

Wow, what a tome! But with at least four different points of view, and a lot of stuff happening, it was an entertaining tome. Now I'm in the same position as everyone else, waiting for the fourth and final book to come out next year.

And I've met my reading goal for the year!

Yay!! Congrats, Roni! 150 books is very impressive.

I haven't read Cress yet. I wonder if the 4th book has an ETA? or should I say ETPublished?

>83 ronincats: & >84 streamsong: The "fourth" book Winter was to be published in February 2015 but has been pushed back to November 2015 so that the author could release Fairest, Queen Levana's back story. This was not in the original plans but heaven forbid the publisher not get every dime out of a popular series. I wonder if it's going to be like Maleficent? I hope not. Sometimes a villainous villain is a good thing.

Congrats, Roni! What a good reading year. I loved Cress; nice one to make your goal with.

>85 luvamystery65: Darn. It's going to be hard to wait that long for "Winter". Fairest as the title for Queen Levana's story: I hadn't made the Snow White/Queen connection with that character. Hmm.

150!!!! Yay! Congratulations. I like that pot - it really has a sort of hat. When you pour it will stay on?? It looks quite heavy.... I am always breaking pot lids when they fall off as I am getting every last drop . . .

Congrats on meeting your reading goal for the year, and with over a month and a half to go! Nice!

Also, congrats on your success at the market! IMO, that's the way it should always be!

Glad to know you enjoyed Cress so much. I stuck with Scarlet, which I found tiresome too often, only because I heard Cress was really good.

>86 jnwelch: Yes, Joe, Levana is Winter's step-mother.

>89 luvamystery65: Hmm, I say. Food for thought.

I really want to read the Cinder series but am in the middle of soooo many series right now that I just can't bring myself to start another one. The goal is to try wrap up as many series this year so I won't feel so guilt ridden next year. :D

>53 ronincats: I am so jealous...

Congrats on making the goal! That's a lot of books. :)

Speed-reading through trying to catch up. I love the new Christmas tree earrings. Since I already have the originals, however, I'll be good. I posted a photo of my with the necklace and earrings but you can't see them very well. I'll take a photo of just them and post it too -- maybe tomorrow.

Serendipitously enough, this article on why Fairest will be the next book out, plus the cyber promotion coming up in December:
http://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/childrens/childrens-book-news/articl...

>84 streamsong: Thank you! Ro answered your question, and the article above has some relevance too.

>85 luvamystery65: Thanks for the info, Ro. Enjoy the article above.

>86 jnwelch: You are right, Joe--the waiting is the hardest part.

>87 sibylline: You have to hold all my lids while pouring--while there is a lip to keep it from slipping off, if you tip it as far as I do when pouring tea you need to keep a hand on it. That said, mine are fairly sturdy if you do drop them.

>88 Storeetllr: Thanks, Mary. Yes, the pace is really picking up in Cress.

>89 luvamystery65:, >90 jnwelch: Ro and Joe, the anticipation mounts!

>91 jolerie: It's probably a good plan, Valerie, to wait until next year because by the end of the year the series will be complete and you can just read them straight through.

>92 fuzzi: I had to go look and see what you were jealous OF, foggi! Yes, all of mine are in their chrysalis stage, and I'm trying to decide whether to get more tomorrow.

>93 Kassilem: Thanks, Melissa.

>94 RebaRelishesReading: Reba, it's so nice to have you back in communication again. It was a nice picture of you, but I'll look forward to a closeup.



Book #151 Soulless by Gail Carriger (384 pp.)

After reading Waistcoats & Weaponry, which takes place 20 years earlier than this one, I wanted to reread to see what characters show up again. Unfortunately, only Lord Maccon (who we never actually meet) and Lord Akeldama appear in this book, which was rather disappointing. However, I know at least two of the characters show up in the next book--do I continue my reread, while so many other books clamor for my attention?

Stopping in! Hoping for brilliant sales of your Christmas earrings!

hi Roni

tried to catch up a little, loved the catarpilars :-)

The weather here is strange, way to warm on many days, my passiflora is still blooming in November!!

Anita

>96 sibylline: No earrings sold, Lucy, but a little boy convinced his mom to buy my two Christmas ornaments. Guess I'd better make some more.


>97 FAMeulstee: Always lovely to see you here, Anita! My passionflower vine attracts the Gulf Fritillary butterfly--does yours?

Morning Roni -- I posted a photo of the jewelry last night. Hope it gives you the detail you want.

I love all the interesting things you have going on here, Roni. Can't wait till the Monarch's emerge. What a great way to give nature a helping hand.

>99 RebaRelishesReading: Great pictures, Reba, including the jewelry!

>100 DeltaQueen50: Thanks, Judy.

No visitors since Thursday, and I've not been here myself! I went to lunch on Thursday to the Retired Teacher's Association, which just happened to be at the Elks lodge where I did my very first craft show last year. I had not heard anything about this year's show--in fact, I think I put that I wasn't interested after last year's show, but since it's been my best sales so far, I've reconsidered--and wanted to take the opportunity to talk to Kim the coordinator about getting back on her list. Turns out Thursday was the set-up day for the show and she'd had a last minute cancellation, so my husband and I went back down there that afternoon with our gazebo and tables and I've been there from 9 to 4 both on Friday and today. Sales were not as good as last year, but still were over $250 and certainly beat out any of the farmers' markets we've been trying. I sold my Egyptian cat necklace, a bunch of pottery, several of my scarves, and two pair of my Christmas tree earrings. I've come home both nights and crashed--I'm a bit better tonight, but way behind on the threads, and reading has suffered. However, I did finish the following book right before this all started. I thought I'd already posted it, but it isn't here so...



Book #152 Zombie Elementary: The Real Story by Howard Whitehouse (244 pp.)

This was a book I received through the Early Reviewer program. It's intended for boys aged 9 through 12, I would say, and is trying to be Diary of a Wimpy Kid but with zombies. It's cute and I would guess that its target audience will enjoy it. Nothing to recommend it to adults, however.

Thank you for reading Zombie Elementary so I don't have to. :)

Thank you also for recommending Sorcery and Cecilia (pretty sure that was you; dang my laxness about noting who recommended what), which is lots of fun! I am really enjoying it!

ETA a BIG congrats on the success of your show!

Probably was me for Sorcery and Cecilia, as I reread the series recently. Glad you are enjoying it, Mary.

That's so great to hear about the sales, Roni. I'm so glad that people are appreciating your creativity and hard work. :)

Glad to see you found a venue that had generated better sales for your wonderful products, Roni!

Wishing you a happy Sunday!

Hi Roni :)

wishing you a wonderful remaining Sunday. Wonderful to hear that you were able to sell quite a few of your beautiful craft items. I stopped making items for sale, as I noticed that people quite often don't appreciate the amount of time and effort going into handmade things and moan that they are to expensive.
I sometimes knit for people when asked and agree on a price beforehand, but that's about it.

Hi, Valerie, Lori and Bianca! Thank you. I did fairly well but this still wasn't my target audience for the most part. It being at the Elks lodge, most of our clientele was members, or rather their wives, and most of those were my age or older. So I got some lovely appreciation of the colors and design of my jewelry and pottery but, like me, they are at that stage of their life where they are more concerned with downsizing rather than acquisition. I want to find the crowd with their taste, younger and still picking up things they love, but old enough to have the money to afford it. Any idea where I could find that group? ;-)

Bianca, the thing is, I just love to make things, and I don't have enough people I give gifts to to absorb them, and I don't have a big enough house to keep them, so this is really just a venue for trying to pass them along. Supporting my hobbies is pretty much secondary since I often just make the booth fee, usually not enough to cover the materials after that, and labor usually isn't involved at all. Yesterday was a nice exception, because I made enough after the booth fee to pay for one and a half month's pottery studio fees and the yarn and jewelry supplies involved. You are quite right that many people do not appreciate the above factors.

So, a funny thing happened while I was off at the craft fair. I went out this morning to check on my garden. The peas were at the point where I needed to pull their netting across to train them up on, I needed to weed out some grass, AND there was a new caterpillar on my milkweed. There must have been an egg on the plant when I bought it! So it's busily chomping away. The four chrysalis monarchs are hanging in there just fine.

Glad to hear that you had a reasonably successful sales weekend! Surely somebody among the 75ers would have a suggestion of how to reach your target customers. People in their late 30s and on into their 40s? I haven't a clue, I'm afraid. Seems to me that your stuff is timeless - that even folks our (I say "our," but I may flatter myself) age would be interested.
Hooray for 5 Monarchs!

>101 ronincats: Well done on the sales!

Also enjoying following the story of your caterpillars :-)

>107 ronincats: Ah, I dropped in for a status report on the monarchs, and there it is. I'd expect the butterflies to emerge this week. Glad to see a bit of encouragement in the craft sales, but yeah, if you count both the making of the item and the selling of the item as labor, which you should, it does rather drive up the cost, and alas I have no bright ideas about how to strike the right balance for customers.

I want to find the crowd with their taste, younger and still picking up things they love, but old enough to have the money to afford it. Any idea where I could find that group?

Sadly, I am going to say that that segment of the population - or at least the ones I know that fit that description - like to shop on-line or in trendy retro shops. Have you considered setting up an etsy shop?

I was just thinking the same thing - my husband makes some jewelry and has sold a bit on Etsy - it's very easy!

Congrats on the good sales this week!

>71 ronincats: I have only read Etiquette & Espionage so far but I really want to get on with the series. I am thinking of trying them in audio format. I just love Gail Carriger!

I am very much enjoying your monarch butterflies adventures. Thanks for sharing!

Great news about the sales being better, Roni.

Congrats on making your goal! Looking forward to further butterfly adventures.

Glad the Elks show went well. I'd been thinking about trying it with my Knitting4Peace fund-raising things but it didn't work with our travel plans this year (imagine that lol).

Hi, all. I'll respond tomorrow and update my reading log, but tonight I'm totally exhausted and feeling every one of my years as we spent my birthday first setting up and doing a craft fair from 9 to 1, and then packing everything up to go up to our Farmers Market and doing the same thing again. The craft fair was much more profitable. Got home about 6:30 and we're boiling king crab for supper.

Oh! It was your birthday yesterday, and I missed it?!? Belated but no-less-heartfelt happy birthday wishes, Roni! Hope you enjoyed the crab ~ sounds yum ~ and the rest of your evening!

Thank you so much, Mary! And yes, I'd love him to.

Happy birthday! Sorry to hear it was a tiring day but hooray for a more profitable craft fair!

Happy belated birthday Roni! Sounds like a crazy, busy, tiring day, but at least it was productive right?? :)

Chiming in late, but happy belated birthday, Roni. Crab sounds like a delicious birthday meal.

Happy belated, Roni

Happy birthday for yesterday Roni!

Happy belated Birthday! Hopefully you can have a nice, relaxing day to recover :)

Dropping by with belated Happy Birthday wishes for you, Roni!

Whoops, so much for stopping in every day! Happy late birthday!

My belated Happy Birthday wishes, too, Roni. Hope it was a good one!

Belated Bountiful Birthday Blessings, Beautiful!

Many thanks to Heather, Valerie, Judy, Brenda, Rhian, Jenny, Lori, Lucy, Joe and Morphy for the birthday wishes! They are much appreciated. I now have my medicare card and am officially an old person. I need all the support I can get! ;-)

Katherine, you didn't tell me how beautiful this is!

Here is a shot with the other chrysalis and the bonus caterpillar in it as well. One of the others is behind the cat plaque you see leaning against the wall, and one under the trim board it is resting upon.

I still haven't found the chrysalis of the 5th of the original caterpillars.

I recuperated yesterday by playing with my birthday present to myself (20% off coupon plus free shipping), which arrived in the morning. This involved clearing out all my jewelry, taking one of my boxes out of commission, and reorganizing everything into the other box and this new one. Lots of pottering around required--loved every minute. The new one is supposed to prevent tarnish, so I put all my silver into it. This is a stock picture, btw, not one with my jewelry in it. Isn't it neat?

>138 ronincats: But I posted photos, that's the best I could do! Is the butterfly out?
(And happy birthday!)

Some people think I have too much jewelry. Ha! There are some nice silver pieces, with different semiprecious stones (lapis, opal, malachite, moonstone, amethyst) and lots of costume jewelry, with an extended collection of cat pins, earrings and necklaces from Laurel Burch and Zarah and Susan Wrisley fimo mostly but quite eclectic. I used to wear it all a lot at work--it was one of my trademarks at my schools to always have something with a cat on my person--but not as much now that I'm retired, but although I cleared out a lot of marginal stuff, I'm not ready to let go of the good stuff yet.

Reading-wise, I had to renew all three books I checked out from the library 3 weeks ago today, as I have only barely started one of them (two are non-fiction for the Science, Religion and whatever group and the other is The Quick, which I haven't started because...). In the meantime, I have been devouring the rest of the Parasol Protectorate series.



Book #153 Changeless by Gail Carriger (374 pp.)
Book #154 Blameless by Gail Carriger (355 pp.)
Book #155 Heartless by Gail Carriger (374 pp.)

These are SO much fun, and even more so when re-reading one after another. Pure enjoyment!

And I DID bring home The Eye of Zoltar from the library, the newest and third in Jasper Fforde's series for middle school children. Not the level of his Thursday Next books, but still worth reading for me.

>131 qebo: I know, but it's hard for a photo to do it justice. No, I just took this so I would hope it won't come out until tomorrow, as it is sunset here. Highs have been in the low 70s, so it should have a good day.

>133 ronincats: It is imminent... Most of mine emerged mid to late morning. I had one that emerged in the evening and I was worried, but it spent the night hanging on its chrysalis shell and flew away the next morning. I guess hanging is more comfortable than it looks.

>130 ronincats: Oh! The butterfly bush pic is breathtaking, with the fat happy-looking caterpillar and the pupae, especially the one with the butterfly almost ready to emerge! I am officially green with envy!

Happy belated birthday! And wow, that's an amazing picture of the butterflies. They're on you're porch? That's so cool. :)

Oh that picture of the butterfly is way cool!! I've never seen anything like that before so thanks for sharing that with us Roni!

And that jewelry box is cool as well. I haven't had a chance to wear much jewelry in the last couple of years. Too much potential for monkeys yanking and grabbing. One day I will take them all out of storage. :)

PBS is live streaming from the Miami book fair all weekend--wish San Diego had one any more.

Katherine, I'll be out there first thing in the morning to try and catch the butterfly before it leaves. So exciting!

Thank you, Mary, Melissa and Valerie. The butterflies, in whatever form, are on my deck in back. Valerie, I totally understand that!

Wow, the butterfly chrysalis is gorgeous. I didn't realise they went translucent like that.
And the jewelry box is stunning. Where did you get it from? Perhaps I can find one similar over here for my best friend (and possibly one for me as well!)

What a gorgeous pic of the butterfly en chrysalis!

Fantastic jewelery box!

Happy belated birthday, Roni! And thanks for sharing that lovely photo of the chrysalis.

Happy belated birthday, Roni!!!!

Love the pic of the chrysalis. It looks beautiful and I see there is still one of those stunning fat caterpillars around as well.

I was thinking about etsy as well. One of my sisters friends started an etsy shop some time ago and so far she sold quite a few items. I think you can reach a much wider audience with that type of sale.

Dropping by after a long while. Belated Happy Birthday! Good to know you had a good couple of days at your booth; but you have to take your own tables? And yay for more caterpillars.

>118 Storeetllr: And I don't mind if I have a slice of that cake, too ;0)

>130 ronincats: Ohhhh! That is so beautiful; I had no idea they looked like that.

On finding the crowd with your taste; if you can work out the taste of the people who do buy, would you consider changing what you make, and catering to them? Although it's not something I can do; if I try to please other people, it still doesn't work (probably because there's no conviction behind it) and I feel unsatisfied with the final thing.

Happy belated birthday, Roni!

>130 ronincats: Thanks for sharing the lovely butterfly photographs - that's truly amazing.

I continue to be amazed at the transformation from caterpillar to butterfly. Thank you so much for posting the pictures here!

Well, the butterfly emerged shortly after 9:30 local time this morning. I looked out the window (having been checking since about 7:30) and saw it had fallen to the deck and was crawling across it.

Since the wings were still limp, this didn't look at all comfortable, and then the body fell down one of the cracks in the deck. Therefore I took a small twig and supported it from beneath, then laid my hand across its path and when it climbed on, moved it to a hopefully more appropriate spot.

It stayed up there for several hours.

Then it fluttered off and down onto the settee underneath for an hour or so.

It started flexing its wings and I have some good movies of it moving around. When I left for pottery, it had climbed up to the arm of the settee and evidently took off sometime thereafter, as I expected.

Isn't it gorgeous? The others have not turned transparent yet, but the bonus caterpillar has J'ed.

And thanks to my visitors, Jenny, Lucy, Darryl, Bianca, Nina, Kerri and Lori, for coming by. I hope you enjoy the new pictures. If I can figure out how, I'll post the video to Facebook once it's done processing.

Okay, one of those "doh!" book moments occurred earlier today. I was commenting on someone's thread about Zelazny's Nine Princes in Amber series. I have about 20 science fiction book club books that I picked up from a free cycler a couple of years ago that live under the computer desk, for lack of shelf space. I knew I had the 2-volume omnibus edition of Zelazny's first five books in that series and, when I looked under there, also have Doorways in the Sand AND (wait for it) the book I got from the library to read for Halloween, A Night in Lonesome October, which I enjoyed very much. So now I have a read that is both a library book AND a Book Off The Shelf at the same time!

Also, I see that my local PBS station is airing the first Phryne Fisher mystery tonight! Definitely recording that to watch, after all the good vibes about it from LTers.

Wow! I have never seen a butterfly that close before. Thanks for those pictures!

I am also a little late with the birthday wishes dear lady but the belated ones are still well meant! See that you have serenely passed the 75x2 whilst I wasn't paying attention.

Have a lovely weekend.

Butterfly and Birthday! Thanks for sharing both with us, Roni!

You can see that last minute or so I shared with my Monarch here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yod2jc7MgVs&feature=youtu.be

Thanks for coming by, Melissa, Paul, and Peggy! Always glad to see you here.

>146 ronincats: It's a boy!
Js are so adorable. I always wonder what they're thinking...

I had no idea their wings had blue tips! What amazing pictures, Roni!

>153 qebo: I knew you would be able to tell, Katherine! Thanks.

>154 lkernagh: That may just be the sheen of the light on the black, Lori.

That would make sense. ;-)

Love the butterfly pics . . . Thanks for sharing!

>153 qebo: How can you tell? What are the markers? I'm curious...

>158 jjmcgaffey: The male has two pheromone glands on its hind wings, which appear as oval dots from above, and as thickening of the veins from below. It's also possible in theory to tell from the chrysalis, but I looked at some of mine through a magnifying glass and couldn't get the light right (bright enough but without glare) to be sure.

http://www.mymonarchguide.com/2007/05/what-does-monarch-butterfly-look-like.html
http://www.mymonarchguide.com/2008/09/is-it-possible-to-gender-id-pupa.html

Gorgeous photos and video, Roni. Thank you so much for sharing!

Great photos and description, Roni!

love the butterfly pics. I recently finished The book of strange new things and thought it might appeal to you, so suggest you check out a review or two.

Lovely lovely lovely!!

Oh! Stunningly beautiful! I'm almost in tears from those pics, the Utube clip, and your story of the baby butterfly's first steps. Thank you so much for sharing, Roni!

hi :=)

Well, BOTHER! After a nice lunch with friends for a belated birthday celebration, I came home to find my next monarch had emerged and was nowhere to be found after that 3 hour hiatus. And then this evening it has become increasingly clear that the increased stuffiness of the head over the last few days that I hoped was due to the low humidity and allergies is actually devolving into a nasty head cold. Yuck!!!

Welcome to Lori, Brenda, Jenn, Janet, Darryl, Kerry, Lucy, Mary and Stephanie! I'm glad there's no chance of you picking up my bug. I am disappointed about not getting any pictures of monarch #2. Katherine, thanks for the information about sexing the monarch, but I suspect I will still be relying on you.

Kerry, Zoe put The Book of Strange New Things on my wish list in September, but it's very good to know you recommend it as well.

Finished Timeless on Saturday and The Eye of Zoltar last night.



Book #156 Timeless by Gail Carriger (386 pp.)

And so the Parasol Protectorate series concludes. There are several references in this book to the events of 20 years prior which will climax in the 4th Finishing School book due out next year--you can tell Carriger already has a pretty good idea of what she wanted to do with that series. And then we'll be waiting for her books about Prudence and her adventures some 20 years in the future. Can't wait!



Book #157 The Eye of Zoltar by Jasper Fforde (405 pp.)

This is book 3 of the Chronicles of Kazam and finds Jennifer and company journeying into a neighboring kingdom on a search. After an interesting time has been had by all and they are returning home, we have an emergency situation and a cliff-hanger ending. Not my favorite scenario, but the rest of the book was as usual clever and entertaining. This series is intended for intermediate readers (5th through 8th grade) so these books aren't for everyone.

>166 ronincats: next monarch had emerged and was nowhere to be found after that 3 hour hiatus
Yeah, they do that.

>132 ronincats:, >166 ronincats: Parasol Protectorate
I might try these...

Roni, your pictures of the Monarch are gorgeous! I've learned a lot about Monarchs over the last couple of weeks - Thanks.

>167 qebo: They are pure steampunk supernatural fun, Katherine.

>168 DeltaQueen50: I learned a lot from Katherine this summer. She "facilitated" dozens of them!

Forgot to post a photo of the jewelry I made last night, for a gift for a friend's birthday. Meant to make some more tonight for my booth, but feeling lousy.

Ooh, I like that red/orange flower! What is it made of? Is it one object, or have you created it by stringing beads together? Lovely.

Sorry you're not feeling well - when I'm sick, I eat hot stuff (curry and the like - I can take hotter curry than chili), and curl up in bed. If I'm really not feeling well, I just sleep, but on the edges of that (before and after I collapse completely) I can get in quite a bit of reading. Oh, and hot black tea with honey. Use all your best coping mechanisms and knock this cold out quick!

I didn't really enjoy the Parasol Protectorate - found it a bit too silly and precious for my taste. I'm in the minority, though, so if it sounds fun go ahead! And even though I didn't love it, I did read all five books.

Feel better soon, I hope you do feel well enough to read! (And have a nice big pile to choose from!)

>146 ronincats: Gorgeous! Thanks for posting the photos.

>166 ronincats: Sorry to hear about your cold. Glad you enjoyed your reread of the Parasol Protectorate and the new Jasper Fforde book. If there's a cliffhanger I may wait until the next book is released.

Head colds are no fun. Get lots of rest and feel better soon.

Oh, no! Not a head cold right before Thanksgiving! Sending healing thoughts your way, Roni!

Hope you are able to shake off your cold and enjoy Thanksgiving, Roni.

Oh dear. Oh dear. I'm sorry about the cold. I wish the worst would be over by tomorrow, but I fear not. Take care of yourself!
And thank you for that lovely video clip!

Feel better soon Roni and have a great Thanksgiving!

Checking up on you and thinking, Oh dear, this must be a whopper of a cold indeed. I hope you feel better soon, better enough to enjoy turkey and pie.

Happy Thanksgiving, Roni! I hope that you're feeling better today.

Happy very belated Birthday Roni! Loved your monarch photos....awesome! I hope you have a very happy Thanksgiving!

First of all, Happy Thanksgiving to everyone, and thank you for the well-wishing. After taking it VERY easy on Tuesday, I probably did too much on Wednesday (laundry, clean the kitchen, put away clothes, water garden) but slept really well Wednesday night and well enough yesterday that we went to the farmers market, where I sold my last large bowl for $25. Today I'm considerably more congested again, which is probably due as much to the 84 degree temperature with 11% humidity as anything. The turkey is stuffed and in the oven, due out in a little over an hour, KU has played Rhode Island in Orlando FL and won convincingly, and the next monarch emerged and hung around until the last 10 minutes of the game and then flitted off before I could get out and film it. I have a couple of pictures of it hanging around for a couple of hours. None with the wings fully extended, though.

>170 jjmcgaffey: The flower is formed by wiring individual shell beads together. I had lots of liquids on Tuesday and really pampered myself. I liked the Parasol Protectorate even better on re-reading--some of the things I thought rather silly the first time through fit much more smoothly this time, and of course I had the broader perspective to fit it in.

>171 sibylline: Lucy, I'm plowing through The Man Who Loved China which is interesting if not particularly well-written IMHO. Not feeling up to starting The Quick--might do my last Vorkosigan reread.

>172 souloftherose: Heather, you could certainly wait for the next Fforde book in my opinion.

>173 lkernagh:, >174m >175 DeltaQueen50:, >176 LizzieD:, >177 jolerie:, >178 sibylline:, >179 kidzdoc:, >180 Cobscook: Thank you for all the lovely wishes. Although I'm congested in the head, I'm not feeling really lousy sick, so I think you are being effective!

>146 ronincats: Love the pics of the butterfly, sooooooooo pretty!

>169 ronincats: Beautiful jewelry as always and I do find the neclace incredible interesting. So the flower is formed by individual beads, very nice!

Happy Thanksgiving Roni and I do hope that you will feel better soon. A cold can be quite debilitating, especially when you would like to rest and you still have to do so many things.

Thank you, Bianca. After all your health issues, you certainly know what debilitating can be!

I forgot to mention that I took my tools to the market yesterday, and made 4 pairs of Christmas earrings. Hopefully, the holiday fair I am doing at a local community college next week will see these move.

And today's monarch. Can you determine gender at this angle, Katherine?

>184 ronincats: I think it's a boy. On the right side there's a blotch on the vein.

Just wanted to stop by and wish you a Happy Thanksgiving and an end to any congestion that is still lingering. Have a lovely holiday weekend!

Roni, at a time when Americans give thanksgiving, I want to express my own gratitude to all my friends in the group who have made a difficult year for me as good as it could possibly have been. You are an inspiration in a number of ways to me. Have a lovely holiday. xx

>185 qebo: Would a profile view be more definitive, Kath? The next chrysalis is transparent now, but as it is only an hour until sundown I'm hoping it waits until tomorrow to disgorge its occupant.

Thanks, Mary. Unfortunately, today has been the probably inevitable regression after several days of doing too much. I've been dripping all day and feeling totally energy-less. I'm glad you had a family-filled white Thanksgiving up in the mountains and hope the rest of the weekend is as relaxing as you desire.

Paul, you are a silver-tongued devil! I am profoundly thankful for you and all the rest of my LT friends as well!

I did finish the reread I started yesterday and finished off the Vorkosigan read for this year's group with the final book in the series:



Book #158 Cryoburn by Lois McMaster Bujold (339 pp.)

Have I mentioned how much Bujold's books respond to rereading? I suppose in part it's because when I first get a new one I gobble it down whole without chewing, but when I reread I slow down and savor all the tasty tidbits underlying the main action. This is the final book in the series. Lois might write other books set in this universe, or stories that happen prior to this one, but I don't think she'll write one about the Vorkosigans set after the book.

I've been so engrossed with a huge embroidery project that I haven't even read anything forever and haven't done much on LT either. As a result I missed your birthday. Sorry, and hope it was happy even though it sounds like it was exhausting. Also hope you had a nice Thanksgiving. We're celebrating tomorrow. Son and grandkids due in a couple of hours. I've made a start on the cooking so tomorrow shouldn't be too difficult.

Love the butterfly photos!

>188 ronincats: Would a profile view be more definitive, Kath?

A view from the top is best, but from the side is OK too. Male gland w/ red circle below. I had to record mine for tagging, and they weren't always cooperative, so I got familiar with all angles.

Okay, this is the same butterfly as above.


Which confirms it as male. I need some females to come back and lay eggs!

>191 ronincats: Yup, boy. The difference will be more obvious when you get a girl.

This is so great! Identifying monarch males and females!

-I'm thrilled to hear that the Bujold's reread so well. I'm holding off just because I loved them so much!

I love the spiral green Christmas earrings, very nice. Hopefully your next butterfly will be a girly, or perhaps the boys will bring their wives home (I know that's not how it works!).

Well, the next larva continued in completely translucent condition ALL DAY today without emerging despite it being a lovely day in the low 70s. Tomorrow is a chance of showers. We'll see what it thinks of that.


Last night was the first day I really didn't sleep well because of my cold, although it was my third night of vivid dreams. The only one of interest was the first night where the science fiction section could NOT be found in the new San Diego main library. And in real life all my newly glazed pieces at the pottery were too heavily glazed and stuck to the kiln shelves, resulting in ugly cracks on the bottom. Bummer.


I've lurked through a lot of threads today but haven't been feeling very energetic so didn't say much if anything.

Learning so much about butterflies here, so thank you!

Hope you beat the cold soon, Roni!

Ugh, that's an awful dream!
Qebo, thanks for the informative pictures. I kept looking at the butterfly legs.
Roni, Captain Vorpatril's Alliance isn't in the reread? Interesting.
Also, I'm questioning if this will really be your final thread of the year!

Thanks, Kerri.

Well, the butterfly, after dilly-dallying all yesterday, decided to get out and about very quickly during the KU-Michigan State game (10 to 12 local time), and when I checked on it at the end of the third quarter, there was naught to be seen. I'm going to imagine that this one, and the other one, that got out on its own and off to wherever without the couple of hours of hanging around that the other two needed, are female. Now I've one left, one last chance to photograph, and it'll be several days yet.



Book #159 The Man Who Loved China by Simon Winchester (284 pp.)

This was a very interesting biography of Joseph Needham, a British don who journeyed in China during World War II and ended up writing a multi-volume history of the development of science and technology in China. He clearly was an interesting character and was at the center of many important happenings in the 20th centery. However, and I've not read any of Winchester's other work, the language and the tight third-person focus make it all seem pretty prosaic--he did this, read that, went here. I don't think that it gave me any insights, just information.

>198 ronincats: get out and about very quickly
Oh good; I was worried about it last night. Any of mine that stayed in the transparent chrysalis for so long were either waiting for warmer weather, or doomed (i.e. the chrysalis turned black). Low 70s around here would be quite warm enough, but maybe your monarchs have higher expectations.

I listened to The Man Who Loved China a couple of years ago -- it 'listened' quite well. I've read a lot of Winchester's stuff because the things he chooses to write about interest me - but yes - the information is great, the prose is.... prosaic!

I read The Professor and the Madman by Winchester and gave it 7/10 stars. My mini-review: "Fascinating look at how the Oxford Dictionary got started. I was wondering how they kept track of everything before computers. Also, you felt for Minor even though he was in an asylum for murdering someone. Read by the author who did a good job."

So, not great, but pretty darned good.

I was relieved too, Katherine!

Lucy, thanks for the validation.

Morphy, The Professor and the Madman has been on my wish list for a long time--this one was for the Science, Religion and History group so it got moved up.

November Summary

Books read: 13
Pages read: 4453
Average pages per book: 343
Average pages per day: 148

Books new to me: 7, 4 from the library.
Rereads (all from my shelves): 6

Genre:
science fiction: 2
fantasy: 7
Children's: 3
nonfiction: 1

Author Gender:
female: 10
male: 3

Format:
Kindle:1
Hardback: 7
Mass market paperback: 5

Books acquired: 3 dead tree books from Mysterious Galaxy
1 Kindle special--Don Quixote

Books out the door: 2 via PaperBackSwap.com

A high percentage of rereads this month, as I reread the entire 5 book Parasol Protectorate series after reading the new Waistcoats & Weaponry at the beginning of the month--these were also my 5 mmpb books. I also reread the last Vorkosigan book to finish up the series for this year's group read. All of those were also by female authors.

Other than the nonfiction, for another group read, all of the other 6 books were published this year. One was a Kindle, the other 5 were all hardback and 3 of them were from the library.

November
147. A Trail Through Time by Jodi Taylor (250 pp.)
148. Waistcoats & Weaponry by Gail Carriger (298 pp.)
149. Thursday with the Crown by Jessica George (210 pp.)
150. Cress by Melissa Meyer (550 pp.)
151. Soulless by Gail Carriger (384 pp.)
152. Zombie Elementary by Howard Whitehouse (244 pp.)
153. Changeless by Gail Carriger (374 pp.)
154. Blameless by Gail Carriger (355 pp.)
155. Heartless by Gail Carriger (374 pp.)
156. Timeless by Gail Carriger (386 pp.)
157. The Eye of Zoltar by Jasper Fforde (405 pp.)'
158. Cryoburn by Lois McMaster Bujold (339 pp.)
159. The Man Who Loved China by Simon Winchester (284 pp.)

>188 ronincats: In my Vorkosigan read I only have Captain Vorpatril's Alliance and Cryoburn Left (*sniff*). Does the order of these two matter?

>195 ronincats: "where the science fiction section could NOT be found in the new San Diego main library"

Noooo!

Love the pots and the butterflies - sorry to hear your pots cracked.

>203 souloftherose: Read Captain Vorpatril's Alliance first. Cryoburn is the final book, Heather.

Echoing others on Simon Winchester, yeah, interesting subjects, but I find the books tedious going after awhile.

It's a shame really - he picks wonderful subjects and researches them diligently.

Katherine and Lucy, that was my experience with this book exactly.

General update:

Regarding my brother, it isn't good. The tumor that was removed was Stage 4 and they've now found another mass in his knee. Biopsy is upcoming.

It's raining in San Diego. This is a big deal as we had only received about 3 inches of rain in 2014 and have a major drought going. Bad news is that it may be raining during my craft show at Southwest College tomorrow. We are outside on the patio--it is covered, but still will be cool and possible windy and damp. Currently 61 degrees--rain began sometime after noon. My plants are loving this.

Proposed reading for December:

I'm participating in the Connie Willis group read this month and have Lincoln's Dreams and Uncharted Territory as planned reads.

I have several library books that I may or may not complete: The Quick, The Ornament of the World and Constantine's Sword. I've started the first and the third but so far am not "into" either.

I want to do some feel-good Christmas reading and will probably reread some of my classic Regency Christmas collections. I also have picked up Once Upon a Christmas Carol and The Christmas Spirit for free on the Kindle.

And I have some great books in my tbr pile, including the sequel to my best fantasy of 2013.

>207 ronincats: I am so very sorry to hear the news about your brother's cancer. I HATE cancer.

Hugs.

Sorry the much needed rain may impact your craft show tomorrow. We had rain and temperatures in the mid 30s today. Ick.

Hope you cold is gone.

More hugs.

I (and my garden) are very happy about the rain (we're getting it up north, too), but it does make things difficult. I don't _own_ any waterproof boots! Fortunately my mock Uggs stood up to today's tramping about, and I managed to miss all the really deep puddles. Maybe the rain will drive everyone into that covered space and they'll buy you out?

Sorry to hear about your brother. Cancer is such a pain.

Thank you - that's exactly how I've felt about several Winchesters now. I think I did enjoy The Professor and the Madman, but I just read The Jonestown Flood and...I wouldn't have believed that subject could be made boring. Ah well. I shall read my other Winchesters with an eye to obtaining information rather than enjoying a story (because I do like knowing what he tells me).

So sorry to hear the news about your brother. Hopefully the mass in the knee is either not cancer, or is not very advanced, and they are able to keep ahead of it's progress for as long as possible.

I'm really sorry to hear the news about your brother. Hugs and strength to all of you.

Well, drat on the Man Who Loved China. I had read a review of it and it sounded interesting - a good addition for reading some science history from that part of the world. I had forgotten all about the read (oops since I'm the one who suggested it) but have now requested the audiobook.

Hugs and strength from me as well Roni. I will keep you and your family in my thoughts.

Love that you can tell whether the Monarch is a girl or boy. So, I am now patiently waiting for a girl to arrive as well. :)

As always such beautiful pottery. I wished you would live in Europe Roni, so that we could meet up from time to time and I could admire your pottery and jewellery in real life. :)

>211 streamsong: It was fine as an audiobook! Promise!

I am so sorry to hear about this setback for your brother and hope they can move swiftly on it and get things to settle down.

Let's hope the rain doesn't deter customers too!

I'm sorry to hear about your brother's knee. Hopefully it will be easily treated. Cancer sucks SO MUCH.

>207 ronincats: {{{{Hugs}}}} and thoughts and prayers for you and your family.

So sorry to hear the news about your brother, Roni. Healing thoughts coming your and his way.

Simultaneously sorry and happy for you about the rain. I hope it doesn't mess with your sales, but I know California really needs as much rain as possible.

So sorry to hear about your brother, Roni. I wish you all much strength.

I'm guessing your craft show is pretty cold and soggy today. Bummer. Hope people were still motivated to come out and that their shopping lists were long.

I had no idea a human could tell boy butterflies from girl ones. Amazing

You and your brother are in my thoughts. I hope things work out.

>207 ronincats: brother
Damn.

Oh Roni, your family is my thoughts as well. Fingers crossed for a positive outcome.

Thinking of you and yours, Roni...

Eesh. Sending positive thoughts about your brother, Roni. They can do a lot with cancer these days.

Thinking and praying for your brother and the family. *Hugs*

Roni I am very sorry to hear about your brother's health. I am sending you (and him) lots of prayers and positive thoughts.

I echo everything said here and wish there were something really helpful that any of us could say or do for your brother and you. I wish you all courage and patience and skilled medical help and a better outcome than you fear.
I can't quite get into the Constantine book either although I haven't tried yet in December. I will though. And Lincoln's Dreams is a favorite Willis. If it's not a reread for you, I pretty much know that you'll enjoy it.
Hope you're feeling better your-own-self.

General update:

Nothing new on my brother. Thanks to everyone for their support. I'll do individual responses tomorrow.

Wednesday, it rained all day. Fortunately when we arrived, we discovered that due to the rain and some cancellations, we were located INSIDE the student cafeteria building instead of outside around the corner under the pavilion. And the lady who liked my pottery at the Chula Vista fair and made my show happened to be here too and bought up 5 more pieces plus a crocheted poncho and was 40% of my sales here too. It was a good day.

But it was an 8 hour day, 7:00 (setup) to 3. I was exhausted and yesterday I stayed in my pjs around the house and got out my Christmas tops and jewelry and socks and found places to put them and cleaned the kitchen pretty thoroughly and the hallway and did laundry.

Today we were out and about. I took a bunch of my Christmas tree earrings to the consignment store and we had lunch at the Dumpling Inn and then went to Costco before coming home. I watched my Jayhawks lose big time to Florida in the first half--and then come back and win in the second half. Rock Chalk! And I finished the second fingerless glove during the game. Pictures of the gloves with the hat I finished at the show and the cowl I finished last week--all matching--tomorrow.

Off to bed! Oh, and I've received two packages from my LT Santa in the last two days!

{{{ronicats}}}

Yay! You've got a pottery- groupie. Here's wishing you many more.

The Man Who Loved Chin audiobook has arrived through ILL, so I'll be starting it as soon as I finish The Foreign Correspondent.

So, another busy at home day. The turtlenecks are in the dresser drawers, the sleeveless tops in the rubber bin they came out of as well as the majority of the shorts, the short-sleeved tops on hangers are in the back closet and the long-sleeved tops into the bedroom closet, the sandals up on the top shelf of the closet and the closed shoes and boots down onto the shoe etagere, the summer purses into the back closet and the suede and winter purses up into the front closet, plus 6 very nice purses into the Goodwill box. Summer (sleeveless) pajamas into the bin and long-sleeved pajamas into the dresser. This is how we change the seasons from days in the 70s and 80s (Fahrenheit) to days in the 60s to 70s in San Diego. It doesn't help that I have very limited closet space in my bungalow. And too many clothes. And need to keep a few warm weather clothes accessible for those 80 degree days that come in the middle of the winter. No pottery today as it was the day of the Student sale, but I also didn't take any of mine in to sell as my inventory is getting low. Tomorrow I'll stop by to pick up my two yarn bowls.

Now, many thanks to all who have visited and supported me about my brother. This includes Sheila, Jenn, Jenny, Janet, Bianca, Lucy, Morphy, Heather, Mary, Reba, Melissa, Katherine, Judy, Amber, Joe, Valerie, Roberta, and Peggy. It is discouraging because we all hoped the surgery would buy him some time before it cropped up again, and the mass on the knee suggests that it may not.

That Wednesday rain was very productive. We started the week with slightly over 3 inches of rain for 2014, well under our average of 10 inches a year, and with some reservoirs below 10% of capacity. By the end of the storm, we had gained 2.5 inches officially and the garden rain gauge showed 2.25 inches here, so very welcome. My poor stressed out trees and bushes especially benefitted. But I do have to get out into the garden sometime this week as the weeds and grass loved it too. The chrysalis weathered the storm fine--its plant was on a sheltered area of the deck--and it hasn't changed color yet.

My cold is slowly receding, although I still have a lot of mucous production and leave trails of Kleenex behind. But I am feeling pretty good, thank you.

Jenn, my reading clone, glad of the validation on Winchester. His subjects are so interesting, it's a real shame that he can't be a McCullough in his writing. Janet, I hope you enjoy the audio of the Man Who Loved China as Lucy did--although I did appreciate the few maps in the book quite a bit.

Bianca, I would love a meet-up in Europe!

Peggy, I've been finding the Constantine book a little too angsty or heavy for my mood right now, although I think it is just the kind of thing I normally like. I have never read Lincoln's Dream before--it took me quite a while to find a copy, but it's coming up next.

Shiela, you are back again with hugs--thank you!

Janet, a pottery groupie--how funny!! And just what I need to make my shows profitable.

Last night (I've been getting very little reading done, being busy during the days and watching TV at night--Peter Pan raised such memories of multiple times watching Mary Martin on TV as a child Thursday) I read the first of the Christmas books on the Kindle.



Book #160 The Christmas Spirit by Susan Buchanan (166 pp.)

This was a Kindle freebie, a harmless little tale of how the Christmas Spirit uses a village bakery in Scotland to bring happiness into the lives of 4 of its residents. It would make a good Lifetime movie. Quick light read that fit my mood.

I have several Winchesters in my personal library because the subjects of his books are so interesting. None of the books on my shelves has been cracked yet but after the discussion about his writing style I put the skinniest of his books on my bedside table to read. I hoped to find The Alice behind Wonderland an interesting read but now I have mixed feelings about starting the book. At least it is quite short and I will have an idea of how the longer ones will be.

Adding my concern for your brother, Roni. Take care.

Hmmm. I have also put aside the Constantine for now, and I'm not dealing with anything bad. I will get back to it in the new year because I think that it's quite worth the time.

I love it that you change your wardrobe for that temperature difference! Although in truth, I have a different 'protocol' for about every ten degree drop - when the longjohns go on and the extra shawl, the vest on ALL THE TIME.... and which coat, scarf, hat to wear. Today will be the full monte as it is about 0 F. I have a huge sheepskin coat that I wish was longer, but it is incredible, inherited and greatly appreciated. Miss Po, despite being a winter dog, doesn't like it this cold at all!

Meg, I've only read the one Winchester, but you are right, he does choose such interesting things to write about. I still want to give The Professor and the Madman a chance.

Thanks, Kerri.

Peggy, I'm going to return the Constantine to the library now, but also plan to get back to it in the new year. Let me know when you do, and I'll team read with you.

Lucy, it is amusing, is it not? Actually, it can get down into the 40s and even the upper 30s on our coldest nights, and one definitely needs those extra layers. That said, I didn't need them much last winter.



Book #161 Uncharted Territory by Connie Willis (149 pp.)

Great send-up of how a PC corporation might handle first contacts with indigenous natives of an unexplored planet!

I've just been lurking through the threads today. Just haven't had much to say. No one has been by here either, so the doldrums seem to be widespread.

I took 4 books back to the library today--none of them completed, but they were due and I couldn't renew them again. Brought 3 books home--hopefully not to the same fate.

I did do some earrings last night. Had to as I took all but 6 pair of my Christmas tree earrings to the consignment shop Monday.

And today I did a necklace/earring set I had been meaning to do for a while.

and my husband drug me out for supper at Puesto (outdoor dining!) tonight and we stopped by the pottery (no class last Saturday due to student sale--I didn't take anything because I'm low on inventory) studio and picked up my two yarn bowls.

Oooh, pretty jewelry. And the yarn bowls look really cool.

Love the jewelry, and the Christmas tree earrings are such fun!

Yarn bowls?

Yum for the yarn bowls!!!! Especially the darker green - LOVE!
That new necklace is lovely.
I also love the new tree earrings with the stone wrapped in the middle - especially the ones without the extra dangles.

Love the jewelry. Wish I knew how to do things like that.

>238 LizzieD: I'll fight you for the tree earrings ;)

Ooh..I've never heard of a yarn bowl?! How do you use those? Very cool, Roni. :)

Visitors!! Thank you, all. Sheila, Mary, Peggy, Melissa, Jenny and Valerie! Don't fight--I'll make you your own.

Mary and Valerie, a picture is worth a thousand words.

Genius!

>242 ronincats: Clever!

Love the yarn bowls!

Oh! I need one of those!

Oooh, I've wanted a yarn bowl of my very own for yonks! I'm hoping that I hinted enough to my mom that I'll maybe get one this year...

A yarn bowl! That is really a great idea.

Well, it's not original--I've seen them around, and wanted to make one for my sister for Christmas. But thank you for the appreciation, Peggy, Katherine, Lori, Mary, Amber and Lucy. The lime green one is my sister's--she's liked that glaze before. The other was in my booth yesterday, but no one bought it. But I did have my best sales of the year at that farmers' market--3 scarves, one Christmas necklace and one pair of tree earrings. Today I wrapped gifts for my nephew's family in Florida and mailed them and my LT Santa books at the post office, and then we bought our tree. I'll decorate it tomorrow while it is supposed to be raining. I also did online shopping for my other nephew's family, with the packages sent to my mom's. One hitch--the quilt shop in Salina that I was going to get a gift card for my niece has gone out of business. My mom has everything--I'm thinking of giving her the necklace above, in gold and blue. She wears those colors.

Without the yarn in it, I would have no idea what you'd use a yarn bowl for. (I've used a ziploc bag in the past myself.)
That necklace is beautiful.

Hi Roni. Just very quickly catching up around LT. Had to leave you so late since your thread is so long. So sorry to hear about your brother. Love the butterflies, pottery and jewelry. Glad the rain helped out. Great yarn bowls.

>249 ronincats: Did you put yarn in the yarn bowl when it was in your booth? I had never seen a yarn bowl either and it made much more sense with the ball of yarn in it.

I hope that your rain wasn't too much. I just watched the news about the mud slides and rescues in California. We were hit by the same system up on the northern part of the west coast with high winds that caused a lot of power outages. It was very strange to turn the corner into my work place and there were no street lights and no lights in the building. After about an hour they were going to deploy us to other work sites. We were just on our way out the door when the lights came back on.

QQ, a ziploc bag works, but a yarn bowl is more classy! ;-)

Hey, Nina, you've been busy. Good to see you here.

Meg, yes, I had yarn in it at the booth, but then (some) people thought it wasn't for sale! No problem with the rain up here on the mesa, but the low-lying places flooded again and up north where there had been fires or previous slides, there were lots of problems. We just got the tail end but should still have an inch or so, still greatly needed.

So today was decorate the tree.

Can't see but all the ornaments are cat-themed.

And then I finished a book!



Book #162 Valour and Vanity by Mary Robinette Kowal (401 pp.)

This is book 4 of the Glamourist Histories, and I think the best yet. Kowal's debut was a purported Jane Austen pastiche which caught the language but not so much the spirit. In the following books, she has moved to her own voice and her true gift for adventure stories. The story here is a complex mystery which succeeds in being totally true both to the period and her fantastical overlay. Recommended, but the reader would still would benefit from reading the earlier books first.

A cat-themed tree, fun! Do you cats enjoy it as well?

Glad to hear the weather didn't affect you. I've been thinking about you since I saw the news reports.

Love the cat-themed tree! I have half-a-dozen cat ornaments and decorations that I enjoy. I would love to see close-ups of some of your favorites if it's not too much work.

Glad you were spared the misery and only got the good part of the rain ~ much needed moisture!

A cat themed tree is a great idea. I'd love one but my housemate would veto it as not fitting in with whatever colour theme she has chosen for the year. This year we have purple and gold, and our ginger cat works with that but not the others!

(erm ... I don't think she put the actual cat on the tree, Jenny)

;0)

Love the idea of a cat themed tree. I'll have to follow up on the Kowal books, I quite liked book 1 though had some reservations.

>258 humouress: Really? Darn it. There I was thinking it was a good way to get them out from under my feet, if only I coordinated their colours. Now even that option is out.

Of course we generally have one or two 'excursions' made by beasties of the feline persuasion up the Christmas tree, so it's not that ridiculous a thought. Maybe it's best I don't take on your idea and made a fully cat-themed tree though, they don't need any more encouragement!

I had to chuckle earlier. One of our girls was staring in wonder at the tree, and stroking one of the baubles. She stayed there for a good ten minutes, lightly touching it, before moving away. It was very cute.

Oh, were you thinking of this type of tree, Jenny?


Sorry, no, although Mamie has a picture of her Mercy in her tree on her thread (crazymamie). I will post some closeups of ornaments between now and Christmas, Janet.

Thanks to my visitors, Lori, Janey, Mary, Jenny, Nina and Kerry.

I always leave the tree up overnight undecorated in case any of the cats decide to try it out, but no takers this year. And of course, only the non-fragile ornaments go on the lower branches.

We received 1.3 inches of rain yesterday and overnight and have had a sun-filled but cool day today. I was awake in the night so slept late. My KU Jayhawks had a scare with Utah but hung on. Pottery included trimming and putting a handle on a little pitcher and throwing 3 bowls. Nothing coming home for several weeks, and my throwing was off today. :-(

Tomorrow I need to get the gifts wrapped and packaged up for the Kansas folk so I can get them to the Post Office on Monday, "the busiest postal day of the year"!

Jenny's pictures of her arm-knit scarves on her thread (lunacy) reminded me that I totally forgot to take a picture of the scarf I crocheted during the game yesterday.

Beautiful scarf, lovely colors! I made my first arm-knit scarf last night! It came out okay, too, I think ~ though I had to unravel it a number of time (3 or 4, to be semi-precise) before I managed to get it right. I'll take a pic of it when I finish it off.

Speaking of cats and Christmas trees (>261 ronincats:), I saw this on FB and thought you'd get a kick out of it:

Arm-knitting? Picture of this in process please???

Great tree, Mary!

Lucy, here's the link to the message with pictures Jenny posted in her thread of her scarves:
http://www.librarything.com/topic/183952#4946142

This is one of them.


and she posted a link to a YouTube tutorial here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YPer3Xv2QSM&feature=youtu.be

Pretty neat stuff. You can also arm-crochet.

Well, my last monarch decided to come out today, a beautiful if cool day between the rains. I had my cameras out, determined to catch its departure, but the damned thing has just hung around all day and was still there the last I checked, after sunset!

I'm thinking this one might be a girl.

So, after it became evident nothing much was happening, I got busy on one of the two things I wanted to do today--cookies and date bread.


The other thing was to wrap all my gifts to go back to Kansas, but with help like this it hasn't happened yet.


However, I did finish a book today, recommended by Judy (Delta Queen).



Book #163 Her Royal Spyness by Rhys Bowen (324 pp.)

This is combo checklist/mystery set in the early 30s in Britain and featuring Georgie, great-granddaughter of Queen Victoria and 34th in line for the throne. The problem is that she is penniless and unmarried. Her father lost all his money in the Depression, she's stuck in her half-brother's castle in Scotland (with its tartan bathrooms and ever present drafts), and she's had enough. So she escapes to London, living in the family House with no servants and trying to come up with ways to earn some money. Except then there is a claimant to the family Castle who ends up dead in the bathroom of Rannoch house, her half-brother is arrested for the crime, and someone seems to be trying to knock Georgie off. This was fun, as much for the contacts with the queen and cousin David and Mrs. Simpson as for the adventures with her friends.

>265 ronincats: Hehehe, you can't beat help like that. It makes things go SO much easier and quicker :)

>265 ronincats: I'm thinking this one might be a girl.
Yup.

>262 ronincats: What a beautiful scarf!

>265 ronincats: I've been enjoying the Her Royal Spyness series. I believe that I am caught up now with Queen of Hearts. I also like her series with Constable Evan Evans, although I have not read them all (yet).

>265 ronincats: The Royal Spyness series is a fun read. I just finished number 5, I think. Next up is a Christmas related one that I hope to get to this Christmas season.

I have never heard of the Royal Spyness series, but it sounds fun. I wish I were 34th in line for the throne... they would have to let me meet Kate Middleton, right? :)

I haven't been round the threads much due to holiday business plus I've come down with a bug...laryngitis plus an ugly cough. However, the other day I was out and about and got two compliments on my tree earrings -- one of them from a stranger in an elevator. :)

Glad that you enjoyed Her Royal Spyness, Roni. These are perfect reads between heavier reads, or just when you need something light that you don't have to think too much about.

LOVE the cat tree... :)

Our cats are tissue paper mad too. It does make wrapping a challenge.

Her Royal Spyness does look like good fun.

>266 lunacat: You know it, Jenny. Did you like the cat trees above?

>267 qebo: Such a slug-a-bed she was, too. Didn't take off until after lunch today, and headed straight south.

>268 MDGentleReader:, >269 Familyhistorian:, >272 DeltaQueen50: I'm definitely going to continue with the series.

>270 RosyLibrarian: Well, you'd get tea with the Queen at least, Marie.

>271 RebaRelishesReading: Reba, I'm so sorry to hear you are under the weather. I'd noticed your absence on your thread. I'm delighted, however, to hear my earrings are catching people's eye. I'm hoping the rain moves through before Wednesday afternoon so we can make our usual Wednesday afternoon appearance at the College Farmers Market.

>273 drneutron: Which one, Jim?

>274 sibylline: A challenge indeed!

Okay, Peggy requested (on her thread) examples of my Cat Carols. Here you go.

>275 ronincats: love that Cat Carol. Thanks for the smile when I really needed one.

Cats and Christmas!!! Yay! Love the cat carol.... I might have to try my hand before the holiday is over. Thanks, Roni!

Cat tree is great, although slightly alarming as our most difficult and complicated cat is pure black and the thought of so many of her is enough to send me diving for cover!

She's also our most expensive thanks to 2 medications twice a day and two or three vet visits a year. Any more than one of her might bankrupt us.

>275 ronincats: I too am hoping the rain moves on in a day or two because daughter #1 just arrived from Portland and was hoping for some warm sun. After she leaves on Friday it's welcome to come back, however.

>276 MDGentleReader: Hey Sheila, here's more hugs. {{{{{Sheila}}}}}

>277 LizzieD: Here's another favorite from the little book--

Wreck the halls with two cats running,
Fa-la-la-la-la...la-la-la-la.
Fur goes flying, lamps get done in,
Fa-la-la-la-la...la-la-la-la.
Tumbling swiftly down the hallway,
Fa-la-la-la-la...la-la-la-la.
Woe to those who get in their way,
Fa-la-la-la-la...la-la-la-la.

Did you see the Boynton cat tree in >261 ronincats:, Jenny?

Sorry, Reba, no good weather until Thursday, but next week is supposed to be gorgeous.

Got the final box of gifts mailed off today--now it's time to think about Christmas cards. Looks like the farmers market will be rained out tomorrow. Drat! I was hoping to sell more Christmas stuff and scarves.

ETA: Aarrgh! I came here to post Kevin Hearne's best books of 2014.
http://kevinhearne.com/my-best-reads-o-the-year

LOVE LOVE LOVE the carols!

And off to look at Kevin Hearne's list. I am giving the LD the Iron Druid series for xmas.

Oh, the black cat tree with the glowing eyes... :)

Looks like you're having a nice afternoon at the farmer's market AND we're getting some lovely water each week :)

>283 RebaRelishesReading: Well, it was a bit windy and nippy at times, but no showers! Also very few customers, although thanks to the market's manager buying two small pieces of pottery for gifts we came out ahead.

Hi, Lucy and Jim. Lucy, that's a great gift! Jim, don't start the new year too soon!

>280 ronincats: Thanks for the hugs. Here's some back {{{@ronicats}}}. I have a box to mail out now, had fun shopping at an upscale candy place yesterday. Forgot to bring box with me, so I'll need to go home to get it and mail it.

>284 ronincats: Glad you came out ahead. Too bad the weather didn't cooperate. Air temperature here not too bad, but wind chill makes it wicked cold.

You are as bad as me, Sheila. After mailing all the gifts back to the Midwest, I realized I'd forgotten one!

At least I remembered to take a picture of the crochet hat, scarf and fingerless gloves I finished last week when I had it out on display, and also the new one I finished while there yesterday.

>286 ronincats:. Oooh, pretty. I admired the last scarf, but I have to admit that these two pictures contain much closer to colors that I like to look at and to wear. You are so very talented. Is the scarf pattern your own? I've never seen anything like it. Beautiful and warm. Very nice.

Lovely crocheted scarf sets!

Thank you, Sheila and Mary! These are more my colors as well.

The scarf pattern was actually on the cover of the October 2010 copy of Crochet World. I thought it was great, especially for the San Diego climate, but I've never seen any others besides mine. That may change--I've had a number of crocheters come by inspecting them.

I've still not managed to take any pictures of my cat ornaments during the daylight, but here's another carol from Catmas Carols.

(sung to the tune of Good King Wenceslas)

Good Cats in the House

Good cats in the house are bad
When their Mom's not looking,
Stick their noses everywhere
Just to see what's cooking.
When their claws need polishing,
Shred the couch and love seat.
They don't heed admonishing,
But their misdeeds repeat.

Good cats in the house are sad
When they feel neglected.
They will yowl without respite
Or act cool and affected.
Special love at Christmastime
Is what they require,
That we pet them ceaselessly,
Their good looks to admire!

Love the cat carols, Roni! I'm going to copy them and send them to my daughter, who adores her black cat Wynston aka Bubbies. (It's the only "thing" she took after her long-term relationship ended last spring and she moved out of the apartment she shared with her ex (besides her clothing). ;)

Loving cat carols - especially "Wreck the Halls" - so true, so true.
I also completely agree with Hearne about City of Stairs and am off to see about that Maplecroft one. Then back to reading what I have already!

Lovely crafting as always Roni!

Haha..I'm just giggling at all the cat carols.... :)

A carol a day here, guys! Stay tuned! Loving the cat carol love, Mary, Peggy, and Valerie.

Picture one of cat ornaments on my tree:


Reading:



Book #164 The Awakened Kingdom by N. K. Jemisin (124 pp.)

This is a new novella set in Jemisin's The Inheritance Trilogy world, after the third book. There was a special deal where you got all three books and the novella for $8.88, and I wanted the novella. I was also unhappy with my print copies because the first book came out in mmpb format and then they published the next two in trade pb format, and I hate having mismatched sets, especially with the size differential! So I will send off my dead tree copies via PaperBackSwap and keep the Kindle copies. I enjoyed the novella, dealing with the aftermath of the conclusion of the third book. Jemisin has a distinct vision and voice in fantasy, very non-traditional, and I recommend her work.



Book #165 Lincoln's Dreams by Connie Willis (228 pp.)

My 21st book off my shelves this year, this book embodies Willis' statement that she essentially writes historical books with a science-fictional frame. The frame in this instance is the dreams of a young woman, which seem to reflect the experiences of Robert E. Lee in the Civil War. Definitely not a comedy, more of a tragedy, but very gripping.

Today's cat carol:

God rest ye merry, kitty cats,
Let nothing you dismay.
Remember, lots of yummy food
Is served on Christmas Day,
To save us all from hungry tummies,
Hip, hip, hip hooray!
Oooh, tidings of catnip and joy,
Catnip and joy.
Oooh, tidings of catnip and joy.

You're reading Connie Willis, my favorite author! Yay! And I adore all the cat pics! A cat carol a day keeps the vet away....

I liked Lincoln's Dreams too! oh, and hi :-)

#294: I own Lincoln's Dreams, but have not yet read it. I wonder where my copy is? Hmmm. . . .

Roni, We have several cat ornaments on our tree, as well! This is probably not surprising. :-)

I've been singing the cat carols to the cats every day but I don't think they are appreciative of my tuneless warblings.

Hmm. Lincoln's Dreams looks tempting.

Keep those carols coming!

I'm enjoying the cat carols, ornaments and all the kitty love. How many fur-people do you serve?

Another winner in the cat carol department!
I'm glad that you appreciated Lincoln's Dreams too. Hmmm. For getting to 75, a short Connie Willis might be just the thing.....

>280 ronincats: Wreck the halls with two cats running,
Fa-la-la-la-la...la-la-la-la.
Fur goes flying, lamps get done in,
Fa-la-la-la-la...la-la-la-la.
Tumbling swiftly down the hallway,
Fa-la-la-la-la...la-la-la-la.
Woe to those who get in their way,
Fa-la-la-la-la...la-la-la-la.

I love that!

>286 ronincats: Oh pretty! I like the purple/pink colours.

>294 ronincats: I saw you'd rated this on my homepage which inspired me to go off to Amazon and found the entire trilogy plus novella in the omnibus edition for a really good price for kindle (Think the UK price of £4.99 is even better than $8.88 - sorry). Have reread the first book and made a start on a first read of book #2 - for whatever reason these are really hitting the spot.

I also enjoyed Lincoln's Dreams when I read it although my lack of knowledge regarding the American Civil War was a bit of a hindrance...

Also loving the Christmas cat carols :-)

May I recommend to EVERYONE my book #166 of the year?



Book #166 Miracle and Other Christmas Stories by Connie Willis (336 pp.)

I am so glad that someone in the Connie Willis thread this month prompted me to reread this book of short stories. It truly put me in the Christmas spirit (and it was a quick read, Peggy!).

Cat ornaments of the day:


And the cat carol of the day:

Bark! The neighbors' dogs will sound
When they see us spin around.
They can make it really hard
For cats to play in the yard.

Canine cousins are a puzzle.
Santa, please bring each a muzzle.
We can't wait for the time when
Silent nights are here again.

Bark! The neighbors' dogs will sound.
May Christmas peace and love abound!

There we go, trying to keep all my visitors happy (and visiting!). ;-)

>295 hairballsrus: Paula, hope this is satisfactory. See above--a seasonal read of Willis' book is highly recommended.

>296 AuntieClio: Ditto for you, Stephanie.

>297 alcottacre: Oh, no, it's lost somewhere in the Black Hole, Stasia!

>298 EBT1002: I LOVE your Solstice greeting, Ellen. SO appropriate and true. And I know you are a happy camper today after the Seahawks' win yesterday.

>299 lunacat: Maybe the cats will like this one better, Jenny.

>300 sibylline: Here's another carol for you, Lucy, and the Willis above is highly recommended for this week.

>301 streamsong: Janet, we have 3 cat-persons and one small dog-person.

>302 LizzieD: Peggy, the book of short stories isn't one of her short books like Uncharted Territory or Remake, but it goes very quickly! A story a night and you'll have it done for this year.

So, not much accomplished yesterday--no Christmas cards or wrapping done. We went out for breakfast at Rudfords, then to the Gem Faire to pick up some supplies I needed, and then to check out the new home of Mysterious Galaxy, doubling their floor space. No more author readings cramped into a tight corner! And of course I had to buy a few books (and order a couple more). I got The Bullet-Catcher's Daughter, recommended by Mamie (crazymamie) earlier this month, and Maplecroft by Cherie Priest, which was one of Kevin Hearnes' top three reads of the year.

>98 ronincats: No Roni, we have no butterflies here that like the passionflowers. The last flower kept until december 4th!

I enjoyed all your pictures of butterflies, jewelry, pottery and cats Christmas trees :-)

I just WL'ed the Bullet Catcher!

Anita, so lovely to see you here!

Hope we both like it, Lucy.

Okay, so I found the image I want to take around on my holiday visits around the threads, but I'd better try it out here.

Book #167 Jane of Lantern Hill by L. M. Montgomery (217 pp.)

foggidawn just read this and commented on it on her thread, and it's been ages since I last read it, so I pulled it off the shelf and read it. Like Anne of Green Gables and Emily of New Moon, we are exposed to the delights of Prince Edward Island and a young female character who works through difficulties into happiness, and we love it.

Love your xmas cat image!!!

A very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year, Roni.

This is on my thread, but I thought you might appreciate my new tree decoration

Thanks, Lucy and Connie. Jenny, that's a great photo!

Well, it's Christmas Eve's eve, and I am going to start the rounds of holiday wishing since I don't know how free I'll be for the next two days. Should I for some unfathomable reason miss your thread, may I wish you the merriest of Christmases or other Solstice type celebration of your choice, and a very Happy New Year!

That cat!! How did it get there!

>313 connie53: Unfortunately, he jumped! I was convinced the tree was going to take a nose dive but thankfully it survived his kamikaze efforts.

Doing the rounds with a festive Connie to wish you a very Merry Christmas full of joy, love and books.

>314 lunacat: that must have been quit a jump!

>311 lunacat: That is a great picture! (Cat in tree!).

Smart of you to post your holiday greetings today.... I've decided that cute as all those other corgis are, none can beat Miss Posey, but our tree isn't up yet (we're the last minute types) so at best I'll get a photo tonight or tomorrow morning!

Just stopping in for a quick catch up and to wish you the very best of Christmas cheer!

Happy Holidays!

Happy Christmas, Roni!

From our family to yours!

Roni - have a great Christmas and New Year!

Time for today's picture of Christmas ornaments and another catmas carol.



We three cats of Orient are
Terrified to get in the car.
Why go out for celebrating?
We'll stay right where we are. Oooh--

CHORUS:
Home is heaven. Home is good.
Home is where we get our food.
Why go out for Christmas parties?
Frankly we're not in the mood.

We're not happy with a trip yet.
Seems they always end at the vet.
These excursions are diversions
We'd just as soon forget. Oooh--

(Repeat CHORUS)

We three cats are Siamese,
Himilayan and Tonkinese.
Bring us gifts of meat with gravy
And mild kinds of cheese. Oooh--

(Repeat CHORUS)

Merry Christmas, Roni, and a joyful Happy New Year!

I just sang the latest carol to the nearest cat to me, and he started purring but looked quite confused. I don't think he appreciates the sound of beautiful singing ;)

Roni, happy Christmas! I love all your tree ornaments and the cat carols :-)

Happy Holidays!

Love the cat Christmas carols.

I hope you have a lovely Christmas. Hugs.

Happy Holidays, Roni.

Having grown up with both a Siamese and a Tonkinese, I really like todays' Cat Carol.

Merry Christmas, Roni!

Roni, I'm so happy to have made your acquaintance this year. Your warm encouragement and support mean a lot. Not to mention your excellent taste in crafts and reading. I'm so grateful to have you in my life.

Hope you two have wonderful holidays!!

No, I haven't been at the beach just busy with visitors. Older daughter was here last week. Son, girl-friend and grandkids were here for the weekend. Younger daughter and boy-friend arrive tonight. Friends from Australia arrive Sunday. It's fun but fills the days with little time for LT.

Merry Christmas, Roni!

Happy Holidays, Roni!

I hope you have a happy holiday season, Roni.

Stopping by to wish you and your loved ones a happy holiday season and all the best in 2015!

Dear, dear Roni, Merry Christmas to you!

Merry Christmas, Roni!

Merry Christmas Roni, I hope you and yours have a wonderful time.

Wonderful Christmas Roni, to you and your family.

Merry Christmas, Roni. Thanks for sharing all the beautiful photos of your pottery, your jewelry, and your butterflies this year. It's always a joy to visit your thread and see what you are up to.

Merry Christmas!
On the eve: Do I smell turkey?
During: Worn out:

Merry Christmas!

It is so lovely to see all my LT friends stopping by. Jenny, Connie, Lucy, Hannah, Katherine, Amber, Marie, Valerie, Rhian, Peggy, Susan, Melissa, Sheila, Judy, Jeff, Stephanie, Reba, Chelle, Jess, Meg, Lori, Anne, Darryl, Janet, calm, Bianca, Julia, and Inge, your visit and well wishes are much appreciated. What a community!

So, here's the last photo of cat ornaments and the last catmas carol of 2014.


Awake in a cat bed,
She can't go to sleep.
She's thinking of cat toys
That she'd like to keep.
She's seen them in catalogs
And on TV,
And she's left her Christmas list
Pinned to the tree.

A catnip-filled heart and
A long piece of string,
A large kitty condo
With everything,
Cat videotapes and
A brush for her fur,
She's hoping that Santa
Will bring these for her.

It's been a quiet day here in San Diego. We got up and I made stuffing and we prepped the pork crown roast and put it in a 250 degree oven, and then went and opened gifts, including 4 books from AnneDC, my LT swap mate. I got:
The Science of Discworld
The Exile and the Sorcerer by Jane Fletcher
The Western Lit Survival Kit by Sandra Newman
Love Minus Eighty by Will McIntosh

I'm really looking forward to reading all of them, and very thrifty shopping to squeeze so many books in!

I received mostly gift certificates today, but also a tube of Obsession lotion and a fimo cat, a true work of art, that I had coveted for some time. None of these is the cat I got although the small one is the same size, but it shows Jon Anderson's true artistry with the medium and you can see more of his animals at www.fimocreations.com.


I'll post a picture of mine and the crown roast tomorrow.

I also finished a book on Christmas Eve.



Book #168 A Regency Christmas IX by 5 Regency authors

I have at least 9 of these collections, and since I have reread many of them at Christmas each year, some are very familiar. This one, however, I know I have read, but I didn't remember most of most of the stories, which was nice. 3 stories were very good, one very silly and one okay, but they still evoked the Christmas spirit!

So, a final time on this Christmas Day, as I watch the original Grinch Who Stole Christmas, may I wish you one and all,

A sentiment I couldn't agree with more, Roni! And I await your lovely cat gift picture - the ones featured above are lovely!

May I be the bearer of a slightly late Christmas gift?

In the shape of BBC Radio 4's current dramatised version of Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman's Good Omens. I think I'm right in saying that BBC radio programs can be listened to from everywhere - fingers crossed. Anyway, I shall provide the link to the show's homepage, where there's lots of tasty titbits as well as the show itself. Merry Christmas, Ho! Ho! Ho!
First, here's some of the cool, specially comissioned artwork, showing the two actors playing Crowley and Aziraphale.


And now the link: http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b04knt4h

Dear Roni, have a wonderful festive season.

Hannah, I KNOW! And I haven't had time to listen to them at ALL! That has got to change. Maybe this evening since all the Christmas programming is gone.

Thank you, Paul! I hope the same is true for you and your lovely family.



Book #169 The Future Falls by Tanya Huff (326 pp.)

Huff is a Canadian writer of fantasy and science fiction. Her fantasy is contemporary with settings primarily IN Canada, and this is the third book of her Enchantment Emporium series about the Gayles and anchored in Calgary. Her characters are good and I'd rate her writing above average but not in my top tier of writers. Enjoyable urban fiction, but start with the first book--they build.

I'm finally ready to talk about my top reads of 2014. Although I'll finish at least one more book and probably two, none of them with reach that rank.

My top five fiction, all in genre oddly enough:
The Martian by Andrew Weir--nerdy, clever, unputdownable.
Ancillary Justice by Ann Leckie--original, between the stars adventure.
A Natural History of Dragons by Marie Brennan--a delightful alternate steampunk history.
A Madness of Angels by Kate Griffin--Set in London, unconventional and original.
Sparrow Hill Road by Seanan McGuire--a highly atmospheric ghost story, with delightful echoes from the 50s.

All but the first book are the first in a series.



Best Non-fiction:
What Makes This Book So Great? by Jo Walton--This is also genre, as Walton collects her blogs on her reactions to books, including many from two of my favorite series.


Speaking of which, best continuations of favorite series in 2014:

Waistcoats & Weaponry by Gail Carriger--book 3 of The Finishing School
Crown of Renewal by Elizabeth Moon--book 5 of The Legend of Paksennarion
The Sea of Time by P. C. Hodgell--book 7 of the Chronicles of the Kencyrath
The Winter Long by Seanan McGuire--book 8 of October Daye
Valour & Vanity by Mary Robinette Kowal--book 4 of the Glamourist Histories



Best YA series:
The Lunar Chronicles by Marissa Meyer

Best Short Stories:

Miracle and Other Christmas Stories by Connie Willis

Best Re-reads:

The Vorkosigan series
The Parasol Protectorate series
The Red Heart of Memories and Past the Size of Dreaming by Nina Kiriki Hoffman

Hi Roni! Love your "best of"lists! I gave The Martian to my husband... hoping he'll hurry up and read it so I can:)

>349 ronincats: Really? There is/will be a sequel to Sparrow Hill Road? Yay - I hadn't seen that (hoped for it, but hadn't seen anything from Seanan about it).

Lateishly echoing holiday greetings and New Year wishes.

>349 ronincats:: I wasn't as fond of Leckie's book but the Weir and the Griffin oh my yes. The Brennan and McGuire are on the list for probably sometime next year. Speaking of which ... see you then!

Belated Christmas wishes and a Happy New Year Roni. Thank you again for posting the cat carols.

>349 ronincats: The Martian also made my best of the year list (it was so much fun) and I really want to read Ancillary Justice. The Vorkosigan series was also my favourite series of the year.

Hi, Anne, Jenn, Steve and Heather!

Jenn, there has to be--the story is only half finished.

I remembered I still owe some pictures here, and I'd better get them in while people are still making their final rounds.

Christmas dinner--the crown pork roast.


And MY cat that my mom gave me==

Well, this is a first! I just got notified that I won TWO Early Reviewer books from December. One is The Spirit Gate and the other is Fireflies. LT thinks I will love the first and not like the second. We shall see.

>345 ronincats:, >354 ronincats: Wow, what gorgeous cats!

>355 ronincats: I won one, based on my strategy of requesting only the book I want most. Two would be alarming.

That is a beautiful cat you've gotten, Roni. Happy New Year!

Book #169 The Viscount's Christmas Temptation by Erica Ridley (148 pp.)

Book #170 A Grosvenor Square Christmas by Shana Galen etal. (168 pp.)

Book #171 Once Upon a Christmas Carol by Pamela Fryer (217 pp.)

These were freebie Kindle books downloaded to read during the Christmas season, part of the ritual of decorating the house and the mind in preparation. None of them were of particularly good quality--the first of these being the most entertaining and the last by far the weakest and most frivolous.

So I'm working on an ER book that I should be able to finish before midnight tomorrow, ending my count at 172 for the year. Tomorrow I will finish up here with my December and 2014 summaries before heading over to the 2015 group to set up my tickers and goals and then start visiting everyone's threads over there! This may well slide over into Thursday, as that's a powerful lot of visiting going on.

Katherine, yes, that's scary if it keeps up--twice the reviews!! I'm still working on the last two.

Thanks, QQ. I love it desperately!

Okay, here are the end of the year figures as well as the December summary!

December
Books read: 13
Pages read: 3108
Average pages per book: 239
Average pages read per day: 100

New books: 11
Rereads: 2
Library books: 3
Books Off the Shelf: 2

Genre: Science fiction-2, fantasy-5, children's-1, romance-4, mystery-1

Format: Kindle-5, hardback-3, trade-1, mass market pb-4

Author gender: women-12, male-1

Books acquired: 4
Books out the door: 14

2014 SUMMARY

Books read: 172
Pages read: 58,563
Average pages per book: 340
Average pages read per day: 160

New reads: 128
Rereads: 44
Library books: 48
Books off my shelf (acquired prior to 2014): 22

Genre:
Science fiction: 33
Fantasy: 94
Children's: 12
Nonfiction: 13
General fiction: 3
Romance: 11
Mystery: 6

Books acquired: 88

Books out the door: 40

So, goal-wise, I met my goals for books and pages read and stayed under my cap for books acquired (by 2 books!), but failed to meet the goal for reading books off my shelf (22 of 35) or books out the door (40 of 100).

See you next year!

Love the image, and you survived!

Final review of the year!



Book #172 The Green Man by Michael Bedard (304 pp.)

This book was provided to me by the Early Reviewers program.

Bookstores, poets, ghosts, magic--all the ingredients for an enchanting tale. Although I liked many things about this story, I felt that especially in the middle of the book, there were too many instances of telling, not showing, which took away from the flow of the narrative. I think it will be well-received by the target YA audience.

Happy new year Roni