Mamie's 2016 Madness (Page 8)

Continuing my list of favorite things...the writing of Elmore Leonard, sweetarts candy (the original stuff, not the chewy), seeing things from a different perspective...

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snail's pace

Books Completed in March:
28. Empire Falls by Richard Russo (4 stars), ROOT paperback/audiobook, Pulitzer Prize winner, read for Mark's AAC
29. Fade Out: Volume 3 by Ed Brubaker, Sean Phillips (4 stars), 2016 acquired paperback, GN - crime fiction/noir
30. Velvet: Volume 1 by Ed Brubaker (4.5 stars), 2016 acquired paperback, GN - crime fiction/espionage - recommended by Roberta
31. Dead Until Dark by Charlaine Harris (reread), ROOT ebook, urban fantasy
32. Living Dead in Dallas by Charlaine Harris (reread), ROOT ebook, urban fantasy
33. Crooked House by Agatha Christie (reread), ROOT paperback, mystery/crime fiction - read for Paul's BAC (yes, I know this was last month's author)
34. Club Dead by Charlaine Harris (reread), ROOT ebook, urban fantasy
35. Dead to the World by Charlaine Harris (reread), ROOT ebook, urban fantasy
36. Dead as a Doornail by Charlaine Harris (reread), ROOT ebook, urban fantasy
37. Definitely Dead by Charlaine Harris (reread), ROOT ebook, urban fantasy
38. Velvet: Volume 2 by Ed Brubaker (4.5 stars), 2016 acquired paperback, GN - crime fiction/espionage - recommended by Roberta

Reading Plans: None

I tend to make plans and then bail on them, so this year I am just going to take each month as it comes. I would like to participate here and there in some of the many challenges that are on offer, however, so IF I have a qualifying book on my shelf and IF I feel like it, I will. This month I have the following titles in my personal library or on loan that would work:

A Thousand Acres by Jane Smiley - 2015 acquired paperback - recommended by the LT masses including Katie, Ellen and Mark - fits Mark's AAC

The Return of the Native by Thomas Hardy - ROOT audiobook narrated by Alan Rickman - recommended by Lucy - fits Paul's BAC COMPLETED EARLY to honor Alan Rickman's passing

Non-fiction Challenge - Travel is March's theme - not sure yet

Never Cry Wolf by Farley Mowfat - fits Ilana's CAC - requested from library because I saw that Joe gave it 5 stars and thought it would make a nice companion piece to Winterdance

The Thief by Megan Whalen - this has been on the shelf for years and Jenn and Amber both say it is excellent, so I'm finally getting ti it this month

City on Fire by Garth Risk Hallberg - Doorstopper Challenge - library hardback, Reading this with Kim, slowly - moved to March

The Penguin History of the World: 6th Edition by J. M. Roberts - reading this throughout the year with Katie and Susan

Books Completed in January:
1. A Farewell to Arms by Ernest Hemingway (3 stars), ROOT ebook
2. Saga: Volume 4 by Brian K. Vaughn, Fiona Staples (Illustrator) (4 stars), borrowed paperback, GN - fantasy
3. Mãn by Kim Thúy (5 stars), library paperback, literary fiction - read for the CAC
4. The Fade Out: Volume 1 by Ed Brubaker, Sean Phillips (4.25 stars), 2016 acquired paperback, graphic novel recommended by Joe - crime fiction/noir
5. Nimona by Noelle Stevenson (4 stars), library hardback, GN - fantasy, recommended by the LT masses, read this because Abby had it out from the library
6. The Long Way to A Small Angry Planet by Becky Chambers (4 stars), 2016 acquired ebook - recommended by Heather
7. Ru by Kim Thúy (4 stars), library paperback - read foot the CAC
8. Lumberjanes by Noelle Stevenson (3 stars), library paperback, graphic novel recommended by Karen, read this because Abby had it out from the library
9. War and Peace by Leo Tolstoy (4.5 stars), audiobook/trade paperback - Group Read - Doorstopper challenge
10. The Fade Out: Volume 2 by Ed Brubaker, Sean Phillips (4.25 stars), 2016 acquired paperback, GN - crime fiction/noir
11. Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? Vol. 1 by Philip K. Dick, Tony Parker illustrator (5 stars), library hardback, GN - science fiction/dystopian
12. The Various Haunts of Men by Susan Hill (3.5 stars), ROOT ebook, mystery - police procedural - read for the BAC
13. Dinner at the Homesick Restaurant by Anne Tyler (4.25 stars), ROOT paperback, contemporary fiction - dysfunctional family - recommended by Katie - read for the AAC
14. White Sky, Black Ice by Stan Jones (4 stars), 2016 acquired ebook, mystery - police procedural

Books Completed in February:
15. Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? Volume 2 by Philip K. Dick, Tony Parker illustrator (4.5 stars), 2016 acquired hardback, GN - sci fi/dystopian
16. The Return of the Native by Thomas Hardy, ROOT audiobook, narrated by Alan Rickman (5 stars) -audiobook recommended by Lucy - read for the BAC (early) and to honor Rickman's passing
17. A Good Scent From a Strange Mountain by Robert Olen Butler (4.25 stars), library paperback, short stories, Pulitzer Prize winner - recommended by Megan
18. The Frozen Thames by Helen Humphreys (4.25 stars), library hardback, connected vignettes, read for the CAC
19. Fifth Business by Robertson Davies (4 stars), library hardback, humor, read for the CAC
20. Written in Red by Anne Bishop (4.4 stars), ebook/audiobook, urban fantasy - recommended by Morphy, qualifies for Fantasy February!
21. Blacksad by Juan Díaz Canales, Juanjo Guarnido, (4 stars), library hardback, GN - noir, crime fiction - Mark told me about this one
22. City of Djinns by William Dalrymple (4 stars), 2016 acquired ebook, non-fiction - travel writing/a history of Delhi, read for the BAC - recommended by Susan
23. Snow Angels by Stuart O'Nan (4 stars) library hardback, contemporary fiction - relationship/divorce/coming of age
24. A Study in Scarlet by Arthur Conan Doyle (reread), audiobook, crime fiction - detective, read with Birdy
25. Winterdance by Gary Paulsen (4.5 stars), library hardback, non-fiction/memoir - Iditarod race, recommended by Ellen, Karen, and Mark
26. The Drowned Detective by Neil Jordan (4.2 stars), 2016 acquired ebook, mystery - saw this is Charlotte's Guardian reviews
27. King Leopold's Ghost by Adam Hochschild (5 stars), 2016 acquired ebook, non-fiction/history/the Congo/slavery - read for Suz's Non-Fiction Challenge

A few of my favorite reads from 2015:

Although I am hoping to focus mainly on my own overcrowded shelves this year, I am not crazy enough to think that I could resist adding new books to my collection. I'll record those purchases here.

1. The Long Way to a Small Angry Planet by Becky Chambers, ebook - recommended by Heather COMPLETED
2. The Watchmaker of Filigree Street by Natasha Pulley ($.99 on Kindle) - blaming this on Roni, who pointed out the deal
3. The Fade Out: Volume 1 by Ed Brubaker, Sean Phillips, paperback - mentioned by Joe on the GN thread COMPLETED
4. The Fade Out: Volume 2 by Ed Brubaker, Sean Phillips, paperback - Mark said this one was as good as the first COMPLETED
5. Staked by Kevin Hearne - Iron Druid series, ebook
6. Fear Stalks the Village by Ethel Lina White - recommended by Heather ($1.29 on Kindle)
7. Some Must Watch: The Spiral Staircase by Ethel Lina White - Heather's thread($.99 on Kindle)
8. The Lady Vanishes by Ethel Lina White - Heather's thread ($1.99 on Kindle)
9. Put Out the Light by Ethel Lina White - Heather's Thread ($1.29 on Kindle)
10. Rubbernecker by Belinda Bauer ($2.99 on Kindle)
11. White Sky, Black Ice by Stan Jones ($1.99 on Kindle) COMPLETED
12. City of Djinns by William Dalrymple - recommended by Susan ($4.99 on Kindle) COMPLETED
13. You Have Killed Me by Jamie S. Rich - Mark's fault
14. Hit by Bryce Carlson - also Mark's fault
15. Velvet: Volume 1 by Ed Brubaker - recommended by Roberta COMPLETED
16. The Magician's Assistant by Ann Patchett ($1.99 on Kindle)
17. The Souls of Black Folk by W. E. B. Du Bois ($.99 on Kindle/$.99 audio)
18. Murder of Crows by Anne Bishop - 2nd book in The Others series - ebook
19. King Leopold's Ghost by Adam Hochschild - purchased for the non-fiction/history challenge COMPLETED
20. Half-Resurrection Blues by Daniel José Older - Mark's fault
21. The Drowned Detective by Neil Jordan - Charlotte's Guardian reviews COMPLETED
22. A Darker Shade of Magic by Victoria Schwab
23. The Fade Out: Volume 3 by Ed Brubaker, Sean Phillips COMPLETED

Katie’s Dirty Dozen – KAK has earned her own category on my thread because she has the habit of recommending books that I cannot resist adding to my stacks. Books listed here could be for the WL or purchased, but I will designate if I purchased them. Because Katie is a rebel, there will of course NOT be twelve books in her dirty dozen.

1. Kamchatka by Marcelo Figueras
2. Destiny of the Republic by Candace Millard
3. The Book of Unknown Americans by Cristina Henríquez - seconded by Charlotte and Susan
4. In the Walled City by Stewart O'Nan
5. My Reading Life by Pat Conroy - she recommended the audio, and don't speed it up
6. Nobody's Fool by Richard Russo

Saving this space for LT recommendations that I want to keep track of.

1. The Long Way to a Small Angry Planet by Becky Chambers - recommended by Heather (saw this as I was catching up with her 2015 thread) COMPLETED 1/15/16
2. Slade House by David Mitchell - recommended by Lynda - I know that Mark and several others loved this one, too, but it was Lynda's succinct review that places it firmly on the WL
3. Chinese Takeout Cookbook by Diana Kuan - recommended by Lori (thornton37814) - saw it listed as her favorite cookbook read of 2015
4. Revenant by Mel Odom - recommended by Mark, who came to my thread to deliver the book bullet!
5. Winterdance by Gary Paulsen - recommended by Ellen and Karen COMPLETED
6. Shantaram by Gregory David Roberts - Lucy mentioned that she loved this on her thread, and I looked it up because I was unfamiliar with it. Note to self: DO NOT look up books mentioned on Lucy's thread!
7. The Tsar of Love and Techno by Anthony Marra - saw Amy's review of this on her thread
8. I Am Spain by David Boyd - recommended by Charlotte
9. The Mirror in the Mist by Susan Hill - saw Lori's (lkernaugh) review of this on her thread
10. The Prestige by Christopher Priest - recommended by Mary (bell7)
11. The Electric Michelangelo by Sarah Hall - recommended by Charlotte - saw her review on her thread
12. The Fade Out by Ed Brubaker - Joe mentioned this one on the GN thread, and it sounds right up my alley COMPLETED 1/15/16
13. The Clockwork Scarab by Colleen Gleason - Faith reviewed the second book in this series on her thread
14. Names for the Sea by Sarah Moss - read Rhian's review on her thread
15. Amsterdam by Ian McEwan - again, Lynda got me with her succinct review on her thread - how DOES she do that?!
16. The Men Who Lost America by Andrew Jackson O"Shaughnessy - read the review on Reba's thread
17. Wartime: Stories From Ukraine by Tim Judah - read about this one on Charlotte's thread, part of her posted Guardian reviews. LOVE those!
18. The Man in the Picture by Susan Hill - recommended by Charlotte on her thread
19. King Leopold's Ghost by Adam Hochschild - Suz mentioned this one to Charlotte on the non-fiction challenge thread COMPLETED
20. Everything is Broken by Emma Larkin - recommended by Erik on my thread when we were discussing books on Burma
21. The Rebel of Rangoon by Delphine Schrank - Charlotte recommended this to me on my thread when we were discussing books on Burma
22. Unwind by Neal Shusterman - Mary (bell7) was talking about a follow-up collection of short stories to this series, and peaked my curiosity about the series itself
23. A Good Scent from a Strange Mountain by Robert Olen Butler - read Megan's review of this on her thread - I love interconnected short stories COMPLETED
24. Just Mercy by Bryan Stevenson - I read Julia's excellent review on her thread
25. How It All Began by Penelope Lively - read Nancy's review on her thread
26. The Storyteller by Mario Vargas Llosa - read Lori's (lkernagh) review of it on her thread
27. TransAtlantic by Colum McCaan - Charlotte and Katie talked me into this! And Marianne approves.
28. Willoughbyland by Matthew Parker - read Carrie's review on her thread
29. The Quiet American by Graham Greene - read Bill's review on his thread
30. Coast to Coast by Jan Morris - read Paul's review on his thread

LT recommendations continued...

31. After Hannibal by Barry Unsworth - read Ursula's review on her thread
32. Fear Stalks the Village by Ethel Lina White - read Heather's review on her thread
33. The Wheel Spins by Ethel Lina White - also Heather's fault!
34. Young Stalin by Simon Sebag Montefiore - recommended by Megan (evilmoose)
35. Mademoiselle Chanel by Pierre Galante - read Judy's review on her thread
36. Romantic Outlaws by Charlotte Gordon - read Suz's review on her thread
37. Crow Lake by Mary Lawson - read Nancy's review on her thread
38. War of Two by John Sedgwick - recommended by Reba
39. The Old Ways by David Dalglish - recommended by Charlotte
40. The Nest by Kenneth Oppel - recommended by Anne
41. The Noise of Time by Julian barnes - was included in Charlotte's Guardian reviews, and then Suz reviewed it which is what sold me
42. Countdown by Deborah Wiles - Judy hit me with this 60s Trilogy with her review of Revolution
43. Kitchens of the Great Midwest by J. Ryan Stradal - recommended by Marianne, interconnected short stories
44. The Library at Night by Alberta Manguel - recommended by Carrie
45. Fifteen Dogs by André Alexis - recommended by Rhian
46. Tokyo Decadence by Ryu Murakami - recommended by Joe
47. American Housewife by Helen Ellis - recommended by Joanne
48. Trespass by Rose Tremain - recommended by Nancy
49. The Book of Sands: A Novel of the Arab Uprising by Karim Alwari - recommended by Deborah
50. A Madness of Angels by Kate Griffin - recommended by Mary
51. The Girl With All the Gifts by M. R. Carey - because Mark said so!
52. That's Not English by Erin Moore - recommended by Susan
53. In the Country: Stories by Mia Alver - recommended by Mark
55. A Manual for Cleaning Women by Lucia Berlin - Mark again
56. The Wars of the Roses by Dan Jones - recommended by Suz
57. Saints and Boxers by Gene Luen Lang - recommended by Carrie (read them together)
58. The Good Wife by Stewart O'Nan - recommended by Jenn
59. Mothering Sunday by Graham Swift - recommended by Suz
60. When Books Went to War by Molly Guptill Manning - recommended by Amy
61. Exposure by Helen Dunmore - recommended by Charlotte
62. Reading Chekhov by Janet Malcolm - recommended by Charlotte
63. Ways to Disappear by Idra Novey - recommended by Beth
64. The Widow by Fiona Barton - recommended by Diane
65. Bridge of Sighs by Richard Russo - recommended by Reba (over on Katie's thread)
66. Super Mutant by Jillian Tamaki - GN - Mark and Joe's fault!
66. The Lost Art of Keeping Secrets by Eva Rice - recommended by Charlotte
67. The Year of Living Danishly by Helen Russell - recommended by Susan
68. My Life on the Road by Gloria Steinem - recommended by Beth

This should do it - next one's yours!

Happy new thread, Mamie!

Happy New One, Mamie.

Lady on fire! Happy new thread, Mamie.

I will join you with A Thousand Acres this month, if we can both get to it.

>9 Crazymamie: Oh look, I made #61 and #62...

Happy new thread!

You are a reading machine!! : )

I'll say you are a reading machine! You are also a new thread machine ... how's a girl with no marbles to keep up? Or perhaps that's the secret?

>11 susanj67: Susan, you are first! Here is your prize:



>12 Ameise1: Thank you, Barbara!

>13 PaulCranswick: Thanks, Paul! I hope you can get to A Thousand Acres - that would be fun to read it with you. I believe Carrie is also reading that one.

>14 charl08: I know, Charlotte - you actually have quite a few in the list! And thank you for those good wishes!

>15 Berly: Thank you, Kim!

>16 lit_chick: Hello, Nancy! I am not in the same category as Charlotte or even my own Abby, but I am very happy with my progress this year. Just for you, dear:

Happy New Thread, Mamie! Love the Leonard topper. I would like to read a couple of his, this year. I have not read him much, these past few years and he is also one of my favorite crime writers.

Thank you, Mark! Glad you love the topper! Leonard creates such great characters and I love his dialogue - sounds so true and real.

Congrats on the new thread, Mamie! Happy Sunday!

It always makes me feel good to see folks reading Agatha Christie. I've so many good reading memories from her, including Crooked House. I'm borrowing from Seasonsoflove Murder in the Mews/Dead Man's Mirror for a re-read.

Thank you, Joe! Happy Sunday to you!

I read most of the Agatha Christie canon back in my teens, but it is always fun to revisit them, and Rae is a huge fan. We both favor Hercule Poirot.

Good morning, Mamie and Happy Sunday!

I love that you gave Katie her very own category and post. She also got me with Destiny of the Republic, which I am currently listening to and absolutely loving. I also love that you're officially tracking recommendations that "get" you. I will perhaps borrow that idea for next year's thread series.

Love. It's a good word. ;-)

I was not much of a reader of Agatha Christie in my youth, more is the pity. I read The Murder of Roger Ackroyd last month and loved it.

There's that word again.

I hope you have a good week ahead of you!

Hello there, Ellen! Lovely to se you here!

Happy dance for you also loving Destiny of the Republic, and thanks for the info that it's good on audio. I will make a note of that because I love non-fiction on audio. Borrow away with the LT recommendation tracking - I am really liking that I have a place of easy reference. And it will be fun to see how many books I read this year come directly from that list.

Agree that love is a good word - one of my favorites, actually *grin*

My oldest sister loves Agatha Christie, and so I had a ready source of them, which is probably what got me started. We didn't have a lot of books at our house, but my sister Cindy, who is 15 years older than I, had lovely full bookshelves.

I thank you for those good wishes and for all of the love that you have liberally sprinkled here. Wishing for you a week filled with kindness and free from worry. Take care of yourself, my friend.

Happy new thread!

Woo hoos and happy dances for your new thread!
Outstanding toppers!

Howdy Mamie! I love Susan's prize in >17 Crazymamie: It's so her! Speaking of Texas, I must sign Julia up for some Winter Texan sites since she is headed this way soon. When are the residents of Pecan Paradiso coming to Texas? There is lots of attractions and of course...

>25 cbl_tn: Thank you, Carrie!

>26 Carmenere: Thanks, Lynda! So glad you like the toppers!

>27 luvamystery65: Howdy Miss Roberta! I saw that tee shirt and thought of Susan right away! And yes, you must prepare for Julia's arrival - so fun! I would love to bring the residents of the Pecan Paradisio to your fine state - not sure when as Craig's mom is using up a chuck of his vacation as we speak. He only has one partner since the other retired, so when one of then is gone, the other is on call 24/7. I am firmly convinced that we shall make it there sooner or later, I mean, how could we possibly pass up on meeting you and Miss Katie?!

Saw that it was announced that Peyton Manning's retirement was confirmed today, Mamie. What a great way to go leading the Broncos to the Superbowl.

Happy new thread, Mamie. You are on fire with your reading!

Mamie, You might be interested in Coach Cutcliffe's remarks regarding Peyton's retirement. He was Peyton's quarterback coach at UT and later coached his brother Eli. http://www.goduke.com/mediaPortal/player.dbml?id=5124110&db_oem_id=4200

Rise and Shine, Mamie!

Mamie, thank you for my lovely prize! It is much better than the kettle I gave you. I hope this Monday is a happy one for you, since you're on holiday (more or less).

Happy new thread, Mamie! And happy new week!

We're up and off to treat ourselves to breakfast out and a bit of shopping. Back in a bit to report!

^Nice!

Happy mmphmumble Day, Mamie!

Joe--That's exactly what I was going to say!! But with an Oregon accent: Happy Mffmumble Day, Crazy!

Hi Mamie! Finally getting a mild day here and it will be this way for most of the week. Happy Camper!

Happy Mon...vacation day and happy new thread, Mamie!

Hey Mamie! I was in the mood for some.crime and remembered you had read The Drowned Detective . All very intriguing so far.

(Autocorrect wanted The Droned Detective. Sounds like a very different book....)

Hi Mamie, even though it is Mo _d_ y, I bet you and Abby are having a great day! I used to love it when my hubby would go away for a bit leaving me at home with one or both girls. It felt like being a teenager again and having the house to yourself! Schedules and routines went out the door.

I have to say that your favorite things that you list at the top of each of your threads are usually my favorite things as well. Elmore Leonard has long been a favorite, although I usually prefer his westerns.

Hi Mamie! Football will not be the same without Peyton playing, will it? I hope we'll see more of him in Knoxville now that he's retired. He has managed to visit fairly often for someone as busy as he's been for the last couple of decades, and he's maintained local ties.

>8 Crazymamie: >9 Crazymamie: I love it! All your peeps keeping you reading what you it not have read otherwise :)

>32 Carmenere: in my time zone, that post was written at 225am. She may well rise, but I don't think she'll be shining ;)

Yesterday: "We're up and off to treat ourselves to breakfast out and a bit of shopping"
Today: Are you still shopping?

So yesterday was full but fun, which is why I never made it back here. My apologies. We ended up having to take Bella to the vet in the afternoon because her right ear was completely swollen and making her a crazy girl. Poor baby had to get her ears flushed, anal glands expressed, and blood drawn. They are going to test her for food allergies because she keeps having these ear problems. She was just at the vet's groomer two weeks ago, so her anal glands were expressed then, but the vet said that with allergic reactions they can fill up again - I guess feet, ears and anal glands are the indicating itch factors that point to allergy. Bella has always had problems, in fact, she cannot even be vaccinated, but she is getting worse, and the vet said she really thinks it is a food allergy, not an environmental one. Crossing my fingers that something comes back positive on the screening so that we can get her some permanent relief. In the meantime, she is on a steroid and ear drops. They say it will take one to two weeks to get the results back. Poor baby.

Breakfast out was delicious - we had the strawberry lemon French toast which is made with sour dough bread, and boy, was it yummy! It was lovely to just linger over breakfast and enjoy the morning. Then we went to the bookstore, Ulta, and Target. No need for lunch because we had had a big breakfast, so we just spent the time before Bella's appointment at home and made coffees and texted with the kids who were at Universal Studios at the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, which they said was fabulous. They are going back to hang out there today while Craig takes his mother to her doctor's appointment - in TAMPA. Poor Craig. Anyway...I digress...after Bella's appointment, we brought her back home because she had had enough. Abby and I went back out to go to the grocery and then pick up some dinner. Then back home to eat and veg in front of the tv. All in all, a good but very full day.

Not sure what all we'll do today, but we do have to get a new pill splitter because ours broke. Bailey takes two different meds twice a day that have to be cut into fourths, and Bella's steroid has to be split in half, so it does get a workout - why do they not make these things out of something more sturdy than cheap plastic? I also have to pick up a book at the library. No idea what's for dinner tonight because we are playing it by ear and just deciding what sounds good each day, which is fun - with six it is better to plan, but with two you can wing it. A nice break from the routine even though I love cooking and food prep.

Hoping all of you have Tuesday full of fabulous!

>17 Crazymamie: I'm also currently reading A Thousand Acres. King Lear is a high bar to live up to for me, but we'll see. :)

Catching up with the thread:

>29 PaulCranswick: I was pretty positive that he would retire, Paul, but it is nice to have it all confirmed. And I agree, what a great way to go out! Eighteen years for number 18. A remarkable career for a remarkable man. I am so happy that he gets to go out on top.

>30 BLBera: Thank you, Beth!

>31 thornton37814: Thanks so much for that, Lori! What a great tribute - so well spoken, and I liked that he took his time answering the questions.

>32 Carmenere: There is really no sleeping in with Mercy, Lynda, because she wants the blinds in the master bedroom up at 7am each morning so that she can watch her birdies! That cat loves the windows in the master bedroom - I don't blame her; they take up almost the entire wall, and Craig has made a bird paradise right outside the window just for Miss Mercy's watching pleasure.

>33 susanj67: You are welcome, Susan! I disagree about the kettle, though - I loved that! Monday was very good. Please note that down, as I may never utter those words again!

>34 scaifea: Thank you, Amber!

>36 jnwelch: I know, right?! I want to eat there! It was a good mmphmumble day, Joe, so thanks for those wishes!

>37 Berly: Haha, Kim! And thank you!

>38 msf59: Morning, Mark! We are going into the 80s for W-F if the forecast is to be believed! Yesterday was absolutely gorgeous, and today looks like more of the same.

>39 Familyhistorian: Ha! Thank you, Meg!

>40 charl08: Hello, Charlotte! I liked The Drowned Detective and hope that author writes more in that vein. I will be waiting to see what you think of it. LOL about The Droned Detective! Yesterday I was texting Craig, and the phone changed my Birdy to Nirdy. What?!

>41 DeltaQueen50: Hi, Judy! I am getting a big kick out of seeing the pains everyone is taking with that word. You know the one. Abby and I did indeed have a great day. I love getting to spend time with each of the kids individually - they are all so different, and I really enjoy the one on one talks. Abby and I share a love of coffee and of cooking. Of bookstores and of lipstick. Of high fantasy and of urban fantasy. Last night we made sugar cookies, which we ate while binge watching tv. We both adore Game of Thrones and Sookie.

I am not surprised that we share many favorite things - I do not read a lot of westerns, but I have watched hundreds of them, as my Dad was a huge fan.

>42 cbl_tn: No it will not, Carrie. I still have not decided which team I will be rooting for; I plan on just letting my heart tell me when the season starts. I am not surprised that Peyton has maintained toes to Tennessee - that is just the type of person that he is.

>43 LovingLit: I know, Megan. You guys are always hooking me up! It's a lovely thing.

Haha about the time zone - it was actually 8:25 am here when Lynda posted that, so I was indeed shining as I had already had two cups of coffee and a shower.

>44 Carmenere: Nope. But there will be more shopping, Lynda! We can't leave the dogs for too long as Bailey takes lasix twice a day, so needs to use the facilities often, poor old boy. He has a heart condition, so he needs to take the lasix along with enacard.

We were pooped by the time we finished up everything, so we spent the evening with Sookie and friends.

>46 ursula: Hello, Ursula! Me, too, with theKing Lear, but last year after I read it, the LT masses were saying that I needed to read A Thousand Acres and raving about it. SO, I have high hopes. I have not yet started it, though.

>45 Crazymamie: Oh, that french toast with the strawberries looks so good! If I had good bread in the house, I think I'd make some this week, but I don't want to buy more since I'm going out of town because it would just spoil.

What I'm loving about all these Peyton Manning stories are the theme that keeps coming up about how he made everyone around him better. That started in his college days. The NCAA had recently limited the number of hours and, I think, calendar days that coaches could spend with the team in practices. Peyton organized player-only practices, including times during the off-season. The results showed on the field.

Morning Mamie! I know I am late but whatever! Lovely day in Chicagoland.

I loved Girl Waits With Gun. And what a nice open-ended finish. I can see myself spending more time with these characters.

"Omaha!" Peyton's last word at his press conference. :-)

Happy Tuesday, Mamie. That looks delicious up in >45 Crazymamie:.

Happy new thread, Mamie!

Sorry to hear about Bella. I dogsat for a couple of dogs one time - their "parents" were a nurse and a doctor, two different families but at the nurse's house - and the doctor's puppy had to eat gluten free food. This meant feeding them separately because the other dog is a picker, not a gobbler, and caused great anxiety, much barking and running at the gate I put up, at mealtimes when I had to keep them separate (they had become fast friends). For a couple of days, I finally gave up and hid the slower one's food - if he didn't finish in time, too bad - because the poor dogs seemed happier hungry than apart. I'm sure your solution will be a much better one, and I hope they're able to identify the allergen.

It is nice to see Peyton retire on such a high note and I've enjoyed seeing the comments from Eli about his brother's retirement as well.

Enjoy your Tuesday!

>55 bell7: and I've enjoyed seeing the comments from Eli about his brother's retirement as well.

Me too! It's sad that we'll have to wait so long to see the next Manning generation play the game.

I vow to visit your wonderfully warm, super detailed, lovely thread more often.

I very much like the lists you made of books to read and who recommended them. Ok if I borrow this idea from you?

Payton Manning and I share the fact that we have had multiple neck fusion surgeries. I read somewhere that he had a difficult time fusing. What a courageous (or silly?) man to keep on playing despite this situation.

Hugs to you!!!!!

>51 thornton37814: It was so good, Lori! Just the right balance of lemon. Good thinking about the bread going bad - you'll have to make it when you het back. Where are you going?

>52 cbl_tn: Me, too, Carrie. I love that he loved the game of football - all of it, not just game day but the process. And he was always a team player.

>53 msf59: Afternoon, Mark! It's lovely here, too. We have the windows and the doors to the screened-in porch open. Lots of gorgeous out there. You are making me excited to get to Girl Waits With Gun, but I really have to finish up my library bag of books first. I almost bought my own copy at the bookstore yesterday because I really love that cover.

>54 jnwelch: SO fitting, wasn't it, Joe! Happy Tuesday to you. The French toast was truly amazing - we both loved it. Today we went to the grocery and each picked out two pints of ice cream, which we are eating right out of the carton - I had Cherry Garcia, which might be my new favorite and Abby had Chocolate Peppermint Crunch.

>55 bell7: Thank you, Mary! No worries about the dog food becoming a complicated business - we will just feed the boys whatever Bella can eat. Their current food is wheat free, corn free and no by-products or artificial stuff, so I'm guessing our options will be pretty limited when we figure it out. I am wondering if maybe she is allergic to egg, which the current food has in it.

We are huge fans of both Peyton and Eli here at the Pecan Paradisio, so totally agree with you. I thank you for those Tuesday wishes - it has been full of fabulous so far. Hoping yours has been, too.

>56 thornton37814: So true, Lori!

>57 Whisper1: Linda, you are always so gracious, and you always say the nicest things. Thank you. You are welcome to borrow anything you see on any of my threads at any time, you don't even have to ask. I would consider it a compliment.

I know, the neck surgeries were a very scary thing. I am not Peyton and I have never had neck surgery, so I have no idea what went into his decision making. I do know that he is a thoughtful, intelligent man, so I am guessing that he weighed all of his options very carefully. I think it would be hard to give up the thing that you love the most in life regardless of the risks involved. I am just so very thankful that I do not have to make that kind of decision, and I bet the answer would change depending on where you were at with your life. I like that we all get to choose the path that we take to get where we're going. For me, it's all about the journey.

Hugs back to you, my dear friend. So lovely to see you here!

>58 Crazymamie: I'm headed to Raleigh the next two weekends (both long weekends). I'm singing in a Passion Play at the church Jeff attends.

Oh, lucky you, Lori - North Carolina is so pretty. My very favorite uncle's first name was Raleigh, but for some reason all of my Dad's family went by their middle names, so we called him Evan. He looked so much like my Dad that people always thought they were twins even though my Dad was older.

Hoping that you have lovely weather and safe travels the next two weekends. And that you have fun!

Happy hump day, Mamie! I hope Bella's feeling a bit better. And that toast! Oh my :-)

Ha! That made me laugh out loud! Thank you, Susan. Poor Bella is feeling more comfortable - the vet said that all we are doing is trying to keep her as comfy as possible until we figure out what she is allergic to. Once we get the results back, we can change her food and start her on some probiotics.

Hoping that your Wednesday is full of fun!

Howdy Mamie!! Looks like I'll be reading on my deck today too!

Howdy, Lynda! WahHOO for reading on the deck - one of my favorite things! And very impressive that you will be doing it in Ohio. In March! Our forecast says all 80s temps for the next week, so I will probably also be reading on the deck today.

Sounds so lovely! And french toast. Golly! I'll be reading "by the pool" if all goes according to plan, and I can't think why it won't.

Hello, Lucy! Reading by the pool sounds wonderful. Abby and I have been having a grand time of it, and from their texts and photos the rest of the gang seems to also be enjoying themselves immensely. And I am telling you - that French toast was amazing. We are thinking we might need to go back and have it again before our staycation is over.

Good morning, Mamie!

Win-win - I'm glad the whole clan is having a good time. We went to that Harry Potter World in Orlando a few years ago and had a great time - and they've actually improved it a lot since then. Now we're planning to go to the Universal Studios one in LA, which actually is within walking distance of our niece's house, and she likes to have us stay with her.

Morning, Joe! The photos they have sent are amazing - looks like they did a fabulous job of it. And how fun - I mean, really!! I am betting you'll have a great time at the LA location.

>66 sibylline: & >67 Crazymamie: I also like an occasional read by the pool too but it does get blasted hot after a while and my books can't swim!

Ha! The poor, poor books, Paul.

Mercy has moved on from crime fiction to the graphic novels shelves!

>70 PaulCranswick: No sympathy!

>72 Crazymamie: There's a cat with taste in reading matter.

Loving The Book of Memory. Can recommend this one for the shortlist (as if it was up to me!).

>73 charl08: Laughing about Paul's books getting no sympathy with you, Charlotte. Ah, well, I shan't mention that Abby and I are headed out to the deck to read - it's already 71F here and going to 81F today. But very windy, so we shall see.

Mercy indeed has fine taste in reading matter!

I'll have to check out The Book of Memory, as I am not familiar with that one.

Morning Mamie! No reading on the deck for this guy but I am ambling along. Another mild one, actually a bit humid, with the possibility of rain.

Go Mercy! Go Mercy!

>72 Crazymamie: great to see a photo of Mercy. She looks lovely!!

>72 Crazymamie: Has Mercy gotten bigger, or is the angle of the photograph? I remember her as a tiny thing. She looks great.

>75 msf59: Morning, Mark! Ambling along in the mild weather is not bad, either, but I am hoping the rain holds off for you until you finish your route.

I will tell Mercy that you are behind her all the way!

>76 RebaRelishesReading: She really is a beautiful cat, Reba. She has a fun personality that keeps us laughing, but she is very cautious and tends to hide if we have visitors.

>77 jnwelch: Well, she was really tiny when she first came to us two years ago. She has not gotten any bigger than she is in the other adult photos I have posted of her. I am thinking that it is partly the camera angle and partly the way she is sitting. She is a ten pound cat, but long, so she is bigger than any of our dogs, which is funny to me.

Happy hump day Mamie! Sorry to hear Bella is sick - I hope you can figure out what's affecting her soon.

>1 Crazymamie: Good on you, Mamie, for the Dutch Leonard photo. He's long been a favorite; I'm still miffed that he had to go and die. I have 31 of his novels on my shelf, and I have read each of them. Of course, he wrote more than that.

*waves*
I hope Bella is feeling better and the vet figures it out. Our lab used to get ear infections often until we switched her to the wheat and corn free food. You've only done that, so hopefully it will be a change to Bella's food that won't be too drastic.

>79 jnwelch: Okay. That made me belly laugh, Joe! I startled Mercy. Well done, you.

>80 souloftherose: Thank you, Heather. I hope the vet is right, and it's a food allergy. Otherwise we'll have to do the other screening for the environmental allergy. The testing is expensive, so it would be nice to get it the first time around. BUT, we really want to fix the problem for her as she is just so miserable and she is getting these ear problems more and more frequently. How is your Erica?

>81 weird_O: Hello, Bill. Another fan of Leonard! I was not pleased at his passing, either - he gave us so many great characters and stories. You are way ahead of me with reading his works, but I will catch up!! What is your favorite so far?

>82 mstrust: Hello there, Jennifer! Welcome! Me, too with hoping that the vet can figure it out. The steroid and the drops are giving her some relief, thank goodness. We had switched to the limited ingredient food to help one of our other dogs who was biting on his paws all the time, so no soy, wheat, of corn in it. But there is egg, which I wondered about perhaps being the culprit. I am glad to hear that we are not alone and others have had this same problem - I didn't know that a food allergy could cause the ears to react like that.

I hadn't ever heard of food allergies in dogs before our Greta either, but my Mil owns the mother and she came down with the allergy first.
And the 'only' in my above message should have been 'already'. Sorry!

Mercy looks adorable! Nice to see she tries a variety of genres.
That French toast looks so yummy! Do you think it's something we could try to make at home?

I knew what you meant, so no worries. SO interesting that the mom got the allergy first! Our Bella cannot be vaccinated because she is allergic to the vaccines - she had a mild reaction the first time, so the next time they medicated her first but she went into anaphylactic shock, so the vet said never again. Very scary and we almost lost her.

>85 Carmenere: Thank you, Lynda! She is branching out, apparently. I do think you could make the French toast at home - it was sour dough bread for the toast, then it had a lemon cream cheese type of mixture that they spread between two layers of the toast, then strawberries and a bit of powdered sugar on the top. Instead of syrup, they serves it with a warm runny strawberry preserves kind of thing. So yummy!

Oh that sounds de-lish! I'll jot that down and grab ingredients this week, strawberries are finally looking nice and ripe at the store.
BTW we're having potato bar tonight 😄

I'll be waiting to see how it turns out! And YUM for baked potato bar - one of our favorites!!

Morning, Mamie!

Hi Mamie! Sorry to hear about Bella's allergy problems. Adrian has allergies, both food and environmental. He eats a limited ingredient diet, and his vet had me add a bit of live culture yogurt to his food to help with his digestion. I noticed that it also improves his allergy symptoms. Now that the spring pollen has started, I've added Benadryl to his daily routine.

Morning Mamie! Sweet Thursday! Catching you early today. Cooler day here, low 50s but no complaints.

Both of my books are Booktopia authors. Not my usual fare but not horrible, either. Good or bad, I like to be familiar with the authors I will be meeting.

Morning! (Or 'Lunchtime'! here) >87 Crazymamie: Sounds wonderful. Breakfast out is such a great invention.

>90 scaifea: Morning, Amber!

>91 cbl_tn: Hey, Carrie! I am sure we will be doing something similar with Bella's diet once we get her test results back - the vet said she wanted to switch the food and add probiotics to her diet. Poor Adrian with both environmental and food allergies.

>92 msf59: Morning, Mark! Sweet Thursday indeed! It's pretty nice here right now - overcast and 65F. Going into the 80s later, though, so it will be warm.

Makes sense that you would want to be familiar with the Booktopia authors - I will await your thoughts.

>93 charl08: Yep - morning for me. I am on my first cup of coffee. But Happy Afternoon to you, Charlotte! Breakfast food is actually some of my favorite fare - I could eat it any time of the day, to be honest. Eating breakfast out is always a lovely treat!

Thursday greetings, Mamie! I agree with breakfast being my favorite meal anytime of day. It's so darn easy to prepare without much thought. In fact, I think I'll go have it right now :0)

>95 Carmenere: Thursday greeting to you, Lynda! Happy breakfasting to you - Abby and I are indulging in donuts!

>94 Crazymamie: Morning Mamie. I am on a coffee too but certainly not my first of an already long day. Submitting a tender tomorrow for a single build bungalow outside KL. The bloody thing is 92,000 square feet in size complete with helipad and looks like a mini hotel rather than a private home. It is the height of bad taste too really so I added an extra five percent to my normal mark-ups as I think we'll need the buffer if the Employer is as crass as his intended dwelling.

I was just over on your thread, Paul! If you were just getting to your first coffee, I would be worried. I need that stuff first thing. Just WOW about the bungalow. Sadly we have no helipad. *giggles* I'll just have to make do without one, I guess.

So true, Diana! I love me a Friday!

It sounds like you are having a great week, Mamie.

It's been really lovely so far, Beth. A nice break from the routine.

Sweet Thursday, Mamie!

>99 DianaNL: One of the girls in Super Mutant Magic Academy calls Thursday "Little Friday". That's the way I feel - almost there.

Hope all is well at the Pecan Paradisio.

Just stopping by, 100+ post into your thread, to belatedly say "happy new thread." I don't have time to properly catch up, but I see you have doggie diet issues? Oh, dear. I've been through having a child with a special diet . . . glad my cat doesn't.

>103 jnwelch: Thank you, Joe! OH, I like "Little Friday"! All is well at the Pecan Paradisio, thanks for asking. Another day of gorgeous here. Abby and I are about to head out for a bit of shopping. We have decided on fish and chips for dinner tonight, as we both love that. We are going to carry out so that we can continue our evening binge watching of Sookie. Good times. Nothing but good times.

>104 tymfos: Hey there, Terri! Lovely to see you here! No worries about not catching up - it's always fine to just go straight to the bottom and say hello. Life is short. We have been very lucky in the allergy department with the kids, so I cannot complain. My niece cannot have gluten, and that is a pain because it is hidden in so many different things. I'll definitely take the dog allergies! Here's hoping that we can find an easy fix.

Hi, Mamie. I've been dilatory on the threads while fighting an infection this week, but I'm finally making it to your new thread. Love the photo of Mercy, hope Bella's problems can be resolved quickly.

>78 Crazymamie: >79 jnwelch: lol! Man, that is one bit cat! And one not impressed dog :)

>105 Crazymamie: carry out fish and chips- is there any other kind? Here the fish 'n' chip shops are take away only. Unless you are talking about a cafe or restaurant....eta: it is so well known as a "carry out" only place, that we talk about 'getting take aways', we are usually talking about fish 'n' chips :)

>106 ronincats: Sorry to hear that you have not been well, Roni. Glad that you liked the photo of Mercy, and I thank you for those good wishes for Bella. I hope that you are feeling better very soon.

>107 LovingLit: I know, right, Megan?! BIG cat!

And yes - you can eat fish and chips in the restaurant here. In fact, I'm pretty sure that more people eat it in than carry it out.

What with Amber talking about snacks and the fish supper here, I'm in trouble... (Bean watching update: still no beans...)

Well, Charlotte, then I won't mention that we also got ice cream for later.

*sigh* Still no beans...

Aw! Thanks, Diana - so cute!

Morning, Mamie! I was wide awake at 3:30 this morning thanks to the prednisone. I thought I might as well do something productive, so I finished King Lear. My hold on the OverDrive copy of A Thousand Acres has arrived so I'm ready to read it this weekend. After I take a nap. :-)

Oh, Carrie! You poor thing. At least you were productive - well done. How did you like King Lear? I would love to say that I will join you with A Thousand Acres over the weekend, but that is doubtful as the gang will be getting back home, and Sunday is Rae's birthday. Looks to be a busy weekend here at the Pecan Paradisio.

Happy napping to you!

Have a wonderful rap up to your staycation. and Happy B-Day to Rae!

Good morning, Mamie!

I belatedly realized that you were the one who recommended to us all White Sky, Black Ice, the first Nathan Active mystery. Thanks - I had a good time with it. I already picked up the second one.

Happy Friday!

Fish suppers and ice cream getting mentioned here - how the heck am I going to keep losing weight.

Fish and chips and curry sauce as a dish is one of the things I miss about Friday evenings in West Yorkshire.



Have a lovely weekend at the Pecan Paradisio, Mamie dear. xx

>115 Carmenere: That made me laugh out loud, Lynda! We went out to breakfast and had that fabulous French toast again. Decadent! Now we are back home and preparing to do just a few chores to get the Paradisio ready for the invasion. They will be back either late Saturday night or very early Sunday morning.

I will extend your birthday wishes to Rae, who will be delighted. She will be 24 on Sunday - it boggles the mind!

>116 jnwelch: Morning, Joe! Already quite warm here and heading for another day of gorgeous. It never gets old. Ha!

So glad you liked Black Sky, White Ice! I have the second one out from the library, but I haven't had a chance to get to it yet.

Happy Friday to you, my friend!

>117 PaulCranswick: I know, right?! I myself will have to work hard next week to make up for the indulgence of this week, but it was SO worth it. Ooh! That fish and chips with curry sauce looks yummy.

I thank you for those weekend wishes, Paul! Hoping that yours is full of fabulous! xx

Morning Mamie! Happy Friday! Cool here but lots of sunshine.

Do you have a GN going? I started Super Mutant, one Joe warbled about.

Morning, Mark! Happy Friday! It's HOT here - 80F already and steamy. I am getting ready to start Velvet: Volume 1. Should I add Super Mutant to the list?

Abby and I watched this last night, and it was just so well done.

>120 Crazymamie: *slips in while Mark's busy working* Yes! Add Super Mutant to the list! *rides away into the pecan trees*

Haha, Joe! I will add it to the list!

All caught up again am I!

And Roberta may have solved my dilemma about what to have for dinner by posting about Whataburger, Texas' best kept secret :)

Have a great weekend, Mamie!

Hello, Katie!! Thanks for catching up with me. And hooray for easy dinner! My weekend should be full but fun, so I thank you for those wishes - hoping that yours is full of fabulous!

*wave* Happy weekend!

>120 Crazymamie: I can't wait for your thoughts on Velvet.

So glad your staycation has been full of fabulous! Enjoy your last evening with just you and Abby! Early birthday wishes to Rae. And, yes, time does fly. (Mine will be 33 in April. Inconceivable!)

Have a great weekend!

Hi Mamie! Just skimming through, glad to hear about a great staycation (lovely things, those staycations) and wishing you a wonderful weekend.

Hope you have a lovely weekend Mamie.

(No beans, but basil doing well!)

Happy weekend, Mamie! Your staycation sounds like a big success, and I am now craving ice cream. Tesco has Ben & Jerry's on special offer, so I might have to cave. But there are so many flavours! And the whole "core" thing. I might need two or three in order to get to grips with it all.

Happy Saturday Mamie!

Morning Mamie! Happy Saturday! I am so glad you loved "Spotlight". It is an important film and my favorite film of last year.

Hooray for Velvet: Volume 1. That one was a nice surprise, along with the 2nd one. Brubaker and Phillips kick butt. Not far into Super Mutant but I like it.

Howdy Mamie!

>121 Crazymamie: "Spotlight" didn't that win some sort of Academy Award? We don't get out much to see movies but if it's on Netflix we'll check it out.

Have to check out *Spotlight*!

So sorry to hear about Bella's allergy problems. Scary about the vaccinations too.

Good morning, Mamie!

Another hooray for Velvet Volume 1! I'm near the end of the second Fade Out, and already ready for the third.

Hope your weekend's off to a good start.

Morning, Mamie!

Happy new thread, Mamie! I love lingering over breakfast, something we try to do at least on day each weekend. Didn't exactly happen today, but I still had a pleasant breakfast surprise in that my other half made porridge! I love porridge, sprinkled with a little bit of brown sugar and just enough milk to slightly thin it out. The fact that all I had to do was sit down and be served made it a pretty darn special breakfast (even if I had to do the clean-up afterwards). ;-)

>72 Crazymamie: - What a poised and elegant cat Mercy has grown into! Appears she has good tastes in books, too.

I hope Bella is feeling better soon.

>72 Crazymamie: Oh, what a beautiful photo of kitty! Those eyes, ahhh...

Hope you had a chance to rest up for what sounds like a busy day tomorrow!

Happy Sunday, Mamie! It should be a wonderful day with stories of the Florida Vacay and birthday celebrations!

Morning, Mamie!

>121 Crazymamie: Mamie. The journalist that broke the story is one of our alums. Marty Baron graduated from Lehigh back in the 70's. Most recently, Lehigh held a day when he returned to campus, spoke to our students in the department, and the alumni office held a movie watching time and he spoke afterward. It was a lovely day.

Happy Sunday to you my friend. I hope it is a good one.

Happy Sunday, Mamie!

We're doing a splendid job here of goofing off, reading and looking out on a rainy day. Hope all is well at the Pecan Paradisio.

Crazy--Hope you figure out what is going on with Bella soon. Your staycation sounded relaxed and wonderful and I hope you enjoy your full house again. Sorry tomorrow is you-know-what day. : /

Hey Mamie, hope the birthday weekend was splendid. Hot cross buns for brekkie here. It's almost Easter, so...

Hi Mamie - happy Friday-minus-four-days!

Morning, Mamie!

Morning Mamie! Woo Hoo, it's Monday! Yippee! (Attitude is everything, right ;0)? )

>146 susanj67: Like!

Happy Mmmphmumble Day, Mamie! Is it some cruel joke to start this day an hour early?

I hope it's nonetheless a good one for you.

The Pecan Paradisio is attempting to return to normal - well, as close as we actually get to normal, anyway. Both the vacation and the staycation were deemed complete successes. The gang got home in the wee hours of Sunday morning, and then we stayed up even longer catching up. Very fun but also exhausting. I was the only Paradisian to forego a nap on Sunday. *preens a bit* Rae chose Steak and Shake for her birthday dinner, and we got carry out because she wanted to watch the pilot for Castle while we ate - we LOVE that show, and have watched our way through the old seasons multiple times. For dessert ,we had warm Big Cookies (chocolate chip and toffee cookies that we make, and they are huge like the ones that you see in a cafe) with vanilla ice cream. YUM!

On the reading front, I have completed a few more books. Here's my March update:

Books Completed in March:
28. Empire Falls by Richard Russo (4 stars), ROOT paperback/audiobook, Pulitzer Prize winner, read for Mark's AAC - recommended by Katie
29. Fade Out: Volume 3 by Ed Brubaker, Sean Phillips (4 stars), 2016 acquired paperback, GN - crime fiction/noir - this series recommended by Joe on the GN thread
30. Velvet: Volume 1 by Ed Brubaker (4.5 stars), 2016 acquired paperback, GN - crime fiction/espionage - recommended by Roberta
31. Dead Until Dark by Charlaine Harris (reread), ROOT ebook, urban fantasy
32. Living Dead in Dallas by Charlaine Harris (reread), ROOT ebook, urban fantasy


I started rereading the Sookie books since Abby and I have been watching True Blood together. So interesting to compare the story lines. And fun.Those of you who have finished the books, please no spoilers, as I have been hoarding the last few - I have read the first ten multiple times but just can't bring myself to finish it - I can't decide if I want to know how it ends or not. Ha! Seriously...


The GN Velvet: Volume 1 was new to me - this series was recommended by Roberta, and it did not disappoint. SO good. Kind of an espionage/noir type of story with a kick ass main character - you guessed it, Velvet. LOVE her! I have already ordered volume two, so now I await its delivery.


Also, I finished up the Fade Out trilogy. Really well done from start to finish. This is set in old Hollywood - a female film star is murdered, and of course, there is a cover-up. Done in the noir style, the artwork is a perfect marriage to the story line and setting. A gritty mystery with well drawn characters and seedy integrity.

Catching up with the thread:

>126 nittnut: Thank you, Jenn! It was! Hoping that yours was also full of happy.

>127 luvamystery65: It was fabulous, Roberta! I can't wait to see what happens next, and I loved how they did the background/flashbacks.

>128 Storeetllr: Mary, we had a lovely ending to an indulgent week. It was so fun just to do nothing of import. A wonderful time for Abby and i, and the others had so much fun at Disney World and Universal Studios - they loved the Harry Potter world!

So true that time flies. I feel like I was changing diapers one moment, and then I blinked and we were in Georgia. It's like a time warp. What a fun ride it was, though - I feel very lucky to have been part of it. Rae is a lovely young 24, and I am so proud of her.

Hoping that your weekend was full of fabulous!

Love those GN choices Mamie. ;-) As for Sookie Stackhouse, I did not enjoy the later entries in the series as much as the earlier ones. Still, Harris made me satisfied (not quite happy) with the ending. I will explain my thoughts in full when you finish the series. Dead to the World is probably my favorite. It was fun, fun, fun.

>129 EBT1002: Thank you, Ellen, for those wonderful wishes - it was delightful. Wishing for you a week that is full of kindness.

>130 charl08: Thank you, Charlotte! And a gardening update - I must come check on the beans now that it is Pre-Tuesday!

>131 susanj67: Thanks, Susan! It went out with a bang, so we need today to recover! My favorite ice cream of the moment is Ben and Jerry's Cherry Garcia. Really fabulous! I also like their Salted Caramel Core.



I also really want to try this, but the store is always out of it:

>132 cbl_tn: It was indeed happy, Carrie! Hoping yours was, too!

>133 msf59: Morning, Mark! Sunday was a good one - full of napping for everyone but me, who stayed up and read. I got to indulge in the quiet out on the screened in porch, where Craig was napping, so it was lovely.

Abby and I both loved Spotlight - such an important film and so well done.

"Brubaker and Phillips kick butt." Agreed! I'm so glad that i have you and Roberta and Joe to guide me on my graphic novel journey!!

>134 Carmenere: Howdy, Lynda! Spotlight won the big one - the Oscar for best picture. It also won some others, I believe. We rented it from iTunes, as Netflix didn't have it for streaming yet.

>135 sibylline: Yes, Lucy, do check it out. You won't be sorry. The steroids and the ear drops have the swelling down and Bella's is feeling much better. We are just waiting for the results to come back from her testing so that we can take the next step which will be switching her food and putting her on probiotics. The vaccination thing is scary - both she and Mercy are allergic, but Bella we almost lost.

>136 jnwelch: Morning, Joe! Yes! Hooray for Velvet! SO good and loads of fun. The last entry in the Fade Out trilogy does a good job of finishing out the story line, I thought. So great when that happens!

The weekend was full of fabulous, thanks. Hoping that yours was, too!

Happy Birthday to Rae! We love Castle, too. Good to hear re the third volume of The Fade Out; I'm nearing the end.

Glad everyone had great 'cations.

Crazy--Okay, I am in for the salted caramel!!! Where are you on City on Fire, because I keep meaning to get back to it, but that hasn't happened...yet. I see it in my future in a week or so. Still holding on page 300 and something...

>137 katiekrug: Morning, Katie! I love that graphic!! On Saturday, we got the few things that had to be done taken care of first thing and then goofed off the rest of the day. SO lovely.

>138 lkernagh: Me, too, with the lingering over breakfast, Lori. We used to do Big Breakfast once a week, but now with everyone having different schedules, it's more like once a month. Still, it's lovely when it happens. I also love porridge - one of my favorites! And what a fabulous treat that you didn't even have to make it! Bonus points for the lovely other! I have a rice cooker, and I have heard of people making it in that - I am wanting to try it that way.

Mercy thanks you for the compliment - I think she is so beautiful; I just love her coloring. And Bella is feeling so much better since the steroid and the drops have kicked in to give her some relief.

>139 dk_phoenix: Thank you, Faith! Mercy has beautiful eyes - such a pretty green.

There is no rest for the wicked! I am hoping to catch up on some sleep this week - the weekend was fun but very full.

>140 Carmenere: Thank you, Lynda! Sunday was great - we looked at their photos and opened the loot that they brought back for us. Each of them picked out something for Abby and I, so we cleaned up! SO thoughtful!! I actually got the birthday afternoon all to myself as everyone else followed Rae's lead and took a nap! So funny.

>141 cbl_tn: Morning, Carrie, even though it is a different one! I can't believe how far behind I have fallen on the threads in just two days. YIKES!

>142 Whisper1: Linda, I really love that image! Thank you! And I love the story that you shared - how wonderful that he came back to share the experience with the campus. That must have been so incredible.

My Sunday was lovely, thank you. Hoping that yours was, too!

>143 jnwelch: Joe, it was a happy Sunday. Sounds like yours was full of fabulous! All is definitely well here, thanks for thinking of us!

>144 Berly: Thanks, Kim! We are just waiting to get Bella's test results back and hoping that something shows up in the screening so that we can fix the problem. The poor baby. The staycation was indeed wonderful, but it is good to have everyone back. I love my people! We are treating today like a holiday, so no work for those of us who can stay home today, but Craig and Daniel both had to report for duty. The poor dears.

>145 charl08: Hey, Charlotte! The birthday celebration was loads of fun. Rae is a bit overloaded from all of the crowds, so she wanted a quiet day, which is what we had. Today she is working on one of the jigsaw puzzles that she got for her birthday - she LOVES puzzles.

Hot cross buns sound delicious! Now I am wanting some...

>146 susanj67: I LOVE that, Susan! Both the sentiment and the graphic. Thank you, my friend!

>147 scaifea: Morning, Amber!

>148 Carmenere: Morning, Lynda! Agreed that attitude is everything, even if I can't quite embrace your enthusiasm for Pre-Tuesday.

>149 jnwelch: Me, too, Joe! Happy Mmmphmumble Day to you! The DST is a big loser. I am not a fan. A very cruel joke indeed. I appreciate those good wishes, though, and so far, so good.

>152 luvamystery65: Morning, Roberta! Those GNs were so much fun!! Agree that the Sookie books get weaker as they go along. I also heart Dead to the World!! My absolute fave of the ones that I have read so far. ANd I am happy to hear your comments about the series ending - who knows, maybe I will finish it this time. LOL!

Howdy, Mamie! Hooray for Fade Out & Velvet! I am also enjoying Super Mutant.

Also Never Cry Wolf is very good. Are you reading it, in print?

>155 jnwelch: Thank you, Joe - I will pass along those wishes! Hooray for the Castle love - we adore that show. Rae loves most of the crime shows, and we love watching them together. She doesn't get comedy, so the shows that the other kids love - Everybody Loves Raymond, Friends, Seinfeld, etc, fall flat for her.

I am so glad that you mentioned the Fade Out series over on the GN thread because that is what made me pick it up. SO good! You will like the wrap up, I am thinking.

Thank you for those kind words - the 'cations were fab!

>156 Berly: The salted caramel is really good, Kim! No worries about City on Fire - I have not caught up to you yet. I am hoping to get some solid time with it today. I am just at Book II, so chapter 16. SO see? Your'e good!

>160 msf59: Morning, Mark! You snuck in there while I was posting...AGAIN. How DO you do that?! I loved both Fade Out and Velvet - actually some of favorite GNs I have read so far because I just love that particular genre - crime fiction/noir. And Super Mutant is on the list because you mentioned it and Joe said to just add it to my list. I listen to Joe, so I will be sure to get to it.

I have Never Cry Wolf out from the library - it's in print. Are you reading or listening?

Okay. I think I have caught up with my thread. You know the drill - if I missed you, HOLLER!

Yes, I listening to Wolf and it is working well in this format.

Nice drill!

Ha! I picked that drill because it is a Bosch - I love me some Harry Bosch! See, it's a bookish drill?!

Good to know about the audio, which our library doesn't have, so I am stuck with the print, which is a slightly grubby hardback. Ugh.

  Treat yourself to a slice of your fave, Mamie. It's National Pie Day (3.14)!

>159 Crazymamie: Re: DST, I feel for Morgan - he gets to lose two hours this year since he was in California for this one and ours here is 2 weeks later - lucky him! ;)

>166 weird_O: Oh, dear! I LOVE pie! I had no idea, Bill. My favorite would be pumpkin with pecan streusel topping. YUM!

>167 ursula: Poor Morgan! I know you are missing him, Ursula. Wishing him safe travels back to you.

>166 weird_O: Now there's a holiday!

>169 charl08: Right?! I can totally get behind National Pie Day!

Hi Mamie! I like Rae's way of celebrating her birthday - Castle and big cookies! Sounds perfect to me!

Hey Mamie! I love the Sookie books too! No surprise, right? I've got 3 or 4 on my 2016 the stack and I can not wait to get to them.
Good night :0>

Couldn't let this "special" day of the week slip by without dropping by, Mamie. I am off to the library tomorrow to pick up Fade Out, Vol 1 & Vol. 2. Looking forward to these.

>166 weird_O: Oooh!! Crazy got the full-on Pi variety!! Good job Bill and well-deserved here.

>168 Crazymamie: He is a complainer about DST, so I find it kind of funny that he gets to do it twice (with jet-lag in between). Thanks for the good wishes - we are a little bizarre in preferring to be around each other 24 hours a day, every day.

I love the idea of big cookies!

Rise and shine, porcupine! :0)

Morning, Y'all! You are not gonna believe this, but Birdy is sick. She woke up yesterday with a sore throat, but by last night she was throwing up, poor thing. I guess the good thing about it is that at least she got home before she got sick - so miserable to be sick and away from the comforts of home.

Nothing much on the agenda for today except I do need to make up a menu plan and go to the grocery store. And I need to swing by the library as I have books that have to go back and books that need to be picked up. SQUEE! I have decided to return books two and three of the Serrailler series unread because I have a full plate and those are just not calling to me at the moment. I'll get them back out later in the year.


On the reading front, I finished up Crooked House yesterday - this was an Agatha Christie chosen for Paul's BAC (yes, I am a month behind, but I did start it last month). When I picked it up, I could not remember if I had read it before or not because I read a bunch of these in my teens - mostly the Hercule Poirot ones, but I did read some of the others as well. Crooked House is one of her stand alone books, and as I got further into it, I knew that I had read it before. Not one of her best, but still a fun read. My favorite character in this one was Magda, who plays the role she thinks is required with each encounter, as she is an actress. I wanted more of her. I feel like this one suffers because no one actually solves the murder, and with Agatha Christie I feel it is all about the Big Reveal. And I missed Poirot.

Good morning, Mamie!

Go Agatha! I just read her Dead Man's Mirror, a pretty good Hercule Poirot. I remember liking Crooked House way back when, but then I usually like anything by her.

>171 cbl_tn: Hey, Carrie! Rae is a low maintenance kind of girl when it comes to birthdays - I almost always love what she chooses. And she still gets her happy on in a big way, so it's fun - I love seeing her so animated.

>172 Carmenere: Hey, Lynda! Where are you at with the Sookie books? I have read the first ten books multiple times, but I always stop there. Ha! Currently I am rereading book three - Club Dead.

>173 DeltaQueen50: Judy! You stopped by on my special day. That makes it a good Monday right there! AND we are both going to the library today - we are practically twins!!! I think you will love Fade Out - it's right up your alley.

>174 Berly: Full-on Pi totally cracked me up, Kim! Too funny!

>175 ursula: I myownself am not a fan of DST, Ursula. We used to live in a part of Indiana that ignored it, which I loved, but then it caved and started doing it, too. It's funny but also kind of painful that Morgan has to do it twice. I love Craig dearly, but I do not think we could be together 24/7 and be happy. He likes to constantly go and I love to be sedentary - we are polar opposites in a lot of ways, but we each love and appreciate what the other brings to the relationship. I cannot imagine my life without him, but I definitely need my own space. Still, I love that you and Morgan are soulmates and enjoy and crave each other's company - that's so sweet, and I don't mean that in a condescending way. I mean that is so full of fabulous. When will he be home?

>176 Carmenere: I'm up, buttercup!

>178 jnwelch: Morning, Joe - you pilled a Mark and posted while I was posting! I like most of the Poirot, which are sentimental favorites as they were my entry into the genre - just not The Mysterious Affair at Styles, which is the weakest of her novels IMO. Crooked House was good, just not great - I am more of a Scandicrime kind of a girl than a cozy country house mystery, but I make an exception for Agatha because she was my first. My oldest sister is a huge fan of Miss Marple, but she has read all of the Christie books - probably multiple times. She also adores Wooster and Jeeves and Mrs. Pollifax.

Morning, Mamie! Sorry to hear about Birdy. I hope she has a speedy recovery.

Finished Never Cry Wolf. Good solid read and I am sure you will feel the same.

>179 Crazymamie: Sorry about Birdy. :( I always wondered what it would be like to live in a state that didn't do DST. Bliss, it sounds like! It's funny how many different types of good relationships there are - one size definitely doesn't fit all in terms of how much time together is "right." Morgan's landed in London (yay!) but has a 5-hour layover (boo!) but is getting a ride back from the airport (yay!), so he should be here by 1 AM. And undoubtedly exhausted. I do not envy him the 10-hour flight and the time in airports. At least London-Bologna is only a couple of hours.

Long travel days like that are sort of like childbirth to me - it's easy to forget how awful it was until you do it again. ;)

>83 Crazymamie: Our kitty is diong well at the moment, thank you for asking. On a recommendation from the vets we have been using a cat pheremone diffuser in the house and she is much more relaxed and confident, even saying hello to a visitor at the weekend.

Sorry to hear Birdy is sick :-( I hope she feels better soon.

>182 msf59: Morning, Mark! Me, too with the speedy recovery - she is sad looking little bird right now. Hooray for a good solid read - I might start that one today since it is a quickie.

>183 ursula: Thanks, Ursula. I did love when Indiana didn't do DST - so much simpler. SO true about relationships - Craig and I started dating when I was 19, so I feel like I have known him forever. We dated for two years, were engaged for two years and have been married for 25. Seems like an eternity and yet only a blink at the same time. He is a keeper, for sure. I would do it all over again in a heartbeat.

A five hour layover is miserable. UGH. Laughing about your childbirth synopsis because that is SO true. At least Morgan is on the right side of the ocean - I'll be thinking about the both of you today and wishing him safely back to you.

>184 souloftherose: That is amazing about Erica! Hooray for that, Heather! I thank you for your good wishes for Birdy - it seems like she never gets just a little bit sick,; she always goes all out, poor thing.

Oh, poor Birdy! No fun being sick but, as you say, better at home than on vacation.

Happy Day That's Not Monday!

I know, Katie, but yes, better to be at home. And thank you! Happy Day That's Not Monday to you!!

Hope Birdy feels better. The comfort of home so true- I know mum always makes me feel a bit less buggy just by being in the same house!

Thank you, Charlotte. SO sweet about your mum. It's a wonderful thing to be in the company of those who love you the most.

Hi Mamie! I hope Birdy feels better soon and that nobody else gets sick.

Hi Carrie! Thank you for those kind words. Crossing my fingers that no one else gets sick.

>146 susanj67: lol, or for me- ill just take the bucket every day! Actually I have downsized me cores of late. I now go for a macchiato (long). I still crave the milky coffees, but find the milk less one a bit better for me overall.

>153 Crazymamie: don't let Paul see all that!

Daylight savings doesn't bother me too much. I just change the clock and get on with it. I think my naturally varying sleep times seem to mop up the hours difference...

Hi! I'm just popping in to say hello.

>153 Crazymamie: Ooh, yummy Ben & Jerry's!!! We visited their plant in Vermont once . . .

>157 Crazymamie: Talk of lingering over breakfast sounds divine. It's rare we have a morning when we have time to spare, but those rare ones when we can are lovely!

Sorry to hear that Birdy is ill. I wish her a speedy recovery!

Get-well wishes to Birdy!!!

Morning, Mamie! I hope Birdy is feeling lots better this morning!

Happy Wednesday, Mamie! Hope Birdy's cold symptoms are gone, gone, gone and she is feeling like her ole self!

>192 LovingLit: I'll take the double shot, Megan, but I want the milk, so make mine a latte. I often get mine with soy instead of milk.

I am betting Paul has already seen it - he's pretty fast with the thread even when he's lurking. I think losing weight is not about denying yourself anyway - you just have to burn off the extra calories that you consume and pay attention to portion size.

I really do not like the DST, but that is great that it doesn't bother you. It usually takes me about a week or so to transition - the Fall is not so bad, but the Spring is a bitch bear. Getting up at 4am instead of 5am is a big deal for Craig, and it messes up his sleep cycle, so I would rather just skip DST.

>193 tymfos: Hello, Terri! I have never been to their plant in Vermont, but I love their ice cream. And agreed that lingering over breakfast is a thing full of wonder! We don't get to do as much as we used to, either.

Birdy is already up and says she is feeling a bit better today, so hooray for that.

>194 Berly: She is feeling better today, Kim. Not all the way back yet, but she was up at her usual time (she always gets up with Craig in the mornings) and she has a smile. She said she still feels "a bit stale" but definitely better than the last two days.

>195 scaifea: Morning, Amber! All those get well wishes are working - she is feeling better today.

>196 Carmenere: Happy Wednesday, Lynda! Birdy is still not quite herself, but she is definitely on the mend. I bet we might see her ole self tomorrow.

Morning, Mamie! I am enjoying a day off. Trying to be productive. Did my work-out, knocked out a couple min-reviews, (I'll try to include Never Cry Wolf, later on) and threw together a dinner, in the crockpot. Whew!

Hope you have a good day!

Not too much on the agenda today - Rae has a dentist appointment to get her teeth cleaned. Tonight's dinner will be Mamie's Blue Plate Special, which is little cheddar meatloaves with two sides of vegetables (usually corn and mashed potatoes). Other than that just boring household chores. It's overcast today but going to 85 (yesterday we hit 90F!). We are expecting storms later this week which are supposed to bring in cooler air, and I am really hoping that happens.


On the reading front, I finished up my reread of Club Dead - the third book in the Sookie Stackhouse series. These books are just so fun. And in this one we get to meet Alcide Herveaux! I love that the bar he takes Sookie to in order to gain intel has a goblin for a bouncer. The name of the bar is, of course, Club Dead. You saw that one coming, didn't you?! Next in the series is Dead to the World, which is my favorite book in the series (of the ones that I have read so far). I started this one last night.

>198 msf59: Morning, Mark! Hooray for a day off! And look at you being all productive and stuff. We had a dinner made in the crockpot last night - French dip sandwiches.

Thanks for those good wishes - right back at cha, my friend!

Hi Mamie - I hope Birdy is feeling better. I could never get into the Sookie Stackhouse series -- or vampires. Or zombies. Oh well, I'm glad you're enjoying them. So, Harris is done with the series now? I read some of her earlier mysteries that I liked.

I don't know if you've read this one Mamie. Join us if you are interested.

A Manual for Cleaning Women Group Read

>201 BLBera: Hi Beth! Birdy is feeling better, thanks. I love vampires and werewolves and zombies! Ha! And yes, Harris is done with the series, she finished it several years ago, but I have never finished them. Yet. I have not read any of her other stuff, but I do have one of her mysteries in the stacks.

>202 luvamystery65: I have not read it yet, Roberta , although I have had it out from the library (and had to return it unread). Are you reading it this month? I'll come check.

Hi, Mamie1 Had a good reading day. Finished up, both The Dew Breaker & Super Mutant, I really liked both.

I started another nifty GN, Octopus Pie. The hits keep coming...

Morning, Mamie! That Blue Plate Special sounds amazing!

Morning, Amber! The Blue Plate Special is a family favorite - last night we had it with mashed potatoes and gravy and green beans.

>204 msf59: Almost missed you, Mark! That does sound like a good reading day - well done. The Dew Breaker is short stories, right? Are they interconnected?

Happy St Pat's Day, Mamie!

>179 Crazymamie: You asked me a question way up there and I don't think I answered you. In the Sookie series I'm only on Club Dead. I hope to get 2 maybe 3 in during May's Madness and Mayhem.

Morning, Lynda! Oh, I forgot it's St. Patrick's Day! One of Rae's favorites, so I would have been reminded if I had seen her before she left to work in Craig's office today.

I am hoping you get to Dead to the World with Sookie because that is my favorite so far - you are very close; it comes after Club Dead.

Oooh, I must run downstairs and see if I own that one. I purchase them as I see them at booksales. wish me luck

*crosses fingers* Good luck, Lynda!

puff puff puff Just ran down and ran back up and yeah! I own Dead to the World too. So definitely in May!

Hooray!!

Happy pre-Friday, Mamie! Your blue plate special sounds excellent, although when I saw the picture up above I had a moment of thinking OMG all day I've been thinking it was Wednesday and it's *not*. But then I thought carefully about it, and it was :-) Which is good, because I don't fancy doing Wednesday twice.

Hooray for pre-Friday, Susan! Right. I liked the image that I posted for the Blue Plate Special, so I decided to ignore that the day was wrong. And yes - let's NOT do Wednesday twice.

Good morning, Mamie, and I'll join the chorus of "Happy Pre-Friday!" Or, as Mark would say: "Sweet Thursday!!!"

I'm in snowy Montana and having a great time with my counterparts from universities all around the Pacific Northwest. Not much reading time but that's okay. I'm almost done with The Book Thief and I'm loving it. I know Roberta posted the link to a group read thread for A Manual for Cleaning Women. I hope you join us.

Morning, Mamie! Sweet Thursday! I would not quite, consider The Dew Breaker, a short story collection but the stories, do all link around the main character. Depends how you look at it. The bottom line is, that is worthy.

Morning, Ellen! And yes - Sweet Thursday!

I was just over on your thread reading about your time in Montana - sounds so lovely even if it is cutting into your reading time. I am planning on joining you for A Manual for Cleaning Women - hoping to pick it up at the library when I drop off some books today. Last time I was there, they had it on the shelves, if not, I'll request it.

>217 msf59: Morning, Mark! Sweet Thursday! Good to know about The Dew Breaker - I just looked it up quickly to see what it was and saw the tag short stories, so I just assumed. I will await your final thoughts but sounds like I'll be adding it to the list.

>218 Crazymamie: Oh good. I'm looking forward to digging into those stories and I'm glad you'll be joining in the group discussion. This sort of group read usually changes my experience of reading -- in a positive direction.

Happy St. Patrick's Day, Mamie!

Just checking in to say hello, Mamie. Glad you're joining us for A Manual for Cleaning Women!

>220 EBT1002: *grin* I like the input of others that comes with a group read, too, Ellen.

>221 tymfos: Happy St. Patrick's Day, Terri!

>222 jnwelch: Hello, Joe! Feeling better? Looks to be a fun group for the GR.

Happy Weekend!

Morning, Mamie! Did you see that Peyton and Jim Irsay are holding a press conference this morning? I wonder what's up?

>224 DianaNL: So sweet! Thanks, Diana!

>225 cbl_tn: Morning, Carrie! No, I didn't see that. Intriguing.

Hey Mamie, Wake up and be amazing! (I actually saw that on a paper towel this morning, nothing like positive affirmations on your paper products)

Well at least it wasn't on the toilet paper. LOL! Morning, Lynda!

>225 cbl_tn: Carrie, I think the press conference is just to honor his years as a Colt - Irsay invited him back to say good-bye. Peyton is a BIG guy to go back there at Irsay's behest.

>228 Crazymamie: like "You can move mountains" perhaps?

Ha!

Happy Weekend Mom!!!

Morning, Mamie! Happy Friday! Back to chilly again here, in Chicagoland but at least there is sunshine.

>231 Thebookdiva: I know, right?! Happy Weekend, Abby!

>232 msf59: Morning, Mark! Happy Friday! It's about perfect here for me - overcast, slight breeze and 63F right now. Feels good!

Apparently the Colts are retiring Peyton's number and putting up a statue outside the stadium.

Happy Friday, Mamie! That's interesting news ^ about Peyton.

Hope the Mamie clan is setting up well for the weekend. Your weather sounds about perfect all right.

>234 cbl_tn: Well, they should - it's the least they can do, for Pete's sake. Thanks, Carrie!

>235 jnwelch: Happy Friday, Joe! I figured they would retire his number - Indiana LOVES Peyton, it was Irsay that screwed him over.

The Pecan Paradisio is very happy that it is Friday - I got my hair cut, which was the only thing that had to get done today. We are making Jenn's crockpot beef with broccoli for dinner, which I think will be fabulous. The plan is just to sit back and relax - Craig is on call this weekend, so the rest of us just plan to hang tight. And yes, the weather is perfect.

Oops! The Colts aren't retiring Peyton's number. Just his jersey.

I just realized that, for my dad, Peyton was always a Colt. My dad died in Sep. 2011 before the Colts released Peyton and he landed in Denver.

Wishing you a great weekend. I got home to find two beans looking about big enough to have their own pots... Exciting times (!)

Got my hair cut yesterday!! We are two styling' chicks!! ; )

>237 cbl_tn: Interesting, Carrie. I think they should retire his number. As you know, my Dad died that exact same month, so Peyton was also always a Colt for him. Not that he followed sports much - and he would never have seen him play as a Colt because he went completely blind in 1994, the same year that Daniel was born.

>238 charl08: Thank you for that Charlotte! Hoping that your weekend is full of fabulous! And hooray for the beans!! I am so excited - you'd think they were my beans. Ha!

>239 Berly: Hello, Kim! Styling chicks, indeed - mine needed it desperately as I usually get it cut every five weeks and it had been more than twice that.

>236 Crazymamie: & >239 Berly: I don't know whether we are going to be shown evidence of all these stylish new hairdos?

Have a lovely weekend, Mamie. xx

Haha, Paul! Mine is not looking so stylish at the moment as I have not yet taken my shower. It's quiet here - just Mercy and I hanging out as Craig and Rae are at the office and everyone else is still sleeping. I have the entire pot of coffee all to myself. Bliss.

Thanks for those weekend wishes, my friend. Wishing the same for you. xx

And I am also sending up a little prayer that you find those car keys!

Jenn posted the link to the recipe for this slow cooker dish, and I made it last night for dinner - it was very good. We served it over Jasmine rice. I love that the broccoli was cooked separately so it did not get mushy. Definitely a keeper. Here is the link for anyone interested: Slow Cooker Broccoli Beef

SO, as I mentioned to Kim, yesterday I got my hair cut - it really needed it, as I was getting a bit scary. I also treated myself to a latte out and stopped by the library to pick up some books that had come in. What did I get?

Reading Chekhov by Janet Malcolm - Charlotte recommended this one, and I cannot wait to get to it. She assures me that I need not have read Chekhov first, which is good because I haven't.

Chinese Takeout Cookbook by Diana Kuan - I had this out before and made some really good soups, but someone requested it, so I had to return it before I was finished with it. This was recommended by Lori - it was her top cookbook pick from last year.

A Cleaning Manual for Women by Lucia Berlin - recommended by Mark, and there is a GR that Roberta set up that starts this month if anyone else wants to join us it looks to be a very fun group.

>242 Crazymamie: Mamie, dear, this is an image of exactly the mug I take my coffee in and would be ever so grateful if you could share...



I have given up hope slightly on the keys and am hoping that I can do something with the valet key to avoid the expenditure and ridiculous wait for a replacement.

I will wait while you shower to have you show your brand new locks off to their best effect.

On the reading front, I have finished up Dead to the World. This is the fourth book in the Sookie Stackhouse series, and this one is my personal favorite. It's a reread for me. In this one Eric is cursed by a witch and loses his memory. And Sookie's brother Jason goes missing. Highly recommended if you enjoy urban fantasy - they are quick reads and great fun.


I started reading a book that I picked up during my recent staycation - Lovecraft Country by Matt Ruff. I think this is going to be really good - I like what I have read so far, and it is kind of a book about books if you are a science fiction fan. Here's the blurb from Amazon:

"The critically acclaimed cult novelist makes visceral the terrors of life in Jim Crow America and its lingering effects in this brilliant and wondrous work of the imagination that melds historical fiction, pulp noir, and Lovecraftian horror and fantasy.

Chicago, 1954. When his father Montrose goes missing, 22-year-old Army veteran Atticus Turner embarks on a road trip to New England to find him, accompanied by his Uncle George—publisher of The Safe Negro Travel Guide—and his childhood friend Letitia. On their journey to the manor of Mr. Braithwhite—heir to the estate that owned one of Atticus’s ancestors—they encounter both mundane terrors of white America and malevolent spirits that seem straight out of the weird tales George devours.

At the manor, Atticus discovers his father in chains, held prisoner by a secret cabal named the Order of the Ancient Dawn—led by Samuel Braithwhite and his son Caleb—which has gathered to orchestrate a ritual that shockingly centers on Atticus. And his one hope of salvation may be the seed of his—and the whole Turner clan’s—destruction.

A chimerical blend of magic, power, hope, and freedom that stretches across time, touching diverse members of two black families, Lovecraft Country is a devastating kaleidoscopic portrait of racism—the terrifying specter that continues to haunt us today."

The writing is lovely:

"'All right,' said the trooper. 'Open the trunk.' The trooper pawed through Atticus's clothes first, patting down the sides of his duffel bag as if it too were a black man braced against a car. Then he turned to the books, dumping the box out into the trunk. Atticus tried not to care, telling himself paperbacks were meant to be abused, but it was hard, like watching friends get knocked around."

"But stories are like people, Atticus. Loving them doesn't make them perfect. You try to cherish their virtues and overlook their flaws. The flaws are still there, though."

>244 PaulCranswick: Paul, I would be happy to share, and I am thrilled to see the coffee mug that you use!

I am thinking you are going to have to spring for that incredibly costly replacement key. The wait time did seem extraordinary considering the price tag of the service. Seems like they would overnight them at that price.I wish that keys came with GPS trackers! Craig losses his all the time.

LOL about waiting for the shower! We'll see, my friend.

Imma takin' that slow cooker recipe, lady.

Happy Saturday!

Happy Saturday, Amber! That recipe was very good. And SO easy. Gotta love that!

>245 Crazymamie: The Sookie Stackhouse series is one that I've never started, but it sounds like they must be pretty good if they stand up to repeated re-reads! Did I read further upthread that you have not finished reading the series yet? Was that a deliberate decision to stop at a point where the books were still good, or you just haven't gotten around to the newer ones yet? Inquiring minds (well, mine anyway) want to know!

The first books in the series are definitely better than the later ones, Julia, and they are just plain fun. I tend to reread a lot, but not just anything - it has to have been a favorite for some reason. These are just light-hearted - fast paced with quirky characters and lots of humor. The first time through the series, I read all the books that there were at the time. When I reread the series, I added the books that had been written since my previous reading. Harris finished the series in 2013 (if I am thinking correctly), and I reread them then intending to add the final books to my reading, but I just couldn't do it. I was not ready for Sookie to be over yet. SO I am very careful to avoid spoilers. Maybe this time I will make it through all of the books - we'll see, I guess.

>244 PaulCranswick:, >246 Crazymamie: Actually, they now have a variety of gadgets that will track your keys, usually with your phone. See

http://mashable.com/2013/07/18/find-keys-apps/#_

Okay, Roni! Way too cool. I am seeing one of those in Craig's future! Thanks so much for that link.

Good morning, Mamie! Have a great weekend.

>250 Crazymamie: I love that explanation, Mamie, and I can totally relate to it. I have re-read the Nero Wolfe series multiple times and I always hate getting to the very last one. I used to be more "loose" with my re-reads but the older I get the more reluctant I am to re-read unless it is a beloved book — or part of a beloved series. So rock on, my friend!

Morning, Mamie! Just out trudging the route but my books are keeping me company.
Thanks for stopping by the Poetry thread. Looking forward to expanding my horizons, a bit more.

Have a great day!

Mamie, Lovecraft Country sounds really good. Do you think it would work for someone who doesn't know a lot about SF? I hope Birdy is fully recovered and y'all have a fun Sunday.

Morning, Y'all! I must have slept funny last night because I have a terrible crick in my neck this morning. But it's GORGEOUS here, and that more than compensates for the neck - a nice cool 54F right now and only going to 66F. Hooray! *does happy dance*

I usually don't go to the market on Sunday, but I might have to as we are out of milk. Also, Birdy is wanting broccoli cheese soup for dinner, so if I do go to the market, I could also get the broccoli. And some crusty bread to go with the soup, so...it's looking like I'm going to the market. On a Sunday.

On the reading front. I started reading Vinegar Girl yesterday - I won this from last month's ER, and it is good so far. I'm about halfway through, so I hope to finish it up today. It's one of the Hogarth Shakespeare, and as most of you know it's a contemporary retelling of Shakespeare's The Taming of the Shrew. Here is a link to the upcoming publications, some of which I ma very much looking forward to: Hogarth Shakespeare Schedule

I also started the next Sookie book, which is Dead as a Doornail. This is the one where someone tries to burn down Sookie's house wth Sookie in it. and Colonel Flood dies, so there is going to be major Were drama. Not my favorite one, but still good.

Wishing for all of you a Sunday that is full of happy!

I like the idea of Jo Nesbo on Macbeth: I'm hoping for lots of snow.

Hope the marketing is straightforward. I bought a chicken yesterday, so there is chicken and broccoli pie in my future.

>253 jnwelch: Morning, Joe, even though it's a different one! So far so good with the weekend. I mostly just sat around and read yesterday, and in between books, I took a nap. Ha! Can you say lazy day?! I did do some laundry, so there is that.

>254 rosalita: Thanks, Julia! I only reread beloved books or books that are part of a beloved series, like you said, unless I am rereading something that I read a long time ago to reassess it - usually a classic. I'll do that if there is a GR tempting me. I will rock on! Thanks for the encouragement.

>255 msf59: Morning, Mark! Sunday now, so you should be safely tucked at home. I am not a huge poetry fan, but it calls to me sometimes. I used to love poetry when I was in high school and college, and Abby is a huge fan. Expanding horizons is always good, I think.

Yesterday was indeed rest, so thanks for those wishes! I am greedy, so I would like another! Hoping that your Sunday is full of fabulous!

>256 susanj67: I am really enjoying Lovecraft Country so far, Susan, and I don't think you need to know a lot about sci-fi to enjoy it. I have just dipped my toes into the waters of sci-fi these last few years, so I barely know anything - so far how the novel discusses it takes you along on the ride without feeling like a drawn out explanation or a condescending quip. Atticus, the main character, and his father Montrose (the one who has gone missing) disagreed on reading - Montrose didn't feel like books with inherent prejudice in their pages should be read, and Atticus overlooked the prejudice and just enjoyed the stories. Atticus' Uncle George is also a huge fan of science fiction, and the setting of the novel, 1954, puts the whole debate at a very interesting timepoint as racial tensions rise in the US.

Birdy is fully recovered, thanks for asking. She is back to her early-rising, always happy and chatty self.

>258 charl08: Me, too, Charlotte - I was excited when I saw that. Lots of snow would be most excellent, since I will get exactly none in Georgia. I also think that Atwood's take on The Tempest could be really good.

Oh! Chicken and broccoli pie sounds delicious! And thank you for those marketing wishes.

Morning, Mamie! Happy Sunday! Being fairly productive so far, knocked out a couple of mini-reviews and snuck in a bit of reading, visited a few threads.

How are you coming on City on Fire? I think I am going to start it on audio, tomorrow. I know it's a Big Boy, but I thought I might as well, dive in.

Morning, Mark! Happy Sunday! Look at you being productive already!

I have not progressed any further on City of Fire - I just pushed it to the back burner since I knew that you and Kim were not burning the midnight oil. Since you are starting it tomorrow, I will get back to it then as well. The audio is pretty good, but the story is excellent.

"but the story is excellent." That is very encouraging...thanks!

Happy Sunday, Mamie! Good luck at the market. I go on Sundays, but early before it gets overrun by annoying people. Which reminds me, I kind of forgot to go this morning - oops!

Happy Sunday, Katie! SO true about the annoying people - too late for me; I'll have to suffer through. Oh, dear for you! What will you do now?

>263 msf59: Almost missed you there somehow, Mark! Yep - the writing and the story are both excellent.

I guess I'll just go later... *sigh*

*sigh* Me, too.

Hope you both survived the annoying people, lol.

Thank you, Kim. Actually, I lucked out - Craig had to go into the office to see a few patients, and so he offered to stop by the market on his way home and pick up what we needed. I am a lucky woman!

Ah! Now I am jealous--it is off to the grocery store I go!

Oh, dear! Good luck on your mission!

Hurrah for missing the market, Mamie! Hope you are having a great Sunday.

Hurrah indeed, Roni! I am having a lovely Sunday - we have had the windows open all day long, which I love doing. It's just 60F, so I have put a sweatshirt on in order to keep the windows open, which is something I rarely get to do in Georgia. And now the house smells fresh and outdoorsy, and we are enjoying the last vestiges of sunshine as the sun prepares to set. I am headed to the deck with a glass of wine to enjoy the show.

Sounds perfect.

Yes, ma'am!

Hmph. *My* husband just told me to "have fun" when I informed him I was going to the store... :-P But it wasn't too bad, and I picked up some wine, so I can't complain. Sounds like your weather was similar to ours today - our windows were open, too, and I enjoyed the breeze.

Please accept my pre-Monday condolences...

I just got caught up with two or three threads. Can't remember how many. You looking amazing with all the weight you lost. You go, girl!

I can't believe how much Mercy has grown. I remember when you first found her and she was an itty bitty thing.

I'm another that can't stand the taste of cilantro.

My vet calls the anal gland/ear allergy issue "Ears and Rears."

Can I get your recipes for Blue Plate Special and Broccoli Cheese Soup?

>257 Crazymamie: That is an ADORABLE picture! Broccoli cheese soup sounds so amazing right now.

Happy spring!

Oh, I LOVE that first day you can throw open all the windows and blow the stink out of the house! Yay for Spring!!

ETA: Not that your house is stinky - it's just an expression, you see. *snork!*

Happy Monday, Mamie! The beef n broccoli looks awesome! Could you please, please, please put the link on my thread. I'll forget to come back to yours for it when I'm not so busy. :0) Thanks

Happy Monday!

Hi, Mamie! Running a little late on a Monday. Business as usual. Lots of sunshine here again but cool.

Just started City on Fire...

Hiya, Mamie! Best regards to you and the Pecan Paradisio gang.

Yesterday was a long one, and our internet was "having a moment", so I didn't even make it to my own thread. Today WILL be better. I'll just have to be firm with it and demand that it gives me what I want from it.


On the reading front, I have finished rereading books five and six in the Sookie Stackhouse series, and now Rae is reading the books and loving them. Bonus! I really do need to get back to reading the other books that I have going...

Sorry to hear about the Monday. Hope today treats you better.

I have transplanted beans and lettuce, and planted flower seedlings out. Now for the nervous waiting to see if they decide that they don't approve of all the fiddling about and/or the "extreme" weather conditions!

Catching up with the thread:

>277 katiekrug: So...um, did you "have fun" at the market, Katie? I am totally jealous that you can purchase wine on a Sunday. I appreciate those pre-Monday condolences - so timely.

Another good day weather wise - I am really enjoying the dip in temps. It's almost like, you know, a real Spring.

>278 Morphidae: Morphy! So lovely to see you here!! I am so touched that you took the time to catch up with my thread. And I thank you for the kind words - they mean a lot to me, especially coming from you, as you have been such an inspiration to me.

Mercy has gotten big, hasn't she?! There was nothing to her when she first came to us, and now she is long and lovely and weighs in at ten pounds - making her larger than any of our toy poodles!

I love cilantro, but you have to be careful with it - easy to over do it IMO.

'Ears and Rears' made me laugh out loud! I am hoping we will find out this week what Bella is allergic to so that we can change her diet and give her some permanent relief, poor girl.

I am happy to share the recipes. The little cheddar meatloaves are from a Taste of Home cookbook that I have had for years:

Lil Cheddar Meat Loaves Recipe:

TOTAL TIME: Prep: 15 min. Bake: 25 min.YIELD:8 servings

Ingredients:
1 egg
3/4 cup milk
1 cup (4 ounces) shredded cheddar cheese
1/2 cup quick-cooking oats
1/2 cup chopped onion
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 pound ground beef
2/3 cup ketchup
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1-1/2 teaspoons prepared mustard

Directions:
1. In a large bowl, whisk egg and milk. Stir in the cheese, oats, onion and salt. Crumble beef over mixture and mix well. Shape into eight loaves; place in a greased 13-in. x 9-in. baking dish. In a small bowl, combine the ketchup, brown sugar and mustard; spoon over loaves.
2. Bake, uncovered, at 350° for 25-30 minutes or until no pink remains and a meat thermometer reads 160°. Yield: 8 servings.

Nutritional Facts
1 serving (1 each) equals 254 calories, 10 g fat (5 g saturated fat), 72 mg cholesterol, 690 mg sodium, 25 g carbohydrate, 1 g fiber, 17 g protein.
© 2016 RDA Enthusiast Brands, LLC



The broccoli cheese soup is from the Skinnytaste blog that I just adore. Here is a link to the recipe: Skinnytaste Broccoli Cheese and Potato Soup

>279 The_Hibernator: Hello, Rachel! Thank you for that lovely spring image. Crocuses are so cheerful, aren't they?!

The soup is good and very easy to make. Highly recommended!

>280 scaifea: Me, too, Amber! And you made me laugh with the clarification about the stink!

>281 Carmenere: Hello, Lynda! I posted the link to the broccoli beef - really good. We served it over rice, but I think it would also be delicious with either baked or mashed potatoes.

Enjoy your vacation!!

>282 Berly: Ha! Thanks for that, Kim. Monday needs all the humor it can get.

>283 msf59: Hey there, Mark! Better late than never, right? How are you liking City on Fire?

>284 jnwelch: Hiya, Joe! Thank you for those regards! Hope you are enjoying your busy time away.

>286 charl08: Thank for that, Charlotte! Rae had to go to the dentist yesterday, and she doesn't do well with the numbing stuff, so it makes for a very long day for her. She is feeling better today, I am happy to report. Yesterday was just one of those days that gets away from you, you know?! you are just handling each thing as it comes, and then suddenly the day is over and you wonder where it went and why you didn't get any down time. So, yeah, HELLO Tuesday!

I am excited about your gardening exploits! I love hearing about each step!!

Morning, Mamie! I am enjoying City on Fire, of course it is early days. I do not mind the deliberate pace but will that change a few more hundred pages in? We will see.

I just hit the part, where Mercer finds the body.

Happy Tuesday, Mamie! Here's hoping it's going better for you (and Rae) than yesterday...

I'm taking that broccoli soup recipe - thanks for sharing!!

All my sympathies to Rae - my dentist has always given me grief for being wimpy. Well, then she went to a conference where someone had done a study and found that SOME people really do have more nerve endings active in their mouths than others! So she has me take a full dose of tylenol an hour ahead, and has me come in early, numbs everything and then sends me into the waiting room for fifteen minutes. It makes a big difference, not perfect, but manageable. She really hates a suffering patient, so it's been helpful.

Happy Tuesday, Mamie! I hope it's been a good one!

>290 msf59: Morning, Mark! Are you listening to the audio at normal speed? You can easily speed it up, and it works fine at say, 1.25x speed. I am back to print because someone requested the digital audio - the NERVE! I got right back in line for it, so hopefully, I'll get it back soonish. I am on chapter 18, so page 178. I know, I know. I NEED to get moving. I had set it aside since you and Kim weren't reading, but I have picked it back up again.

>291 scaifea: Tuesday worked just fine for me, Amber, so thanks for those good wishes. Rae's mood was much improved, so a better day for her, too. The broccoli soup recipe is delish - I add two extra carrots and two extra stalks of celery and two extra potatoes - we love our veggies!

>292 sibylline: Thanks for sharing, Lucy. It's weird because Rae actually has a very high pain tolerance everywhere except in her mouth. And she is so sensitive to the numbing meds - they make her feel angry. Add to that the fact that she doesn't like to be touched, and the dentist's office is really all about being touched, and you have the makings of a disaster every time. She really likes our current dentist, which helps, but the experience is still a daunting one for her.

SO interesting about some people having more nerve endings in their mouths than others! I did not know that! And good for your dentist for learning something new and adapting. Of course, I would have been out of their as soon as she gave me grief for being wimpy. You are a better person than I.

>293 cbl_tn: It was happy, thank you, Carrie! How was yours?

Morning, Mamie!

This is me, crawling towards the weekend...

Morning, Katie! Oh, dear...

Morning, Mamie! My old Nano only has 3 speeds. Maybe I will try the faster speed and see how it works.
I do not mind the narrator. I have enjoyed her before. I wonder why they went with a female narrator, considering much of the narrative is male? Interesting...

My audiobook is broken into 30 segments, about an hour-fifteen each. I just started 7.

Hi Mamie. Happy Wednesday to you.

Looks like a full week already Mamie.

Please extend my best wishes to dear, Rae ~ I always shudder at the mention of dentists.

Way back :

>251 ronincats: The problem being obvious.......I'm always losing my mobile phone!

C--Evening! Guess what I got? A fitbit!! And I made my first 10,000 today. : )

>300 Berly: congrats!! It's a great feeling isn't it?

*wave*

Morning, Mamie! Happy Thursday! Today will feel like a Friday to me since I'm taking the day off tomorrow.

Morning, Y'all! Yesterday was fun. I ran errands in the morning, then took Birdy to get her hair cut - she got a completely different style, and it is WAY cute on her. Then we met Craig for lunch at a Mexican restaurant. After that, Birdy and I went to the market while Craig went home to work in the yard. Dinner was grilled steaks and baked potatoes. Craig and I read on the screened-in porch after dinner, and I am so glad we did because we got to see the blood moon rise - so pretty!

Today I need to work on clearing my desk - the mail has taken over again, and there will be an avalanche if I do not intervene very soon. It's beginning to look like the judge's desk in Miracle on 34th Street (the original one) after he repeatedly tells the defense attorney to "put them here on my desk".

Tonight's dinner will be the Asian glazed Drumsticks from the Skinnytaste website - these are a family favorite, and have been requested by Rae. Most yummy! Roasted carrots and rice ti go with that. Here's the link to the recipe if anyone wants it: Skinnytaste Asian Glazed Drumsticks

>297 msf59: Morning, Mark! I keep forgetting you use a nano. That's what I always used to use, to, but now I use my phone, since I carry that when I'm walking anyway in case the kids need to get ahold of me. I don't mind the narrator either - she does a perfectly good job; she just doesn't raise the level of the book any the way some of the fabulous narrators can do. According to the audible site, the book has multiple narrators, so I keep wondering when the others come into play because I only heard the woman for the bit I listened to - it's divided into books, though, so maybe they switch when a new book starts. So the first one would be after the letter from William's dad.

>298 BLBera: It was indeed a happy Wednesday, Beth, so I thank you for those good wishes. Hoping that yours was also happy!

>299 PaulCranswick: It's been busy but good, Paul. I will tell Rae that you were thinking about her and that you don't like to go to the dentist, either. She will like that!

Ha! Craig is always losing his phone, too! I think I would put ti on my phone if it came to that!

>300 Berly: Hello, Kim!! I am most excited that you got a Fitbit!!! Maybe you can get me going again - I have really been slacking off lately. Hooray for your first 10,000!! You go, girl!

>301 dragonaria: Hiya, Kimberly! *waves*

>302 nittnut: Hey there, Jenn! *waves*

>303 cbl_tn: Morning, Carrie! Happy Thursday!! Hooray for a Friday off - fabulous!

Morning Mamie! Sweet Thursday! I am enjoying a day off. Thank you for the suggest on bumping up the speed on the audio. I did just that, it takes a few minutes to get used to and then I am off and running. I am just about at the 1/3 way point. So far, I have no problems with the narrative, even though the scope of it, continues to widen.

Sweet Thursday, Mamie! (It's great to start the day by hearing from the Sweet Thursday boys, right?)

Love that dino explanation of Monday up there, and Katie crawling toward the weekend. As I'm in goof-off mode, so I have no complaints. We're racking up some good numbers on Madame MBH's fitbit walking around NYC.

>307 msf59: Morning, Mark! Sweet Thursday! My pleasure, my friend. I'll try to knock out a chunk of it today to catch up with you.

>308 jnwelch: Sweet Thursday, Joe! And yes - great to start the day by hearing from you and Mark (who will now forever be the Sweet Thursday boys!). Monday was rough, but I can't complain about the rest of the week so far - it's been kind to me. I NEED to get going with the stepping!

Morning, Mamie! Enjoying coffee on the balcony this morning hope you're enjoying it around the pool

Morning, Lynda! I'm just enjoying it here at my desk, as I am still in my jammies. By the pool would be lovely, though - sunny and going to 82F today, so I am sure to snag some deck time. Coffee on the balcony while vacationing sounds lovely indeed!

Hooray for the Sweet Thursday Boys!!

Hey Mamie - it's almost Friday. I had not heard of Sriracha sauce before so I have learnt something today. The amazon UK site includes a keyring option with a tiny bottle to take on your travels - some people must be Big fans.

>312 msf59: Hooray, indeed! What would we ever do without them?!

>313 charl08: Hello, Charlotte! Almost Friday is one of my favorite times. I am laughing about the keyring option for the Sriracha sauce - too funny! My nephew travels everywhere with his own bottle of hot sauce, which he puts on everything before even tasting it first.

You will be happy to know that I purchased my very first Simenon - I got the one that you recommended. The Misty Harbor one. Please do not tell Susan that it is book #15.