Joe's Book Cafe 2016 Door 4

Art by Duy Huynh

Welcome back to the cafe!

2016 Books

January

1. Hattie Ever After by Kirby Larson
2. Saint Odd by Dean Koontz
3. Tricky Twenty-Two by Janet Evanovich
4. The Fade Out by Ed Brubaker
5. Concrete Park by Tony Puryear
6. War and Peace by Leo Tolstoy
7. Cold Mountain by Han Shan (re-read)
8. Bryant & May and the Burning Man by Christopher Fowler
9. The Thrilling Adventures of Lovelace and Babbage by Sydney Padua
10. Dinner at the Homesick Restaurant by Anne Tyler
11. Valis by Philip K. Dick
12. Neon Vernacular by Yusef Komunyaka

February

13. Tokyo Decadence by Ryu Murakami
14. Roller Girl by Victoria Jamieson
15. The Aeronaut's Windlass by Jim Butcher
16. Killing and Dying by Adrian Tomine
17. Gentleman Jole and the Red Queen by Lois McMaster Bujold

Joe's Top Reads for 2015

* Means favorite in that category

Book of the Year: Being Mortal by Atul Gawande

Fiction

Our Souls at Night by Kent Haruf*
Lonesome Dove by Larry McMurty
Narrow Road to the Deep North by Richard Flanagan
The Grand Sophy by Georgette Heyer
The Gift of Rain by Tan Twan Eng

Non-fiction

Being Mortal by Atul Gawande*
Between the World and Me by Ta-Nehisi Coates
H is for Hawk by Helen Macdonald
Neurotribes by Steve Silberman
As I Walked Out One Midsummer Morning by Laurie Lee

Graphic Novels

Sandman Overture by Neil Gaiman*
The Leaning Girl by Benoit Peters
Nimona by Noelle Stevenson
Stumptown by Greg Rucka
Velvet Volume 1 by Ed Brubaker

Mystery

Career of Evil by Robert Galbraith*
And Sometimes I Wonder by Walter Mosley
Rose Gold by Walter Mosley
Nature of the Beast by Louise Penny

Science Fiction/Fantasy

Ancillary series by Ann Leckie*
Mercy Thompson series by Patricia Briggs
Winter by Marissa Meyer

Cafe Patrons' List of Under-Read and Under-Appreciated Books

Sum: Forty Tales from the Afterlives by David Eagleman
Strange Weather in Tokyo aka The Briefcase by Hiromi Kawakami
The Black Stallion books by Walter Farley
House of Orphans by helen Dunsmore
Pearl's Secret: A Black Man's Search for his White Family by Neil Henry

Dreamland by Kevin Baker
Bright's Passage by Josh Ritter
Misfortune by Wesley Stace
Salvage the Bones by Jesmyn Ward
Stewart O'Nan in general

Lark and Termite by Jayne Anne Phillips
Byrd by Kim Church
Birds of a Lesser Paradise
Knockemstiff
American Salvage

Mr. Loverman by Bernardine Evaristo
Ingenious Pain by Andrew Miller
I Was Jack Mortimer
Careless People

The Hero's Walk and Tamarind Mem and others by Anita Rau Badami
Under This Unbroken Sky by Shandi Mitchell
Emily, Alone
All That Matters and The Jade Peony by Wayson Choy

The Machine by James Smythe
The Auschwitz Violin
The Hilltop by Assaf Gavron

Medea by Richard Matturro, and others by that author
King OF Yiddish by Curt Leviant
Volt: Stories by Alan Heathcock

All the King's Men by Robert Penn Warren
Sometimes a Great Notion by Ken Kesey
Addie Pray (later retitled Paper Moon) by Joe David Brown
At Swim, Two Boys by Jamie O'Neill
In the Fall by Jeffrey Lent
Cry, the Beloved Country by Alan Paton

Consider the Oyster, How to Cook a Wolf and a novel, Sister Age by M.F.K. Fisher

Under Heaven by Guy Gavriel Kay
National Geographic Directions travel series
Oaxaca Journal by Oliver Sacks
Girl of Fire and Thorns by Rae Carson

Stuck in the Middle With You
Orhan's Inheritance
Dinner with Buddha and all the Merullo Buddha books
We Are Called to Rise

Top 5 Great American Novels as Voted by Cafe Patrons:

7 Nominations : To Kill a Mocking Bird
6 Nominations : The Grapes of Wrath
4 Nominations : Lonesome Dove
3 Nominations : Plainsong
2 Nominations: My Antonia and Invisible Man

*Thanks to Paul C. for tabulating the first four.

My your threads are moving fast Joe!

I'VE FALLEN AND I CAN'T GET UP! ;-)

Happy new thread Joe.

>6 luvamystery65: Hey Roberta, that dog has been stealing my single malt!

>7 PaulCranswick: *hiccup* Oh really?

>6 luvamystery65: Ha! That little guy is hilarious, Roberta. We'd better check the floor - we're having that problem all over the place.



>7 PaulCranswick: Thanks, mate. We've got some single malt ready for you. Oh, oops.



ETA: >8 luvamystery65: Ah, the dog wasn't the problem, was it, Roberta. :-)

Happy New Thread, Joe! I like the art by Duy Huynh, and I hope that there will be more street art on display in the café.

Oh, dear, Joe, I can't keep up!

>10 kidzdoc: Oh good, Darryl. I like Duy Huynh's art, too.

Hmm, more street art on display in the cafe. Let's see what we can find.



It's by Kyle Hughes-Odgers, and I think it's somewhere in NYC.

>11 ronincats: No worries, Roni. It's all for fun. Just slide in anywhere, grab a seat, and have a beverage of your choice. :-)

>12 jnwelch: now that dude has got the skinniest arms and legs I have ever seen ;)
Love th top art, particularly the last one where the bird is carrying the wire, lovely! Also, chuckling at the drunk dogs that seem to be proliferating ;)

Eta: from last thread, I cracked up at the corn reading Ayn Rand cartoon! And mamies roller derby name is superb! Malice in Wonderland...clever!

Happy new thread, Joe! GORGEOUS art up top - my favorite is the very first one.

>13 LovingLit: Ha! He/she needs to pump 'em up, you're right, Megan. (I assumed it's a she, I'm not sure why).

Aren't those Huynhs cool? I'm a fan of that last one, too.

I know, Mamie's got a new career ahead of her as Malice in Wonderland. She could field a Roller Derby team with those talented kids of hers.

I liked that Ayn Rand cartoon. I hadn't realized her appeal apparently pitches young. I knew only enough to steer clear. :-)

>14 Crazymamie: Thanks, Mamie! I do love that first one - it seems like the most welcoming of the bunch, so a good one for the first you see.

Nice new place - with some lovely art as usual Joe. And the little dogs made me laugh.

I'm still trying to work out a roller derby name - maybe by the end of this thread? (Tomorrow?!)

>16 charl08: Thanks, Charlotte. Glad you like the new digs, and the art, and those silly little dogs.

So far we've got War and Knees (me), and Malice in Wonderland (Mamie), and Vergilante (Amber, unless she decides she likes her other one better). Looking forward to hearing your Roller Derby name. It look Astrid all summer to figure hers out in Roller Girl.

I think Amber could be Felon of Troy. Still, Vergilante is pretty superb... Gotta put my thinking cap on for my own.
Eta: first attempt for myself = Miss Creant...charming, but with a bad streak :)

>18 LovingLit: Ha! I do like Felon of Troy, Megan.

Oliver Twisted? David Chopperfield? I have one for Mark - The Postman Always Brings Vice! Ha! I crack myself up. Obviously, I am procrastinating paying the bills...

Little Dead Riding Hood? Julius Seized Her? Cheater Pan? Mansfield Shark?

Right. I'm going now...Captain Right Hook? The Slayer of Casterbridge?

Good grief, what have I walked into? *sliding into a seat*

Happy new thread, Joe.

>20 Crazymamie: Ha! Loved the twisted, chopping Dickens names, Mamie.

The Postman Always Brings Vice - is that a Roller Derby name, or the title of a late night movie? Either way, I'm sure Mark will like it.

Oh my, you've got a knack for this. As an Austenite, I particularly like Mansfield Shark - I wonder how many Roller Derby fans would get that one? They're all good, but The Slayer of Casterbridge was another one that particularly tickled my funny bone.

>21 humouress: LOL! I can see why you might wonder, Nina. We non-readers of Ayn Rand are coming up with our Roller Derby names. If there were some way to make money off of Roller Derby name-creating, Mamie would be giving Warren Buffett a run for the pot of gold.

Happy New Thread, Joe! The Mighty 75 are just chugging right along! Love the Duy Huynh toppers! You do find some fine artwork, my friend.

Fab new thread, Joe! Enjoying Mamie's names! :)

>20 Crazymamie: Wow, Mamie! You have found your niche in creating excellent Roller Derby names!

Hiya Joe, hope you and the Mrs are getting along swimmingly and she has no need for that dismemberment book. ;)

LOL, I feel like Roberta in >6 luvamystery65: above!!!!

I'm glad you keep sharing street art on your thread, Joe; maybe it's now it's a street café!!

The roller derby names are cracking me up and we'll all have to help out when they turn off Mamie's power for failure to pay up....

Bone is waiting for me at the library. I think it's the color version.....

Happy new thread to you, Joe! Love the artwork up top. Hope you are having a wonderful week!

>23 msf59:. Thanks, Mark!

Glad you like the Huynh toppers. You're right, the 75ers are a-buzzin' in '16.

>24 vancouverdeb:. Thanks, Deb! That Mamie has a gift, doesn't she?

Morning, Joe! I'll take the usual, if it's not too much trouble and snag that corner table to finish up my book.

>25 LauraBrook:. Hiya, Laura!

Malice in Wonderland sure is good with the Roller Derby names, isn't she. Maybe we all should use Roller Derby names at the next meetup?

Madame MBH has returned from LA and missed me, so I'm in her good graces for the time being. Based on experience, she'll be wondering soon why she got rid of that dismemberment book. (Despite it's appealing subject, she said it was terribly written).

>26 EBT1002:, >27 EBT1002:. Oh good, I'm glad you're going to give Bone a try, Ellen. Nothing like it.

The Mansfield Shark? The Slayer of Casterbridge? She's good , that Mamie of ours.

I'm sure we'll all pitch in when the power goes out . . .

P.S. I like the idea of this being a street cafe!

>28 AMQS:. Thanks, Anne! Glad you're enjoying the artwork. I'll try to put up some more street art later today.

Hope you're having a great week, too!

>30 Crazymamie:. Good morning, Mamie!

I'll have to time jigger you your usual, as I'm sitting with Sherlock and using my phone. Meanwhile, rest easy and enjoy your book.

I'm off to the dentist for a check-up, so I'll catch you later in the day.

Happy new one, Joe - and good luck at the dentist!

Happy New Thread, Joe. I'm so far behind threads. I try to catch up and doing better.

Hi Joe, Happy New Thread! Is it any wonder I have a bit of a hard time keeping up with you? Love the art as usual. Lovely toppers, but I'm especially fond of Kyle Hughes-Odgers, whom I've looked up on Pinterest and added en masse to my Street Art board. I just love so much that there are true artists out there beautifying otherwise non-descript cityscapes. I wish my neighbourhood has such artists as I sorely feel their absence; instead we have scores of inept taggers who like to deface any surface they can find with their ugly markings. If I had the inclination I'd take it up myself. Tempting sometimes, I must admit, but considering how obsessed with details I can get, I'd have to spend many days at it and would certainly get caught and fined, and I'm not one for breaking laws if I'm going to get caught at it!

>34 scaifea: Hiya, Amber. Thanks!

The trip to the dentist went well - the hygienist actually was happy with me, to my surprise.

>35 Ameise1: Thanks, Barbara. Mmm, I like what you brought. Very thoughtful to come with baked goods and coffee. Hope real life eases up on you so you can spend more quality time on LT. :-)

Happy Hump Day, Joe! I am enjoying a day off. Me and the books and an occasional foray to LT Land. Hope the day goes well.

>36 Smiler69: Thanks, Ilana!

I'm glad you like the toppers, and I agree with you (of course) re Kyle Hughes-Odgers. Here's a non-street-art one of his from an LA exhibition:



I just love so much that there are true artists out there beautifying otherwise non-descript cityscapes. Well said! Same here. It's such a treat to come across one of these creations. So far, London has been our best city for them.

We have a lot of taggers here, and that graffiti doesn't spark my interest either. We do have some "public walls" for lawful art or tagging, and some sanctioned murals, but nothing to write home about, as far as I'm concerned.

Your subway art would be perfect street art! But I'd have your same worry - I don't know how some of these street artists do it without being caught. In London, anyway, there are some authorized ones, and you can watch them do their painting in the daytime. I like that idea, but I don't know what goes on behind the scenes - who the curator is, how they decide someone is good enough, that kind of thing.

>37 EBT1002:, >38 EBT1002: Nice! I'm assuming these are inspiring street cafes, Ellen? They look great - I'd hang out in either one. Is either in Seattle?

>30 Crazymamie: OK, Mamie, the time jiggerer is warmed up. Here's your usual:



Enjoy reading in your corner seat.



ETA: >40 msf59: Good for you, Mark! I think Ellen is taking the day off, too.

Enjoy it, buddy. Reading, LT, perhaps a quality beverage or two . . .

>39 jnwelch: Life shoud getting better, here.

>43 Ameise1: Glad to hear it, Barbara. Real life can really screw up the pleasures in life, like hanging out on LT. :-)

Street art of the day. This "melancholy angel" in Cambridge, England is by who am irony.

>45 jnwelch: Love it.

The photos are just from the internet, Joe, both European. I hope it's okay that I posted them. Your thread is such a treat for the eyes (and the virtual tastebuds).

>46 EBT1002: Glad you love that one in >45 jnwelch:, Ellen. Me, too!

oh yeah, it's more than okay that you posted the cafe photos. It's not always easy to find the door, but one thing this cafe has is endless wall space. :-)

Those look great, and I'm glad you posted them. If we ever get teleportation working well, to take the place of long plane flights, I'd love to go on a cafe safari around the world. Those ones in >37 EBT1002: and >38 EBT1002: look mighty inviting.

>45 jnwelch: Oh, that's beautiful.

Fab toppers, Joe! Just finished my cup of nice warm tea and off to walk that dog of mine in the pouring rain. No rest for the wicked, as they say. Must get out the dog's rain coat and my rain pants. A gortex jacket is a given in my climate. :)

>45 jnwelch: nice one Joe

Since Ilana warbled on the Heap House series on your last thread (our library copy has a different cover than the one Ilana pictured), I am going to warble about the one I am having so much fun with right now. The Goddess War is so much fun. Here is what I e-mailed to my sister and a few friends earlier today.

I am in the middle (literally) of reading a fun new YA series. The title of the series is “The Goddess War” by Kendare Blake. Book 1 in the series is Antigoddess and book 2 is Mortal Gods. Book 3 hasn’t come out yet but is titled Ungodly and will be out later this fall.

The series is a take-off on the Iliad and the Odyssey. It’s about the Trojan war. The author has spun the story so that Athena is a punk rocker 21 year-old, Hermes is a Tommy Hilfiger poster-boy, Cassandra is still in love with Apollo (or he with her) and they all live in Kincaide, New York and go to High School. What Marissa Meyer did for the Cinderella story in the Lunar Chronicles, Blake has done for the Trojan War. It is great fun to see how she has spun the story and in the process has made it so much fun. I have been reading them during my lunch hour and I keep trying to drag out the lunch hour so I can read longer. If you are looking for something fun to occupy your reading time – try this series.

Hi Joe, your threads are moving quickly and I wanted to jump on before it got away. Love all the street art, in another life, I would love to be an artist, only I would prefer to be a rich one as I'm not very good with the suffering artist part!

>48 Ameise1:. Oh good, Barbara. Glad you're enjoying that one.

>49 vancouverdeb:. Thanks, Deb. Sorry you had to walk your furry friend in the rain. Besides all the stay-dry prep, dogs don't usually like being in the rain, right?

We got to puppy-sit Sherlock the Wonder-Dog yesterday. He has a good time with us, but always misses his human mom. He was intrigued by my walking on the treadmill; he wanted to play with me, but couldn't figure out how. So he lay down and went to sleep. Always a good solution.

>50 magicians_nephew:. Thanks, Bill. Glad you enjoyed that one in >45 jnwelch:.

>51 benitastrnad:. Nice warbling, Benita. :-)

That sounds like a good YA series. I certainly enjoyed The Lunar Chronicles.

>52 DeltaQueen50:. Hiya, Judy.

I expect it'll all slow down at some point. There's just lots to talk about, lots to see, right?

I know what you mean about the starving part of being an artist. I will say, Madame MBH and I talk about when we had very little to live on here, and we still had a great time. Went to a lot of free events, among other things.

Nonetheless, I agree with you. One of the things Young Chicago Authors does is give some of the promising young authors jobs as teachers in the community. Supporting the arts and artists is critical, as we all know.

>38 EBT1002:, >41 jnwelch:, >46 EBT1002: I think that may be La Rambla in Barcelona, but I'm not completely sure. There is a Catalan flag in the background and some of the words (mercè, xines) are Catalan, so if it isn't Barcelona it's almost certainly another city in Catalunya.

Street art in Paris by Levalet:

>56 kidzdoc: Hmm, thanks, Darryl. Yet another reason to get to Spain. We plan to travel there next year, I believe in the spring.

Morning, Joe! Sweet Thursday, my friend. Love the bookish street art.
Chilly out here but the sunshine sure helps.

Morning, Joe!

We have this in Singapore.

(Sorry, I can only find an image of it in the process of being painted)

>59 msf59: Sweet Thursday, Mark!

The cool street art keeps a'comin', doesn't it? Really spruces up the place.

Crisp and bright today. We're not shoveling and struggling to drive through a load of snow, so it all seems pretty good.

Debbi tells me LA is warmer. Shocker.

>60 Crazymamie: Morning, Mamie! Except the proprietor is a bit slow today, so Good afternoon, too!

>61 humouress: I like that one from Singapore, Nina. It's kind of fun to see ones in process, actually. When I first saw it, I wondered whether they were brushing his/her teeth.

I did find it on Youtube (right at the start of the video): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vDJGs7zhcLc Looks like it's a guy, maybe a soccer player?

:0)

It's on the Australian School; it looks like an aboriginal kid to me.

Since your thread is becoming the place to showcase street art I thought I would add a recently completed mural in Minneapolis celebrating Bob Dylan. It was commissioned and not guerrilla art but I don't think that should disqualify it. The artist is Brazilian Eduardo Kobra.

>57 jnwelch: Another great one. Love it.

I walked past this in Liverpool today - report says it was designed/ constructed by an all female crew, which is apparently unusual. It's certainly striking as a pedestrian.



From:http://www.artinliverpool.com/giant-mural-by-the-nomad-clan-unveiled-at-tempest-building-liverpool/

hi Joe, my copy of the Dutch translation of Cold Mountain, containing 225 poems, arrived today :-)

>56 kidzdoc: and >58 jnwelch: I do believe you're right, Darryl. I do know it's Barcelona, in any case.

I love >57 jnwelch:. Street art that illustrates the art of reading where ever one is!

I need to check out street art in Seattle and maybe post something. I have something in mind. :-)

I found this:



But I've never actually seen it in person.

And this is in the Capital Hill neighborhood:



This, I have seen.

>63 humouress: Cool, Nina, thanks.

>64 Oberon: Excellent, Erik, thanks. Authorized street art definitely qualifies. Nice tribute to that genius from your part of the world.

>65 Ameise1: Oh good. Thanks, Barbara. Glad you like >57 jnwelch:.

>66 charl08: Cool, Charlotte. Way to go, Liverpool. I like that one.

>67 FAMeulstee: Ah, you got the extra deluxe model of Cold Mountain by Han Shan, Anita. You may well have all his collected poems there. Hope you enjoy them as much as I did. I know a lot can depend on the translator, so fingers crossed you've got a good one.

>68 EBT1002: Oh good, Ellen. Isn't >57 jnwelch: well done? I love it, too.

Yes, please, it would be great to see some street art from Seattle. You make me remember I do have a photo of a Hebru Brantley one in Chicago near us. I'll try to get that up today.

>69 EBT1002: Love it! I get a kick out of the ones where they play with what the wall gives them. Love this guy hanging from the pipe. Is this one in Seattle?

>70 EBT1002: Oh, that's wonderful, isn't it, Ellen. Great concept and color. That's got to be a pick-me-up whenever you walk by it. Any clue as to who the artist is?

Here's the Hebru Brantley art near Lincoln Square in Chicago. This isn't my photo, which I couldn't find today.



He's active in the community, and is now on the Board of Young Chicago Authors.

If you're in the mood for a rip-roaring, swashbuckling, steampunk adventure, try this one. Strong female as well as male characters, wonderful cats (especially Rowl), and suitably devious villains. The first in a series.

Morning, Joe! Craig liked that new Jim Butcher, too - I haven't gotten to it yet, but I will. Happy Friday to you!

Loving all the street art, but >64 Oberon: takes the prize, for me. We have several murals around the City of Scranton, some of which fans of "The Office" may be familiar with...the zippered office building facade, the "Electric City" mural at the Spruce Street interchange, but this little gem was in an alley across the street from where I worked, and may never have been featured...it made me smile nearly every day to see it. (Of course it was positioned so that I was always going home when I saw it...)

>76 Crazymamie: Morning, Mamie! Happy Friday!

Craig is a man of impeccable taste. :-) The Aeronaut's Windlass is a page-turner. You'll have fun when you get to it.

>77 laytonwoman3rd: Ah, I wasn't much of a watcher of The Office, but I'm glad it featured some of the city's murals. I can see how those sunflowers would make you smile when the work day was done. That's part of the fun for me - the appearance of art on the street when you don't expect it.

Morning, Joe! Happy Friday! The sun is breaking out and it should make a difference. Hope the day goes smoothly.
Looking forward to Sunday!

Morning, Mark! Happy Friday, buddy.

Yeah, the sunshine helps. So far so good today. I'm looking forward to seeing you on Sunday, too!

Yay! Glad you validated my opinion of The Aeronaut's Windlass! On to the Bujold!

>81 ronincats: Big smile, Roni. For sure. I had a great time with The Aeronaut's Windlass. Bridget and Rowl were probably my favorite characters, but there were a lot of good ones.

Hey, I finished The Last Days of Ptolemy Grey this morning, Joe. I recall you warbling about it. You were right (as usual). 'Twas good, and a departure for Mosley.

>83 weird_O: So great to hear, Bill, thanks. The Last Days of Ptolemy Grey is a special one from him, IMO. A departure is right. If you haven't read Always Outnumbered, Always Outgunned, that's another departure for him, and it's excellent. Probably my favorite book of his.

Not the nicest example of street art, Joe, but I thought you'd appreciate the pizza ;-) It's in the Deep Ellum neighborhood of Dallas.



I like this a lot (from the same area):

I like those 'birds' too!

Very clever!

Loving the street art. Love the birds!

Wishing you a happy weekend!

Have a great weekend, Joe. I can see that I will have my work cut out this weekend trying to get caught up on the threads - is it supposed to slow down soon?

Happy weekend, Joe. some streetart from my town Zürich

I really like the illustrations at the top of the thread. I went to this artists site, incredible.

Hi, everyone.

Our favorite and only daughter is recovering from some lousy food poisoning, so we're bringing her a care package and running some errands. Catch you later in the day.

Oh dear, sorry to hear about her food poisoning. Wishing her: get well soon.

Poor Becca. Please give her best wishes from me, and I hope that she feels better soon.

Morning, Joe! SO sorry to hear about Becca's food poisoning - that is such a horrible experience. Hoping it passes quickly and that she is feeling much better very soon.

I am loving all the street art posted here - especially those birds. So clever!

Sorry that your daughter is ill, hope she recovers fast!

Joe, sorry I've been absent for so long. Your thread is a real feast for the eyes! My favorite thread topper is the grand piano in the trees. I like to keep my feet planted firmly on the ground, plus I'm a fan of trees in general and the color yellow in particular. The street art is so amazing! Just WOW.

Sorry Becca is suffering from food poisoning. Hope it leaves her system quickly, even though that part is not pleasant at all. Is Plumdog going to cheer her up? I figure she is probably too sick to be online so I hope I don't spoil the surprise…I read about it on Ellen's thread.

Morning, Joe! Bummer about Becca. I hope for a fast recovery for your dear daughter.

Plenty of sunshine, right now. It feels good.

>85 katiekrug: That one ranks very high on the bizarre-o-meter, Katie. I do like the pizza being heated by the alien space ship. I think the astronaut is going to need to lift her face plate or the pizza will just get smushed all over it.

Those birds are most excellent. Maybe that helps keep real birds from flying into the glass windows and stunning themselves, too.

>86 humouress: Me, too, Nina.

>87 NarratorLady: Hi, Anne! I agree; very clever.

>88 michigantrumpet: Thanks, Marianne. I'm loving the street art and birds, too. Nice of folks to bring by ones that they like.

Hope you have a great weekend!

>89 Familyhistorian: Ha! Hiya, Meg. I thought it would've slowed down more in our group by now. Yes, I think it will, but maybe it will take a while longer. We all enjoy talking to each other, so I guess it's hard to slow down. :-)

>90 Ameise1: Oh, nice, Barbara, thanks. Leave it to you to find some sweet street art for your weekend good wishes. Happy weekend to you, too.

>91 Whisper1: Oh good, Linda. Me, too. I'm so glad you went and looked at more of Huynh's art. He's got so many good ones. Here's another, just for the fun of it.

>93 Ameise1: Thanks, Barbara. Becca's doing much better. We took her bananas, ginger ale, homemade applesauce, and raspberry jam for her toast. She had a terrible night, throwing up a lot, but furry Sherlock took good care of her, and she's quite a bit recovered today. Her school ordered in from Chipotle's as a treat (and they just got cleared by the FDA last week!), and hers didn't treat her well.

>94 kidzdoc: Thanks, Darryl. She's much improved. It seems to definitely be food poisoning - violent reaction all night, and then gone.

You'll have to meet her in person some day. She's much nicer than her father.

>95 Crazymamie: Morning, Mamie! Thanks. Yeah, food poisoning is awful, isn't it? Nothing to do but get through it as best she can.

It does seem to be passing quickly.

Glad you're enjoying the street art. Those birds Katie posted are clever, aren't they.

>96 FAMeulstee: Thank you, Anita. Becca does seem to be recovering fast. What an awful night she had, poor thing.

She was worried she wouldn't be well enough for our traditional Super Bowl get-together tomorrow night, but it looks like she'll be fine for it.

>97 Donna828: Hi, Donna! Nice to have you stop by.

I'm so glad the piano man in the trees is your favorite. It's actually mine, too, of the Huynh's, but I was afraid it's atmosphere might not come through well enough in the post. There's a great feel to it.

Isn't all the street art cool? I love that the artists make that gift to all of us walking the streets.

Becca may see about Plumdog - she does follow along here - but no worries. She gets it tomorrow, because twice I've forgotten to bring it to her! She's feeling much better.

She and her mom were saying this morning that they're happy the main subject we're all talking about now is street art. There was one time when we all were, believe it or not, talking about beets at great length. They both roll their eyes about that one.

>98 msf59: Hiya, Mark!

Becca's much better, thanks. I think you'll be seeing her tomorrow.

Beautiful day out there, wow. I'm going to be leaving soon to pick up Maniac Magee at the library, and drop off Roller Girl and Under the Sign of Capricorn.

Hope your last work day of the week goes well.

It's Debbi's birthday tomorrow, so we're going out to Shaw's Crab House tonight. Can't wait!

>102 jnwelch: I'm glad to hear that Becca is doing better, Joe. I'm sorry that her case of food poisoning has ruined her weekend, though.

Her school ordered in from Chipotle's as a treat (and they just got cleared by the FDA last week!), and hers didn't treat her well.

Seriously?!? That's it; I think I'm done with Chipotle, at least for the short term. My parents loved the food at their local restaurant, but after the recent E. coli outbreaks my mother refuses to eat there anymore. There is a branch not far from me, but I prefer to go to Moe's Southwest Grill, a similar chain which was founded in Atlanta and has many more locations here, including one I can walk to from my building. BTW, did you notice that Chipotle is in London as well? There is one on Charing Cross Road, just across from the former location of Foyles Bookshop, between Cambridge Circus and Oxford Street.

You'll have to meet her in person some day. She's much nicer than her father.

To be honest, I just don't see how that is possible. She could be the nicest person on the planet, but she could only be marginally nicer than you are, Joe (and, of course, that goes for Debbi as well). As they say, the apple doesn't fall far from the tree.

>104 jnwelch: It's Debbi's birthday tomorrow

Happy Birthday, Debbi! Can I send you some carving knives as a present?

>105 kidzdoc: Yeah, Becca's done with Chipotle's, too, Darryl. Apparently it wasn't just a supply problem at them, but also a sanitary conditions situation. She's lost trust.

I must have put my horse blinkers on while near the old Foyle's. I didn't see the Chipotle's there. I also make a point of not seeing any McDonald's in London, although I gladly see the Starbucks. (We also go to a couple of Italian coffee places there - one's an Italian chain, I believe).

Thank you for the kind words. It drives Debbi crazy that people often tell her how "easy-going" I am. She begs to differ.

Becca really is nicer than me, and as an apple, she looks better, too.

>106 kidzdoc: Have mercy, Darryl, have mercy. Carving knives and Debbi together raise immediate danger for yours truly. How about a nice, soft pillow?

Oh, no! Food poisoning is The Worst. Hoping Becca is feeling better already.

>108 scaifea: She is feeling much better, thanks, Amber. Sherlock is doing his best to help by sleeping on her and getting her to help play with his toys.

>109 jnwelch: Ha! Mario is the same kind of helpy-helperton when one of us isn't feeling top notch.

So sweet your daughter's dog being comfort when she's not so well. Hope she feels better soon.

The beets comment made me laugh (is there a more interesting vegetable?!)

>110 scaifea: And yet somehow they do help, right? I bet Mario picks up the spirits of the not-well one, and Sherlock does, too. If they could just learn to make meals and clean up . . .

>111 charl08: He's a sweet little guy, that Sherlock. She's feeling way better already, Charlotte, thanks. She had an awful night getting it all out of her system, but now she's getting back to herself.

Exactly - can there possibly be a more interesting vegetable than beets? They interest me mainly because I can't stand them. I believe that's what triggered the discussion the first time, as many were aghast, and rallied to the defense of beets and beet dishes.

Oh sorry that Becca has food poisoning. I wish her a quick recovery.

>107 jnwelch: Thank you for the kind words. It drives Debbi crazy that people often tell her how "easy-going" I am. She begs to differ. I cannot comment on you, Joe, but as Deborah married to a " easy going Dave" I also beg to differ. He is so OCD and has a private temper. If people only new the true side to those " easy going " folks.

But I've been married to " easy going Dave" for nearly 33 years and he is much better! :) Happy Birthday to Debbi!

>113 vancouverdeb: Ha! You two Deborah's will need to commiserate about your easy-going husbands. My nemeses are uncooperative inanimate objects and sometimes sports that don't go the right way. I also like to tease her, and there are times when perhaps, maybe, mayhap, she's not in the mood to be teased. Hard to believe, I know.

For years our kids have started warning me I'm getting myself into trouble. I sometimes mistake that for encouragement to get further into trouble.

Thanks re Becca. The bad news is it was food poisoning, leading to an awful night. The good news is it was food poisoning, and it's now pretty much behind her.

We used to have several huge murals of Wylan's sea life on our buildings, but we've lost most of them by now unfortunately.

>115 ronincats: Nice, Roni. We sure do enjoy San Diego when we visit, but I've missed seeing one of those.

That's the hard part with street art. It can be ephemeral, so it's good folks are taking photos.

Here's one from Lisbon. Not sure who the artist is.

I don't remember the beets conversation, must have been before I discovered your thread, Joe. It truly is an interesting vegetable so there must have been lots to discuss. Good to hear that Becca is better in time for Super Bowl. I was actually happy to see the McDonalds close to Paddington Station. I am more comfortable there when I am eating on my own.

Oh, gosh, I finally caught up with all the postings, and art displays, and stories about family members, fuzzy and not. I had food poisoning from a restaurant in Chicago, once in days of yore (1969?). I remember it as being the most violently sick I'd ever been, and could not believe I was going to be OK, but sure enough once the offending substances had been completely banished from my body, I bounced right back. I think I was about the same age as your lovely daughter is now. So I predict she'll be fit as a fiddle (to coin a phrase?) for the Super Bowl tomorrow. I sure hope so.

I hope your weekend is full of many good things!

Hmm, I need to do some research, see if I can give street artist credit where credit is due.

ETA: Ugh, sorry to hear about the food poisoning and I'm glad it's pretty much behind her now. NO fun!!!

Whizzing through quickly;

Glad the food poisoning is over, and happy birthday to Debbie.

Joe, I'm glad to hear that Becca feels much better. Happy Sunday.

>118 Familyhistorian: Hi, Meg. I believe Madame MBH and Becca would consider you lucky for not having been in on the beets discussion. I remember Madame MBH one day saying in disbelief, "You're still talking about beets??!!"

Seasonsoflove (Becca) is going to make it to the Super Bowl get-together, but thinks she may not eat many of the extensive number of snacks that somehow appear, as her stomach remains a bit sensitive. Sherlock, on the other hand, would be very happy to help with the snacks, but we try to keep his face out of them.

I've nothing against McDonald's except they're everywhere in the U.S., and I'd just as soon not see more of them in London. I can see you're being more comfortable eating alone there than some other places - it's certainly a common thing for people to do here in McDonald's.

>119 maggie1944: Hiya, Karen. Good to see you!

Yeah, that's a perfect description of what Becca went through with the food poisoning. Violently sick, couldn't imagine ever being well again, and then she got it out of her system and began feeling much better. She's physically back to normal, but her stomach is still feeling sensitive, so she's taking that part slow.

Hope you're having, and continue to have, a great weekend, too!

>120 EBT1002: Hi, Ellen.

Yeah, poor Becca was miserable with the food poisoning, but is much better now. We'll see her and her furry companion in a couple of hours, and they'll spend the rest of the day with us.

I know, sometimes it is hard to find the name of the street artist on the Intergoogleweb, even with the remarkable searching capabilities we have now.

>121 humouress: Debbi says thank you for the birthday wishes; we're about to head out for coffee after she opened a present: a Mockingjay Funko Pop figurine of Katniss with a bow and arrow. She's a big Katniss/Jennifer Lawrence fan.

Becca = much improved, thanks.

>122 Ameise1: Happy Sunday, Barbara. Yes, she's much improved, and we'll have her with us soon.

Morning, Joe! Happy Sunday! Looks like a nice day and a good one for a party, right? Looking forward to it, my friend.

Glad Becca is better. Hope to see her today.

Morning, Joe! Happy Sunday! So happy to hear that Becca is feeling better. Have fun at the big bash later - I can only imagine how much fun all of you will have together!

>125 msf59: Hey, Mark! Happy Sunday!

You bet - see you not too long from now, buddy.

Becca's unfortunately feeling a bit poorly again. We'll see how it goes. She may be seguing into some more arrggh- ness.

>126 Crazymamie: Morning, Mamie! Happy Sunday!

Becca is better, for sure, but still not feeling top o' the pops. We'll see. Still hoping she can join us. She was going to be over here soon, but instead will come over closer to the game if she can make it. Sherlock is making her hot drinks and seeing her some of her favorite songs.

It will be fun - so glad we're having Mr. Mark join us. Madame MBH missed it last year, stuck in LA (poor woman - in the warmth and staying with a niece who has a swimming pool) when we got hit with a big snowstorm last year. This year she has a writing class that takes her right up to kickoff, but she'll be able to join us. Plus it's her birthday!

Oh, I remember your wife being stuck in LA last year now that you mention it, Joe. A very Happy Birthday to her! And I am sorry to hear that Becca is still not feeling well, the poor, poor baby. Food poisoning is nasty business. Keeping her in my thoughts and wishing her well.

>128 Crazymamie: Thanks, Mamie. Madame MBH has headed off to writing class and will be back for the Super Bowl. Fingers crossed our favorite daughter can make it. Thanks for the well wishes.

I am taking advantage of Superbowl Sunday to try and catch up with some threads. Happy new cafe, Joe! Love the Roller Derby names. Mamie does have a gift for coming up with some goodies! Love the street art posted on the walls of both the previous cafe and this one.

Morning, Joe! Had a great time with the Welch clan. Thank you, sir! And I am still woozy, after seeing all those glorious books!

>131 msf59: Morning, Mark! That was a ton o' fun, my friend. So glad you came. I'll try to get the photos over here as the day goes on.

We'll keep the books in place (and maybe even add to them) for your next visit. :-)

Like. Morning, Joe!

>133 jnwelch: I'd like to get that painted on my wall. Nice touch. Have a good week.

Morning, Mamie!

A little street java to start the day helps, right?

As Mamie knows, we had Marvelous Mark join us last night for the Super Bowl, and I'm cribbing a couple of pics from his thread to share here.



Mark with Sherlock



Mark, Joe and my friend Keith

We managed to get in a lot of book talk even while enjoying the game. Mark brought some great beer from local brewery Half Acre, too.

P.S. We also managed to celebrate Madame MBH's birthday. Quite a day!

>135 charl08: You and me both, Charlotte. Madame MBH and I like to dream about pieces of art we'd have in our house if the museums, etc. weren't so possessive about them or if removing them from a wall wasn't so difficult and inappropriate; this would be a great one to have.

Hey Joe! loving all the art here.

>138 Thebookdiva: Hiya, Abby. Good! We'll keep it coming.

Hope it's a grand day for you at the Pecan Paradisio.

Japanese author Ryu Murakami has published a number of novels in the U.S. like In the Miso Soup and Audition. We have translator Ralph McCarthy to thank for this collection of 15 Murakami stories taken from various collections. It appears to gather many of his "greatest hits" from 1986 - 2003, and the quality is exceptionally high throughout. I got an Early Reviewer copy through Librarything.

The fifteen stories are presented chronologically and most have intriguing, somewhat oblique character overlap. The first four, beginning with “Whenever I Sit At a Bar Drinking Like This,” all refer at some point, from different angles, to the baseball player Takahashi Yoshihiko. The next three from Murakami's "Topaz" collection center around call girls. A number of the remaining stories seem to be autobiographical, and others share characters and tantalizingly invoke Cuban music.

This book is not for the faint-hearted. There is gritty, matter-of-fact treatment of sex, some of it far-out-there, some agonizing violence, and various kinds of abuse and self-abasement. At the same time, at various times the stories convey charm, insight, longing, and often humor. Many of them are from the female perspective. It's all very well-written (tip of the hat to translator McCarthy) and an intriguing departure for a Western reader. Some of it is very Japanese:

Throughout her offensive, Mieko addressed me as "anata", the most neutral term in the second person. For the past couple of months she'd been calling me Yoichi, and before that Sakurai-san. I didn't like her calling me "anata"; it worried me. I knew from past experience that suddenly changing the term of address for one's partner is a prelude to a storm. Mieko didn't have the courage to demand that "Yoichi" redress her grievance; by calling me "anata" she was attempting to put me in a separate box.

The "Decadence" in the title Tokyo Decadence is largely applicable. If you're in the mood, this is an intensely engaging collection provided by a reliable guide to Tokyo's seedy underbelly. I'm glad I finally read this author. Four stars.

Morning, Joe! Thanks again, for inviting me to your humble abode. Had a great time. And those books....swoons.

My library does not have Tokyo Decadence in the system yet. I will have to abide my time.

>141 msf59: Ha! Great to have you with us, Mark. What a good time. You're welcome to come visit the books whenever you like. :-)

I can't find Tokyo Decadence on Amazon either. I assume if they're going to send out ER copies that the book will become available soon. This is one I think you'll really appreciate.

If we ever have to take shelter somewhere, for an extended period. Say a nuclear blast or something, I am staying at your place. Grins...

Great review Joe.

I had mixed feelings about these stories. Some were too grim for my taste (although this was the minority) put me off picking him up again. I was a bit surprised at the heat of some of the early reviews here - I didn't think they were that shocking!

>143 msf59: Ha! You got it, buddy. Lots there to keep us occupied until the All Clear sounds.

ETA: >144 charl08: Thanks, Charlotte. I'll have to look at the early reviews. I agree - I don't think any of the stories reach the level of "shocking", but some certainly were grim. I'm usually a sunshiny kind of guy, but these worked for me. It helps if it hangs together and rings true; none of it was written to be sensational, IMO.

Great pictures of you and Mark and Keith and Sherlock! Glad you had a great time! Looks like you a lovely place! And books too!

Hi Joe. It was a real treat to see the pictures of those happy fellows enjoying the big game. I see Sherlock made it so I am assuming that Becca did as well, hope that means she is feeling a lot better.

Hi Joe! Head not good right now, so didn't catch up properly, though was glad to see photos of your get-together with Mark and loving all the street art being posted here: more food for more Pinterest board! You've also definitely gotten The Aeronaut's Windlass on my radar as I've seen you giving it praise here and there. I've asked the library to get the audio version, we'll see if they cooperate.

Wishing you a great week ahead!

>146 vancouverdeb: Thanks, Deb. We did indeed have a great time. Surprising how much book talk we squeezed in during the game!

Thanks re our place. We've been there 20 years, and the bookshelves have multiplied. :-)

>147 DeltaQueen50: Hi Judy. Thanks - we sure had a good time. Your right, Becca did make it, feeling a bit weak and eating only Saltines (poor thing - there were some tasty snacks to be had). She's back at work today, but still recovering.

In the news, Chipotle's (where the food that bit Becca came from) apparently has closed all its restaurants temporarily, to educate its employees on managing food conditions. Yikes.

>148 Smiler69: Hiya, Ilana. Hope your head starts treating you better.

It always makes me feel good if you like the art; you know whereof you speak - and draw and paint.

I could see The Aeronaut's Windlass being great on audio. It's top quality imagination and escapism. Already looking forward to the next one. I think you'll get a kick out of Rowl, among other things.

Wishing you a great week, too!

>64 Oberon: >85 katiekrug: wow! I love these artworks.

I think my new roller derby name might have to be Panda Monium. I'll wear only black and white. :)

>140 jnwelch: another side of Japanese culture huh? Sounds interesting, I don't think I'll seek it out, but if I see it, I will grab it

>136 jnwelch: You guys don't look much the worse for wear....that picture must have been taken BEFORE the game?

>151 LovingLit: Hiya, Megan.

Are those ones in >64 Oberon: and >85 katiekrug: nice?

I like your Roller Derby name. "Coming out of the turn, it's Panda Monium!"

Yes, good way to put it. Tokyo Decadence gives you another side of Japanese culture. Definitely worth grabbing if your heart is strong.

>152 laytonwoman3rd: Ha! The picture actually was taken at halftime, Linda. We're just remarkably resilient when surrounded by books.

Tokyo Decadence is a Book Bullet for me ..... seems to be on Amazon UK, so perhaps just a upcoming release for US ?

>154 roundballnz: I had a quick look at Amazon UK (I've been struggling to add a book to my LT list). The only ones I can see is an Italian translation published in 2004. The new book's not due out in the UK until mid March.

Morning, Joe! Nice review of Tokyo Decadence - I think you might have hit me with that one.

>154 roundballnz: Oh good, Alex. Yeah, Amazon UK is the only place I could find Tokyo Decadence, so I'm hoping you're right, and it's an upcoming release for the US. Otherwise it doesn't make much sense to send ER copies to me and other USA-ians.

>155 charl08: Thanks, Charlotte. I guess you and I are in possession of a very hard-to-get book!

>156 Crazymamie: Thanks, Mamie. Tokyo Decadence is quite the good read if the subject matter doesn't set off alarms for you. Ryu Murakami is a highly regarded author I've been wanting to read for quite a while. This "greatest hits" package of his short stories seems like an excellent entry read.

>155 charl08: Thanks for that, did not come up as Italian in my first search ....

>158 roundballnz: Good info.

Street Art by Interesni Kazki at Fame Festival in Italy

>157 jnwelch: I'd happily mail my copy if anyone in the UK has read Joe's review and wants to try it. Sorry I can't fund posting overseas just now.

>160 jnwelch: The imagination of some of the street artists just boggles the mind sometimes. Love the cheerfulness of this one.

>161 charl08: Nice offer, Charlotte.

I'm with you on >160 jnwelch:. Cheerfulness is a good word for it.

my Cowboy name - could be my roller derby name - is "Slippery Underfoot"

Looks like you all enjoyed the meet up/Super Bowl. Great pics and happy new week (sorry it feels like Monday because yesterday was a holiday here.)

Great pics of your Super Bowl meet up! Huge celebration parade today. I didn't go (went in '98) but there were 1 million people, and satellite images showed orange from space:)

Morning, Joe! Happy Hump Day! Hope you are bundled up, on the way to the train. How far is the walk?

Loving Straight Man. Have not cracked a GN. WTH?

>163 michigantrumpet: Ha! Thanks, Marianne. I can just see her saying that.

>164 magicians_nephew: Of the New York Underfoots, Jim? You're right, that one could be good for both a cowboy and an RD-er. Good name for a villain in a noir, too.

>165 Familyhistorian: We did indeed enjoy that meet up/Super Bowl, Meg. Happy new week to you, too. What was the holiday? Sometimes I lose track here south of the border.

>166 AMQS: I saw some footage of that huge Broncos celebration parade, Anne. How great. Satellite images showed orange from space. Love that!

Maybe we'll get another Blackhawk one here. So much fun for the city when a sports team comes through like that.

Elway deserves a load of credit for the successful moves he made.

>167 msf59: Happy Hump Day, Mark!

I've got about a 10 minute walk to the train in the morning and the same on the other end. Not too bad in the scheme of things. The other end is near the Sears/Willis Tower, and wow, does that wind get wicked sometimes. I bundle up, but still hustle rather than amble in cold like this.

Jeez, I can't remember the last time I didn't have a GN going. It's become a part of my reading life. Killing and Dying by Tomine was well done, but too downbeat to say I enjoyed it a lot. For me, he needed to vary the tone more.

Hope the touchstones get fixed soon! I think we've all grown accustomed to them.

This one in London is by Stik. His (hers?) are "simple", but I always like them.

OK, the publisher's site says Tokyo Decadence will be available in March, 2016. Since Amazon and other sites normally show a book that's coming out well ahead of time, this is weird. But maybe we'll see the book in March.

Morning, Joe! SO next month for Tokyo Decadence, and that's a definite maybe?! Ha!

>173 Crazymamie: Morning, Mamie!

Exactly. I've never seen this happen before for a book. It sure seems to be contra the publisher's and author's best interests.

I know, right?!

>175 Crazymamie: So weird. I hope I can provide an explanation some day. I've asked "What the heck" over in the Early Reviewer's Group.

Loving all the street art here, Joe! Glad that you and Mark (& Co) had a great Super Bowl. Was googling for street art in Milwaukee and came across this. Seems appropriate for your cafe since we seem to be Calvin & Hobbes fans here. I think it's in Portland.

>177 LauraBrook: I love that...in a sad sort of way.

>178 laytonwoman3rd: I felt the same way. It made me happy and then sad.

>169 jnwelch: Not to worry, I lose track of your holidays as well. Ours was Family Day on which BC, as usual, is out of step with the rest of Canada. Our was on February 8, in a whole bunch of other provinces it is February 15. I didn't go anything exciting just tried to catch up - housework and LT. Both are getting away from me at the present. Poor Calvin at least he has a happy childhood to look back on.

>177 LauraBrook: Ha! Perfect, Laura!

Yes, that melds our love of C & H with the street art we've been enjoying.

I can't imagine what Calvin would have grown up to me. Maybe a standup comedian. :-)

We did have a great Super Bowl with Mr. Mark & Co. Maybe we can get you down south some year?

>178 laytonwoman3rd: Yes, it's a poignant one, Linda. I wonder whether he carries Hobbes in the suitcase.

>179 LauraBrook: Right, Laura. I'm hoping he and Hobbes get to goof off on the weekend. And if he raises a little Calvin? Karmic payback. :-)

>180 Familyhistorian: I like the idea of celebrating a Family Day, Meg. I didn't even know you all had that one. I also didn't realize that BC likes to march to its own beat like that. I thought it was mostly Quebec.

Morning, Joe! Sweet Thursday! Have a safe trip to see your Dad. Are you driving?

A 10 minute walk to the train, is not bad. At least you are getting some walking in.

I usually have a GN going too, (they are stacked nearby) but I have been giving Straight Man all my free time.

This one's by Bizt/Etam Cru, apparently from a mural festival in Montreal.

>183 msf59: Sweet Thursday, Mark!

We're taking Amtrak this time - they have a straight shot from Chicago to Ann Arbor (and then Detroit). We can use my Dad's car on the other end.

He's unfortunately laid up in the hospital with an infection, and it's weakened him (can't stand), so it's likely going to be another stint in rehab. We'll see. A sister and BIL are already there.

>184 jnwelch: Oh, I love that one, Joe! Good Morning to you!

I'm going to be on the iPad the next couple of days, and unable to post images, so please feel free to wander about the kitchen and load the cafe walls with whatever interests you. I'll be checking in.

I just finished a good Dame Agatha, The Moving Finger. Misdirection is the theme, and she of course misdirects the reader big time.

Next up are Maniac Magee, per Mamie, I believe? And Martian Time-Slip, another PKD. Nothing too challenging while helping our Da.

>186 Crazymamie: Oh good, Mamie. Good morning!

Did you recommend Maniac Magee to me? I'm taking it on the trip. I liked his Stargirl.

BTW, Sweet Thursday, too!

We all liked that one, Joe - the kids loved it. I am thinking maybe we were talking about it on AMber's thread, and I mentioned that we liked it?

>189 Crazymamie: That sounds right, Mamie. I had Amber in my mind, too, and that's probably why. Good to hear - it should make for good company on the train.

Enjoy the Amtrak trip! At least you can get a nice block of reading in. Sorry to hear about your Dad. I hope he rebounds once again.

BTW: Are you going to share Keith's sketch of the Super Bowl Meet-up over here? I think it would make a nice topper. I was going to share it over on my thread too, if that was okay?

>191 msf59: Thanks for asking re Keith's sketch, Mark - please go ahead on your thread. I honestly forgot, with everything going on. Our LT pals should love it.

They say Dad is on the upswing, so that's good. He's going into a rehab facility for 10 days to 2 weeks. They need to get him strong enough again. He may move over to it today, if the tests pan out right.

>192 jnwelch: Joe, I'm sorry to hear about your dad. Those infections are so hard on our parents. We've been having trouble with my father-in-law breaking bones. First, his hip; then, his shoulder and now his ankle. So, he was in rehab twice. But, they did a great job getting him up and going again. I think the ankle is going to be tough since he shattered it and has a plate and lots of screws in it. He turns 90 later this month and can't wait to get back in his car...sigh...

>193 Dianekeenoy: Thanks, Diane. Yeah, we're lucky he hasn't had the broken bones problem. Sorry to hear about all your FIL has gone through. These rehab facilities do awfully good work, I'll say that.

This time it was a rhino infection that they seem to be getting under control. His main problem is he has lousy balance and he gets weak when infections hit. We pay for a trainer to try to keep him strong when he's healthy, but that only goes so far.

The main thing is he's retained his sense of humor, and he says he's happy with his life. That's what it's all about, right?

He's 92, and we had to convince him a couple of years ago, no more driving. He kept passing his driver's license tests, which seems crazy to me, as he became a well-intentioned, but lousy and dangerous driver.

Sorry to hear about your Dad's infection, Joe, but glad he appears to be recovering quickly. Enjoy the Amtrak experience!

>185 jnwelch: Hand to God - just this morning, I was pondering whether there was a train from A2 to Chicago!

You anticipate my every need!

Hope things go well with your Dad. Maybe you can catch a hockey game. Or heckle Gov. Snyder out of a restaurant ...

http://www.mlive.com/news/ann-arbor/index.ssf/2016/01/governor_heckled_out_of_ol...

I am sorry for your dad, Joe

Hope your dad continues to feel better, and that you have a good trip.

>195 ronincats:. Thanks, Roni. We're enjoying the Amtrak ride, and I actually got a lot of work done. Both kids called their mom and caught us up.

The pater familias has one more night at the hospital, heading to a good rehab facility tomorrow. Doc says he's on the upswing, so all in all it's pretty good. We got a report that a little dog visited him and didn't want to leave, they were having such a good time. :-)

>196 michigantrumpet:. We've taken this Amtrak route a lot, Marianne, and like it. The train is called the "Wolverine", a sweet name to Ann Arborites. Get biz class if you can - not very expensive and more comfortable.

Gov. Snyder seems like a disgrace. I'm not surprised he's getting heckled out of restaurants. (We're none too happy with our get-nothing-done guv in IL either).

>197 FAMeulstee:. Thanks, Anita. All in all our dad does pretty well and is happy. But infections really throw him for a loop. Our main goal is to help him stay at home as long as possible, as that's what he wants.

>198 charl08:. Thanks, Charlotte. Our pere is doing better and is on the upswing, but he'll have to work on getting stronger in rehab for a couple of weeks before he can go back home.

This sure isn't the visit we hoped for, but we never know what's going to happen next. It will still be a good one, with a chance to visit with my book-savvy sister and her quite the nice guy hubby - AND their young pug Roxy!

Gov. Snyder seems like a disgrace. He's abusing a good name -- I was born a Snyder, and am proud of it. Thank goodness we have never had a Richard so it's easy to disown him.

My sympathy, Linda.

I haven't had that kind of problem so far. I share my name with a very good grape juice, so I try to live up to it and avoid political scandal.

Hi Joe. Tell your Dad that we are thinking about and rooting for him to get well soon!

I've decided that my Roller Derby name will be "Belter Queen". I can act as the enforcer! ;)

Hoping for the best for your Dad, Joe.

We are having a Birthday celebration tomorrow for one of our residents who will be 96. He has meals delivered to him, and he eats in the dining room when he can. His grown children check in on him often and are very kind. It is lovely to see a happy family.

>185 jnwelch: not Underfoots - - - UnderFEET!

Have a happy weekend.

>203 DeltaQueen50:. Thanks, Judy. When he's a bit more with it, I'll let him know. We were able to have a conversation, but he drifts off a lot right now.

Love that Roller Derby name! With those hard consonants, you're bound to be a favorite of the announcer.

>204 maggie1944:. Thanks, Karen. Our Dad is doing a good bit better, and we're going to see him at rehab shortly.

Your 96 year old and his family are doing it the way a lot of hope to, I think. Sounds great. Being happy and helping others be happy is the goal.

>205 magicians_nephew:. Ha! Noted, Jim. And why is that reminding me of some book, I wonder . . .

>206 DianaNL:. LOL! I love that, Diana. My aspiration is to retire and be a dog.

I love all the art work posted throughout your thread. Your opening images are lovely. I am going to find more of this illustrator.
Thanks for all the eye candy!

>208 jnwelch: Joe cribbed it from the Bilbo's Party scene in LOTR - in that case it's the Proudfoot clan who interrupt the party to correct the speaker

Loving the art work here buddy.

>136 jnwelch: Great to see you and the Postie with the Mostie catching up and sharing a beer or three. I really must make it to the Windy City soon - preferably when it isn't too windy.

Have a great weekend and a slightly belated Happy Birthday to your MBH.

Hi Joe - have a good weekend. I hadn't seen this one before - supposed to be Banksy (in Bristol).

>211 PaulCranswick:. Good to see you, Paul.

Reportedly, the Hostie made a Toastie to the Postie with the Mostie while they watched the Super Bowl-stie.

Where's Dr. Seuss when we need him?

Glad you're loving the art work.

As far as Madam MBH is concerned, it's still Birthday Week, so your birthday wishes aren't belated, and will be appreciated,

Have a great weekend, too, mate.

>212 charl08:. Nice one, Charlotte, thanks. Vermeer would be pleased, I imagine.

I think he'd be shocked that his art is so well-remembered and beloved in the 21st century. I think there are only about 22 or so of his paintings out there.

I got so behind on your thread, Joe. I am so sorry to hear about your dad. I am glad that he is on the mend. As for British Columbia and our new Family Day Holiday, it was just put into law just over a year ago. There is still some talk from folks in BC as to whether we should change the date to line up with more of the provinces. I don't think it will happen, has barely been put into law, but you never know.

Okay, do fill me in - I believe Madam MBH is your wife , Debbi, but what do the initials stand for?

Morning, Joe! Keeping your Dad in my thoughts and prayers and wishing him well.

>215 vancouverdeb: MBH= Much Better Half, Deb, and also = Debbi. Good for you for asking. I bet others don't know the history of that one.

I didn't realize Family Day was so new. What led to its passage?

>216 Crazymamie:. Hiya, Mamie. Thanks for your prayers and good wishes for Dad. We're going to visit him at rehab now, and are hoping for another uptick.

Family Day is just new in B.C. I think because most other provinces had a February holiday, the public in B.C decided hey, we need a February holiday too. The Premier just turned into law last year , likely to get votes and it was a controversial thing here, with business concerned about losing money. Here is a bit from Huff Post.

Family Day is a statutory holiday in five Canadian provinces. In 2016, it falls on Monday, Feb. 15 in Alta., Ont. and Sask. In B.C., the holiday falls on Feb. 8.

Two other provinces still get a holiday in February, it's just not called Family Day.

P.E.I. residents recognize Islander Day on the third Monday of February each year. And Manitoba has Louis Riel Day on the same Monday. So these two provinces will also have Feb. 15, 2016, off.

I'm glad to finally know what MBH stands for. I'd been wondering for a while. Very kind of you to speak so highly of your wife.

Oh, a bit more about Family Day in B.C. The date was decided by a poll in BC and we chose the second week During her run for the B.C. Liberal leadership in January 2011, B.C. Premier Christy Clark first promised to bring in the new holiday on the third Monday in February to create a break between New Year's Day and Easter.But after polling the public and business leaders, the B.C. government decided to hold Family Day on the second Monday of the month in order to allow residents to have a holiday when ski resorts and other holiday destinations might be less crowded.
More than 18,000 people voted for the second Monday in an online poll, nearly twice as many as those who voted for the third week of the month used by other provinces More than you needed to know but it made me curious.

>218 vancouverdeb:, >219 vancouverdeb:. Thanks, Deb. Very interesting. Love the thinking behind what day.

Just discovered these artists today:



"Herakut is an artistic duo from Germany. Akut is from a small city in what used to be East Germany, and Hera is from Frankfurt. They both started painting because they liked everything graffiti involved (hiphop culture, being outdoors, painting on huge dimensioned „canvases“ for everyone to see)."

>163 michigantrumpet: I like! :0)

>177 LauraBrook: :0(

Hi Joe *waving* Just whizzing through!

>221 Smiler69:. Thanks, Ilana. Intriguing artists and message. I can understand their reasons for liking to make street art. I would think the huge canvas and number of viewers would be awfully attractive if you had the talent.

>222 humouress:. Hiya, Nina! With that whizzing through speed, you might consider trying Roller Derby.

We train back today. The pater familias is in much better shape, and on the upswing. We like the new rehab facility my sister and BIL found for him.

Not what we had planned on, but all in all time well spent, and a good time with the sis and BIL.

Morning Joe! Happy Sunday! Glad your Dad is doing better. I hope you had a nice visit with him. Have a safe return.

I am enjoying Ru and The Girl with All the Gifts. Has Becca read the latter? It might be her cuppa.

Happy Valentine's Day, Joe. Clearly there reigns a great deal of love in your fine family, and I hope you have a great chance to celebrate today.

>225 msf59:. Hiya, Mark. Happy Sunday!

Dad kind of blew us away as we were leaving him and saying our goodbyes. Weak and lying in his hospital bed, he smiled at us and said, it's been a wonderful day. Jeesh.

Oh, I'm glad you're enjoying Ru! It's beautifully done, Isn't it.

Debbi read The Girl with All the Gifts and wasn't that fond of it. Interesting you mention Becca. Maybe it would be more her cuppa.

I liked Maniac Magee a lot, and now I'm reading another PKD, Martian Time-Slip. He seems ahead of the game in marrying a form of autism with time disjunction, something that is an actual theory of some health professionals (that is, that some on the spectrum are experiencing time differently than neurotypicals like us).

>236 jnwelch:. Happy Valentine's Day, Karen. We miss seeing you in your lovely city.

Thank you for those nice comments about our family. We will indeed have a chance to celebrate today. Becca and a good friend of our son's will be with us, and the remarkable Madame MBH is performing in a storytelling show tonight. Hers in part is about the unconventional lullabies we sang to our baby-kids (e.g. Motown, James Brown). She has a lovely singing voice; it's one of my favorites of hers.

Happy Valentine's Day, Joe!

>229 Crazymamie:. Thanks, Mamie!

Happy Valentine's Day!

Nice sentiments from your, Dad, Joe. A nice note, to leave on.

Have you read the Lucifer series? I have not but Mary was warbling about it and she informed me that, this was the same Carey that wrote The Girl with All the Gifts. He seems to be quite a talented guy.

>231 msf59:. I do have a Mike Carey GN adaptation, if I remember right, of Neverwhere (a favorite Gaiman story), but I haven't read Lucifer yet, Mark. I may have to, because we're loving the TV series adaptation of Lucifer.

I thought, since you were such a big fan of the Sandman series, you would have ripped through the Lucifer books. Hey, no one's perfect, right?

I did not know, there was a Lucifer TV series. I don't get out much, you know...

>233 msf59:. If only there were multiple me's, I'd have much better book coverage. :-)

If you get a chance, try the TV Lucifer. The guy playing him and the rest of the cast are really good.

Happy Sunday, Joe! I'm glad that you and Debbi were able to see your father, and that you had a good weekend with him. I pray that he makes a full recovery from this illness.

>235 kidzdoc: Thanks, Darryl. Happy Sunday!

They're very optimistic about him at the rehab facility. Infection is gone, and now they just need to get him strong enough to hold up on his own at home (with caregivers).

>236 jnwelch: Great. I'm glad to hear that.

OK, we're back home (Woot!), and it's time for soup. Sorry you broccoli non-lovers; I love broccoli and cheese soup. So put in your order if you want something else, but we have plenty of this for thems that likes.

>237 kidzdoc: :-) They're figuring 10 -14 days right now, but he can go sooner if he improves enough.

>239 jnwelch: Sounds good. Hopefully it will be sooner rather than later.

Count me amongst the broccoli non-lovers. I think it's the only green vegetable that I don't like (it doesn't agree with my GI tract). Anything else is fine: zucchini, Brussels sprouts, spinach, kale, even broccolini.

>240 kidzdoc: I thought I remembered that, buddy. Zucchini cream soup for you.

>242 Thebookdiva: Ha! Love it, Abby, thanks.

Happy Valentine's Day!

It is perfect lamb stew weather. Does the cafe have some? And maybe some valentines doughnuts.

Sorry Joe; so much to catch up on, I missed wishing your dad better. I'm glad to hear things are looking up for him.

>223 jnwelch: Maybe. How's 'Slingapore Girl?' (Per the airlines.)

Big waves from Davos, Joe. No skiing today due to the weather but lots of reading done.

>244 benitastrnad: Lamb stew and doughnuts, Benita - I love people who know their own mind and aren't limited. (A favorite memory is our somewhat traditional mother, near the end, deciding she's have ice cream for breakfast).

Here you go:





>245 humouress: Hiya, Nina. No worries. We actually slowed down for a bit, although it's all relative.

I appreciate the thoughts re our dad. We had actually just planned to visit him for a long weekend at home, but I'm glad we were there when it all went awry. He's doing much better now.

"Slingapore Girl" - nice. You can be a jammer and your blockers can sling you around the pack to score points.

Many of you saw this over on Mark's thread. Our friend Keith, an excellent artist and funny cartoonist, each year does a drawing for our Super Bowl party. Sherlock played a big part in this one. Debbi wants people to know we all weren't actually on our phones like this. :-)

That is a funny cartoon and I am glad Keith captured the wisdom of the canine !

Great review of Tokyo Decadence, Joe. I admit that I'm intrigued.

>248 jnwelch: I LOVE that cartoon!!!!! Yay Sherlock!!! And I see you (and Mark and Debbi) there, too.... :-)

Happy Valentine's Day, my friend.

>246 Ameise1: I guess you missed me, but never mind. I wish you a great start into the new week, Joe. Just sending you a speciality from canton Grison which is called Plain in Pigna. It's made of potatoes, salsiz and prosciutto.

Love the cartoon. To (mis)quote the famous movie: Can I have what Barbara's having?

Morning, Joe!

>249 maggie1944: I'm glad you enjoyed Keith's cartoon, Karen. He's good at capturing those moments and the wisdom of the canine (loves his dog Blanche). Sherlock probably deserves a book of his own some day. He continues to crack us up with his Sherlockian ways.

This last weekend we also enjoyed my sister's pug Roxy, who isn't two yet, and is an energized maniac. Pugs typically are super-active when young, then calm down as they get older. She is in constant motion, and we had a wonderful interlude when she met Betty the Australian sheep dog at my Dad's house. Roxy ran around like crazy, and Betty, with a few efficient moves, would cut her off. Betty occasionally lay her paw on Roxy's shoulder or head, as if trying to calm her down and get her to stay in place. Great stuff.

>250 EBT1002: Thanks, Ellen. I think you'd get a lot out of Tokyo Decadence. I sure did. I just wanted to make sure everyone was warned as to the nature of the contents.

Ha! Glad you liked that cartoon. That's Becca in it with Debbi. I keep telling Becca she needs to teach Sherlock how to use the phone, so we can text with him when we haven't seen him for a while. But it's hard to do that when you're working with paws and no opposable thumbs.

Hope you had a great Valentine's Day, my friend, and that you continue to feel better.

>246 Ameise1: Darn! I'm trying to be so careful, Barbara, but I keep missing the close-in-time cross-posts. Sorry! Jeesh.

Sounds (and looks) like Davos is beautiful. I'm not a skier, so those bad weather days with lots of reading would be perfect for me.

>251 Ameise1: Nice! Thanks, Barbara, for the good-looking dish. "Salsiz" is some kind of sausage, is that right?

>255 jnwelch: Salsiz is a very typical sausage of the Alpes. There are many different varieties with different tastes.

>256 Ameise1: Got it. Thanks, Barbara. It has been too long since I was in the Alpes. So beautiful.

>252 charl08: Glad you love that cartoon, Charlotte. He's such a good guy. (I meant Keith, but Sherlock, too).

You may indeed have what Barbara is having.



>253 Crazymamie: Good morning, Mamie! Come on over to the new place.

OK, the new cafe is open. See you there!

>254 jnwelch: pug herding?

>257 jnwelch: Ha ha!

>259 humouress: Hiya, Nina. I know, I've never heard of an Australian pug herder, but Betty would qualify.

It was the first time I met her, but some of my relatives were saying they'd also been bumped by her as she tried to herd them one way or another. :-)