Lunacat's reading and other ramblings, Part dörben (4)

This thread is brought to you by the Classical Mongolian number 4.

Below is my beloved Grandie and I, having a joint nap :)

February Reading

23. Blood and Iron by Elizabeth Bear
24. Fables, Volume 5: The Mean Seasons by Bill Willingham
25. Fables, Volume 6: Homelands by Bill Willingham
26. Fables, Volume 7: Arabian Nights and Days by Bill Willingham
27. Just One Damned Thing After Another by Jodi Taylor
28. A Symphony of Echoes by Jodi Taylor
29. A Second Chance by Jodi Taylor
30. Before I Die by Jenny Downham
31. Broken Homes by Ben Aaronovitch
32. The Encyclopedia of Early Earth by Isabel Greenberg
33. The Incorrigible Children of Ashton Place: The Mysterious Howling by Maryrose Wood.

January Reading

1. The Photograph by Penelope Lively 240 pages (BAC; a book by a female author)
2. The Invisible Library by Genevieve Cogman 337 pages (a book with nonhuman characters)
3. The Secret of Platform Thirteen by Eva Ibbotson 243 pages (a book with a number in the title)
4. The Writing on the Hearth by Cynthia Harnett 256 pages (a book from an author you love that you haven't read yet)
5. Cocaine Blues by Kerry Greenwood 185 pages (a book with a colour in the title)
6. Flying Too High by Kerry Greenwood 192 pages (a book based or turned into a TV show)
7. Rivers of London by Ben Aaronovitch 400 pages (a book by an author you've never read before)
8. Moon Over Soho by Ben Aaronovitch 384 pages (a book you own but have never read)
9. Being Mortal by Atul Gawande 297 pages (a nonfiction book)
10. Moon Tiger by Penelope Lively 208 pages (a book set somewhere you've always wanted to visit (Egypt) )
11. The Shock of the Fall by Nathan Filer 320 pages (a book you can finish in a day)
12. Saga by Brian K. Vaughan (a graphic novel) ➸
13. Whispers Under Ground by Ben Aaronovitch 303 pages (a book with magic)
14. The Lambs of London by Peter Ackroyd 224 pages
15. The Frozen Thames by Helen Humphreys 192 pages (a book of short stories)
16. Enemy of God by Bernard Cornwell ♫
17. Fables, Vol 1: Legends in Exile by Bill Willingham ➸
18. Fables, Vol 2: Animal Farm by Bill Willingham ➸
19. The Queen's Man by Rory Clements 402 pages (a mystery or thriller)
20. The Letter for the King by Tonke Dragt 508 pages (a book that was originally written in a different language)
21. Fables, Vol 3: Storybook Love by Bill Willingham ➸
22. Fables, Vol 4: March of the Wooden Soldiers by Bill Willingham ➸

Definition of Lunacat:

A mild mannered eccentric known for nonsensical comments, an abundance of animals, and a general love of the absurd and impossibly cute. Creator of crafts. Accident-prone in the extreme.

Mostly reads fantasy, light science fiction, historical fiction and light pre-Georgian history.

Has five cats, a guinea pig, and a horse, and is often visited by many many many ducks.

Resides in rural England, and achieves country-yokeldom by always having mud or straw attached to her body.

May or may not read 75 in 2015!

.

Gratuitous Connie Photo

Question:

What do you watch/read/listen to when you're feeling blue or ill and need something to comfort you?

My comfort-watch is Star Trek, either TNG or Voyager. It comes from watching it with my Dad. I think he was trying to make me watch stuff with balding men in positions of authority as he was nearly as bald as Patrick Stewart. It worked, as I still love Patrick Stewart, and still enjoy Star Trek.

Reading wise, I think I'll either pick up a Harry Potter or The Blue Sword as comfort reads soon. They might kick start me again.

аз жаргалтай шинэ утас!

Supposedly, that means Happy New Thread in Mongolian, but I got it off of google and the google translates aren't always right :)

Happy new thread, Jenny!

>8 Kassilem: Congratulations for being first! I wouldn't have a clue if that's right or not so we'll take it :)

>9 Crazymamie: Thanks Mamie :)

Happy new thread, Jenny. ♥ ♥ ♥

>12 Ameise1: Thanks Barbara :)
____________

I've added the last two photos to the thread so it's now all comfortable here.

Happy New Thread Jenny, wishing you a lighter mood. Now I'm the one with the moody blues these days... At least I can draw no matter what mood I'm in...

Happy New Thread, Jenny! I love the topper with baby you! Awwww...

Happy new thread, Jenny!

As I get older, the thing that seems to comfort me the most is simply some peace and quiet. It doesn't really matter what I'm actually doing as long as I'm left alone with my thoughts and no interruptions. The craziness of constant noise means any kind of quiet is bliss to my ears. :)

Happy new thread, Jenny. I love how both your and your Grandie's necks are at the same angle while you sleep.

Does Con mind giving a cat a ride on her back?

Happy new thread! Love the thread topper of babylunacat and Grandie napping in the garden together. Makes me want to run outside and nap on a lounge chair too, even though I just got up and it's only warm enough for that in the direct sun. Also love the Connie pic. Is that you on her back looking so determined and, well, competitive?

Happy new thread, Jenny! Love the gratuitous Connie (and you!) photo.

What do you watch/read/listen to when you're feeling blue or ill and need something to comfort you? - Depends. For movies, I tend to gravitate to chicklit flicks like The Devil Wears Prada - which I have watched a bazillion times - or historical fiction pieces like Anna and the King. I also like re-watching the Jeeves and Wooster episodes starring Hugh Laurie and Stephen Frey. For reading, I am not much a re-reader so I tend to gravitate to fashion magazines, or comedy satires - think Christopher Moore and the like - for comfort reads.

Happy new thread, dearest Ermintrude!

My comfort watch is any Jane Austen adaptation (so predictable, I know)... Strangely, I don't really do comfort reads... When I was a kid, I re-read things a lot, and had Little Women, A Tree Grows in Brooklyn, and Anne of Green Gables in a sort of permanent rotation, interspersed with other stuff.

>14 Smiler69: Thanks for the lighter mood wishes Ilana, sorry to hear that you're stuck with the blues as well. I've gone from ever increasing depression to being numb which is just as disheartening when it comes with bursts of anxiety. What fun! Shall we host a depression party and invite along everyone currently having a rough time. It could be.........not fun.

>15 msf59: Hi Mark. Wasn't I a blonde cutie as a baby? Sadly not either blonde or cute any more, but at least I can rest easy in the knowledge I was once.

>16 jolerie: Hi Val. I can see how, with two sproglets running around, peace and quiet would be lovely. I nearly always have some form of stimuli going when I'm having a rough time as it's never good to be stuck with my own thoughts. Hopefully you'll have some peace and quiet time soon, even if only for a brief moment.

>17 cameling: Aren't Grandie and I cute? It's such a lovely photo, it makes me smile every time I see it. Mainly because it's of Grandie, but the parallels are so sweet. Connie mostly doesn't mind this cat on her back but then she has flare-ups of not wanting me around! It isn't much fun when she makes that choice, but most of the time I don't hit the deck.

>18 Storeetllr: Heh - the photo makes me long for summer as well. I can almost smell the cut grass. I don't do much reading outside even in the summer as the hayfever gets on top of me, but maybe one day this year I'll dose myself up on allergy meds and get out there! It was a lovely 5C today so almost sunbathing weather ;) Yup that's me. I pull some very weird faces when I'm riding so I mostly don't inspect myself too closely and stick to admiring Con.

>19 lkernagh: Chickflicks are sometimes the best medicine. Them or cheesy action adventure nonsense like the National Treasure films which have been on a lot recently. Yesterday we had Ice Age 3 on in the background which was fun to curl up to.

>20 katiekrug: Hi KK! A Tree Grows in Brooklyn is an old favourite of mine. It was a go-to book on many an occasion during my teenage years, so much so that it fell apart after it got read in the bath once too often. Unfortunate seeing as it was my Mum's copy, but she forgave me and got us both replacement copies. I was never a fan of either Little Women or Anne of Green Gables, although I do like the Winona Ryder movie of LW.

I really do not watch anything when I am in blue. As far as reading goes, I fall back on comfort reads such as the In Death series by J.D. Robb, probably what I will be reading soon as I can stand all the comfort I can get these days!

When I am sad and blue I look for the least serious book on my shelf and head for a soak in a tub of warmth. And then nap!

>8 Kassilem: lol, are we sure that isn't Russian!!?

Happy New Thread Jenny, my feeling blue escapism is movies. If I can't be bothered to read, a DVD is good, but going to the movies is fabulous. Total escapism.

^but a bath is great too!

Happy new thread, Jenny!

What do you watch/read/listen to when you're feeling blue or ill and need something to comfort you?

Oh, my go-to when I'm sick movies are Fruits Basket (anime) and the 5-hour long Pride and Prejudice with Colin Firth and Jennifer Ehle (I know, I know, I couldn't really get more different between the two of them). Mostly because I love them both but they're just so long that I can only watch them when I'm resting because I'm ill.

For the blues/comfort, I'll usually pick a fun book (maybe children's or something light/uplifting instead of difficult/classic), a romantic comedy/chick flick or whatever TV show I'm watching on DVD at the moment if I can't focus on reading.

>22 lunacat: - Love the National Treasure films! Such fun! We own copies of both movies and I think there has even been mention of a third movie for the franchise. Now I am in the mood for a National Treasure marathon watch. ;-)

>7 lunacat: For me it would be comedies if I am in need of cheering up (or a visit to the bookshop). Seinfeld, Everybody Loves Raymond, Frasier, Some Mothers Do 'Ave Em, The Vicar of Dibley or Black Adder would be my picks.

Happy new thread, Jenny. When I am feeling blue I often find myself sitting in front of the TV watching endless hours of Cooking or Home Decorating Programs. Comfort reads for me are Georgette Heyer or Miss Read.

Great opening picture at the top of your thread.

Not really a movie person nor tv, but The Blue Sword is one of my comfort reads, along with selected Heyers, Bujolds, Pratchetts, or Liaden Universe books.

ETA I will watch the Firth/Ehle P&P miniseries though!

Good Morning, Happy Tuesday and Happy New Thread, Jenny! Wow - 30 posts overnight.

What do you watch/read/listen to when you're feeling blue or ill and need something to comfort you?

I've asked that question on my thread in the past and got lots of good recommendations, as you also already received as I see. For myself I can say that I need stuff that's absolutely undemanding for the brain. I read what I call "popular non-fiction", like a book of lists, books about books, fun travelogues, etc. because I am usually unable to follow any plot line. Usually those books are in some kind of list form and give my brain the illusion of structure. Comic books might be welcome as well. And I watch old US comedies on DVD like "Friends". No romances that would make me feel sad and lonely. When I'm ill I have a strange tendency towards action movies like "Die Hard" or even the "Alien" series.

Happy New Thread!!! Love the picture up top. Of Connie. Okay, of you, too. : )

>23 alcottacre: I hope you get some comfort from those reads Stasia. I've only read 10 pages in the last week which is rather worrying, and I can't muster any interest in any books. Perhaps I'll go to bed early tonight and try to read.

>24 maggie1944: Naps are always good but I'm spending too much time feeling sorry for myself in bed as it is, so maybe not the answer for me :)

>25 LovingLit: Mongolia was controlled by Russia for a large part of the 20th century so their modern writing is Cyrillic in origin. I have a tendency to fall asleep at the cinema but at home, I'm able to multitask and so make sure I don't doze off.

>26 bell7: My viewing varies greatly depending on my mood but old classics are working for now. I've never understood the appeal of Pride and Prejudice though - either the book or the TV series.

>27 lkernagh: The National Treasure films are ones I can watch multiple times without getting fed up. I guess because they are so nonsensical - sometimes I simply buckle up and enjoy the ride and other times I amuse myself by picking apart the plot holes and pointing out inaccuracies.

>28 PaulCranswick: Some Mothers Do 'Ave Em and Blackadder are great shouts Paul. Perhaps I'll go back to the start of the former, as it's not that long since I watched most of Blackadder again.

>29 DeltaQueen50: Georgette Heyer and Miss Read are my mum's comfort reads as well! How funny. Them and the Little House series.

>30 ronincats: I was thinking of maybe starting a Discworld marathon as well, but I'm so uninspired I can't pick anything up. Not with you on P&P so I guess you and Mary can curl up and watch it without me.

>31 Deern: Friends is always around on TV but I binged over Christmas on it, so I'm giving myself a break. I must have watched each episode at least 20 times over the years. BTW - thanks for the PM, I'll try to reply when I get my thoughts in order and can string a sentence together more coherently than I can at the moment.

>32 Berly: Everyone loves the Connie. I'd rather blank myself out of all photos however. I had some quite nice cuddles with her today as she is in season so her 'mummy' hormones have come to the fore. Of course it also helped I had polos in my pocket :)

J.D. Robb's In Death series are my go-tos for when I'm in a book funk or feeling blue. If I'm in that bad of a state that I don't even feel like reading, then I watch stream anime or watch an anime series on Netflix.

>36 cameling: Series watching is all I'm capable of at the moment - reading has gone right out of the window, though I did get a decent block of my audiobook Excalibur listened to while I rode yesterday.

Exhausted and fed up today, but I've managed to put a load of laundry on and am therefore rewarding myself with a second mug of tea. Such are the depths I've sunk to, that I have to 'earn' tea in order to get myself to do simple chores. Maybe I need to come up with some reward system to get me reading again!

Have you looked at HabitRPG.com ? It's a fun way to check off your to do list.

Been in the dregs myself this last month and got my meds tweaked last week so I am hopeful.

Understand about not reading. I binge on Dr Who, Sherlock and Game of Thrones. And reality TV cooking shows.

>38 streamsong: I had a brief look at HabitRPG but the problem is I beat myself up significantly if I fail to achieve lists, so it's not ideal. I really struggle with the cycle of procrastination -> feeling bad about myself -> things not getting done because I feel bad -> not having any energy to do things so they don't get done -> procrastination. Sorry to hear you're stuck in the rut as well - I hope the medication tweaks help for you.

Today has been another bad day. I'm sick of it. Wanting to sleep a lot, loss of appetite, loss of interest in things.......Connie was awful so that didn't help. I want to cry but I don't cry in general so tapping into those emotions doesn't really work.

Is it bedtime yet?

So sorry to hear that you have to struggle with another bad day. Thinking of you and sending you a load of positive energy. Hugs xx ♥ ♥ ♥

Sending healing & positive vibes from the wintry Midwest, along with a gentle hug.

Thanks >40 Ameise1: and >41 msf59:, most appreciated.

Back to some less depressing business:

Would you rather have a monkey to tickle, a bear to read to, a cat to box with, a dog to skate with, a pig to ride or a goat to dance with?

>7 lunacat: Persepolis and the Watchman got me through a bad time once. Never underestimated graphic novels again :-)
When things are less bad, Miss Smilla's feeling for snow.
(and can I call dibs on the goat?)

>43 charl08: I won't be underestimating them - in fact, I'm vaguely reading the next Fable as we speak. It's the only thing catching my interest at present. I'm really glad I've discovered GN's as a good holdover for my poor brain.

The goat is all yours :)

Sending you sunny thoughts and a bear hug all the way from Georgia, Jenny. Hoping that tomorrow is a better day - I understand about the not reading, too. I usually indulge in tv shows then - love murder shows like Sherlock, Castle, Bones, and Endeavor. But I also love space opera like Firefly. And Pride and Prejudice in any form is always a comfort to me.

Let's see, since Charlotte has already snagged the goat, I'll take the bear.

>43 charl08: Can we share the goat? *grins*

>38 streamsong:, >39 lunacat: I'm doing Habit RPG (thanks to Morphy for the tip about it), though I've been resting at The Inn the past couple of days due to a nasty cold I can't seem to shake. Yuck. Anyway, I love to beat myself up for not doing all on my "To-Do" list too, but I've "rigged" it so I usually get all of my Dailies done, since they are chores I absolutely need to do every day (like change my parrot's papers, turn over the filter in the humidifier, clean the humidifier (once a week), and vacuum the vents on the space heater so it doesn't catch fire from all the bird dust and down that gets in there). Habits are things like floss and brush my teeth (yes, it's that bad sometimes) and put away my clothes. To Dos usually only get put on the list when I know they must be done within a few days. I'm kind of competitive, even when I'm only playing against myself, so Habit RPG usually gives me the impetus to do what needs doing even when I don't feel like it.

>7 lunacat: When I'm really down and don't even feel like reading a new book, I will sometimes reread a comfort read like Watership Down or binge watch a TV series like "Criminal Minds" or "Bones." DVD films I like to watch when too depressed to read are "Independence Day" and "Princess Bride." For some reason, the corny humor in both can bring me up out of the cellar.

>45 Crazymamie: A bear to read to sounds lovely, doesn't it? I think I'd like a panda because they make me laugh. Although pandas like these might not sit still to listen to the story:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v2WPBN6CpcY

>46 Storeetllr: I'm sure we can provide more than one dancing goat. A friend of mine desperately wants a fainting goat, who are also very amusing.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=we9_CdNPuJg

I get you on the brushing/flossing teeth thing. Not only do I have serious issues around 'foreign objects' in my mouth, I also cannot stand the taste, texture or sensations of toothpaste so maintaining good oral hygiene is difficult. I'm better than I used to be, but it is still a struggle. Things like taking care of myself by showering, eating meals or getting dressed are also difficult when I'm at my worst. It's exhausting.

I might look to see if I can manipulate HabitRPG to suit my own needs but I know what I'm like - once I place expectations on myself, I'm more likely to miss them and then use the failure as an excuse to beat myself up. Got to love those negative thoughts. Sorry you go through them as well, our brains are such vicious and dangerous things at times.

Gadsbudlikins woman! I just saw your gadzooks post on Joe's thread. I loved it.

>48 LovingLit: I love it too! You can't go wrong with words like gadsbudlikins and gadswookers. They need a revival, and here seems as good a place to start as any.

I foresee many a raised eyebrow from my attempts to revive the "gads" words, but I will die trying! I say enough gibberish anyway in the name of avoiding swearing in front of my kids. For some reason I say "crompolinis" as a sub-in cuss word. I never have felt sane.....
;)

The usual ones around here are 'Oh F.........iddlesticks' and 'Shh.........ugar', when in the company of little ones, which isn't often. Although there was a reprisal of 'Slartibartfast' from The Hitchhikers Guide, adapted to Furtibartfast when fiddlesticks just doesn't cut it.

LOL, my mum says "fartarthur". And I also have been known to say "jiminy -crompets". Srsly, I cannot believe I am admitting to this huge familial flaw! :)

Jiminy-crompets isn't so bad.........there could be worse!

I always laugh at the way they try to hide the swearing on movies that are shown on telly.....the Die Hard one has Bruce Willis saying "Muddy Funster" instead of "Mother F^@-*r", it his hilarious. I have also heard "Mother Falcon" in place of that!

>47 lunacat: LOL Now I want a fainting goat of my own!

Quick true story: I was coming up from the subway (underground) one day on my way to work in the middle of downtown Los Angeles about 10 years ago, and stopped short to see, in the fenced off vacant field just next to the subway stairs, a herd of goats. The city hired them (well, I suppose hired the goatherder to provide them) to clear the steep field of weeds. I went back during lunch the next day and took some photos:


At the top of the photo is the little concrete plaza where the subway debouches its passengers.


To the left of the fence is a little park called Angels' Knoll; to the top right is Grand Central Market, with City Hall way in the background. (I just found out that Angels' Knoll and the plaza are now closed off and no longer open to the public, which is a damned shame, since it is one of the few green areas in this part of Downtown, where a lot of office workers used to go to refresh themselves.)

ETA some info on Angels Knoll and correct spelling.

I am sad to see that you have been having such a difficult time lately, Jenny. {{{Hugs}}}

Cat to box with. Been there. Done that. Continue to do it every time I visit my sister and play with her cats. Monkeys are always up to no good, reading to a bear - what fun is that? - I don't skate, don't see riding a pig as being fun and not sure about the whole dancing goat thing either. ;-)

Here you are Jenny - this is one of my favourite charts, courtesy of Allie Brosh (and if you haven't seen any of her stuff, she is excellent)

Hi Jenny, I used to love skating and I love dogs - so skating with a dog would be my pick.

I also love Allie Brosh and highly recommend her, Hyperbole and a Half.

Cat, I think - none of the others sound much fun. I don't know about boxing with it, though, I'd be more likely to cuddle with it (and a book!).

I swear in gibberish - seldom use the same word twice, and usually multisyllabic. I started because my mom really didn't like me swearing, but she can't complain about the gibberish...and now it's automatic. I remember one time I was teaching my sister to drive; we were on a divided parkway and I told her to make the left turn (to get where we were going). She nonchalantly whipped out in front of a pack of oncoming cars, crossed the two (three?) lanes going the other way, went into the street we were aiming for, up the hill a bit, turned into a parking lot, parked, turned the car off, turned to me and inquired if I was all right. At which point (and not before!) I realized I was clutching the dashboard and swearing in gibberish and had been since she made the turn...

>7 lunacat: Georgette Heyer is my go-to for comfort. Love her.

>16 jolerie: Is it age or parenthood? With kids who habitually get up at the crack of dawn and then talk non-stop all day, I cherish quiet. I hoard it.

>57 evilmoose: I love her. My son got Hyperbole and a Half from the library and I stole it from him and read it in a night. Hilarious and so very accurate.

>55 Storeetllr: Wow, that's so cool. And a great natural way to clear stuff instead of using intense machinery. I wish more things like that were done, especially in cities where people might have limited access to animals other than household pets.

>56 lkernagh: We've got several boxing cats, but of the 'OMG, you have a box, I must sit in it' variety as opposed to trying to hit you. Although one of ours has a temper, so even though he can be the cuddliest, dopiest creature in the world, if he knows he's in trouble and thinks he's about to be told off, he'll hiss and lash out. But never extends his claws, so it doesn't really work so well for him.

Really appreciate the hugs :)

>57 evilmoose: That chart is BRILLIANT! Entirely me. Except I'm unlikely to manage the 'one big thing', but the rest is entirely accurate. I'd really like to read Hyperbole and a half but my library doesn't have it and finances are stretched so it won't be any time soon. Thanks for sharing though!

>58 DeltaQueen50: I don't think anyone else wanted the dog so he's all yours. Alas, no Allie Brosh for me ^, but hopefully at some point I'll get to read it.

>59 jjmcgaffey: I think gibberish is what would be coming out of my mouth as well! Yesterday my best friend managed to spill hot tea all over me as she handed me my mug because she was so focused on watching mine as she passed it, she didn't look at her own drink that she was spilling. All I could manage to get out was 'whoa whoa whoa whoa whoa whoa' which didn't really help, as she was still looking at mine and could see there wasn't a problem!

>60 nittnut: I pulled a Heyer down off my TBR shelves last night with the intention of starting it at bedtime, but for the first time in forever I was actually sleepy at the appropriate time so I turned my light off instead. Typical - after days of not feeling like reading before bed!

Hi Jenny! Hope you are doing better today. I was also very impressed with Hyperbole and a half but boy, does she take you to some dark places. Be prepared for that. There is plenty of humor but the darkness pervades...

Are we giving it another go, at T.C.?

I have limited time these days and I do a fair amount of "lurking only" on threads, but I'm delighted to have actually caught up with yours. Whoo hoo.

BTW, I find HabitRPG to be way too complicated for me, and it became very quickly just one more thing "to do". I prefer FlyLady because she shares emails from her followers and they are about having found one more cool use for some of her household tools. I learn a lot from her. Also, her explanations on why household chores become overwhelming is so right for me. I like the simplicity of her approach and yet it has depth, too, when you get there.

She completely gets being depressed and incapable of doing anything productive. She has been there and back.

Then, I found, on a table at my local Barnes and Noble, a little book which has caught my imagination: the life-changing magic of tidying up. I've only just started it, but it is a different approach to de-cluttering and I think I might try it. But I don't think it would be good for digging out of a rotten mood;I think it is a way to do one big "spring cleaning" of the whole deal. We will see.... what we will see!

I hope you find some little ways to brighten your days. Give Connie a hug from me, when she will let you do so.

>63 msf59: Yup, bring it on Mark :)

>64 maggie1944: I feel very privileged that you've broken your lurking to catch up with me. I'll be sure to give Connie a hug, and make it clear it comes from you as she's not in my good books currently! Yeah, I think that's part of the problem with HabitRPG - I don't know if I can manage to keep up with it and get the hang of it completely.

Good to see you here.
_____________

Weird dreams, including a historical murder mystery (who has dreams where murder mysteries are played out?!), the search for a particular book in lots of different dolls houses, where the books were dollhouse size as well so practically impossible to tell if it were the right one or not, and a house beginning to collapse into a sink hole. Plus many escaping guinea-pigs. Very odd.

Morning, Jenny! I like "Down in the Dumplings" as an expression. Hoping that Thursday is kind to you.

Hi Jenny. I have dreams I categorize as "nature gone wrong" wherein all kinds of animals behave in unnatural ways, which are so troubling that they often tend to stay with me for years after I've dreamt them. Escaping guinea-pigs sounds pretty tame, believe me! ;-) Weird dreams are always troubling though, and I'm sorry you're having troubled sleep, and I do hope you start feeling better soon. Maybe Connie will do something so wildly funny that it'll suddenly snap you out of it for a good while and life will start looking a whole lot better. One can only hope. xx

>57 evilmoose: Thanks so much for posting that Megan; I can so much relate to that chart too. I also now really want to get my hands on Hyperbole and a Half. Will have to make room for it soon.

>60 nittnut: >61 lunacat: >67 Smiler69: Good news to all those who would like to read Hyperbole and a Half, and who don't yet know about the blog - there is also a blog, which is how it all began! I shall issue a disclaimer that there's a lot of hilarious things in there, and when I first discovered it I accidentally wasted an afternoon at my desk trying to pretend I was bursting out into laughter for purely work related reasons.

http://hyperboleandahalf.blogspot.com/ Website! Some of my favourites are 'Sneaky Hate Spiral' and 'The Awkward Situation Survival Guide', but there are many awesome posts.

>65 lunacat: I often have adventure dreams - not so much mysteries, but - oh, I remember one where I was one of a family trying to defend an ancient, crumbling sandstone fortress against...something. I think I was reading Barbara Hambly at the time - dark things attacking. Or another one we were exploring in a jungle. And I've had a series of dreams set in the same place over a couple centuries - a metropolis tower (single-building city). I moved in when it was new (big hoopla), I (completely different I) was living there when it was well-used and jumping (that was mostly shopping, as I recall! Lots of neon), and yet another I was one of a team exploring an alien city-tower ruin, and deep in its damp, dark basement I (sleeping I) realized this was the same tower I'd lived in before.
So murder mysteries doesn't strike me as so odd, though I think it would be a frustration dream for me - my dreams almost never come to a conclusion, so I'd never know whodunit.

>69 jjmcgaffey: Nope, I didn't find out whodunnit either. It was in Victorian England and was something to do with the theatre - the actress who was playing the leading female role seemed to have something to do with it as, when a parchment poster for the play was seen, it seemed to be important. I think it was the leading man who had been killed but I don't know why I was involved in trying to solve it, nor quite what the details were, just that there was a lot of questioning and trying to track down filthy, suspicious urchins, that kind of thing.

I often have continued dreams - a story that was told a week or a month ago will carry on. It's all rather peculiar. My dreams are always long, vivid, disturbing and exhausting. No wonder I never feel fully rested!

It's a miracle. I finished a book. OK, it was a GN ( Fables, Volume 7: Arabian Nights and Days ) and it took me three days to do so, but given that I have the attention span of a goldfish currently, I'll take that.

Last night my dreams centered around diamond mining, which seemed to be basically digging a really tight, narrow hole straight downwards and seeing what came up. And some kind of fantasy TV show involving blonde twins with supernatural powers that they were trying to keep hidden. There was also Chinese food.

>71 lunacat: New Headline: "Goldfish Finishes Book of Fables" or should that be "Fabled Book finishes Goldfish"?

Goldfish traditionally have a very fleeting existence as I hope your reading block will prove to be. Keep your spirits up my dear and have a lovely weekend. xx

>72 PaulCranswick: I hope it's not 'Fabled Book finishes Goldfish', unless it does just mean it kills the short attention span and gives me back my normal one.

I think this ecard is highly applicable to me currently:

Morning, Jenny! It's Friday! We made it to Friday!

>74 Crazymamie: You might have done, I think I left my brain behind somewhere around Tuesday ;).

But your body made it to Friday, right. I am confident the brain will catch up. In the meantime, cheese and wine and Firefly. Because...FRIDAY!

Happy Friday, Jenny! Looking forward to your brain catching up with us. Mmm, cheese, wine and Firefly - that sounds like an excellent plan.

Happy Firefly Friday, Jenny! (Great idea, really. I may have to find my Firefly DVDs and have a marathon this weekend, since I'm too sick (with a rather nasty cold) to do much else. No wine and cheese for me, though ~ I can't taste anything just now.)

>65 lunacat: must be the season for weird dreams. Mine was about the garage fridge being on fire, and me thinking that that was OK so just leaving it. (I figured it was part of the engine mechanism, you know, like how a steam train needs fire to go). So I just shut the garage door and left it!! What the?

Down in the dumplings ;)

>79 LovingLit: In somewhat distractedly reading your message, I thought you'd dreamt the garage door was on fire and needed it to go, not the fridge. That was the thing that struck me as weird from your dream...........where were you planning on the garage door going?

Then I read it again and saw it was the fridge, which made far more sense to me and suddenly all became clear. Obvious sign of my insanity that I used that logic :).

Thanks for saving me over at the BAC thread Jenny. I really put my foot in it with that stupid agenda word. You really read my thoughts because I truly used it in the way you explained it and didn't even think twice about it. I did figure people would get upset about me saying a lesbian romance was a pet peeve though... but truth is any romance is. Guess I'm not romantic. Makes for a promising Valentine's day, eh? ;-)

Happy Friday the 13th! My go-to comfort book is Pride and Prejudice. Otherwise, music is always a mood lifter. In hard times, I rely on the the Doors

Oof! It's been more than a thread since my last visit. I do hope you start to feel a little perkier soon, dear. Depression is a wonderfully crappy thing. I hope it helps that so many of us (me included) have been there and understand. (((Jenny)))

-Fave sounds: rain, just as it's starting, my Dad's laugh, my cat's purring, my Mom's laugh, a man's throaty chuckle, the "thump" of a hardcover book closing.

-Fave drinks are cold: water, hot: Yorkshire tea with cream and sugar, alcoholic: sweetish white wine. But I'm currently on a hard cider streak.

-How many layers of clothing: Tshirt, sweats, socks, will be putting on a sweatshirt and grabbing a blanket soon, though. I've made a deal with myself that on my days at home, unless I have a migraine, I'm not allowed to lay down until after 5 PM. It's an effort to keep doing things here at home, and so far it seems to be working!

-Favorite dessert: Geez, this is a tough one. I'll say anything with lemon, like a meringue pie or something. Or a slice of warm apple pie with a scoop of ice cream. Mmmmm.

-Can't live without either chocolate or cheese? I'd say chocolate, but it's a close call. So many more things are made better by cheese, and I'm a good Wisconsinite, so a life without it seems impossible.

-Book Nerd Score is 42. :)

-Supper in a castle. No castles around here in the States.

-I'd stay in a creepy house for 5 pounds, no problem.

-My comfort watch is the 1995 movie "Sense & Sensibility". In fact, I just watched it a couple of days ago. If I'm sick, or upset, or unsettled, mind gets too crazy, anything at all, I watch it and feel instantly better.

That's all I can remember, so I hope I didn't miss too much!

Good grief, woman; will you slow down. I lost you at thread 1. I did have some replies and questions, but they're probably irrelevant now. I started trying to catch up, but having spent half an hour or so reading, I had to start skimming halfway through thread 3 (or was it 2?) and skipped some threads altogether, I think.

Well, one question was - is there a group read for the Phryne Fisher mysteries, since so many people seem to be reading them?

And I initially came on here because I'm in the library and I have to catalogue The Letter for the King. I saw that you wrote the last review and I wanted to ask if you thought it would be suitable for the age range 10-12? At a guess.

>83 LauraBrook: Yorkshire Tea.....Yay!

Jenny, your question about what comforting oneself when one is halfway down the hole made me think. What I realized is that when I am in that position, I turn to my spreadsheets. I look for something to organize, to put in order, or to make sure is in order. Then I realized that before computers, and the internet, I made lists. Lots and lots of hand written lists. (And yes, I am that old.)

Except this past Monday when I felt like I was in a very small black room with barely enough room to breathe, much less think. I did try to make a list, with a friend's help, but it was no good. It was not comforting, it did not help me figure out how to get more safe space. Several days later, I was reminded my landlord and his family are lunatics.

Oh wait .... I did organize. I cleaned and purged the cabinets all my tableware is in. I got to use my household inventory spreadsheet, take pictures of my belongings, and lovingly wrap some of them in bubblewrap and put into a box.

So yeah ... organizing.

Happy Saturday, Jenny! I hope you are doing well. I had no time for Trivia Crack yesterday. I hope I can squeeze a few minutes in today. Suddenly, I am playing 4 or 5 LTers. Grins...

I'll be back to reply shortly, but a quick question for you.

Question: What song is your current brain worm?

I've got The Blower's Daughter by Damien Rice stuck in my head. Thankfully it's a song I love.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5YXVMCHG-Nk

Sadly, I am so unmusical that I do not have music stuck in my head, hardly ever. And if I do it is some repetitive nursery rhyme type boring tune. Sorry, can't help with this question.

I am reading the life-changing magic of tidying up and Marie Kondo (the author) says some interesting things about that impulse to organize stuff.

"Have you ever found yourself unable to study the night before an exam and begun frantically tidying? I confess, I have. In fact, for me it was a regular event. I would take piles of handouts covering my desk and throw them in the garbage. Then, unable to stop, I'd tackle the textbooks and papers littering the floor and begin arranging them in my bookcase. Finally, I'd open my desk drawer and start organizing y pens and pencils. Before I knew it, it would be two-thirty in the morning. Overcome by sleep, I'd jolt awake again at five and only then, in a complete panic, would I open my text book and buckle down to study."

Well, I have done something similar: I used to clean my bedroom completely before settling down to study.

More from Ms. Kondo: "I thought that this urge to tidy before an exam was a peculiar quirk of my own, but after meeting many others who do the same, I realized it was a common phenomenon. Many people get the urge to clean up when under pressure, such as just before an exam. But this urge doesn't occur because they want to clean their room. It occurs because they need to put "something else" in order. Their brain is actually clamoring to study, but when it notices the cluttered space, the focus switches to "I need to clean up my room" The fact that the tidying urge rarely continues once the crisis is over proves my theory." (I am not so sure of this assertion.... what do you think?)

In any case, it is fun to try to find the triggers which stimulate "organize, organize, organize." And I do think acting on that instinct does help lift my mood, sometimes. Other times I just need to do nothing but read, and then later I feel better.

I lurve Damien Rice - that's a good ear worm to have!

I am currently listening to the musical soundtrack to some seafaring computer game the hubs is listening to. So, uh, that's fun.

>81 Smiler69: No problem Ilana. I could see what you meant and was concerned that others were misreading your message, so thought I'd try and clarify the way I saw it, that's all. I'm not romantic either so don't see the point in Valentine's Day!

>82 banjo123: You should be very impressed that I'm not booting you from my thread immediately for stating that your comfort read is the dreaded P&P. Thankfully I'm very welcoming and open, so you're fine here. :)

>83 LauraBrook: Blimey Laura! Incredible efforts at trying to catch up. I shall award you a gold star for your effort.

Cider is my alcoholic drink of choice as well. S&S is about the only Bronte movie I can watch without falling asleep. I hope I feel perkier soon as well. Thanks for the visit!

>84 humouress: Certainly not trying to move fast Nina! That reminds me, I owe you a visit to your thread to congratulate you on the riding. I'm so pleased you took it up and I really hope you continue.

I'm not aware of a group read for the Phryne Fishers, I think they're just going round the group gradually.

The Letter for the King would certainly be suitable for 10-12 I would think, though some might find it a bit of a struggle, just because of the length. But its themes and adventure style quest would work well for that age. Only my personal guess though.

>85 PaulCranswick: Yay for tea, period. I have no comment on Yorkshire tea or otherwise.

>86 AuntieClio: I'm glad you've got something that works when you're in the black hole Steph. Organising is definitely not my go-to so I'm mightily impressed you can turn to that when you're feeling bad. I do like it when I finally get things done, sorted and tidy but it doesn't come naturally, I'm a messy person at heart.

>87 msf59: I'm sadly addicted to Trivia Crack, and it's all your fault. I lay the responsibility entirely at your door. Late night games appear to be when I come into my own - my brain can remember things I'm not able to recall during the rest of the day. It's started badly today, my brain didn't wake up when the rest of me did.

>89 maggie1944: That's fascinating about the tidying and preparation for exams etc. I certainly used to do that - my room was never cleaner than when I was supposed to be revising or doing homework. Alas, it doesn't work that way now, I'm too good at using other methods for distraction. I'm not very musical either despite being the daughter of a music teacher, but there are some that get stuck in my head completely.

>90 katiekrug: Damien Rice is indeed a good ear worm. Hmm.......a seafaring computer game? That doesn't sound quite so enjoyable.
______________

Go me. I've started a book! A real life book with lots of words and everything, rather than a GN or audiobook. I opened up Just One Damned Thing After Another on the Kindle app on my iPad and it has, miracle of miracles, caught my attention. Wish me luck keeping going!

>88 lunacat: Taylor Swift's Shake It Off. I'm not sure who to blame, but it keeps getting stuck in my head. So. Catchy.

>85 PaulCranswick: Paul, it's the best! Hard to beat Yorkshire in probably just about anything, I'd say. :)

>88 lunacat: I'm always getting songs stuck in my head. Currently just started watching the Grammys from Sunday night and AC/DC is on, so for now I'd say it's "Highway to Hell" since that's what on. A typical one is the "Howdy Doody" theme song, even though it's from way before I was born - thanks, Mom. This morning I woke up with the Lacrimosa from Mozart's Requiem, though. I could answer this question all day and it'd always be different.

>93 lunacat: Excellent! That St. Mary's series is such a good one, and it totally sucks you in! Go you!

>94 evilmoose: Haters gonna hate, hate, hate, hate, hate, baby. ;)

>94 evilmoose: & >96 LauraBrook: Well, you've got Damien Rice out of my head, that's for sure! I keep seeing the policeman dancing to it as well.

>95 LauraBrook: I'm determinedly keeping reading. It's because of rugby that I picked it up, bizarrely. I like having it on in the background and figured instead of having it in the background of messing around on t'internet, I'd have it as background to reading instead. Of course, now I've got distracted again but I'll go back to it shortly.

Good luck with the reading, Jenny - you picked a good one! SO my current brain worm is I Saw the Sign because the kids watched Pitch Perfect the other night. Now it's totally stuck in there and driving me just a bit crazy...

So I got Guardians of the Galaxy from Netflix, and got Come and Get Your Love stuck in my head. I finally got it out, then decided to listen to a 70s pop playlist on Spotify. Third song? Come and Get Your Love...

And it's back. :)

>98 Crazymamie: Surely that's the role of a brain/ear worm, to drive you crazy?

>99 drneutron: Hehehe, you'll never be rid of it now!
____________

This was our household's Valentine meal. Obviously best friend and her hubby are a couple, and my valentine was...........my bear Benjamin.

Starter: Prawn Cocktail

Main: Spaghetti Carbonara

Dessert: Bread and Butter Pudding with Vienetta icecream

Lucky bear

>100 lunacat: Gorgeous photos, Jenny and a fantast8c meal. I wish you a lovely weekend.

What a sweet bear! And the dinner looks scrumptious! Happy Valentine's Day!

Yay for picking up a book, Jenny!

And double yay for what looks like a splendid dinner. Your date, if I may so so, looks dashing and entirely smitten. ;)

>71 lunacat: I understand the book funk completely, Jenny. Up until yesterday, I had not read anything other than a textbook for a week - ever since I lost my job. I hope you continue to get out of yours!

>101 maggie1944: I think so, but he doesn't agree. He thinks he can do better. He's a very particular bear, being from Harrods and all!

>102 Ameise1: Thanks Barbara. It was indeed a lovely meal. We're all quite stuffed now.

>103 Storeetllr: He's not sweet, he's a terror! Turns on the innocent, gorgeous face for strangers and then runs riot every night, out late, drinking etc. What to do with bears these days?

>104 jolerie: Dashing he certainly is. A real ladies man. Not so sure about the smitten, but I love him even if it isn't reciprocated. I've got a lot of photos of Benjamin as he comes on all our holidays and gets drunk all the time. Outrageous. I might do a Benjamin thread one of these days.

And I've got a little more of my book read which is a good thing!

>105 alcottacre: I'm hopeful we'll both get out of ours Stasia. I've read a few more pages this evening, even while watching the TV - a good sign I think.

>68 evilmoose: Ha! I was just coming over to mention the blog (http://hyperboleandahalf.blogspot.co.nz/). I admit to having spent some time (when I was supposed to do something else) snorting with laughter and then looking around to see if anyone noticed...

You got me with the Benjamin photos, too, Jenny. Obviously he's a bear-about-town, with a lot of history. A Benjamin thread would be a big draw, seems to me.

Hope you're having a good weekend. Any Welsh cakes on offer?

It sounds like you had a nice Valentine's Day dinner, Jenny! Benjamin is a cutie!

Sorry, you are now addicted to Trivia Crack, but that is why they call it, CRACK!! Duh! I haven't had a chance to play, since early Saturday morning. I will have to jump back on.

Aaaaw, your bear is called Benjamin as is my rabbit which is the same age as me. :))
Can't express how much I lovelovelove these pictures. Couldn't do it with my Benjamin though, because the poor guy has no feet (and never had any), so I should have to dip his heads into the bowls which wouldn't look as nice. Your Benjamin looks so well-behaved! And great dinner, btw.

And another btw: I made more parsnip cake today and this time a complete batch. It's already cooled down and cut into pieces and resting in the freezer. That was a great recommendation!

My current ear worm of course is from the Sanremo festival and is by Malika, "Adesso e qui" (Now and here).

Benjamin! Love the photos and your stories of him, Jenny! Happy Sunday, dear.

>100 lunacat: Hah! Your bear looks well and truly stuffed.

>107 nittnut: I've merrily wasted my afternoon browsing the blog hyberboleandahalf, and I've got you lot to blame. Well, specifically you Megan as you were the final straw that pushed me to getting round to it.

>108 jnwelch: I had fun searching for old Benjamin photos last night, in preparation for a thread composed entirely of him one day. Mostly he spends his time posed with alcoholic drinks so it might give people the wrong impression about me - I don't want to come across as an enabler! No welsh cakes here I'm afraid but there is an adequate cafe around these parts somewhere that might have a few left. They had a fair run on them this week though.

>109 msf59: Benjamin is indeed a cutie. And if that fur could talk............!

At least I can reassure myself I'm playing a game where I learn stuff while wasting minutes of my life. I fall down on the sport or US questions.......how am I supposed to know whose mascot is what?!

>110 Deern: Awww, we both have Benjamins! That's very sweet. Poor yours having no feet though - how does he dance? Kick up his heels? Wiggle his toes in glee? What a shame for him. Not so well behaved, you didn't see the aftermath of his evening which involved him lying head first down the side of the sofa groaning, having had too much to drink. He's rather hungover today, and is contemplating hair of the bear to remedy it tonight.

Glad the parsnip cake is a hit. Now is the time to tell you I've never actually tried it, but other people have declared it good so I figured they couldn't all be wrong.

>111 Crazymamie: Thanks Mamie. I hope yours has been good.

>112 humouress: Stuffed he is indeed. He's got a very large tum that, despite our hints, never goes down even when he diets. Clearly he just has a very slow metabolism.

Such a fast moving thread! Had to delurk to wish you get out of your funk soon. I notice I am in a funk when I start reading lots of romance. That's when it's time to make some changes in my life. The song currently stuck in my head is Evergreen - kind of strange given my life.

>115 Familyhistorian: I think I'm slowly getting there. At least I finished another real life book, Just One Damned Thing After Another, last night and I'll probably start the second one of the series tonight or tomorrow. Thanks for the good wishes!
________________

This is what I was up to on a briefly sunny Sunday morning. Not our most in control moments but good fun nonetheless, and Connie certainly enjoyed herself.

https://vimeo.com/119704927

Woohoo, Jenny. What a great ride.

Don't have a chance for a song to get stuck in my head, because the kids are always singing 'The Last Goodbye' from the Hobbit film. They hold the tune reasonably well, but my 6 year old doesn't get all the words. He won't let you correct him, though, and sometimes he won't even let anyone sing along with him. Though he'll also do this thing where you can't sing at the same time as him, but he'll stop in a middle of a line (sometimes even in the middle of a word) and expect you to sing on, which rather disrupts the song.

Otherwise, it's songs from my musical theatre class. We're working towards a show, and we've each picked a solo, as well as the group numbers; so usually it's those. Other people's solos, though, not mine - oddly. Probably because that would be practicing, and that would be too much like hard work.

Hi Jenny. Your Benjamin sounds like quite the guy! Bet he's very good at snuggling! Luckily I have no ear worm plaguing me at the moment.

Hi Jenny! I'm behind, as usual! For your first question I tend to re-read Jane Austen books when I want comfort. There's just a wonderful comfort in that. Just today I bought an audio copy of Sense and Sensibility, hopefully I'll have time to listen to it! :)

>89 maggie1944: I always just considered it a form of procrastination (at which I'm an expert) - my house never gets tidied up more than when I have a big task waiting that I don't want to start. I'm getting better at integrating it, though - the last couple times, I both did some cleaning and got my big task done (barely) on time.

>88 lunacat: Probably not a single song but I am playing Mark Knopfler's Get Lucky CD to death at the moment. I was never a huge fan of Dire Straits but this much more folksy and the music and lyrics speak to me a little I guess. Also listening a fair bit to Paul Weller and early Paul MacCartney for some reason at the moment.

Hey, Jenny! I loved your riding video! How very nice. You and Connie work very well together.

>117 Ameise1: Thanks Barbara. She struggled for some confidence last year and started doubting herself so it was nice for her to feel enthusiastic and up for anything. A little too enthusiastic in truth, but I'll take it.

>118 humouress: Hehe, yes children singing would certainly stop anything else from getting stuck in my head as well. Let me guess - it was cute at first and has now worn off?

>119 DeltaQueen50: He is the perfect shape and size for snuggling which is one of the reasons I love him so much. He's been in hospital with me a lot as well, and it's lovely to have something to hug. He also makes a very good pillow in emergencies. He's rather annoyed with me at the moment because I accidentally left him downstairs after our Valentine dinner and he had a night on the sofa on his own. Poor bear. I'll have to offer him some wine to get back in his good books. (Yes, we are all completely insane round here).

>120 The_Hibernator: Hmm.......your comment just made me realise I've been transposing Bronte and Austen in my head and getting the Bronte sisters and Austen thoroughly churned up and muddled, and assigning the wrong books to each of them. Not sure why, other than I don't like any of their works! I used to do something similar with all the Marys when I was studying Tudor history for my A-Levels - I'd throw all the Marys into a big pot, pull out 2 and assign various different dates/roles/achievements to them randomly. I didn't even realise I was doing it. No wonder it never made much sense!

>121 jjmcgaffey: Ah, another procrastination expert. I used to kid myself that I do my best when I'm massively under pressure in the last possible moments, and while that may be the case, it's also that I simply procrastinate far too much. Even when it's something I want to do, or something that isn't that big a deal. Definitely something I need to work on.

>122 PaulCranswick: Showing your age there Paul ;). Is it essential that you mainly listen to music made by people with the same first name as yourself? That would limit my listening to.........Jennifer Lopez. Doesn't appeal!

>123 msf59: Thanks Mark. It looks better than it felt (as always), but she was a fairly good girl so I'm pleased with her.

That video of you and Connie is impressive, Jenny. You make a good team.

Thanks Joe. It's not often a partnership, more a battle of wills with compromises on both sides, but when it works it is great.

Reading news. Only you guys here will have any idea how pleased I am to be able to say those words!

Finished Just One Damned Thing After Another which was a lot of time-travelling, ridiculous adventuring, nonsensical fun, and just what I needed.

Finished Fables, Vol 7: Arabian Days and Nights - not my favourite of the series and nothing really stood out for me in terms of plot or development, but it passed the time.

Hopefully I'll get some more of Excalibur listened to while I ride Connie this afternoon. And I'm over half way through the second St. Mary's, A Symphony of Echoes, which I put down for a couple of minutes to come and write this.

Think that's about it. Not going to put any pressure on myself to do proper reviews. One sentence comments might be all I can manage for now.

And isn't that one of the reasons we love being here, so much! One sentence reviews are totally acceptable.

That was an amazing looking Valentine meal you shared with Benjamin. I'd be envious, only I had a pretty good meal too. Too much butter on everything though, which was sooo delicious, but made me feel nauseous afterwards as I don't do well with too much fat in my food, but it was worth it I guess, except for the part where all my pants are getting tighter and last night Pierre had the poor sense to agree with me when I mentioned this, and even went so far as to add that he 'had noticed I had put on some pounds since we'd met'. Then he said he was 'just being honest' when I said he was NOT to say these things to me and 'was he out of his mind to say such things to a woman?!?', but when he saw I was truly distressed after I shed some tears and looked (and was) truly depressed after some 20 minutes still, after I explained I'd battled with bulimia for 30 years and this was truly a sore spot and he still didn't seem to realize was a faux pas he'd made, he apologized finally seemed to wake up and promised he'd be more sensitive in future. Men can be so stupid sometimes. And this the day after Valentine's, right after he'd been so kind and thoughtful. I promise you Jenny, the first thing that ran through my mind was 'It is SOOOO not worth it!'. At least teddy bears don't have the capacity to say anything stupid. They can't cook, granted, but then they don't have the gumption to add too much butter to everything and then have the nerve to tell you you're looking a bit fat nowadays, aren't you dear? Grrrr!

>128 maggie1944: Absolutely! I do them all the time. :)

>128 maggie1944: I think I'm probably better at one or two sentence reviews than I am at proper ones so it's all good :)

>129 Smiler69: Oh no! What a shame that he wasn't able to see his mistake in commenting about your weight, especially after cooking a lovely meal covered in butter etc. I'm surprised he didn't cotton on after telling him about your bulimia either. I'm in the same boat in that I don't have a healthy relationship with food or my body, which wasn't a problem until the medication change made me put on about 30 pounds in three months. If someone else had told me I was getting fat, even after I'd commented on it, I'd be really upset. Lots of people keep telling me I look loads better at a 'healthy' weight rather than at my slim version, but I don't really believe them. I still think that my figure was about the only thing I had going for me, so to have that change is quite difficult.

Anyway, I hope that it hasn't ruined the loveliness of his gift offer and his cooking you a meal too much. You're right though, Benjamin doesn't comment on my weight. And if he did, it would be a pot and kettle black situation as he is very tubby himself!

>130 LauraBrook: I'll happily stick to one sentence reviews for the minute then!

Reading report:

Finished The Symphony of Echoes which I enjoyed even more than the first. I felt the plotting was tighter and the story better paced. Good fun.

Got an hour of Excalibur listened to while arguing with Connie in the soaking rain. Feels like two steps forward, two steps back with Madam at the moment!

I'll start A Second Chance later this evening before bed.

Look at you and all your reading! Go Ermintrude!

I am a big fan of 1-2 sentence reviews. Glad that you are getting some good reading in!

Hi Jenny--love the Valentine pictures. Good luck earning your tea. I have been deep into TV this weekend, too. Hugs.

>133 katiekrug: I know! I'm so proud of myself. Who knew I could focus long enough to read real life actual sentences, and follow a plot! It is truly miraculous ;)

>134 banjo123: A decent block of reading felt long overdue so it is a relief to get going again. Now I just have to keep it up.

>135 Berly: Alas, no tea earning today as I'm absolutely exhausted for no apparent reason. I went to bed at 8.30pm last night, dozed for about an hour but my cunning plan to get more sleep completely backfired and I was awake until around 3am. So much for catching up! Perhaps I'm coming down with something - it would certainly explain the aches, pains and exhaustion that are all worse than normal today.

I finished A Second Chance in my insomniac block of time in the middle of the night, and I think this is one of the only series I've ever read where the books get better as they go on, rather than worse. And not just better, but MUCH better. Loved it and read it straight through in one go.

I'm now torn as to whether to purchase the fourth at £3.47. It's obviously not a huge amount of money but things are tight this month and it is difficult to justify when I have SO many books on my TBR pile. But they've kick-started my reading again and I thoroughly enjoy them so.......argh.......decisions!

>137 lunacat: Jenny, our local library has only band 2 and 4 of this serie. Is it a problem to read if the others aren't available?

>138 Ameise1: Yes, you really need to read them in order. I wonder why the library only has 2 and 4? How strange.
__________

I received a package today containing some old photos of me, and a few of them made me smile so I'll share a few gradually. There is also one of the earliest photos of me, aged 28hrs old that I'll put up on my birthday on Thursday!

Grammie and I, aged 6 months.

Oh, what a precious photo! Such a big smile on your face! It's apparent that your Grammie (that's what I called my grandmother too!) was totally enamoured of you.

So happy to see you reading up a storm! Go, Jenny, Go!!

Oh, what an adorable little babe you were. Such a great smile. :D

>139 lunacat: So beautiful with such a big smile.

Very late getting to this thread.

>7 lunacat: Star Trek would be one of my comfort watches too - something about the way all the problems get sorted out neatly in a 45 minute episode :-) I also used to rewatch Buffy the Vampire Slayer a lot - haven't done that for a while.

For books it would probably be something light and not emotional like Georgette Heyer.

>127 lunacat: Hooray for finishing books again! I couldn't get into the St Mary's books although I know everyone else is a fan but so glad they're working for you at the moment.

>139 lunacat: That is a lovely photo - what a smile!

>88 lunacat: aaaarrrgh. Song brain worm. I have a killer and it has been there for days. Taylor Swifts Blank Space (is that what it is even called?) On our recent car trip we had to rely on radio seeing as the CD player was broken. That lady has a lot of songs on the radio but this one is on heavy rotation and I lie awake in the night singing it in my head. It is a hard one to shake. But my son likes it. He is 6. I wonder if that is an insult to the songwriter or a compliment.

>139 lunacat: aaw! What a precious photo!

:)

Yet another great photo!

>139 lunacat: Love the baby Jenny photo! One happy baby!

>139 lunacat: What a lovely expressive photo Jenny.

>125 lunacat: I am more blessed than you are on the singer names front I suppose - I mean in addition I get messrs Heaton, Anka, Simon, Young, Rodgers and Westerberg. You get Warnes and Love-Hewitt! I wouldn't mind Love-Hewitt if she wouldn't bloody sing!

>139 lunacat: - Funny, you don't look like an Ermintrude in that photo...

>144 LovingLit: *whispers* (I really like that song.)

*snork!*

I've been on a Janet Jackson kick lately while treadmilling and her ever-so-slighly-naughty "If" has been hanging round in my head lately...

>140 Storeetllr: I was really lucky in my grandparents on my mother's side - both of them adored their grandchildren and I got to spend a lot of time with them. Clearly my love of them started young!

>141 jolerie: Thanks Val. I feel more myself when I've got a book on the go so I'm glad to be back to reading ways again. Still nothing in depth, just a lot of fluffy fun, but I'm getting there.

>142 Ameise1: And bald as an egg! I wish I was as cute now :)

>143 souloftherose: Buffy is another comfort watch, though maybe not quite as much as Star Trek. I'm half way through Voyager and will move onto TNG next. My watching isn't quite as intense as it was last week, but it is still good to resort to when I start thinking too much.

>144 LovingLit: Don't think I know that Taylor Swift song off the top of my head, though.........yup, when I looked it up, I recognised it. She is very very catchy!

>145 Kassilem: :)

>146 Berly: Thanks Kim. I was very cute as a kid, if I say so myself! Sadly less adorable as an adult, but aren't we all?

>147 msf59: Yup, I think I was an extremely happy baby, at least from what my mum has told me. Other than my early arrival, I don't think I caused her many problems at all.

>148 PaulCranswick: You definitely got the better deal with singers Paul! I'm not going to restrict myself to only listening to those with my name. I couldn't bear it.

>149 katiekrug: Clearly my Ermintrude-ness kicked in a little later. Perhaps in some of the later photos it will start to become apparent.

>150 scaifea: Thanks to Megan, I've now go the chorus of Blank Space in my head. I may have to throw things at her in revenge.

Question: Are there books you reread even though you know they'll make you cry? I read Before I Die in one sitting last night when I couldn't sleep, even though I knew I'd shed a few tears. It's a lovely, heart-breaking story of a girl dying of cancer and wanting to tick things off a list and hold out as long as possible, and it's so full of hope and love that I can ignore the slightly schmaltzy moments. Then I was lying awake wondering why I'd chosen it because it always makes me sad. Silly brain.

>153 lunacat: I try not to re-read as my TBR is so unwieldy. Lord of the Rings, Of Mice and Men, To Kill a Mockingbird, The Doctor Who books and some of my old favourite British thillers - Fleming, MacLean, Innes, Ambler etc have had occasional re-runs though.

Another cheeky grin - I suspect I was plotting bad things!

Heh, that grin is just...adorable, if in a slightly worrisome way!

I reread Watership Down, which always makes me cry, and currently I'm rereading The Stand, which likewise makes me cry in parts. I used to reread The Trilogy of the Rings frequently and always cried, but since seeing the films I can't seem to get through them, not sure quite why as the films left so much great stuff out. These days, I'm like Paul ~ there are just too many new-to-me books to read before I die that I can't spend a lot of time rereading anything.

Having said that, I also recently reread Moon Called ~ as a kind of comfort read when I was having trouble finding something that appealed.

It's the smile of I'm plotting bad things OR I've done the bad deed and you need to figure out what it is...muwahahahaha. ;)
You are a cutie pie either way!

I don't re-read much, but many of my favorite books and the ones I'd be most likely to re-read if I did, have made me cry.

And last year I re-read a book from childhood that made me cry then, and yep, it made me cry now, too!

Happy Birthday, Jenny ♥ ♥ ♥
May all your wishes come true. Love & hugs xx

It is just your birthday over in Blighty if I'm not mistaken......happy birthday my dear. xx

>150 scaifea: >151 lunacat: >152 lunacat:
I have that song in my head every day, I saw the video of it last night (which isn't good at all) and so the audio is refreshed. I quite like the song too!! It is clever, and dang if it ain't catchy!

>156 Storeetllr: I am trying to cut down on my rereading, but often I need something familiar so my brain doesn't have to work too hard. I figure rereading is better than not reading at all!

>157 jolerie: I suspect plotting as my mum is standing just behind me and therefore I'm unlikely to have just been bad. Clearly naughty thoughts though.

>158 katiekrug: Books from my childhood are definitely still likely to make me cry now, if they did then. Crying while reading or watching a film is much more likely to happen than crying over something IRL for me. Who knows why?

>159 Ameise1: Thanks Barbara. Doesn't know what my dreams are, but I hope they come true anyway!

>160 PaulCranswick: Thank you very much Paul. It's lunchtime here and we're not dressed yet, so having a nice relaxing day. We'll be going out for chinese all-you-can-eat tonight, as it's the Chinese New Year.

>161 LovingLit: Determinedly not listening to it again as I currently have no song at all in my head and it's lovely!

Argh, I'm getting old. Well, aren't we all? I think I've changed a bit since this photo, taken when I was 28hrs old.

A Very Happy Birthday Jenny!! Love all those cute baby pics you're posting.

And of course I reread books or rewatch films that make me cry although it's usually children's books where the happy ending moves me to tears. Dramatic like RL adult books often go too deep so I don't want to relive the emotions a second time.

Happy birthday! (Although I'm beginning to suspect you're some sort of evil twin - although my birthday was technically yesterday of course, it's still close enough to be down to some confusion with paperwork *eyes Jenny suspiciously*)

Today we celebrate your birth and we are so happy that you are a part of our community!



ETA: changed the size of the gif so it doesn't kill the loading of your thread. ;)

Happy Birthday, Jenny/Ermintrude/Lunacat!

Happy birthday anyway, Jenny!

Thanks to Nathalie, Megan, Val, Katie and Mary for my birthday wishes! I don't think I am an evil twin Megan..........and why would I be the evil one, anyway! So unfair.

I've had an extended birthday celebration - out to a quick dinner and a couple of drinks with a few friends last night, a lovely luxurious day spent in pyjamas today, and just getting ready to go out again tonight. Sadly I've got a splitting headache but hopefully it will ease off soon.

I watched 'The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel' this afternoon which was fabulous, and we might well go to see 'The Second Best Marigold Hotel' soon. Then I'm out to lunch with my mum tomorrow. All good :)

Oh, we loved 'The Best Marigold Hotel", too, Jenny. I hope the second one's good.

An extended birthday celebration is the best - good for you. Happy Birthday!

Happy Birthday!!

Not sure if your birthday is the 18th or 19th, but my parents' birthday(s) is (are) the 19th.

A very Happy Birthday, Jenny!



Have a lovely day.

Just stopping by to wish you Happy Birthday, Jenny! Hope it's a good one.

Stopping by with good intentions of saying hello and discover a birthday party happening for you.... Happy Birthday Jenny!

... whew, I think I just squeaked that one under the wire based on time zone differences. ;-)

Happy Birthday, Jenny!

Yesterday was a crazy day for us, Jenny, and so I missed your birthday. Wishing you a belated Happy Birthday, and hoping that your entire weekend is filled with fabulous!

Thanks to Joe, Nina, Roni, Lori, Mark and Amber for more birthday wishes! Nina, it was the 19th, so I'm now well into being 29.

Books acquired today:

We Are All Completely Beside Ourselves came from my aunt and I haven't read it so hopefully it will be good.

My mum got me Chronicle of the Abbey of Bury St Edmunds which is my hometown, and is the account of life at the Abbey between 1173 and 1202 which should be interesting. And Owls: Our Most Enchanting Bird which has the most stunning illustrations in it. I also got £10 to be spent now (on books, obviously), and 20euros as spending money for our trip to Rome in May.

All in all it's been a nice couple of days. And these guys were waiting for me this morning when I was preparing to leave. Such a nice greeting :)

Those ducks are so cute.

Rome in May! Great!

Rome in May! Perfect!

>179 Ameise1: We love our ducks Barbara, it's so nice to hear their contented noises when they're eating.

>180 jnwelch: & >181 Storeetllr: Hoping the weather will be lovely! I am always cold and my mum doesn't deal well with the heat so we're aiming for a happy medium. I'm really looking forward to it.

Eesh, I'm exhausted today. How dare I spend two days celebrating my birthday and eating good food. The joy of CFS/ME mean I woke up aching all over, with a killer headache, a cotton wool head, and a very bad sore throat. It's eased slightly but I am predicting an afternoon nap in my future, and some recuperation.

Hi Jenny! Sorry you woke up not feeling well.I hope you are improving.

Thanks Mark. Liberal use of painkillers, caffeine and tea have restored me to a passably functional human being, though today will still be a sofa and nap day.

Rats. I'm sorry that you're feeling like rubbish today, Jenny. I hope that you get plenty of rest and good nutrition.

If you're feeling like that, I dread to think what state Benjamin is in! 😉

Thanks Darryl. I think good nutrition might help! I've had an apple and a stir fry today so hopefully the vitamins will help.

Benjamin isn't feeling as fat as I am, as he didn't join in with the buffet, but he had rather too much alcohol in toasting me so he's..........delicate, to say the least. It's not too pleasant in his vicinity ;)

I need this hoody:

I have a similar t-shirt, but instead of "ride horses" it has "read books."

As my ex husband used to say: "Cheers end in tears." (Which is part of the reason he is an "ex.") All kidding aside, it sucks that you can't even go out and have a relatively quiet birthday celebration without paying for it the next day. Still, a nap sounds a lovely ways to spend the afternoon! Feel better!

That would work as well Katie! I'd take either/or.

Yeah, not ideal Mary. I was mildly surprised when I woke up feeling quite as bad as I did this morning, as I didn't feel I'd pushed my limits but put it down to lots of unhealthy food and sugar. Now I'm wondering whether I'm not coming down with a bit of a cold as I've had an itchy, runny nose all day.

No nap but I got some reading in - am four chapters into Broken Homes, the fourth in the Rivers of London series. I'm looking forward to going to bed fairly early to try and get a few more chapters in before I pass out.

Happy Belated! I have a friend with the same b'day as you and today we are off to celebrate at a country pub. As we have to drive there though, there will be no cheersing with alcohol :\ I will have a bowl of chips though and endeavour to remember to cheers one to you!

>191 LovingLit: Somehow clinking chips isn't quite as satisfying as clinking alcohol ;)

Happy Belated! Sounds like you had a good birthday with books and other indulgences. ;)

Belated birthday greetings, Jenny. Sorry you're not feeling well today.

You had a question about ear worm songs, for me it's this annoying song from a Sprint commercial now.

Belated happy birthday Jenny and I hope you are starting to feel better.

>193 nittnut: Thanks Jenn. I was feeling pretty down in the week before my birthday, and assuming that I wouldn't really celebrate but it turned out nicely. I could have done without the comedown and grotty feeling now, but I'd rather have a good time and then suffer!

>194 tymfos: Adverts can get right into my head as well. All is quite in my head today though which is nice. Thanks for the birthday greetings.

>195 souloftherose: Thanks Heather. Feeling better this evening, but we'll see tomorrow whether it is the CFS/ME or something else. It's been a lovely relaxing day today which has helped.

Hi Jenny, I am a great believer in the restorative power of naps! Hope you are able to have a nice lie down and feel much better when arising.

I find naps to be a hit and miss prospect, Judy. If I get one of the right length and don't wake up in a state then they are brilliant. Naps in the car (obviously not when driving) are by far the best.

I didn't end up having a nap this afternoon but I'm tucked up in bed now (it's 11.15pm here) and am just about to turn everything off and settle down to read until I get sleepy, which could be five minutes or could be an hour.

I hope everyone visiting has had/is having a lovely Saturday :)

Hmm. So much for 'turn everything off and go to sleep'. Insomnia strikes again. 2.25am and I'm tired but can't switch my brain off.

At least I got to finish Broken Homes in the blissful silence that only occurs when everyone in the house, human and animal, is fast asleep except for me. Now if only my brain would follow their lead!

Finally got to sleep at around 5am this morning and woke up again at 9.45am, so I've just had a long afternoon nap as well.

Read:
31. Broken Homes by Ben Aaronovitch.

As a car accident victim and a suicide point to a housing estate tower in London, Grant and Lesley think there might be something suspicious going on, but they're not sure what.

Some good detail about the post-war housing developments in London, both how terrible some were and how desperately the residents cling to their homes. There was less magic and less quirkiness here than the others in the series, with a grittier and more thoughtful approach, but that also meant some of the fun was missing. I didn't see the twist at the end coming.

32. The Encyclopedia of Early Earth by Isabel Greenberg

The blurb:

"It is an epic work of fiction, detailing the many tales and adventures of one lonely storyteller, on a quest for Enlightenment and True Love. This book contains many stories, big and small, about and pertaining to the following things: Gods, monsters, mad kings, wise old crones, shamans, medicine men, brothers and sisters, strife, mystery, bad science, worse geography, and did we already mention true love?"

The story of a Storyteller, and the stories he tells during his travels through a world of pre-history. There is creationism, the games of the Gods, a hint towards mythology and biblical stories, and a fresh and bright look everywhere. I really liked its humour and eccentricities, and the illustrations appealed to me. An enjoyable graphic novel with a unique style and story.

Happy Sunday, Jenny. I hope the rest is doing you good. I also liked Broken Homes.

I will click on T.C. soon. I think we are battling it out, right?

Thanks Mark. We are indeed battling..........or we were, you wiped the floor with me today! Clearly my nap damaged my brain.

Question: With all the depression about winter, I'd like to cheer this thread up.

What are you most looking forward to about spring arriving?

Nice reviews of Broken Homes and The Encyclopedia of Early Earth, Jenny.

Springtime means warmer temperatures, trees in bloom, being able to drive with my convertible top down, and spending pleasant days in Piedmont Park, the largest one in Atlanta, which is a short walk from where I live. The Atlanta Dogwood Festival takes place in early April as well:



The building I live in isn't visible in this photo, but it's amongst the high rise buildings on the right.

>202 lunacat: Lupins!



(Disclaimer: There may not be any actual lupins in my area, but a girl can dream, right?)

Hi Jenny !

>202 lunacat: Hmmm. Spring. I love the colors and smells of spring. I'm also hoping I'll have a new job by spring (well, a girl can hope). I'll also be getting the Spring issue of Lapham's Quarterly, which I'm looking forward to because I've almost finished the Winter issue. :)

Sitting in a lounge chair on the back patio with an iced coffee and a good book, admiring the tomato, annuals and herb seedlings while Nickel perches on the back of the chair, preening in the sun. Ah, Spring!

>203 kidzdoc: Gorgeous! I'd happily hang out in that park, especially if it was as sunny as in that photo. I'm a total sunworshipper. Alas, my body doesn't agree with my love and will happily break out in an itchy heat rash at a moments notice, even if I don't feel very warm at all. Add that to my fair skin which burns easily, and my tree and grass allergies and things become challenging. I'd love to be able to lie on the grass and sunbathe but contact with grass on areas of my skin not use to it (back and stomach mostly) also leaves me itching, so I'm rather a lost cause. I'll keep trying though, that sun is so appealing :).

I bet the park is a wonderful place to people watch, or sit and read.

>204 evilmoose: You can certainly dream of lupins! I'd love to see a whole field of wild flowers right now.

>205 The_Hibernator: The smell of spring is wonderful isn't it. The way Mother Nature cheers up and seems so happy with the world. There is the hint of it today with some clear skies but it is still rather too chilly for my liking.

>206 Storeetllr: Preening in the sun sounds a lovely way to greet spring. Maybe all of us should take a tip from Nickel's book and try it. Our guinea-pig likes a good preen as well, although I'm sure it isn't called that in rodents.

Perhaps spring is on its way on this side of the pond?

I also love the sun. But I do not want to "lie on the grass and sunbathe". Um...no. I want to sit on the deck in a comfy chair with a good book and a delicious beverage. No chance of that today as it is raining here. My favorite thing about Spring is that the pecan trees get their green back.

Wishing for you a lovely Monday, Jenny!

>209 Crazymamie: I'd take those things in a heartbeat Mamie! When would you like me to drop round this spring?

Alas, our garden is the size of a postage stamp and north facing, so no deck and chair for me. And the temperatures rarely get warm enough for me to want to sit outside and do nothing. I'm so cold blooded I need it about 27C for that to happen.

I bet the pecan trees flexing their leaf growing skills is a lovely sight when you can see so many of them.

Someone else round here is enjoying the sun on the windowsill.

Any time, Jenny! You are always welcome! We will reserve you a comfy deck chair!

Love the photo!

I don't like spring because it barely exists here, and the couple of days of it we get, just mean that summer is coming. And I really hate summer.

I need to find the place with permanent autumn and move there.

I think I'd be glad of autumn if I had to survive through a Texas summer, especially if I couldn't just lie by a pool all day! Seems we're never happy with the weather we get.

It has gone cloudy now which is a bit annoying as I'm going to ride Con shortly and it would have been nice with bright blue skies. However, I shouldn't complain as anything is better than rain!

>207 lunacat: Yes, Piedmont Park is a perfect place to read, people watch, sunbathe, walk your dog, run, bicycle, etc. It also contains a sizable lake where you can catch fish:

>214 kidzdoc: Gorgeous. Thanks for sharing Darryl. Of course, if I were to go there I'd probably fall in. I'm not to be trusted around large amounts of water - sometimes I always seem to end up wet, even when I don't mean to.

My rumination of the day.

>208 lunacat: & >214 kidzdoc: What a day for wonderful photos. I would like to see spring too but we don't have any seasons at all over here. Just HOT.

I've fallen behind on the Grant and Lesley stories, Jenny. Thanks for the nudge on Broken Homes. And you got me with the Encyclopedia of Early Earth. That's a new one for me, and sounds good. Onto the WL it goes.

I'm not going to say anything about cheese on your thread because last time I almost got banned. Keeping it mum, I am! ;)

>219 jolerie: I do seem to be threatening a variety of people with banishment for a variety of flaws! Perhaps I should stop being so militant. But not about cheese. Cheese is too important.

>217 PaulCranswick: I could cope with the heat most of the time but not the humidity. And there is something to be said about watching the seasons come and go, so I think I'd miss them a lot if they didn't happen. I'd still like it to be warmer right now though!

>218 jnwelch: I think you'd like both of them Joe, so I hope you get to them soon.

It's official. Spring is on the way. The reason I can make that declaration? While riding Connie in high winds and freezing my feet off this afternoon, I rounded a corner and came across a lovely scatter of snowdrops beneath trees. Con was feeling rather wild because of the wind, so I didn't dare only ride with one hand while I took a photo, but the view was similar to this.

I love snowdrops! Rarely see them here.
Spring in Merano brings warm temperatures and of course longer daylight. On the negative side it brings along all the rain we don't get in winter. And the tourists are coming which means at least twice as many cars, but also the re-opening of restaurants, cafes and ice cream places.

Dear Lady, I beg you
To cook as you please,
But don’t overlook the
Importance of cheese!

Also it makes a quite nice formal dress... yes, the dress is made of cheese.

>223 evilmoose: A dress made of cheese! I don't think it would last long on Jenny ~ or me!

I lived in Southern California for over 35 years and didn't miss the startling changes of the seasons or the arctic freezes of the winters. We knew it was spring when the wildflowers would show up on the mountains north of L.A. We knew it was fall when the maple leaves would turn red. And we knew it was winter when we could see snow on the mountains in the distance. Otherwise, perpetual summer with occasional rain, and that was just fine with me.

>221 lunacat: So lovely to see this floor of snowdrops. You are a lucky lady.

>200 lunacat: 'that also meant some of the fun was missing.'

I thought Foxglove Summer brought back a lot of the fun.

>202 lunacat: 'What are you most looking forward to about spring arriving?' Flowers! There are already some snowdrops out but I love the way the different flowers start to come out as spring progresses. One day I will be organised enough to make sure these come up in my garden but for now I just enjoy them in other people's.

>222 Deern: What a shame about the lack of snowdrops in Italy. They are so lovely to see after the gloom of winter, and it is a fabulous hint that spring is on its way.

I'm going to be one of those tourists clogging up Italy in May. I can't wait!

>223 evilmoose: An appalling waste of cheese! Why on earth would you use it as clothes when you can EAT it! Disgraceful. That is possibly the most offensive thing someone has ever posted on my thread but I'll forgive you because of the poem.

>224 Storeetllr: Perpetual summer with occasional rain sounds fantastic. I think I could be very happy in Southern California. I often comment that I am definitely not someone born for British weather, except I can complain about the weather as well as any of us.

>225 Ameise1: There are snowdrops by the road of at least two of the routes I commonly take on Con. I might go up to the other one, which is a bit further away, this week. Of course, Madam was wild enough on our short excursion so I'm not sure I'll have the energy for a longer ride!

>226 souloftherose: Great, I'm very much looking forward to Foxglove Summer which is waiting for me on my shelves, but I'm trying not to binge on them so I might make it wait for when I really need a pick me up.

We're the same round here with the flowers - I love looking at them but we don't do anything else to encourage them. I keep meaning to remember to put bulbs in but it only occurs to me now which is, of course, completely the wrong season for it. Maybe one year.

>227 lunacat: I think it would be perfect for those terrible formal events where you end up having to sit through speeches FOREVER, and then have to wait for hours to get food. You just start nibbling on the less essential parts of your dress. Personally I'd start with something below the knees.

33. The Incorrigible Children of Ashton Place by Maryrose Wood

A rather odd book about a governess leaving her school and going to her first ever job taking care of three strange children. It seems to be somewhat of an homage to Jane Eyre which could be why I didn't like it a lot, as I loathe that book.

I didn't feel terribly connected with any of the characters and felt that some of the eccentricities were too manufactured and set up, rather than coming from the story naturally. The author tries too hard to be funny and unique, which doesn't come off most of the time. Ending things on a 'to be continued' didn't improve it as I don't really want to read the whole series.

Not worth the 99p I paid for it.

As an aside - why is it much easier to write reviews for books I dislike rather than for ones I like?!

>229 evilmoose: But I'd be so hungry, there wouldn't be much left by the end. And, much as I adore cheese, can you imagine the smell? Plus sweaty cheese against the skin as it warms up would be very unpleasant.

I may be over-thinking this.

I'm in Northern California, and here it's more or less perpetual spring. We get about...oh, maybe 5-10 days in the year over 90 degrees F (and everyone complains mightily!), maybe 10-15 days in the low 40s (equally worthy of complaint) and the rest of the year wanders between 50-70 for both highs and lows. Rain in the winter, though not enough the last few years. The city (San Francisco) gets heavy fog most days, but I'm on the east side of the Bay and it's only a couple days of fog a year - and it usually burns off by 11:30 or noon anyway.

Among other things, it means there's no off-season for the garden - I haven't been to my plot in a couple weeks and I'm sure it's drowning in weeds. The magnolias and daffodils are blooming - but the first few started in late January and there will be some starting in June. For a lot of plants, the proper season for blooming/fruiting depends on when they were planted, since the weather doesn't change much - so we get "spring" vegetables and fruits until June or July, "summer" ones starting about May, "winter" ones any time except late August to mid-October (which is when those 90-degree days usually show up)...ridiculous.

So. I saw a robin (I don't know if they migrate through here or just live here all year). There are daffodils blooming. It's spring, more or less, now...

>232 jjmcgaffey: I must admit I'd miss some of the crisp, bright winter mornings when you can see your breath and the horses have frost in their whiskers. What I don't like is the damp cold that seems to seep into your bones.

I think I'd be quite confused if it was permanently spring and the spring flowers were out all the time. But then I'm not the brightest button in the tin so it is no wonder I'd be puzzled by daffodils starting in June.

I treated myself to this gorgeous book today using some birthday money:



Death is by far my favourite character of Discworld, and these releases are stunning. The scythe, three of the stars and the eye sockets of the skull are actually shiny silver in my edition and make it really stand out. I'll be gradually adding more to my collection over the next few months.

Which special edition of a favourite book are you drooling over/desperately wanting at the moment?

^Saga Deluxe Edition Vol 1. I want to get my greedy hands on this one. If anyone wants to buy it for me, I would not argue.

Hi, Jenny! The Pratchett books looks beautiful. I have never read any of the Discworld series. I am still working on Sandman.

>235 msf59: That's also currently sitting in my shopping basket waiting for me to make a decision! I had a look at the copies my local bookshop had but they were just the single volumes, not the deluxe edition. I'm so very very tempted, especially as I have a 10% off BookDepo code that expires at midnight tonight.

>234 lunacat: I've seen those Pratchett editions and they are lovely.

Special editions I'm drooling over are the Folio edition of The Lord of the Rings and one which isn't exactly a special edition of a book but a companion to one, The Art of the Hobbit. The Lord of the Rings is one of the few books I keep multiple copies of.

What? How did you beat me on TC 6-0? Did you get help? Lol.

Did you know you can chat on TC? I sent you a couple of messages.

>238 msf59: Just replied. I think I was just really lucky with my questions - they were all ones I knew easily. I've had a bad run though so I was due for the winds to change!

>237 souloftherose: I love the style of the LOTR folio, and its slipcase. Very nice indeed. I can see how they would be appealing if you are an aficionado.

TC is a moody game. You never know what you are going to get. It keeps it interesting, I guess.

>237 souloftherose: Beautiful!

There aren't any special editions that I'm looking forward to, but I'd love to see Penguin issue old and new paperback books with the classic orange covers, similar to the uber-cool (and award winning) one for 1984 that I bought last year:

My dinner. Fish and chips. Bliss.

Oh yum! Is that takeout or homemade??

Takeout, from our local chippy 1 minute away :)

>242 lunacat: That looks good! What type of fish did you have?

I always have cod, which isn't the best ecological or sustainable choice, but our local shop hasn't started branching out into the new and less endangered types of white fish yet. Atlantic cod is currently listed as vulnerable and the fishing industry is very heavily controlled and regulated by the EU, for better or worse. It has allowed some fish stock to begin to recover from overfishing but some of the rules aren't terribly logical and result in perfectly good, but dead, fish being thrown back into the sea because it would put the fishermen over their daily quota allowance.

>246 lunacat: Interesting. I had no idea that Atlantic cod was a vulnerable species.

I was going to have soup for dinner, but I've just decided to have the last of the shrimp étoufée instead.

Oh, I needs me some of that fish and chips.... :)

That's a wonderful Pratchett cover! I wonder if it's available over here?

I have seen those Pratchett covers about too and am tempted to start adding them.

>242 lunacat: The fish and chips look great but where on earth is the curry sauce?!

Oh, that is a lovely Pratchett cover. It almost tempts me away from my plan to hunt down all the possible Josh Kirby covers I don't have already (the original and the best... perhaps).

>1 lunacat: Wow. Reasons never to use Photobucket...

>247 kidzdoc: Clearly you felt like a fishy supper as well! I hope it was enjoyable for you.

>248 drneutron: Sadly it was very quickly consumed as I was absolutely starving, and it's been a long time since I had any. You're welcome to pop by and get some of your own though.

>249 ronincats: They are available from BookDepo so easy to get hold of, even for those non-Brits. It's stunning....I keep picking it up. It's even got its own internal ribbon bookmark - it has been years since I've owned a book with one!

Happy Wednesday, Jenny! I probably won't be able to get back on TC, until tonight. I think I am playing 4 or 5 LTers at once. Sheesh...

>250 PaulCranswick: They are beautiful Paul. I'm really looking forward to adding more of them to my collection. All I have to do now is curb my desire to buy them all at once!

I'm not a fan of curry sauce so it was left in the chippy!

>251 evilmoose: Ohh, you should be tempted. It is so pretty. I might just go and stroke it once more.

>252 jjmcgaffey: Indeed! When I start a new thread today, I won't be using photos on photobucket. Thoroughly irritating.
______________

I'll be back to start a new thread shortly but I just had a horrific encounter with a HUGE (for this country) spider that sauntered up beside me on the sofa. I know it's pathetic but I am terrified of spiders. The way they move.......eesh. Weirdly I'm not scared of tarantulas, because they look more like proper animals, but this thing............gah. I stopped to take a photo because it was so huge, and then it settled on my cheque book so both spider and cheques have been thrown out of the window into the garden. I'll go and rescue the chequebook once I've calmed down and stopped jumping at every little movement - tea is required! I just leapt out of my skin again because the power cable of my laptop moved!

>254 msf59: Disgraceful lack of commitment Mark ;) It's great fun being able to play people you know rather than strangers. Thank you so much for introducing it to me. Hope you have a good day!

Yikes! Spiders!!

>253 lunacat: The shrimp étoufée was very good, Jenny! Now that it's gone I'll make crawfish étoufée, probably on Friday, which is what I had originally wanted to make the weekend before last. (I seem to be on a serious Louisiana cooking frenzy lately.)

I love English fish and chips. I haven't found any place in the US that makes it nearly as well, although there is a tiny shop near the barbershop I go to that does an admirable job.

>255 lunacat: No curry sauce for me, either. Give me vinegar and lemon, and a touch of salt.

Sorry to hear about your spider scare! Is tea all that's required to calm your nerves?

>258 kidzdoc: I could do with a shot of something but I'm riding Con this afternoon and it's not usually wise to be slightly inebriated!

I don't think there is anywhere in the world that does fish and chips quite like the British. It's a fabulous skill to have, turning healthy fish into one of the fattiest foods ;)

Oh, dear. The fish and chips is over here as well! But now I am laughing because you threw your checkbook out the window with the spider! Too funny!

Pleeeeeaaase DON'T post that picture of the spider!! I know exactly which ones you mean, they really freak me out! And I completely understand about the tarantula being less scary to look at.

*sigh* fish and chips and a beer are perfect summer fare. Now it's chips and beer, but it must be the thick cut English chips, I never liked French fries.

>260 Crazymamie: I have finally plucked up the courage to go and rescue the chequebook. The spider was nowhere in sight but I was still wary about picking it up. I'm so feeble!

>261 Deern: No worries, not going to post it! I mainly took it to show my best friend who is as scared of spiders as I am, so that she'd commiserate with me.

Having investigated, I have determined it is a 'giant house spider'. Now it is a giant outside spider! It's very lucky best friend wasn't here as if she had been, it would be a giant dead spider.

My day is getting worse and worse!

Horrible nightmares this morning, then the spider issue, and now our heating has packed in again. Alas, it doesn't seem to be a problem as simple as having run out of fuel. I've done as much as my limited knowledge will enable me to (check fuel level, turn off, turn back on again, check power light on boiler) so now I'm dependent on someone else fixing it.

Knowing my luck today, I'll fall off Connie this afternoon. Maybe I should just go back to bed.

How are your days going? I hope better than mine!

Ok, I had a little bit of "free" time this morning and I caught up with this thread. Whew.

I envy your rides on "madam". With my two hip replacements + osteoporosis, I get no riding on horses or bikes for fear of falling and breaking all the bones in my body. I can almost feel the wind through my hair, and the smells of springtime. My idea of heaven.

I know spring is on its way here when the daylight hours begin to approximate the hours I like to be awake. No more feeling as if I'm waking in the middle of the night, and bedtime comes right after I feed the dogs (5 pm-ish). I love it when there is dawn happening when we get out of bed, much earlier than any sane person would choose - such as between 4 and 5 am. I also love the blooms: daffodils, tulips, rhododendrons galore, azaleas, flowering plum trees, and whatever else is in the garden that I did not put there which flowers, even though I do not know its name. I do have a yard which was built for spring.

Fish and Chips: hooray! hoorah!

Oh no! I vote for go back to bed. But, of course, that's exactly what I want to do, so I might be biased in my thinking. Our cat Mercy catches spiders - any insect indoors, really. It's quite handy.

My day? Um...Birdy still sick - going to the doctor for a strep test later. Rae not up, and I am NOT waking her, so I cancelled her hair appointment. Other than that, all is well. So far - everyone besides Craig, Birdy and I are sleeping still. Exhaustion at the Paradisio. Crossing my fingers for no additional drama today.

>264 maggie1944: Most of the time I love my rides which make the bad rides worth it. She certainly isn't predictable though! I'm not looking forward to the day my poor broken body can't manage to ride any more - thankfully it doesn't hurt while I'm on Connie but I'm getting more and more aches and pains after I've ridden, and my back, hips and knees all complain.

Spring flowers are such a delight after the winter dreariness, aren't they? Fish and chips are indeed a hooray! I'm glad you could stop by :)

>265 Crazymamie: Alas, no bed yet. We're currently troubleshooting the boiler issues in the hope it's something we can fix ourselves, and then I'm off for madam riding. At least it will warm me up!

I hope your day is better than yesterday, and Birdy can make some improvements to how she's feeling. I think exhaustion must be the order of the day, I've got it as well.

The two cats that were near the spider just looked at it. Perhaps they were intimidated by its size as well. No use whatsoever!

Oh I get your fear of spiders. It's probably the same reaction I get when I see mice. I can't even say the word without shivering. Spiders are okay unless they are of the thick leg variety. Okay I gotta go! Can't stop shivering!

Dear Miss, I'm writing to inform you that your excuse for not paying your bill because you threw your chequebook out with a spider is not acceptable. We would have accepted the spider with the cheque as well as we are an Araneae-friendly organisation. We trust the spider was not harmed during flight. Should you wish to submit the photo you took of the spider, we would consider that as payment towards your late fee and no more shall be said on this matter.

>268 cameling: LOL!

Hope your cuppa helped you recover. May I recommend a nice slice of cheese as well?

>267 jolerie: I'll be starting a new thread this evening (once I've stopped procrastinating) which will hopefully be fear free.

>268 cameling: No cheque books were harmed due to my actions - it has been rescued and found to be fine. I have no news of the spider. I won't post the photo of the spider because of others phobias, but the link to the photo is here, you can see it heading towards the cheque book!:

https://flic.kr/p/rmVuBp

>269 nittnut: It did help, although I'm still a bit jumpy! Cheese may well be the answer to my problems :)

New thread is up!

Okay, wow, that WAS a big spider! I might have squealed like a little girl and run for the blow torch, had it been me.

I think I'd have caused more problems for myself if I'd gone for the blow torch, as setting fire to the cheque book might not have been the best idea in the world! Plus, despite my terror, I don't like causing pain to anything, not even a spider. My 'out of the window' tactic worked fairly well.

I'm glad others think it's a big spider as well - I'm a wuss about them, and I know there are LOTS bigger in the world, but we are used to tiny money spiders as about the biggest, this was rather a shock to the system.